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The Hissem-Montague Family  |
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The Hissem-Montague Family |
I have not been able to establish an ancestry for the Thornton family of Oxcliffe an earlier than Nicholas Thorneton (c1570), below. The family apparently believe, as assumed, they were descended from the Thorntons of East Newton, in Yorkshire. This was evidenced by the use of the East Newton arms in the burial monuments for Robert Heysham and his wife, Jane Thornton, as well as by the Edmond Thornton who married Robert's sister, Elizabeth.
It is claimed that the Thornton name was derived from Thornetone and was, "of course," Norman in origin. There is even an account that the original bearer of that name was a standard-bearer for William the Conqueror, but I'll let that one lie.
There is a village called Thornton on the Yorkshire moors, near Bradford. It is most famous as the birthplace of the Bronte sisters. There are, however, a plethora of Thornton townships and parishes throughout the county, as well as one in the Amounderness hundred of Lancashire. At the time of the Domesday Book, Thornton, then a very small hamlet to the west of Bradford, was registered with the name "Torenton" under the manor of Bolton, near Eccleshill, but was soon after acquired by a family of "considerable consequence" who took their name from the place. "The last surviving member of this family, Roger de Thornton, died without a male heir and the manor passed into the hands of the Bolling family of Bolling Hall, Bradford." Roger's daugher was Elizabeth who married Robert de Bolling in 1337. Note that their great-grandson, another Robert de Bolling, married Isabel Thornton, of East Newton, see below.
One of the earliest Thornton's to make his mark in history was another Roger, a merchant of Newcastle, who had made his fortune through his integrity and ability, having come into the city in such poverty that the townspeople long preserved the memory of it in a rhyme:
"At the West gate came Thornton inHe was first elected mayor of the city in 1400 and also served terms in 1402-1405, 1416-1417 and 1423-1425. Leland, the King's Antiquary in 1533 described him as "the richest merchant that ever was dwelling in Newcastle." Before becoming Mayor, Roger Thornton was elected M.P. in 1397 and sent to the Parliament of Henry IV. Thornton was probably largely responsible for negotiating a major change in the constitution of the town. In 1400 Newcastle became a town and county - separated from the jurisdiction of Northumberland. This meant that no more bailiffs were appointed and the Burgesses would have a Sheriff to govern them, at least financially, in the interest of the Crown.
With a hap, and a halfpenny in a ram's skin."
I will address three Thornton families,
Thorntons of Oxcliffe, Lancashire
Thorntons of East Newton, Yorkshire
Thorntons of Birkin and Hull, Yorkshire
This was the family that intermarried with the Heyshams of Lancaster and London. Giles Thornton, the son of Edmond Thornton and Elizabeth Heysham, was the cousin and heir to Robert Heysham the younger's fortune. I've left the following note here while I try to figure out (or remember) how the author came to his conclusion.
"John Thornton was related to Frederick [Young] through Giles Thornton, who added the name Heysham on inheriting Stagenhoe, St Paul's Walden, near Welwyn. Frederick married the eldest Heysham daughter." - from "Edward Young: Poet of the Night Thoughts, 1683-1765" by Harold ForsterThe John Thornton mentioned above was a wealthy London merchant, noted philanthropist, and brother-in-law of William Wilberforce. He came from a merchant family of Hull, in Yorkshire. They too believed they were descended from the Thorntons of East Newton. See their family under the Thornton's of Birkin and Hull.
| Oxcliffe
The village sits on a small bluff on the west side of the Lune river where it takes a bend to the south. On the river side of it is situated the hamlet of Heaton; on the inland side is Great Swart Barn. Oxcliffe stands on a little bluff to the north-east, at the point where the river bends, and Ovangle occupies a similar piece of higher land on the border of Skerton. It is a township of scattered houses, from two to three miles west of Lancaster. Oxcliffe was held in the reign of Edward I under the Earls of Lancaster. There is today an E.E. Thornton & Son dairy in the village, on Moss road. At right it the Golden Ball pub on the shore of the Lune estuary in Heaton-with-Oxcliffe. Across the river is a view of Lancaster castle, below.  Heaton A village just south of Oxcliffe. Today the two are merged as Heaton-with-Oxcliffe. |
"Thornton Johanes de Heaton 7 March 1642/43" - from the Overton Parish Death Register.
I recently received the following from a Chuck Thornton,
"I've found nothing definite, but I did run across a record that sparked my curiosity, pertaining to a Johannes Thornton ( de Heaton, c. 1570), that may be the same identity as one mentioned in your website.(17) John Thornton of Heaton (c1595)
An old reproduced copy of the "Genealogies of Virginia Families, William & Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Volume V" mentions that a very old manuscript, in posession (at the time the article was written - 1895) of the Virginia Historical Society, which verbatim repeats an ancient tombstone inscription from St. Giles in the Field, in London, for the wife of Johannes Thornton, who died in 1611. The manuscript, in the estimation of the editor (William Glover Stanard), was not written any later than the year 1700. He suggests that this artifact had belonged to one of the Thornton family of VA, and that it may indicate the origin of the roots of the family.
https://studylib.net/doc/7438661/william-and-mary-college-quarterly-historical
If I'm reading your article correctly, the Johannes (a.k.a. John) you speak of, was at one time living in London, and his family came from Yorkshire, and had offspring who later settled in Oxcliffe and Lancashire.
Do you know of a way to see if the two Johannes Thorntons are the same identity?"
(18) Mary Thornton (1620)
"John Hyne s. of Thomas Hyne of Heaton & Mary Thornton d. of John Thornton of Headton 30 May 1654" - from Overton Parish Marriage Register.
(16) Nicholas Thorneton (c1570)The earliest Thornton in Oxcliffe yet found. Nicholas was a witness at an inquest in 1614.
"Robert Cansfield, Esquire.He was appointed the duty of tax collector in Lonsdale in 1618.
Inquisition taken at Lancaster, 8 April, 12 James [1614], before Edward Rigby, Esq., Escheator, Henry Southworth, gentleman, Feodary of the County, and Robert Curwin, gentleman, after the death of Robert Cansfeild, late of Roberthall, Esq., by the oath of James Whithalgh of Whithalghe, James [Warde] of of Mellor, Henry Walmesley of the same, Thomas Singleton of Ingothead, John Elswick [of Mellor], [Richard Lancaster of] Wrightington, Nicholas Thorneton of Oxcliffe, . . . " - from "Lancashire Inquisitions Returned Into the Chauncery of the Duchy of Lancaster and Now Existing in..." by J. Paul (John Paul) Rylands
21 March 1618, Sessions Held at Manchester. "8. It is likewise ordered that the some of twoe hundred m[ar]kes shalbee collected within this Countie for the repaire of Lanc[caster] bridge accordinge to the ancient taxe and that for Loyndsdale hundred Thomas Richardson of Pennington & Nicholas Thorneton of Oxcliffe, for Blakeburne, . . . shallbee collectors to Collecte the same and that Robert Byndlosse knt and the maior of Lanc[aster] & Thomas Covell, gentleman, shalbee supvisors to see the same bridge repaired, amended & finished." - from page 39-40 "Manchester Sessions: Notes of Proceedings Before Oswald Mosley (1616-1630), Nicholas Mosley..." by Ernest Axon, Oswald Mosley.Lancaster bridge joined the main town with Skerton to the north, across the Lune river.
| Robert Byndlosse
"[Sir] Robert Byndlosse knt and the maior of Lanc[aster]," of Borwick Hall, Lancashire, was the father of Sir Francis Bindlosse. He married Cecilia, the daughter of Lord De la Warr. Their son was Robert Bindlos, created Baronet in 1641, who was mayor of Lancaster in 1665, with Giles Heysham as his Bailiff. The Baronet married Rebecca, the daughter and heiress of Hugh Perry, merchant and Alderman of London, but d.s.p. in November 1688. Note that William Heysham married into the same Perry family in the early 1700's. By the way, a Colonel Robert Byndloss, unrelated as far as I know, was, in the latter 1600's, a member of the Privy Council of Jamaica and notorious as a brother-in-law and accomplice to the pirate Henry Morgan. Thomas Covell"Thomas Covell, gentleman" was a merchant and later mayor of Lancaster. |
Nicholas died in 1655
"Nicholas Thornton of Oxcliffe" was buried on "24 Maye 1644" - from the Overton Parish RegisterOverton is on the Heysham side of the Lune river, south of Oxcliffe.
Nicholas' children were,
(17) Thomas Thornton (c1600)
(17) Robert Thornton (c1600)
Of Oxcliffe. I don't think this man existed, but Tim Powys-Lybbe, referencing the "Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica," edited by Joseph Hackson Howard, says he was the father of Elizabeth, the wife of Giles Heysham.
However, Thomas may be the father of,
(18) Edmund Thornton (c1635), below, who was not a son of (17) Robert Thornton.
Of Oxcliffe, near Lancaster. He married Jane. He was the father of Elizabeth Thornton who was the wife of Giles Heysham - from "The House of Commons 1690-1715." I am inclined to believe he, not Thomas, was the father of Elizabeth Thornton Heysham, because he was also the father of Ellen, who would marry Nicholas Baugh. Elizabeth Baugh was mentioned in the wills of her nephews, Gyles and William Heysham.
"Lancashire County Quarter Sessions. Deeds of bargain and sale. 7 July 1631. George Tomson of Lancaster, mercer, William Sigswick, late of Kirbye Lonsdall, co. Westmorland., yeoman, & Gilbert Hodgson of Dent, co. York., to Robert Thornton of Oxcliffe, yeoman. -- Lancaster" - from the British ArchivesHis family may have come from Yorkshire if the use of the Thornton Arms of East Newton is correct.
Robert Thornton of Oxcliffe made his will on 20 March 1651. He died and was buried on 12 April 1652 - from Lancaster Parish Register.
I now think the will below is for another Robert Thornton, not out man. There was a will proved in 1655 for Robert Thornton of Oxcliffe. Could this have been for the same man. If so, why the delay? There was no mention Elizabeth's husband, Giles Heysham, in this will. unfortunately.
"In the name of God Amen, the Three and Twentieth day of March In the yeare of our Lord God One thousand Six hundred ffifty one, I Robert Thornton of Oxcliffe in the County of Lyncolne, beinge Sicke in body yet Sounde and perfect in memory praysed bee God and knowinge the uncertaynty of this life on earth and being Desirous to Settle things in Order, Doe make this my last will and Testament in manner and forme followinge.Not all of this is clear. What is, however, is that in 1651 Robert had a wife, Jane, who was probably his second, maiden daughters, Elizabeth and Ellen, and sons, Thomas, John and Robert. Why Oxcliffe in the county of Lincoln? I think this must have been a clerk's mistake since Lancaster is very clearly mentioned further on in the will. There is no Oxcliffe in Lincolnshire. Advow, in this contest, probably means that which a man admitted to be his own.
Ffirst and principally I Commend my Soule to Almighty God my Creator assuredly beleivinge that I shall receive full pardon and Remission of all my Sinnes and bee Saved by the precious Deaty and Meritts of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer Christ Jesus and my body to the Earth from whence itt was taken to bee buryed as neer to my late ffather deceased as Conveniently may bee.
And as touchinge Such wordly Effects as the Lord in mercy hath Lent mee my will and meaninge is the land shalbee Imployed and bestowed as heerafter by this my will is Expressed.
And first I doe revoke renounce frustrate and make voyde all wills by mee formerly made and I declare and appoynt this my last will and Testament.
Itt is my will and minde that after my Debts, legacyes and ffunerall Expenses [are] discharaged, I Gyve my part of Goods to my two daughters Elizabeth Thorneton and Ellen Thorneton equally betwixt them.
Item. I Gyve to my Son John Thornton One [Meale Arke] in the house with the [Dishboard Srandiege] before itt. And alsoe one of the [Arkes] landings in the Barne which hee will Choose And alsoe the Lead and Trough.
Item. I Gyve unto him the one halfe of all my husbandry yeard and Ploughs ploughyeard Carts Cartyeard And other husbandry [Justrumieuts] whatsoever.
Item. I Doe Ordayne and appoynt Jane my now wife and Thomas Thornton my Sonne Executors of this my last will and Testament hoping that they will Discharge the same as my trust is in them.
Item. Itt is my will and minde that Thomas Marshall [Cortmud] att the house in Lancaster And Gyve there upon the same Rent Hee Gyves untill my Sonne Robert come to One and Twenty yeares of age if hee and his wife live Soe longe.
Debts owinge to mee by the Executory of Henry Clearkson which I lent him being in good Moneyes Seaven pound and in chips Three pound Ten pound.
Richard Stone One pound.
[signed] Robert Thornton
Witness here of Francis Woodhouse his Marke X
[signed]Thomas Johnes
This will was proved att London before the Judges for Probate of Wills and grantings of Administration lawfully Authorized the Fourth day of July In the yeare of our Lord 1655. By this Oath of Jane Thorneton Relict of the deceased and one of the Executors named in the said will To whom was Committed Administration of all and Singular the Goods, Chattels and Debts of the said deceased. Shee being first by commission Sworne truly to Administrator the Same, Power beinge Reserved to Thomas Thornton the other Executor named in the said will to make like [commission?] and take like Adminstration when hee shall come and lawfully Desire itt."
Robert Thornton's children were,
(18) Elizabeth Thornton (1628)
(18) Ellen Thornton (c1638)
(18) Thomas Thornton (c1630)
(18) John Thornton (1633)
(18) Robert Thornton (c1635)
(18) Julian Thornton (1644), "Thorneton, Julian [Julia?] d of Robte of Oxcliffe 7 Auguste 1644" - from the Overton Parish Register
Elizabeth was baptized on 11 June 1628. The daughter of Robert Thornton of Oxcliffe, per "The House of Commons 1690-1715." Tim Powys-Lybbe indicates that her father was really Thomas Thornton, also of Oxcliffe, and references the "Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica," edited by Joseph Hackson Howard. Robert Thornton's will mentions a daughter, Elizabeth Thorneton.
She married (18) Gyles Hyshame (1635), the son of the Mayor of Lancaster, probably in 1657, the year before her first known child, Anne, was born. Note that her father, Robert Thornton, had died about 5 years before her marriage.
Giles Heysham died on 21 February 1679, only 39 years of age. Elizabeth lived on for many years, finally dying on 11 July 1716 at the age of 88. I suspect she was made of stern stuff and ran a taunt ship. A widow, she raised three sons, teenagers when their father died, who all became successful London merchants, and two of whom went into Parliament. She also ensured that her three daughters married well. Her children were,
(19) Anne Heysham (1658)
(19) Geyles Heesham (1659)
(19) Hester Hyshame (1661)
(19) Robert Heisham (1663)
(19) William Heesham (1666/7)
(19) Elizabeth Heesham (1666/7)
Or Hellen/Hellena. Robert Thornton's will mentions a daughter, Ellen Thorneton. Of St Peter's parish, Cornhill, London. She married Nicholas Baugh, merchant tailor.
"1673The will of "Nicholas Baugh, Merchant Tailor of London" was proved on 1 February 1692. Hellen and her son, Nicholas Jr., were mentioned in the wills of her nephews, Gyles and William Heysham. The will of Helen Baugh, Widow of London, was proved on 18 December 1719. Her son was
July 10 Nicholas Baugh, of St Lawrence, Jury, London, Cit. & Mercht. Taylor, Bachr, abt 40, & Hellen Thornton, of St Peter's, Cornhill, Lond., Spr, abt 35, at own disp.; at St Leonard's, Shoreditch, Midd." - from "Allegations for Marriage Licences Issued by the Vicar-general of the Archbishop of Canterbury..." by George John Armytage, Canterbury, Eng. (Province). Registry of the vicar-general
The eldest surviving son of Robert Thornton of Oxcliffe. He was named co-executor in his father's will along with Jane, Robert's wife. I have a Thomas Thornton, Draper of London, who's will was proved on 20 October 1684. A Thomas Thornton was the father of Jane, the second wife of Robert Heysham - from "The House of Commons 1690-1715." I'm also assuming he was the father of Edmund.
(19) Jane Thornton (c1665)Daughter of Thomas Thornton, per "The House of Commons 1690-1715." Some sources, such as British History Online, make Jane the sister of Mary, who was the daughter of Edmund Thornton, below. Oddly, "The House of Commons, 1715-1754" has the two women as sisters, and daughters of Edmund, as well. Jane was the cousin and second-wife of Robert Heysham. They married before 1708, having 1 son and one daughter. Robert's will addresses an estate that had belonged to Jane's father, but was settled on her. With her death and Robert's, it passed to John Thornton of Preston.
Item, as for and concerning my Real Estate both Free hold and Copyhold I give devise and bequeth unto my said Nephew John Thornton All that Messauge or Tenement called Castlehill house and a Field called Kellett's Croft and the Barn there with the Appurtenances Situate and being in the Town and parish of Lancaster formerly my late wife's Father's Estate, now in the Occupation of my said Brother Robert Carter, or his Assignes To hold the said Croft and Barne with the Appurtenances from and immediately after my decease to my said Newphew John Thornton his heirs and Assignes for ever which premisses being part of the Estate settled on my said late wife my Will is that my said son Robert and his heirs shall confirme this my Bequest to the said John Thornton and his heirs And in default thereof my Will is that there be paid to my said Nephew John Thornton his heirs and Assignes the sume of five hundred pounds.Robert and Jane's son was Robert Heysham Jr. who died young and bequethed his estate to his "cousins," Giles and Robert Thornton, below. Their daughter, Jane, also died young. (19) Edmund Thornton (c1670)
Of Oxcliffe. Edmund must be a grandson of Robert and a nephew of (18) John Thornton, because Edmund's sons inherited from their cousin, Charles Richard Thornton, who was the son of John Thornton. He could also be a son of Thomas' younger brother, Robert.
Edmd Thornton of Oxcliffe married (19) Elizabeth Heesham (1666/7) on 9 February 1695 at St. Mary's in Lancaster - from "Lancaster Parish Register." She was the youngest daughter of Gyles Heysham and Elizabeth Thornton. Edmund does not have to be the brother of Jane, but it would not be unusual to have one set of siblings marry another set.
"Here lyeth the Body of . . . also Elizabeth, wife of Edmond Thornton, of Oxcliff, who died May ye 3rd, 1709, in the 40th year of her age" - from "Remains, Historical and Literary, Connected with the Palantine Counties of Lancaster and Chester."Note that this notation also included references to John Thornton of Oxcliffe, who died in 1671, and Robert his first son, above. I assume that infers a close relationship. The Lancaster Parish Register has "Elizabeth w. of Edmd Thornton of Ostcliffe [sic] 06 May 1709."
On "3 June [1707-1711], Edmund Thornton of Oxliffe, co. Lanc., gent. and Elizabeth Rollins" were married. Edmund and William Rollins, Elizabeth's father, were the bondsmen. - from "Marriage Bonds of Archdeaconry of Cheshire, 1707-11." Apparently there were no children from this union. William Rollins was an innkeeper of Liverpool. "A tavern had been erected in Castle Street [in Liverpool?] by Mr. William Rollins, who seems to have been an extraordinary character . . ." In 1727 he was 79 years old (that is, he was born circa 1648). - from "Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire." William also had a daughter, Anne, who married John Jackson of Preston around the same time. A litte later, circa 1722-1715, William Rollins [Jr.] of Leverpoole, co. Lanc., merchant and Mary Rimmer of Leverpoole, spr. were married. The bondsman was William Rollins of Leverpoole. At one point William was referred to as a gentleman. Note that Edmund's son, Robert Thornton of London, was called a brewer in Robert Heysham Jr.'s will. Did William help set him up in this trade?
Edmd Thornton gen: Oxcliff was buried 04 Aug 1713 - from Lancaster Parish Register.
When Elizabeth died her son, Giles, would have been only about 9. When Edmund died Giles would have been only 13 and his brother, Robert, only 8. I suspect they were subsequently raised by their uncles, Robert Heysham, who died in 1723, and William Heysham, who died in 1716. Their children were John, Giles and Robert.
(20) John Thornton (1697)"John s. of Edmond Thornton of Oxcliffe" was baptized on 09 Sep 1697 at St. Mary's church, Lancaster - from Lancaster Parish Register. His mother was Elizabeth Heysham, 3rd daughter of Gyles Heysham.
"John Thornton of Oxcliffe, son and heir, baptized 9 Sept. 1697. Married 7 Oct., 1720 to Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Haydock of Pheasant fford . . . . gent." - from "Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica"He died sometime between 1722, when he was mentioned in the will of his uncle, Robert Heysham, and 1734, when he was not mentioned in the will of his cousin, Robert Heysham Jr., as his brothers, below were. (20) Giles Thornton-Heysham (c1700)
Of St. Botolp's, Aldgate who inherited from (20) Robert Heysham in 1734 and assumed the Heysham name. He also inherited the estate of another cousin, Charles Richard Thornton, below. Giles married Anne Beckerton in about 1726 in St. Dionis, London. See the Thornton-Heysham page for his family.
(20) Robert Thornton-Heysham (c1700)Giles' brother who also inherited from (20) Robert Heysham in 1734 and assumed the Heysham name.
(18) Robert Thornton (c1630)At the time of his father's will in 1651 he was married, but was not yet 21.
(19) Robert Thornton (1647)Son of Robert Thornton of Oxcliffe, Lancaster.
"Thornton Robt. f. Robt. of Oxcliffe 31 October 1647" - from the Overton Baptismal Registry
"Thornton, Robert, s. Robert, of Oxcliffe, co. Lancaster, p.p. Queen's Coll., matric. 10 March 1664-5, aged 17 (subs. "servius"). B.A. 1668, M.A. 1671; perhaps rector of Staunton, co. Worcester, 1676, and father of Robert 1694. Fee Foster's Index Eccl." - from "Alumni Oxonienses"Robert Thornton (c1677)
Possibly matricultated Oxford 1694, see above.
(18) John Thornton (1633)Of Oxcliffe. The son of Robert Thornton of Oxcliffe. Robert Thornton's will mentions a son John Thornton.
The following seems early, John must have had a second wife: "Thorneton Ann w. of John Thornton of Oxclife 8 June 1659" - from the Overton Parish Burial Registry.
"Here lyeth the Body of John Thornton of Oxcliff who Died February the 18th 1671 Aged 38 Years . . ." - from "Remains, Historical and Literary, Connected with the Palantine Counties of Lancaster and Chester.""Jo: Thornton of Oxcliffe . . . 14 Febr. 1671" was also listed in Burials in "Lancashire Parish Register Society: Publications." John Thornton, of Oxcliffe had his will administered in 1671 in the Archdeaconry of Richmond.
John's children were,
(19) Robert Thornton (1656)
(19) Ann Thornton (1658/9)
(19) Robert Thornton (1661)
(19) John Thornton (c1670)
"Robt Thornton s. of John of Oxcliffe" was baptized on 05 Oct 1656 - from Lancaster Parish Register.
"Thornton Robert s. of John Thornton of Oxclife 9 February 1657/8" - from the Overton Parish Burial Registry.
(19) Ann Thornton (1658/9)"Ann d. of John Thorneton of Oxcliffe 8 February 1658/9" - from the Lancaster Parish Baptismal Registry.
(19) Robert Thornton (1661)"Robert Thornton f. John of Oxcliff" was buried on 04 June 1672.
"Here lyeth the Body of . . . [a]nd also Robert son of John Thornton who Died June ye 6th, 1672, aged 11 years" - from "Remains, Historical and Literary, Connected with the Palantine Counties of Lancaster and Chester."(19) John Thornton (c1670)
Of Preston. The second son of John.
"Gray's Inn Admission Register," 1 December 1691 - "John Thornton, second son of John T., of Oxcliffe, parish of Lancaster, gent."Also listed in "Office-Holders in the Duchy and County Palantine of Lancaster." He was apparently the brother of (19) Edmund Thornton (c1670), below. John's father and brother were noted in the same set of inscriptions as Edmund and his wife, Elizabeth.
"John Thornton, Esq., and sons" - from the Roll of the In-Burgesses of the Guild of 1702 "Preston Guild Merchant, 1882. Memorials of the Preston Guilds" by William Alexander Abram. This list of only 48 men included men who had "secured the special privilege of the resident Burgresses." On the list were the Duke of Hamilton, Samuel Peploe, vicar of the church and later Bishop of Chester, and Daniel Chaddock [The Thornton pew in the church was between that of Sameul Peploe and Robert Chaddock].
On 4 March 1717 John Thornton, Esq., was elected one of the members of the Town Council of Preston. - from "Preston Guild Merchant, 1882. Memorials of the Preston Guilds" by William Alexander Abram.
"Thornton of Oxcliffe" was on the Roll of Burgesses of Preston in 1722.
". . . High Constable for Loynsdall hundred John Thornton of Oxcliffe gent . . ." - from "Proceedings of the Lancaster Justices of the Peace at the Sheriff's Table" by B.W. Quintrell.
Robert Heysham the elder, Alderman of London, referred to "my cousin John Thornton of Preston Esq." in his will of 1722. This could imply a closer relationship, that is that John was the brother of Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Thornton of Oxcliffe.
On 3 October 1723 John Thornton, Esq., was elected an Alderman of the town - from the "Preston guild merchant, 1882. Memorials of the Preston guilds" by William Alexander Abram.
On 13 January 1735 John Thornton, gent., was discharged as Alderman, replaced by Henry Farington, Esq. - from the "Preston guild merchant, 1882. Memorials of the Preston guilds" by William Alexander Abram He apparently died soon after.
(20) Charles Richard Thornton (c1695)I have a Charles Richard Thornton of Preston, Lancashire, gentleman, who was the only son and heir of "John Thornton, late of Preston, esq." He died in 1738 and Giles Thornton-Heysham succeeded to his estates as his cousin. That must mean that he was a member of this line of the family.
The next Thornton may not be a member of the Oxcliffe line of the family, however, it would be strange if Robert Heysham married two Thornton women and they weren't somehow related. Edmund was not mentioned in the will of (17) Robert Thornton so if he was related it was probably as a nephew.
(18) Edmund Thornton (c1635)Draper, of London and Stagenhoe - from "The House of Commons, 1690-1715." A draper was a merchant who dealt in fabrics, clothing and drygoods. He married Mary Woodhall, the daughter of Edmund Woodhall, and thereby came into possession of the manor of Little Munden, Hertfordshire. He may have met Robert Heysham, who is sometimes described as a Draper, and introduced him to his daughter, either in London or Hertfordshire. What does the "of Stagenhoe" mean? Was he living with his son-in-law at the time that reference was taken or did he simply have a country home near the village? I've got to think he's related to the Thornton of Oxcliffe family.
The following is interesting.
"4 Anne died unmarried. B. 22 June, bapt. 22 July 1603, at Newnham; bur. 27 July 1629 at . . .I have a Richard Thornton, M.A., who was Rector of All Saints church, Little Munden from 1639 to 1642. The Thorntons of Newnham and Brockhall, Northampton, arms were Arg. on a bend gu. three escarbuncles or. That doesn't sound like the right Thornton family. Richard was probably just a cleric with a common surname.
3 Elizabeth wife of Rich Thornton of Little Munden in com. Hertford Clerk and has issue James and Elizabeth 1681. B. 9, bapt. 15 Nov. 1600 at Newnham. M. 22 April 1634 at Crick . . ." - from "The Visitation of the County of Northampton in the Year 1681," page 212
| The Woodhall Family
(15) William Woodhall (c1550) Of Saffron Walden, Essex. He married Mary Woodhall, a distant cousin. For those interested, there is a further ancestry for this family at the LDS web site. His children were Deborah (1568), Elizabeth (1570), Mary (1572), Dorothy (1574), Jane (1576), Katherine (1578), Joanne (1580), Edmund (1582), William Jr. (1584), James (1586), and Grindall (1588). (16) Dorothy Woodhall (c1574)(15) William Woodhall (c1550) William's daughter. She married Michael Woodcock who had inherited the estate of Little Munden from his father, Michael Woodcock Sr. The younger Michael sold the estate to the Dutch merchant and banker, Sir Peter Vanlore, who gave it to his daughter, Ann, upon her marriage to Sir Charles Caesar, knight, the son of Sir Julius Caesar. |
| Sir Peter Vanlore
A Dutch merchant who financed lucrative trips to the West Indies, he subsequently turned to banking and money-lending. He was born in Utrecht in 1547 and naturalised in 1607. He loaned money to, among others, Francis and Anthony Bacon. Also known as the jeweller to the courts of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. He acquired the estate of Tilehurst, in Berkshire, from Thomas Crompton in 1604 and also owned Wallingford Castle. In London he lived on Fanchurch street. He was created a baronet in 1628. Arms: Or, a chaplet or garland proper. D.s.p. Sir Charles Caesar
His father was Julius Caesar Adelmare, of Tottenham, Middlesex. Born in England, Julius' father had been an emigre Italiam physician, Cesare Adelmare. A physician to both Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, his nickname, Dr. Caesar, became the accepted family name. Cesare died when his son, Julius, was only 10. Julius' step-father, the merchant adventurer Michael Lok, had a strong, puritanical influence on the boy. Julius went to Oxford and studied law at the Inner Temple, later becoming Master of the Rolls and a Privy Counselor to King James, who knighted him. Sir Julius was a close friend of Francis Bacon. He married the daughter of Richard Martin, Goldsmith, and Mayor of London. Note that Charles had an elder brother, Julius Caesar. He was sent to Padua to study at the university and was wounded while fencing with Antonia Brochetta. He sought revenge and lay in wait for Brochetta with a pistol, but his shot missed. He then fell while attempting to draw his sword and was set upon by Brochetta who ran him through and killed him. Exciting times to live in. |
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The sale of the estate was later reversed however because of issues Charles Caesar had with the title. Through an act of Parliament the estate was resettled, after Casesar was paid back, on Edmund Woodhall, the brother to Dorothy Woodhall Woodcock. I assume this means that she and her husband had died by this time, childless. (16) Edmund Woodhall (C1582)(15) William Woodhall (c1550) Of Waldon, Essex. He married Margaret Law in 1604. She was born in 1586. He was the brother of Dorothy Woodhall Woodcock and inherited the estate of Little Munden in 1624. "An Act to enable and make good a Conveyance and Assurance, made of the Manor of Little Munden, in the County of Hertford, by Sir Peter Vanlore, Knight, and Sir Charles Caesar, Knight, and Dame Ann his Wife, unto Edmund Woodhall, Esquire, and his Heirs; and to establish the said Manor upon the said Edmund Woodhall and his Heirs, according to the said Conveyance." - from British History Online"He died on 3 February 1638 [or 1647]. (17) Edmund Woodhall II (c1605) (15) William Woodhall (c1550) (16) Edmund Woodhall (C1582) He inherited the Manor of Little Munden from his father. Upon his death the estate devolved, in turn, to his son, Edmund, and then John. Both dying without heirs, as did their sister, Elizabeth, it passed to Edmund's daughter Mary. The Woodhalls appear to have settled in the Walden area around 1550. (18) Edmund Woodhall III (c1625)(15) William Woodhall (c1550) (16) Edmund Woodhall (C1582) (17) Edmund Woodhall II He was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1634, so his date of birth must be at least 7 years earlier. (18) John Woodhall(15) William Woodhall (c1550) (16) Edmund Woodhall (C1582) (17) Edmund Woodhall II He held Little Munden in 1675. (18) Elizabeth Woodhall(15) William Woodhall (c1550) (16) Edmund Woodhall (C1582) (17) Edmund Woodhall II (18) Mary Woodhall (c1635) (15) William Woodhall (c1550) (16) Edmund Woodhall (C1582) (17) Edmund Woodhall II She married Edmund Thornton and brought the manor of Little Munden, in Hertfordshire, into the Thornton family. |
According to British History Online, Mary Woodhall and Edmund Thornton had two daughters, Mary and Jane, who possessed the manor of Little Munden in 1700 and who both in succession married Robert Heysham. Other sources, such as "The House of Commons 1690-1715," claim that while Mary was the dauther of Edmund, Jane was Thomas Thornton's daughter, which is how I show it, above.
(19) Mary Thornton (c1665)The daughter and co-heir [?] of Edmund Thornton, draper, of London and Stagenhoe, [she] s.p. - from "The House of Commons 1690-1715." Of Hertfordshire. She was the daughter of Edmund Thornton and Mary Woodhall. She was the first wife of Robert Heysham, Alderman of London, who was probabably her cousin via Elizabeth Thornton, above. She died before 1705, when Robert was listed as a widower in a London census. They had no children. Robert subsequently married Jane Thornton who was probably also Mary's cousin. Some sources claim that both Mary and Jane were the daughters of Edmund Thornton.
Here's how I think the Thornton-Heysham relationship worked out:
- Elizabeth, the daughter of Edmund Thornton of Oxcliff, married Giles Heysham.
- Elizabeth's son, Robert Heysham, married her cousin Edmund's daughter, Mary Thornton (1st cousin, twice removed?)
- Elizabeth's son, Robert Heysham, then married her brother Thomas' daughter, Jane Thornton (1st cousin)
- Elizabeth's daughter, Elizabeth Heysham, married her brother Thomas' son, Edmund Thornton (1st cousin)
- Edmund and Jane Heysham Thornton died early and their children were raised by Robert Heysham.
The earlier ancestry of Edmund Thornton's line may be derived from his daughter Jane's coat of arms, as displayed on her tomb at the church at St. Paul's Walden. I only have a fragment of the description from the UK archives. They were "a chevron . . . between three trefoils [a leaf with three pear-shaped lobes] slipt [with a stalk] . . ." The ellipses are in the original. I think what has been left out were the tinctures, the colors, that could not be discerned because the recorders were describing a stone carving. I think we can "assume" those colors were the standard for a Thornton. That is, argent for the shield, sable for the chevron, and proper, that is green, for the leaves.
The arms of the Thornton family of Yorkshire and Norfolk [of Some, co. Cambridge; Windham, co. Norfolk; and co. York; Birkin, co. York; Scarborough, co. York; Clapham, Surrey] were argent a sable chevron between three hawthorn trees proper. The use of the thorn trees, obviously a play on the Thornton name, make this what is called in heraldry a "canting coat." Other Thornton families of the region make variations on this original:
- Hawthorn bushes in place of trees and a trefoil slipped or [gold] on the chevron for the Thornton family of Tiersall [Tyresall, Tyersal], near Bradford, Yorkshire. See Thornton of Tiersall for a short descent.
- Another York county family used a bend (a diagonal), vice a chevron, between three trefoils slipped vert, instead of hawthorn trees, and as many [i.e. 3] covered cups of the field [that is, argent]. Those cups remind me of the Butler family arms. The heraldry website of the Lancaster Castle claims there was a family relationship between the Boteler and Thornton families.
- For others, see Project Burke, Thornton thru Thorowgood.
- The Thornton family of East Newton used hawthorn leaves in place of the whole tree, left. That family's descent, from Dugdale's Visitation of Yorkshire, is below.
Jane's family appears to have used a variation of the East Newton arms with a trefoil, right, itself a variation on the hawthorn leaves, replacing the trees. Trefoil literally means "three leaves" in French and, while it may be depicted variously, is most commonly rendered as a shamrock. There are also quatrefoils, cinquefoils, sexfoils, and octofoils. Note, the recorders of Jane's arms may have been confused. They were describing a stone decoration and could easily have misinterpreted a three-leafed hawthorn leaf as a trefoil. Based on all of the above, I'd guess that Jane's part of the family was part of, or at least identified with, the Thornton family of East Newton.
The Thornton family had been lords of East Newton since the time of Edward I.
| East Newton
A village in Stonegrave parish, Oswaldkirk, North Riding, Yorkshire. It is about 18 miles north of York. The church used by the Thornton family was Stonegrave Minster in the village of Stonegrave, just south of East Newton. A minster is a type of small monastery, used by monks, and sometimes with nuns. Together, they would carry out a celibate life. The church is perhaps the oldest minster in England; it was referenced in a papal letter of 757.
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He was born in Cambridge, England [in 1291?]. He married Isabel [Isobell] de Newton in 1314. She was the eldest daughter and coheir of John [or William?] Newton, of East Newton, and brought the estate of East Newton into the Thornton family. William died in 1333. His tomb remains at Stonegrave church:
"From 1300 to almost 1700 the north aisle was the burial place of the Thornton family of East Newton but only two of their tombs remain. The tomb nearest to the tower, probably that of William Thornton (d. 1330), carved in York, is unusual in having the effigy of a civilian with legs crossed [this may actually be the tomb of Roger de Stonegrave]. The other, of Robert Thornton and his wife (d. 1418), is of local stone and workmanship. It is now in a recess in the north wall, the canopy formed from an earlier Easter sepulchre. The tomb chest has figures supporting shields showing the simple coat-of-arms of the family at that time - three thorn sprays. These effigies are all that remain of many memorials, silent figures watching over the building that the Thornton's had helped to maintain." - from Wikipedia(8) Thomas Thornton (c1316)
Of East Newton [born in 1325?]. He married Joan [Jean] Nellison in 1338. She was the daughter of Peter Nellison of Monkby, Yorkshire. Thomas died in 1346 [1344] in Yorkshire.
(9) Robert Thornton (c1341)Of East Newton, he was born circa 1341. Lord Newton of Cambridge. He married Margary [Margery] before 1350 [?]. He had an elder brother, name unknown, who died heirless. Robert succeeded him in 1374 according to C. Wheatley. Robert died in 1402. The following descent is sometimes given to his brother, see (9) William Thornton, below.
Robert's sons were,
(10) William Thornton (c1375)
(10) Robert Thornton (1374)
Of East Newton [born 1359?]. He married an unknown woman. William died in 1418. William had a daughter, Isabel, born sometime between 1397 and 1419. She married Robert Bolling of Bolling Hall, Yorkshire. Robert was the great-grandson of Elizabeth de Thornton, daughter of Roger de Thornton, above. Isabel and Robert Bolling's son was Tristan Bolling. The Bolling's fought at the battle of Towton on the side of the Lancasterian's during the War of the Roses.
He may have also had a son, Robert, born in 1392 who died in 1460. This son is sometimes confused with (10) Robert, below, who married Isobell Grey.
(10) Robert Thornton (1374)Or born 1376? "Lord Newton." He married Isabelle [Isobell] de Gray [Grey] in 1396. She was the daughter of John Gray. Robert died in 1418. See the comments about his tomb, above. The Thornton coat of arms, a chevron between three thorn trees, occurs on a shield on the base of the tomb.
His sons were,
(11) John Thornton (1397)
(11) Richard Thornton (1399)
(11) Thomas Thornton (1400)
(11) William Thornton (1402)
(11) Lord Robert Thornton (1400)
He was born in 1397 and died in 1416.
(11) Richard Thornton (1399)He was born in 1399 and died in 1444.
(11) Thomas Thornton (1400)He was born in 1400 and died in 1458.
(11) William Thornton (1402)(11) Lord Robert Thornton (1400)
He was born in 1400 [circa 1400?] in East Newton. Still sometimes referred to as "Robert of Thorntone." He married Isabel Mekylfeld in about 1421. She was the daughter of John Mekylfeld. His second wife [or was it the first?] was Agnes. They had no children. Robert was termed a "manor lord" [also referred to as a member of the "minor gentry"], he died between 1456 and 1465.
Alternatively,"Robert Thornton was probably born in the final years of Richard II's reign, to Robert Thornton of East Newton in the parish of Stonegrave and his wife. He was born into a turbulent world: the Hundred Years' War would rage through much of his life, and his latter years would be darkened by the so-called Wars of the Roses. Two kings would be deposed in his lifetime, and he himself may well have served in the field (a Robert Thornton, esquire, which may well have been him, is listed as having fought in France in 1420). Robert Thornton would have been a teenager when the young Henry V led the field at the Battle of Agincourt, and an old man when Edward IV seized the crown in 1461. He married in 1418, the same year that his father died, and he and his wife had at least three sons. The will of William, the eldest surviving son who inherited the family estates, is still held in York today. We don't know exactly when Thornton died; he was definitely alive and acting as a witness for legal documents in 1468, but he was described as recently deceased in 1474." - from "Robert Thornton: collector, scribe and preserver of early literature"
There is a copy of "Sir Perceval of Galles," which includes saint's lives, medical treatises and seven romances, produced by a Robert Thornton of East Newton in the 15th century. Referred to as "an educated amateur," he also produced "The Siege of Milan," contained in what is now known as the London Thornton manuscript. Robert probably copied his texts over the years as materials became available to him. At his death, his library passed to his family where it remained for several generations. In the late 17th century Thomas Comber, husband of Alice Thornton, gave the manuscript to Daniel Brevint, Dean of Lincoln, and the work has remained in the possession of the Cathedral Library ever since.
(12) William Thornton (1424)Of East Newton. He married Agnes Aldborough [Alberough/Alderborough] in about 1450 [1454?] in Same. She was the daughter of Richard Oldborough and Agnes Plumpton. Aldbrough is near the North Sea coast, in the East Riding. There is, oddly, another village called East Newton nearby. William died on 17 May 1487. His will was probated on 28 August 1488.
William's sons were,
(13) William Thornton (1450)
(13) Franics Thornton (c1451)
(13) Robert Thornton (1454)
(13) Franics Thornton (c1451)
(13) Robert Thornton (1454)
Of East Newton. He married Jane Layton of Sproxton, the daughter of William Layton. He died in 1514 in Same.
(14) Robert Thornton (1482)(14) Thomas Thornton (1484)
(14) Martin Thornton (1484)
(14) Gregory Thornton (1488)
Or George.
(14) Richard Thornton (1489)He married Alice Quarles.
(15) Thomas Thornton (1520)He was born in 1520 in Gernford, Middlesex, England. He married Agnes E. Page. Their children were Jeromy (1548), Petronell (1550), Henry, all in Gernford, Edward (1560), Thomas (1562) and Peter (1564) in Brentford.
(14) John Thornton (1490)(14) Christopher Thornton (1496)
(14) Franics Thornton (1498)
Of Thornton-on-the-Hill, executor to his brother William. He died on 12 April 1566. His will was probated at York on 11 May 1566. He married Joan De Lover [Lovier/Lavier].
(15) William Thornton (c1550)Of East Cambe, Yorkshire. Gentleman. His will was dated 5 May 1600. He married Barbara Westby [Westbie].
(16) William Thornton (c1595)He married Francis Robinson. He died about 1650. He "could" be a father for Edmund Thornton, above.
(17) William Thornton (c1620)He was born at "The Hills," Yorkshire, but emigrated to Virginia before 1641 and died at Cod's Creek, Stafford county, Virginia.
(17) Thomas Thornton (b1650)He was born before 1650.
(17) John Thornton (b1650)He was born before 1650.
(15) Thomas Thornton(15) John Thornton
(14) Elizabeth Thornton (c1500)
She married Leonard Wildon.
(14) William ThorntonOf East Newton. He married Margaret Leigh of Shropshire. His will was probated at York on 22 August 1545. Their children included:
(15) Roger ThorntonA merchant at Lynn, d.s.p.
(15) Ralph Thornton(15) William Thornton
He died d.s.p.
(15) Gregory ThorntonOf Brandsby. His will was dated 11 September 1579. His children included Thomas, John, Margaret, Jennet, Elizabeth, and Grace.
(15) Edward ThorntonHe married Margery. He was buried at Stonegrave on 5 December 1586. His children included Richard.
(15) John Thornton(15) Robert Thornton
Of East Newton. He married Margaret, the daughter of George Thweng. His will was dated to the 13th year of Queen Elizabeth's reign. It was probated at York on 24 April 1572. He was buried at Stonegrave.
(16) William ThorntonOf East Newton. He married Eleanor, the daughter of Thomas Grimston, of Grimston. He later married Isabel, the daughter of Michael Wandesford, of Pickhill, and thirdly Frances, the widow of Robert Yoward, of Stokeley. He was buried at Stonegrave on 19 April 1617.
(17) Robert Thornton (c1573)Of East Newton. The son of William and Eleanor Thornton. He had only daughters with his first wife, Dorothy, the daughter of Thomas Metham, of Metham. Second he married Elizabeth Darley on 6 June 1618 in Stonegrave. She was the daughter of Sir Robert [Richard] Darley of Audby [Buttercrambe]. Robert died on 17 May 1637.
(18) Richard Thornton (1624-twin)He died unmarried. There was a Richard Thornton, MA, who was the Rector of All Saints church in Little Munden in 1642.
(18) William Thornton (1624-twin)Of East Newton. The son of Robert Thornton, he was baptized at Stonegrave church on 9 June 1624. He married Alice Wandesford on 15 December 1651 at Hipswell, Ryedale wapentake, Yorshire. Alice was born in 1627, the daughter of Sir Christopher Wandesford of Kirklington, Master of the Rolls and Lord Deputy in Ireland, and from an old Yorkshire gentry family, and Alice, daughter of Sir Hewitt Osbourn of Kiverton. Alice was a loyal royalist during the Civil Wars and a pious Anglican. They had nine children, of whom three survived to adulthood. William died and was buried on 18 September 1668 at Stonegrave. Alice kept a diary, which has kept her famous. The "Pedigree of the Family of Thornton of East Newton," upon which this descent was based, can be found in the back of Alice Thornton's Autobiography. She died in 1706. William's arms are part of the wall ornament in Stonegrave church, in the Northing Riding of Yorkshire.
(19) Robert Thornton (1662)He was born on 19 September at Hipswell and baptized on 20 September 1662 at Stonegrave church, East Newton. He matriculated at Oxford on 1 June 1682. A fellow a Magdalen College, 1684. Rector of Bolden. He died on 4 June 1692, at the age of 29, and was buried in Durham Cathedral.
(19) Alice Thornton (1653)She was born on 3 January 1653. She married Thomas Comber on 17 November 1668. He succeeded to the East Newton property upon the death of Robert Thornton, her brother. She died on 22 January 1720.
(18) Thomas Thornton (1626)Of Helmsley, he was baptized on 29 August 1626 in Stonegrave. He was buried there in August 1685.
(18) John Thornton (1633)He was baptized at Stonegrave on 10 October 1633 and buried there on 25 may 1669.
(9) William Thornton (c1342)Probably a son of Thomas Thornton of East Newton. He was born in Thornton, Yorkshire. He married Margaret Stapleton, the daughter of Brian Stapleton of Carlton and Alice St. Philbert. He died in 1408 in York.
(10) William Thornton (c1375)He married Mary Kirby, the daughter of John Kirby.
(11) Roger ThorntonHe married Katherine Redmagne, the daughter of Henry Redmagne of Levins, England.
(12) Thomas ThorntonHe was born in Thornton, Yorkshire. He married Elinor Bland, the daugher of Richard Bland.
(13) Thomas Thornton (1475)He was born about 1475 in Thornton, Lancashire [sic]. Sometimes referred to as the son of Robert Thornton and Jane Layton. He married Elizabeth Metcalfe in about 1494. She was the daughter of Reginald Metcalfe of Yoscote.
(14) Stephen Thornton (1504)He was born in about 1504 in Thornton. He married Cecily Metcalfe [!] of Holme House, Yorkshire, the daugther of John Metcalfe.
(15) Christopher Thornton (1540)He was born in 1540 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. He married Mary Lake in about 1570. She was born in about 1550 in Gainsborough, the daughter of William Lake. He died in 1590 with his wife following in 1596. He had only a daughter, Margaret, born circa 1585, who married Roger Gregory.
Another intriquing Thornton was Giles, a sea captain, described in the next two accounts:
April 26, 1605. "Lord Treasurer Dorset to Sir Thos. Lake. Desires a warrant under the Signet for a grant prefixed, of 200£ to Captain Giles Thornton and 6 others, who assisted in taking a Spanish carrack, in the last year of Queen Elizabeth. Also of 100£ to Jacob Jaques, for use made of his ship, in the said service, by Sir Wm. Monson; of 100£ to Captain Phil. Lea, and of 300£ to Sir Sackville Trevor, for similar services." From: British History Online, Source: James I: Volume 13: March-April, 1605. Calendar of State Papers Domestic: James I, 1603-1610, Mary Anne Everett Green (Editor) (1857). URL:
There is a reference to a Giles Thornton who was engaged in the East India Company circa 1610.
"Next day, Giles Thornton, the master of the Trades-increase, came from Sir Henry Middleton, to let me know that he had got possession of all the Indian ships he desired. These were the _Rekemi_, of 1500 tons; the _Hassany_, of 600; the _Mahmudi_ of Surat, of 150; the _Salamitae_, of 450; the _Cadree_, of 200; the _Azum Khani_, belonging to the Shah-bandar of Mokha, all belonging to Diu; besides three Malabar ships, the _Cadree_ of Dabul, of 400 tons, and a great ship of Cananore. Mr Thornton told me, that before I could get into the road of Assab, Sir Henry and Captain Saris, with all their people, would be gone ashore to receive the King of _Rahayta_, who was come with his nobles and guards to visit the two generals. " From "A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels," Vol. VIII. by Robert Kerr.
The village of Birkin is between Wakefield and Pontefract. Hull is the port due east of the latter.
"It is quite likely that the Thorntons of Birkin descended directly or collaterally from the Robert Thornton who may have transcribed the "Thornton Romances." - from "Some Things We Have Remembered" by Samuel Thornton(13) Robert Thornton (1454)
Of East Newton, in the North Riding of Yorkshire; see above. East Newton is on the North Sea coast, just a little northeast of Hull. Robert married Jane, daughter of William Layton [or Langton] of Sproxton. They had twelve children. William, Robert (Died young), Thomas, Martin, Robert, Richard, George, John, Christopher, Francis, Elizabeth, and Anne.
(14) Christopher Thornton (c1490)Of Burstwick. This village is just east, by a little southeast, of Hull. He married Margaret. A Christopher Thornton, the son of Robert Thornton and Jane Layton, was born in 1496 in East Newton. This may be our Christopher, but it is by no means certain. From the will of John Tennyson of Riall, near Hull, probated in 1546:
". . . Item I give to Chr'ofer Thornton a yewe and a lambe. Item I give to Margaret Thornton a yewe lamb . . . Item I give to Edwarde Tennyson xx yewes and iijl vjs viijd in money, and John Thornton to have the tuycion and guydinge of hyme and his parte to he be of lawfull aidge. Item I give to John Thornton('s) wif a cowe . . . Item I will that William Holme, William Thornton, and Henrie Thornton be the supervisors of this my will, and I give to evy one of theme for ther paynes takinge viijs." - from "Miscellanea Genealogica Et Heraldica"Footnote's indicate that Christopher was "apparently father-in-law of testator." John was the son of Christopher and Margaret. Edward Tennyson was a younger son of the testator. The testator's wife was Margaret [Thornton?]. William and Henry Thornton were "? sons of Christopher Thornton."
Christophers children were John, William, Henry, and Margaret. Margaret married John Tennyson.
(15) John Thornton (c1520)Of Hull, Gentleman and merchant. He was born in 1529 [?].
"He was son of Christopher Thornton above named, who was ninth son of Robert Thornton of East Newton." - from "Miscellanea Genealogica Et Heraldica"He may also be the son of John Thornton, who died in 1540 in Hull, by his wife Margaret, who died in 1551. John married Joan, the daughter of Ralph Constable of St. Sepulchre's in Holderness. Alderman, Hull by 1550, mayor 1555-6, 1566-7, 1577-8; commr. to inquire into offences against Acts of Uniformity and Supremacy c.1568, of array, Hull 1569; eccles. commr. 1573; gov. Hull fellowship of merchants 1577. M.P. for the booough 1555, 1563, 1571 and 1585 [the latter may be for his son, John].
"By an indenture dated Feb. 12, 2 Elizabeth (1560), Thomas Elrington of Willesden Co. Midd. esquire granted bargained and sold to John Thornton of Kingston upon Hull merchant and Thomas Alreade of the same esquire, their heirs and assigns for ever all his lands tenements &c. in the town and townfields of Preston in Holderness Co. York for in the parish of Preston." - from "The Genealogical Magazine"See Alreade mentioned below under John's sons, John and Christopher. From the will of John Tennyson's eldest son, Christopher, probated in 1580.
". . . Item I give and bequithe unto Marmaduke Tennyson my sone . . . one close called the Mylne Hill close laitlie purchased of John Thornton of Hull, Gentleman . . . and the firste payment to begyne when one lease is ended which Robert Thornton hathe by the grante and assignment of the foresaide John Thornton of Hull, Gentleman . . . Item I give to John Thornton my uncle of Hull xl, and to Joan his wife xs. Item I give to Xpofer Thornton and John Thornton my said Uncle John sones to either of theme xs. Item I give to Anne Thornton, Francis Thornton, Margaret Thornton, and Elizabethe Thornton, my said Uncle John his doughters ev'yone of theme one ewe and a lambe. Item my will is that Elizabeth Tennyson my wiffe shall have my farme at Ryall which I have by the grant [i.e. a lease] of my Uncle John Thornton of Hull that I dwell in . . ." - from "Miscellanea Genealogica Et Heraldica"Footnotes indicate that John Thornton was Christopher Tennyson's uncle. John's children were Christopher, John, Anne, Francis, Margaret and Elizabeth. John Thornton,
"John Thornton, my uncle, purchased the manor of Ryhill and lands there, in Paule and the district, at Easter 1566. He was mayor of Hull 1555, 1566, 1577; he was M.P. for the borough 1555, 1563, 1571 and (if it were not his son John) in 1585. He was the son of Christopher Thornton, above named, who was ninth son of Robert Thornton of East Newton. He married before 1546 Jane (or Joan), daughter of Ralph Constable of St. Sepulchre's, Hedon, by his first wife Joan Clifton, who was coheir of her mother. Ralph Constable was second son of Sir John Constable by Agnes Metham." - from "Miscellanea Genealogica Et Heraldica"
"Christopher Tennyson bought property in Ryhill from John Thornton, merchant, and Joan his wife in 1578 . . . Six years later we find one Marmaduke Tennyson, in conjunction with John Thornton, gent., passing certain lands, and in 1591 buying a messauge and lands in Riston and Arnold." - from "Notes and Queries"
Another source has things a little differently.
"Thomas [sic] Thornton of Hull married Jane, the daughter of Ralph Constable of St. Sepulchre's, in Newton juxta Hedon." - from "The Scots Peerage"Ralph Constable was of Woodhouse Grange in Swine and the Charterhouse in Preston, county York. Ralph was the second son of Sir John Constable of Burton, county York. Ralph's wife was Eleanor, daughter and heir of Ezekias Clifton. Ralph's first daughter was Eleanor who married Thomas Alured of Charterhouse. See "John Aired of the charterhouse nigh Hull," below.
John died in 1601. John and Joan's children were,
(16) John & Christopher Thornton (c1550)
(16) Anne Thornton
(16) Frances Thornton
(16) Margaret Thornton
(16) Elizabeth Thornton
(16) Robert Thornton (c1550), perhaps
Of Hull and Beverley. "Xpofer Thornton and John Thornton my said Uncle John sones . . ." - from the will of Christopher Tennyson.
"16 December 1612. Assignment relating to property at Preston. Parties: 1) John Thornton late of Edmonton, Middlesex 2) William Hirst of Intwood, Norfolk Property: rent of £10 from moiety of closes called High Twier [High Leese; Low Tier, the Park, the Ashes and Maltson) Recites lease of the premises (then in occupation of Michael Constable of Seapulchers near Hedon) by John and Christopher Thornton of Hull to John Aired of the charterhouse nigh Hull (22 Jan 1589) Witnesses: Samuel Wilkinson, Jonathan Hirst and James Saddock." - from "The National Archives," EnglandPreston is a town in Yorkshire, just north of Hedon, and east of Hull. East Newton is to the northeast, on the coast. The "John Thornton of Preston, esq" whose son, Charles Richard Thornton, left properties to Giles Thornton Heysham, was of Preston, Lancashire. Michael Constable was Ralph Constable's son, the younger brother of John Thornton's wife, Jane. John Aired was probably John Alured, Jane Constable Thornton's nephew via her sister Eleanor's marriage to Thomas Alured of the Charterhouse, Hull. John Alured died in 1592, not long after John and Christopher leased the property to him, but before the time of this assignment. (17) Henry Thornton (c1580)
(18) Christopher Thornton (c1600)
(19) Henry Thornton (1619)
Henrie Thornton, the son of Christofer Thornton and Anne Johnson, was christened on 28 October 1619 in Rylstone, Yorkshire. Or was this the marriage of Henrie Christopher Thornton and Anne Johnson on 28 October 1619 in Rylstone? Does Rylstone equal Ryall, Ryhill, and/or Ryalhill?
(16) Robert Thornton (c1550)?? He was born circa 1550. Robertus Thorneton married Jenewta Carr [Janet Carr] on 5 February 1587 in Giggleswick, Yorkshire. This village is near Settle, almost in Lancashire. Could this be right?
". . . the firste payment to begyne when one lease is ended which Robert Thornton hathe by the grante and assignment of the foresaide John Thornton of Hull, Gentleman." - from the will of Christopher TennysonRobert died in 1616, His son was Robert. (17) Robert Thornton (c1580)
Of Birkin, a village just north of the river Aire, about 4 miles northeast of Pontefract. He was born circa 1580. I have a Robert Thornton, the son of Robert Thornton, christened on 15 October 1587 in Guiseley, Yorkshire. Is that our man? Guiseley is north of Bradford. A loyalist during the Civil War, for which he suffered greatly.
"The Rev. Robert Thornton, M.A. rector of Birkin, in that shire, was eminently distinguished during the civil conflicts of the reign of Charles I. for his loyalty to his king and attachment to the church of England. His great and manifold privations in those distressing times are fully related in "Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy. Mr. Thornton, who was removed from his rectory during the Protectorate, but reinstated at the Restoration, died in 1665, and lies interred in the church of Birkin, where a monument is erected to his memory." - from "A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain"He married Alice Hamsworth. He died in 1665. His son was Robert. (18) Robert Thornton (1623)
Rector of Birkin. He was born in 1623. Henry Thornton's gg grandfather.
"His son [The Rev. Robert Thornton's, above],He married Clara. Robert died in 1697. They had 9 children, including Robert, Samuel, William (1669-1718, rector of Birkin), Thomas, Margaret, Elizabeth, and John (1664). (19) John Thornton (c1660)The Rev. Robert Thornton, A.M. rector of Birkin, "who," as the inscription on his tomb relates, "having lived happily about forty-five years with his wife, Mrs. Clare Thornton, a virtuous charitable and hospitable house-keeper, by whom he had nine children, buried her 3rd December, 1696, aged 65 years, and himself was laid with her, 2nd February, 1697, in the 74th year of his age. Mr. Thornton had issue,
John.
William, in holy orders, A.M. rector of Birkin, who died in 1718.
Margaret, m. to the Rev. Robert Banks, M.A. prebendary of Stillington.
Elizabeth, d. unm." - from "A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain"
He was born in, perhaps, 1664. Merchant of Hull and leading exporter of cloth and lead.
"The elder son,He married Jane Field, daughter of John Field, esq. of Kingston-upon-Hull, by Sarah, daughter of Robert Wood, esq. of Monk Bretton, in Yorkshire.John Thornton, esq. merchant in Hull, erected the monument in Birkin church to the memory of his ancestors, . . ." - from "A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain"
"Although descended from a succession of Yorkshire clergymen, John Thornton, the common ancestor of the London Thorntons, was a merchant in Hull in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century. His two sons, Godfrey and Robert, the latter the grandfather of Henry [a famous economist], both went to London and appear to have engaged in the trade with Russia and the Baltic. Both were directors of the Bank of England, as was also the son of the former, the young Godfrey, in whose counting-house his cousin's son Henry, the subject of this memoir, was to serve his apprenticeship . . . in the firm of Thornton, Cornwall & Co." - from "The Trend of Economic Thinking" by Friedrich August Hayek and William Warren.He died in 1729, per "Wilberforce: Family and Friends" by Anne Stott, but in 1731 per several other sources. His daughter, Sarah, married William Wilberforce (1690-1776), Alderman, the son of Samuel Wilberforce, in 1711. William had moved to Hull from Beverley to be apprenticed to John Thornton.
Their children were,
(20) Robert Thornton (c1690)
(20) Joseph Thornton
(20) John Thornton
(20) Godfrey Thornton (1701)
(20) William Thornton, stayed in Hull, his daughter Sarah m. Robert Thornton esq of Kensington
(20) Sarah Thornton, who married William Wilberforce, the Mayor of Hull. Her grandson was William Wilberforce, the leader of the anti-slavery movement.
Merchant; he went to London and Clapham Common. A Director of the Bank of England. He married Hannah Swynocke. His daughter, Hannah, married William Wilberforce (1721-1777).
"The Thornntons too were Baltic merchants in Hull. They were doubly related to the Wilberforces through a marriage of William Wilberforce (the Emancipator's grandfather) to a daughter of John Thornton early in the previous century; and later, through the marriage of William Wilberforce's uncle to a grand-daughter of the same John Thornton. This Mrs Wilberforce was therefore aunt to both William Wilberforce and Henry Thornton." - from "The Parting of Friends: The Wilberforces and Henry Manning" by David Newsome(21) John Thornton (1720)
The only son of Robert Thornton. A merchant of Clapham Common and an early Evangelical. He married Lucy Watson, the daughter and heir of Samuel Watson, esq. by Margaret, his wife, daughter of Sir Henry Hoghton, bt. of Hoghton Tower. He died in 1790.
His sons were,
(22) Samuel Thornton (1754)
(22) Robert Thornton (c1759)
(22) Henry Thornton (1760)
(22) Jane Thornton, who married Alexander, Earl of Leven
(22) Lucy Thornton, died unmarried
Member of Parliament. Governor of the Bank of England. He died in 1838.
(22) Robert Thornton (c1759)Member of Parliament. Chairman of the East India Company. He died in 1826.
(22) Henry Thornton (1760)Banker. Member of Parliament. He married Marianne Sykes (1765-1815). He served his apprenticeship in the counting-house of his cousin, Godfrey Thornton.
". . . Both William Wilberforce and Henry Thornton abandoned any direct participation in the affairs of their trading firms. Henry Thornton became a partner in the London banking house of Down, Free and Thornton in 1784." - from "The Parting of Friends: The Wilberforces and Henry Manning" by David Newsome(20) Godfrey Thornton (1701)
A Director of the Bank of England. His children were William (assumed maternal name, Astell, m. Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Thornton, dsp), Robert (m. Sarah, daughter of William Thornton esq, dsp), Godfrey, Charles dsp, John dsp.
"Godfrey Thornton, Esq. of Clapham, a director of the Bank of England, b. in 1701, fourth son of John Thornton, Esq., merchant of Hull, m. Margaret, daug. of William Astell, Esq. of Everton, and had . . . three sons . . . William d.s.p. . . . Robert d.s.p.. . . and Godfrey. Mr. Thornton d. in 1751." - Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry"
"But in 1732, Godfrey Thornton, of London, and William Thornton, of Hull, sons of John Thornton, a Hull merchant, and brothers-in- law of William Wilberforce, had here their buildings for boiling, baking, and refining sugar, first illustrated in Gent's "History of Hull." In 1752, in the time of their nephew, John Thornton, of Clapham, who married Lucy Watson, of Hull, a distill house had been lately built, with a double refining house." - from "Transactions of the Hull Scientific and Field Naturalists' Club"(21) Godfrey Thornton (c1730)
A Director of the Bank of England. His son was Stephen, also a Director of the Bank of England.
Oxenecliff [Dom], Oxiclive [1176], Oxeclive [1200[, Hoxeclive [1247], Oxclifve [1254].
Master of the Rolls, the third most senior judge in England, and Master of the Faculties during the reign of King Charles I. By the way, he had to pay to become Master of the Rolls. The office reportedly cost 15,000 pounds, but the King was so ashamed of this highway robbery that he gave back 3,000 pounds upon Sir Charles' death in 1643. 
The family was seated at East Newton Hall, a house dating from the early 17th century, in Oswaldkirk, Yorkshire. The Hall, or what remains of it, has been converted into a farmhouse, and is today a "bed and breakfast." The Thorntons remained in possession of the manor until 1692, when Thomas Comber, Dean of Durham and rector of Stonegrave, and Thomas Purchase, who had married respectively Alice and Katharine, the daughters of William Thornton, conveyed the manors of Laysthorpe and East Newton to Sir Brian Stapleton and others.