As MP for Kingston he was painted by Karl Anton Hickel in the group portrait "William Pitt addressing the House of Commons on the French Declaration of War, 1793" which still hangs at the National Portrait Gallery.
He bought Albury Manor, Albury, Surrey in 1800, and lived there until 1811. He employed the architect Sir John Soane[4] to improve the property.
During the early 19th century Thornton built housing in the hamlet of Weston Street, a mile to the west of Albury, for the resettlement of villagers removed from cottages in Albury Park, as part of the agricultural improvements.
His brothers Henry Thornton and Robert Thornton were also notable men of their time and MPs. all three were members of the Clapham Sect and lived in adjoining houses in Clapham.
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