It is generally accepted that this family had its origin in America via John or Ralph Houghton in 1635 when they came to Mass. Probably through Ralph. However, a definite or apparent link has not yet been made. The following descriptions references the two of them as probability indicates that or American seeds was with one of them.  Searches so far do not positively connect us to John or Ralph.  

UNDER CONSTRUCTION:   Data being updated from earlier assumptions to known content.

Note: Thanks to Dave Reedy for digging up a lot of information in his genealogy search about 1990.  Carla Brodine (Michigan), a descendent of Jonathan through his son, Oliver; and Gary Houghton (Canada), Descendent through Jonathan's son Martin, have contributed a huge amount of data on all of Jonathans sons and daughters as well as some info on Jonathans father Joseph and wife Hanna. We are still developing and searching for support documentation. The discoveries keep coming. There are some other contacts in the family still active in genealogy working constantly. I will note them as they are available.

AMERICAN ROOTS  MIGRATION TRAIL  JOSEPH (1770)  

The following is information collected from other sources that depicts some Houghton History in US. Our line may or may not be connected to the subject pioneers.

American Roots

Voyage To America (John and Ralph):

The voyage sailed in may of 1635. John was born in 1624 and Ralph was born in 1623. That would make them 11 and 12. I immediately thought that I had the date of the voyage wrong but I didn’t. Here’s a web site that names all of Abigail’s voyages (http://www.primenet.com/~langford/ships/shp-a01.htm).  From ship records, it shows that it was only the two of them together. Why would the parents of John and Ralph, let two boys sail to Wild America all alone forever? Abigail Houghton was born a generation after John and Ralph and named after the sailing ship "Abigail".  

John Houghton (Personal):

John Houghton lived on Dean’s Brook but moved due to the Indian massacre of 1676 to Woburn Mass. His house there is describe as an extending estate. Which meant that he had money so my theory is that the boys had some sort of caretaker that came with them. Weather it was a family friend or someone else, the persons name on the ship records probably didn’t seem to link a caretaker (him or her) to the boys. It appears that Ralph and John were Protestant yet their parents were such devoted Catholics? John Houghton and wife Beatrix may have come from England the same time as Ralph and Jane. He appears in the Lancaster, Ma. records soon after it was founded and family tradition says he was of Eaton Bray, England.  

Ralph Houghton (Personal):

Ralph Houghton born ca 1623 in England, arrived at Mass Bay Colony about 1649. No record of his crossing has been found. Perhaps he used another name. He has been referred in family lore as "The Stowaway". Two children were born to him and his wife, Jane near the Boston area. The seacoast area was becoming very populated and land was hard to get. About a days ride was the Western Hills and Nashua River. Land was purchased from the Indians and was called the Nashua Plantation (now Lancaster). Eventually, several families lived there; they petitioned the General Court at Boston and on 18 May 1653, Lancaster was incorporated by an election held at Boston, Ma. Ralph was about 29 years old at the time Lancaster was founded. Apparently, a skilled penman and man of learning, he signed the Covenant in 1652 and served as Town Clerk many years.  Ralph Houghton to Rose (Houghton) VanNoy and John Houghton, perhaps cousins, both of Lancaster, Ma. via England.

Indian Raids:

The first Indian raid on Lancaster occurred 16 Aug 1675 and several people were killed but they managed to drive the Indians off. The second raid was 10 Feb 1676, many people were killed, homes destroyed and twenty-one people were taken captive. All the settlers left, including Ralph and his family who went to Milton, Ma. The Indians returned and burned the remaining buildings; all of Lancaster was completely destroyed.

Ralph & Wife Became LDS:

1682, Ralph and wife was admitted to full Communion in the Church (LDS) at Milton, Ma. About 1685, he and family went back to Lancaster to help rebuild the town. He was representative to the General Court 1682 and Selectman 1682-83-84.
About 1690, Ralph again moved to Milton where he built his homestead. He died 15 April 1705 at the age of 82 years. His farm is now a park in Milton where many people enjoy summer activities. A pond in the park is fed by springs from the Blue Hills.

Children of Ralph Houghton and Jane Stowe (8ea):

* RALPH b ca 1648 in Middlesex Co. Ma. marr ca 1690 Mary Blackburn. There is an interesting story about them to be told later.
* JAMES b ca 1650 and marr. Mary (Sawyer or Willard) ca 1685.
* MARY b 4 Nov 1653 Lancaster, Ma. marr. Wm Bently 20 Jan 1675.
* JOHN b 25 Aug 1655 d Oct 1679 Charlestown, Ma.
* JOSEPH b 6 July 1657 marr. #1 Jane Vose #2 Margaret Reding.
* EXPERIENCE b 1 Oct 1659 marr. Ezra Clapp as his second wife.
* SARAH b 17 Dec 1771 marr. #1 Caleb Sawyer & #2 Daniel Goble of N.J.
* ABIGAIL b 15 July 1664 marr. John Hudson
* HANNAH b 16 Oct 1667 & died 8 Oct 1679 following the Indian massacre.

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The following information is related to facts about our line of which we know. It addresses the known beginning of our line beginning with Jonathan and his siblings. It is believed that their parents was Joseph & Hannah as referenced in Jonathans family bible. 

The big gap so far is between Joseph or his father (Oliver) and back to Ralph if that is indeed the case. It appears there may only be 2-3 generations separating them. We will continue to search for possible connections.

Jonathan, Son of Joseph & Hannah

We can verify that most of the known family originated from Jonathan or his siblings. Jonathans story begins in Vermont in 1803. Some of the following information was discovered by Dave Reedy and information was acquired from records and did not have knowledge of Jonathan's family bible. His bible was later discovered. His family bible states that his parents were Joseph and Hanna. To date there has been no public records found that proves this but depends on the family bible entries. Josephs father is said to have been Oliver Houghton. If we can identify which Oliver we may be able to trace back to the first Houghton's to enter America via John or Ralph Houghton in Massachusetts in 1647-1650.  

We may never know for sure our exact linage or link in that chain as Jonathan's father Joseph, and his father Oliver are the weakest links regarding records. That is understandable considering all that was going on in America and Canada at that time. One did not always want to be identified and avoided such identification by staying in the country and away from it all as much as possible. Just prior to 1803 when Jonathan was born, the area where he was born had been the stage for many events, uprisings, and turmoil. They had just concluded a period including The French and Indian War, The Revolutionary War and a period of trying to get on with their lives. Jonathans parents lived through much of that period.  

Previous attempts to determine where they lived and possible migration trails may have assumed that the town of "Bedford" located in Canada just north of Vermont area (where Jonathan was born and his family lived) was the Bedford that has been referenced in family lore and historical record. As it turns out, It is not. Not to say that their path may have been this way to the area they actually settled. This has been somewhat of a coincidental sidetrack in efforts to track roots.

The map shown below depicts Vermont in 1791. It is marked with two dots. The Red Dot marks the area where Jonathan was born.  The Blue Dot marks the town of Bedford that has been mistakenly identified as the Bedford where the family settled.

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Dave Reedy did some research in Vermont about 1990 and wrote the following:  (Keep in mind that additional information has been uncovered since.)
We begin Jonathans story 10 February 1803 when he was born in Vermont. He is believed to have been born and lived in and around what is now Bakersfield and Fairfield in Franklin County. His parents names have not surfaced in any records associated with him to date.  There are records that an Oliver Cromwell Houghton lived in the same area at the same time. This is known by the fact that he was named as the father of Everett Oliver Houghton born in 1801 in the same area. There were other Houghton's in that area at that time. There was a small handful including Lucy Wilder Houghton, born in Bakersfield about 1802 to an Oliver and Susan Gallop (Gallis) Houghton. She married a distant cousin Joel Houghton in Bakersfield and lived their entire life there. She died on 31 Aug 1856. There was another in Bakersfield, a DR Oliver T. Houghton who married Amanda Bingham in Sep 1831. This DR Oliver Houghton was committed to a mental ward early 1860's.  Both persons would be the right age to be a brother to Jonathan.  It is possible if not probable that Oliver Cromwell Houghton was Jonathans father and Everett was his brother. In fact records support another brother, Elgin who married a Addie Parker 1898. A Howard Houghton was married to Ida Newman in 1902. It is unclear who he was other than he was there at the same time.

Jonathan shows up next in Bedford Township, Upper Canada where he married Nancy Gilchrist, a Canadian. Guess what, Everett also lived in Bedford exactly the same time. Assuming he was Jonathans brother we will address some facts known about him. He married Ann Jones in 1834 or 35. They had two children: George in 1836 and Sarah in 1839. No church records could be found in any of the local churches of Bedford. This is not surprising considering they probably wanted to keep their identity private to retain their US citizenship and/or they did not attend church. More search is needed. Maybe we will find some evidence someday.  It could be that someone else has been able to find such information. The internet searches today enables us to  occasional access data bases of other genealogy sites. Some of the information described already has been found on such sites with exactly the same dates and places regarding Jonathans family. In fact it appears that Jonathan and Nancy produced and raised 12 children. See information below.

NOTE by Derl Houghton: It has since been noted that Jonathans brother Oliver may not have been named Everett. The remainder of his siblings have been tentatively identified. The Houghton's that lived in or near where they lived may have been cousins by either Joseph (1770) brothers or distant cousins. It has been noted that a group of Houghton's moved to Canada the same time as Josephs family. Gary Houghton in Canada is researching some of that early history.

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Note: Dave Reedy made a personal physical search for records in places associated with Jonathans movements to try and reconstruct the Houghton’s in Michigan and to see if through their records he could find where in Vermont Jonathan was born in 1803, or possibly who his parents were. He searched records in Grand Traverse County and was able to verify several facts. He was able to find records that establishes 3 children there for sure. They include Joseph, Oliver (believed to be named after Jonathan's brother Everett Oliver) and Elgin. The following were Elgin's children: Note: see comment above about Everett Oliver Houghton. However, Jonathan apparently had a brother named Oliver. 

William J Houghton b. March 23, 1878 in Mayfield twp. Parents:  Oliver and Alice Houghton  
Martin Houghton b. August 9, 1881 in Mayfield twp. Parents:  Oliver and Alice Houghton

These are the records that were recorded for the Houghton’s in Grand Traverse Co., Michigan:         

Deed Book

Vol. 13 Page 136
A warranty deed recorded May 25, 1875 at 9:00 am. This transaction is from Joseph Houghton and wife, Mary J. to Andrew Swainston made on July 9, 1874, for the sum of $450, 80 acres located in the east half of the NE quarter of section 26.

Vol. 14 Page 28
A warranty deed recorded June 8, 1876 at 2:00 pm. This transaction is from Joseph Houghton and wife Mary J. to Chester E. Couch made on May 22, 1876, for the sum of $500, 80 acres located in the west half of the NE quarter of section 26.

Vol. 14, Page 146
A warranty deed recorded Nov. 12, 1877 at 11:30 am. This transaction is from Jonathan Houghton, and wife Nancy Ann to Elgin Houghton made on Aug. 24, 1875, for the sum of $400, 80 acres located in the south half of the SW quarter of section 12.

Vol. 15 Page 261
A deed recorded Nov. 12, 1877 at 11:45 am. This transaction is from the United States to Jonathan Houghton on a Homestead Certificate #1340 for 160 acres located in SW quarter of section 12.

Record of Births Vol. 1

Wyman Houghton b. December 24, 1867 in Mayfield twp. Parents: Joseph Houghton farmer from Canada West.  
Dustin Houghton b. September 10, 1870 in Mayfield twp. Parents: Joseph Houghton from Canada Jane Houghton from Ohio  
Frankie Houghton b. September 18, 1873 in Mayfield twp. Parents: Joseph and unknown Houghton.  

Index to Marriage Records

Oliver Houghton to Alice Pease1870  
Elgin Houghton to Emma Van Hyming 1880  
William J. Houghton to Addie Parker 1898  
Howard Houghton to Ida Newman 1902

Death Records Vol. 2

* Jonathan Houghton  
Died:  September 15, 1878. Married.
Age:  75 years 7 months 5 days.
Cause of death:  Apoplexy
Birth Place: Vermont    
Parents: Unknown

 * Martin Houghton 
Died:  December 18, 1881.
Age: 4 months 26 days.
Cause of Death:  Died of unknown causes.
Birth Place: Michigan
Parents: Oliver & Alice Houghton

* Nancy A. Houghton  
Died:  May 8, 1893. Widow.
Age:  85 years 3 months 19 days.
Cause of Death:  Died of Old Age.
Birth Place: Ontario
Parents:   Archie & Nancy M. Gilchrist

* Maude Houghton  
Died:  December 21, 1893.
Age:   9 years 4 months 4 days.
Cause of Death"  Died of Dropsey
Birth Place: Michigan
Parents: Elgin & Emma Houghton  

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From these records we can gather a wealth of information, but for finding Jonathan’s parents, we just drew a big blank. Death records are usually given to the county by the doctor as given to him by the family. It seems strange that the family informant did not know the parents of Jonathan. It is likely they never met because Jonathan now lived in US and left his family in Canada. Still, did Jonathan never speak of his parents to his family?

We can see from the deed records that Joseph and Jonathan owned considerable properties in Mayfield. Also we can see that Joseph sold his properties in May of 1875, and May of 1876.

This shows that they did not leave Michigan until after May, 1876. Joseph reported to the US Government that his son Oscar C. Houghton was born in Texas in November of 1876. (The family reports his birthday as October 21, 1876) This means that Joseph moved to Texas in that five month period between May and October of 1876. It also appears that Mary Jane rode in their wagon from Michigan to Ellis County, Texas, while pregnant with the fifth son! Kind of reminds us of another Joseph & Mary story. (By the way, it was interesting to note that on the deed Joseph signed his name but Mary Jane made her X, showing she could not read or write.)

So here is where we are at, at this point. Jonathan Houghton, born in 1803 in Vermont, parents still remain unknown. He married Nancy Ann Gilchrist, daughter of Archie and Nancy Gilchrist of Ontario. They were most likely married in Canada. They had three sons, no records of any daughters. At least in Traverse County.

Jonathan Houghton & Nancy A. Gilchrist

Joseph Houghton & Mary Jane Duffy (1866), Dekalb, IL  
1.   Sherman H. Houghton
2.   Wyman L. Houghton
3.   Fredwin D. Houghton
4.   Frank F. Houghton
5.   Oscar C. Houghton  

          Oliver Houghton & Alice Pease (1870) 
          1. William J Houghton b. March 23, 1878 in Mayfield twp. Parents:   
          2. Martin Houghton b. August 9, 1881 in Mayfield twp. Parents: 

          Elgin Houghton & Emma Van Hyming 
          1. Maude Houghton  (died as child)

Understand this is not a complete list of the descendants, only what we know at this time.  

Jonathan died in Sept. 15, 1878, just one year after his getting 160 acre homestead from the government. He died at age of 75 from Apoplexy, or stroke, in old medical terms. Nancy lived to the age of 85 years, and died in Mayfield in 1893.

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There are now (2001)  indications that there were 12 children of Jonathan and Nancy. Watch for additional information. I (Derl Houghton) discovered additional children on another Houghton family genealogy site data base. They show parents as: Jonathan Houghton & Navy Gilchrist. They were born other places some in Canada. The additional names are:

1. +William MCMICHAEL
2. +John MCMICHAEL
3.  James D. MCMICHAEL
4. +Susan MCMICHAEL
5. +Joseph MCMICHAEL
6. +Mary MCMICHAEL
7.  Elmer MCMICHAEL
8.  Hattie MCMICHAEL
9.  Bertha MCMICHAEL

It has been told to me by Sherman P. Houghton, of Hamlin, Texas, that his father told him when Joseph left Michigan, he was at odds with his father. That they had a “falling out”, and he left Michigan, never more to return.  

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Jonathan and his family came to Illinois from Canada. His family was about grown or of age. Jonathan and some of his family later moved to Michigan. Some of his family stayed in Illinois and later moved to neighboring states. 

The following map dated 1870 depicts Michigan and Illinois in 1870. Dekalb, IL. and Grand Traverse Area are depicted with round dots. As you can see the cities are built along the railroads running east and west mostly. They settled in the wilderness. Their mode of transportation to Illinois from Canada is not known. Either rail or overland would have been the most direct. However waterways can not be ruled out. It is safe to assume that a combination of travel methods were used from the area they lived in Canada to Illinois.  This area is usually snowed in many months of the winter so they probably left in the spring or early summer.  Michigan was just entering statehood.

1870

To date I have only recorded Son Joseph in this section as I am familiar with that line. Reference of others will be added as information is available.

Josephs (Son of Jonathan) story in US  begins with him coming to Illinois with his father and other siblings. He then serving 4 years in Civil War, returning in 1865 to Dekalb, IL., marrying Mary and moving them to Northern Michigan near where Traverse City is today.  That is the area he left when he brought his young family to Texas. That is where some records of their life events are retained. 

All descendents of Joseph Houghton in the Texas family are descendants through one of the five Sons of Joseph Houghton, who left Michigan about 1876 and relocated in Texas.  Joseph was born in Bedford, Quebec, but moved to the United States before 1860, joining The Union Army for the duration of the Civil War. After the war, he returns to Dekalb, Illinois, where he marries Mary Jane Duffy. We found that Joseph was the son of Jonathan Houghton, and that both of them left Illinois at the same time and moved to around Mayfield, in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. Mayfield is located in the north western part of the state.         

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