Presley Thornton was a planter and public official in Colonial Virginia.
Background
Thornton was the great-grandson of William Thornton who arrived in Virginia from England as late as 1646 settling in Gloucester County, Virginia. Thornton was born 1721 in King George County, Virginia to Anthony Thornton and Winifred Presley, the daughter of Peter Presley.
Career
In addition to his fellow burgesses he was a distant cousin of the future Presidents James Madison and Zachary Taylor. In most historical records he appears as Presley Thornton and was recorded as Presley Thornton in the House of Burgesses. He was elected to represent Northumberland in the House of Burgesses in 1748-1749 returned 1752- 1761 and was appointed to the King"s Council in 1760.
He was voted out of office in 1761 and retired and devoted his remaining years to his plantation.
Thornton"s sons served in the British military and his family were staunch loyalists unlike all other branches of the Thornton family. After the premature death of the junior Peter Presley Thornton, Thornton"s second son Presley Thornton returned from England and inherited Northumberland House.
The younger Thornton was pardoned and restored to full citizenship in 1783 and retained ownership of Northumberland House until 1800 upon which time he sold the entire estate and removed to Genesee, New New York Presley Thornton - married (daughter of Francis Thornton) removed to New New York
Membership
Thornton served as member of the House of Burgesses for Northumberland County from 1748-1749 and 1752-1761.