Robert Thornborough (abt. 1661 - aft. 1715)

Born about 1661 in England [uncertain]

Husband of Sarah (Jackson) Thornborough — married 25 Jul 1685 in Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland

Descendants

Died after 1715 after about age 54 in Cootehill, Cavan, Ireland [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile managers: T Stanton [send private message], Religious Society of Friends Project WikiTree [send private message], and Cheryl Rothwell [send private message]

Undocumented Parentage: It may be read in Robert W Barnes' British Roots of Maryland Families^[1] that Robert is the son of Robert Thornborough and Catherine Langtree. This is entirely undocumented and Barnes' clearly states his source is an unsourced LDS ancestral pedigree. There are no records found in Ireland or in Lancashire which suggest this parentage other than similarity of the surname. For this reason these parents have been detached and the profile has been protected by Quakers Project to prevent their reintroduction absent primary source documentation.

Robert Thornborough was a Friend (Quaker). Join: Quakers Project Discuss: quakers

Biography

The origins of Robert Thornbrough (or Thornborough or other surname variants) are unknown at this time. While it is quite possible that he was from England documentation of his origin has not been found. What we do know is that there was some familial relationship with Edward Thornborough whom Robert's son Thomas called "cousin".

The first references to the Thornbrough [sic] families in Ireland are found in the Lurgan Monthly Meeting (Ulster) minutes which date from 1675 and later.^[2] The first mention of Robert Thornbrough is found in the Lurgan Monthly Meeting minutes of 29 Oct 1676: ...William Matthews and Valentine Hollingsworth is desired to speak to Henry Dixon and Robert Thornbrough concerning their walking disorderly.^[2] (Note: for those familiar with the family relationships Henry Dixon is the probable father of Rose Dixson who married Thomas Pierson in Delaware 1690. Their two daughters, Susannah and Rose, married two brothers, John and Aaron Mendenhall, son of the immigrant John Mendenhall.)^[2] In 1677 it is noted that Robert had "confessed he had done amiss but hoped he would amend for the time to come." Yet on 26 Oct 1680 is another entry where a committee of three is desired to speak to Edward Thornbrough and his wife and Robert Thornbrough about their disorderly behavior in several respects. And so go the references, particularly to Edward, right up until Edward goes to America with Robert's son Thomas in 1717/18. Thomas refers to Edward as his 'cousin.'

Quaker historian and librarian (of Haverford College) Herbert Standing references other records found in the Ulster Province Meeting and writes that the Thornbroughs were affiliated with Cootehillm Monthly Meeting, County Cavan which was one of the oldest meetings in the area. Cootehill operated from 1692 to 1796 (when it became part of Grange Meeting) but the sole surviving minute book (as of 1976) covers only 1766-1792.^[3] The Ulster Province Meeting minutes of 8 mo and 7 mo 25 1685 are said to be difficult to read but it is clear they allow Robert Thornton [sic] and Sara Jackson to marry. They appear to indicate he is associated with the meeting at Old Castle and she with that of Cavan (Cootehill). Herbert Standing writes that Sara "could possibly have been a daughter of Anthony Jackson" who settled in County Cavan about 1655 as a member of a group led by William Edmundson.^[2]

In papers compiled by E. Howard Drake of the Chester County Historical Society^[4] we find in 1713 Robert Thornbrough was cited to the Bishops Court by one Ash, and the Friends of Cootehill and Endenderry Meetings were to go with Robert to see Ash to settle the matter. By the 8th month of 1715 we know that both Robert Thornbrough and James McNeece are imprisoned on account of tythes. By 10th month Friends of Cootehill Meeting in their Epistle advise that they are in hope that Robert Thornbrough will soon be released, being already at liberty but not fully discharged.

Mr Standing did not find record of the death of Robert Thornbrough and none other have been located so all that may be currently said is that he died after 1715.

Known Children

Under Review. Notations will be made under Research Notes until review is completed/

• Judith, b c1689, County Cavan, Ireland, m. Alexander Miller, b. c1694;
• Thomas, b.c1690, County Cavan, Ireland

Research Notes

Given that the origins of this family have not yet been found in Lancashire, it has been suggested by a Lancashire researcher to look in Cumberland county.

Edward commonly seen as a son is not documented as a child of Robert and Sarah and has been detached. See the discussion on his profile.

Walter presented listed and attached as son is not documented as a child of Robert and Sarah, he is probably the son of Edward. See the profile.

Sources

1. ↑ Robert W. Barnes, British Roots of Maryland Families, II (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2002) Pg 223
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Standing, Herbert C., The Quaker Family of Thornbrough of Ireland and Colonial America, 1976 (https://archive.org/stream/quakerfamilyofth00stan#page/4/mode/2up/search/Thornb)
3. ↑ Goodbody, Olive C., Guide to Irish Quaker Records, 1654-1860. Dublin Stationery Office for the Irish Manuscripts Commission, 1967, p 188
4. ↑ Chester County Historical Society, Box 182, Folder 54; Box 472 Folder 54

See also:

• Vallentine, John, Ancestral Families of Emily Catherine Wood (Pack), Record Type: manuscript, Subject: Ancestors of Sarah Katherine Lucas and Berryman B. Wood Author: Vallentine, John Publication: privately printed, Springville, UT, May 15, 1995, p 25. Caution: This typescript presents the undocumented idea that Robert originates in Lancashire but does use the term "reportedly." Later information presented appears to be documented.