John Thornhill

John Thornhill was born in 1786 in Virginia, according to the 1850 census for Schuyler County, Illinois. He was the son of John Thornhill who died in 1801 in Bourbon County, Kentucky and the brother of Reuben Thornhill, another early settler of Grant County, Kentucky. John married Jane/Jean Brown in 1806 in Harrison County, Kentucky and appeared on the tax lists there from 1806 through 1809 and is then on the Pendleton County, Kentucky tax list beginning in 1810. His wife is believed to be the daughter of Samuel and Margaret Brown, first of Washington County, Pennsylvania. Thornhill purchased 104 acres on Clark's Creek, also called Eagle Creek in 1815 and purchased an additional 156-1/2 acres on Clark's Creek in 1834. He and his wife were of Schuyler County, Illinois when they sold this land in 1837. John died in 1859 in Schuyler County, Illinois. Their children:

1. Son born between 1806-1810; living 1810 and 1820 census. May be S. F. Thornhill who appeared on an 1840 voter's list for Camden, Schuyler, County, Illinois.

2. William Thornhill of Schuyler County, Illinois 1840-1844; of Fannin County, Texas in 1846. He may be the William Thornhill who died in 1861 in Warren County, Missouri leaving a will naming his mother Jane.

3. Ellen/Elenor Thornhill born 1810 in Pendleton County, Kentucky; married Jamison Wilson 1833 in Grant County, Kentucky. Died 1881 Schuyler, County, Illinois, buried there at Huntsville.

4. Martha Thornhill born 1812 in Pendleton County, Kentucky; married William Clayton in 1836 in Schuyler County, Illinois; died there in 1897; buried Simm Cemetery at Huntsville.

5. Jackson Thornhill born 1815 in Pendleton County, Kentucky; married Zerelda Allphin in 1838 in Schuyler County, Illinois; died 1864 Schuyler County, Illinois.

6. Cyntha Ann Thornhill born 1817 in Pendleton County, Kentucky; married Alfred Wilson 1838 in Schuyler County, Illinois; died 1873 in Schuyler County; buried there at Huntsville.

7. Achilles Thornhill born circa 1819-1920 in Pendleton County, Kentucky; married Nancy Groves 1839 Schuyler County, Illinois. Died November 22, 1878 in Sherman, Grayson County, Texas. Widow died 1888 in Nodaway County, Missouri.

8. Sarah Thornhill born circa 1822 in Grant County, Kentucky; married Reason Wells 1844 in Schuyler County, Illinois. To Texas in 1845.

9. Jane Thornhill, may have died young.

10. Eliza Thornhill may have died young.

11. Lucy Thornhill born 1828 in Grant County, Kentucky; married her cousin Bryant Brown in 1846 in Fannin County, Texas. Died between 1867-1870 probably in Grayson County, Texas.

Researched by Janet Pease
10310 W. 62nd Place, #202
Arvada, Colorado 80004.
Used with permission.
Published in Footsteps of the Past, December 28, 1995.

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