Clay County Georgia Biographies - Rev. Richard Thornton 1808 - ********************************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ********************************************************************************************** This file contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Charlene Parker" Sep 2002 From "History of Bethel Association Including Centennial Meeting", by Alexander Lee Miller One of the outstanding colaborers of the Bethel Association in the early years of its history was Richard Thornton. He was born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, January 24, 1808. He was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Mt. Gilead Church in Clay County. Brethren Stephen Rowe, Everingham and Gilbert serving as presbytery, in the year 1843. He served many churches within the bounds of the Bethel Association, and was an humble and devoted servant of God and an active and faithful minister of the Gospel. As a pastor he was prompt, affectionate and faithful. He was the instrument of God in bringing many souls to Christ, and in building up the many churches which he served as Pastor. His great zeal and devotion to the cause of Christ caused him to be much beloved by his brethren, and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was pastor of New Hope Church, Randolph County, for fourteen years and a consistent member of it until his death. He was about the oldest member of the Bethel Association, at the time of his death, and one of the premier preachers of southwest Georgia. The Committee said of him that while the churches and Association have sustained a great loss in the death of this Father in Israel, we bow with profound and humble submission to this dispensation of God's providence. 1850 Randolph Co. GA page 382 6-Ricd Thornton 41 m Ga Baptist Minister E. B. 40 f Ga Benet 15 m Ga L. 14 m GA Alex 11 m Ga Wilburn 8 m Ga Amelia 4 f Ga Eugene H. 2 m Ga