Atlas Twp.- To passers-by the small cemetery west of Gale Road about a half mile or so from the Oakland County line is just a blip in the rural township countryside. Bordered by a white fence, and shrouded by a few stately maple trees the half acre plot also known as the Horton Burying Ground is the final resting place for some of the families who settled the area.
Despite ravenous vandals, age and years of weathering, the Atlas Township cemetery contains some rather unique glimpses into the past.
Among century old tombstones are a pair of small tattered American flags’supported by bronze markers’remembering two patriots, that fought for our nation’s independence nearly 230 years ago.
Patriots William Britton and his younger brother John Britton are buried along with a few family members in the front section of the cemetery. While their tombstones are long since gone a history of their contributions to the American Revolution remain in the annals of the founding of our nation.
The Daughters of the American Revolution, a group dedicated to the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence documented some of the Brittons? lives.
Born on Long Island, N.Y. in 1755, John Britton participated in battles in the revolutionary army in Canada from 1775-1776, in Germantown, Pa., Oct. 4, 1777 and Monmouth, N.J. June 28, 1778. John served as a private in Captain George Forepaugh’s Company 5th Battalion Philadelphia Militia. He married Isabel Rice of Dublin, Ireland and following her death in 1809, he married Lydia Pipps-Harris. He had several children including Elizabeth, Rebecca & Mary (twins), Daniel, William and John. During his life he lived in Gettysburg, Adams County, Pa. and Cayuga County, NY. In 1842 he arrived in Atlas Township where he worked as a farmer and ironer. He died June 1846.
Less is known of William Britton who was born in 1749 and came to Michigan in 1824. He died in 1844.
An estimated 1,300 American Revolutionary War veterans are buried in Michigan, say officals from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Due to the efforts of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and members of the Daughters of the American Revolution about 300 have been identified and recognized.
‘If people think they may have a relative that served in the revolution they should contact us,’said Joyce Ernest, vice regent for the Daughters of the American Revolution, Genesee Chapter. ‘We’ll assist in the genealogy and provide as much help as possible.?
Ernest said the DAR will now determine if an additional markers will be necessary for the Britton’s at the Atlas Cemetery.
Atlas Township Supervisor Paul Amman says it’s been several years since the cemetery was last used will continue to maintenance the grounds.
‘Atlas Township is responsible for the cemetery upkeep,? said Amman, who along with resident Nick McElarath mows to keep the weeds trimmed at the cemetery. ‘For many years the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts took care of the cemetery’but for the past three years the township took care of the place.?
Amman said on several occasions vandals removed, tipped over and smashed tombstones’remnants are scattered around the grounds.
According to reports from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Atlas Township Precinct, approximately 25 headstones, some dating back to the early 1900s were found knocked over and broken in half in October 2004.