THORNTON, William

Notes:

William was also known as "The Immigrant" and "The Gentleman from the Hills". He was from Royalty, coming from Yorkshire, England by 11 May 1646, when he obliged himself by a paper recorded in that county which included Gloucester, to care for the cattle of John Liptrot until the latter came of age.
He and settled in Stafford County, VA. In 1649 he received a land grant of 164 acres in Gloucester County, the grant being awarded for the transfer of 4 persons from England, this being one of the first patents in Virginia (Virginia Land Patent Book 5, Page 573.). He established a home about four miles northwest of Gloucester Point, called "The Hills."
He traded in shipping on Mobjack Bay, which is across from the present city of Norfolk, near "Weromoco," stomping ground of Chief Powhatan, John Smith and Pocahontas fame. He operated the ship "Mary Jane" in shipping to Barbados, West Indies.
Late in life he moved to Stafford County., Va. The southern portion of Stafford County later became King George County. His plantation was called "Fall Hill", located in Stafford Co., VA. William died at the home of his son, Col. Francis Thornton, in Stafford County; it is stated that his tombstone bears his Coat of Arms (Cod's Creek).where he was buried.
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On February 16, 1665/66 as "Mr. William Thornton" he had a grant of 164 acres of land in Petsworth Parish, Gloucester, adjoining the land where he lived and that of Richard Barnard.
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William Thornton was in York Co., VA William Thornton deeded 2,000 acres of land in Rappahannock Co., VA on 16 July 1675, to his sons, William, Francis and Rowland, and also mentions a daughter, Esther. (Deed Book 6, p. 83, Rappahannock Co., VA)
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On record in Essex is a power of attorney, dated September 1673, from William Thornton of Gloucester, to James Kay of Rappahannock County concerning 2,000 acres of land in the freshes, a track of land which he had bought from Mott.
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There is also recorded in Essex in 1701, a deed dated July 16, 1675, from William Thornton of Gloucester, gentleman, to Francis and Rowland, two of his sons, "conveying 2,000 acres in Rappahannock County, formerly Gloucester, but now of Stafford, authorizing the confirmation of said deed." (Deed Book 6, p. 83, Rappahannock Co., VA).
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Vestryman of Petsworth Parish in 1677.
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First wife was Eliza Belling. They had sons Luke and Edward
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The Thorntons were originally fair-haired Norwegian Vikings. The family has been traced back to Firgot, about 13 generations before Rolla. The Norse spelled Thornton as Thurston. William, The Conqueror, from Normandy, was the great-grandson of Rolla. William, the Conqueror, was crowned King of England in 1066.

William married BELLING, Eliza Bef 1646. [Group Sheet]

1. THORNTON, Luke
2. THORNTON, Edward

William married ROWLAND, Elizabeth 1646. Elizabeth was born , York County, Virginia; died , Stafford County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]

1. THORNTON, Rowland
2. THORNTON, Esther
3. THORNTON, William was born 27 Mar 1649; died Yes, date unknown.
4. THORNTON, Francis was born 5 Nov 1651, Fall Hill, Stafford County, Virginia; died 1726, King George County, Virginia.
5. THORNTON, Prudence was born Abt 1655; died Yes, date unknown.