Atlas Twp.-A revolutionary war soldier buried in the Horton cemetery had at least one direct descendant in Goodrich according to area newspaper records from Sept. 20, 1939.
Patriot William Britton, a soldier in the American army from Dec. 1, 1777 to June 10, 1783, who came to Michigan in 1824 and died in 1844 was related to local resident Cyrus Waterhouse of Goodrich. The story regarding Britton preempted placement of a marker by the Genesee chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Other local descendants mentioned in the story were Adelaide Talbot, Harry Hosler, Frand C. Hosler and Robert Hosler all from the Flint area. No further information was provided in the story.
William Britton served with Capt. Wiley and Col. Brooks, participated in the battle of Yorktown and was at the surrender of British commander Lord Cornwallis, according to the article. On Sept. 28, 1781, Gen. George Washington along with other generals and 17,000 troops converged on and defeated British troops camped at Yorktown, Va. This would be the final major battle of the Revolutionary War. By November of 1782, the Treaty of Paris, where Britain recognized the United States and promised to remove all its troops from the country, had been written. The treaty was eight years after the Declaration of Independence had been signed.
Patriot John Britton is also buried nearby however, no record of his relationship to William has been determined.
Both Brittons are buried along with a few family members in the front section of the cemetery and will be honored next year with new grave markers by the Genesee chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Joyce Ernest, vice regent of the Genesee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution began researching the history of both patriots John and William Britton buried in the old cemetery near Gale Road just north of the Oakland county line. The Genesee Chapter of the DAR had dedicated both graves in 1917 and will now host a rededication next summer.