By 1671 Sterling was in Gloucester County, Virginia and where he gave power of attorney to Thomas Long to oversee his landholdings and legal matters in Maryland.
Sterling's daughters Ann (later Mrs. William Thornton) and Mary (Later Mrs. James Clack) were orphaned by 1711 and appear to have prudently managed their father's estate adding 400 acres on Horn Harbor Creek through a land patent for the importation of nine women to the Colony.
Though it is not precisely known where he received his education it is likely he attended the College of William & Mary, as currently no records indicate he was sent to England as a number of sons of Virginia planters were.
Thornton quickly rose to be one of the foremost citizens of his county through his large land grant and familial connection.
Four of his sons, Francis, William, Sterling and Reuben are known to have served during the American Revolution receiving the ranks of officers.