Mary was born to James and Margarette A. (Payne) Scott. Her parents were married in Ogle Co., IL. They joined a wagon train to Oregon in 1845.

Mary Adaline Scott and James William Thornton were married in McMinnville, OR 27 Nov 1864.

The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal 24 August 1919

Probably the saddest experience that has come to any Weiser family in some time came to the Jas. W. Thornton family Saturday night and Sunday. Within twenty-four hours of each other both Mrs. Jas. W. Thornton and her son, Herbert A. Thornton passed away.

Mrs. Thornton who had been ailing for years died at her home at 718 East Main Street Saturday evening. She was 71 years old. The direct cause of her death was given as paralysis. Herbert A. Thornton died at a local hospital last night after a week's illness with cancer. He was 37 years old. He was unmarried, and up to the time he was taken down, lived on his ranch on Mann Creek. Funeral services for the mother and son were held this afternoon at the residence, 718 East Main Street with the Rev. Robinson officiating.

The interment was in the Mann Creek Cemetery. The deceased are survived by the husband and father, Jas. W. Thornton, W. P. Thornton, Otis B. Thornton, Mrs. James Crawford, Ilo, Idaho, Mrs. A. L. Kenniston, Walla Walla, WA, and Mrs. Ida Richardson who's address was not learned. The Thornton family are numbered among the pioneers in this section. They moved here from Oregon more than 20 years ago.

Mrs. Thornton was one of those pioneer mothers who reared a large family and lived most of her life in the west. She put up with the hardships of early day western life that her children might grow up to live in and enjoy the only land that she knew and that she believed in.

Herbert, according to other members of the family, was always a dutiful son and grew up in this section to be one of the most highly respected citizens of the community.

The Signal joins with many other friends of the family in extending their sincere sympathy to the family in their sad bereavement.