Thomas Thornton, d. 1762

Perquimans, North Carolina

Thomas Thornton and wife Martha, are identified as Quakers, as well as attributed to being the parents of Thomas, David, John, Rebecah, Abraham, Rachel, and Eli. After the death of his wife Martha, Thomas married Mary Newby, the widow of Joseph Wilson and they had a son, Joseph Thornton.

Cane Creek (Quaker Meetings) in NC was formed on Oct 7, 1751 in the County of Orange, modernly the area of Alamance. Mentioned in the minutes during the first ten months include Thomas and Martha Thornton.
7th of the 10th mo 1751, the monthly meeting (MM) of Women Friends held at Cane Creek, it being the first time. The first order of business was to appoint Sarah Chamness and Martha Thornton for Overseers of Cane Creek particular meeting.
4th of the 7th mo 1752, MM held at New Garden. Cane Creek preparative meeting informs Thomas Thornton to inquire into unity of friends on behalf of Rachel Wright and her plans to travel to lower parts of Virginia.
Mid 1755, Thomas removes from Orange to Perquimans, and later that year, the marriage intentions of Thomas Thornton and Mary Wilson are published.
5th of the 11th mo 1755, Perquimans MM, Thomas Thornton and Mary Wilson appeared and published their intention of taking each other in marriage, he produced a certificate from the MM of Friends at Cane Creek.
3rd of the 12th mo 1755, Thomas and Mary are left at their liberty to appoint a time of marriage.
2^nd of the 3^rd mo 1757, MM Perquimans, Thomas Thornton to give notice to Thomas Elliot that a letter of disunity will be written and produced at the next meeting.
2^nd of the 11^th mo 1757 Perquimans MM, Thomas Thornton requests certificate to Virginia on business.
2^nd of the 8^th mo 1758, MM Perquimans, Thomas Thornton is part of a committee to review a complaint against the heirs of Thomas Pierce.
4^th of the 2^nd mo 1761, MM Perquimans, Thomas Thornton requests a certificate for himself and family to Friends at Cane Creek.
In the “Wills and Estate Papers” of Perquimans, is a list dated November 9, 1762 for the sale of goods of the deceased Thomas Thornton. “Pursuant to order of Court obtained by Mary Thornton, administrator.”

Thomas Thornton, before 1751

From the MM of Hopewell at Opequan in Frederick County, Virginia, the 4th of the 2nd mo 1748, Thomas Thorntown is one of the signatures upon a certificate for John Branson who removed to New Jersey: the MM of Crosswicks in West New Jersey.

1745 Sept 24, County of Frederick, VA. Thomas Thornton, witness to sale of land recorded in Orange County, VA., between Thomas Branson and Rebeckah his wife, to Benjamin Borden of Augusta, Orange County, VA.

While the following records may be circumstantial as belonging to said Thomas, they are highly suspect because other evidence shows a solid relationship between the Thornton and Branson families, such as they intermarried, thus lending to their applicable credibility.

1741 Nov 27, Thomas Thorntown, so ordered by the Court, as a tithable person, to help lay and keep in repair a wagon road, beginning at Benjamin Borden’s Land. Overseers: Benjamin Borden and Thomas Branson. Also mentioned to help lay and keep road in repair, Thomas Branson, Jr.

1745 Apr 2, Orange County, VA. Thomas Thorntown, and others petition for a road from the Courthouse to Gregory’s Ford. Also mentioned, Thomas Branson.

Martha, wife of Thomas

7th of 10th mo 1751, MM of Women Friends held at Cane Creek, it being the first time, this meeting appoints Sarah Chamness and Martha Thornton for Overseers of Cane Creek Particular meeting till further orders.
4th of 7th mo 1752, MM of Cane Creek, Rachel Wright request a certificate…Sarah Chamness and Martha Thornton to inquire.
9th of 12th mo 1752, Cedar Creek MM in Richmond, VA. Certificate of Martha Thornton was received from Cane Creek MM, Orange County, NC, dated 8th of 10th mo 1752, as was also received, the certificates of Thomas Branson and Abigail Pike.
At the MM of Cane Creek, 3rd of 2nd mo 1853. Received two certificates from Martha Thornton, one from Fairfax, the other from Cedar Creek MM. Also the same for Abigail Pike.
The MM of Cane Creek, held at New Garden, the 3rd of the 4th mo 1853. This meeting appoints Martha Thornton and Rebekah Branson to inquire into the request for a certificate by Juliatha Carr to travel to Gunpowder meeting in Maryland.
At a MM of Cane Creek held at New Garden 2nd of 3rd mo 1754. This meeting makes choice of Rachel Wright for overseer for Cane Creek meeting, in the room of Martha Thornton who requested to be released.
22^nd of 2^nd mo 1762, Cane Creek MM. Rebecah, daughter of Thomas and Martha Thornton (deceased), the marriage to Nathaniel Henderson, son of Richard and Elizabeth of Orange County, NC.

Rebecah Thornton

The only evidence based issue of Thomas and Martha Thornton

22nd of 2nd mo 1762, Cane Creek MM. Rebecah, daughter of Thomas and Martha Thornton (deceased), the marriage to Nathaniel Henderson, son of Richard and Elizabeth of Orange County, NC. Present at the solemnization: David Thornton, Richard Henderson, William Henderson, Levi Branson, Thomas Branson, Rebecah Branson, Mary Vestell, Elizabeth Vestell, Thomas Vestell, Elizabeth Johnson, Abagail Pike, and Charles Davis/Davies.

Rachel Thornton

Because Rachel and John Henderson appear in the deed records of Edgefield, South Carolina (SC), as well as Rebecah Thorntons marriage to Nathaniel Henderson, it is inferred that Rachel Thornton married John Henderson.

4th of the 11th mo 1769, Cane Creek mm, “Rachel Henderson formerly Thornton Disowned after the usual labour Extended for accomplishing her marriage out of the unity of friends”

Eli Thornton

4 Feb 1781, Cane Creek MM, Eli Thornton produced an offering to the meeting, condemning having carnal knowledge of her who is now his wife before marriage and also accomplishing marriage out of the unity of friends.
5 Mar 1781, Deep River MM (NC) to prepare recommendation directed to Cane Creek to recover his (Eli Thornton) rights again.
4 Aug 1783, Deep River (NC) Request for certificate on behalf of Eli Thornton to remove within the verge of Bush River MM (SC).
1 Sept 1783, Deep River (NC) MM to prepare certificate for Eli Thornton, removal to verge of Bush River MM (SC).
11 Mar 1784, NC, Entry #: No 2344 Event: Hezekiah Sanders enters 50 acres of land in Guilford County on the waters of Deep River, joining the deeded land of Thomas Mills and Amos Mills, including an improvement made by Ely Thornton.

Lydia Thornton

2^nd of the 3^rd mo 1762, Cane Creek MM. This meeting disowns Lydia Harris, formerly Thornton, for going out in marriage.

Abraham Thornton

Abraham, along with Eli Branson and Thomas and Nathaniel Henderson, were disowned by “Friends” at the Cane Creek meeting because “the customary labour being extended” was to no avail. 5^th of the 12^th mo 1767.

The names of Abraham, David and Thomas Thornton appeared on the Regulators (Petition) Advertisement of May 1768, “We the Inhabitants of Orange County pay larger Fees for recording Deeds than any of the adjacent Counties and many other Fees more than the Law allows.”

Abraham produced an offering to the Cane Creek MM, dated Oct 5, 1789, condemning the misconduct for which he was disowned.

David Thornton

Besides his name appearing on the Regulators (Petition) Advertisement of 1768, along with Abraham and Thomas Thornton, David was disowned by “Friends” for enlisting as a solder and taking an oath.

3^rd day of the 3^rd mo 1759, Cane Creek MM, David Thornton being complained of the 7^th mo 1757, enlisting himself as a soldier and also for taking an oath, who has labored with from month to month but to no good purpose, this meeting agrees to testify against him and his disorderly conduct.

Thomas Thornton

Aside from the Regulators (Petition) Advertisement of 1768, there are no other recovered facts of Thomas in NC.

John Thornton

There are no facts pertaining to John in NC.

Thornton Roots