Luther Thornton Sr. (abt. 1642 - 1725)

Born about 1642 in Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Anne (Hall) Thornton — married 1675 in Farnham, Richmond, Virginia

Descendants

Died 2 Mar 1725 at about age 83 in Farnham, Richmond, Virginia

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Luke Thornton

Luke Thornton Sr. is an ancestor of a US President/Vice President Join: US Presidents Project Discuss: Presidents

Ancestor of Abraham Lincoln.

Witnessed the inventory of Thomas Foster 21 March, 1671-1672, Westmoreland Co., Virginia.

Registered an earmark for his animals in Westmoreland Co.,Virginia, 26 September 1677. Deed land in Rappahannock(later Richmond Co.) Virginia in 1679, 1681 and 1685.

Will indicates he was from North Farmham Parish North of Rappahannock river formed 1683; roughtly the southeastern half of Richmond County. Inventory WB 5 P 96 April 1726.

Vitals

Luke Thornton of Westmoreland County and Rappahannock County, Virginia

Born: about 1650-55

Wife: Anne, married North Farnham Parish (died c1725)

Children:

• Luke Thornton, Jr.
• Mark Thornton
• John Thornton
• Matthew Thornton
• Thomas Thornton
• Ann Thornton, married John Mountjoy (daughter Sarah)
• Elizabeth Thornton, married ____ Nash

Grandchildren (named in Luke Sr.'s will):

• William Thornton
• Sarah Jones
• Mark Thornton
• Roland Thornton

Died: 1725/6 (between January 29 and March 2)

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Biography

Luke Thornton

There are two theories as to the parents of Luke Thornton who died in 1725, in North Farnham Parish, Richmond Co., Virginia.
Theory One ^[1]

William Thornton (1620-1708) m. 1641 Elsie Bellington (1620-1646).

son: Luke Thornton (1642-1725 m. 1675 Ann Hall (1654-1725)

son: Mark Thornton (1686-1721) m. Mary Bruce (1692-1721)

This source lists no source, but certainly the information came from somewhere earlier. Where?
Theory Two^[2]

Henry Thornton (c 1630-1695 or 1730) m. in 1752, Deborah Scoper (1635-1735)

Luke Thornton (1655-1725) m. Ann Hall (1654-1725)

Mark Thornton (1686-1721) m. Mary Bruce (1692-1721)

Clearly the two Marks are the same, and the two Lukes are the same despite different birth dates. 1642 accommodates the fact that Elsie Bellington died in 1646. 1655 fits in with the known marriage date of Henry & Deborah.

Anyone with better information or better sources?

Birth

Luke Thornton was born in 1655 in London, Greater London, England. St. Margarets, Westminster.
St Margaret Lothbury Church of England, St Margaret Street, London, England

OR

He was born about 1642 in Lunenburg Parish, Richmond, Virginia^[3][4][5]

Death

He died on 2 Mar 1725 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia. between 29 January and 2 March. He signed a Will 29 Jan 1725/1726. Proved 2 March 1725, probated 2 March 1725/1726.

Life Notes

• 1661 Witnessed the inventory of Thomas Foster 21 Mar 1671/1672, Westmoreland Co., Va.

• 1663-1714 Listed in The Registers of North Farnham Parish

• 1671 Luke’s first appearance in the records is in Westmoreland Co. on March 21, 1671/2 when he was assigned to inventory the estate of Thomas Foster

• 1677 when he records an ear mark for livestock Sept 26, 1677

• 1677 Registered an earmark for his animals in Westmoreland Co., 26 Sept 1677,

• 1679, 1681 and 1685 deeded land in Rappahannock Co., (later Richmond Co.) Va. where he had moved.

• 1683 Listed in Lunenburg Parish

• 1700 Listed in Lunenburg Parish

• 1700 Deeded more land with his son Luke Jr. in Westmoreland Co., 29 Mar 1700 by Randolph Kirk.

• 1701 to 1704 Lawsuits about title to Westmoreland Co. land. Deed of 5 October 1725 and Will of 29 Jan 1725/1726, probated 2 Mar 1725/1726 mentions this land

• 1725 Will: Will signed 29 Jan 1725; will proved 2 Mar 1725

DNA

• (Note from Thornton DNA Project): In Thomas N. Thornton’s book, The Thornton Families of England, the chapter on the “Thorntons of Middlesex” discusses the origin of Luke THORNTON (Group A-4). He states that Luke was the son of Henry THORNTON & Deborah SCOPER of Middlesex – a descendant of John THORNTON [b. c1470] of Cheshire. The Coat of Arms (COA) of the THORNTON-Middlesex line is “Argent on a bend gules, three escarbuncles Or.” The Northamptonshire line (Group A-3) may originate from John THORNTON of Newnham [b. c1500]. John also had the right to bear arms – his COA was also Argent on a bend gules, three escarbuncles Or.” This is the same COA as Peter le Clerc de THORNETON of Chester…it is also associated with the THORNETON line of Ulster, the Hertford & York’s THORNTONs, as well as the THORNTONs of Cavan (Ireland).

Will

Note: Luke Thornton's Will, Richmond County, Deed Book 8, Pages 295, dated October 5, 1725:

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, I Luke Thornton of North Farnham, Parish, in the County of Richmond, being weak in body but of sound and perfect memory thanks be to God for ye same do make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following.

First, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God yt gave it hopeing through ye merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ to obtain everlasting life and as for my body I commit to ye earth to be decently buried at ye discretion of my Executors hereafter named.

Imprimis - I will yet ? my just debts and funeral charges to be paid out of my Estate.

Item: I give my son Thomas Thornton the land belong to be in Westmoreland County from a branch beyond Pantico as goes to Mr. Sorrells land where John Holloday now lives and to his heirs forever.

Item: I give to my grandson Mark Thornton the land where Richard Jones now lives, to go up a branch beyond Pantico, joining to the land given to my son Thomas Thornton.

Item: I give to my son Matthew Thornton four head of cattle ye youngest to be three years old and oldest not to be over ten also twenty shillings to bye him a ring.

Item: I give to my daughter Eliza Nash twenty shilling to bye her a ring. Whereas I have sold unto my son Thos. Thornton one negro woman named Dide for two Thousand pounds of Tobo one thousand to be paid this present year, and one thousand next year wch Tobo I give unto my daughter Ann Mountjoy and my Granddaughter Sarah Jones.

Item: I give unto my daughter Ann Mountjoy and to my granddaughter Sara Jones my nego man named Tony during their natural lives and after their decease to go to my grandson Rowland Thornton and his heirs forever. As for ye rest residue and remainder of my Estate I give unto my sd Daughter Ann Mountjoy and to my Granddaughter Sarah Jones and their heirs whom I also make constitute and appoint my whole and sole Esecutors of this my last will & Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale ye day of 29th day of Jan'y 1725. Luke made his mark.^[6]

Slaves

Bequeathed in Luke's Will:

• Dide, Female, to son Thos. Thornton
• Tony, Male, to daughter Ann Mountjoy and granddaughter Sara Jones to be passed on the Grandson Rowland Thornton.

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following posted 01 Oct 2011 by leila726

Luke1 Thornton of Richmond Co. was born about 1650-55 and died in Richmond Co., Va. between Jan. 29 and Mar. 2, 1725/6. His wife was named Anne, as shown by the Northfarnham Parish Register. She died between Oct. 5, 1725, when she is mentioned in a deed that Luke Thornton made to his heirs, and Jan. 29, 1725/6, when Luke wrote his will and makes no mention of his wife. Luke Thornton first appears in the records of Westmoreland Co., Va. Sept. 26, 1677 (O. Bk. 1675/6-1688/9, p. 341). However, he moved very soon thereafter to old Rappahannock (later Richmond) Co., where he was deeded land successively in 1679, 1681, and 1685 (Rappahannock D. & W. 1677-82, pp. 255 and 310; 1680-88, p. 169). He and his son, Luke Thornton, Jr., were deeded additional land in Westmoreland Co. May 29, 1700 by Randolph Kirk (Westmoreland O. B. 1698-1705, p. 81a). There was some dispute about the title to Luke Thornton, Jr.'s land, which resulted in several law-suits in Westmoreland Co. from 1701 to 1704. However, that of Luke Thornton, Sr. continued to be held by him and was passed on by him to his youngest son, Thomas.

In a deed dated Oct. 5, 1725 (Richmond Co. D. B. 1720-23, pp. 294-5) and in his will, dated Jan. 29, 1725/6 and probated Mar. 2, 1725/6 (W. B. 5, p. 6), Luke Thornton mentions the same legatees with very slight changes in the bequests of land, but the deed mentions his wife as still living, while the will does not mention her, indicating her death in the interval. T

he bequests of the will were: son Thomas, land in Westmoreland; grandson William Thornton land "where his mother now lives"; daughter Ann Mountjoy and granddaughter Sarah Jones the rest of the land, and after their deaths to grandson Mark Thornton; "the land I now live on" to grandson Roland Thornton; son Matthew Thornton cattle and 20 s. for a mourning ring; daughter Elizabeth Nash 20 s. for a mourning ring; a negro to Ann Mountjoy and her daughter Sarah, after their deaths to go to grandson Roland Thornton; Ann and Sarah residuary legatees. The deed mentioned previously also mentions John Mountjoy, husband of the daughter Ann. The persons mentioned in the deed and will are easily identified with the exception of the grandson, Roland Thornton.

Luke Thornton's sons, Luke, Jr. and Mark Thornton, had predeceased him. The grandson, William Thornton, was a proved son of Luke, Jr., and it is practically certain that Mark was a son of Mark. This leaves uncertainty as to the parentage of Roland. Since the will and deed seek to provide for each of the children, including the eldest sons of Luke, Jr. and Mark, it would seem that the grandson Roland was the son of another son who had predeceased his father. This son was probably a John Thornton, who was witness for his brother, Luke, in suits in Westmoreland Co. in 1704 (Westmoreland O. Bk. 1698-1705, pp. 225a and 226), and was probably born about 1680. After the will, the grandson, Roland, disappears from the records, and probably died without issue.

The following is known of the children of Luke1 and Anne Thornton: Luke2 Thornton, Jr. was probably the eldest son, born about 1676. He first appears in the records of Richmond Co. in a suit June 17, 1699 (O. Bk. 2, p. 415), and died in Richmond Co. in 1718. Margaret Thornton gave bond as administratrix of Luke Thornton, Jr. , decd., April 2, 1718, Evan Thomas and Solomon Redman being her sureties (D. Bk. 7, p. 267). We have mentioned that Luke Thornton, Jr. and Luke Thornton, Sr. were both deeded land in Westmoreland Co. in 1700. A series of suits beginning May 29, 1701, (Westmoreland O. B. 1698-1705, p. 119a) and ending July 26, 1704 (ibid., p. 232) apparently resulted in ousting Thornton from the land on the ground that his title was not good. However, he was deeded land in Richmond Co. by Joseph Beale Feb. 13, 1704/5 (D. B. 3, p.177). The only clue to the maiden name of Margaret, wife of Luke Thornton, is that perhaps she was a daughter of Thomas James of Richmond Co., who on April 5, 1704 made a deed of gift of a cow and a yearling to William Thornton, son of Luke Thornton, Jr. (D. B. 3, p. 125). William Thornton may very well have been Thomas James' grandson, and the names of other probable sons of Luke, Jr. and Margaret Thornton, mentioned below, namely, James Thornton and Thomas Thornton, fit in with this hypothesis. In default of other evidence, and since there is brief mention of a Margaret James in 1696 in the Richmond Co. records (O. B. 2, p. 184), we are perhaps warranted in assuming that she was a daughter of Thomas James. This Thomas James was born about 1645-6, as he gave his age as 36 years in a deposition Mar. 1, 1681 (Sweeney "Wills of Rappahannock Co.", p. 85). There is notice of a Thomas James of Stepney Parish, Middlesex, England in the old Rappahannock records as early as 1662 (Book 1656-64, p. 230), who may have been father of the Thomas James who was born 1645-6. Thomas James was deeded land in old Rappahannock Co. Dec. 17, 1669 by William Lane and Anne his wife (Book 1668-72, p. 304); and as "Thomas James of Richmond Co., planter", he was deeded land by John Washington in Westmoreland Co. in 1696 (Westmoreland D. & W. No. 2, p. 65a). He married Mary, daughter of John Willis, Sr. of Westmoreland and Richmond Cos. John Willis appears quite early in the Virginia records in the Northern Neck. He and Anne Willis were claimed as headrights in 1653 by John Gillett in Lancaster Co. (Nugent: "Cavaliers and Pioneers," p. 282), and John Willis was claimed as an importee for several grants in Northumberland Co. in 1656 and 1663 (Ibid. ,pp. 336, 339, and 433). Anne Willis was probably his first wife. John Willis owned land in Northumberland Co. , mentioned in a grant to Peter Ransom in 1656 (Ibid., p. 336), and was deeded land in Westmoreland Co. by Andrew Read in 1668 (Westmoreland Co. Deeds and Wills No. 1, p. 330). He was freed from the levy in Westmoreland Co. because of his age Jan. 9, 1677/8 (Order Book No. l, p. 102). He later moved to Richmond Co. He must have been a hale and hearty old man, for he married (2) in Richmond Co. in 1693 Matilda Thacker, widow (D. Bk. 1, p.84). He died at a very advanced age in Richmond Co. in 1715, probably 85-90 years of age. The will of John Willis, Sr., dated June 7, 1715 and probated in Richmond Co. July 6, 1715, leaves a plantation to his son-in-law, Thomas James, and Mary his wife, to go after their deaths to their son, David James; leaves a bequest to Mary Cullins "who lives with me"; another bequest to his son Charles Willis and Matilda his wife, then to go the Charles1 son, John Willis; mentions his late wife, Matilda; his son William; daughter Susannah; Mary Gradner; Isaac Arnold and William Willis guardians of Mary Cullins; John Willis and Isaac Arnold, exrs. (W. B. 1709-19, pp. 214ff). John Willis, the executor, was a son, as his father deeded him land by gift in 1694 (D. B. 2, p. 81). The son, William Willis, died in 1716, Sarah his wife being his administratrix (D. B. 7, p. 173). There is no will or administration of Thomas James in either Westmoreland or Richmond Counties, perhaps because the land left him by John Willis, Sr. was inherited automatically by the son David, and his other land by his eldest son, Thomas James, Jr. This Thomas James (Jr.) seems to be identical with a Thomas James who was bound out to Thomas Weedon in Westmoreland Co. and whose age is given as 13 years Dec. 31, 1701 (Westmoreland O.B. 1698-1705, p. 140), his birth date as 1688. Thomas James (Jr.) married Grace Kirkham, widow, in Richmond Co. in Dec., 1714 (list of marriages, end of D. B. 6, 1711-14). He died in Richmond Co. in 1727, his will, dated April 27, 1727 and probated July 5, 1727, mentioning his wife Grace, and three children, Thomas, Jane, and Honor James. (W. B. 5, p. 78). The above records indicate that in addition to Thomas, Jr. and David James, Thomas James, Sr. and Mary his wife had a daughter Margaret, who married Luke Thornton, Jr. Luke2 Thornton, Jr. and Margaret his wife seem to have had four sons, William (b. ca. 1702), James (b. ca. 1704), Luke (b. ca. 1706), and Thomas (b. ca. 1710). Although William is the only proved son, evidence will be given later that the other three were also sons of this couple. They will be treated more fully in a later section. John2 Thornton, as indicated above, appears to have been the next eldest son of Luke1 and Anne Thornton, who apparently predeceased his father and was probably the father of Luke's grandson, Roland Thornton. Elizabeth2 Thornton, daughter of Luke1 and Anne Thornton, was born about 1678-80 and died in Westmoreland Co. , Va. in 1762. She married (1) about 1698-1700, Thomas Brown of Westmoreland Co., eldest son of George and Frances Brown. George Brown was born about 1624, as he gave his age as over 67 years in 1691 (Westmoreland O. B., 1690-98, p. 25). He and his wife Frances deeded land in 1670 to Andrew Read (D.&W. 1665-77, p. 60), and their children, Elizabeth and Thomas Brown, were mentioned in the will of William Overitt in Westmoreland Co. in 1674 (Ibid. ,pp. 204-5). George and Frances Brown had at least four children: (1) Elizabeth Brown above who married William Hardwick (d. 1718/19), son of James and Ann (Armsby) Hardwick, and died 1734; details of her family are given in the Asbury article, sections on Walker and Read; (2) Thomas Brown; (3) George Brown, who died unmarried in Westmoreland Co. in 1724, his will, dated May 18, 1724 and probated July 20, 1724, mentioning nephew John, son of brother William Brown, decd.; Thomas son of brother Thomas Brown; George son of George During; John Fryer; George son of William and Elizabeth Hardidge, "she being my sister"; Priscilla daughter of William Fryer "after the death of my wife Rose"; Daniel Jackson; William and Katherine, children of John Fryer; Frances and Rose, daughters of William Fryer; George and Elizabeth, children of Daniel Jackson (Fothergill, p. 81); and (4) William Brown, who m. Hester and d. 1714, leaving a son John mentioned in George Brown's will (Fothergill, p. 53). It is possible that Hannah Asbury, wife of Henry Asbury (see Asbury article), was a daughter of George and Frances Brown, as she is mentioned in the will of Elizabeth (Brown) Hardwick in 1734. Thomas Brown, son of George and Frances, who married Elizabeth Thornton, died in Westmoreland Co. in 1707. His will, dated Mar. 14, 1707 and probated April 30, 1707, mentions wife Elizabeth, daughter Frances Brown, sons George and Thomas Brown, and brothers George and William Brown, exrs. (Westmd, D. & W. No. 4, p. 15). Of the children of Thomas and Elizabeth (Thornton) Brown, George seems to have died young. Frances Brown, b. ca. 1700, married in 1719 Benjamin Asbury (see Asbury article). Thomas Brown, b. ca. 1704-5, married Elizabeth, daughter of Coleman Read of Westmoreland Co. (see section on the Read family in the Asbury article). Thomas and Elizabeth (Read) Brown moved to Loudoun Co., Va., where he died in 1793, a very old man. Thomas Brown's will, dated Oct. 16, 1791 and probated in Loudoun Co. at the Sept. Court, 1793, mentions sons Coleman and Joseph Brown, and daughters, Betty wife of William Lewis and Rebecca wife of Joseph Awbrey (King "Abstracts of Wills of Loudoun Co.," p. 62). After the death of her first husband in 1707, Elizabeth (Thornton) Brown married (2) Nathaniel Nash, son of Jeremiah and Bridget Nash, who appear in the Westmoreland Co. records in 1686 (O. B. 1675/6-1688/9, pp. 537 and 558). Bridget Nash married (2) Elias Morris, who died in Westmoreland Co. in 1727, his will, dated Aug. 10, 1726 and probated Feb. 22, 1726/7, mentioning wife Bridget, godchildren Jeremiah and Elizabeth Nash, James son of Jeremiah Nash, "countryman" David Williams, and Nathaniel Nash, whom he appoints exr. along with wife Bridget (D. & W. No.8, pp. 73-4). Bridget Morris was still living in 1732, when another son, besides Jeremiah and Nathaniel Nash above, namely, William Nash, petitioned to have her estate (O. B. 1731-39, p. 30a and 39). Nathaniel Nash, second husband of Elizabeth (Thornton) Brown, died in Westmoreland Co. in 1727, his widow, Elizabeth Nash, being granted administration of his estate May 31, 1727 (O. B. 1721-31, p. 147a). Elizabeth (Thornton) Brown Nash died in Westmoreland Co. in 1762. Her will, not dated but probated Mar. 30, 1762, apparently mentions all her surviving Brown and Nash children, namely, Ann Nash, John Nash, Thomas Brown, Nathaniel Nash, Elizabeth Bragg, William Nash, and Jeremiah Nash (Fothergill, p. 151). The daughter, Elizabeth Nash, was married to Joseph Bragg by Jan. 26, 1731/2, when they sued for her part of the estate of her father, Nathaniel Nash (O. B. 1731-9, p. 9a). The son, Jeremiah Nash, died in Westmoreland Co. about 1774, his will, dated Nov. 10, 1773 and probated about 1774, mentioning his son Solomon, and daughters Mary Ann McKenney, Lydia Nash, and Anne Jones, (Fothergill, p. 171). Matthew2 Thornton, son of Luke1 and Anne Thornton, was probably born about 1682-4 and died in Richmond Co. in 1727. He married about 1704-5 Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Hopkins, and they received a deed of gift from Hopkins May 13,1706 (D.B. 4, p. 51; also, D. B. 7, pp. 421 and 422). The last reference cited above shows that Elizabeth (Hopkins) Thornton was still living June 29, 1719. She died some time after this, and Matthew Thornton married (2) Ellen or Eleanor Crask, by whom he had one daughter, Ellen or Eleanor, born before his death, and a son, Crask Thornton, born posthumously. John Crask and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of William Moss, appear in the records 1693-96 (D.B. l, p. 46; D.B. 2, p. l; D. B. 3, p. 162). John Crask died and his widow married (2) James Lockhart and died in Richmond Co. in 1710, her will, dated Mar. 26, 1709 and probated Dec. 6, 1710, mentioning her daughters Martha and Eleanor Crask. The daughter, Martha Crask, married James Wilson in Jan., 1712/13 (end of D. B. 6, list of marriages). A son, William Crask, was under guardianship in 1710 (D.B. 5, p. 288). Matthew Thornton's will, dated Nov. 30, 1726 and probated in Richmond Co. April 5, 1727, mentions sons Hopkins and Matthew Thornton (Matthew the younger); wife Ellen and daughter Ellen; and daughter, Rebecca Crask (W. B. 5, p. 57). The widow, Eleanor (Crask) Thornton was married (2) May 3, 1728 to Capt. Alvin Mountjoy (Northfarnham P R. ), son of Alvin Mountjoy, Sr. of Richmond Co. and his wife, Mary, daughter of William Land; Mrs. Mountjoy married (2) Joseph Belfield and her Mountjoy children are shown about 1715 as Thomas Mountjoy, Alvin Mountjoy, and Mary, wife of John Morton, Jr. (D. B. 7, p. 83). Alvin Mountjoy who married Mrs. Thornton was probably a nephew of John Mountjoy who married Ann2 Thornton (Luke1). Alvin was still under guardianship in 1717 (D. B. 7, p. 199); he was a Captain in the militia, a Justice, and Sheriff of Richmond Co. in 1738 (O. B. 1732-39, No. 10, p. 153, p. 604), He was born about 1700 and died in Richmond Co. in 1761, mention being made in his inventory of the widow, Eleanor Mountjoy, and her former husband, Matthew Thornton (W. B. 6, p. 264). Eleanor (Crask) Thornton Mountjoy died in Richmond Co. in 1777. Her will, dated Dec. 12, 1771 and probated in Dec. 1771, mentions grandson Joseph son of William Pierce; niece Martha wife of John Hart; grandson William Yeatman; and four granddaughters, Ellen and Mary Pierce, daughters of William Pierce, and Sibilla and Mary Yeatman, daughters of Thomas Yeatman, decd. (W. B. 7, p. 220). Matthew2 Thornton's five children, the first three by the first wife, the last two by the second wife, were as follows: 1. Rebecca3 Thornton, b. probably ca. 1705-6, was married by 1726 to William Crask, brother of her stepmother, Eleanor Thornton. William Crask died in Richmond Co. in 1744, his wife apparently having predeceased him. His will, dated April 30, 1744 and probated Aug. 6, 1744, mentions his 6 children, Elizabeth, John, William, Rebecca, Martha, and James Crask, and appoints Alvin Mountjoy exr. (W. B. 5, p. 462). 2. Hopkins3 Thornton, eldest son of Matthew, was born about 1710-12, as he was still under guardianship in 1727, but was of age and made a deed Mar. 1, 1733/4 (D. B. 8, pp. 404 and 676). He married prior to April 5, 1736 Frances, daughter of George Hinson (O. B. 10, p. 367), and died early in 1742, his wife, Frances, being appointed his administratrix Mar. 1, 1741/2 (O. B. 11, p. 232). Apparently he left no children. 3. Matthew3 Thornton, son of Mathew2 and Elizabeth (Hopkins) Thornton, was born Mar. 1, 1714/15, as he was bound out June 4, 1729, "being 14 years of age March 1 last" (O. B. 9, p. 458). He died Feb. 10, 1730/31 (Northfarnham P.R.). 4. Eleanor3 Thornton, daughter of Matthew2 and Eleanor (Crask) Thornton, was born about 1725, and married Thomas Yeatman in Richmond Co. Jan. 24, 1746. Thomas Yeatman died in 1760 (W. B. 6, p. 194). Their three children, William, Sibylla and Mary Yeatman, are mentioned in the wills of her mother, Eleanor Mountjoy, and her brother, Crask Thornton. 5. Crask3 Thornton, son of Matthew2 and Eleanor (Crask) Thornton, was born in 1727, soon after his father's death and died in Richmond Co. in 1771. He married to 1754 Susannah, daughter of Alexander Kelly, whose will, dated Jan. 25, 1754 and probated Oct. 7, 1754, mentions sons James and Alexander, brother Matthew, and daughter Susannah Thornton (W. B. 6, p. 48). Crask Thornton's will, dated Jan. 23, 1771 and probated April 1, 1771, mentions his wife, Susannah Thornton, and William, Mary and Sibylla Yeatman (W. B. 7, p. 79). Crask Thornton left no children either, so that Matthew2 Thornton's progeny disappear in the male line after his sons. Ann2 Thornton, daughter of Luke1 and Anne Thornton, was born about 1682-4, and married John Mountjoy, probably a brother of Alvin Mountjoy, Sr., and of Thomas Mountjoy and his brother Edward, who appear in the records of Westmoreland Co. They had an only daughter, Sarah Mountjoy, who married Nov. 30, 1725 John Jones (Northfarnham P.R.), son of John and Elizabeth (Fleming) Jones and half-brother of Rowland Thornton, mentioned in the introduction to this chapter. In 1729 Ann Mountjoy made a deed of gift of her property to her daughter and the latter's husband, which apparently she tried unsuccessfully to get back in 1740 (O. B. 8, p.500; O. B. 11, p. 103). This is her last appearance in the records, and it is uncertain whether John and Sarah (Mountjoy) Jones had issue.

Mark2 Thornton, son of Luke1 and Anne Thornton, was born Sept. 23, 1686, (Northfarnham P.R.) and died in Richmond Co. in 1721, the order for the inventory being handed in by the relict, Mary Thornton, Jan. 1, 1721/2 (W. B. 4, p. 199). The indications are that Mary, wife of Mark Thornton, was a daughter of Henry Bruce of Richmond Co., who in his will, dated Nov. 9, 1725 and probated June 7, 1727, mentions sons John, Andrew, Joseph, and Benjamin; daughters Mary and Elizabeth; wife Mary; and leaves his son John "the land where Mark Thornton formerly lived" (W. B. 5, p. 72). (There was another son, Henry Bruce, Jr. who predeceased his father - see section on Redman family under Jesse Thornton, later. Mary, daughter of Henry and Mary Bruce, was born April 13, 1692 (Northfarnham P. R.), which would have made her about the right age to marry Mark Thornton; and Andrew Bruce, son of Henry Bruce, was one of the sureties for Mary Thornton in administering Mark's estate (D. B. 8, p. 91), so it looks rather likely that Mary Thornton was born Mary Bruce. Mark Thornton, the grandson mentioned in Luke1 Thornton's will, was born about 1712 and almost certainly the eldest son of Mark and Mary Thornton. Other sons were probably John and Thomas Thornton. These three men will be treated in a later section of this chapter.

Thomas2 Thornton, youngest child of Luke1 and Anne Thornton, was born April 5, 1688 (Northfarnham P.R.) and died in Richmond Co. in 1729. He married prior to April 2, 1711 Susannah, daughter of William and Elizabeth Smith (O. B. 6, p. 12; O. B. 8, p. 82; D. B. 8,p. 371).

Susannah's mother, Elizabeth Smith, was daughter of Mrs. Mary Hughlett of Northumberland Co., who was a daughter of George Nichols (D. B. 6, p. 167). Thomas Thornton's will, dated June 28, 1729 and probated Oct. 1, 1729, mentions only his wife, Susannah (W. B. 5, p. 146). However, a deed in Richmond Co. Mar. 30, 1762 shows that Thomas and Susannah Thornton had three daughters, Rachel, Ann, and Ellen Thornton; that Rachel had married Francis Williams and was dead by 1762, leaving three daughters, Susannah wife of William Smith, Marina wife of George Beard, and Ann Williams, single; and that Susannah, widow of Thomas Thornton was only recently deceased (D. B. 12, p. 361).

Luke Thornton

LukeThorntonWillImage

Thornton family

tammeymeadows originally shared this on 19 Nov 2008 http://mv.ancestry.com/viewer/59995bc4-e14a-45a6-8584-e063cecad077/29223736/12311925793?_phsrc=kck23&usePUBJs=true

Sources

1. ↑ Bryan, John H. Where We Came From. 2011, copy at the Family History Library in UTAH
2. ↑ Ariel L. Crowley, The Ancestry of Jane Thornton of Spartanbury, SC (1969).
3. ↑ Source: #S00019 Data: Text: Date of Import: Aug 7, 2009
4. ↑ Source: #S142 Data: Text: Date of Import: 28 Feb 2005
5. ↑ Source: #S-2126973691 Page: Birth year: 1642; Birth city: Linenburg Parish; Birth state: VA. Note: http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=genepool&h=5009125&ti=0&indiv=try Note: Data: Text: Name: Luke Thornton Thornton Birth Date: 1642 Birth Place: Linenburg Parish, Richmond County, VA Death Date: 1725 Death Place: North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, VA
6. ↑ This version does not agree with another version word for word. This should be checked with the original if it can be located

• Milbourn Family History, 2004, Researched and Compiled by Dorris Nelson Sloan, 102 Pages, Page 83 & 84. Ask Leila Tweed for a copy.
• Source: S-2126971866 Repository: #R-2146323966 Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Note: Page: This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was Note: Data: Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=6289216&pid=85
• Repository: R-2146323966 Name: Ancestry.com Address: http://www.Ancestry.com Note:
• Source: S-2126973691 Repository: #R-2146323966 Title: Family Data Collection - Individual Records Author: Edmund West, comp. Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2000. Note: APID: 1,4725::0
• Source: S115 Title: Luke Thornton Will NOTE_UID: 51BBE92374CE1AB800018F82B06F2113 _UPD: 14 JUN 2013 23:12:47 GMT-6
• Source: S116 Author: John Bennett Boddie Title: Historical Soutnern Families, Vol. XII, Thornton of Virginia, with Related Families NOTE_UID: 51BBEAE0394A3AC200018F82B06F2113 _UPD: 14 JUN 2013 23:17:36 GMT-6
• Source: S00019 Title: thorton3.FTW NOTESource Medium: Other CONT
• Source: S00021 Title: thorton5.FTW NOTESource Medium: Other CONT
• Source: S142 Author: Orville Cooper Title: CooperGenealogyDatabase NOTESource Medium: Manuscript CONT Source Quality: Should be verified with public records CONT CONT Assembled from family records, letters, emails, documents prepared from individual family member address books and calendars. CONT

• Entered by Greg Rose, direct descendant of Francis Thornton. FamilyTreeDNA #356330. Member of the Thornton Project on FamilyTreeDNA, #356330.

Family Data Collection - Births Luke Thornton Thornton Family Data Collection - Births Luke Thornton Family Data Collection - Deaths Luke Thornton Family Data Collection - Deaths Luke Thornton Family Data Collection - Individual Records Luke Thornton Thornton Thornton family U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Luke Thornton

The Thornton Family; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 4, No. 2, 1895

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The Thornton Family

W. G. Stanard

William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 4, No. 2. (Oct., 1895), pp. 89-93.

THE THORNTON FAMILY.

BY W. G. STANARD.

Though there have been in Virginia several different families of this name, the largest and most prominent has been that which originally settled in Gloucester county, spread to Stafford, King George, Richmond, Northumberland, Essex, Caroline, Spottsylvania, Orange, Culpeper, Madison, Brunswick, and other counties, and has now representatives in almost every State in the Union.

The first of the name of whom there is any record is said to have come from Yorkshire. On May 11, 1646, William Thornton obliged himself, by a paper recorded in York county (including Gloucester), to care for the cattle of John Liptrot until the latter came of age. On February 16th, 1665-'66, as "Mr. William1 Thornton", he had a grant of 164 acres of land, in Petsworth parish, Gloucester, adjoining the land where he lived, and that of Mr. Richard Barnard. He was a vestryman of Petsworth parish in 1677. There is on record in Essex a power of attorney, dated September, 1673, from William1 Thornton, of Gloucester, to James Kay, of Rappahannock county, concerning 2,000 acres of land in the freshes of Rappahannock, on the north side of the river, ad-

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joining the lands of Andrew Buckner, Col. Wm. Ball, and Mr. Richard Whitehead, and Muddy Creek, a tract of land which he had bought from Mott. There is also recorded in Essex, in 1708, a deed, dated July 16, 1675, from William Thornton, of Gloucester, gentleman, to Francis and Rowland, "two of his sons", conveying 2,000 acres in Rappahannock county, and also a power of attorney, dated 1708, from Wm1 Thornton, formerly of Gloucester, but now of Stafford, author- izing the confimation of said deed. So in his old age Wm. Thornton removed from Gloucester

to Stafford. It is not known whom he married, but he had issue: 1, William2, Jr.; 2, Francis2; 3, Rowland2; was witness to a will in Rappahannock, 1686. There is a deed, Richmond county, 1692, from Rowland Thornton, of Rappahannock county, planter, and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander Fleming, to Francis Thornton, of the same county, gentleman. Elizabeth Thornton, daughter of Captain Alexander Fleming, sold land in what was afterwards King George, in 1699. In May, 1701, the bond of Elizabeth Thornton, as administratrix of Rowland Thornton, of Rich- mond county, deceased, was recorded. There is no evidence that they had issue.

1. WILLIAM2 THORNTON, JR., of Gloucester county, was born March 27, 1649, and died February 15, 1727 (Family Bible). He was married three times, viz., on August 24, 1671; April 11, 1688; and October 20, 1720; but the name of none of his wives is known. On April 26, 1704, as "William Thornton the younger", he received a grant of 110 acres of land in Petsworth parish, Gloucester, adjoining the land of "Mr. William Thornton the elder". He was a vestryman of Petsworth. Issue (1st m): 4, Elizabeth3, born August 26, 1672; 5, Margaret3, born August 14, 1674; 6, Mary3, born May 11, 1676; 7, Esther3, born January 6, 1677; 8, Sarah3, born August 17, 1679; 9, Jane3, born August 10, 1681; 10, Judith3, born October 22, 1683; 11, Anna3, born June 15, 1685; 12, William3, born September 11, 1686; (2d m.): 13, Susan3, born June 11, 1686; 14, Francis3; 15, Seth3, born October 13, 1694 (vestryman of Petsworth); 16 and 17, William3 and Prudence3 (twins), born March 31, 1699; 18, John3, born April 17, 1701; 19, Johanna3, born December 3, 1703.

2. FRANCIS2 THORNTON, born Nov. 5, 1651, settled in Stafford county, probably before the year 1700. He married first, Alice, daughter of Captain Anthony Savage, of Gloucester county (who was a justice of Gloucester in 1660, and had considerable landed

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estates on the Rappahannock), and secondly Jane, widow of John Harvey, of Stafford. He had no issue by the second marriage. In 1706 Francis Thornton, of Stafford, and his wife, Jane, widow of John Harvey, made a deed of 684 acres in Stafford and Westmoreland to Anthony, son of the said Francis Thornton, with reversion to his other sons, Francis, Rowland, and William. (Westmoreland and Stafford Records). In 1715-'16, Anthony Thornton, of Stafford, petitioned the proprietors of the Northern Neck for a regrant of this land, w hich he stated had been left to Mrs. Jane Thornton, by her former husband, in 1700; that the said Jane died without heirs; but being "an imperfect deed" gave the land to him (A.T.) in 1706. The grant requested was issued. It is not known when Francis2 Thornton died, unless he was the Francis Thornton whose will was presented to King George County Court for probate, by his widow Anne, in 1726. (This appears from the order-book. The will-book covering this period was carried off by Federal soldiers during the late war. About ten years ago some person in the State of New York wrote to the authorities of the county offering to sell them this book. Unfortunately, the offer was not acted on, and it is not now known where the book is. It is to be hoped the present possessor will make its existence known, as possibly arrangements may be made to purchase it).

Issue (first marriage only): 20, Elizabeth3, born January 3, 1674; 21, Margaret3, born April 2, 1678, married Wm. Strother, who was sheriff of King George in 1726. There is re- corded in King George a deed, dated 1727, from Margaret Strother, widow, for land deeded by her grandfather, Anthony Savage, gentleman, to her father, Francis Thornton, and Alice his wife; 22, William3 (twin with Sarah); 23, Sarah3, born December 17, 1680 (twin), married Laurence Taliaferro; 24, Francis3; 25, Rowland3; 26, Annie3, born March 22, 1689; 27, Anthony3.

It is probable that there were many descendants of the various sons of Wm3 Thornton, of Gloucester, especially in Gloucester county; but of htese we have, at present, only discon- nected notes, which will be given later in this account.

14. FRANCIS3 THORNTON (William2, William1), of Gloucester county, was born June 7, 1692, and died February 6, 1737. He

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was a vestryman of Petsworth parish. He married ------, who died August 1, 1741. Issue: 28, William4.

22. WILLIAM3 THORNTON, born december 14, 1680; settled in that part of Richmond county which was afterwards in King George; was sheriff of Richmond in 1709 and 1717, one of the first justices of King George in 1720, and member of the House of Burgesses from that county in 1723 and 1726. (Virginia Historical Register). He married Frances -----, and died in 1742 or 1743. In 1742 they made a deed for land in King George, and in 1743 Frances Thornton, widow of Francis Thornton, late of King George, gentleman, made a deed to William Thornton, only son and heir of her husband, Wm. Thornton, deceased. The will of Wm. Thornton was dated Nov. 3, 1742, and was in the missing will-book.

Issue: 29, William4. He cannot be identified with any other Wm. Thornton who made a deed or will in King George between 1750 and 1800. I cannot trace him further. Perhaps he lived in that portion of King George which was made part of Stafford. A more complete examination of the records of King George might show.

24. FRANCIS3 THORNTON, born January 4, 1682; according to a deposition made in 1733, in relation to the dispute over the boundary of the Northern Neck (printed in Slaughter's St. Mark's Parish, in the deposition he is styled "Francis Thornton, of Caroline county, gentle- man"), he settled at Snow Creek, near the present Fredericksburg, about 1703. There is re- corded in Essex a deed, dated March, 1703-'4, from Francis Thornton, of Stafford, conveying to Francis Thornton, Jr., then of Essex, a tract of about 700 acres at Snow Creek. In May, 1719, Francis Thornton, Jr. and Mary his wife, of St. Mary's parish, Essex, conveyed to Augustine Smith and John Taliaferro, church wardens, for a consideration of five shillings, 300 acres in the fork of Snow Creek, for a glebe. Francis Thornton was one of the first justices of Caroline. There is a deed, recorded in Spottsylvania, dated 1722, by which Mary and Winifred Thornton relinquish the right of dower in 400 acres of land sold by Francis and Anthony Thornton. Francis Thornton, a justice of Essex, was Burgess for Spottsylvania in 1723 and 1726. (Virginia Historical Register). Though I have not been able to ascertain the fact with absolute certainty, yet I have no doubt that this Francis Thornton, Jr., who settled at Snow Creek in 1703, was the Francis Thornton who was Burgess

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from Spottsylvania, as above stated, and who was the first of what are generally called, from their seat, the "Fall Hill" Thorntons. The only thing to cause a doubt is that the Francis3 Thornton here treated of calls himself, in 1733, "of Caroline county". Probably he lived at various times on estates in both Caroline and Spottsylvania. It will, in this account, be assumed, tentatively, that he was the first of the "Fall Hill" Thorntons.

Issue: 30, Francis4; 31, Reuben; 32, John.

25. Rowland3 Thornton, of "Crowes", King George county, born August 1, 1685, died 1748; was vestryman of Hanover parish, King George, 1723, and was appointed a justice of King George in 1722. He was alive in 1733. Married Elizabeth (born Sept. 6, 1689, died 1751), daughter of Col. John Catlett, of Essex. Issue: 33, Francis4; 35, Alice4, married John Fitzhugh, of "Bellair", Stafford county (and perhaps other issue).

27. ANTHONY3 THORNTON, of St. Paul's Parish, Stafford county, born ---- 27, 1695, died 1757. He was a justice of Stafford, and, having been for a time out of the commission, was restored in 1733. He married Winifred, daughter and heiress of Col. Peter Presley (note 1) of "Northumberland House", Northumberland county. His will was dated January 3d, and proved November 8, 1757, in Stafford county. He gives his son Presley Thornton the several negroes which he (Presley) had in possession, and which the testator had a title to in right of his wife, except one negro woman and her children, which he had before given to his son Francis; to son Anthony Thornton, all the land he (the testator) had at the mountains; to daughter Winifred Bernard, a tract of land on Wash Run, in Spottsylvania, containing 650 acres; to son Peter Thornton, a tract of land on Mattapony River, containing 1313 acres, with all the negroes, cattle, horses, etc., and all other things on said land; also ten head of young cattle from the plantation where he (the testator) lived, and four other negroes; to wife Winifred, a tract of low ground where William Conner then lived, this to go after her death to his son Anthony; also to his wife four negroes, which are to go after her death to his son Peter; gives remainder of negroes, not otherwise disposed of, to his wife, with his stock of horses, cattle, and sheep, and remainder of estate to be equally divided between wife and son Peter, and appoints the latter his executor.

Issue: 37, Presley4; 38, Francis4; 39, Peter4; 40, Anthony4; 41, Winifred4, married Bernard.

(To be Continued).