Incorporated: 1763
Population: 1,920
County Name: Grafton
(county map)
Town Contact:
Town of Thornton
16 Merrill Access Road
Thornton, NH 03223

Phone: 603-726-4232
Fax: 603-726-2078
Website: www.nhes.state.nh.us/elmi/htmlprofiles/thornton

Origin:
Chartered in 1763, this town was named for Dr. Matthew Thornton, a grant given to him in return for his service as surgeon in the Pepperell expedition. Dr. Thornton, whose practice was in Merrimack, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, a justice of the Superior Court, speaker of the House of Representatives, member of the State Senate, delegate to the Continental Congress, and president of the state following the Revolutionary War.

More about Thornton:
Thornton is on the Pemigewasset River and is a popular spot for camping, swimming, fishing and boating. A place known as Flat Rock is a shallow swimming hole located just off Upper Mad River Road.