Thornton Roots

Is he the son of Quaker couple Thomas and Martha Thornton? Where and when was he born? Who are his two wives? Who are his children? When did he die?

The facts attributed to Eli Thornton begin with a 1781 Cane Creek monthly meeting (MM) of “Friends,” in the County of Orange, North Carolina (NC), and end with the 1810 Census of Edgefield, South Carolina (SC).

• 4 Feb 1781, Cane Creek MM. Eli produced an offering, condemning having carnal knowledge, of her who is now his wife before marriage. This marriage was accomplished “out of unity” of Friends.
• 5 Mar 1781, Deep River MM, to prepare recommendation directed to Cane Creek to recover his (Eli Thornton) rights again.
• 4 Aug 1783, Deep River. Eli requests a certificate to remove within the verge of Bush River MM in Newberry SC and 1 Sep 1783, Deep River MM prepares a certificate for Eli’s removal to Bush River.
• 11 Mar 1784, Hezekiah Sanders enters 50 acres of land in Guilford County, NC, on the waters of Deep River, joining the deeded land of Thomas Mills and Amos Mills, including an improvement made by Ely Thornton.
• 9 May 1785, Edgefield SC. Eli Thornton and Nathaniel Henderson, witness a transaction for land on Cuffee Town Creek (Cuffytown) between William Glover and James Rushton. Proved by Eli Thornton, 10 Mar 1790.
• 17 July 1790, Edgefield County, Ninety-Six Dist., Cuffytown. A land grant to Eli Thornton for 133 acres on Reedy River and Horse Pen Creek.
• 1790 SC Census, Edgefield County, Ninety-Six Dist., Reedy Branch (census date is May 1791). Ely Thornton, age 16 years or more; Two Males, age 0-16; Three Females.
• 25 Aug 1792, Bush River MM, Newberry Dist., SC. Eli Thornton and David Jenkins are to witness the marriage of Thomas Cook and Keziah Henderson.
• 19 September 1793, transaction between Anthony and Mary Cooper to Thomas Ramsey for land on Cuffeetown Creek, adjacent to David Cunningham, Isaac Ramsey, John Murphy, Colonel Gervey, Eli Thornton, and Federick Weaver.
• 28 Jan 1797, Bush River MM. Eli accomplished his second marriage, contrary to the good order of Friends and he doesn’t know if his first wife is living or dead.
• 1800 SC Census, Edgefield. Eli Thornton, born before 1755; Female, born between 1756-74; Male & Female, born between 1785-90; Two Males & three Females, born between 1791-1800.
• 1810 SC Census, Edgefield. Eli Thornton, Sr. born before 1765; Female born between 1766-84; Two Males and one Female born between 1801-10; and two enslaved persons.

The following facts may or may not be applicable to this particular Eli.

• 27 Mar 1813, Edgefield SC. Eli Thornton, Yeoman, Deed of Conveyance to Joseph Thornton, 100 acres lying on the banks of Reedy Creek.
• 22 Feb 1815, Edgefield SC. Allen Glover vs. Eli Thornton.
• 20 Oct 1815, SC, Edgefield Dist., Cuffy Town. Eli Thornton to William Thomas, 200 acres on the branches of Stephens Creek, Savannah River. Binding on land of Henry Weaver, South are land of James Hollingsworth, East are lands of Thomas Ramsey and _ Thornton and lands of Rasha Mantz, North on land of Carson.