sentences:  Thornton travelled extensively and contributed to churches in different parts of the country, including Holy Trinity, Clapham, which was to become the centre for the so-called Clapham Sect of Christian social reformers.On 28 November 1753 Thornton married Lucy Watson (1722–1785), daughter of Samuel Watson of Hull.They had four children, including Samuel Thornton (1754–1838) a Member of Parliament), and Henry Thornton (1760–1815), banker, economist and Member of Parliament.