Presley Thornton (1739 - abt. 1815)

Born 1739 in Orange, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Growley — married 1 Dec 1784 in Pittsylvania, Virginia

Descendants

Died about 1815 at about age 76 in Pittsylvania, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Presley was born in 1739. He is the son of Luke Thornton and Millicent Ransdell. ^[1]

The will of Presley Thornton is dated January 6, 1812 and presented for probate on May 15, 1815. "IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I Presley Thornton of Pittsylvania County and state of Virginia being in good health in body and of perfect mind and memory being sensible that it is appointed for man once to die and knowing that my latter end is drawing near I do by these presents make and ordain this to be my last will and Testament. I resign my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it & my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but that at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldy Estate wherewith it has please God to bless me in this life I gave demise & dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

First I lend unto my beloved wife Mary Thornton one third of my estate during her natural life time thence to be divided amongst all the lawful heirs of her bidy in like manner.

Secondly I give & bequeath unto my son Zachariah Thornton one equal share of my hole Estate.

Thirdly I give & bequeath unto my son Bolen (most likely Rowland) Thornton one equal share of my hole Estate.

Fourthly I give & bequeath unto my Moses Thornton one equal share of my hole Estate.

Fifthly I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Nance one equal share of my hole Estate.

Sixthly I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Jane Wilson one equal share of my hole Estate.

Seventhly I give and bequeath unto my son John Thornton one equal share of my hole Estate.

Eightly I also give unto my son William Thornton forty pounds sterling to be raised and levied out of my estate.

Ninthly I also give unto my Daughter Fanny Oakes forty pounds sterling to be raised and levied out of my Estate. I also give unto my son Presley Thornton one shilling sterling, I also give unto my Daughter Barbary Jones one shilling sterling, I also give unto my Daughter Susannah Watts one shilling sterling, I also give unto my Daughter Saray Bennett one shilling sterling.

Lastly I do hereby constitute and ordain my sons Rowland Thornton and Moses Thornton to be lawful Executors of this my last will ad Testament investing them with lawful and sufficient power to execute the same.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the six day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

• In "Branches to Westward" R.T. Fox forms basis of presumptions that due to small amounts of inheritance for Presley, Barbary,Susannah, and Saray and other facts that they were most likely children from a previous marriage.

Sources

• "Pittsylvania, Virginia, United States Will Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-G27H : April 12, 2022), image 211 of 287; Virginia. County Court (Pittsylvania County).

No sources. The events of Presley's life were either witnessed by TiAnne Dean or TiAnne plans to add sources here later.

• http://www.theyliveagain.com/Thornton/THORN0001.HTM

Footnotes

1. ↑ Entered by TiAnne Dean, Wednesday, July 24, 2013.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to TiAnne Dean for creating Thornton-1360 on 24 Jul 13. Click the Changes tab for the details on contributions by TiAnne and others.