Ken is the author of the 1999 self-published notebook- Thorntons in North Carolina: The Quaker Family. Though I do not own a copy, fortune smiled upon me by the kindness of Don and Debbie Thornton, who sent me scanned excerpts.
Kenneth Jacob Thornton, born the 11th of Oct 1931 and died on May 18, 2002. He is the son of Samuel Jacob Thornton 1893-1967 and Hope Myers. Samuel Jacob, the son of Jacob Thornton 1866-1938 and Flora Ellen Ammerman. Jacob, son of Jacob Thornton 1819-1878 and Martha Thompson. Jacob, the son of Jesse Thornton and Nancy Richardson 1795-1846.
Jesse Thornton, died on March 21, 1857 in Union, Ohio. The receipt for his headstone states his age as 80 years, 4 months and 24 days, thus he was likely born the 16th of January 1777. His birthplace is recorded on the 1850 Census (Washington, Union, Ohio) as North Carolina.
DNA matched individuals via Ancestry.com, descend from Jesse and Jacob, the sons of Jacob Thornton 1819-1878. I have 6 matches, my second cousin Jane (our Thornton grandparents are siblings) has 8. This leads me to believe that our common great+ grandfather is the father of Jesse 1777-1857. A further discussion of DNA, results and matching at a later time.
Kenneth Jacob Thornton was suspicious that the father of Jesse Thornton is Eli, the presumed son of Thomas and Martha Thornton. I suspect that his suspicion is likely to prove valid. Thank you Ken!
Thornton Roots 
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