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Liberty Signer (1714 - 1803)
Like Josiah Bartlett, fellow NH signer of the Declaration of Independence, Matthew
Thornton was a doctor. Like John Hancock, his name is best remembered today as
that of a an insurance comapny. Unlike his contemporaries, Thonrton was not a
New England native. Born in Northern Ireland in 1714, he became a respected New
England physician. By 1745 he was a wealthy, single handsome doctor in Londonderry,
NH. Thornton joined William Pepperrell's famous and successful seige on Louisburgh.
As surgeon, Thornton's 100 men helped drag cannons all the way to Cape Bretton
in Canada. Although in the royal militia, he became involved in the patriot cause,
especially in importing weapons and raising funds. Thornton was not a member of
the group that drafted the Declaration, but he was invited to sign, thus entering
his name in the role of famous founders. He served on the NH court, legislature
and governor's council and continued his medical practice. Thornton died at 89
while visitng friends in Newburyport, MA. Our search turned up precious little
on the good doctor, on the Web and elsewhere .
Skilled, handsome, brave, Dr. Thornton
was hailed as a man of the people and of God
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MATTHEW THORNTON LINKS
LIFE OF THORNTON
Framers of Freedom: Matthew Thornton
Our short bio of the NH patriot on SeacoastNH.com
Famous Figures of New Hampshire
Portraits in the Concord, NH state capitol building
Thornton Biography on Virtualogy
Thornton Bio on Colonial Hall
The most detailed from a very limited number of online biographies.
Thonton on USHistory.org Signers Page
MAJOR EVENTS
Famous Irishmen in the American Revolution
Text of the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
Original documents of US law files
Louisburg and William Pepperell
This is Nathaniel Hawthore's essay on the men who launched the land battle in
1745, but good background.
National Archives
Official US Govt web site with special features related to the Declaration including
"Join the Signers"
HISTORIC SITES
Grave in Thornton's Ferry, NH
Grave of Wife Hannah Thornton
(ad consoles)
NH Historic Marker, Merrimack, NH
(ad consoles)
Town of Merrimack, NH
(scroll down for History info)
NAMESAKES
Thornton, NH
Sorry, we couldn't find a town web site.
Thornton Family Geneaology Forum
Dr. Thonrton & Hannah Jack Genealogy
Matthew Thonront School, Londonderry, NH
Thornton Family History
Matthew Thornton Health Plan
Now owned by Anthem, Blue Cross
KEY BOOKS
Search for out of print books on Bibliofind
http://www.bibliofind.com/
We couldn't find a single book about Matthew Thornton. Know of one? Let uis know.
More Famous NH People
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