Horatio Gates Armstrong (June 1, 1790 – April 6, 1858)[1] was an American soldier who fought in the War of 1812.
Horatio Gates Armstrong | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 1, 1790 Red Hook, New York, U.S. |
| Died | April 6, 1858 (aged 67) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1812–1813 (U.S. Army) |
| Rank | Major (U.S. Army) |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Hughes (m. 1814) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relations |
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Early life and career
Armstrong was born on June 1, 1790, and was named after General Horatio Gates, whom his father had been aide to during the American Revolutionary War.[2][3] He was the eldest of seven children born to John Armstrong Jr. and Alida (née Livingston) Armstrong (1761–1822), who married in 1789.[4][5] His father served as a Continental Congressman, a U.S. Senator, U.S. Secretary of War, U.S. Minister to France.[6]
Among his siblings was Henry Beekman Armstrong, also a soldier in the War of 1812;[7] John Armstrong III, who became a gentleman farmer at La Bergerie;Robert Livingston Armstrong;[8] Margaret Rebecca Armstrong (who married William Backhouse Astor Sr.);[9][10] James Kosciuszko Armstrong and William Armstrong.[11]
His paternal grandparents were General John Armstrong and Rebecca (née Lyon) Armstrong.[12] Among his Armstrong family, who were of "distinguished Scottish descent,"[13] was uncle James Armstrong, a physician who became a U.S. Congressman.[4] His paternal grandparents were Judge Robert Livingston and Margaret (née Beekman) Livingston. Among his Livingston family members were uncles Chancellor Robert R. Livingston and Edward Livingston.[11][10]
During the War of 1812, Armstrong fought on the American side, heading a company known as the Capt. Horatio G. Armstrong Co. with the 23rd Regiment Infantry.[14] He was eventually promoted to Major.[15]
Personal life
In 1814, Armstrong was married to Baltimore native Mary Hughes (1791–1866).[16] Mary was the youngest daughter of Margaret (née Sanderson) Hughes and Christopher Hughes, a banker and investor in real estate originally from County Wexford, Ireland. Among her siblings was older brother, Christopher Hughes (who served as the U.S. Minister to Sweden and the Netherlands),[17] and older sister Louisa Hughes (the wife of George Armistead).[18] Together they had three children:
- John Horatio Armstrong (1815–1886),[19] who married Caroline Amelia Scheldt (1828–1912) in 1844.[20][21]
- Margaret Hughes Armstrong (1817–1870)
- Christopher Hughes Armstrong (1821–1884)
Armstrong died at his residence near Baltimore on April 6, 1858.[1] His widow was the administratrix of his estate.[22]