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John Wilkinson Family Tree

The Thornton Line Elizabeth Thornton (GGrandmother) 1870 - 1941 M John Wilkinson 1866 - 1951 James Thornton (2xGGrandfather) 1836 - ???? M Ann Rutherford 1840 - ???? John Thornton (3xGGrandfather) 1791 - ???? M Margery Hall 1803 - ???? Robert Thornton (4xGGrandfather) 1770 - ???? M Jane Nichol ???? - ???? Thomas Thornton (5xGGrandfather) 1742 - 1807 M Sarah Laidler 1749 - ???? Robert Thornton (6xGGrandfather) 1703 - 1773 M Jane ???????? ???? - ???? Henry Thornton (7xGGrandfather) 1680 - ???? M Jane Read ???? - ???? Nicholas Thornton (8xGGrandfather) 1657 - 1700 M Anne Swinburne 1667 - ???? John Thornton (9xGGrandfather) 1626 - ???? M Mary Tempest 1638 - ???? Sir Nicholas Thornton (10xGGrandfather) 1611 - ???? M Anne Widdrington ???? - ???? Nicholas Thornton (11xGGrandfather) ???? - 1633 M Jane Radcliffe ???? - ???? John Thornton (12xGGrandfather) ???? - ???? M Barbara Thornton ???? - ???? Laurence Thornton (13xGGrandfather) 1526 - ???? M Elizabeth Collingwood ???? - ???? Nicholas Thornton (14xGGrandfather) 1491 - 1533 M Margery Grey 1494 - ???? John Thornton (15xGGrandfather) 1464 - ???? M Margaret Mitford 1468 - ???? Roger Thornton (16xGGrandfather) 1420 - ???? M Johanna Law 1436 - ???? Roger Thornton (17xGGrandfather) ???? - 1429 M Agnes Wanton ???? - 1411

At the West Gate came Thornton in With a hap and a hap’ny and a lambskin The above refers to the arrival of Roger Thornton in Newcastle. Nobody is sure where he came from. He first appeared in Newcastle in 1385 as an exporter of wool and, later, lambskins. Another Thornton, John, was already established in Newcastle when Roger got there. He was possibly Rogers father or elder brother and was a collector of customs and pontage (bridge tolls) in the 1370’s and was appointed one of four bailiffs in 1382. From humble beginnings, Roger progressed to being the richest trader in the Newcastle area. Thornton turned more and more to dealing in lead and coal. He became a major supplier of coal to the London market, where he had a house in ‘Secolelane’ and other properties beside. In 1401 he leased the lead mines of Weardale from the Bishop of Durham and became a major producer of lead and silver. He also traded the dyestuffs woad and madder. He was a bailiff of Newcastle in 1396, and MP for the town in 1399. He who was credited with pulling off a tremendous coup when the new King, Henry IV, constituted Newcastle a county of itself, separate from Northumberland. Newcastle henceforth had its own sheriff. The bailiffs were discontinued, and Roger Thornton was the first mayor under the new regime. He was nine times mayor and represented Newcastle four times in Parliament. He gave lead to mend the roof of Newminster Abbey church, for which the abbot and brethren said Mass every day for his soul. St Nicholas church also benefitted by his generosity by receiving the great East Window. He also built a hospital for the poor in Sandhill, near the Tyne. Roger Thornton died in 1429 and was buried in All Saints Church, Newcastle. On his altar tomb was placed a splendid Flemish Brass with its beautifully engraved figures of Roger Thornton and his wife Agnes. Numerous effigies of Apostles and Saints with their various symbols are also shown. This Brass is one of the largest in Britain and is now located in St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle. The translation of the inscription around the edge of the Brass is as follows: Here lies mistress Agnes formerly wife of Roger Thornton who died in St. Katherine's Eve in the year of our Lord 1411. May God have mercy amen. Here lies Roger Thornton merchant of Newcastle upon Tyne who died in the year of our Lord 1429 on the 3rd day of January.

The Thornton Brass

Statue in Northumberland Street, Newcastle

James Thornton, my 2xGGrandfather, was born in 1836 at Stamfordham, Northumberland. In 1851 he was a farm servant but by 1871 he was married, living at Bedlington and working as a coal miner. He married Ann Rutherford who was born on 2nd August 1840 at Belford on 29th June 1859 at St Nicholas Church, Newcastle. They had twelve children including my GGrandmother Elizabeth Thornton. The others were :- Frances Thornton born 1860 at Bedlington. She married James Smith, a coalminer born in North Shields, in 1883 at Stakeford. They had three children, Jane born 1884 at Barrington, James born 1890 at Pegswood and Thomas born 1898 at Ashington. Frances died aged 69 in 1930. Margery Thornton was born on 29th December 1864 at Bedlington. She married James Hogg, a colliery blacksmith born in 1855 in scotland, in 1884 at Stakeford. They had two children, Walter born 1885 at Morpeth and James Thornton born 1887 at Pegswood. Margery died in 1936, aged 73 Jane Ann Thornton was born in 1865 at Bedlington. She married John Wandless, a coal miner born 1866 at Earsdon, in 1888. They had no children. John Thornton was born in 1866 at Bedlington. In the 1901 census he was single, living with his parents at Bedlington and working as a hewer in a coal mine. He married Margaret Jane Wilson, born 1875 at Haltwhistle, in 1907. Margaret had a daughter Elizabeth from a previous marriage but had two more children with John. They were Isabella born 1908 and John Thomas born 1910, both at Bedlington. Mary Thornton was born in 1868 at Bedlington. I can’t find any more records. James Thornton was born in 1873 at Bedlington. Again, I can’t find any more records. Thomas Rutherford Thornton was born in 1875 at Bedlington. In 1911 he was still single, living with his parents and working as a coal miner. William Walter Thornton was born in 1877 at Bedlington. In 1901 he was single, living with his parents and was a hewer in a coal mine. He died in 1940, aged 62. Mark Thornton was born in 1879 at Bedlington. He was a coal miner and married Elizabeth Newton in 1901. They had two children, Joseph Newton Thornton born 1902 at Barrington and John Wandless Thornton born 1906, also at Barrington. Mark died in 1911, aged 32. Elizabeth who was born in 1883 at Barrington, died aged 61 in 1944. Septimus Thornton was born in 1882 at Barrington and died in 1943 at Newcastle. I could not find any records of marriage. Hannah Thornton was born in 1889 at Barrington. I can’t find any further records.

John Thornton , my 3xGGrandfather, was born in 1791 at Hartburn, Northumberland. He worked as a farm labourer and married Margery Hall on 7th May 1822 at Hartburn. Margery was born on 3rd July 1803 at Elsdon. They had eight children including my 2xGGrandfather, James Thornton. The others were :- Jane Thornton was born in 1923 at Acton Cottage, Felton. She married George Rogerson, born 1824 at Woodhorn, in 1846. They had four children, Ann Rogerson, born 1849 at Stakeford, Mary Rogerson born 1851 at Stakeford, Jane Rogerson born 1857 at Netherton and George Rogerson born 1861 at Barrington. John Thornton was born in 1829 at Newburn. In the 1861 census he was a coal miner living at Kitty Brewster Lane, Cowpen.. He married Isabella Brown in 1855 and they had five children, Robert Thornton born 1853 at Hartley, Margaret Thornton born 1858 at Bebside, James Thornton born 1863 at Horton, Ann Eliza Thornton born 1864 at Horton and John Thornton born 1870 at Bedlington. John died in 1901 aged 72. Isabella died in 1908 aged 75. Joseph Thornton was born in 1831. I can’t find any more records for him. Thomas Thornton was born in 1836 at Stamfordham. Again, I can’t find any more records for him. Hall Thornton was born on 1st October 1838 at Black Callerton near Newburn. In the 1861 census he was a coal miner living at Bedlington. He married Barbara Allison on 21st August 1858 at the Consulate in Cologne, Prussia. Barbara was born in 1841 at South Church, Durham. By 1870 they had emigrated to Dunmore, Pennsylvania where he was still a coal miner. They had seven children, Margory Thornton born 1859 at Un Shelia, Prussia, Benjamin Thornton born 1861 at Kirkburn, New Winning, Northumberland, Mary E Thornton born 1866, John W Thornton born 1869 in Germany, Sepmay A Thornton born 1872 in Pennsylvania, Joseph Thomas Thornton born 1874 in Pennsylvania, Hall Allison Thornton born 1876 in Pennsylvania. Hall died on 4th October 1913, in Dunmore Pennsylvania. He was 75 years old. Randle Thornton was born in 1843 at Newburn. He was a coal miner and married Mary Oliver, born 1842, in 1863 at Stakeford. They had ten children, Margery Thornton born 29th December 1864 at Bedlington died 1936, Andrew Thornton born 1868 at Bedlington, John Thornton born 1870 at Bedlington, Margaret Jane Thornton born 1872 at Choppington, Watson liver Thornton born 1873 at Radcliffe, Ann Alice Thornton born 1874 at Radcliffe, Mary Phyllis Thornton born 1876 at Radcliffe, Randle Hall Thornton born 1877 at Radcliffe, Hannah Elizabeth Thornton born 1879 at Radcliffe, Joseph Hall Thornton born 1885 at Stobswood. Septimus Thornton was born in 1845 at Newburn. He was a coal miner and married Phillis Langlands, born 1844, in 1865. They had five children John Thornton born 1868 at Bedlington, Isabella Thornton born 1870 at Woodhorn, Margery Thornton born 1876 at Woodhorn, Septimus Hall Thornton born 1879 at Hazelrigg and Hannah Thornton born 1882 at Hazelrigg.

Robert Thornton , my 4xGGrandfather was born in 1770 at Hartburn. He married Jane Nichol but I can’t find any records relating to their marriage. They had five children including my 3xGGrandfather, John Thornton. The other children were :- Isabel Thornton was born in 1789 at Hartburn. and was baptised at Hartburn on 22nd April that year. Unfortunately another Isabel Thornton was baptised at Hartburn in the same year (daughter of Thomas Thornton and his wife Sarah) so I have not been able to locate any further records. Margaret Thornton was born in 1795 and baptised on 25th December the same year at Hartburn. She married Thomas Ferguson Dunn, born 1786 at Broad Dean, Hartburn, in 1821. also at Hartburn. Thomas was a farmer of 300 acres and they had eight children, Robert Dunn born 1822 at Long Witton Hartburn, died 1852 at Ralph Shield Hartburn, Margaret Dunn born 1827 at Hartburn, Sarah Dunn born 1829 at Hartburn, John Dunn born 1831 at Ralph Shield, died 1852 at Ralph Shield, Isaac Dunn born 1836 at Ralph Shield, Anthony born 1837 at Ralph Shield, Martha Dunn born 1845 at Hartburn and George Dunn born 1846 at Hartburn. Margaret died in 1874, aged 79 at Hartburn and husband Thomas died in 1860 aged 74 at Ralph Shield. Jane Thornton was born in 1797 and baptised on 27th July 1797 at Hartburn. She married Adam Rutherford, a cartman, born 1797 at Chatton, on 19th May 1818 at Hartburn. I can’t find any definite records of children. Elizabeth Thornton was born on 1st June and baptised on 18th June 1999 at Hartburn. I can’t find any further records relating to her.

Thomas Thornton, my 5xGGrandfather was born in 1742 and baptised on 10th February 1807 at Hartburn. He married Sarah Laidler on 1st December 1767 at Hartburn and they had nine children, the second eldest being my 4xGGrandfather Robert Thornton. The other children were :- Jane Thornton was born in 1768 and baptised on 3rd July at Hartburn. She died in childhood on 28th May 1772 also at Hartburn. Mary Thornton was born in 1772 and baptised on 1st September 1772 at Hartburn. I can’t find any further records relating to her. James Thornton was born in 1774 and was baptised on 27th November 1778 at Hartburn. He married Margaret Faell, born 1784 at Tosson, Northumberland, and they had five children, Elizabeth Thornton born 1814, William Thornton born 1817, James Thornton born 1819, Dorothy Thornton born 1821 and Sarah Ann Thornton born 1822, all at Hartburn Jane Thornton was born in 1778 and was baptised on 22nd November 1778 at Hartburn. I can’t find any further records relating to her. Thomas Thornton was born in 1783 and was baptised on 16th March 1783 at Hartburn. He died on 23rd February 1848 at Harwood, Northumberland. He married Jane Hall on 27th November 1810 and they had eight children, Sarah Thornton born 1811, Robert Thornton born 1813, Jane Thornton born 1815, Thomas Thornton born 1817, Anthony Hall Thornton John born 1819, Thornton Michael Thornton born 1823 and Mary Isabella Thornton born 1827, all at Hartburn. Luke Thornton was born in 1787, baptised on 6th September 1787 at Hartburn. He died on 19th December 1866 at Angerton Steads, Northumberland. In the 1861 census he was listed as a corn merchant, unmarried, aged 73 and boarding at 12 Newgate Street, Morpeth. Sarah Thornton was born in 1787 and was baptised on 6th September 1787 at Hartburn. She married William Elliott, born 1792 at Hartburn, on 24th May 1812 at Hartburn and they had five children, Thomas Elliott born 5th July 1812 at Hartburn, William Elliott born 1819 at Milford, Jane Elliott born 1822 at Hartburn, George Elliott born 1825 at Hartburn and James Elliott born 1829 at Hartburn, died 1887. Henry Thornton was born in 1792 and died in the same year, both at Hartburn.

Robert Thornton , my 6xGGrandfather, was born in 1703 and baptised on 22nd March 1703 at Netherwitton. He died on 10th August 1773 at Donking Ridge near Hartburn. He married Jane (surname unknown) and they had ten children of which my 5xGGrandfather Thomas was the second youngest. The other children were - Jane Thornton was born on 24th July 1726 and baptised on 21st August 1726 at Hartburn. I have no further information about her. John Thornton was born in 1728 and baptised on 11th April 1728 at Hartburn. He married Isabel Hall on 18th July 1757 at Hartburn and they had four children Jane born 1767 baptised 16 April 1767 at Hartburn, Roger born 1770 baptised 30th March 1770 at Netherwitton, Isabel born 1773 baptised 22nd February 1773 at Hartburn and Esther born 1776 baptised 10th April 1776 at Hartburn. Mary Thornton was born in 1730 and baptised on 19th March 1730 at Hartburn. No more information. Isabel Thornton was born in 1730 at Hartburn. No more information. Anne Thornton was born in 1733 at Hartburn. No further information. Sarah Thornton was born in 1736 at Hartburn. No further information. Henry Thornton was born in 1738 at Hartburn. No further information. Robert Thornton was born in 1740 at Hartburn. No further information. Luke Thornton was born in 1745 at Hartburn. No further information.

Henry Thornton , my 7xGGrandfather was born in 1680 at Hartburn. He married Jane Read on 18th June 1700 at Hartburn and they had four children :- John Thornton was born in 1701 and baptised on 25th June 1701 at Hartburn. He married Mary Wanless in 1725 at Hartburn. I can’t find any records of children. Robert Thornton , my 6xGGrandfather. Henry Thornton was born in 1707 and baptised on 3rd June 1707 at Hartburn. I can’t find any further records relating to him. Mary Thornton was born in 1710 and baptised on 19th November 1710 at Netherwitton. I can’t find any further records relating to her.

Nicholas Thornton, my 8xGGrandfather was born in 1657 at Netherwitton. He married Anne Swinburne, born 1667, on 2nd September 1687 and they had eight children. Anne was a daughter of Sir John Swinburne, baronet of Capheaton, and was one of 22 children. Nicholas and Annes children were :- Henry Thornton, my 7xGGrandfather Anne Thornton, born about 1690 Arthur Thornton, born about 1690 Catherine Thornton, born about 1690 Isabella Thornton, born about 1690 William Thornton, born about 1690 John Thornton, born about 1690, died 1742 Nicholas Thornton, born about 1697 at Hartburn

John Thornton, my 9xGGrandfather was born in 1626 at Netherwitton. He married Mary Tempest in 1656. Mary was a daughter of Sir Thomas Tempest and his wife Troth. John and Mary had two children :- Nicholas Thornton, my 8xGGrandfather Dorothy Thornton, born about 1660. No more information.

Sir Nicholas Thornton, my 10xGGrandfather was born in 1611 at Netherwitton. He married Anne Widdrington, born 1594, in 1625. Sir Nicholas was responsible for the building of Netherwitton Hall by Robert Trollope. They had four children :- John Thornton, my 9xGGrandfather Frances Thornton was born about 1633. No further information William Thornton was born about 1638. No further information Mary Thornton . No further information

Nicholas Thornton was my 11xGGrandfather. I can’t find his birth year but he died in 1633. He married Jane Radcliffe, daughter of Cuthbert Radcliffe, and I have only been able to find one child, my 10xGGreandfather, Sir Nicholas Thornton.

John Thornton was my 12xGGrandfather. I have not been able to find any birth or death dates for him. He married his cousin Barbara Thornton and I have found two children, Dorothy Thornton, born about 1632 and my 11xGGrandfather Nicholas Thornton

Laurence Thornton was my 13xGGrandfather. He was born about 1526 at Witton in Northumberland. He married Elizabeth Collingwood and they had 4 children :- James Thornton married Anne Fenwicke and they had six children, Robert Thornton, William Thornton, Margaret Thornton, John Thornton, Ursula Thornton and Barbara Thornton. I have not been able to get any further details. George Thornton married someone with the surname Pierson but I have not been able to get any further details. Henry Thornton married Barbara Fenwicke and they had two sons, William and Nicholas. No more details. I am not sure what the relationship is between Barbara and James’ wife Anne. John Thornton , my 12xGGrandfather.

Nicholas Thornton was my 14xGGrandfather. He was born about 1491 in Netherwitton and died on 16th April 1533 aged 42. He married Margery Grey who was born about 1494 and they had two children :- Roger Thornton, born about 1522 at Netherwitton. No further information. Laurence Thornton, my 13xGGrandfather.

John Thornton, my 15xGGrandfather was born in 1464 at Witton, Northumberland. He married Margaret Mitford, and I can only find one child, my 14xGGrandfather, Nicholas Thornton. No further information.

Roger Thornton, my 16xGGrandfather was born in 1420 at Witton, Northumberland. He married Johanna Law, born about 1436 and I can only find two children :- Sir Roger Thornton , born about 1462. No further information. John Thornton , my 15xGGrandfather.