Hi Ruth, My Thornton line comes out of NY to OH and over to SD & down to TX. Most of the Thornton line is centered in Oneida Co., NY, and Wood County, OH. It is connected to the Matthew Thornton, signer of the Declaration of Independence. The family came out of Ireland and settled mostly in New Hampshire, New Jersey, & New York. I am communicating with Thornton people still in Oneida Co., NY. right now. My GG-Grandfather, Israel Thornton was one of 5 brothers who did the trek from Dutchess Co., NY over to Wood Co., OH in the 1830s and there they spent the rest of their lives and over 500 descendants are buried in Fort Meigs Cemetery, Perrysburg, Wood Co., OH. I have never tried to follow on that branch of Thorntons in NC. Probably some are connected but don't know how yet. Thanks for letting me know. Sue in CA