Presley Thornton.

About Presley Thornton

Presley Thornton was a planter and public official in Colonial Virginia. Thornton was a member of the House of Burgesses for Northumberland County from 1748 to 1749 and 1752 to 1761. He was the great-grandson of William Thornton, who had arrived in Virginia from England as late as 1646, settling in Gloucester County. Through this paternal line, Presley was a cousin of fellow burgesses Francis Thornton of Spotsylvania, George Thornton of Spotsylvania, William Thornton of King George, William Thornton of Richmond County and William Thornton of Brunswick County. Presley was also a distant cousin of the future presidents, James Madison and Zachary Taylor.