University of Virginia Library

THE THORNTONS, OF "ORMESBY"

The Thorntons came from Yorkshire, England and settled in
York and Gloucester counties, and their descendants were soon
found in Caroline, Essex and adjacent counties. York county
records show that this family was represented there as early
as 1646.

When Caroline was formed the Thorntons were already
established within the territory of the new county. The first
member of the family to become actively identified with Caroline
is referred to in Slaughter's "St. Mark's Parish," as "Francis
Thornton, of Caroline, Gentleman." Records in the Clerk's
Office of Spotsylvania dated 1736 and Orange 1737 refer to
"Francis Thornton, of St. Mary's Parish in Caroline."

Francis Thornton had several daughters of whom one married
William Buckner, one General William Woodford and one James
Taylor who represented Caroline in the House of Burgesses for
several terms.

Reuben Thornton, of Drysdale Parish in Caroline was b.
—, and d. in 1768. He m. the widow of Henry Willis,

of Spotsylvania. His will which was proved in Caroline court
in May, 1768, devised his property to his nieces Mary Woodford,
Lucy Gilmer, Mildred Washington and his nephews, James
Taylor, Richard Buckner, Thornton Washington and others.
Thornton Washington was the son of Samuel Washington and
the nephew of George Washington. Dr. Hugh Mercer also shared

Ormesby

in this estate. The will was witnessed by William Buckner,
Matthew Gale, Anthony Thornton and George Todd. William
Woodford was named one of the executors.

John Thornton, of Caroline m. Mildred Gregory, by whom
he had four daughters: Mildred, Mary, Elizabeth and Lucy.
Mildred, m. Samuel Washington, brother of George Washington;
Mary m. General William Woodford; Elizabeth m. John Taliaferro,
of "Dissington," in King George county; and Lucy m. John
Lewis, of Spotsylvania.

Anthony Thornton built "Ormesby" about the year 1715.
He brought to this new estate his bride who was the daughter of
Colonel John Presley, of "Northumberland House" in Northumberland
county. Upon the death of Anthony Thornton, I, his

son Anthony, II, inherited the estate and made it his home.
Anthony, II, was Sheriff of Caroline. When he died "Ormesby"
passed into the hands of his son, Anthony, III, who was county
lieutenant of Caroline, and who held the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel
in 1777. He commanded the militia of Caroline county
at the siege of Yorktown. At the close of the War of the Revolution,
Colonel Thornton sold "Ormesby" to his brother, Thomas
Griffin Thornton and removed to Kentucky. Thomas Griffin
Thornton was probably the most famous fox-hunter of his day
and files of the old sporting magazines of the period contain
many stories of his hounds. He was murdered, while Sheriff,
by a man against whom he had a writ.

James Bankhead Thornton was born in 1770 and died in 1843.
He lived at "Mt. Zephyr," but whether it was built by him is not
definitely known. He was Justice of the Peace in Caroline in
1802. He married a daughter of Colonel Anthony Thornton.
"Mt. Zephyr" was advertised for sale in 1845 and passed into
the hands of the White Family. It is now owned by Mr Brooks.

The Calendar of State Papers (Virginia) contains several
letters to and from Colonel Anthony Thornton. From one of
these we learn that at the time it was written there were 644
Caroline men under arms. Governor Nelson writes Colonel
Thornton to have all the flour he can get in Caroline shipped from
Port Royal round into the Piankatank with all possible dispatch.
Col. Thornton writes Colonel Davies under date of May 1, 1782,
that "clothing for the army, due from Caroline, has been ready
at Bowling Green for some months."

Charles Thornton, of "North Garden," was a captain of
militia in the War of 1812. He m. Sarah Fitzhugh, of "Bellair,"
Stafford county and removed to Oldham county, Ky.

George Thornton was born in Caroline November 18, 1752.
He m. on June 9, 1774, to Margaret Stanley, the daughter of Moses
Stanley and removed to that territory which afterward became
Greene county, Va. He was a soldier in the War of the Revolution
and afterward received a pension. He died on August
30, 1853, at the age of 101 years. Mrs. J. C. Gentry, of Atlanta
is one of his many descendants.

Robert Horsley Thornton, another one of his descendants, m.
Louisa, dau. of Rev. Charles Wingfield, of Albemarle.

For more complete genealogy see Thornton Excursus by W. G.
Standard in The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography.