Person:Francis Thornton (19)

Acquisition of Land in Virginia

• Pages 337-43. 21-22 May 1738. Thomas Meriwether and Elizabeth his wife of Hanover County to Francis Thornton (Jr.) of Spotsylvania County. Lease and release; for £60 sterling. 200 acres this day given by Francis Thornton (Sr.) of Caroline County to Elizabeth Meriwether the wife of Thomas Meriwether... corner to tha tract of land which formerly belonged to Majr. Augustine Smith, deceased, in the fork of Rappa. River upon the Mountain run... (Signed) Thos. Meriwether, Elis. Meriwether. Wit: Thomas Hill, Robt. Jackson, Patrick Dowdall, Robt. Stuart. 25 May 1738. This deed to Francis Thornton Junr. proved by Thomas Hill, Patrick Dowdall and Robt. Stuart. 25 May 11 George II [1738]. Commission to Robt. Lewis, Christopher Clarke and Wm. Meriwether, Gent., to take the acknowledgement of Elizabeth Meriwether who is so sickly she cannot travel to Court. 20 June 1738. Elizabeth Meriwether relinquished her right of dower at the dwelling house of Thomas Meriwether in Hanover County. [Orange County, Virginia Deed Book 2, Dorman, pg. 52-53]. (Note: Elizabeth Meriwether was Francis Thornton's sister).

Acquisition of Land from Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants 1742-1775, Vol. 2:

• G-20: Col. Francis Thornton of Spotsylvania County, 674 acres in Spotsylvania County. Resurv. by Mr. George Hume. Land formerly granted John Hughs and lapsed according to a Decree of General Court at Williamsburg. Adjoining William Duff, School House old Field, Beaver Dam Run, Thomas Stonehouse. 22 Jan. 1747. [Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, 1742-1775, Vol. 2, pg. 22].

• G-21: Col. Francis Thornton of Spotsylvania County, 250 acres in Orange County. Surv. Mr. George Hume for John Chisum who relinquished to Thornton. On Hazel River, adjoining Robert Stuart & John Hobson, Thornton. 23 Jan. 1747. [Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, 1742-1775, Vol. 2, pg. 22].

• G-22: Col. Francis Thornton of Spotsylvania County, 186 acres in Orange County. Surv. Mr. George Hume. On Hazel River, adj. Thornton's other land. 25 Jan. 1747. [Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, 1742-1775, Vol. 2, pg. 22-23].

• G-23: col. Francis Thornton of Spotsylvania County, 221 acres in Orange County on Gourdvine Fork. Surv. Mr. George Hume for Lawrence Broadley who relinquished to Thornton. Adjoining John Chisum, Robert Stuart & John Hobson. 26 Jan. 1747. [Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, 1742-1775, Vol. 2, pg. 23].

Notes for Colonel Francis Thornton III: 01 Jun 1736. Spotsylvania County, Virginia Francis Thornton of St. Maries Parish, Caroline County, Gent., to his son, Francis Thornton, Junr. Deed of Gift. 41 a. at the falls of Rappk. River, pat. By sd. Thornton, Senr., Feby. 25, 1720. Dated June 1, 1736, Recd. June 1, 1736. Witness: Thos. Meriwether. Spotsylvania County, Virginia Land Deed Book C.

"Virginia County Records - Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800, Volume I", by William Armstrong Crozier.

Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, volume XXVI, number 1 (01-FEB-1988), Land Patent Book 20, Pages 1-274 (1741-1742)

FRANCIS THORNTON, JR. and HANCOCK LEE, 400a. (p. 273) Orange Co., bounded by John Bush & Garth's run; L. originally g. to John Tennent 17 Mar 1736 who failed to cultivate, and now g. sd. Francis Thornton, Jr. & Hancock Lee (p. 274). 15 Jun 1742.

FRANCIS THORNTON, JR. and HANCOCK LEE, 1000a, Orange Co., bounded by a c. of George Procter & Edward Price on the head of the S. br. (p. 275) of North R. & two brs. of Cattle Run (p. 276). 15 Jun 1742

Will Book B, 1749-1761, Pages 1-4, Spotsylvania County, Virginia

Will of Francis Thornton of Spotsylvania County, 11 November 1748

Transcribed by Robert M. Thornton, Duluth, Georgia, November 2002 Original Document Copied at Spotsylvania Court House by Lori Morelock of Raines Record Research of Rixeyville, Virginia, November 2002

In the Name of God Amen; Francis Thornton of Spotsylvania County being in perfect sence and memory thanks be to God Therefore do make and Ordain this my last will and Testament in Manner & form following Imprimis I lend to my beloved wife Frances Thornton Twelve Negroes (to wit) Cafe Jack old Jamey & Salley his wife and young Lett Negroes I had with my said Wife and Mavis late husband Peter & Venus his wife York Abraham Bess & Sam and their future increase during her Natural Life and I Likewise Lend her one fifth of all my Cattle and horses for the time afores.d but if she remain a Widow Till her Death my will & Desire is that she may have Disposal of the af.d Negroes Cattle and horses to any one or all of my Children as she shall think fit and my will & desire is that my wife have during her widow hood the use of the lower half of my Plantation or Cleared ground whereon I now live with the houses and fences thereon & half the Orchard and as much Land on the back adjoining to it as will make up her half of the plantation of two hundred acres of Land with the Liberty of Cutting firewood & rail stuff on any part of my Land for use of her half of the said plantation together with The use of all my household Goods during her widowhood

Item I give & bequeath to my son Francis Thornton and his Heirs forever the remaining Part of my Land and Plantation whereon I live and all my Land there to adjoining & my Intent is that he have that part also hereby Bequeathed To his Mother at the time of her Marriage or Death which ever shall first happen to him and his heirs forever

Item I give and Bequeath to my son George Thornton all that Tract of Land in King George County that I bought of M.r Benjamin Berryman and Them two Tracts of land lying in Orange County which I bought of M.r Thomas Meriwether & M.r Mosley Battiloy to him and his Heirs Forever but in case the Land whereon I live hereby given to his Brother Francis should Descend to him the s.d George then my will is that the Land hereby given to my son George do pass to his Brother William and his Heirs forever

Item I Give and Bequeath to my son William Thornton all my Lands at the Great Mountains in Orange County being about two thou.d six hundred Acres to him & his Heirs forever Item I Give and Bequeath to my son John Thornton all my Tract of Land Lying in the branches of the hasel and Nassaponnax Runs being about seven hundred & fifty Acres and my two lotts in Fredericksburg Town & the houses thereon & one hundred pounds Cash to him and his Heirs forever

Item I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter Mildred Thornton five hundred pounds Cash & one Mullata girl Named Mary & her increase to her heirs forever to be paid her on the day of Marriage or when she comes To the age of twenty one years whichever shall first happen

Item I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter Mary Thornton five hundred Pounds Cash & one negro Girl named Moll & her increase to her & her heirs forever to be paid the day of Marriage or when she Comes To the age of twenty one years which ever shall first happen and if either of my said Daughters should die before they come to age or Marry the Survivor of them to have seven hundred pounds Cash paid the day of Marriage or Attaining the age of twenty one years instead of the five Hundred pounds before mentioned

Item My will is that my Executors as Soon as conveniently do Buy young Men & Women Slaves with the Cash left in my house and Debts due to my Estate for the Use & Benefit of my four sons Francis George William & John which I hereby Give together with all my other Slaves and their increase & my horses Cattle Sheep Goats hoggs not before mentioned to be Equally Divided between the said four sons And their Heirs forever

Item My will and Desire is that my Estate be Kept together and undivided and my Sons to have their Shares or part thereof as they come of Age

Item It is my will & Desire that if either of my two sons William & John should happen to die without issue that the land hereby given them do Decend to the Survivor of them and their Heirs forever and in case they both die without Lawfull issue then to the next Heir at Law Item My Will & Desire is that my wife give and divide my household goods and Furniture amongst all of my sons as she shall Think fit as they come of age or Marry & if my Estate raises more money than I have hereby disbursed of I desire it may be laid out in Building and household Goods for my sons

Item It is my will & Desire that my beloved wife Frances Thornton shall not be accountable for any profits of my Estate whilst she lives a Widow but if she Marry that then she account with and pay unto my Estate all the Profits arising from the time of my death for the use and benefit of my sons To be Settled & finally Determined by Arbitrators

And Whereas I have sold a piece of Land to Joseph White for Eighty Pounds Current money containing one thousand three hundred acres Not yet impattented but is under an Entry and Survey whereupon Lord Fairfax has promised me a pattent and I am informed the s.d White has sold the same to another person Now if the Lord Fairfax should not grant a pattent for the s.d Land to my Executor or the said Joseph White or the person to whome the said White has sold the land then my Will is that my Executors pay the s.d Eighty Pounds back to the said White or his Order out of my Estate Lastly it is my Will that my Estate be not Appraised and I do herebye Constitute and appoint my beloved Wife Frances Thornton my Hon.d father Francis Thornton my loving brother John Thornton & my son Francis Thornton Executrix and Execrs of my last will & Testament hereby revoking all other Wills & testaments by me heretofore made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Affixed my seal this Eleventh day of November Anno Domini 1748

Sign;d Sealed and Published Fra.a Thornton seal in the presence of Rob.t Jackson John Sutherland Sarah Slaughter Ann Jackson James Allan

Notes for Colonel Francis Thornton III: 01 Jun 1736. Spotsylvania County, Virginia Francis Thornton of St. Maries Parish, Caroline County, Gent., to his son, Francis Thornton, Junr. Deed of Gift. 41 a. at the falls of Rappk. River, pat. By sd. Thornton, Senr., Feby. 25, 1720. Dated June 1, 1736, Recd. June 1, 1736. Witness: Thos. Meriwether. Spotsylvania County, Virginia Land Deed Book C.

"Virginia County Records - Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800, Volume I", by William Armstrong Crozier.

Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, volume XXVI, number 1 (01-FEB-1988), Land Patent Book 20, Pages 1-274 (1741-1742)

FRANCIS THORNTON, JR. and HANCOCK LEE, 400a. (p. 273) Orange Co., bounded by John Bush & Garth's run; L. originally g. to John Tennent 17 Mar 1736 who failed to cultivate, and now g. sd. Francis Thornton, Jr. & Hancock Lee (p. 274). 15 Jun 1742.

FRANCIS THORNTON, JR. and HANCOCK LEE, 1000a, Orange Co., bounded by a c. of George Procter & Edward Price on the head of the S. br. (p. 275) of North R. & two brs. of Cattle Run (p. 276). 15 Jun 1742

Will Book B, 1749-1761, Pages 1-4, Spotsylvania County, Virginia

Will of Francis Thornton of Spotsylvania County, 11 November 1748

Transcribed by Robert M. Thornton, Duluth, Georgia, November 2002 Original Document Copied at Spotsylvania Court House by Lori Morelock of Raines Record Research of Rixeyville, Virginia, November 2002

In the Name of God Amen; Francis Thornton of Spotsylvania County being in perfect sence and memory thanks be to God Therefore do make and Ordain this my last will and Testament in Manner & form following Imprimis I lend to my beloved wife Frances Thornton Twelve Negroes (to wit) Cafe Jack old Jamey & Salley his wife and young Lett Negroes I had with my said Wife and Mavis late husband Peter & Venus his wife York Abraham Bess & Sam and their future increase during her Natural Life and I Likewise Lend her one fifth of all my Cattle and horses for the time afores.d but if she remain a Widow Till her Death my will & Desire is that she may have Disposal of the af.d Negroes Cattle and horses to any one or all of my Children as she shall think fit and my will & desire is that my wife have during her widow hood the use of the lower half of my Plantation or Cleared ground whereon I now live with the houses and fences thereon & half the Orchard and as much Land on the back adjoining to it as will make up her half of the plantation of two hundred acres of Land with the Liberty of Cutting firewood & rail stuff on any part of my Land for use of her half of the said plantation together with The use of all my household Goods during her widowhood

Item I give & bequeath to my son Francis Thornton and his Heirs forever the remaining Part of my Land and Plantation whereon I live and all my Land there to adjoining & my Intent is that he have that part also hereby Bequeathed To his Mother at the time of her Marriage or Death which ever shall first happen to him and his heirs forever

Item I give and Bequeath to my son George Thornton all that Tract of Land in King George County that I bought of M.r Benjamin Berryman and Them two Tracts of land lying in Orange County which I bought of M.r Thomas Meriwether & M.r Mosley Battiloy to him and his Heirs Forever but in case the Land whereon I live hereby given to his Brother Francis should Descend to him the s.d George then my will is that the Land hereby given to my son George do pass to his Brother William and his Heirs forever

Item I Give and Bequeath to my son William Thornton all my Lands at the Great Mountains in Orange County being about two thou.d six hundred Acres to him & his Heirs forever Item I Give and Bequeath to my son John Thornton all my Tract of Land Lying in the branches of the hasel and Nassaponnax Runs being about seven hundred & fifty Acres and my two lotts in Fredericksburg Town & the houses thereon & one hundred pounds Cash to him and his Heirs forever

Item I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter Mildred Thornton five hundred pounds Cash & one Mullata girl Named Mary & her increase to her heirs forever to be paid her on the day of Marriage or when she comes To the age of twenty one years whichever shall first happen

Item I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter Mary Thornton five hundred Pounds Cash & one negro Girl named Moll & her increase to her & her heirs forever to be paid the day of Marriage or when she Comes To the age of twenty one years which ever shall first happen and if either of my said Daughters should die before they come to age or Marry the Survivor of them to have seven hundred pounds Cash paid the day of Marriage or Attaining the age of twenty one years instead of the five Hundred pounds before mentioned

Item My will is that my Executors as Soon as conveniently do Buy young Men & Women Slaves with the Cash left in my house and Debts due to my Estate for the Use & Benefit of my four sons Francis George William & John which I hereby Give together with all my other Slaves and their increase & my horses Cattle Sheep Goats hoggs not before mentioned to be Equally Divided between the said four sons And their Heirs forever

Item My will and Desire is that my Estate be Kept together and undivided and my Sons to have their Shares or part thereof as they come of Age

Item It is my will & Desire that if either of my two sons William & John should happen to die without issue that the land hereby given them do Decend to the Survivor of them and their Heirs forever and in case they both die without Lawfull issue then to the next Heir at Law Item My Will & Desire is that my wife give and divide my household goods and Furniture amongst all of my sons as she shall Think fit as they come of age or Marry & if my Estate raises more money than I have hereby disbursed of I desire it may be laid out in Building and household Goods for my sons

Item It is my will & Desire that my beloved wife Frances Thornton shall not be accountable for any profits of my Estate whilst she lives a Widow but if she Marry that then she account with and pay unto my Estate all the Profits arising from the time of my death for the use and benefit of my sons To be Settled & finally Determined by Arbitrators

And Whereas I have sold a piece of Land to Joseph White for Eighty Pounds Current money containing one thousand three hundred acres Not yet impattented but is under an Entry and Survey whereupon Lord Fairfax has promised me a pattent and I am informed the s.d White has sold the same to another person Now if the Lord Fairfax should not grant a pattent for the s.d Land to my Executor or the said Joseph White or the person to whome the said White has sold the land then my Will is that my Executors pay the s.d Eighty Pounds back to the said White or his Order out of my Estate Lastly it is my Will that my Estate be not Appraised and I do herebye Constitute and appoint my beloved Wife Frances Thornton my Hon.d father Francis Thornton my loving brother John Thornton & my son Francis Thornton Executrix and Execrs of my last will & Testament hereby revoking all other Wills & testaments by me heretofore made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Affixed my seal this Eleventh day of November Anno Domini 1748

Sign;d Sealed and Published Fra.a Thornton seal in the presence of Rob.t Jackson John Sutherland Sarah Slaughter Ann Jackson James Allan

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Genealogies of Virginia Families: From the William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine. (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1982)
   p. 25.