Generation: 3: On to Southern Kentucky...

Generation No. 3

6. William Frank3 Thornton (Robert Benton2, William1) was born Abt. 1841 in Jackson County, TN, and died 1923 in Jackson County, TN. He married (1) ?. She was born Bef. 1845, and died Bef. 1870. He married (2) Elizabeth Osborne December 14, 1872 in Horn House, Simpson County, KY, daughter of Harrison Osborne and Polly ?. She was born in Jackson County, TN, and died 1936 in Jackson County, TN.

Notes for William Frank Thornton:
William F, his wife, and young son moved to Jackson County, TN, in which Elizabeth Osborne's family resided and where most of the second generation of Thorntons had reportedly found their wives and husbands. We also know that William F served in the Civil War on the side of the Union, and perhaps Confederacy too, and is listed as "Co K 1st U.S. Cavalry" at his burial site in Pharris Cemetery, Gainesboro.

According to Union Army records, William enlisted March 4, 1862 and deserted Sept. 9, 1862 in Bowling Green, KY. (Distinguished service) No later record.

Co. A 9th Infantry Regiment of Kentucky Union Army.


More About William Frank Thornton:
Burial: Pharris Cemetery, Jackson County, TN
Census: 1910, Jackson County with wife, Claude, and sister-in-law, Martha Osborne

More About Elizabeth Osborne:
Burial: Pharris Cemetery, Jackson County, TN

Child of William Thornton and Lillie Stag is:
24. i. James P4 Thornton, b. March 17, 1866, Warren County, KY; d. May 06, 1942, Jackson County, TN.


Child of William Thornton and Elizabeth Osborne is:
ii. Claude L4 Thornton, b. November 08, 1886, Simpson County, KY; m. Dora Ann Roark; b. Abt. 1902.

Notes for Claude L Thornton:
Hard of hearing...

More About Claude L Thornton:
Census: 1930- His mother is living in his household; also, wife Dora and stepson Bailey Pharris.


7. Polly A3 Thornton (Robert Benton2, William1) was born Abt. 1849 in Jackson County, TN. She met Robert Campbell.

Child of Polly Thornton and Robert Campbell is:
25. i. Magaret Adelaide4 Campbell, b. 1867, Jackson County, TN; d. November 28, 1914, Simpson County, KY.


8. Margaret3 Thornton (Robert Benton2, William1) was born September 01, 1854 in Jackson County, TN, and died July 02, 1940 in Simpson County, KY. She married Sydney Jefferson Jones December 04, 1879 in Sumner County, TN. He was born August 1857 in Tennessee, and died August 22, 1948 in Simpson County, KY.

More About Margaret Thornton:
Burial: July 04, 1940, Blackjack Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

More About Sydney Jefferson Jones:
Burial: Blackjack Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

Children of Margaret Thornton and Sydney Jones are:
i. Minnie4 Jones, b. September 23, 1880.
26. ii. James Benton Jones, b. September 19, 1882, Simpson County, KY; d. 1947.
27. iii. Dock Jones, b. October 03, 1884, Simpson County, KY; d. 1950, Simpson County, KY.
28. iv. Katherine Jones, b. June 20, 1887.
29. v. Jeannette Myrtle Jones, b. May 20, 1890, Simpson County, KY; d. Abt. 1960, New Mexico.
vi. William Homer Jones, b. August 07, 1893; d. April 1978; m. Lillie V ?.


9. John H3 Thornton (Robert Benton2, William1) was born Abt. 1856 in Simpson County, KY, and died June 04, 1927 in Simpson County, KY. He married Sarah Elizabeth Kitchens August 10, 1880 in Sumner County, TN, daughter of Jesse Kitchens and Elizabeth Cassidy. She was born 1866 in Kentucky, and died 1934 in Portland, Sumner County, TN.

Notes for John H Thornton:
Poor John H. shared his first name with so many family members that he was placed in several different branches by different researchers; therefore, when his son John W. died, the writers of his obituary assumed that John W. had been named after his father. Thus, with such evidence, many placed him in the James and Lucy Laney Thornton line and claimed that he had been born John William, even though John W. was rather young comparatively. As we all know, census takers and family members are remarkably creative in estimating ages!!! I have placed him in the Robert Benton Thornton line for five reasons:

1) It seemed rather more likely that a son would have moved with the Benton household to Woodburn, rather than a nephew and his family;

2) The 1896 Warren County School Census lists John H ('H' written at later date) and Sarah L Thornton as the parents of Jesse Benton, Arthur, and Robert;

3) The Sumner County Marriage Index listed him as "John H";

4) The Brownlee and Turner Funeral Home listed him as John H Thornton and noted his age as 72, occupation: farmer.

5) The Benton name passed down through John H.; His son was Jesse Benton Thornton, his great-grandson Philip Benton Thornton. John H.'s brothers and sisters also used the Benton name. (see Benton Jones and Benton Thornton); however, James, William, and Allen's respective families did not use the name.

Also, as a note of interest, Charley Stout signed John and Lizzie's marriage bond, and John's daughter Della would later marry a Stout-perhaps, a son.

Two of his sons said their dad had been buried in Blackjack right next to Clarence Thornton; however, there is no marker and no record exists, except for the Brownlee and Turner Death Records listing Blackjack as the burial site.

More About John H Thornton:
Burial: June 06, 1927, Blackjack Cemetery, Simpson County, KY
Funeral Home: Brownlee and Turner

More About Sarah Elizabeth Kitchens:
Burial: Maple Hill Cemetery, Portland, TN

Children of John Thornton and Sarah Kitchens are:
30. i. Robert Monroe4 Thornton, b. May 13, 1884, Warren County, KY; d. June 11, 1969, Corydon, Indiana.
31. ii. Jesse Benton Thornton, b. September 1885, Warren County, KY; d. 1979, Portland, Sumner County, TN.
32. iii. Arthur Thornton, b. February 27, 1890, Warren County, KY; d. August 1978, Wyatt, Missouri.
33. iv. Della Thornton, b. March 12, 1896, Warren County, KY; d. June 1973, Portland, Sumner County, TN.
34. v. John William Thornton, b. 1898; d. 1991.
35. vi. James Hershel Thornton, b. July 24, 1903, Simpson County, KY; d. 1998, Nashville, Davidson County, TN.


10. Allen M3 Thornton (Robert Benton2, William1) was born March 1857. He married Sallie J Miller December 04, 1879 in Sumner County, TN.

More About Allen M Thornton:
AKA (Facts Pg): Tobe B
Census: 1900- Creek Nation, Indian Territory, Oklahoma
Census 2: 1920-Kay, Oklahoma with Looney Family
Census 3: 1930- Kay, Oklahoma with Murphy household

Children of Allen Thornton and Sallie Miller are:
i. Maggie E4 Thornton, b. 1882.
ii. Addie L Thornton, b. 1885, Kentucky.
36. iii. Gertrude Thornton, b. 1887.
iv. James Ervin Thornton, b. March 27, 1889, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

More About James Ervin Thornton:
Military service: World War I

37. v. Robert Earl Thornton, b. August 18, 1895, Oklahoma; d. March 1987, Ponca City, Oklahoma.
vi. Betty E Thornton, b. 1899.
vii. Lela Thornton, b. 1900.


11. Robert F3 Thornton (Robert Benton2, William1) was born Abt. 1865 in Simpson County, KY, and died 1950 in Simpson County, KY. He married (1) Elizabeth Woolbright 1888. He married (2) Eliza Jane Kirby March 13, 1895 in Sumner County, TN, daughter of Wayman Kirby and Malinda Butler. She was born 1879 in Simpson County, KY, and died 1961 in Simpson County, KY.

More About Robert F Thornton:
Burial: Stevenson Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

More About Eliza Jane Kirby:
Burial: Stevenson Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

Child of Robert Thornton and Elizabeth Woolbright is:
38. i. Laura Ethel4 Thornton, b. November 20, 1889; d. July 17, 1976, Warren County, KY.


Children of Robert Thornton and Eliza Kirby are:
ii. Eli Vernon4 Thornton, b. January 14, 1896, Simpson County, KY; d. October 07, 1942, Simpson County, KY; m. Belle Kate Payne.

More About Eli Vernon Thornton:
Burial: Stevenson Cemetery, Simpson County, KY
Cause of Death: Automobile accident

39. iii. Lillie Frances Thornton, b. April 20, 1897, Simpson County, KY; d. November 30, 1982, Limestone, Alabama.
40. iv. Charles Cook Thornton, b. October 17, 1898, Simpson County, KY; d. July 14, 1976, Simpson County, KY.
v. Ruby K Thornton, b. 1902, Simpson County, KY; d. July 15, 1919, Simpson County, KY.

More About Ruby K Thornton:
Burial: Stevenson Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

vi. King Derris Thornton, b. 1907, Simpson County, KY; d. February 07, 1917, Simpson County, KY.

More About King Derris Thornton:
Burial: Stevenson Cemetery, Simpson County, KY


12. Mary Elizabeth3 Thornton (Allen Ellis2, William1)1 was born November 19, 1848 in Simpson County, KY, and died August 26, 1921 in Simpson County, KY. She married (1) William McReynolds. She married (2) Fernly Alexander Sloan, son of Ben Sloan and Polly Cook. He was born April 20, 1850 in Tennessee, and died May 05, 1918 in Simpson County, KY.

More About Mary Elizabeth Thornton:
AKA (Facts Pg): Lizzie1
Burial: August 28, 1921, Shady Grove Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

More About Fernly Alexander Sloan:
Burial: Shady Grove Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

Children of Mary Thornton and Fernly Sloan are:
41. i. James Thomas4 Sloan, b. August 09, 1873, Simpson County, KY; d. December 24, 1915, Simpson County, KY.
42. ii. Allen W Sloan, b. December 10, 1875, Simpson County, KY; d. May 12, 1948, Simpson County, KY.
43. iii. Ben Sloan, b. June 13, 1878, Simpson County, KY; d. April 10, 1952, Simpson County, KY.
44. iv. Florence Viteria Sloan, b. 1880; d. May 25, 1954, Simpson County, KY.
v. Alma Sloan, b. October 31, 1882; d. June 18, 1968.

More About Alma Sloan:
Burial: Shady Grove Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

45. vi. Edgar Hershel Sloan, b. 1886, Simpson County, KY; d. October 01, 1962, Simpson County, KY.
46. vii. May Sloan, b. February 01, 1889; d. September 04, 1958.


13. Margaret3 Thornton (Allen Ellis2, William1) was born 1852 in Simpson County, KY, and died 1917 in Sparta, TN. She married Jacob Petway McReynolds December 22, 1875 in Simpson County, KY, son of William McReynolds and Laura Richardson. He was born December 1851 in Simpson County, KY, and died 1943 in Kentucky.

Children of Margaret Thornton and Jacob McReynolds are:
i. Amelia C4 McReynolds, b. 1878.
47. ii. George Baskel McReynolds, b. February 03, 1883, Simpson County, KY; d. June 23, 1957, Simpson County, KY.
48. iii. Minnie McReynolds, b. March 1893, Kentucky; d. Williamson County, TN.


14. William Haywood3 Thornton (Allen Ellis2, William1) was born 1859. He married Martha Gregory.

Child of William Thornton and Martha Gregory is:
i. Charlie A4 Thornton, b. 1883, Simpson County, KY; d. 1888, Simpson County, KY.

More About Charlie A Thornton:
Burial: Round Pond Cemetery, Simpson County, KY


15. Cassandra3 Thornton (Allen Ellis2, William1) was born March 27, 1861 in Simpson County, KY, and died October 26, 1929 in Simpson County, KY. She married (1) King J Wright, son of William Wright and Nancy Dixon. He was born September 23, 1858 in Simpson County, KY, and died October 28, 1922 in Simpson County, KY. She married (2) Berry Henson.

More About Cassandra Thornton:
AKA (Facts Pg): Cassie
Burial: Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Simpson County, KY

More About King J Wright:
Burial: Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Simpson County, KY

Children of Cassandra Thornton and King Wright are:
49. i. Lassie Gertrue4 Wright, b. November 11, 1882, Simpson County, KY; d. August 03, 1953, Simpson County, KY.
ii. Edna Wright, b. 1885; m. John Phillips.
50. iii. Clarence Lester Wright, b. August 18, 1887, Simpson County, KY; d. August 24, 1939, Woodburn, Warren County, KY.
51. iv. Finis Ewing Wright, b. June 03, 1891, Simpson County, KY; d. 1949.
52. v. Ruby Viola Wright, b. June 29, 1899; d. March 31, 1978, Simpson County, KY.


16. Allen Ellis3 Thornton (Allen Ellis2, William1) was born 1871 in Simpson County, KY, and died January 10, 1956 in Simpson County, KY. He married Lena Bell Harris April 20, 1902 in Sumner County, TN, daughter of Frank Harris and Sallie Stinson. She was born April 16, 1879 in Simpson County, KY, and died May 02, 1942 in Simpson County, KY.

More About Allen Ellis Thornton:
Burial: Shady Grove Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

More About Lena Bell Harris:
Burial: Shady Grove Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

Children of Allen Thornton and Lena Harris are:
i. Milas Huston4 Thornton, b. 1908; d. November 07, 1955, St. Petersburg, FL; m. Gladys Holland, 1930; b. 1909, Allen County, KY; d. 1999, Franklin, Simpson County, KY.

More About Gladys Holland:
Burial: Greenlawn Cemetery, Simpson County, KY
Religion: Mount Vernon Baptist

ii. Huston Thornton, b. 1904.
53. iii. Grace Mae Thornton, b. February 08, 1907, Simpson County, KY; d. February 24, 1931, Simpson County, KY.


17. William James3 Thornton (William Haywood2, William1) was born January 22, 1861 in Simpson County, KY, and died May 10, 1919 in Allen County, KY. He married Jane Marshall.

More About William James Thornton:
Burial: Walker's Chapel Cemetery, Allen County, KY

Children of William Thornton and Jane Marshall are:
54. i. Dora Ellen4 Thornton, b. April 14, 1892; d. October 15, 1952, Allen County, Kentucky.
55. ii. Erma Thornton.


18. Mathew Turner3 Thornton (William Haywood2, William1) was born February 23, 1864 in Simpson County, KY, and died June 23, 1938 in Allen County, KY. He met Dora Ellen Thornton, daughter of William Thornton and Jane Marshall. She was born April 14, 1892, and died October 15, 1952 in Allen County, Kentucky.

More About Mathew Turner Thornton:
Burial: Walker's Chapel Cemetery, Allen County, KY

Child of Mathew Thornton and Dora Thornton is:
i. Viola Mae4 Thornton, b. November 04, 1907; m. Tim C Kisselbaugh, August 17, 1927, Logan County, KY; b. Abt. 1897, Logan County, KY.

Notes for Viola Mae Thornton:
Acted as surrogate grandmother to Steve and Cliff Jones, her next door neighbor's children.


19. William Virgil3 Thornton (James Allen2, William1) was born 1866 in Simpson County, KY, and died February 09, 1955 in Simpson County, KY. He married (1) Magaret Adelaide Campbell 1886 in Benton Thornton's house, Simpson County, KY, daughter of Robert Campbell and Polly Thornton. She was born 1867 in Jackson County, TN, and died November 28, 1914 in Simpson County, KY. He married (2) Bertha Louise Dobbs August 24, 1918 in Sumner County, TN. She was born 1900 in Sumner County, TN, and died 1980 in Woodburn, Warren County, KY.

More About William Virgil Thornton:
Burial: Blackjack Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

More About Magaret Adelaide Campbell:
AKA (Facts Pg): Maggie
Burial: Blackjack Cemetery, Simpson County, KY
Cause of Death: Tuberculosis

Children of William Thornton and Magaret Campbell are:
56. i. Maude Gertrude4 Thornton, b. January 22, 1886; d. 1950.
57. ii. Claudius Herschel Thornton, b. Abt. 1889, Simpson County, KY.
iii. Eva Lena Thornton, b. July 10, 1891, Simpson County, KY; d. November 1967, Troy, Obion County, TN; m. William Robert Harrigan, March 03, 1917; b. September 07, 1890, Woodburn, Warren County, KY; d. July 1963, Tennessee.

More About William Robert Harrigan:
Census: 1930 Troy, Obion County, Tennessee

iv. Clarence Marshall Thornton, b. December 13, 1893, Simpson County, KY; d. 1915, Clovis, New Mexico.

Notes for Clarence Marshall Thornton:
On advice from his doctor, hoping to slow the ravages of tuberculosis, Clarence moved to New Mexico, but, nevertheless, died soon after.

More About Clarence Marshall Thornton:
Burial: Blackjack Cemetery, Simpson County, KY
Cause of Death: Tuberculosis

58. v. Berttina Mae Thornton, b. September 04, 1896, Simpson County, KY.
vi. Goeble Bryan Thornton, b. April 14, 1900, Simpson County, KY; d. October 04, 1917, Simpson County, KY.

More About Goeble Bryan Thornton:
Burial: Black Jack Cemetery, Simpson County, KY
Cause of Death: Tuberculosis

59. vii. Clifton Charles Thornton, b. July 21, 1903, Bowling Green, KY; d. January 19, 1988, Fulton, Missouri.
viii. Charlo Thornton, b. 1904.
60. ix. Verna Violet Thornton, b. July 16, 1906, Simpson County, KY; d. March 1991, Troy, Obion County, TN.
x. J Vernon Thornton, b. July 21, 1907; m. Bonnie Verbal Spears, January 12, 1927, Sumner County, TN; b. 1906.

More About J Vernon Thornton:
Census: 1930 Peoria, Illinois

xi. Mary Alline Thornton, b. 1910; m. Hugh Dupree.


Children of William Thornton and Bertha Dobbs are:
xii. Merle G4 Thornton, b. January 10, 1926, Warren County, KY; d. January 24, 1926, Warren County, KY.

More About Merle G Thornton:
Burial: Black Jack Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

61. xiii. John Wilson Thornton, b. December 1926, Warren County, KY.
62. xiv. Woodie Smith Thornton, b. 1928, Warren County, KY; d. 1998, Bowling Green, Warren County, KY.
xv. Thomas Thornton.


20. Joe Hershel3 Thornton (James Allen2, William1) was born October 05, 1878 in Simpson County, KY, and died July 04, 1952 in Simpson County, KY. He married Mary Ellis August 19, 1900 in James Thornton's House, Simpson County, KY. She was born August 05, 1880 in Allen County, KY, and died November 15, 1968 in Logan County, KY.

More About Joe Hershel Thornton:
Burial: Woodburn Cemetery, Warren County, KY

More About Mary Ellis:
Burial: Woodburn Cemetery, Warren County, KY

Children of Joe Thornton and Mary Ellis are:
63. i. Velma Viola4 Thornton, b. 1902, Simpson County, KY; d. March 23, 1970, Warren County, KY.
ii. Gladys Thornton, b. 1903.
iii. Estelle Thornton, b. 1905; m. ? Parks.
iv. Paul Earl Thornton, b. 1907; d. June 11, 1966, Warren County, KY; m. Florence Proctor.

More About Paul Earl Thornton:
Burial: Fairview Cemetery

64. v. Roy Elvis Thornton, b. August 05, 1908; d. August 05, 1980, Logan County, KY.
65. vi. Edessa Lucille Thornton, b. March 07, 1917, Simpson County, KY; d. October 13, 2003, Logan County, KY.
vii. Mary F Thornton, b. 1922.
viii. Carl E Thornton, b. May 08, 1912, Warren County, KY; d. March 18, 1927, Warren County, KY.

More About Carl E Thornton:
Cause of Death: Tuberculosis


21. Mary Jane3 Thornton (James Allen2, William1) was born March 03, 1863 in Simpson County, KY, and died September 02, 1949 in Allen County, Kentucky. She married Samuel David Watkins March 01, 1885 in Sumner County, TN, son of Samuel Watkins and Martha Ramsey. He was born December 03, 1859 in Simpson County, KY, and died January 15, 1942 in Allen County, Kentucky.

More About Mary Jane Thornton:
Burial: September 04, 1949, Walker's Chapel Cemetery, Allen County, KY

More About Samuel David Watkins:
Burial: Walker's Chapel Cemetery, Allen County, KY

Children of Mary Thornton and Samuel Watkins are:
i. Louie E4 Watkins, b. September 06, 1896; d. September 09, 1978, Tennessee.
ii. Gladys D Watkins, b. Abt. 1913.
iii. Rosie Watkins, b. August 16, 1888, Allen County, KY; d. October 17, 1918, Allen County, KY; m. ? Uhls.

More About Rosie Watkins:
Burial: Black Jack Cemetery, Simpson County, KY


22. James Allen3 Thornton (James Allen2, William1) was born January 01, 1867 in Simpson County, KY, and died January 11, 1951 in Simpson County, KY. He married Margaret Isabell Pearson, daughter of William Pearson and Barthelea ?. She was born 1867 in Simpson County, KY, and died 1963 in Simpson County, KY.

More About James Allen Thornton:
Burial: Greenlawn Cemetery, Simpson County, KY
Cause of Death: Pneumonia, Flu
Medical Information: Complicated by Cancer

More About Margaret Isabell Pearson:
Burial: Greenlawn Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

Children of James Thornton and Margaret Pearson are:
66. i. Emma4 Thornton, b. 1887.
67. ii. Myrtle Thornton, b. 1888.
iii. Charles Luther Thornton, b. 1891.
68. iv. Ruth E Thornton, b. May 27, 1898, Warren County, KY; d. September 26, 1984, Bowling Green, KY.
v. Mamie J Thornton, b. 1902.
vi. May Blanche Thornton, b. 1904; m. ? Brooks.
vii. Earline Thornton, m. ? White.


23. Marguerite Emily3 Thornton (James Allen2, William1) was born March 26, 1873 in Simpson County, KY, and died 1963 in Simpson County, KY. She married Jacob Wesley Spears March 26, 1903, son of William Spears and Mary Finn. He was born October 03, 1866 in Kentucky, and died April 11, 1963 in Sumner County, TN.

More About Marguerite Emily Thornton:
Burial: Greenlawn Cemetery, Simpson County, KY

Notes for Jacob Wesley Spears:
Daniel Mode Spears listed on census with half-sister...



Child of Marguerite Thornton and Jacob Spears is:
69. i. Bonnie Verbal4 Spears, b. June 13, 1905.