James Innes Thornton (October 28, 1800 – September 13, 1877) was a prominent Alabama, USA, planter and politician.
Early life
Thornton was born on October 28, 1800, at Fall Hill near Fredericksburg, Virginia, to Francis Thornton IV and Sallie Innes. His father was a successful physician, politician and planter who was second cousin to George Washington and held great prominence in the local community. His mother was the daughter of a wealthy Scottish merchant who had arrived in Virginia around the time of the American Revolution. Thornton was largely educated by private itinerant educators who would reside at the Thornton family estate. He graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1820 and moved to Huntsville, Alabama, to practice law with his brother Harry Innes Thornton.
Political career
Thornton's strong familial ties encouraged an endeavor into politics fueled by a successful law practice and considerable wealth from the plantation he had developed upon arriving in the state. He was elected in 1824 as Secretary of State of Alabama and in the same year appointed by the Governor of Alabama as the official state escort to the Marquis de Lafayette on his 1825 return and tour of the United States. Thornton proved to be highly successful and respected in his political office and subsequently dissolved his law practice. He served for ten years as Secretary of State lasting through five Governors.
Plantation
