Person Page - 108

     Kattie Thompson was born circa 1865, daughter of Henry Drew Thompson and Adelia Allison Buntin, in Kentucky.¹

     Lilla Thompson was born circa 1872, daughter of Henry Drew Thompson and Adelia Allison Buntin, in Kentucky.¹

     Lucilla S. Thompson was born on 28 May 1841 in Pike County, Missouri.^1,3

     Lucilla S. Thompson, 16, married William T. Jones, 22, on 3 December 1857 in Pike County, Missouri.^3,4

     Lucilla S. Jones, 23, married John P. Fisher, 42, on 30 November 1864 in Pike County, Missouri.^1,2

     Lucilla S. Fisher died on 5 May 1923 at age 81 in Saverton, Ralls County, Missouri,³ and was buried in Barkley Cemetery, New London, Ralls County, Missouri.³

     Luetta Green Thompson was born on 11 February 1856 in Alamance County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Joseph Sirene Thompson (1822-1900) and Elizabeth Armenia Baldwin Thompson (1834-1896). The index page of her memorial page says she was born in Orange County, North Carolina, but the written biography says Alamance County.²

     Luetta, 26, married John Wesley Turner, son of Thomas Turner and Penelope S. Cartwright, on 7 December 1882 in Kaufman County, Texas.^3,4

     On 6 October 1897, she married Thomas Boggess Hadley (1846-1907) in Callahan County, Texas.^5,6

     Luetta Green Hadley died in 1936² and was buried in Albany Cemetery, Albany, Shackelford County, Texas.²

     Mariah Page Thompson was born on 10 November 1799, daughter of Robert Thompson and Sarah Castleman, in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee.^1,3,2
     She was also known as Maria Thompson.⁴

     Mariah, 18, married William Turner, 21, son of William Turner and Frances Dodson, on 13 November 1817 in Davidson County, Tennessee.⁴

     On 5 June 1860, C. N. Turner, guardian of A. J. Turner minor heir of Willie Turner decd. made a report to the court: received in my possession 69 acres of land on Tennessee River; 3 Negroes; $50 in cash; two ? note due 25 Dec 1860, one for $125 on Thomas Turner and one on Mariah Turner and James Turner for $60 for a total of $215. The note is given for the ? of Negroes for the present year in Humphreys County, Tennessee.⁵

     Mariah Page Turner died on 6 March 1874 at age 74 in Humphreys County, Tennessee,^1,2 and was buried in Johnson Turner Cemetery, Humphreys County, Tennessee.⁶

     Olive L. Thompson was born in November 1869 in Missouri.^2,4
     She was also known as Ollie.⁵

     Olive L. Thompson, 24, married Elmer Craw, 26, son of Charles Wesley Craw and Lucy Rives, on 1 May 1894 in Methodist Parsonage, Anthony, Harper County, Kansas, with Rev. J. C. Woods, Minister of the Gospel, officiating.^1,4

     Robert Thompson was born in 1763.²

     Robert Thompson married Sarah Castleman in 1785.²

     Robert Thompson died in 1822² and was buried in Turner Cemetery, Humphreys County, Tennessee.²

     Taliaferro Thompson was born in May 1833 in Virginia.³

     Taliaferro, 23, married Mary Jane Hudson, 15, daughter of John P. Hudson and Martha Turner, on 11 March 1857 in Amherst County, Virginia.^1,2

     He performed his Military Service by serving as a Sergeant in Company I, 49th Virginia Infantry during the Civil War.⁴

     On 4 May 1904, he filed for a Confederate pension at Amherst County, Virginia. The physician stated Taliaferfro had an enlargment of the prostate gland and other bladder troubles and he is clearly disabled from attending to his ordinary occupation.⁵

     Ula Thompson was born circa 1870, daughter of Henry Drew Thompson and Adelia Allison Buntin, in Kentucky.¹

     (--?--) Thorington married Martha (--?--). I cannot find a marriage record for them as of 17 Jan 2021.¹

     (--?--) Thorington died before 25 June 1900 on which date his wife was enumerated as widowed.

     Barbary Thornton was born in 1757, daughter of Presley Thornton.²

     Barbary Thornton married (--?--) Jones. Not only can I not find a marriage record, but without a first name I cannot find them in the census either. Most recent attempt was 26 Nov 2020.¹

     On 6 January 1812, Presley Thornton's will reads: ". . . First, I lend to my beloved wife Mary Thornton one third of my estate during her life, then to be divided among the heirs of her body."
     To my son, Zachariah, one equal share of my estate; to my son Bolen (Rowland), the same; to my daughter Elizabeth Nance, the same; to my daughter Jane Wilson, the same; to my son John, the same; to my son William, forty pounds; to my daughter Fanny Oakes, forty pounds; to my son Presley, one shilling; to my daughter Barbary Jones, one shilling; to my daughter Susannah Watts, one shilling; to my daughter Sarary Barnett, one shilling. He appoints his sons Rowland and Moses as executors. Signed with his mark. Witnesses: Clement Wilson, Agnatius Wilson, Mary Wilson. Ellis Wilson and Randolph McDaniel provided security for the executors.¹

     Elizabeth Thornton was born circa 1766, daughter of Presley Thornton, in Virginia Colony based on her being 77 years of age when she went to Court to obtain a widow's pension.²

     Elizabeth Thornton married William M. Nance, 22, on 9 November 1782 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.^1,3

     Their children are listed on what is probably a bible page turned in when Elizabeth applied for a Widow's Pension:
James Nance, born 25 Oct 1783 - 4 Jan 1814 he "started to Norfolk in defence of my country"
Amelia Name, born 2 Nov 1787
John Nance, born 23 Mar 1798
Frederick Nance, born 2 Aug 1792
Robert Nance, born 21 Mar 1797
Polley May Nance, born 19 Mar 1799
Jincy Nance, born 23 Sep 1800
Patsy Malone Nance, born 12 Mar 1805.⁴

     On 6 January 1812, Presley Thornton's will reads: ". . . First, I lend to my beloved wife Mary Thornton one third of my estate during her life, then to be divided among the heirs of her body."
     To my son, Zachariah, one equal share of my estate; to my son Bolen (Rowland), the same; to my daughter Elizabeth Nance, the same; to my daughter Jane Wilson, the same; to my son John, the same; to my son William, forty pounds; to my daughter Fanny Oakes, forty pounds; to my son Presley, one shilling; to my daughter Barbary Jones, one shilling; to my daughter Susannah Watts, one shilling; to my daughter Sarary Barnett, one shilling. He appoints his sons Rowland and Moses as executors. Signed with his mark. Witnesses: Clement Wilson, Agnatius Wilson, Mary Wilson. Ellis Wilson and Randolph McDaniel provided security for the executors.¹

     On 18 November 1815, the heirs of the Presley Thornton estate sold 417 acres on Mountain Run, adding a clause "reserving dower to Mary Thornton, the widow and relict of the said Presley Thornton during her natural life according to a line that has already been agreed on, by which 139 acres are allotted to the said Mary Thornton" in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.⁵

     On 23 September 1844, Elizabeth came to Court to obtain a pension as a widow of a person who served during the Revolutionary War at Pittsylvania County, Virginia. She received a pension of $49.00 to commence 8 Nov 1843.²

     Elizabeth Thornton was born between 1811 and 1820, daughter of Rowland Thornton and Elizabeth Turner, in Virginia.²

     In March 1832, there is an entry showing purchasers of part of Rowland's estate to be Elizabeth, James, Greenberry and Louisa in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.³

     Elizabeth Thornton married Lindsey George on 30 September 1834 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.^4,5

     Elizabeth George died before 19 January 1848 when her husband married Elizabeth J. Bibb in Madison County, Alabama.⁶

     She was also known as Fanny.¹

     Frances Thornton married Isaac Oakes on 10 November 1796 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, with Clement Nance, Minister of the Gospel, officiating.^1,3,4

     On 6 January 1812, Presley Thornton's will reads: ". . . First, I lend to my beloved wife Mary Thornton one third of my estate during her life, then to be divided among the heirs of her body."
     To my son, Zachariah, one equal share of my estate; to my son Bolen (Rowland), the same; to my daughter Elizabeth Nance, the same; to my daughter Jane Wilson, the same; to my son John, the same; to my son William, forty pounds; to my daughter Fanny Oakes, forty pounds; to my son Presley, one shilling; to my daughter Barbary Jones, one shilling; to my daughter Susannah Watts, one shilling; to my daughter Sarary Barnett, one shilling. He appoints his sons Rowland and Moses as executors. Signed with his mark. Witnesses: Clement Wilson, Agnatius Wilson, Mary Wilson. Ellis Wilson and Randolph McDaniel provided security for the executors.¹

     On 18 November 1815, the heirs of the Presley Thornton estate sold 417 acres on Mountain Run, adding a clause "reserving dower to Mary Thornton, the widow and relict of the said Presley Thornton during her natural life according to a line that has already been agreed on, by which 139 acres are allotted to the said Mary Thornton" in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.⁵

     I am unable to find Isaac Oakes in the 1800 or 1810 census enumerations in Virginia or adjoining states. There is an Isaac Oaks in 1820 census in William County, Tennesse; one Isaac Oakes in 1830 in Guilford County, North Carolina; and another in Grainger County, Tennessee. There is an illie Okes in 1830 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. There is no way to tell if any of these men are this Isaac Oakes. I could not find either him or Frances in 1850 so am at a dead end for now as of 17 Jan 2021.

     Gracia Thornton was born on 2 May 1904 in Oregon.^2,3,4

     Gracia, 23, married William Lawrence Wells, 23, son of William Lawson Wells and Sarah Frances Murphy, on 23 August 1927 in Lane County, Oregon.¹

     Gracia Wells died on 23 April 1975 at age 70³ and was buried in Live Oak Memorial Park, Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California.³

     Greenberry Thornton was born circa 1804, son of Rowland Thornton and Elizabeth Turner, in Virginia.²

     On 17 November 1828, Rowland Thornton's estate was administered by Greenberry Thornton and James Thornton as administrators. Elizabeth, his widow, refused to qualify herself as administrator.

     A number of men, who appeared to have been friends of the family, were designated commissioners to safeguard the interests of the widow Elizabeth. These commissioners assigned to her one-third of the value of eighteen slaves whom her husband had owned at Pittsylvania County, Virginia.³

     In March 1832, there is an entry showing purchasers of part of Rowland's estate to be Elizabeth, James, Greenberry and Louisa in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.⁴

     In February 1840, there was a suit in Chancery between Greenberry Thornton and Livingston P. Noell (husband of Louisa), wherein Greenberry agreed to buy a piece of land in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.⁵

     He never married.⁵

     Greenberry Thornton died intestate in 1867.

     At the time of his death he owned about 300 acres of land. Because he did not have a widow or children his estate passed to his brothers and sisters in equal shares; i.e., one sixth of the estate to each of their heirs. A suit was instituted to value and sell his estate holdings so distribution could be made. The resulting legal papers for this suit and complications which followed are some of the best sources found for this narrative.⁶

     Harden N. Thornton was born circa 1820, son of Moses Thornton and Sarah Turner, in Virginia.^2,3

     Harden N. Thornton married Locky A. Dollar on 24 January 1840 in Maury Couonty, Tennessee.^4,5

     On 3 August 1847, I Moses Thornton of the County of Pittsylvania do make this my last will and testament as follows:

First I give to my wife Sally during life all that portion of my land lying on the East Side of the Henry Road, on which I now reside together with one third of my slaves for life. Also
one third of all other personal property owned by me and such portion of my household and kitchen furniture as she may desire all of which she may take at the appraised value.

Secondly I desire my Executor hereinafter named to sell all the balance of my land except that held by my wife to convey the same and divide the proceeds thereof equally among my seven children and to divide the balance of my slaves and personal property (after allowing my wifes portion) equally among them. Such division of my slaves to be made either in kind or by sale as may be desired by my children or a majority of them.

In the division of my estate among my children I desire and direct the following advancements heretofore made to be accounted for vis:

My son Wiley Thornton to account for $228.78
my daughter Susan, wife of Turner Gosney for $233.00
my daughter Mary, wife of John Thornton for $229.50
my son Leonard H. for $29.23
my son James E. Thornton for $58.25
my son Harden N. Thornton for $69.22
my son Presley D. Thornton for $567.20.

Thirdly after the death of my wife Sally I give the portion of my estate held by her for life to be equally divided among my aforesaid children. The land above designed for my wife is all that part my land lying on the East side of the road leading from Col. Joseph Martin's in Henry towards Danville.

Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Wiley Thornton my Executor. Witness my hand this 3rd day of August 1847.
               (signed) Moses (X) Thornton
Witness: William M. Tredway, Ezekial Giles, Greenberry Thornton in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.¹

     James Thornton was born on 28 February 1802, son of Rowland Thornton and Elizabeth Turner, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.^1,2

     James Thornton and Martha C. Royster obtained a marriage bond on 30 August 1826 in Henry County, Virginia, with William R. Hughes as surety and endorsed by Elizabeth Royster giving her consent for Martha C. to marry.³

     On 17 November 1828, Rowland Thornton's estate was administered by Greenberry Thornton and James Thornton as administrators. Elizabeth, his widow, refused to qualify herself as administrator.

     A number of men, who appeared to have been friends of the family, were designated commissioners to safeguard the interests of the widow Elizabeth. These commissioners assigned to her one-third of the value of eighteen slaves whom her husband had owned at Pittsylvania County, Virginia.⁴

     In March 1832, there is an entry showing purchasers of part of Rowland's estate to be Elizabeth, James, Greenberry and Louisa in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.⁵

     In February 1840, there was a suit in Chancery between Greenberry Thornton and Livingston P. Noell (husband of Louisa), wherein Greenberry agreed to buy a piece of land in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.⁶

     James Thornton died in 1867 in Texas.²

     In 1867, in the legal papers for the estate of his brother, Greenberry, James is described as a resident of Texas.

     On 5 Nov 1870, J. D. Estes said in his deposition that said James Thornton one of the heirs is dead they thing he died in Sep 1867 or 1868 they don't know which." In 18778, James' share of the estate was put in a savings bank in Chatham, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, for his heirs to collect when they were located.⁷

     He was not enumerated between 1820 and 1880 in Pittsylvania or Henry Counties, Virginia. I cannot find him anyplace as of 18 Jan 2021. Nor can I find any marriage information using James E. Thornton. There are a lot of James Thorntons, but no James E. Thornton.

     On 3 August 1847, I Moses Thornton of the County of Pittsylvania do make this my last will and testament as follows:

First I give to my wife Sally during life all that portion of my land lying on the East Side of the Henry Road, on which I now reside together with one third of my slaves for life. Also
one third of all other personal property owned by me and such portion of my household and kitchen furniture as she may desire all of which she may take at the appraised value.

Secondly I desire my Executor hereinafter named to sell all the balance of my land except that held by my wife to convey the same and divide the proceeds thereof equally among my seven children and to divide the balance of my slaves and personal property (after allowing my wifes portion) equally among them. Such division of my slaves to be made either in kind or by sale as may be desired by my children or a majority of them.

In the division of my estate among my children I desire and direct the following advancements heretofore made to be accounted for vis:

My son Wiley Thornton to account for $228.78
my daughter Susan, wife of Turner Gosney for $233.00
my daughter Mary, wife of John Thornton for $229.50
my son Leonard H. for $29.23
my son James E. Thornton for $58.25
my son Harden N. Thornton for $69.22
my son Presley D. Thornton for $567.20.

Thirdly after the death of my wife Sally I give the portion of my estate held by her for life to be equally divided among my aforesaid children. The land above designed for my wife is all that part my land lying on the East side of the road leading from Col. Joseph Martin's in Henry towards Danville.

Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Wiley Thornton my Executor. Witness my hand this 3rd day of August 1847.
               (signed) Moses (X) Thornton
Witness: William M. Tredway, Ezekial Giles, Greenberry Thornton in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.¹

     I cannot find death or burial information for him as of 18 Jan 2021.

     Jane Thornton was born circa 1778, daughter of Presley Thornton, in Virginia.^2,3
     She was also known as Jenny.⁴

     Jane Thornton married William Wilson on 11 March 1800 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.^1,4

     On 6 January 1812, Presley Thornton's will reads: ". . . First, I lend to my beloved wife Mary Thornton one third of my estate during her life, then to be divided among the heirs of her body."
     To my son, Zachariah, one equal share of my estate; to my son Bolen (Rowland), the same; to my daughter Elizabeth Nance, the same; to my daughter Jane Wilson, the same; to my son John, the same; to my son William, forty pounds; to my daughter Fanny Oakes, forty pounds; to my son Presley, one shilling; to my daughter Barbary Jones, one shilling; to my daughter Susannah Watts, one shilling; to my daughter Sarary Barnett, one shilling. He appoints his sons Rowland and Moses as executors. Signed with his mark. Witnesses: Clement Wilson, Agnatius Wilson, Mary Wilson. Ellis Wilson and Randolph McDaniel provided security for the executors.¹

     On 18 November 1815, the heirs of the Presley Thornton estate sold 417 acres on Mountain Run, adding a clause "reserving dower to Mary Thornton, the widow and relict of the said Presley Thornton during her natural life according to a line that has already been agreed on, by which 139 acres are allotted to the said Mary Thornton" in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.⁵

     Jane Thornton was born between 1801 and 1810, daughter of Rowland Thornton and Elizabeth Turner.²

     Jane Thornton and Jacob L. King obtained a marriage license on 17 February 1825 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.³

     John Thornton was born between 1776 and 1794, son of Presley Thornton.

     On 6 January 1812, Presley Thornton's will reads: ". . . First, I lend to my beloved wife Mary Thornton one third of my estate during her life, then to be divided among the heirs of her body."
     To my son, Zachariah, one equal share of my estate; to my son Bolen (Rowland), the same; to my daughter Elizabeth Nance, the same; to my daughter Jane Wilson, the same; to my son John, the same; to my son William, forty pounds; to my daughter Fanny Oakes, forty pounds; to my son Presley, one shilling; to my daughter Barbary Jones, one shilling; to my daughter Susannah Watts, one shilling; to my daughter Sarary Barnett, one shilling. He appoints his sons Rowland and Moses as executors. Signed with his mark. Witnesses: Clement Wilson, Agnatius Wilson, Mary Wilson. Ellis Wilson and Randolph McDaniel provided security for the executors.²

     On 18 November 1815, the heirs of the Presley Thornton estate sold 417 acres on Mountain Run, adding a clause "reserving dower to Mary Thornton, the widow and relict of the said Presley Thornton during her natural life according to a line that has already been agreed on, by which 139 acres are allotted to the said Mary Thornton" in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.³

     The 1830 and 1840 census enumerations had John Thorntons too young to be this man.

     John Thornton was born on 24 November 1802.²

     John Thornton, 23, married Mary H. Thornton, daughter of Moses Thornton and Sarah Turner, on 2 October 1826 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.¹

     John Thornton died on 16 February 1879 at age 76² and was buried in Old Salem Cemetery, Murray, Calloway County, Kentucky.²

     Leonard H. Thornton was born circa 1810, son of Moses Thornton and Sarah Turner, in Virginia.²

     On 3 August 1847, I Moses Thornton of the County of Pittsylvania do make this my last will and testament as follows:

First I give to my wife Sally during life all that portion of my land lying on the East Side of the Henry Road, on which I now reside together with one third of my slaves for life. Also
one third of all other personal property owned by me and such portion of my household and kitchen furniture as she may desire all of which she may take at the appraised value.

Secondly I desire my Executor hereinafter named to sell all the balance of my land except that held by my wife to convey the same and divide the proceeds thereof equally among my seven children and to divide the balance of my slaves and personal property (after allowing my wifes portion) equally among them. Such division of my slaves to be made either in kind or by sale as may be desired by my children or a majority of them.

In the division of my estate among my children I desire and direct the following advancements heretofore made to be accounted for vis:

My son Wiley Thornton to account for $228.78
my daughter Susan, wife of Turner Gosney for $233.00
my daughter Mary, wife of John Thornton for $229.50
my son Leonard H. for $29.23
my son James E. Thornton for $58.25
my son Harden N. Thornton for $69.22
my son Presley D. Thornton for $567.20.

Thirdly after the death of my wife Sally I give the portion of my estate held by her for life to be equally divided among my aforesaid children. The land above designed for my wife is all that part my land lying on the East side of the road leading from Col. Joseph Martin's in Henry towards Danville.

Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Wiley Thornton my Executor. Witness my hand this 3rd day of August 1847.
               (signed) Moses (X) Thornton
Witness: William M. Tredway, Ezekial Giles, Greenberry Thornton in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.¹

     I am unable to find death or burial information for him as of 1 Jul 2020.

     Louisa Thornton was born between 1798 and 1800, daughter of Rowland Thornton and Elizabeth Turner.²

     Louisa Thornton married Livingston P. Noell.³

     In March 1832, there is an entry showing purchasers of part of Rowland's estate to be Elizabeth, James, Greenberry and Louisa in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.⁴

     Louisa Noell died before 24 September 1850 when her husband was enumerated to an Isabella R.⁵

     Mary H. Thornton was born in 1808, daughter of Moses Thornton and Sarah Turner, in Virginia.³

     Mary H. Thornton married John Thornton, 23, on 2 October 1826 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.⁴

     On 3 August 1847, I Moses Thornton of the County of Pittsylvania do make this my last will and testament as follows:

First I give to my wife Sally during life all that portion of my land lying on the East Side of the Henry Road, on which I now reside together with one third of my slaves for life. Also
one third of all other personal property owned by me and such portion of my household and kitchen furniture as she may desire all of which she may take at the appraised value.

Secondly I desire my Executor hereinafter named to sell all the balance of my land except that held by my wife to convey the same and divide the proceeds thereof equally among my seven children and to divide the balance of my slaves and personal property (after allowing my wifes portion) equally among them. Such division of my slaves to be made either in kind or by sale as may be desired by my children or a majority of them.

In the division of my estate among my children I desire and direct the following advancements heretofore made to be accounted for vis:

My son Wiley Thornton to account for $228.78
my daughter Susan, wife of Turner Gosney for $233.00
my daughter Mary, wife of John Thornton for $229.50
my son Leonard H. for $29.23
my son James E. Thornton for $58.25
my son Harden N. Thornton for $69.22
my son Presley D. Thornton for $567.20.

Thirdly after the death of my wife Sally I give the portion of my estate held by her for life to be equally divided among my aforesaid children. The land above designed for my wife is all that part my land lying on the East side of the road leading from Col. Joseph Martin's in Henry towards Danville.

Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Wiley Thornton my Executor. Witness my hand this 3rd day of August 1847.
               (signed) Moses (X) Thornton
Witness: William M. Tredway, Ezekial Giles, Greenberry Thornton in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.²

     Mary H. Thornton died on 18 January 1878³ and was buried in Old Salem Cemetery, Murray, Calloway County, Kentucky.

     Children listed with them on their memorial pages: Sarah Elizabeth Alexander (1831-1902); Susan C. Malcolm (1833-1860); William Moses Thornton (1837-1891); Mary Frances Rose (1840-1893); Ruth Ann Craig (1845-1893); Prudence Barber (1848-1904); and May Virginia Overby (1848-1894.)³

     Moses Thornton was born between 1773 and 1775, son of Presley Thornton and Mary (--?--), in Virginia Colony.^3,4

     Moses and Sarah Turner obtained a marriage bond on 23 December 1800 in Warren County, North Carolina.^5,6,7

     On 6 January 1812, Presley Thornton's will reads: ". . . First, I lend to my beloved wife Mary Thornton one third of my estate during her life, then to be divided among the heirs of her body."
     To my son, Zachariah, one equal share of my estate; to my son Bolen (Rowland), the same; to my daughter Elizabeth Nance, the same; to my daughter Jane Wilson, the same; to my son John, the same; to my son William, forty pounds; to my daughter Fanny Oakes, forty pounds; to my son Presley, one shilling; to my daughter Barbary Jones, one shilling; to my daughter Susannah Watts, one shilling; to my daughter Sarary Barnett, one shilling. He appoints his sons Rowland and Moses as executors. Signed with his mark. Witnesses: Clement Wilson, Agnatius Wilson, Mary Wilson. Ellis Wilson and Randolph McDaniel provided security for the executors.¹

     In 1814, there is a survey for Moses Thornton in Pittsylvania County, Virginia for 439 acres. We know that Moses' father was a major landholder in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, but, Moses' marriage bond is in Warren County, North Carolina.⁸

     On 18 November 1815, the heirs of the Presley Thornton estate sold 417 acres on Mountain Run, adding a clause "reserving dower to Mary Thornton, the widow and relict of the said Presley Thornton during her natural life according to a line that has already been agreed on, by which 139 acres are allotted to the said Mary Thornton" in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.⁹

     William Wilson, Committee for Mary Thornton (the widow of Presley), paid for her board and upkeep to Charles T. Oakes (could he be a son of Isaac and Frances), Moses Thornton, and William Wilson.¹⁰

     On 20 August 1832, Wiliam Wilson, committee for Mary Thornton, deceased, completed all payments due on her account to Moses Thornton and others.¹¹

     Moses Thornton left a will dated on 3 August 1847 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. I Moses Thornton of the County of Pittsylvania do make this my last will and testament as follows:

First I give to my wife Sally during life all that portion of my land lying on the East Side of the Henry Road, on which I now reside together with one third of my slaves for life. Also
one third of all other personal property owned by me and such portion of my household and kitchen furniture as she may desire all of which she may take at the appraised value.

Secondly I desire my Executor hereinafter named to sell all the balance of my land except that held by my wife to convey the same and divide the proceeds thereof equally among my seven children and to divide the balance of my slaves and personal property (after allowing my wifes portion) equally among them. Such division of my slaves to be made either in kind or by sale as may be desired by my children or a majority of them.

In the division of my estate among my children I desire and direct the following advancements heretofore made to be accounted for vis:

My son Wiley Thornton to account for $228.78
my daughter Susan, wife of Turner Gosney for $233.00
my daughter Mary, wife of John Thornton for $229.50
my son Leonard H. for $29.23
my son James E. Thornton for $58.25
my son Harden N. Thornton for $69.22
my son Presley D. Thornton for $567.20.

Thirdly after the death of my wife Sally I give the portion of my estate held by her for life to be equally divided among my aforesaid children. The land above designed for my wife is all that part my land lying on the East side of the road leading from Col. Joseph Martin's in Henry towards Danville.

Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Wiley Thornton my Executor. Witness my hand this 3rd day of August 1847.
               (signed) Moses (X) Thornton
Witness: William M. Tredway, Ezekial Giles, Greenberry Thornton.¹²

     Moses Thornton died in June 1860 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia Colony.^13,14

     Find a Grave has a memorial page for him that claims he was born 15 Mar 1776 and died 22 Jun 1860 with a non-cemetery burial, although a note on the site states he is buried 1/4 mile off the road behind the house at 244 West Fork Road, Cascade, Virginia. Absolutely no documentation is available.¹⁵

     His estate was probated on 16 July 1860 at a county court held for the county of Pittsylvania on the 16th day of July 1860. The last will and testament of Moses Thornton was proved by Ezekiel P. Giles and Greenberry Thornton two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and was ordered to be recorded - And on the motion of Wiley Thornton the Executor therein named who made oath and with Drury Blair, Greenberry Thornton and Jefferson Dalton as his sureties who made oath to their sufficiency entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of thirty six thousand dollars, conditioned according to certificate is granted him for obtaining probate of said will in due form.

Teste: L. Scruggs, Clk Pittsylvania County Circuit Court.¹⁶

     Polly Thornton was born between 1798 and 1800, daughter of Rowland Thornton and Elizabeth Turner.²

     Polly Thornton married William Clanton on 28 October 1815 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, with consent of her father.^1,3

     Polly Thornton died before 1840 when she was not enumerated with her husband.⁴

     Presley Thornton was born in 1735 or 1736.²

     Presley married Mary (--?--) in 1762. I am unable to find a marriage record for them as of 20 Nov 2020.²

     He performed his Military Service as a private in Benjamin Lankford's Regiment of Militia during the American Revolution. This has not been proven.

     Alleged proof of this is contained in a letter dated 19 Apr 1927 from the Adjutant General's Office of the War Department, Washington, D. C. to (presumably) Rosa Thornton Lane when she was gathering proof for her membership in the DAR.
          The letter reads: "The records show that one Presley Thornton, Soldier of Virginia Infantry, organization now shown, served in that war, his name under the heading "A list of soldiers of the line of Continental Establishment who have received certificates for the balance of their full pay agreeable to an Act of Assembly passed November session 1781, which shows that on Dec. 16, 1783 the sum of 45 pounds was received by Benjamin Lankford. No further record of his service has been found. . . Benjamin Lankford was a Burgess from Pittsylvania County."

     However, Rosa Thornton Lane's research has been flagged by the DAR. "The proof of service used to establish this person as a patriot is no longer valid. Subsequent evaluation of the proof of service may have determined that the proof is not acceptable under today's standards (examples: tombstone, obituary, undocumented genealogy or county history, family tradition); the service belongs to another person of the same name; the residence of this person during the Revolution is inconsistent with the service, or multiple people have claimed the same service. Future applicants must provide proof of service (and possibly residence) that meets current standards." They believe this service to have been that of his son, which seems a stretch to me.

     I am attaching an image of the one military record which appears to relate to this Presley Thornton..³

     On 2 June 1782, he purchased land 'on the water of Mountain Creek' for £300 from William McBee of North Carolina at Pittsylvania County, Virginia, which was not recorded until 21 Jun 1783.⁴

     On 16 December 1783, the sum of £45 was received by Benjamin Lankford, who was a Burgess from PIttsylvania County. Presley's name was on a list of soldiers of the line of Continental Establishment who received a certificate for the balance of their full pay agreeable to an Act of Assembly passed November session 1781.⁵

     On 17 November 1794, Presley purchased 223 acres on Mountain Creek from Ignatius Wilson for £5 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, which was recorded 16 Feb 1795.⁶

     On 30 March 1811, Presley, with three of his sons as witnessee (Moses, John, and Zachariah) sold 28 acres of land to Roland for £20 on the branches of Cascade Creek at Pittsylvania County, Virginia, which was recorded 15 Apr 1811.⁷

     Presley Thornton left a will dated on 6 January 1812 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Presley Thornton's will reads: ". . . First, I lend to my beloved wife Mary Thornton one third of my estate during her life, then to be divided among the heirs of her body."
     To my son, Zachariah, one equal share of my estate; to my son Bolen (Rowland), the same; to my daughter Elizabeth Nance, the same; to my daughter Jane Wilson, the same; to my son John, the same; to my son William, forty pounds; to my daughter Fanny Oakes, forty pounds; to my son Presley, one shilling; to my daughter Barbary Jones, one shilling; to my daughter Susannah Watts, one shilling; to my daughter Sarary Barnett, one shilling. He appoints his sons Rowland and Moses as executors. Signed with his mark. Witnesses: Clement Wilson, Agnatius Wilson, Mary Wilson. Ellis Wilson and Randolph McDaniel provided security for the executors.⁸

     His estate was probated on 13 May 1815 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. At his death, Presley had title to 417 acres, proven by the administration of his estate.^8,9

     On 18 November 1815, the heirs of the Presley Thornton estate sold 417 acres on Mountain Run, adding a clause "reserving dower to Mary Thornton, the widow and relict of the said Presley Thornton during her natural life according to a line that has already been agreed on, by which 139 acres are allotted to the said Mary Thornton."¹⁰

     Presley Thornton was born on 28 December 1755 or on 28 Dec 1757, son of Presley Thornton, in Orange County, Virginia Colony.²

     Presley Thornton, 28, married Mary Growley on 1 December 1784 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.^3,4

     On 6 January 1812, Presley Thornton's will reads: ". . . First, I lend to my beloved wife Mary Thornton one third of my estate during her life, then to be divided among the heirs of her body."
     To my son, Zachariah, one equal share of my estate; to my son Bolen (Rowland), the same; to my daughter Elizabeth Nance, the same; to my daughter Jane Wilson, the same; to my son John, the same; to my son William, forty pounds; to my daughter Fanny Oakes, forty pounds; to my son Presley, one shilling; to my daughter Barbary Jones, one shilling; to my daughter Susannah Watts, one shilling; to my daughter Sarary Barnett, one shilling. He appoints his sons Rowland and Moses as executors. Signed with his mark. Witnesses: Clement Wilson, Agnatius Wilson, Mary Wilson. Ellis Wilson and Randolph McDaniel provided security for the executors.¹