Elbert County GaArchives Biography of Rev. Benjamin Thornton, Jr.

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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Chandler Eavenson
http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00030.html#0007294

Biography
Rev. Benjamin Thornton, Jr.

The following excerpts are taken from the book "History of
the Baptist Denomination in Georgia" compiled for the 
Christian Index, published 1881:

"Rev. Benjamin Thornton was born August 15th, 1801, in 
Warren county, North Carolina. His parents, Benjamin and
Sarah Thornton, removed to this State and settled, it is 
supposed, in Elbert county. Their son Benjamin had to lament
through life his limited opportunities of early education. 
Being by nature endowed with a clear, discriminating mind, 
by habits of thought and of study he supplied, in some 
degree, his want of mental training in youth. While he made
himself acquainted with general literature and the current
events of his day, the Bible with him was the book of books,
and he studied it with such effect that all recognized him
as one who 'rightly divided the Word of God, and was a 
workman that needed not to be ashamed'".

"When quite a young man, he gave himself to Christ. He was
baptized in 1824, by Rev. Francis Callaway, into the fellowship
of the Vance [Van's] Creek church, Elbert county. In 1825, at
the request of that church, he was set apart by ordination to 
the work of the ministry. There are few churches in that 
county which he did not serve as pastor during his long and
successful ministry, besides churches in adjoining counties...

"He threw all the warmth of his soul into the work of missions,
giving of his own means and urging others to give. He was a 
man of retiring disposition, modest and of great moral worth.
He was a regular attendant on the Sarepta Association until
age and infirmity prevented, and was often called to preside
as Moderator over it's deliberations. He was somewhat 
prominent in civil life. More than once he was elected to the 
Legislature from his county. After his removal to Hart county,
he was appointed it's treasurer. While a part of his time was
thus given to civil affairs, and he held office by popular
election, he never lowered the dignity of his calling by 
stooping to the tricks of the partisan to secure success.

"His first marriage was to Miss Nancy Paine [Payne] in 1817;
his second, to Mrs. Louisa J. Skelton, in 1864. By his last
marriage no children were born to him. By his first, fourteen
were born, six of whom are still living, filling honorable
positions in society, and one a most consecrated minister of
the Gospel."

[Submitter's notes: Rev. Benjamin Thornton, Jr. died at his 
home in Hartwell, Georgia on 12 Apr 1878 and was buried with
masonic orders at the Northview city cemetery in Hartwell.]

Submitted by: Chandler Eavenson