Compiled by Russell Bastedo
State Curator
1998

Matthew Thornton (1775-1776). Thornton (1714-1803), born in Ireland, came to British North America's Royal Province of New Hampshire as a small child. He began to practice medicine at Londonderry (NH) circa 1740, married (Hannah Jack) in 1760, and was active in the colonial militia. Thornton was a member of the Continental Congress (1776-1778) and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. A member of the New Hampshire State Senate (1784-1787) and State Councilor (1785-1786), Thornton concluded his career as Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and Judge of New Hampshire Superior Court. He died at Newburyport (MA) and is buried at Merrimack (NH).

Location: State House, Second Floor, Executive Council Chambers
Portrait by Adna Tenny, after engraving by Henry B. Hall c.1850; Gift to the State, 1873