The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Richard Thornton (05 Aug 1659 - 06 Oct 1710)

"Richard Thornton, Recorder of Leeds (obt. 6 Oct., 1710, set 51), was the son of John Thornton, by Judith, his wife, daughter of Mr. Richard Richardson, of Bierley. He married Bridget, daughter of Christopher Watkinson, who was Mayor of Leeds in 1668. (Thoresby's Leeds, 1816, p. 26). He lived at Red Hall, Leeds, and is styled by Thoresby (Leeds, p. 25), 'the Learned, Ingenious, and Pious Richard Thornton, Esq., heir male of the ancient Family of Thornton, of Thornton and Tyersal, both in the West Riding'of Yorkshire, whose noble Collection of Manuscripts has been of singular Advantage unto me in this Undertaking, and yet the Benefit received from his personal Instruction and Assistance has been infinitely more.' " (Memorandum Book of Sir Walter Claverley, Bart. (Yorkshire Diaries, 89 n.77). Other biography: http://www.metcalfwaslin.org/lists/visits/visit1b.htm Correspondent
 Relevant locations: Residence at Red Hall, Leeds
 Relationships: Richard Thornton was a correspondent of Ralph Thoresby (1658-1725)
Richard Thornton was a unspecified to Ralph Thoresby (1658-1725)

 Linked manuscript items: as Sender of a letter - "[Letter from Richard Thorton to Ralph Thoresby] ," Yorkshire Archaeological Society MS8, Leeds
 Linked print sources: as Mentions or references - Yorkshire Diaries and Autobiographies in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries [second volume].
 Linked items in print sources: as Subject of/in a document - Memorandum Book of Sir Walter Claverley, Bart..
 References in Documents:
Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713) 23. Fundatio Abbathiæ de Kirkstal. The List of the Abbots till 1304. Transcripts of Deeds in St. Mary's Tower at Yorke, and others in Possession of Walter Stanhope Esq; collated with two MSS. lent me by that eminent Virtuoso Rich. Towneley of Towneley Esq; with others neither in the Monasticon, or Mr. Towneley's MSS. Also the Copy of the Surrender of the Abbey 22d Nov. 31 Hen. 8. From the MSS. of the excellent Rich. Thornton Esq; late Recorder of Leedes.
Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713) 84. The Commissions of K. James I. and K. Charles II. (in the Years 1619 to 1660) to enquire into all the Gifts to Charitable Uses, within the West-Riding of the County of Yorke, together with the Returns so far as relates to the Town and Parish of Leedes, and Extracts from the Book of pious Uses, by Mr. Bryan Dixon, who gave it me: To which I have added, the Decree out of Chancery, concerning the Advowson of the Vicarage at Leedes; with Transcripts of other Deeds, from 32 H. 6. transcribed from or collated with the Originals in the Archives of St. Peter's Church there; Bequests to the Lecturer of the Parish Church. To the Free-School, High-Ways, Poor, &c. The Charter of Charles II. to incorporate the Town and Parish of Leedes under a Mayor, (Thomas Danby Esq;) 12 Aldermen and 24 Assistants. The List, of the Aldermen by the first, and Mayors by the second Char ter, &c. The Sheriffs of the County from I Jac. I. Extracts from Domesday-Book, from Mr. Smale's MSS purchased by Rich. Thornton Esq;. The Wills of several Benefactors John Harrison Esq; Mr. Hillary, &c. Sir John Nelthrop's, Sir John Goodrick's Benefactions (from the Original Writings courteously lent me by byby Sir Hen. Goodrick Bart.) Sam. Sunderland Esq; and too many others to recite here. The Decree out of the Dutchy for the Toll of Corn of Leedes Market. K. Hen. the VIIIth's Letters Patents to discharge the Inhabitants of this Town and Parish from paying Tolls for Goods: From the Original. The Case of the Vicar of Leedes, as to the Claims of Tythes of Wood and Rape, with Archbishop Hutton's Award. A Survey and Rentall of the Lands belonging to the New-Church at Leedes, 1684. Hamelin's and Earl Warren's Charters to Wakefield, with other Matters relating to that MannorManor. The Survey of the River Are when made navigable 1699, from Alderman Milner's near the Bridge at Leedes to Weeland, 31 Miles, 2 Furlongs, 83 Yards, and 60 Parts. Notes concerning the Charity-School founded at Leedes 1705.
Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

86. A Collection of the Pedigrees and Descents of several of the Gentry of the West-Riding of the County of Yorke 1666, by Mr. John Hopkinson of Losthouse near Leedes: With the Continuation of some, and Addition of others, by the learned and ingenious Richard Thornton Esq; and Ralph Thoresby. Note, this is placed amongst those in Folio, because the Original whence I transcribed it, is so, (though this Transcript be in 4to.) to do the worthy Author justice.

Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713) 178. An excellent Answer to Priestcraft in Perfection; by the learned and pious Rich. Thornton Esq; late Recorder of Leedes. Also his Reasons for taking the Oaths to Her Majesty Qu. Anne.
Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

Jacobi Januensis legenda aurea, alias Historia Longobardica vocitata. Impressum Parisiis per Udalricum Gering, &c. An. Dom. 1475. The learned Mr. Thornton hath an Edition of this Tract (Legenda Sanctorum Jac. de Voragine natione Januensis) printed in Quarto 1594; and the Bishop of Ely another, in Folio, 1496.

Ralph Thoresby's guestbook of visitors to his museum (Yorkshire Archaeological Society MS27)
31 Aug: 96  —  Se Judice nemo nocens absolvitur[*] Juvenal, Satires, Satire XIII, Lines 2-3: "No one who is guilty is acquitted by his own verdict." Ric.Richard Thornton (EsEsqueEsquire Recorder of Leedes)