Hi Gaye
Have had a look at the 41/51/61 census for the combination of people that you mention - William Tantrim Thornton b 1810??? Emily nee Carpenter and son George William Thornton b 1835 Ludlow I could'nt find anything using this name combination so decided to drop the Thornton and use the surname Tantrim instead and have found this:- IGI George Tantrum Christenened 17th Dec 1832 Ludlow Shropshire, parents William Tantrum and Sarah.
Looked them up in the census and found this in the 1841 census:- Piece 430 Folio 3 Pg 2- Township: Farlow Civil Parish: Stottesdon County: Herefordshire - consulted Genuki - Stottesdon, Shropshire a parish mainly in the Cleobury division of Stottesdon Hundred, county Salop etc
William Tantram b 1806 Herefordshire Sawyer
Sarah Tantram b 1811 Herefordfordshire
William Tantram b 1829 Herefordshire
James Tantram b 1834 Herefordshire
George Tantram b 1837 Herefordshire
Richard Tantram b 1841 Herefordshire
Could be something and nothing, and I realise it doesn't match your critera exactly but thought it might be worth a mention.
All the best
Z