Henry Walton (1768–1844) was a judge, early landowner, and hotel owner who played a significant role in the development of
Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 28,491 at the 2020 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area, which has made Saratoga a popular resort destination for over ...
in the early 1800s.
Walton was born in New York City on October 8, 1768, the son of Jacob and Mary (Cruger) Walton. The Waltons were a prominent New York City family. Educated in England, Walton returned to New York in about 1788 and studied law under
Aaron Burr. In 1790 he moved to
Ballston, New York
Ballston is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 11,831 at the 2020 census. The name is derived from an early settler, Eliphalet Ball, a Presbyterian minister who located there from Westchester County, New York ...
. There he served as
surrogate court judge, where he was known as Judge Henry Walton.
In 1815 he built a mansion called ''Pine Grove'' on Broadway in
Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 28,491 at the 2020 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area, which has made Saratoga a popular resort destination for over ...
, across from the present City Center. This property was sold in 1823 to
Chancellor Reuben Hyde Walworth and was later inherited by Walworth's daughter-in-law
Ellen Hardin Walworth
Ellen Hardin Walworth (October 20, 1832 – June 23, 1915) was an American author, lawyer, and activist who was a passionate advocate for the importance of studying history and historic preservation. Walworth was one of the founders of the Daug ...
. In 1816, Walton built the estate he called "Wood Lawn," which he sold to
Henry Hilton Judge Henry Hilton (October 4, 1824 – August 24, 1899) was an American jurist and businessman. He became best known for the so-called "Hilton-Seligman Affair" in 1877, his refusal to admit financier Joseph Seligman to the Grand Union Hotel ...
.
Walton was a large land owner in the area, and donated land for the First Presbyterian Church, the Universalist Church, and the Methodist Church in Saratoga Springs.
In 1819 he built the ''Pavilion Hotel'' on Broadway, on the site of the present City Hall. The hotel burned down around 1840 and was not rebuilt. He was also involved in developing the famous springs of Saratoga, tubing the ''Flat Rock Spring'', and the ''President'', later called the ''Iodine'' and the ''Saratoga Star'' Spring.

He was married first to Pernette Sara de Maffe, who died in 1798. In 1800 he married Mrs. Matilda (or Mathilda) (Cruger) Yates (1776–-1812
), by whom he had Jacob, Mary,
Henry
Henry may refer to:
People
* Henry (given name)
*Henry (surname)
* Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry
Royalty
* Portuguese royalty
** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal
** Henry, Count of Portugal, ...
(1806–1865), Jared, Cruger, Mathilda, and William Henry. His son Henry later became a well-known artist in
Ithaca, New York
Ithaca is a city in the Finger Lakes region of New York (state), New York, United States. Situated on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is the seat of Tompkins County, New York, Tompkins County and the largest community in the Ithaca m ...
. Walton's third wife was Mrs. Margaret Kearney (1787–1853), by whom he had Susan, Jared, and Susan K.
Henry Walton died in New York City on September 15, 1844, and is buried in the
Trinity churchyard
The parish of Trinity Church has three separate burial grounds associated with it in New York City. The first, Trinity Churchyard, is located in Lower Manhattan at 74 Trinity Place, near Wall Street and Broadway. Alexander Hamilton, Albert Gall ...
.
References
External links
*
American judges
1768 births
1844 deaths
{{US-judge-stub