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Thomas Thornton (abt. 1738 - 1807)

Rev. Thomas Thornton
Born about in VAmap
Ancestors ancestors
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married before 1772 in Prince William, Virginiamap [uncertain]
Descendants descendants
Died at about age 68 in Dumfries, Prince William County VAmap
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Profile last modified | Created 26 Dec 2018
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Contents

Biography

Rev. Thomas Thornton, the son of Thomas Thornton and Lettice Peyton, was born 5 September 1738 in VA. He died in Dumfries, Prince William County VA 25 May 1807.


Sources


Compiled by: Dr. Benjamin C. Holtzclaw 11 Ampthill Road Richmond, Virginia

The children of Thomas and Agatha (Curtis) Thornton, most of whom moved to Prince William Co. , Va. with their mother, were as follows: I. Thomas Thornton, the eldest son, moved to Prince William Co. , where he was a Justice of the county and died in 1767. His wife was named Lettice, and her maiden name may have been Peyton, as on Mar. 24, 1761 Thomas Thornton deeded to Richard Rixey 150 acres which was devised to Charles Thornton, his son, an infant, by the last will of Valentine Peyton (Prince William Co. D. B. "P", p. 19). On Dec. 7, 1767 Lettice Thornton, as executrix, provided Thomas Thornton's will (Prince William Co. Orders, 1766-69, p. 65). Lettice Thornton married (2) in 1770 Chichester Curtis of Prince William Co. , the marriage contract being dated Mar. 26, 1770 and witnessed by James Cullens, Charles Thornton, Thomas Thornton, and John Shirley, Jr. (Prince William Co. D. B. "R", p. 228). Chichester Curtis is probably identical with a Christopher Curtis who died in Prince William Co. in 1778 (Prince William Co. W. B. "G", p. 20), as the names Chichester and Christopher could easily be confused. James Cullens, who witnessed the marriage contract of Lettice Thornton and Chichester Curtis, may have married a daughter of Thomas and Lettice Thornton, for on Jan. 1, 1778 Thomas Thornton (a son of Thomas and Lettice) deeded to James Cullins land near Charles Thornton and others, the deed making specific mention of Sarah, the wife of James Cullins (Prince William Co. D. B. "I", p. 435).

The sons of Thomas and Lettice Thornton were: 1. Charles Thornton, who seems to have been the eldest son, married Mary ----, and died in Prince William Co. in 1778. On May 22, 1774 Charles Thornton and Mary his wife deeded to Richard Rixey the 150 acres left him by Valentine Peyton, which had been deeded to Rixey in 1761 by his father, Thomas Thornton (Prince William Co. Miscellaneous Records, 1750-1836, Part I). The inventory of Charles Thornton was ordered May 4, 1778 (Prince William Co. , W. B. "G", p. 8) and an account of his estate was handed in 1785 by Robert Warren, who probably married the widow (same, p. 320).

2. Rev, Thomas Thornton, the second son, was an Episcopal clergyman, and died in Prince William Co. in 1817. He married prior to Mar. 3, 1775 Mary Ann Ewell, daughter of Bertrand Ewell of Prince William Co., as shown by several deeds of gift on this date from Mr. Ewell to "my son-in-law", Rev. Thomas Thornton of Charles Co. , Md. (Prince William Co. D. B. "I", pp. 137 and 435). Thomas Thornton moved back to Prince William Co. , however, by May 10, 1784, when he deeded to James Matson 400 acres which had been left him by his father, Thomas Thornton (Prince William Co. D. B. "U", p. 502).

Mary Ann (Ewell) Thornton died in Prince William Co. in 1813. Her will, probated Mar. 3, 1813 (W. B. "K', p. 203), leaves all her property to her granddaughter, Susan Chapman, and "my youngest daughter", Sarah Chapman.

Thomas Thornton's will, Pr. William Co. 7/7/181 (W. B. "L", p. 48), leaves his property to his wife, Jane Carr Thornton, and his sons, Thomas Thornton and James B. C, P. Thornton.

[1]

Charles County Land Record Book S#3, 1770-1775; Page 285. Lease.

Aug 12, 1772 from Thomas Thornton of CC, Clerk, to James Keech Sr of CC, planter, and Mary Keech, his wife, for the rents and for divers other good causes, the lease to ad James Keech and Mary, his wife, and the survivor of them, all that part of a tract of land in CC called His Lordships favour, which is bounded by a large stone marked IK standing at the edge of Zachia Swamp, a Spring Branch at the foot of a hill, the lines of that part of sd His Lordships Favour heretofore sold by Daniel Jenifer to sd Thomas Thornton. To have and to hold, from the date hereof, during the natural lives of James Keech and Mary, his wife, and during the natural life of the survivor of them, paying sd Thornton on each Dec 25, 600 lbs of good, sound, and merchantable tobacco. If the rent is more than 30 days in arrears, or any of the below mentioned covenants are broken, Thornton may enter the demised premises, or some part thereof, in the name of the whole. The Keeches may not fell, use, or destroy any timber growing upon sd land more than is needed to supply him and her in fire wood, nails, house repairs, and other suitable conveniencys on or about the land. The Keeches may not sell or give away any wood from the land, and they shall not work the land with more than 5 laborers in any 1 year. James Keech Sr shall have liberty to cut and maul and carry off from that tract of land called Keeches Meadows, he making no waste thereof, such timber as shall be needed for the support of the within mentioned premises, during his and his wife's natural life. Signed - Thos Thornton, James Keech. Wit - J Hawkins*, Saml Love*. Marian Bertrand Thornton, wife of the sd Thomas Thornton, relinquished her right of dower. Recorded Aug 14, 1772.

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Charles County Land Records 1775-1782; Liber V#3; Page 347.

Mar 31, 1779 from Thomas Thornton of Stafford County, Virginia, to John Brooke of CC, for 6500 £, all the tract and part of a tract of land, adjoining, in CC on the west side of Zachia Swamp, to wit, one part or parcel of land called Keeches Meadows, bounded by a stone marked 1K being the 3rd boundary of a tract of land called His Lordships Favour, containing about 102 acres according to the certificate of survey thereof, dated May 6, 1771, and part of a tract of land called His Lordships Favour, bounded by the east side of Zachia Swamp, a bounded stone marked IK, land by Mr. Lancaster's fence, the head of Sampsons Branch, the lines of Mr. Hawkins' part of the same tract, containing about 400 acres. Signed - Thos Thornton. Wit - Geo Dent, J Lancaster (CC JPs), Richd Mason, Henry A Ashton. Mary Ann Thornton, wife of the sd Thomas Thornton, relinquished her right of dower to the lands within mentioned. Recorded Apr 10, 1779.

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Prince William County, Virginia Deeds {Antient Press}: Liber W; 1784 - 1787; pp 130-135

THIS INDENTURE made this Eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty five Between THOMAS THORNTON & MARY his Wife of County of Prince William of one part & SOLOMON EWELL of County of FAUQUIER of other part; Witnesseth that THOMAS THORNTON and MARY his Wife for the sum of Three hundred & one pounds current money of Virga: to them in hand paid by SOLOMON EWELL by these presents doth bargain sell & confirm unto SOLOMON EWELL his heirs all that parcel of land containing Two hundred and three quarters of an acre being part of a Deed granted in the Proprietors Office of the Northern Neck to TIMOTHY THORNTON for Three hundred and Seven acres bearing date the Eighth day of September AD One thousand 3evca hundred & forty one lying in County of Priuce William bounded by the land now in possession of TRAVERS NASH, the land of the said THOMAS THORNTON formerly JAMES SMITH, by the land now in the possession of SNODEN HORTON by the land of JOHN STONE, by the land of WILLIAM HERNDON, by the land of JAMES WHITE & by the land of ALVIN MOXLY and all the Estate right & demand whatsoever of THOMAS THORNTON & MARY his Wife their heirs: To have and to hold the said parcel of land with appurtenances unto SOLOMON EWELL his heirs, the Quit rents hereafter to become due only excepted, and THOMAS THORNTON and MARY his Wife their heirs will ncumbrances whatsoever; In Witness whereof the parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the day first above written Signed sealed & delivered in presence of GEO: HEALE, SARAH HEALE, THOS: THORNTON MILDRED HEALE, LISHEA BAILY, MARY her mark THORNTON A. BROWN, ROBT. BROWN

The Commonwealth of virginia to ROBERT BROWN and ALEXANDER BROWN Gentlemen Greeting; (The Commission for the privy Examination of MARY, the Wife of THOMAS THORNTON) Witness ROBERT GRAHAM Clerk of our said Court the 25th day of May 1785 Prince William County to witt: By virtue of the within Dedimus to us directed we the Subscribers went to the within named MARY THORNTON (the return of the Execution of the Privy Examination of MARY THORNTON); Witness our hands and seals this twenty seventh day of May 1785 ROBERT BROWN ALEXR: BROWN

At a Court held for Prince William County the 6th day of June 1785 This Deed with a Receipt indorsed (and a Dedimus returned executed) from THOMAS THORNTON and MARY his Wife to SOLOMON EWELL was acknowledged by the said THORNTON and ordered to be recorded Test ROBERT GRAHAM,

  • Old Churches Ministers, and Families of Virginia. Article LIII. "Died, in Dumfries, on the 25th ultimo, in the 76th year of his age, the Rev. Thomas Thornton, late rector of this parish. He possessed steady faith, rational benevolence, and unaffected piety. With the dignity of the minister he associated the familiarity of the man, and was truly an ornament to human nature. In his sermons he was accurate and persuasive, more attentive to sense than to sound, to elevation of sentiment than to loftiness of style, expatiating on the evidences of Christianity when infidelity prevailed, and strongly urging the practice of Christian morality where vice predominated. His amiable qualities secured him universal respect, and his death is now the theme of universal lamentation."

Last Will and Testament

In the name of God amen. I Thomas Thornton of Fredericksburg [Clerk] being weak of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, do make and ordain in this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

First I recommend my soul to God who gave it in hopes of a Joyful resurrection to eternal life though Jesus Christ our Lord and the worldly Goods and estate wherewith it hath pleased a gracious God to bless me I give and devise as follows.

Imprimis: I give and devise to my loving and well beloved wife Mary Ann Bertrand Thornton two tracts of land Lying situate and being in the county of Prince William given unto me by her father Colo Bertrand Ewell containing by estimation four hundred an three acres be the same more or less to have and to hold to her during her natural life she making no waste or destruction thereupon and after her decease I give and devise the same to my Son Thomas Thornton Jun. To have and to hold to my said Son his heirs & assigns as an abs [?] estate of inheritance in fee simple forever.

I further give and devise unto my said wife all that tract of land lying situate and being in the county of Prince William aforesaid which I bought of David Reno to have hold occupy and enjoy the said tract with the building thereon until my said Son Thomas shall attain unto the full age of twenty-one years she making no waste or destruction thereon and after the end and expiration of the said Term, that is to say when my Son Thomas shall attain unto the Said full age of twenty on years I give and devise the said tract of land unto him my said Son Thomas his heirs and assigns as an absolute estate of inheritance in fee simple forever.

It is my will and desire that all my stock of horses, cattle, sheep, Hogs, &c and all my household furniture and plantation utensils be kept together for the joint use of my wife & children until said Son Thomas shall attain unto the full age of twenty one years and then I give and bequeath the same unto my said wife and my said Son Thomas to be equally divided between them to their own use & behoof forever.

I further give unto my said wife the following negro slaves viz: Lotto Senr. Winny Senr. Vernon Squire Tom the Son of Winny Senr. And Maryann the daughter of Ralph and Mary to her own use & behoof forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto my said Son Thomas four negro slaves, viz: Ralph, Mary, Lotto Jun. & Billy the Son of Ralph & Mary. All the books I shalt die possessed of one enameled gold ring in memory of Col. William Goldsborough, also all my plate viz: one silver watch, one large two handed cup and cover, two pint cans, two large sauce boats, one soup ladle, one soup spoon, one silver cup, or lamp four salts with their glasses and shovels, eleven Table spoons, twelve tea spoons, one spoon strainer and one pair of sugar tongs.

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Thornton the following negro slaves, viz: Ben Johnston Sarah and her other two children, Sam and Harry, which she had by Ben Johnson and her two children Lucy and Jack with she had by Col Taliaferro Randall to her own use and behoof forever.

Item: I give & Bequeath to my daughter Sarah Thornton three negro slaves viz: Abraham, Davy and Winny to her own use and behoof forever and I further give and devise to my said Daughter Sarah Thornton a land office Treasury warrant No. 15.524 drawn in my favor by the Register of the land office for fourteen hundred and sixty two acres now lodged in the land office of the Western District for location hereby assigning unto my said Daughter all the right title or interest which I have in the same or which may accrue therefrom and to hold to her heirs and assigns forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my said wife my said Son Thomas and my said two daughters Ann & Sarah three loan office certificates, issued from the land office of the United States, in the State of Maryland the twentieth of October seventeen hundred and ninety viz: No. 8 for the sum of nine hundred and ten dollars and fifty cents bearing interest of six per cent per annum from the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety one. Also No. 8 for the Sum of four hundred and fifty five dollars twenty five cents bearing interest at six per cent per annum from the first day of January One thousand eight hundred and one, also No. 9 for the Sum of nine hundred and sixty two & eighty four cents bearing interest at three per cent per annum from the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety one also two other certificates issued December the thirtieth from the loan office of the State of Virginia Seventeen hundred and ninety both numbered One hundred and four One for the Sum of Sixteen dollars & eighty four cents bearing interest at six per cent per annum from the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety one, the other for the Sun of eight dollars and forty three cents bearing interest at six per cent per annum from the first day of January Eighteen hundred and one to be equally divided between them together with the interest that has or may arise from the same to their own use & behoof forever, and

I do thereby constitute & appoint my said wife to be Executrix and my worthy and esteemed friend Doctor Robert Wellford to be Executor of this my will & testament & joint Guardians to my said children. In witness whereof I the said Thomas Thornton have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety one. Thomas Thornton [SEAL] March 24th 1791

Fixed and sealed and declared by the said Thomas Thornton to be his Last Will and Testament in presence of: Chilton Randell W S Stone Thomas Garnett

12 Aug 1772

Rev. Thomas Thornton and his wife Marian Bertrand Thornton lease "Lordship's Favor" in Charles County MD to James and Mary Keech.





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