Birth:   28 Aug 1808   Gagetown, New Brunswick

Death:  1885   Picton, Ontario

Father:  Samuel THORN (~1771-~1836)

Mother:  Phoebe CHASE (~1770-~1840)

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• Excerpt from Pioneer Life on the Bay of Quinte published by Rolph & Clark Ltd. 1904 reads:  "The Children of Samuel Thorn it may be noted that William married three times; first Eliza Blizzard, second Elizabeth Pettit, and third, Mary Blout.  He first taught school in Hillier, but afterward engaged in the more remunerative occupation of merchant in Wellington.  He was able eventually to retire from business and settle in Picton, where he died about the year 1894."  

• Excerpt from the "Historical Sketch of the County of Prince Edward" reads: "The oldest preserved official records only date back to 1859, which makes it impracticable to give lists of Municipal officers further back than that date.  The first Reeve elected by the popular voice of the whole township (in 1950), was James T. Lane.  For the first named year we find that Stephen P. Niles was Reeve; George Jones, Deputy Reeve; William Thorn, John Y Weeks, and Daniel Y. Williams, Councillors ..." [See larger photo excerpt below right]

Birth:   21 Aug 1814  New Brunswick

Death:   18 Feb 1843  Prince Edward Co., Ontario

Marriage:   1 Jan 1840  Hillier, Ontario

Children:

James P.   (See side note)

Samuel A.

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• Marriage of William Thorn and Elizabeth Pettit, both of Hillier, was performed by Rev. John Black, Wesleyan Minister on January 1, 1940 and witnessed by Samuel M. Thorn and Caleb Platt.

• William's son , James P, Thorn, had been in the dry goods business, was successful in the hotel business in Picton and owned  a prosperous farm in Hallowell.  James served as Reeve of  Picton  for ten years and had a active hand in securing the railway by signing the necessary bonds as Warden of Prince Edward County. He was also active in arranging the beautification of  the cemetery-park in Picton.