Presley Thornton

Presley Thornton was a planter and public official in Colonial Virginia. Thornton served as member of the House of Burgesses for Northumberland County from 1748–49 and 1752–61. Thornton was the great-grandson of William Thornton who arrived in Virginia from England as late as 1646 settling in Gloucester County, Virginia. He was through his paternal line a cousin of fellow burgesses, Francis Thornton of Spotsylvania, George Thornton of Spotsylvania, William Thornton of King George and William Thornton of Richmond County, Virginia and William Thornton of Brunswick County. In addition to his fellow burgesses he was a distant cousin of the future Presidents James Madison and Zachary Taylor.