THORNTON, a quoad sacra parish, partly in the
parishes of Dysart and Kinglassie, but chiefly in the
parish of Markinch, district of Kirkcaldy, county of
Fife, 4 miles (S. by E.) from the village of Markinch;
containing 844 inhabitants, of whom 6*4 are in the parish
of Markinch. The village of Thornton, which is in
Markinch parish, contains 545 persons, and is chiefly
inhabited by those engaged in the neighbouring collieries
or employed in the spinning-mills, bleachfields, and other
works in the vicinity. It presents but little claim to
description. There are vitriol works established here,
in connexion with some works at Glasgow. The Edinburgh,
Perth, and Dundee railway has a station at
Thornton, where the Dunfermline branch leaves the
main line. The church was erected in 1836, at an expense
of £450; it is a neat plain structure containing
450 sittings. The minister's stipend is £60 per annum,
derived chiefly from seat-rents and collections; and the
patronage of the incumbency is exercised by the male
communicants.