What is known from the will of John Thornton, dated April 3, 1687, is that his “loving” wife is Willmuth, and their two children are William and Ellinor whom are not yet of age, and Willmuth had two sons from a previous marriage: Richard and Robert. The last name of Richard and Robert is not certain due to its appearance in the above image however, another document gives credibility to the last name as Glinn/Glynn.
20 April 1682, John Thornton was granted 390 acres in IOW on the west side of the Western Branch. His neighbors were, William Powell, Francis Bridle, William West, and Jacob Dardon. FHL Film # 008570201, image 163/729.
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,” Richard and Robert Glinn.
It’s fair to 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 or perhaps John was also widowed when he and Willmuth married, thus William and Ellinor are the step-children of Willmuth.
As mentioned above, the last name of Richard and Robert (stepsons of John Thornton) was not clear in the will. On 21 Jan 1723, Richard Glinn and William Thornton sold to Thomas Gail, Jr., “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.”
In a nutshell-
- John Thornton married Willmuth, a widow with 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 children William and Ellinor Thornton, and two stepsons Richard and Robert Glinn.
- Willmuth died sometime before Jan 1723 and said 190 acres passed to her son, Richard Glinn.
- Robert Glinn died sometime before 1723, “Robert Glinn whom the said Richard survived.” Robert likely died before his mother because Richard is in possession of the full 190 acres at the time of the 1723 sale.
William, the son of John Thornton and Willmuth, married Elizabeth before 10 Dec 1723.
- 10 Dec 1723, William Thornton and wife Elizabeth of the lower Parish of IOW, to Thomas Hampton, 238 acres, next to land of Jacob Darden and part of 390 acres granted to John Thornton 20 Apr 1682.
A couple of days after selling said 238 acres, William buys 238 acres.
- 12 Dec 1723, Thomas Hampton and Elizabeth his wife, to William Thornton, 238 acres, part of 340 acres granted to John Barnes Nov 1723. Land touching Edward Goodson, Mathew Durkings, Thomas Craford. FHL Film # 007645141, image 316/492.
25 Jan 1724 (likely 1725) William Thornton as a witness, acknowledged in court two deeds, each from John Bryan, Sr. (lower Parish of IOW) to his sons William and Samuel Bryan, Also in witness, Thomas Gale Jr. and John Hampton. Film # 007645141, 359/492.
William Thornton died (intestate) in IOW during 1726. Letters of administration were granted 28 Jan 1726 to Thomas Gale, Jr.
An accounting, appearing to be a final accounting, for Williams estate was about seven years later, 26 Nov 1733. Could this mean that Elizabeth, the widow of William died and triggered the closing of the estate?
Forrest King [Descendants of Mathew Strickland (1648-1696) through Four Generations] speculated that William Thornton had a daughter named Ann who married Joseph Strickland (b. say 1693). Mr. King cites a land sale in 1743, whereby Joseph and Ann Strickland (living in Edgecombe, NC) sell 238 acres (once belonging to William Thornton) to Richard Vick.
The methodology is as follows;
- Joseph Strickland, witness to deed dated 20 June 1722 from John and Anne Barnes to Thomas Hampton for 238 acres on the south side of the Blackwater Swamp, south west side of Flagg Swamp. Wit: Jacob Darden, John Marshall, Thomas Gale, Jr., Joseph Stricklin. FHL Film #007645141, image 282/492 (p.531).
- 20 Dec 1723, Thomas Hampton and Elizabeth his wife, to William Thornton, 238 acres, part of 340 acres granted to John Barnes Nov 1723. Land touching Edward Goodson, Mathew Durkings, Thomas Craford. FHL Film # 007645141, image 316/492 (p.599).
- 26 Mar 1744, Joseph and Ann Strickland of the County of Edgecombe NC, to Richard Vick of IOW, 238 acres, part of a patent granted to John Barnes for 340 acres, south side of the main Blackwater Swamp in the County of IOW, south side of Flagg Swamp. Wit: Elizabeth Inman, Ann Blow, Richard Blow, Jr. Film # 007645143, 203/585 (p.351)
A review of facts;
- 1723, Richard Glinn and William Thornton sell 190 acres of land to Thomas Gail Jr. (part of 390 acre grant to John Thornton).
- 1723, William and Elizabeth Thornton sell 238 acres (part of 390 acre grant to John Thornton).
- 1723, William Thornton buys 238 acres from Thomas Hampton (part of 340 acre grant to John Barnes).
- 1726, William Thornton of IOW dies.
- 1733, final accounting for the Estate of William Thornton.
- 1743, Joseph and Ann Strickland sell 238 acres (part of 340 acre grant to John Barnes).
“The assumption here is that Ann inherited this land [238 acres] from her father without going through a will or estate. It is also possible that there is some other unrecorded deed, thereby making Ann something other than a Thornton.” [King]
There is a mystery Thornton in IOW, the deceased Thomas Thornton, found in a single record for the inventory of his estate, appraised by Thomas Hill and John Goodrich. Two dates, 20 Feb 1731 and 24 Apr 1732. FHL Film #007645159, image 554/605 (pgs. 301-302).
Richard Glinn, a.k.a. Glin/Glyn
Richard Glin of Chowan Co., NC, dies between will date 5 Oct 1728 and probate on 4 Nov 1728. He bequeaths to his cousin, William Powell, “son of my sister Elizabeth Glyn all my land…if he should dies without…bequeath unto my cousin John Thornton.” Executor: John Averett. Witnesses: John Powell, James Stone, John Robertson.
Deed record of 30 Aug 1720 shows that Alexander Council of Chowan Precinct sold to Richard Glynn, a certain parcel of land, lying in Chowan Precinct, “being the one ninety [or/an] half part of 640 acres” granted by patent on 9 Mar 1717/8, and is that part which lies next to the land formerly in the possession of Robert Hicks and John Wattford, between Rockyhock [Creek] Branch and the land of the said Wattson. Wit: R Hicks, John Robertson. FHL Film # 007538409, image 51/527 (p.82).
- William Powell sells to John Robertson, 8 Oct 1734, 100 acres, enjoying to the plantation of John Robinson where he now lives on, south east side of Rockyhock branch, part of a patent granted to Alex Council, 9 Mar 1717/8, purchased of said Council by Richd Glenn and given to said Powell by said Glenn. FHL Film # 007513264, image 301/762 (p.296).
- William and Mary Powell, 13 Apr 1734, sell 240 acres to Robert Robinson, land purchased by Richard Glynn of Alexander Council. FHL Film # 007513264, image 231/762 (p.227).
I did not find a patent granted for Alexander Council but there was one to Hardy Council, being issued 640 acres of land in Chowan County, 9 March 1717, the same date as to Alexander Council. Land location description contains, Urah/Utah Swamp, Wm Braswell and Esther Kerby’s corner. Land Patent Book 3, Pg. 33, File No. 368; https://nclandgrants.com/home.htm
Here, Richard Glin dies in 1728 and his sister, Elizabeth Glyn, has a son William Powell that Richard calls his cousin. Richard also addresses John Thornton as cousin. ((banging my head))
By the facts, I know that Powell takes possession of the land left to him by the will of Glynn and later sells said land. I also know that the wife of William Powell is Mary (at least in 1734) and, I can safely say that Williams mother is Elizabeth.
One of my presumptions (rebuttable) is that Elizabeth Glyn, William Powell’s mother, could either be a step-sister or sister-in-law to Richard Glynn. If I’m working on the theory that Richard is the son of Willmuth and step-son to John Thornton (d.1688), then Elizabeth is the widow of Richards brother Robert Glynn, having first married a Mr. Powell. Thus William Powell, being the son of Elizabeth and Mr. Powell, is the step-son to the deceased Robert Glynn, and is why Elizabeth is referred to in the said will as Elizabeth Glyn.
When Robert Glynn died is unknown however, the land transaction concerning Richard Glynn and William Thornton tells me he died before 21 Jan 1723, “Robert Glinn whom the said Richard survived.” I suspect that “Widdo Glyn” from the 1704 Quit Rents of IOW, is Elizabeth Glyn. She having 390 acres that are taxable (tax imposed on occupants of freehold or leased land). 390 acres is the same number of acres that was granted to John Thornton in 1682. Whereas Elizabeth Glyn is a widow in 1704, then Robert Glynn died before the 1704 Quit Rents.
Who is cousin John Thornton? Possibly the son of William Thornton (d.1726) and Elizabeth? But alas, I’m without a story to weave for lack of information. You can check out the 1961 book, The Powell Family by Silas Emmett Lucas, Jr., regarding Richard Glynn and William Powell http://archive.org. The writer draws the conclusion, amongst others, that Elizabeth Glyn is the daughter of Morris Glyn who signed a petition during Bacon’s Rebellion.
I am unaware if anybody actually claims this family, whether it be a Thornton or Glinn/Glynn descendant. A search at Ancestry.com for John Thornton in IOW, will likely result in a Probate record that mistakenly gives the last name of Richard and Robert as “Sims.” As shown above, the correct name is Glynn.
Thornton Roots 
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