THORNTON FAMILY STORIES
Joseph A. & Nancy Ann Smith Thornton
Abt 1765-1829
Thornton Family in Perquimans County, NC
On the emigration route from England to various colonies in the Americas, the Thornton's arrived in Virginia, and moved from there to Perquimans County, NC with the Friends Community there. Later they were to move to Guilford County in NC.
Joseph A. Thornton and Nancy Ann Smith
Joseph A. Thornton, the son of Thomas Thornton and Martha Wilson, was born about 1765 in NC. He died in before 1829 in North Carolina.
Nancy Ann Smith, the daughter of Samuel Smith and Leah Jordan, was born about 1765 in North Carolina. She died before 1829 in North Carolina.
Marriage Bonds of Joseph A. Thornton and Nancy Ann Smith
Joseph A. Thornton and Nancy Ann Smith were married on Wednesday, June 7th, 1786 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. Below is a transcript of the marriage bonds of Joseph Thornton and Nancy Smith - copy received from the North Carolina State Archives. The spelling is as handwritten on the original. (Ex. "joyntly" rather than "jointly")
______________________
State of N. Carolina
Perquimans County
Know all men by these present, that we Joseph Thornton and John Deel [Sp.?] are held and firmly bound unto Richard Caswell Esq Governor, &c. and over the said state to his successors in Office in the full & just sum of Two Hundred pounds ... for the true payment of which the sum well and truely to be made we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators, & assigns joyntly severally & firmly by these ... Seals with our Seal, & dated this seventh day of June 1786.__________
The condition of the above obligations is such that if the above bounden Joseph Thornton & John Deel shall both or either of them indemnify Thomas Harvey Esq one of the Justices of Peace for the count aforesaid from & against all damage that shall or may arise from any just or Prosecution at Law or any other Way for or on account of a License given this Day to Joseph Thornton to intermarry with Nancy Smith, then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.
As Witnes our Hand & Seals,
the Day & Year above written. [SEAL]
Signed Sealed & Deliv } Joseph Thornton [SEAL]
in presence of }
his [SEAL]
Jeff Jon. Craft John X Deel
mark
______________________
The family of Joseph A. Thornton and Nancy Ann Smith
Joseph and Nancy Thornton had the following children:
- Thomas Thornton (1792-1866)
- Willis Thornton (1797- ?)
- Henry Thornton (1799 - before1852)
According to records of the meeting house in Perquimans County, kept at the Guilford University Library, the three brothers were listed as orphans in the early 1800's.
Thomas and Willis Thornton married and stayed in Guilford County, NC. Their brother Henry Thornton moved to Orange County, Indiana where he married and had a family.