When he saw Ashford, he asked someone who she was; that person later alleged that Thornton stated that he had been intimate with her sister three times, and would also be intimate with Mary Ashford or die for it.
When he met Ashford, he questioned her identity; someone later alleged that Thornton claimed he had been romantically involved with her sister on multiple occasions, and was prepared to engage in a relationship with Mary Ashford or face dire consequences.