John Thornton

Descendants

Died before 8 Apr 1688 in Isle of Wight, Virginia

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Biography

What is known from the will of John Thornton, signed April 3, 1687^[1], is that his “loving” wife is Willmuth (Unknown) Thornton, and their two children^[2] are William Thornton and Ellinor Thornton whom are not yet of age, and Willmuth had two sons from a previous marriage: Richard Glinn and Robert Glinn. The last name of Richard and Robert is not certain due to its appearance. However, another document gives credibility to the last name as Glinn (and not Sims/Symms).

20 April 1682, John Thornton was granted 390 acres in IOW^[3] on the Western Side of the Western Branch^[4]. His neighbors were, William Powell (granted 257ac in 1679), Francis Bridle (granted 422ac in 1679), William West, John Nevill and (FNU ) Durdon.

John Thornton’s will was proved in open court on April 8, 1688. Son William is given two hundred acres of land “when he comes of age,” Willmuth is given a life estate in the remaining 190 acres and at her death, to be divided equally “between her two sons.”

As mentioned above, the last name of Richard and Robert (stepsons of John Thornton) was not clear in the will. An indenture on 21 Jan 1723^[5] between Richard Glinn and William Thornton describe a “certain tract or parcel of land in the lower parish of Isle of Wight County being a patent granted unto John Thornton bearing Date the 20th of April 1682 by estimation containing 190 acres given by John Thornton by his last will & testament unto the aforesaid Richard Glinn & Robert Glinn whom the said Richard survived.” From this I infer that Willmuth had been married to a Mr. Glinn and they had two sons, Richard and Robert Glinn. After Mr. Glinn died, Willmuth married John Thornton and they had William and Ellinor Thornton. Note, Robert Glinn was deceased by 21 Jan 1723.

Another indenture record on 12 Dec 1723^[6] , reveals that William Thornton had a wife, Elizabeth.

In a nutshell, • John Thornton married the widow Willmuth who had two sons Richard and Robert Glinn. • 1682 John Thornton granted land in IOW. • 1687 John Thornton is sick and dead by April 1688: leaving his wife Willmuth, his son and daughter William and Ellinor Thornton, and two stepsons. • Robert Glinn dies between April 1688 and 1723. • William Thornton is married to “Elizabeth” before Dec 1723.

Sources

1. ↑ FHL Film # 007645159; Mixed records, Vol. 2 1661-1719 Mixed records, Vol. 3 1726-1734; image 134/605 (actual page 274). Isle of Wight Circuit Court 17000 Josiah Parker circle Isle of Wight VA USA 23397.
2. ↑ It’s not certain that Willmuth is the mother of William and Ellinor Thornton. They may have been born of a previous marriage by John Thornton.
3. ↑ Land Grants, 1674-1705, pg. 697; Bk. 7, P. 158.
4. ↑ https://andersonnc.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/early_iow_3_dec161.jpg
5. ↑ FHL Film 007645141, image 324/492; Deeds and wills Vol. 2(2nd vol.) 1715-1726.
6. ↑ Ibid, image 316/492.