Thornton
By Marcine E. Lohman
1
Thomas Thornton, I
Generation No. 1
1. Thomas1 Thornton I was born before 1719 in North Carolina1, and died before July 16, 1777 in Duplin County, North Carolina. He married Martha Unknown before 1735 in Virginia or North Carolina2. She died Unknown.
Thomas Thornton, the father of John Thornton of my ancestry, has been a mystery for years. Unable to locate any information further back in North Carolina to indicate parentage, I began searching in Virginia for any Thomas who matches him that could have relocated to North Carolina. In researching the "other" Thomas Thornton's in Virginia, most died there which eliminates them. For instance, Thomas Thornton, son of Luke Thornton and Anne died 28 Jun 1729 in Richmond County, Virginia. Thomas Thornton who married Agatha Curtis died before April 1741 in Lancaster County, Virginia. His son Thomas died 1767 in Prince William County, Virginia. Thomas Thornton (wife Martha Boykin) died before April 1762 in Perquimans county, North Carolina (this line were Quakers from Isle of Wight County, VA). Thomas Thornton, son of Luke Thornton II, died circa 1763 in Richmond County, Virginia. Thomas Thornton, son of Daniel Thorneton, I have no death date but only show him in England. His wife was Martha Wilson supposedly (not proven). Thomas Thornton, son of Thomas Thornton and Elizabeth Davis, died before 02 Dec 1771 in Richmond County, Virginia.
My best possibility is (1) Thomas Thornton, son of Mark Thornton and Mary Bruce, whom I lose track of in Richmond County, Virginia. (Especially since his brother Mark died in Warren County, NC and his brother John died in Spartanburg County, SC). But other researchers indicate that in 1752 there is a John, Mark and Thomas Thornton listed together on the Lunenburg County Virginia Tithe List. And in 1764 Thomas Thornton owns land on the south side of Smith's Creet, Bute County, NC. The implication is this is Mark's brother Thomas. This would make me believe that they came to North Carolina after 1752 while my Thomas was there as early as 1747 (per land deeds).
The other possibility is (2) Thomas Thornton, son of William Thornton of Maryland (Will proved 3 Feb 1738) and Catherine who is unaccounted for. He has a brother John. The Thomas Thornton of Maryland married a Mary and had a son Thomas born 11 Feb 1742.
It could also be that my Thomas immigrated to North Carolina and is not related to the Virginia Thornton's at all. It also appears that my Thomas shows up in 1747 in Johnston County shortly after it was divided from Cravens County. This is my earliest record of him. How can my Thomas be in Johnston Co., NC and in Lunenburg Co., VA at the same time? I've not found any slaves, sale of property or anything else belonging to both that make me believe the two Thomas Thornton's are identical persons. Also, the only listing of Martha as his wife comes from John Thornton's bible. I have no concrete proof that the other children listed are actually John's brothers. They merely lived and bought land in the same area of Duplin/Sampson/Johnston County, North Carolina.
I also believe that there are three generations of Thomas Thornton's who are being mistaken for each other.
(1) Thomas Thornton, d. before July 16, 1777 in Duplin County (Estate sale lists his oldest son Thomas). If Thomas Sr. was at least 18 when he had his first son, Thomas, then he would have to have been born before 1719.
(2) Thomas Thornton, Jr., purchased land from Mark Phillips on March 15, 1755 which was witnessed by Thomas Thornton, Sr. I'm told that persons had to be at least 18 years of age to purchase land. This means that Thomas Jr. was born before 1737.
(3) Thomas Thornton & wife Rebecca Lee listed on will of Peter Lee, Sr., dated 28 Jan 1804, probated 12 Nov 1804. This Thomas served in the Rev. War I'm told, was born 1755 and died in 1806. I have found no Rev. War records for him.
LAND DEEDS:
Johnston County, North Carolina Deed Book 1, Page 91
Mark Phillips to Thomas Thornton
Dated: June 25 & 26, 1747
Thomas Thornton bought land in Johnston County, North Carolina from Mark Phillips.
Johnston County, NC - Quit Rent - 1750, (Original on file at the North Carolina Archives, Raleigh, NC), Patentee, No of Acres, Date of Patent, Last Rent, When paid June 25 & 26.
Thomas Thornton, 200, part of a patent of 40 in sd House of Mark Philips, Dated Oct 9th, 1747, part of sd upper survey 24 1/2 at 4£, 1:-:-
Duplin County, North Carolina Deed Book 2, Page 109
Mark Phillips to Thomas Thornton
Dated: 11 December 1750
Trans: Mark Phillips by Thomas Thornton indenture 11 December 1750. Forty pounds paid to Mark Phillips by Thomas Thornton of Johnston County for Plantation or track "in county of foresaid" on one of the branches of Cohary, beginning at a live oak, S-20 E-210 to a gum S-55 E-90 being 200 acres granted to Anthony Cox by his Majesty's Patent June 21, 1746. Witnessed by Jacob Bush and Thomas Thornton. Signed by Mark Phillips. Proved by Bush, October 9, 1751.
(150 acres of this land was sold by Thomas Thornton to John Teele in 1756, who then sold the same 150 acres to Herrod Thornton in 1759. Then in 1765 Herrod Thornton sold this same 150 acres to Thomas Thornton. The deed stated "Herrod Thornton had moved from Duplin County to Johnston County (where he resided at the time of this deed) and was selling his former home." Herrod paid 35 pounds in 1759 and received 40 pounds for the same property in 1765. [975.6 P 485, Peterson, Abstracts Sampson - Duplin Deeds, 1750-1774, Pages 10, 56, 96.] On April 11, 1765, Herrod Thornton bought 200 acres of land in Johnston county. [975.6 H 373, Haun, Johnston County, NC abstract books A-1, B-2, etc, 1759-1771, #22.])
The Great Coharie creek presently runs north/south through the center of Sampson County, NC. It begins at the Johnston County, NC border in north Sampson County.
Duplin County Deed Book 2, Page 288.
Mark Phillips of Cumberland County to Thomas Thornton Jr.
Dated: 15 March 1755
Trans: 15 pounds for 500 acres on one of the branches of the Cohary. Land was granted to the said Mark Phillips by patent dated 4 April 1750. Witnesses: Thomas Thornton and Nathaniel Thornton. Deed was proven by the oath of Thomas Thornton Sr. 9 Oct.1755.
Duplin County, North Carolina Patent Book 15, Page 439
Dated: 22 October 1762
Trans: Joseph BLACKMAN, 22 October 1762, 200 acres in Duplin County on the East side of great Coharey, joining Samuel SMITH, Thomas THORNTON, and sd. BLACKMAN.
Sampson-Duplin County, North Carolina, Deed Book 1, Page 78.
Herod Thornton to Thomas Thornton
Dated: 23 March 1765
Trans: 40 pounds for 150 acres "on the east side of one of the branches of Cohery," Land was part of a tract granted to Mark Phillips 4 April 1750 and conveyed to Thomas Thornton (Jr.) and from said Thornton to John Teel and from said Teel to Herod Thornton by deed dated 21 February 1759. Herod Thornton had moved from Duplin County to Johnston County (where he resided at the time of this deed) and was selling his former home. Witnesses: Isaac Rush and Thomas Thornton, Sr.
Duplin County, North Carolina, Deed Book 5, Page 28.
Thomas Thornton to John Thornton (son)
Dated: 5 February 1772
Trans: Deed from Thomas Thornton of Duplin county, NC to his son John Thornton for good will and affection. Registered Duplin County.
WILLS & ESTATE RECORDS:
Estate of Thomas Thornton, dated July 16, 1777, Duplin County, NC, File Number CR 035.508.89 at the State Archives. The document is an inventory of his estate and names Thomas Thornton as his eldest son and administrator. Thomas Thornton, Jr. has signed this document. There is no mention of land or slaves in this document, only his personal belongings and farm animals. He signed his name as Thos. Thornton.
Will of Joseph Blackman, Will Book A, Page 49, Duplin County, NC Archives, Raleigh File # CR.035.801.1, dated February 2, 1768, was witnessed by two people named Thomas Thornton. (Both signed their names). [Marcine's Note: In looking at the original Deed, one of the Thomas Thornton's is erased as though it were a duplicate. Therefore, only one Thomas Thornton witnessed this Will].
North Carolina Counties:
Craven created in 1712, renamed from Archdale Precinct of Bath County
New Hanover created in 1729, from Craven
Johnston created in 1746, from Craven
Duplin created in 1750, from New Hanover.
Orange created in 1752, from Bladen, Granville, and Johnston
Dobbs County created in 1758, from Johnston. It later became Glasgow and Lenoir in 1791.
Sampson created in 1784, from DuplinThe Great Coharie creek presently runs north/south through the center of Sampson County, NC. It begins at the Johnston County, NC border in north Sampson County.
More About Thomas Thornton I:
Burial: before July 16, 1777, Duplin County, North Carolina (Estate Inventory dated Jul 16, 1777)
Notes for Martha Unknown:
I have seen many variations of what Martha's maiden name could have been. They are: Martha P. Hampton, Martha Elizabeth Kenning,
Children of Thomas Thornton and Martha Unknown are:
+ 2 i. Thomas2 Thornton II, born before 1735 in Duplin County, North Carolina (known as Sampson County after 1784); died 1801 - August 12 1806 in Sampson County, North Carolina.
3 ii. Nathaniel Thornton, born circa 1737 in Duplin County, North Carolina (known as Sampson County after 1784)3,4; died before 1790 in Duplin County, North Carolina (known as Sampson County after 1784)5. He married Selah (Celia) Unknown circa 1760 in Duplin County, North Carolina (known as Sampson County after 1784); born in North Carolina; died 1779 - 1790 in Duplin County, North Carolina (known as Sampson County after 1784).
Notes for Nathaniel Thornton:
This Nathaniel Thornton line is being researched by Elton Edwards, , Donna Sherron, , Gail Hopkins, , Ted and Freda Noble, , Paul & Liz Grimes, , and Mamie L. Tate, 637 East Florida St., Evansville, IN 47711-4647, .
LAND DEEDS:
"Sampson/Duplin County, NC Deeds, Book 3, Page 90.
Samuel Eldridge to Nathaniel Thornton. Dated: 2 April 1760.
Trans.: 55 pounds for 400 acres "On the East side of great Coheary ...Beginning...near the mouth of Peacock Swamp being Thomas Suggs Corner Running along...a former Dividing line between the aforesaid Suggs and William Williams (Williamson?)," Land was part of a tract of 500 acres granted to the said Thomas Suggs by patent dated 13 April 1749 "and the same place whereon the said Eldridge formerly lived," Witnesses: Isaac Bush and Calib Cock." [This same piece of land was sold by Nathaniel & Selah Thornton in 1777 and is the basis by which I list Selah as this Nathaniel's wife.]
Sampson/Duplin County, NC Deeds, Book 4, Page 352.
Nathaniel Thornton and Selah Thornton to Joseph Vick
Dated: 26 November 1777
Trans: 100 pounds for 400 acres "On the East side of great Coheary." Deed mentions Thomas Suggs, William Williamson, and the mouth of Peacock's Swamp. Land was part of a tract of 500 acres granted to the said Thomas Suggs by patent dated 13 April 1749 "and the same plantation where the said Nathaniel Thornton now dwells on." Witnesses: Joseph Rhodes, William Ball, and William Lindsay.
Sampson/Duplin County, NC Deeds, Book 4, Page 339.
Nathaniel Thornton to John Fulgom
Dated: 26 June 1770
Trans: 40 pounds for 150 acres "on the East Side of the great Cohery Creek." Deed mentions "William Willifords line Pattented by William Hagans." Witnesses: Cannon Cason and William McClam.
Tax Lists:
Thornton, John NC Duplin County, 1783
Thornton, Nathaniel, Sr. NC Duplin County, 1783
Thornton, Thomas, Jr. NC Duplin County, 1783
Thornton, Thomas, Sr. NC Duplin County, 1783 Census
Notes for Selah (Celia) Unknown:
Craven County, North Carolina Court Records, New Bern District Court Records
Folder: 1779 Information: The confession of Joseph KILLETT: Thos HARRISON & Jno CATO robbed Wm. RADFORD of currency & property; HARRISON stole a mare of Hampton SYLLAVAN, and HARRISON and CATO and KILLET & David LAWHORN robbed Peter LEE on a mare and other property and money; he believes that LAWHON sold the mare to Jno HONEYCUTT upon the waters of Deep River; that HARRISON & KATO stole of Jno. EDWARDS a horse & mare & KILLET saw them on the horses and they sold the horses either to Jas. FARR,, Cap. JOESON or Jno. ARTHUR between Jones's Creek & Temptson's Creek; HARRISON stole Jno. Roache's horse and he heard him say he would shoot the horse as soon as he took him to Neuse R.; on Tuesday 27 of this Instant [July 1779-sbg] he saw LAWHON with 2 mares which he said he borow'd the white one of Robt. KEY & the Dark Bay of David RAINER; on Thursday 28th KILLET and LAWHON went to Mr. WINKFIELD where they stole a gray horse which he was to let Jno. COLE have to carry to Salisbury to sell for halves; that he hired Jno. VICK to take his place as soldier and returned him to Liet MCNES under the name of Jno. MITCHEL and as he and VICK were going to Kingston they called at James MILES'S and VICK stole a pair of leather breeches out of MILES'S house; the following persons harbour and assist both thieves and deserters: Saml. STRICKLEN, Tho. DAUGHTY, Andrew KILLET Sen. William KILLET Junr. (Dobbs Co.), Robt. KEY, Kinchen CITCHER, Isaac WHEELER, Jno. MILES, David MILES, Wm. MCLAN, Joel JOINER, Ben JOINER, Geo. LASSITER, Geo. CATO, Jno. BAREFOOT, Peter LEE & Selah THORNTON (Duplin Co.).
+ 4 iii. Herod Thornton, born before 1741 in Duplin County, North Carolina (known as Sampson County after 1784); died circa 1821 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia.
+ 5 iv. John Thornton, Sr., born August 31, 1749 in Duplin County, North Carolina (known as Sampson County after 1784); died Aft. 1807 in Johnston County, North Carolina (possibly after 1810).