Samuel Isaac Thornton, Sr.

Samuel Thornton was born in Matthew's Bluff, South Carolina. His wife's name was Naomi but her maiden name is not known at this time. They were the parents of Ezekiel; Elbert; reddick and Isaac (these are the known children). on October 2, 1832, Samuel Thornton applied for a revolutionary War Soldier's Pension. When Samuel volunteered for service he was living on the south fork of the Catawba River in North Carolina. He volunteered in the North Carolina Militia about 1778. His Captain was Joseph McDowell and he was in the regiment of Colonel Charles McDowell. He fought in the Battle of Stono Ferry on June 20, 1779 (just outside of Charleston, SC). From Stono, Samuel stated that his regiment went to Orangeburg and were stationed at "Old Ridge House." Then they marched to Hollow Creek, South Carolina where he was in a skirmish. His officers were General Butler and Captain Turner. Later he claims that he was at King's Mountain at Ferguson's defeat. When the war was over Samuel returned to the vicinity of his birthplace to live. In his pension application he states that he lost his home by fire in Burke County about 1792. the memorial plaque at Beard's Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Tattnall County, Georgia names twelve signers of the originating constitution. Among these are Samuel and Ezekiel Thornton. According to a sworn ststement made by his son Isaac in 1852, Samuel died March 7, 1847 at the age of 92. it is believed that Samuel could be buried in an unmarked grave at Beard's Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Tattnall County, Georgia since he moved back to that area prior to his death. Source: "The Thorntons of Old Appling County, Georgia" by Wilbur G. Thornton