In the 1850 Census of Pickens County is shown as single head of house Hold with his parents William Thornton and Clarissa Vice Thornton his parents all born in SC. Census Place Dorroh, Pickens, AL.
His first Land purchase was 39.97 acres Sep 2, 1839 Tuscaloosa Land Office. An additional 39.8 acres the same day. 79.73 acres on Nov 1, 1840, 327.73 acres Jun 1, 1858.
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CONFEDERATE ALABAMA TROOPS
George W. Thornton (First_Last)
Regiment Name 41 Alabama Infantry
Side Confederate
Company B
Soldier's Rank_In Private
Soldier's Rank_Out Private
Alternate Name
Notes
Film Number M374 roll 44
CONFEDERATE ALABAMA TROOPS
George W. Thornton (First_Last)
Regiment Name 5 Alabama Infantry
Side Confederate
Company E
Soldier's Rank_In Private
Soldier's Rank_Out Private
Alternate Name
Notes
Film Number M374 roll 44 **********************************************************************************
Geo W Thornton in the 1870 United States Federal Census
Name:Geo W Thornton, Age in 1870: 41, Birth Year: abt 1829, Birthplace: Alabama
Dwelling Number: 85
Home in 1870: Palmetto, Pickens, Alabama, Race: White, Gender: Male, Occupation: Farmer, Personal Estate Value: 500, Real Estate Value: 360
Inferred Spouse: Eliza Thornton, Inferred Children: Sarah E Thornton, Clarissa A Thornton. Wm L Thornton, James A Thornton, , John L Thornton, Martha M Thornton, Louisa E Thornton
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The 1880 Census has G.W. Thornton and Eliza age 50 born SC
Sarah E. Dau 24 b Al
Clarisa A. Dau 22, b Al
James M son 18 born al
John S son 17 b Al
Martha M dau 14 b Al
Louesa E. Dau 12 b. Al
Benjamin E son 9 b. Al
Joel E son 8 b. Al
Thomas M. C son 3 b. Al
Clarisa J. Thornton sister 35, b. Al.
Census Place Dorroh, Pickens, Al
Elder Children in 1880 their own household other kin
Willie b abt 1859 m Martha A. Windham
W. S. M. Thornton Self 21 b Al. Farming
Martha A. Thornton wife 20, b. Al .
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John S. Thornton 17 with Parents (12/10/1862)
John La Fayette m 2/7/1894 by Frank Wilson . Martha Magnolia "Maggie" Laboon. Both are buried at Caines Ridge in Fayette County, AL. She was not married to John's Father George W. Thornton
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George and Eliza lived on the original home place in Al till their deaths. When each of the children became 21 years old, they were given 40 acres of land, $40, a cow, and a hog. Joel Eber was given 120 acres; it was his responsibility to take care them.
info from Willodene Thornton Keating , great grand daughter whose related family still lives at the original home place.
Info can also be found in the Heritage books of Pickens County, AL and nearby county publications.
Contributor: D. J. Thornton (49973722)
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Suggested edit:
I have George W. Thornton and Eliza Wilson married Sep. 10, 1853 at Wesley Chapel Methodist Church.

His Father William Thornton b 3/3/1805 in Spartanburg, SC son of John and Elizabeth Crow Thornton. William married Clarissa Vice on 7/15/1825 dau of John Roebuck and Martha Pruitt Vice.
There were the parents of Nine Children
George Washington Thornton b 6/15/1829
Andrew J. b 1830-31 m Nancy

Francis M. Thornton b 3/1//1833 m Martha Perkins
Lafayette b 1834
Elizabeth b 1837
Baron B b 1847

Clarissa was dead by 1860, William next married Mary E.(Cook) b 1836 SC their daughter was Sarilla J. born 1869

p 345-347 Heritage of Pickens County, AL
Vice P 351

Eliza and George's Children were
Will married Mattie Windham
James A married Beckie Wilson his cousin
Eli married Mary Jane McNeal
John m Maggie Laboon
Mack married Laura Hughes,
Eber married Ona Guin (my Husbands lineage)
Adaline m Kate Parker
Elizabeth m Vincent Blakeney
Martha M John Ashcraft
and Louise m Jim Hughes
Contributor: D. J. Thornton (49973722)
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5th Regiment, Alabama Infantry
5th Infantry Regiment completed its organization at Montgomery, Alabama, in May, 1861, and proceeded to Virginia. Its companies were from the counties of Barbour, Clarke, Lowndes, Talladega, Dallas, Sumter, Monroe, Greene, and Pickens. At the Battle of First Manassas, the 5th was part of General Ewell's Brigade, but was not actively engaged. During the balance of the war it served under Generals Rodes, O'Neal, and Battle. The unit was prominent in the campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Williamsburg to Cold Harbor, then fought with Early in the Shenandoah Valley and in the Appomattox operations. During April, 1862, it had a force of 660 men, but lost 27 killed and 128 wounded at Seven Pines and forty-one percent of the 225 at Malvern Hill. The regiment reported 24 killed, 133 wounded, and 121 missing at Chancellorsville, and of the 317 at Gettysburg, more than sixty percent were disabled. It surrendered with 4 officers and 53 men. The field officers were Colonels Josephus M. Hall, E. Lafayette Hobson, A. C. Jones, C.C. Pegues, and Robert E. Rodes; Lieutenant Colonel John T. Morgan; and Major Eugene Blackford.
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41st Infantry Regiment completed its organization at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in May, 1862. Members of this unit were raised in the counties of Pickens, Blount, Tuscaloosa, Perry, Greene, Washington, and Fayette. After serving in the Department of East Tennessee, the regiment was attached to Hanson's, Helm's, and J.H. Lewis' Brigade. It fought at Murfreesboro, was active in the operations around Vicksburg and Jackson, and participated in the Battle of Chickamauga. Transferred to General Gracie's Brigade, it saw action in the Knoxville Campaign, then during the spring of 1864 moved to Virginia. Here the unit was involved in the engagement at Drewry's Bluff, the Petersburg siege north of the James River, and the Appomattox Campaign. The 41st was organized with 1,250 men, reported 198 casualties at Murfreesboro, and lost forty-nine percent of the 325 at Chickamauga. Many were disabled at Sayler's Creek, and it surrendered with 14 officers and 84 men. Its commanders were Colonels Martin L. Stansel and Henry Talbird; Lieutenant Colonels Porter King, James T. Murfee, and Theodore G. Trimmier; and Maojrs Lemuel T. Hudgings, John M. Jeffries, and Jesse G. Nash.
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George Washington Thornton (First_Last)
Regiment Name 49 Alabama Infantry
Side Confederate Company C
Soldier's Rank_In Sergeant
Soldier's Rank_Out Private
Alternate Name
Notes
Film Number M374 roll 44
CONFEDERATE ALABAMA TROOPS
49th Regiment, Alabama Infantry
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49th Infantry Regiment [also called 52nd Regiment] was organized at Nashville, Tennessee, in February, 1862. Originally mustered into service as the 31st (Hale's) Alabama Infantry, its designation was changed to 49th during the spring of 1863. The men were recruited in the counties of De Kalb, Jackson, Marshall, Madison, Limestone, Lawrence, Colbert, Lauderdale, Blount, and Morgan. It took an active part in the conflicts at Shiloh, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, and Corinth. Later the unit was assigned to Beall's and Buford's Brigade, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, and on July 9, 1863, about 500 men were captured at Port Hudson. Exchanged and reorganized at Cahaba, the 49th was attached to General Scott's and Shelley's Brigade, and fought with the Army of Tennessee from Resaca to Bentonville. The regiment sustained 113 casualties at Shiloh and many were disabled at Franklin and Nashville. Only a remnant surrendered in April, 1865. Its commanders were Colonel Jeptha Edwards, Lieutenant Colonels William N. Crump and John D. Weeden, and Major Thomas A. Street.
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Research: ALABAMA LAND RECORDS-GEORGE THORNTON
Tuscaloosa Land Office
George Thornton...39.97 acres...Sep 2, 1839...base line Huntsville
George W. Thornton...39.8 acres...Sep 2, 1839...base line Huntsville
George W. Thornton...79.73 acres...Vov 1, 1840...base line Huntsville
George W. Thornton...79.73 acres...Nov 1, 1840...base line Huntsville
George W. Thornton...327.73 acres...Jun 1, 1858...base line Huntsville
MISSISSIPPI LAND RECORDS-GEORGE THORNTON
Columbus Land Office
George W. Thornton...39.96 acres...Sep 1, 1844...base line Huntsville
Jackson Land Office
George A. thornton...40 acres...Dec 3, 1884...base line St Stephens
George W. Thornton...79.48 acres...Feb 18, 1890...base line CHOCTAW
Contributor: D. J. Thornton (49973722)