THORNTON, a tything in-the parish of MARNHULL,
hundred of REDLANE, Sherborne division of the
county of DORSET, 3 miles (N.N.E.) from Sturminster-
Newton-Castle. It is now almost depopulated, though
formerly a distinct parish, and was united to Marnhull
at the Reformation, when the church, dedicated in
1464 to St. Martin, was desecrated, and is still used as
a stable.