Thornton Burke was the son of Robert and Sarah Burke, born in Elbert County, Georgia, December 1, 1794, removed to Monroe County, Georgia in 1823, and married soon afterward Malinda Bankston, daughter of Abner and Elizabeth Bankston. Thornton Burke united with the Rocky Creek Church in 1828 and was a deacon three years, and was ordained as a Baptist Minister in 1833. In 1848, he removed to Van Wert, Polk county, Georgia, and lived at Villa Rica, Carroll county, twenty years. In 1871, he became a citizen of Cobb County and settled near Powder Springs. His wife died in 1861. He was living in 1881, although nearly eighty six years old.
Thornton Burke with his wife Malinda Bankston is in the:
1830 census of Monroe County Georgia.
1840 census of Cobb County Georgia.
1850 census of Carroll County Georgia.
In 1860 he is found on the Slave Schedule for Carroll county, but not found him on the 1860 census.
In 1870 he is in Carroll County Georgia without Malinda, but with his daughter Martha.
In 1880 he is in Cobb County Georgia again with daughter Martha.
Submitted by Don Bankston
