Sgt. James A. Thornton
James was born in Appling County, Ga. Sept. 6, 1840. He enlisted in the 1st Regt. State Troops on Oct. 3, 1861. April 19, 1862 he reenlisted in the 54th Ga. Infantry Co. K. On July 30, 1862 he was transferred to the 1st Battalion Ga. Sharpshooters Co. C. James was appointed Sergeant August 17, 1862. According to family records, James was wounded in the forearm at Chickamauga on Sept. 19, 1863. He was surrendered at Tallahassee Fla. May 10, 1865 by Maj. Gen. Sam Jones C.S.A. and was paroled May 15, 1865. James married Nancy A. Williamson Nov. 11, 1865 and together raised nine children . He was ordained as a minister in May 1878. Sometime around 1880 or 1881, the family moved to Ware County, Ga. James died on June 28, 1900 and is buried at Ben James Cemetery in Pierce County, Ga. James was the brother of William Thornton, and uncle of Timothy, and Jonathan B. Thornton who also served in Co. C