Thornton (Thornton by Horncastle)

Description and Travel

This village and parish sit 1.5 miles southwest of Horncastle on a rise. The River Bain passes through the east end of the parish. The parish covers some 1,755 acres, but its size has changed over time. In 1900 it covered only 1,280 acres.

The village population has melted away in recent decades. If you are planning a visit:

• By automobile, take the B1191 arterial road southwest out of Horncastle.
  
  
• Visit our touring page for visitor services.
  
  

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Census

• The parish was in the Horncastle sub-district of the Horncastle Registration District.
  
  
• Check our Census Resource page for county-wide resources.
  
  
• The table below gives census piece numbers, where known:
  
  

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Church History

• The Anglican parish church is dedicated to St. Wilfred.
  
  
• The church was restored in 1890.
  
  
• The church only seats about 80.
  
  
• There is a photograph of St. Wilfred's church on the Wendy Parkinson Church Photos web site.
  
  
• Here is a photograph of St. Wilfred's church, taken by Ron Cole (who retains the copyright):
  
  

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Church Records

• The Anglican parish register dates from 1562.
  
  
• The LFHS has published several marriage and burial indexes for the Horncastle Deanery to make your search easier.
  
  
• Check our Church Records page for county-wide resources.
  
  

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Civil Registration

• The parish was in the Horncastle sub-district of the Horncastle Registration District.
  
  
• Check our Civil Registration page for sources and background on Civil Registration which began in July, 1837.
  
  

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Maps

• The national grid reference is TF 2467.
  
  
• You'll want an Ordnance Survey Explorer 273 map, which has 2.5 inches to the mile scale.
  
  
• See our Maps page for additional resources.
  
  

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Politics and Governance

• In 1887, a portion of the parish was transfered to the new parish of Woodhall.
  
  
• In 1936, the parish boundaries with Horncastle, just to the east, were re-aligned.
  
  
• The parish was in the South division of the ancient Gartree Wapentake in the East Lindsey district in the parts of Lindsey.
  
  
• For today's governance, see the East Lindsey District Council.
  
  

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Poorhouses, Poor Law, etc.

• As a result of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act, the parish became part of the Horncastle Poor Law Union.
  
  

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Population

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Schools

• The children of this parish attended school in Horncastle.
  
  
• For more on researching school records, see our Schools Research page.
  
  

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