Thornton Roots

A marriage between Joseph Strickland and Ann Thornton was introduced in the published work by Forrest D. King, CG, Descendants of Mathew Strickland (1648-1696) Through Four Generations (North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, May 2008).

Ann, the wife of Joseph Strickland, the daughter of William Thornton

I agree with Mr. King, who arrived at the conclusion that Ann is the daughter of William Thornton, stemming from the (record) land that Joseph and Ann Strickland sold in 1743: Land once belonging to William Thornton.

• 26 Mar 1744, Joseph and Ann Strickland of the County of Edgecombe NC, to Richard Vick, 238 acres, part of a patent granted to John Barnes for 340 acres, south side of the main Blackwater Swamp in the County of Isle of Wight (IOW) VA, south side of Flagg Swamp. Wit: Elizabeth Inman, Ann Blow, Richard Blow Jr. Joseph and Ann Strickland came into the IOW Court and acknowledged the transaction. [FHL Film # 007645143, image 203/585].

William the son of John Thornton and Willmuth (formerly the widow Glyn/Glinn). John Thornton was granted a patent in 1682 IOW (Isle of Wight), VA. John died during 1688 and by his will, left William 200 acres “when he comes of age.” William and his wife Elizabeth sell said land in 1723 and shortly after, buy 238 acres of land from Thomas Hampton in IOW. William died intestate during 1726. https://thorntonroots.com/2023/07/08/john-thornton-of-isle-of-wight-virginia/

• 20 Dec 1723, Thomas Hampton and Elizabeth his wife, to William Thornton, 238 acres, part of 340 acres granted to John Barnes, Nov 1713, touching land of Edward Goodson, Mathew Durkings/Durkins, Thomas Craford. Wit: Thomas Gale Jr, John Marshall, John Powell. [FHL Film # 007645141, image 316/492 (p.599)].
• 20 June 1722, John Barnes, lower Parish of IOW, to Thomas Hampton, 230 acres, being the reversion* and part of a patent granted to the said John Barnes for 340 acres, 30 Nov 1713, south side of Blackwater Swamp in the County of IOW, south-west side of Flag Swamp, touching lands of Barnaby MacKeninie, Thomas Craford. Wit: Jacob Darden, John Marshall, Thomas Gale Jr, Joseph Stricklin. [Film # 007645141, image 282/492 (p.531)].
  • *Reversion- interest held by a prior owner in property given to another; the right to resume possession or ownership of a property after a period of time has elapsed or upon the happening of some future event (fee tail estate, life estate, term of years).

John, the father of William Thornton, will date 3 Apr 1687. William not being of age (21), was born anywhere from 1667-1686. If he was born 1686, his first child could have been born 1707. However, King loosely (abt.) assigned the year of marriage between Ann and Joseph as 1711. Whereas Ann, 18 years old in 1711, was born in 1693, and say William was 25 years old at the time of her birth, then William was born in 1668.

So, when did Ann acquire the 238 acres? Administration was granted on 28 Jan 1726 for the Estate of William Thornton (deceased), to Thomas Gale, Jr. [Film # 007645159, image 540/605 (p.273)]. The audited and settled account of Williams estate was 6 Nov 1733. [FHL Film # 007645159, image 599/605 (pgs. 388-89)].

King assumed “that Ann inherited this land from her father without going through a will or estate.” He also provided the disclaimer that there may be “some other unrecorded deed, thereby making Ann something other than a Thornton.” My thought is that William dies in 1726, his wife Elizabeth continues to live on the property until her death in 1733, which triggered the final accounting of the estate and Ann, by right of law/inheritance, receives the land.

Joseph Strickland, son of Samuel Strickland and grandson of Mathew Strickland

Joseph was devised 100 acres of land by the will of his father Samuel, who died in 1720.  In 1722, Joseph is a witness to the land transaction between John Barnes and Thomas Hampton. This being the land that Thomas Hampton sells to William Thornton in 1723.

• 27 May 1718, will date of Samuel Strickland, proved 25 Apr 1720. 300 acres (where Samuel lived at the time of his will date), divided between sons Stephen, Samuel and Joseph Strickland. Wife, Abigale Strickland. Daughter, Rachel Strickland, Wit: Edward Powers, Matthew Stricklin, Joseph Stricklin. [FHL Film # 007645141, 403/492 (p.26)].
• 20 June 1722, John and Anne Barnes, to Thomas Hampton (see above).
• 20 Dec 1723, Thomas and Elizabeth Hampton, to William Thornton (see above).
• 26 Mar 1744, Joseph and Ann Strickland of the County of Edgecombe NC, to Richard Vick of IOW (see above).

Ann is found in only the record from 1744, but Joseph appears in several. Joseph witnessed neighbor Thomas Pitman’s will of 1727/8 [FHL Film # 007645159, image 514/605 (p.219)]. And Joseph was paid (for what, unknown) in 1733 from the Estate of William Boykin [FHL Film # 007645160, image 50/558 (p.44)].

Joseph and Ann Strickland likely removed from IOW to Edgecombe NC between 1737 and 1744. 1737 being the sale of property to Joseph Norfleet of Nansemond from Joseph Strickling of the Parish of Nottaway in IOW [FHL Film # 007645142, image 401/641].