Thornton Roots

Whether Thomas Thornton of Bertie/Northampton is 
Thomas Thornton of Johnston/Duplin County

Thomas Thornton of Bertie/Northampton, NC

Thomas Thornton in 1724, buys 230 acres in the Precinct of Bertie, NC.  When Thomas Thornton and his wife Martha sell this property in 1746, the County is now Northampton; established in 1740, originally part of Bertie County.

• Nov 1724, William and Grace Bennett, to Thomas Thornton (all of the County of Albemarle, Bertie Precinct), 230 ac, formerly granted to said Bennet, 1 Mar 1719, N side of Meherrin River. Wit: Thomas Thornton, William Eldridge, Thomas Boon. FHL Film # 007510477, image 344/470 (p.337).
• 9 Nov 1724, Thomas Thornton, witness to deed between William and Grace Bennet to Thomas Boon. FHL Film # 007510477, image 346/470 (p.339).
• 9 Mar 1746, Thomas and Martha Thornton of the County of Northampton NC, to Chaplin Williams of IOW, 230 ac, formerly granted to William Bennett, 1 Mar 1739, joining the old county line, N side of Meherrin River. Wit: John Pitman, Arthur Pitman, Daniel Bensten, Thomas Mansene/Manpene. FHL Film # 007517521, image 135/527 (p. 258).

Thomas Thornton of Johnston/Duplin, NC

The actual deeds of early Johnston County were destroyed by fire, but the Grantors Index survived for the years Nov 1746 to Apr 1750. Appeared in Book 2, page 91, is the deed from Mark Phillip to Thomas Thornton as well as three more deeds from Mark Phillip to; William Crafford, John Bryant and Hardy Bryant. http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/lenoir/deeds/jindex01.txt

Johnston County was formed in 1746 from Craven County

This no longer existing deed appears to be supported by the 1750 Quit Rents of Johnston County, NC. June 25, Thomas Thornton, 200 acres, part of a patent, 640 [acres], in “ye” name of Mark Philips, dated Oct 9^th 1747.

Note: Mark Phillips was issued 640 acres of land on 9 Oct 1747 in Craven County, “Beginning at a white oak on Mill Creek on the S side of Neuse River.” This was recorded in Land Patent Book 10, page 111, Craven County. Phillips was also issued 350 acres of land on 9 Oct 1747 in Johnston County, located “S side of Neuse river.” Recorded in Land Patent Book 5 page 270, Johnston County. nclandgrants.com.

In 1750, Mark Phillips, now of Duplin County, again sells land to Thomas Thornton of Johnston County, and in 1755 to Thomas Thornton, Jr., as witnessed by Thomas Thornton, Sr.

• 11 Dec 1750, Mark Phillips of Duplin County to Thomas Thornton of Johnston County, 200 ac, being part of a lower tract of land in Duplin, granted to Anthony Cox, 21 June 1746. Wit: Jacob Bush, Thomas Thornton FHL Film # 007513438, image 304/498 (p.109).
• 15 Mar 1755, Mark Phillips of Cumberland to Thomas Thornton Jr, 500 ac, branches of the Cohary, land granted to said Phillips by patent 4 Apr 1750. Wit: Thomas Thornton Sr, Nathaniel Thornton. Duplin NC, FHL Film # 007513438, image 401/498 (p.288).

Duplin County was established in 1750 from New Hanover County

• 5 Feb 1772, Thomas Thornton of Duplin NC, to son John Thornton, deed of gift, my now dwelling plantation, after my death. Wit: Joseph Blackman, _ Gainey. FHL Film # 007513440, image 39/763 (p.28).
• Thomas died in Duplin County, the inventory for the deceased was exhibited into Court on 16 July 1777, by Thomas Thornton “his eldest son,” as the Administrator for the Estate. FHL Film # 005274771, image 47/2034.

“As to Thomas Sr’s wife, her name is Martha but the only document that indicates so is the bible record of their son, John Thornton, indicating his parents are Thomas and Martha Thornton.” https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Thornton-1829; John Thornton Family Bible is, LDS Microfiche No. 6125929.

Is it more likely than not, from the facts presented: (1) Thomas along with his wife Martha, who sell their Northampton land in 1746, and (2) Thomas the 1747 Johnston County land buyer also with a wife named Martha, who died during 1777 in Duplin, are one in the same.