Thurston Surname

Daniel Thurston was born circa 1631 in England. He died on February 19, 1692/3 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts ^5,17.

His origins within England are unknown but he is believed to have come to America sometime between 1635 and 1638 with an uncle of the same name. Daniel settled in Massachusetts and was possibly living in Ipswich, Mass., before settling in Newbury, Massachusetts prior to the 1650's.

They had the following children:

1	Daniel Thurston was born on July 2, 1657 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,24. He died on November 3, 1667 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,24.
2	Hannah Thurston was born on January 20, 1658/9 in Rowley, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,17. She died on June 26, 1731 5. She married Benjamin Pearson on January 20, 1679/80 5. (He was born on February 1, 1658 5,17 and died on June 16, 1731 5.) They had the following children: Hannah Pearson (1681-1772) md. John Holmes Phebe Pearson (1682-1754) md. Thomas Colman Daniel Pearson (1684-1759) md. Mary Wood Ruth Pearson (1687-1736) md. Thomas Plumer Abigail Pearson (1689-1763) md. 1st. Joseph Brown md. 2nd. John Wheeler Benjamin Pearson (1690-1774) md. 1st. Judith Getchell md. 2nd. Jane Somerby Sarah Pearson (1691-1781) md. John Adams Jedediah Pearson (1694-1761) md. Sarah Wood Mehitable Pearson (1695-1774) md. William Tenney Bartholomew Pearson (1697-1766) md. 1st. Sarah Hovey md. 2nd. Love Hutcins md. 3rd. Lydia Randall Jonathan Pearson (1699-1767) md. Abigail Knight Joseph Pearson (1699-???) md. Sarah Hale David Pearson (1702-1778) md. Jane Noyes Oliver Pearson (1704-1720)
3	infant female Thurston was born on November 22, 1660 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,24. She died on December 16, 1660 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,24.
4	Daniel Thurston was born on December 18, 1661 5,24 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He died on February 18, 1738 5. He married Mary Dresser (She was born on December 24, 1667 5 and died on December 7, 1735 5.) They had the following children: Daniel Thurston (1690-???) md. Lydia Leaver twins (boy and girl) Thurston (1691-1691) John Thurston (1692-???) md. Dorothy Woodman Mary Thurston (1694-???) md. James Chute Benjamin Thurston (1695-???) md. Mary Gage Hannah Thurston (1698-1770) md. Gersham Frazer Lydia Thurston (1698-1727) md. Robert Rogers Martha Thurston (1699-???) md. Ezekiel Jewett Jonathan Thurston (1701-???) md. Lydia Spofford Stephen Thurston (1704-1727) Sarah Thurston (1706-???) Richard Thurston (1710-???) md. Mehitable Jewett
5	Sarah Thurston was born on January 8, 1663/4 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,17,24. She married unknown.
6	Stephen Thurston was born on October 25, 1665 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,17,24. He died before 1672 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
7	Joseph Thurston was born on September 14, 1667 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,17,24. He died after 1699. He married first Mehitable Kimball in 1695 5. They had the following children: Mehitable Thurston (bef. 1699-???) md. Joseph Russell Joseph Thurston (bef. 1699-???) md. Mary Jane Finson Benjamin Thurston (bef. 1699-1699) Abigail Thurston (1700-???) Hannah Thurston (1703-???) Benjamin Thurston (1705-???) md. Elizabeth He married second Elizabeth Woodbury on August 25, 1707 5.
8	Ann Thurston was born on September 6, 1669 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,17,24. She died on September 27, 1669 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 24.
9	James Thurston
10	Stephen Thurston was born on October 25, 1672 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,17,24. He died before 1674 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
11	Stephen Thurston was born on February 5, 1674 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,24. He died in 1728 5. He married first Mary Knight. They had the following children: Moses Thurston (1707-???) md. Sarah John Thurston (1709-???) md. 1st. Phebe Wiggin md. 2nd. Elizabeth Rebecca Thurston (1711-???) Robert Thurston (1713-???) Daniel Thurston (1714-1737) Mary Thurston (1716-???) md. Jeremiah Searle Nathaniel Thurston (1718-???) md. Miner Chase Stephen Thurston (1720-???) md. Mary St. Clair Mehitable Thurston md. Jonathan Jewett Abigail Thurston (???-aft. 1748) Sarah Thurston (1722-??? He married second Sarah. (She died after 1732.) They had no children.
12	Abigail Thurston was born on March 17, 1677/8 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,17,24. She died after 1726 in Littleton, Massachusetts 5. She married Joseph Chase on November 26, 1699 5. (He was born on March 25, 1677 5 and died after 1726 in Littleton, Massachusetts 5.) They had the following children: Nathan Chase (1701-???) md. Ruth Peaslee George Chase (1703-???) md. 1st. Elizabeth md. 2nd. Lucy Wood Stephen Chase (1705-???) md. Jane Wingate Ann Thurston (1707-???) md. Joseph Webster Abigail Chase (1709-???) md. Simon Tuttle Hannah Chase (1711-???) Rebecca Chase (1714-???) md. Thomas Warren Benjamin Chase (1717-???) md. 1st. Rachel md. 2nd. Mary Dayton Joseph Chase (1719-???) md. Sarah Wood

James Thurston was born on September 24, 1670 in Newbury, Essex Co. Massachusetts ^5,17,24. He died probably in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.

Father: Daniel Thurston
Mother: Ann Pell

We do not know much of the life of James Thurston. He was in Newbury, Massachusetts at least until 1702. It is probable that he moved with his family to Exeter, New Hampshire not long after this date. Since his daughters may have returned to Newbury to marry, he and his wife may have also returned there.

Father: Samuel Pearson
Mother: Mary Poore

1	Hannah Thurston was born on November 15, 1694 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,17,24. She was baptized on November 18, 1694 in Rowley, Essex Co., Massachusetts 28. She died on November 8, 1701 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,24.
2	Dorcas Thurston was born on October 20, 1696 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,17,24. She was baptized on December 27, 1696 in Rowley, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,28. She probably died in Hudson, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. She married Henry Hills on November 11, 1736 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 14. They had at least one child: Benjamin Hills (1740-???)
3	Abner Thurston
4	Phebe Thurston was born on June 20, 1701 17 or June 20, 1702 5,24 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She probably died in Hudson, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. She married Thomas Kenney on November 11, 1729 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts. They had the following children: Amos Kenney (1730-???) Thomas Kenney (1736-???) Phebe Kenney (1738-???) Sarah Kenney (1740-???) Stephen Kenney (1745-???)
5	Samuel Thurston was born before 1716, probably in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He was baptized on November 16, 1716 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 24. He married Elizabeth Gilman, the sister of Shuah Gilman who married his brother Abner. They had at least one child: Samuel Thurston (???-1751) Samuel was probably born as early as about 1705, after his parents moved to Exeter. His parents waited to have their three youngest sons baptized until they came back to Newbury.
6	Daniel Thurston was born before 1716, probably in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He was baptized on November 16, 1716 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 24.
7	James Thurston was born before 1716, probably in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He was baptized on November 16, 1716 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 24.

Abner Thurston was born on February 28, 1698/9 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts ^5,17. He was baptized on April 30, 1699 in Rowley, Essex Co., Massachusetts ^5,28. He died after 1742 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.

Father: James Thurston
Mother: Mary Pearson

There is not much known of the life of Abner Thurston. He was from the area of Newbury, Massachusetts and is said to have moved to Exeter, New Hampshire with his father ⁵. It appears that he probably moved with his family to Exeter sometime between 1701 to 1716. It was probably there that his marriage occurred in about 1720 (see below). He bought land in Exeter in 1728 and sold some land to Moses Thurston of Stratham in 1734 and 1735 ⁵. According to Thurston Genealogies on May 17, 1724, he was a corporal in Captain Daniel Ladd's 'march after the enemy toward's Winnipiseogee Pond.' This probably refers to an offensive involved in Dummer's War (or Lovewell's War) in which men marched to the White Mountains at the north side of Lake Winnipesaukee to fight the Abenaki Indians.

In 1750, 1751 and 1754, an Abner Thurston is a witness or surety to several probate records in Exeter, New Hampshire. It is unknown if this refers to him or his son of the same name. He probably died at Exeter, New Hampshire.

The below children are indicated as children of Abner in the Thurston Genealogies, yet given the recent identification of three more brothers, some of these children may have actually been his nieces or nephews.

There is no proof that Abner's wife was named Shuah Gilman, but the circumstantial evidence I feel is considerably sound. Moses Gilman of Exeter, New Hampshire names "Shuah Thustin" as a daughter in his will of 1741. Abner Thurston's oldest child is named Moses Thurston (probably in honor of the maternal grandfather). To add to this, three different granddaughters were named Shuah and two grandsons were named Gilman. Abner Thurston moved to Exeter at the right time to marry Shuah Thurston, who was from that town. If she did not marry Abner Thurston, there is not many other possible Thurstons for her to have married, especially considering the recurring names in Abner's descendants.

Some researchers have listed this person as Shuah/Jerusha Gilman. That is simply not true. Nowhere is she listed with the name Jerusha. The name Shuah was an uncommon biblical name in itself and was NOT a derivative of Jerusha.

1	Moses Thurston
2	Susan Thurston was born circa 1723 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. She "lived to be over 90" in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 5. She never married.
3	Elizabeth Thurston was born circa 1725 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. She never married, died in Exeter 5.
4	Samuel Thurston
5	Abner Thurston was born in 1729 5, probably in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He probably died in service in the Revolutionary War, c. 1778 5. He married Martha Piper. (She was born in 1729 5 and died on November 4, 1825 in Candia, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 5.) They had the following children: Thomas Thurston (1752-???) md. Lucy Fenderson Shuah Thurston md. Aaron Brown David Thurston (1775-???) md. Sally Eaton daughter Thurston
6	Ichabod Thurston was born circa 1731 5, probably in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He died after 1760. He married Elizabeth Philbrick. (She was born circa 1725 5.) They had the following children: Betty Thurston Anna Thurston md. 1st. James Underwood md. 2nd. ??? Nutter Patty Thurston md. ??? Chase Dolly Thurston md. Edward Babcock Debby Thurston
7	James Thurston was born on September 8, 1733 5 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He died on July 13, 1808 5. He married first Mary Jones on August 26, 1756 5. (She was born on November 24, 1734 5 and died on October 29, 1787 5.) They had the following children: Mary Thurston (1757-1759) Mary Thurston (1759-???) md. Caleb Johnson Abigail Thurston (1761-1807) md. Jonathan Powers Joanna Thurston (1765-1840) md. Simon Wiggin James Thurston (1769-???) md. Elizabeth Peabody William Thurston (1772-???) md. Elizabeth Peck He married second Elizabeth widow of Thomas Peabody, in May 1789 5.
8	Caleb Thurston was born in 1737 5 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He died on January 4, 1799 5. He married Hannah Dudley on October 7, 1756 5. (She died on November 3, 18025.) They had the following children: Caleb Thurston md. 1st. Mary Gilman md. 2nd. Anne Wiggins Dudley Thurston md. Betsey Thurston Hannah Thurston (1765-1859) md. Samuel Hopkinson Sarah Thurston (1769-1814) md. Philip Bullen John Thurston (1772-???) md. Susan Durrell Daniel Thurston (1776-???) md. Deborah Folsom Trueworthy Thurston (1777-???) md. Priscilla Royal
9	Peter Thurston was born in 1739 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 5. He died on December 22, 1812 <5. He married Dorothy Gates on December 8, 1761 5. (She died on February 16, 1831 5.) They had the following children: Rebecca Thurston (1762-1827) md. Timothy Harrington Gates Thurston (1764-???) md. Elizabeth Pollard Dorothy Thurston (1766-1835) md. William Flagg Peter Thurston (1768-???) md. Sally Sweetser
10	Timothy Thurston was born in 1742 5 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He was supposedly married to Susan Wheeler. The Thurston Genealogies does not contain any more information on Timothy. More than likely, it confuses him with the JOHN Thurston (son of Benjamin and Elizabeth) who was married to SUSANNA Wheeler in 1765 in Grafton, Massachusetts.

Moses Thurston was born circa 1721 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire (see below). He died on April 6, 1800 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 5,23. He is buried in the Central Hollis Burial Ground, Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. Father: Abner Thurston Mother: Shuah Gilman (WARNING: Please use caution when digesting information on this family. Most accepted information on this line comes directly from Brown Thurston's Thurston Genealogies, yet this volume is filled with errors. 1) Moses Thurston did not marry Hannah Sewall, her name was Hannah Johnson. 2) Son Peter Thurston could not have been born on Dec. 10, 1761, as he was baptized over a year before that date. 3) Daughter Mary did not marry a Mr. Spofford, but died as an infant. 4) Daughter Lydia also died as an infant and did not marry a Mr. Johnson. 5) Daughter Hannah born in 1744 did not marry John Wheeler, but died in her youth (it was a younger daughter named Hannah who married John Wheeler). 6) Daughter Shuah did not marry Benjamin Crocker, his name was ANDREW Crocker. 7) When son Peter went back east to visit relatives at some point after moving to Ohio in 1813, he could NOT have visited his brother Moses in Massachusetts (who had been dead since 1809). It is wise to assume that there are other errors in the book that have not yet been discovered.) The usually accepted birth information for Moses is that he was born in 1721 in Newbury, Massachusetts 5, yet I think the date was obviously an estimate and that he was really born in Exeter, New Hampshire. Either way, Moses appears to have spent at least part of his youth at Exeter. As a young adult, Moses moved to Andover, Massachusetts, where he married Hannah Johnson in 1744. (It is interesting to note that Hannah was about five months pregnant with their first child when they were married. Perhaps this was something of a "shotgun wedding.") They lived in Andover for a handful of years until about 1749-1750, when they moved to Hollis, New Hampshire. In Hollis, they lived on a farm in the south end of that town that was partially in the town of Pepperell, Massachusetts. Their house is said to have stood in the town of Pepperell 5. At this location, Moses and his family remained. Moses was a hatter by trade and was also a devout member of the Congregational Church in Hollis. They also made use of the church at Pepperell, Mass., where they had five children baptized between 1756-1765. In later years Moses became a deacon at the church in Hollis. Moses is supposed to have had service in the Revolutionary War, yet it is not entirely clear whether the service was for him or his son of the same name. Moses died on April 6, 1800 in Hollis, New Hampshire, of apoplexy (sudden death), while leading a prayer at a religious meeting. Moses married first Hannah Johnson on May 29, 1744 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts 16. She was born on March 31, 1724 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts 16. She died sometime between 1765-1777 in Hollis, New Hampshire or Pepperell, Massachusetts. Father: Zebediah Johnson Mother: Hannah Robbins Her name was not Hannah Sewall, as has been usually accepted. She was born and raised in the town of Andover, Massachusetts.

1	Hannah Thurston was born on September 10, 1744 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,16,31. She died on September 5, 1758 in Pepperell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 22. She is buried in the Central Hollis Burial Ground, Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. Most researchers and the Thurston Genealogies claim that she married John Wheeler in 1788 and was the mother of their 7 children. THIS IS NOT TRUE. In addition to the fact that this Hannah is documented as dying unmarried at the age of 14, the claim asserts that she married a man 24 years younger than her and that her children were born when she was between 45 and 66 years of age. In actuality, as suggested by The History of Littleton, New Hampshire, her parents had a youngest child who they named after their oldest, deceased daughter. She was the one who married John Wheeler. See below. This Hannah died from "fever" aged "about 11 years" 22.
2	Moses Thurston was born on July 7 16, 9 5 (listed as June 7, 1746 elsewhere in 5) or 11 31, 1746 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He died on June 29, 1809 in Westminster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts 5. He married Esther Bigelow on April 28, 1768 in Westminster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts 5. (She was born on April 22, 1744 in Westminster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts 5 and died on October 24, 1831 in Westminster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts 5.) They had the following children: Lydia Thurston (1769-1832) md. Enoch Carleton Gilman Thurston (1771-1858) md. Azubah Gillett Sarah Thurston (1773-1862) md. John Parker Wiswall Mary Thurston (1775-1844) md. David Chadwick Hannah Thurston (1777-1857) md. Peter Chadwick Moses Thurston (1780-1845) md. Hannah Bolton Esther Thurston (1782-1860) md. 1st. Francis Weatherby md. 2nd. Rufus Thurston Lucy Thurston (1784-1870) md. Luther Weatherby Nancy Thurston (1787-1796) Catherine Thurston (1789-1868) md. James Tottingham When Moses filed for intentions to wed Esther Bigelow on November 9, 1767 in Westminster, Mass. 5, he was listed as "of Newbury, Mass." From my understanding, he and his family were still residents of Hollis, NH/Pepperell, MA at the time. Perhaps he was sent to go live with relatives at Newbury as a young man. The Thurston Genealogies does give a short story of him boarding in a house at some point in his youth. Moses settled with his wife in Westminster, Massachusetts and remained there. Like his father before him, Moses was also a hatter by trade and a deacon in his church at Westminster. Moses served in the Revolutionary War at Siege of Boston and also at Fort Ticonderoga in the 1770's.
3	Shuah Thurston was born on July 15, 1748 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5,16,31. She died on February 19, 1827 in Haverhill, Grafton Co., New Hampshire 37. She is buried in the Horse Meadow Cemetery, North Haverhill, Grafton Co., New Hampshire. She married Andrew Savage Crocker on September 10, 1769 in New Hampshire 34. (He was born on May 28, 1743 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts 24 and died on July 17, 1821 in Haverhill, Grafton Co., New Hampshire 37. He is buried in the Horse Meadow Cemetery, North Haverhill, Grafton Co., New Hampshire.) They had at least the following children: Mary Crocker (1770-???) probably died young Edward Bass Crocker (1781-1829) md. Elizabeth Gibson The Thurston Genealogies indicates that she married Benjamin Crocker, but he was Andrew's brother. Shuah and her husband settled at Haverhill, New Hampshire. Although we do not know when, it was probably immediately or soon after their marriage.
4	Gilman Thurston was born on July 19, 1750 5,31 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. The Thurston Genealogies indicates that he is said to have lived in Cohoes, New York, yet I can find no records to corroborate that information. The whole family connection to Cohoes seems to have simply been misguided. Even Brown Thurston himself expressed doubts about this theory in the the publication of his book. Gilman probably died young, unmarried.
5	Mary Thurston was born on July 24, 1752 5 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. She died on June 6, 1753 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. She is buried in the Central Hollis Burial Ground, Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. The Thurston Genealogies indicates that she married to a Rev. Spofford, this is not true.
6	Lydia Thurston was born on July 6, 1756 5,25,31 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. She was baptized on July 11, 1756 in Pepperell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 21,22. She died on October 28, 1757 in Pepperell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 22,25. She is buried in the Central Hollis Burial Ground, Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. The Thurston Genealogies indicates that she married to a Mr. Johnson, this is not true. Perhaps the surname Johnson was really being confused with her mother's maiden name.
7	Chloe Thurston was baptized on April 16, 1758 in Pepperell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 21,22. She died on December 13, 1807 in Topsham, Orange Co., Vermont 5. She married Stephen Runnels on December 7, 1780 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 31. (He was born on July 3, 1754 in Haverhill, Essex Co., Massachusetts 5 and died on July 22, 1798 in Vershire, Orange Co., Vermont 5.) They had the following children: Stephen Runnels (1783-1784) Mary Crocker Runnels (1784-1863) md. 1st. Moses Melvin md. 2nd. William Elmer Stephen Runnels (1785-1844) md. Jane Brown Chloe Runnels (1787-1804) Ebenezer Runnels (1787-???) md. Hannah Lane Hannah Runnels (1787-1808) Moses Thurston Runnels (1790-1831) md. 1st. Adaline Willey md. 2nd. Caroline Stearns Sarah Runnels (1793-1880) md. William Cox Sewall Runnels (1797-aft. 1860) md. 1st. Malinda Willey md. 2nd. Viann Walker Sollis Runnels (1797-1877) md. Mary C. Parker Some online genealogies have indicated that she was born in 1748 and was the twin sister of Shuah. This is simply not true. Stephen was a Revolutionary War soldier. The family lived in Hollis, New Hampshire until 1789, when they moved to Vershire, Vermont. After her husband's death, Chloe moved to Fletcher, Vermont, where her brother Peter was living and then to Topsham, Vermont, where her husband had once owned land.
8	Peter Thurston
9	Joseph Thurston was baptized on June 2, 1763 in Pepperell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 21,22. He died in Colchester, Vermont 5. He is supposed to have married Polly Melvin and lived in Canada before settling at Colchester, Vermont 5. No further information.
10	Phebe Thurston was born on February 14, 1765 in Pepperell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 5. She was baptized on February 17, 1765 in Pepperell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 21,22. She died on October 29, 1856 in Vershire, Orange Co., Vermont 5. She married Stephen Fuller on October 7, 1788 in Newbury, Orange Co., Vermont 5. (He was born on December 3, 1756 in Mansfield, Tolland Co., Connecticut 5 and died on April 12, 1816 in New Haven, Addison Co., Vermont 5.) They had the following children: Henry Fuller (1789-???) md. Maria Buffet Stephen Hopkins Fuller (1791-???) md. Susan Seymour Sewall Fuller (1793-???) md. Sophronia Jones Phebe Fuller (1794-1820) md. Silas McKeen Lucy Fuller (1797-1875) Lydia Fuller (1798-1821) Edwin Fuller (1800-???) md. Wealthy Clark Edward Crocker Fuller (1803-???) md. Rebecca Mathison David Thurston Fuller (1805-???) md. Catherine Shephard Joseph Fuller (1806-1866) Phebe and her husband settled at Vershire, Vermont soon after their marriage.
11	Hannah Thurston was born circa 1768, probably in Pepperell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She died after 1826, probably in Licking Co., Ohio. She married John Wheeler not long after September 21, 1788 perhaps in Charlestown, Sullivan Co., New Hampshire 32 (He was born on October 31, 1768 in Charlestown, Sullivan Co., New Hampshire 32 and died on May 12, 1813 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio 14. He is buried in the Old Colony Burial Ground, Granville, Licking Co., Ohio.) They had the following children: Laura Wheeler (1789-1856) md. Abner E. Bean Ralph Wheeler (1792-1866) md. Elizabeth Smith John Wheeler (c. 1794-1813) Wilder Wheeler (c. 1798-1874) md. Margaret Bruce Anna M. Wheeler (1801-1844) Crowell S. Wheeler (1803-???) Royall Tyler Wheeler (1810-1864) md. Emily Walker It has usually been accepted that the Hannah Thurston who married John Wheeler was the daughter born in 1744 5. Yet that daughter died unmarried in 1758; not to mention that the age of the older Hannah would have made the scenario virtually impossible. This Hannah was probably the youngest child of her parents, named after her deceased older sister 32. Hannah Thurston and John Wheeler filed intentions to wed in 1788 in Charlestown, New Hampshire, and Hannah was listed as a resident of Haverhill, New Hampshire (where her sister Shuah was then living). It is not known where the marriage actually occurred. They moved soon after to Littleton, New Hampshire, where they remained until about 1800, when they moved to Fletcher, Vermont. Between 1803-1810, they had moved to nearby Fairfield, Vermont. In about 1813, they moved to Granville, Ohio, where her husband and son John died soon after. Hannah appears to have been living in the household of her son Wilder in 1820. She was last located on a record in 1826, when she was still living in Licking County, Ohio. It is not known what happened to her after this date, and she is not buried next to her husband in the Old Colony Burial Ground in Granville. Hannah and her family are also supposed to have lived at Lake Memphremagog (which is in southern Quebec and northern Vermont) before moving to Ohio 5, yet no other sources seem to corroborated that. If that is true, they only lived there for a brief period of time (this would have been in or near the town of Newport, in Orleans County, Vermont, unless of course they went to Canada.)

Catherine was married first to Josiah Conant of Hollis, NH, who died in 1756. She and Moses Thurston had no children together. But she brought to the marriage three step-children: Josiah, Abel and Catherine Conant. Catherine was a distant relative of the noted Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Peter Thurston was born in about November 1760 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire (see below). He was baptized on November 16, 1760 in Pepperell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts ^21,22. He died on August 29, 1827 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio ^13,14. He is buried in the Old Colony Burial Ground, Granville, Licking Co., Ohio.

Father: Moses Thurston
Mother: Hannah Johnson

Most researchers have accepted that Peter was born on December 10, 1761 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire ⁵. This is impossible though, since he was baptized on November 16, 1760 (see above). Because his only siblings with surviving record of both birth and baptism (Lydia and Phebe) were baptized at the age of 3 and 5 days respectively, it is safe to assume that Peter was born in November 1760, several days before the 16th of that month. If his surviving, but incorrect, birthday is based in truth, then perhaps he was actually born on November 10, 1760. It is also possible that Moses and Hannah Thurston had two sons named Peter Thurston and that this Peter was born in 1761 and was named after his older brother who died as an infant.

Peter was raised in Hollis, New Hampshire, where his parents lived on a farm that rested partially in the town of Pepperell, Massachusetts. Peter served in the Revolutionary War, but the details of his service are not completely known. He is said to have been at the Battle of Lexington in 1775 ⁵, when he only would have been 14. Peter was said to have been a "strong and robust man who was an Indian fighter" ⁵. At some point, I would guess in the early 1780's, he is said to have been captured by Indians with other Americans and taken to Montreal where they were held for about three weeks. Peter walked back from Canada and stopped on the way in Franklin County, Vermont. He began living in the town of Fairfax (or Fletcher), Vermont, but decided to return to his hometown to find a wife ⁵. On April 22, 1787 in Boxford, Massachusetts, Peter filed intentions to wed Eunice Chadwick. It is unknown when or where the actual marriage occurred. They probably moved to Fairfax, Vermont at that time. In 1789 or 1790, Peter and his family moved the short distance to Fletcher, Vermont, where they settled on a farm off of the Lamoille River. They lived in a part of town that was annexed to Cambridge, Lamoille County, Vermont in 1845. When the town of Fletcher was organized in 1790, Peter served as selectman and in 1792 was constable. At some point, Peter became a Deacon in his church, which probably occurred in Fletcher, Vermont. The Thurston Genealogies indicates that Peter was a deacon of the Baptist Church, but a history of the town of Fletcher indicates that he was one of the only Methodists in the area. We do know that in Ohio, the Thurstons identified with the Methodist church.

Peter and his first wife had three known sons, but it is likely that they had other children that either died before reaching adulthood or have been "lost to time." Surely, the 10-year gap between the births of their sons Rufus and Peter Jr. seems like a rather long span of time for no children to have been born. Early census records also support the theory that there were additional children. Based on the 1800 and 1810 censuses, I would posit that Peter and Eunice had three daughters that were born between 1790-1800. It would appear that one of these daughters died or was married before 1810 and the remaining two by 1820. Unfortunately the names or identities of any of these supposed Thurston women are unknown.

In August 1802, Peter's wife Eunice died, and he remarried, in 1802 or 1803, to a widow from the nearby town of Fairfax named Hannah Butler Wheeler, who had 6 children by a previous marriage. They lived in Fletcher, Vermont until the year 1813. In April of 1813, he left his land with his two oldest sons and with his family went out west probably to take advantage of pension lands. They passed through Buffalo, New York, which had been burned during the War of 1812. They settled in central Ohio, in or near Granville, in Licking County, Ohio.

Peter's life was definitely hard in the frontier land of Ohio. It said that years later when he went back east to visit relatives he advised them to not come west as long as they were comfortable where they were (the book indicates he visited his brother Moses in Massachusetts, yet he had been dead since 1809) ⁵.

They had the following children:

1	Edward Thurston was born on March 9, 1788 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont 5. He died on June 24, 1849 in Baltimore, Baltimore Co., Maryland. He married Betsey Page circa 1811 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont. (She died on April 14, 1814 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont.) They had the following children: Eunice C. Thurston (c. 1811-aft. 1832) md. Hannibal H. Gould Oron W. Thurston (c. 1812-1812) Clarissa P. Thurston (c. 1813-1844) md. Josiah C. Robinson Phineas Page Thurston (c. 1814-aft. 1882) md. Elizabeth Ann Earle
2	Rufus Thurston was born on October 18, 1789 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont 5. He died on September 12, 1856 in Cambridge, Lamoille Co., Vermont. He married Esther Thurston, widow of Francis Weatherby, sometime between 1816-1818 in Vermont. (She was born on August 17, 1782 in Westminster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts 11 and died in July 1860 in Cambridge, Lamoille Co., Vermont.) They had three known children: Charles Thurston (c. 1818-1822) Fidelia Thurston (1822-1823) Adelia Thurston (c. 1829-1889) md. 1st. Edwin Melvin md. 2nd. Ira Rickard
3	Peter Thurston was born circa 1799 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont 14. He died on August 20, 1836 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio 14. He is buried in the Old Colony Burial Ground, Granville, Licking Co., Ohio. He married Elizabeth Jackson on November 11, 1821 in Licking Co., Ohio 43. (She was born on March 27, 1801 in Oneida Co., New York and died on June 6, 1885 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She is buried in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Cordelia Thurston (c. 1823-1890) md. 1st. Augustus H. French md. 2nd. Benjamin C. Robinson Mary Thurston (1823-1846) md. William Z. Ross Rufus Thurston (1826-1895) md. Esther Bentley Sharratt Charlotte Rose Thurston (1827-1900) md. 1st. William Z. Ross md. 2nd. --- Bunner Sarah Thurston (c. 1831-1852) md. Nathan Carroll Charles Thurston (1833-1893) md. Joanna Dilley Elizabeth Thurston (c. 1836-1858) md. George Rice

1	Johnson Thurston was born on October 20, 1803 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont 5. He died on December 7, 1858 in Lebanon, St. Clair Co., Illinois 5. He is buried in the Robbins-Thurston Cemetery, Hilliar Twp., Knox Co., Ohio. He married Julia Everett on February 22, 1824 in Licking Co., Ohio 5,43. (She was born on July 15, 1808 in Connecticut 5 and died on March 29, 1888 in Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio 5. She is buried in the Robbins-Thurston Cemetery, Hilliar Twp., Knox Co., Ohio.) They had the following children: Elihu Thurston (1824-1891) md. Martha Cowgill Eunice Thurston (1826-1827) Eunice Healthy Thurston (1828-1909) md. Daniel Albert Webster (divorced) Lucy Thurston (1830-1832) Orlin Thurston (1834-1883) md. Mary R. Weaver Lucy Thurston (1841-1911) md. Edwin Buckingham Robbins Susan E. Thurston (1843-1915) md. Cary Cooper
2	George Washington Thurston was born on February 12, 1805 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont 5. He died on June 20, 1835 near New Haven, Huron Co., Ohio 5. He married Charlotte Jackson on May 20, 1832 5. (She was born circa 1812 in New York 11 and died after 1880, perhaps in Iowa or Minnesota.) They had the following children: Mary Elizabeth Thurston (1834-1869) md. 1st. John Tannahill Hanawalt md. 2nd. Selah R. Sammis Sarah Rosetta Thurston (1836-1915) md. 1st. Insley Campbell md. 2nd. Calvin Woods
3	Thomas Jefferson Thurston was born on February 12, 1805 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont 5. He died on May 3, 1885 in St. George, Washington Co., Utah 8. He is buried in the St. George Cemetery, St. George, Washington Co., Utah. He married first Rozetta Bull on on March 20, 1828 in Licking Co., Ohio 43 or on March 28, 1828 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio 8. (She was born on April 25, 1809 in Manchester, Bennington Co., Vermont 8 and died on July 29, 1881 in Pima, Graham Co., Arizona 8. She is buried in the Pima Cemetery, Pima, Graham Co., Arizona.) They had the following children: Harriet Elizabeth Thurston (1829-1872) md. 1st. William Washington Potter md. 2nd. Daniel Williams George Washington Thurston (1830-1902) md. Sarah Lucinda Snow Smith Butler Thurston (1833-1883) md. Mary Isom Sarah Ann Thurston (1835-1909) md. 1st. Jedediah Morgan Grant md. 2nd. George Davidson Grant md. 3rd. John Fredrick Snedaker Hannah Maria Thurston (1837-1838) Reuben Johnson Thurston (1839-1858) Julia Rosetta Thurston (1841-1916) md. 1st. Joseph Bates Noble md. 2nd. Jacob Arthurs md. 3rd. Samuel Cowan Caroline Rozalia Thurston (1843-1912) md. John James Fry Huldah Cordelia Thurston (1846-1939) md. Willard Gilbert Smith Thomas Jefferson Thurston (1847-1870) Peter Franklin Thurston (1851-1886) md. Mary Ann Spendlove He married second Elizabeth Smith on November 18, 1855 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah 8. (She was born on February 27, 1835 in Newton, Lancashire, England 8 and died on Janaury 18, 1895 in St. George, Washington Co., Utah 8. She is buried in the St. George Cemetery, St. George, Washington Co., Utah.) They had the following children: Rozetta Thurston (1856-1936) md. Arthur Bryan Elizabeth Thurston (1858-1907) md. Jedediah Grant Little John Thomas Thurston (1859-1921) md. Alice Josephine Little Clara Thurston (1861-1954) md. George Leonard Little Mary Thurston (1863-1946) md. Andrew Laden William Henry Thurston (1864-1918) md. Kate Elizabeth Kemp Frederick Thurston (1867-1945) md. Nora Hunter Jedediah Morgan Thurston (1869-1903) Edward Thurston (1871-1871) Leah Helen Thurston (1872-1880) Rebecca Thurston (1875-1961) md. Ephraim Ernest Whittir LeRoy Thurston (1877-1960) md. Ada May Johnson Harrison Thurston (1879-1955) md. Margaret May Peterson Jefferson Thurston (1881-???) He married third Helen Maria Davis on May 3, 1862 in Utah 8. (She was born on October 29, 1844 in Lowell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 8 and died on August 3, 1896 in Ogden, Weber Co., Utah 8.) They had no children.
4	Reuben Harris Thurston
5	Jane Thurston was born in August 1807 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont 5. She died in February 1809 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont 5.
6	Caroline Thurston was born in August 1807 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont 5. She died circa May 1844 (or circa 1840 in Ohio 5). She married Henry Norton Charter on October 25, 1842 in Lucas Co., Ohio 41 (or in 1839 5). (He was born circa April 23, 1817 in New York and died on April 18, 1868 in Lasalle, Monroe Co., Michigan.) They had one child: W. Irving Charter (1844-1845) Caroline died "at the birth of her first child" 5. It would make sense then that she died at or soon after the birth of her son on May 17, 1844. Her husband remarried just two months later to Sarah Hall on July 14, 1844. He later married a third time and moved to Michigan.
7	Maria Thurston was born on April 15, 1809 5, April 10, 1810 15, or April 15, 1810 44 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont. She died on March 4, 1860 in English River Twp., Washington Co., Iowa 5,15,44. She is buried in the Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, Washington Co., Iowa. She married Orrin Chipman on March 2, 1828 44, April 27, 1828 43 or November 2, 1828 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio 5. (He was born on July 1, 1803 15 or October 4, 1803 5 in Vermont and died on March 4 5 or May 4 15, 1886 in Washington Co., Iowa. He is buried in the Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, Washington Co., Iowa.) They had the following children: Lucius Chipman (1828-1829) Virgil Chipman (1830-1917) md. 1st. Frances Malinda Moor md. 2nd. Deborah Hand Caroline Chipman (1832-1862) md. Eldridge Moor
8	Cordelia Thurston was born circa 1813 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont 11. She died in 1860 5 or on October 13, 1863 40 in Burlington Twp., Licking Co., Ohio. She is buried in the Homer Cemetery, Homer, Licking Co., Ohio. She married Calvin Woods sometime between 1830-1833 (or in 1829 5). (He was born on August 28, 1804 in Westford, Chittenden Co., Vermont and died in August 1873 in Marshall Co., Iowa 5.) They had the following children: Laura Ann Woods (c. 1833-1860) Sophina Mathilda Woods (1838-1925) md. Andrew Jackson Zumwalt Maria Woods (c. 1838-1858) Calvin Imri Woods (1842-1892) md. Mary Isabelle Harris Rosetta Woods (c. 1847-1862) Clerin Thurston Woods (1853-1920) md. Emma Haddock

6th Generation: Reuben Harris Thurston was born on December 11, 1806 in Fletcher, Franklin County, Vermont 5,18. He died on April 13, 1880 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5,18. He is buried in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. Father: Peter Thurston Mother: Hannah Butler In 1813, he moved with his family to Granville, Licking County, Ohio 5. Reuben spent the remainder of his childhood and adolescence in Licking County, Ohio. On March 15, 1827 in Granville, Ohio, Reuben was married to Mary Brooks. Between 1827 and 1829, they lived in a farm in Granville Township, just outside the city of Granville. Then from 1829 to 1837, they lived on a farm in neighboring McKean Township, also in Licking County. Together they had nine children. In 1837 or 1838, they moved to neighboring Delaware County, Ohio. They settled on a farm in Berlin Township, outside of the city of Delaware. Reuben was a successful farmer and is said to have been "one of the most enterprising and thrifty farmers of the central portion of that State [Ohio] 18" Reuben had a family history grounded in Puritanism, but maintained rather liberal views. Reuben was apparently not a Christian of any specific denomination and is said to have "discredited the bible as a revelation" 5. (The religious views of the Thurstons were quite interesting. Although, his grandfather was a devout Congregationalist and his father was a devout Methodist, the religious views of Reuben and his family varied largely. His brother Thomas became a Mormon, another brother stayed with the Methodist Church and another seemed to espouse somewhat atheist-like views.) Also, while living in Ohio Reuben was a member of the Ohio Abolitionists 18, a group intent on abolishing slavery in the United States. In 1853, Reuben and his family sold their land in Ohio and moved away. Between 1853 and 1856, they briefly lived in the city of Richmond in Wayne County, Indiana. In the spring of 1856, Reuben moved with his family out west and they purchased a farm and settled near Garden City, in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. Reuben lived on a farm of about 275 acres along the Watonwan River. This land was just northeast of the village of Garden City and was partially in both Garden City Township and Rapidan Township. Reuben lived near Garden City for the remainder of his life. He is said to have been a very intelligent and logical man as well as refined and "morally without spot of blemish." Reuben died at his home near Garden City, Minnesota on April 13, 1880 at the age of 74. Reuben married first to Mary Morse Brooks on March 15, 1827 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio 5,43.

1	Irvin Harris Thurston
2	Mary Ellen* Thurston was born on April 26, 1829 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio 5. She died on February 3, 1909 in Alameda, Alameda Co., California 12,45. She married first George S. Eaton on January 17, 1850 in Delaware Co., Ohio 7. (He was born circa 1828 in New Hampshire 11 and died after 1862.) They divorced in 1862 5. They had the following children: Lillian Mary Eaton Snow (1853-1916) md. William A. Kindred Rosa Corinne Eaton Snow (c. 1855-1929) md. 1st Robert Chadwick Harrison md. 2nd Charles Stokesberry Georgiana Eaton Snow (c. 1857-1907) md. 1st. George H. Allen md. 2nd Sylvester Percy Hirsch Stella May Eaton Snow (1860-1937) md. 1st Albert Valentine Travis md. 2nd Josiah Elmer Shaffer She married second Florenton Everett Snow sometime between 1864-1865, probably in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (He was born on April 14, 1835 in Orleans, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts 46 and died on March 26, 1895 in St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota 35. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota.) They had no children. * Mary's middle name is listed as Eliza in the Thurston Genealogies, yet in an 1866 legal record and in her obituary, her middle name is clearly Ellen. Mary and her first husband moved from Ohio to Indiana sometime between 1850 and 1853, where they only lived for a short time. In about 1856, they moved to Iowa, and first settled in Salem in Henry County. In 1860, they were living in Butler County, Iowa. In 1862, Mary and George were divorced and she probably moved with her children to Minnesota at that time. In 1865, she was living with her second husband in St. Paul, Minnesota and in 1870 was living in Mankato, Minnesota. They were back in St. Paul, Minnesota by 1875, where they remained. Sometime between 1895 and 1900, Mary moved out west to live with her daughters in California. She first lived in San Diego, but later moved to Alameda (near Oakland). Oakland Tribune, Feb. 3, 1909, Pg. 8: "Mrs. Mary Ellen Snow Is Called By Death Alameda, Feb. 3. - Mrs. Mary Ellen Snow, mother of Mrs. L. M. Kindred, died at the home of her daughter, 2115 Buena Vista avenue, this morning. Mrs. Snow, who was 79 years old, was born and raised in Ohio and came to California thirteen years ago. She came to visit Mrs. Kindred last July, and since that time has made her home in Alameda. Besides Mrs. Kindred in this city, she leaves two other daughters, Mrs. Rosa C. Harrison of Berkeley, and Mrs. Stella M. Shaffer of San Diego. Miss Lillian Kindred of the Alameda Public Library is a granddaughter."
3	Sarah Hannah Thurston was born on April 26, 1829 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio 5. She died on July 29, 1914 in Albion, Marshall Co., Iowa 8. She is buried in the Albion Cemetery, Albion, Marshall Co., Iowa. She married Henry Clinton Cowgill on April 25, 1847 in Delaware Co., Ohio 5. (He was born on March 27, 1823 in Albion, Ashland Co., Ohio and died on August 21, 1896 in Albion, Marshall Co., Iowa. He is buried in the Albion Cemetery, Albion, Marshall Co., Iowa.) They had the following children: George Thurston Cowgill (1848-1933) md. Philena Post Henry Ernest Cowgill (1851-1874) Franklin Brooks Cowgill (1856-1933) md. Ida Lillian Hall Rosa Lucia Cowgill (1858-1933) md. Charles Wesley Post Nellie May Cowgill (1863-1923) md. Forrest Evans Smith After marriage, Sarah and her husband lived briefly in Delaware County, Ohio. In about 1854, they moved out west to Iowa. They first lived in Clinton County, Iowa, then moved to Grundy County, Iowa in about 1859. They remained there for many years until sometime during the 1870s, when they moved to Albion, Marshall County, Iowa, where they remained. Evening Times-Republican [Marshalltown, IA], Jul. 30, 1914, Pg. 10: "Pioneer of County Dead. Mrs. Sarah H. Cowgill Dies at Daughter's Home West fo (sic) Town. Mrs. Sarah H. Cowgill, aged 85, a pioneer of the county, and an early settler of Taylor township, died at 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the home of her death, Mrs. Forest Smith, four miles west of this city. Mrs. Cowgill's death was due to heart disease, with which she was stricken Tuesday night. Mrs. Cowgill has been in feeble health for several years, and returned to the Smith home less than a month ago from Portland, Ore., where she had been visiting another daughter. Mrs. Cowgill was born Sarah H. Thurston, in Delaware county (sic), Ohio, April 26, 1829. She became the wife of Henry C. Cowgill April 25 1847, the wedding taking place in Delaware county, also the native county of Mr. Cowgill. In 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Cowgill came to Clinton county, and in 1861 to this county, settling on a farm in the Prairieville neighborhood, in Taylor township. Four years later they moved to Albion, where Mr. Cowgill died eighteen years ago. For the past five years Mrs. Cowgill had made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Smith. Four of the five children born to Mrs. Cowgill are living. In addition to the daughter at whose home the mother died, the children are George T. Cowgill, of Waterloo; Rev. Frank B. Cowgiyl (sic), of Fresno Cal.; and Mrs. Rosa L. Post, of Portland, Ore. Henry Ernest Cowgill, the other son, died about forty years ago. Funeral services for Mrs. Cowgill will be held from the Methodist church at Albion Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock. The church will be open to friends from 2 to 3. Burial will be in Albion cemetery."
4	Rose Lucia Thurston was born on April 29, 1831 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio 5. She died on March 20, 1873 in Washington, DC 5. She is buried in the Glenwood Cemetery, Washington, DC. She married James Heaton Baker on September 25, 1851 in Delaware Co., Ohio 7. (He was born on May 6, 1829 in Monroe, Butler Co., Ohio 5 and died on May 25, 1913 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 8. He is buried in the Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Arthur Heaton Baker (1852-1896) md. Elizabeth Towles Harry Edgar Baker (1854-1920) md. 1st. Lillaeta Warner md. 2nd. Sarah Jane Mills md. 3rd. Charlotte Ann Mills md. 4th. Rebecca Gertrude Lorden Washington [DC] Chronicle, Mar. 21, 1873, Pg. 4: "DIED. Baker - On Wednesday, the 20th instant, Rose L. wife of General J. H. Baker, aged 42 years. The funeral will take place from 807 H street northwest, on Saturday morning at 11 o'clock. Friends of the family are invited to attend without further notice." Mankato Record, Mar. 29, 1873, Pg. 3: "Death of Mrs. Baker. The death of this estimable lady, which occurred in Washington last week, has filled the hearts of a large circle of friends in this city and county, by whom she was sincerely beloved and respected, with profound sorrow. We understand that she was slowly improving, and strong hopes of her ultimate recovery were entertained by her husband and friends, till the news of the death of her sister, Mrs. Finch, to whom she was strongly attached, reached her. From that time, we learn, she seemed to steadily decline till death relieved her of her sufferings."
5	Cyrus Brooks Thurston was born on January 21, 1834 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio 5. He died on February 27, 1915 in St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota 9. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota. He married Mary A. Harrison on March 21, 1857 5 or March 16, 1858 in Franklin Co., Ohio 19,38. (She was born on December 7, 1836 in Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio 5 and died on October 24, 1921 in St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota 9. She is buried in the Oakland Cemetery, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: William Harris Thurston (1857-1932) md. Rachel Haynes Mary Lavina Thurston (1861-1932) md. Clarence Howard Johnston Helen Miller Thurston (1861-1922) md. William Ripley Dorr Cyrus Harrison Thurston (1868-1870) Harry Harrison Thurston (1873-1878) Cyrus attended a "commercial college" in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated in 1854. After his marriage, he and his wife lived in Mankato, Minnesota and in Butler County, Iowa. Sometime during the 1860s they settled in St. Paul, Minnesota, where they remained. Cyrus first worked as a farmer, but later turned his pursuits to business. He worked as a traveling agent/salesman for a mercantile business, but afterwards started a business manufacturing and selling agricultural implements and machinery. In old age, he worked in real estate. Cyrus' home he had built in 1881 is still standing today at 495 Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Mankato Free Press, Mar. 5, 1915, Pg. 6: "From Monday's Daily. Cyrus B. Thurston, a Minnesota pioneer, who built the first cold storage warehouse in St. Paul, died Saturday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clarence H. Johnston, 2 Crocus Hill, St. Paul. He was eighty-one years old, and had been in failing health for several years. After the establishment of the storage business with his son, W. H. Thurston, he conducted a carriage and farm implement trade, but for a long time had spent his winters at his orange grove near Maitland, Fla. Four years ago he located permanently in St. Paul, owing to his poor health. The funeral arrangements have not been made. Mr. Thurston was born in 1834 near Granville, Ohio, and was educated at the Kentucky Military institute and the Ohio Wesleyan university. He was married to Miss Mary A. Harrison of Columbus, Ohio. They came to Minnesota in the late fifties, living on a farm and later moving to Mankato and to St. Paul in 1868 [or 1863?]. The widow and three children, W. H. Thurston, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Mrs. William R. Dorr, Minneapolis, and Mrs. Johnston, survive. Mr. Thurston was well-known in Mankato and up to a few years ago he made frequent trips to this city."
6	Caroline "Callie" Matilda Thurston was born on May 14, 1837 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio 5. She died on December 31, 1872 47 probably in Rapidan, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She is buried in the Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She married Sherman Edward Finch on May 19, 1856 in Henry Co., Iowa 39 or June 1856 in Iowa 5. (He was born on December 20, 1833 in Ohio 20 and died on August 20, 1912 in Gifford, Nez Perce Co., Idaho 20.) She had the following children: Mary Eva Finch (1857-1883) md. Burton Tyler Gertrude Ella Finch (1859-1940) md. Albert Lucien Town Sherman Edwin Finch (1861-1923) md. Jane Ann Hersey Frank Thurston Finch (1862-1927) md. Sarah Elizabeth Dillman (divorced) Callie Maude Finch (1868-1944) md. Arthur Alfred Dobson Ada Snow Finch (1870-1937) md. 1st. John Ramsden Woodhead md. 2nd. Mr. Rowland The Thurston Genealogies indicates that she died on December 31, 1867, yet that is an error. She actually died in 1872. The Mankato Weekly Union, Jan. 10, 1873, Pg. 3: "The wife of Sherman Finch, Esq., of Rapidan, died very suddenly after accouchment [childbirth], on Wednesday last week. Mrs. F. was a sister of Mrs. Gen. Baker, and a daughter of Mr. Thurston, of Garden City. She leaves a husband, six children under the age of fourteen, and a large circle of friends to mourn her loss. The remains were brought to this city on Friday and buried in the new cemetery."
7	Otho H. Thurston was born on November 12, 1842 in Berlin Twp., Delaware Co., Ohio 5. He died on December 20, 1843 in Berlin Twp., Delaware Co., Ohio 10. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Delaware, Delaware Co., Ohio.
8	Frank Thurston was born on September 22, 1844 in Berlin Twp., Delaware Co., Ohio 5. He died on November 16, 1928 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 9. He is buried in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He married Julia Marvin on January 11, 1865 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5. (She was born on February 18, 1850 in St. Lawrence Co., New York and died on December 13, 1935 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She is buried in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Jessie I. Thurston (1867-1954) md. Charles H. John Jennie M. Thurston (1870-1880) Rose B. Thurston (1872-1872) Mary A. Thurston (1878-1968) Franc Thurston (1882-1949) md. Violet Gates Frank was a farmer. He and his wife lived in Garden City, Minnesota for the duration of their lives.
9	Charles "Charlie" Edgar Thurston was born on December 31, 1849 in Berlin Twp., Delaware Co., Ohio 5. He died on July 31, 1922 in El Segundo, Los Angeles Co., California 12. He is buried in the Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, Los Angeles Co., California. He married Ida Flora Barton on July 2, 1872 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5. (She was born on June 23, 1854 in Chittenden Co., Vermont 5 and died on August 23, 1937 in Los Angeles Co., California 12.) They had the following children: Cyrus "Cye" Arthur Thurston (1873-1941) md. 1st. Lilian Mae Hamerton, ex-wife of William E. Anderson (divorced) md. 2nd Edith Judd, ex-wife of Samuel J. Vail (divorced) md. 3rd Josephine Lockhart, widow of George C. Frew (divorced) Charles Plum Thurston (1877-1906) Raymond Heaton Thurston (1879-1889) Louis Barton Thurston (1881-1932) md. Wilma M. Sander Royal "Roy" Merrill Thurston (1890-1918) md. Violet L. Von Ingelheim Charles and his family first lived in Garden City, Minnesota; where they were between 1872 and 1880. After this, they moved relatively frequently during the 1880s and 1890s, and lived in: Jamestown, North Dakota; Mankato, Minnesota; Marion County, Florida; St. Paul, Minnesota; Ottawa, Minnesota; and Sharp County, Arkansas. In the early 1900s, they returned to St. Paul, Minnesota; where they resided for about 20 years. Then in late 1920 or early 1921, they moved to Los Angeles, California, where Charles and Ida remained until their deaths. Charles died from stomach cancer. Throughout his life, his occupation was variously listed as: farmer, surveyor, sorghum grinder, foreman (for his brother's company), superintendent of a "cold storage house", mining engineer, and "storekeeper" for a U.S. Customs warehouse.

They had no children. Although Reuben and Mary were married, their marriage was apparently not successful or was not acknowledged by their respective families. Perhaps their marriage in old age was only for pragmatic/practical reasons. When Reuben died in 1880, there was no mention of her in his obituary. In that same year, she was living with her son in Mankato and used the last name Fowler. She used the name Fowler for the duration of her life. Her marriage to Reuben was not acknowledged in her 1891 obituary.

Mankato Free Press, Jan. 1, 1892, Pg. 5:
"Death of Mrs. Mary Fowler.
At the ripe old age of 79 years, Mrs. Mary Fowler passes from this life to the one beyond the tomb.
Sunday morning at daybreak those who stood about her bedside realized that the end was near at hand, and just as the clock struck 8 the cord of life was snapped and her soul took its flight. Her demise occurred at the house of her son, Mr. J. G. Fowler in West Mankato. The funeral services were held in the Methodist church Monday afternoon at two o'clock the sermon being delivered by Rev. F. M. Rule.
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ," were the words selected by the pastor as the subject of his remarks. He spoke in a touching manner of the stirring times in which the deceased lived. At the conclusion of the ceremonies the remains were taken to Glenwood cemetery and there interred.
Ms. Fowler was born in England in 1812 and came in 1850 to this country with her husband and located at St. Paul, he being a jeweler by trade. Seven years later they came to Mankato and made their home here.
Her husband died about 20 years ago and ever since that time she has lived at the home of her son, Mr. J. G. Fowler, who cared for her only as a true son should. A few weeks ago she was taken very ill and her life was despaired of, but through good attention she rallied for a time.
The deceased leaves a son and daughter to mourn their loss, besides a host of those who new her in life as a lovable and kind mother, and a sympathetic friend."

7th Generation: Irvin Harris Thurston was born on January 11, 1828 in Granville, Licking County, Ohio 5. He died on July 7, 1887 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5,6. He is buried in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. Father: Reuben Harris Thurston Mother: Mary Morse Brooks Irvin spent the first part of his life on farms outside of Granville, Ohio. In about 1837, he moved with his family to nearby Delaware County, Ohio, where they lived in Berlin Township, just outside of the city of Delaware. Irvin was raised as a farmer and was married in Delaware, Ohio to Fredonia Case on February 11, 1849. They were married until December 1851, when Fredonia died along with their only child, an unnamed son. After the death of his wife and child, Irvin decided to become a doctor. He studied medicine in Delaware, Ohio, from 1852 to 1854, and also took a six months course of lectures at the Starling Medical College (now Starling-Ohio Medical College). After his education was over in 1854, Irvin spent a year traveling in different states doing some operative surgery and looking for a place to settle. In 1855, he moved to Salem, Iowa. It was while living there that he met and became engaged to a young woman named Lydia Dunham. Irvin Thurston and Lydia Dunham were married on February 15, 1856 in Salem, Iowa. They remained in Iowa for about a year. In the spring of 1857, Irvin and Lydia moved to Garden City, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where the rest of his family had just recently located. There, they chose to farm and raise a family. Together they had five daughters. In Minnesota, Irvin worked primarily as a farmer. In 1862, Irvin enlisted in the Civil War as a surgeon in the Minnesota Infantry. For two years, Irvin was stationed at "frontier posts" and did not see battle during that time. During that time, he was allowed time off to visit his family; he and his wife conceived a child in about November 1863. Then between 1864 and 1865, he was ordered from his frontier post and saw active battle. During that year, he went to North Dakota, Tennessee, Ohio, Washington, DC, Delaware, and North Carolina. He was at the Battle of Killdeer Mountain, the Third Battle of Murfreesboro, and Battle of Wyse Fork (aka Battle of Kinston). He had been promoted to Full Surgeon before being discharged in July 1865. At that time, Irvin returned home to his family in Minnesota. Sadly, Irvin's daughter Cora died in 1867 and his wife Lydia died in 1869, at the age of 33. This signaled a difficult time for Irvin and his family, when there was fear his daughters would have to be separated because he could not care for them by himself. The fears were abated when he remarried in 1870 to Mary Gerry. Irvin and Mary had three children together. Although he was educated as a doctor, Irvin spent most of the rest of his life working as a farmer, a vocation he knew since childhood. Irvin and Mary continued living together in Garden City. From 1880 to 1883, they briefly lived in neighboring Rapidan Township. Then in January 1886, they sold their land in Minnesota. In January 1886, Irvin traveled to Florida where he purchased 40 acres of land near the community of Sparr in Marion County, Florida. He returned to Minnesota and then in August 1886, moved with his family to their property in Florida. However they did not remain in Florida for long, and moved back to Garden City, Minnesota several months later (sometime during the winter of 1886-1887). Irvin was apparently in poor health, and he continued to get worse after returning to Minnesota. He died at his home in Garden City, Minnesota, on July 6, 1887 at the age of 59. Obituary, Mankato Free Press, Jul. 8, 1887, Pg. 3: "Dr. J. (sic) H. Thurston, of Garden City, died at his residence in that town yesterday. The deceased was an old and prominent citizen, and one of the pioneer settlers. He was a brother of Frank Thurston, of Garden City, and of C. B. Thurston, of St. Paul, and a brother-in-law of Gen. J. H. Baker. He settled in this county in 1856, and had always been a respected and esteemed citizen. He sold his place in Garden City some time ago and went to Florida, but returned last winter and had been in poor health ever since. His death is deeply deplored by all who knew him." Irvin married first Fredonia Case on February 11, 1849 in Delaware Co., Ohio 5. She was born circa 1828 in Liberty Twp., Delaware Co., Ohio 11. She died on December 23, 1851 in Berlin Twp., Delaware Co., Ohio 10. She is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Delaware, Delaware Co., Ohio.

1	Infant Thurston was born and died circa December 1851 in Berlin Twp., Delaware Co., Ohio. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Delaware, Delaware Co., Ohio.

They had the following children:

1	Minnie Ellen Thurston was born on May 18, 1857 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5. She died on April 30, 1913 in St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota 35. She married Edgar Alfonso Hopkins on August 18, 1881 in Chariton Co., Missouri 7. (He was born circa 1853 in Ashippun, Dodge Co., Wisconsin 11 and died on February 19, 1899.) They had the following children: Harry Edgar Hopkins (1881-1944) md. Allie B. Dean Irvin Harris Hopkins (1883-1932) md. Albertina Loesner Carl Swazel Hopkins (1884-1950) md. Margaret E. Crooks Raymond Lester Hopkins (1885-aft. 1923) Hertha Hopkins (1887-1911) Edgar A. Hopkins (1889-1894) Myrtle Claire Hopkins (1891-aft. 1933) md. 1st. Arthur Mahlon Partridge md. 2nd. Emil Andrew Heimberger Elizabeth A. Hopkins (1894-1956) md. 1st. ??? St. John md. 2nd. John May Frank Thurston Hopkins (1897-1947) md. Elizabeth Helen Blonick Sometime during the late 1870s, Minnie moved by herself to Wisconsin where in 1880 she was living in Oconomowoc, boarding in a house and working as a servant. It must have been under this situation that she became pregnant (in about January 1881) by Edgar Hopkins, a traveling salesman from nearby Ashippun, Wisconsin. They went to Chariton Co., Missouri (where some of her maternal relatives lived) and were married in August 1881, just two months before the birth of their first child. Considering his occupation as a traveling salesman, they moved around quite a bit. Later in 1881, they were in Kansas City, Missouri. They were in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1883; Brooklyn, New York in 1884; somewhere in Wisconsin in 1885. Sometime between 1885-1887 the moved to Mankato, Minnesota, where they lived for several years. They remained there until about 1898, when they moved to St. James, Minnesota, where Edgar Hopkins probably died. Minnie was living there in 1910 and moved to St. Paul with her younger children before she died in 1913. Minnie died from cancer. Obituary, Mankato Free Press, May 5, 1913, 1:6: "Mrs. M. E. Hopkins Dead Sister of Mrs. Henry Spicer Succumbed to Cancer in St. Paul Recently Mrs. Minnie E. Hopkins died of cancer at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Arthur M. Partridge, in St. Paul on April 30. She was a sister of Mrs. Henry Spicer of Mankato. Her remains were brought to Garden City and the funeral was held there Saturday morning. Mrs. Hopkins was fifty-five years old and is survived by seven grown-up sons and daughters as follows: Harry E., Irvin H., Carl S., Raymond L., Mrs. Arthur Partridge, Elizabeth A., Frank; also four sisters and one brother, Mrs. Julia Bixby, Salem Ore., Miss Rose Thurston, Salem, Ore., Mrs. Nettie Eggerley (sic), Ottumwa, Ia., and R. H. Thurston, Salem, Ore., and Mrs. Henry Spicer, Mankato. Mrs. Hopkins formerly resided in Mankato."
2	Cora Baker Thurston was born on June 15, 1859 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5. She died on March 2, 1867 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 49. She is buried in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Minnesota. Death notice, The Mankato Union, Mar. 8, 1867, Pg. 3: "DIED: On Saturday the 2nd inst., Cora, daughter of Dr. I. H. Thurston, aged about eight years. Cora was one of our sabbath school scholars. She was a sweet tempered child, beloved by all who knew her. In her last sickness which was a lingering one she was patient and resigned, and passed gently away in the morning of life, to bloom in a fairer clime than this. In sorrow they laid the little one down, With the cold prairie sod as her pillow, Yet sweet Cora is safe, on the river of death, For she'll make her way over the billow, Yes, the old river Jordan may roll on its course, And its waves heave up like the ocean, Jesus watches while little ones pass o'er the tide, And bears them all safe in his bosom. Garden City, March 5, 1867."
3	Nettie Thurston was born on April 3, 1861 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5,26. She died on March 22, 1939 in Ottumwa, Wapello Co., Iowa 26. She is buried in the Ottumwa Cemetery, Ottumwa, Wapello Co., Iowa. She married Edward Tyler Edgerley on February 5, 1891 in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois 8. (He was born on January 15, 1864 in Ottumwa, Wapello Co., Iowa 26 and died on November 13, 1931 in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota 9,26. He is buried in the Ottumwa Cemetery, Ottumwa, Wapello Co., Iowa.) They had the following children: Adine Edgerly (1892-1892) John Thurston Edgerly (1893-1957) md. Helen Ann Oppermann Madeleine Edgerly (1896-1978) md. Nelson Gadd Rupp In 1880, 19-year old Nettie was working as a sevant in Garden City, Minnesota. Sometime during the 1880s, she moved by herself to Chicago, Illinois with the goal of becoming a nurse. She entered the Illinois Training School for Nurses, where she graduated in 1890. Afterwards, she worked briefly as a nurse. It must have been while working as a nurse that she met her husband, Edward Edgerly, a physician. They began living together in Chicago, Illinois. Sometime between 1893 and 1896, they moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, where they remained. Des Moines Tribune, Mar. 23, 1939, Pg. 13: "Mrs. E. T. Edgerly Dies in Ottumwa (The Tribune's Iowa News Service.) Ottumwa, Ia. - Mrs. E. T. Edgerly, 77, widow of Dr. E. T. Edgerly, died late Wednesday night at her home here. Dr. Edgerly, prominent physician for many years, who died some time ago, was the son of the founder of J. W. Edgerly & Co., wholesale druggists here. He was a brother of Mrs. John H. Morrell. She is survived by a son, John T. Edgerly, and a daughter, Mrs. Madeleine Edgerly Rupp."
4	Julia Marvin Thurston
5	Anabel Thurston was born on January 5, 1868 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5,52. She died on February 25, 1942 in Appleton, Outagamie Co., Wisconsin 52. She is buried in the Woodland Hills Memorial Park, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She married Henry Spicer on October 1, 1888 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 8. (He was born on December 23, 1867 in Corfe Castle, Dorsetshire, England 8 and died on August 14, 1939 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 9. He is buried in the Woodland Hills Memorial Park, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Henry Spicer (1890-1962) md. Agnes Julia Miller Cyril Branston Spicer (1891-1971) md. Mabel Adelaide Cable Harold Cuthbert Spicer (1893-1980) md. Anna Helen Collins William James Spicer (1904-1984) md. Ruth Harriet Mott Anabel was living with her father and stepmother in 1885 in Garden City. When they moved to Florida soon after this, it is not clear if she went with them or remained behind in Minnesota. Anabel married Henry Spicer in 1888, when she was 20. Within the first few years of marriage, Anabel and her husband lived in Garden City, Minnesota and Galesburg, North Dakota. They settled in Mankato, Minnesota by 1893, where they remained for many years. After her husband's death, Anabel moved to Appleton, Wisconsin to live with her son William, where she died. Henry worked as a shoe seller. The Post-Crescent [Appleton, WI]. Feb. 25, 1942, Pg. 14: "Mrs. Henry Spicer Mrs. Henry Spicer, 73, 116 N. Drew street, died early this morning in Appleton after a 3-year illness. Born Jan. 5, 1868, in Blue Earth county, Minn., she lived for the last 2 1/2 years with her son, the Rev. William Spicer. Survivors are four sons, Henry, Mankato, Minn.; Lieutenant Colonel Cyril Spicer, Louisville, Ky.; Harold Spicer, Norfolk, Neb.; the Rev. Mr. Spicer of Appleton; one brother, Reuben Thurston, Garden City, Minn.; six grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 o'clock Friday morning at St. John's Episcopal church in Mankato, Minn., with burial in that city."	Steve Spicer at is a researcher/descendant of this line. Here is his website.

Mary was the daughter of Edson and Sarah Gerry. In 1854, she moved with her family to Fox Lake, Wisconsin and they moved on to Garden City, Minnesota in 1856 ⁵¹.

Sometime after the death of her husband (sometime between 1887-1891), Mary moved with her children to St. Paul, Minnesota. Then at some point during the 1890s (probably between 1892-1895), Mary moved with her two children to Whatcom County, Washington, where they lived near the small town of Lynden. They also lived in the nearby city of Bellingham, Washington. Then sometime between 1902 and 1905, they moved to Salem, Oregon. They remained there a few years and moved back to Bellingham, Washington before 1908. Then in 1910, they again moved to Salem, Oregon, where they remained for several years ⁵ (Mary's stepdaughter Julia Bixby had just moved to Salem). In 1917, they moved back to Garden City, Minnesota where Mary remained until her death ⁵¹.

Obituary, Unknown newspaper:
"Funeral Services Held Wednesday for Mrs. Thurston.
Garden City, April 25 - Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon with Rev. Edna M. Fellows, pastor of the Christian church, officiating for Mrs. Mary Thurston, prominent Blue Earth county pioneer who passed away early Tuesday morning at her home in Garden City at the age of 94. Burial was in the Garden City cemetery.
Mrs. Thurston, formerly Mary Frances Gerry, daughter of a major in the Civil War, was born in White Plains, N.Y., October 13, 1845. With her parents, she came from Fox Lake, Wis. by covered wagon in 1854, and two years later continued the journey by covered wagon to Garden City where her father, Edison Gerry, constructed a log cabin on what is still known as Gerry hill on the southeast edge of Garden City. During the Indian uprising in 1862, the family took refuge at Rochester.
During the Civil War, her father recruited men for the Union army and returned after the war with the rank of major.
In 1870, she married Dr. Irvin H. Thurston and they were the parents of three children, Reuben, Rose and Winfred. Winfred died as an infant and Rose Effie Rector passed away three years ago. Reuben is still living at Garden City and Mrs. Thurston lived with him for the past 25 years.
Dr. and Mrs. Thurston went to Florida with their family in 1886 and returned a year later to Garden City where Dr. Thurston died in 1887. The next year Mrs. Thurston and children went to Washington and in 1910 moved to Oregon where they lived until 1917, returning again in Garden City.
Mrs. Thurston's brother, Henry E. Gerry, and sister, Mrs. Angeline Gerry Pepper, both preceded her in death as did two step-daughters. Besides her son Reuben she leaves two step-daughters, Mrs. Julia Bixby of Portland, Ore. and Mrs. Annabell Spicer of Appleton, Wis. and several nieces and nephews."

1	Reuben Harris Thurston was born on May 7, 1872 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 9. He died on January 22, 1959 in Sibley Co., Minnesota 9. He never married or had any children. He worked as a carpenter and a farmer. He lived with his mother until her death.
2	Rose Elfie* Thurston was born on February 2, 1874 in Rapidan, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5. She died on October 10, 1937 in Vernon Center, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 9. She is buried in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She married Charles Edward Rector on October 20, 1922 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (He was born on May 22, 1864 near Lowville in Montague, Lewis Co., New York and died on December 16, 1946 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had no children. * Rose's middle name is listed variously as Elfie, Effie, Elfin and Alpha in different records. Mankato Free Press, Oct. 14, 1937, Pg. 10:6: "Funeral Held at Garden City for Mrs. Ed. Rector Garden City, October 14 - Funeral services were held at the Baptist church here Tuesday afternoon for Mrs. Edward Rector who died Sunday morning at 2:30 o'clock at her home in Vernon Center. Formerly Rose Alpha Thurston, she was the daughter of Dr. Irvin H. and Mary F. Thurston and was born in Rapidan township on the old home on the Blue Earth river on February 2, 1874. She married Edward Rector on October 10, 1923, and they lived at Garden City until about a year ago when she and her husband moved to Vernon Center. She is survived by her husband; her aged mother, Mrs. Mary F. Thurston of Garden City, now 92; one brother, Rube Thurston of Garden City; and three sisters Julia Bixby of Portland, Ore., Mrs. Nettie Edgerby (sic) of Ottumwa, Ia., and Mrs. Anabell Spicer of Mankato. Rev. S. A. Anderson conducted the funeral services and burial was in the Garden City cemetery. Pallbearers were Clarence Temple, Floyd Wilson, Garvin Crane, Arthur Eaton, Lou Tyson and Tom Bailey."
3	Winfred Otho Thurston was born on January 15, 1876 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5. He died on March 22, 1876 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5. He is buried in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. His cause of death was listed as "influenza cold" in the county's death register.

Julia Marvin Thurston was born on August 12, 1864 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 1,2,48. She died on September 3, 1946 in Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon 2,3. She is buried in the Crescent Grove Cemetery, Tigard, Washington Co., Oregon. Father: Irvin Harris Thurston Mother: Lydia Ellen Dunham Julia was named after a 14-year old girl named Julia Marvin who was married her uncle Frank Thurston five months after her birth. Julia was raised in the vicinity of Garden City, Minnesota, where she lived near her grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins. In 1869, when Julia was only four years old, her mother died. For the next year after her mother's death, Julia and her family were in a difficult situation. Her father had four young daughters and felt he could not adequately care for them. There was a real fear that the family would have to be separated and Julia and her sisters would be sent to various relatives who could take them. Fortunately, Julia's maternal grandmother Vashti Dunham in Missouri sent letters of support and gave her blessing for Irvin to remarry. In November 1870, when Julia was six years old, her father remarried to Mary Francis Gerry, a young woman who lived nearby. Julia spent her entire youth in the vicinity of Garden City, Minnesota. In 1884 in Garden City, Julia married to a local young farmer named Henry Bixby. At the time of the marriage, she was 20 years old and he was 26 years old. They had known each other since childhood; as they grew up on neighboring farms. After marriage, they began farming in Garden City and eventually purchased a farm northeast of the village. Julia had five children: Vere, Irvin, Mary, Neil and Laurence. In 1909, Julia's sister-in-law Evelyn Bixby died, which may have been an impetus for the family to move away. In 1910, Julia and her family (which included her husband, four sons, daughter-in-law and some in-laws) left Minnesota and moved to Oregon. The whole family settled on a rented farm outside of Salem, in Marion County, Oregon. In Marion County, the Bixbys made a living as fruit and berry farmers. At times they lived in Brooks Precinct (north of Salem), in Aumsville Precinct (southeast of Salem) and also briefly in the city of Salem. Then in 1920 or 1921, they moved to Portland, Oregon. During the early 1920s though, they moved to Huber, near Beaverton, west of Portland. Sometime during the 1920s, they moved to the town of Wilsonville, Oregon, where they owned a small house. According to descendants, Julia and Henry were victims of the Great Depression and lost their house in about 1931. At about that time, Julia and Henry moved to Portland, Oregon. They lived there until 1941, when Henry died. After this, Julia (who was now 77 years old and had become senile) went to Beaverton to live with her daughter Mary Nelson. She was cared for by her daughter until February 1946, when she went to live at a rest home in Portland. She died there seven months later, at the age of 82. Julia was remembered by her granddaughter Patricia Bixby Plymale as having a somewhat grumpy personality. Aside from this, Julia raised five successful, loving children and was married to her husband for 57 years. Julia had a personal affinity for gardening, which she has passed to many of her descendants. She was also remembered for having a pet goat in her old age which she doted upon. Death Notice, The Oregonian [Portland, OR], September 5, 1946: "BIXBY - September 3, in this city, Julia Marvin, late of Beaverton; mother of Vera (sic) H. of Beaverton ; Irvin H. of Salem, Mary Nelson, Beaverton; Neil F., Portland; Lawrence W., Portland; 13 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren. Funeral Thursday, September 5, at 2 PM, at Pegg's Chapel, Beaverton. Interment Crescent Grove cemetery."

For information on their children, see his page.

Father: Abner Thurston
Mother: Shuah Gilman

Samuel was probably born and raised in Exeter, New Hampshire. Sometime in his adulthood (probably during the 1740s), he moved to Epping, New Hampshire, where he was first described in 1749. He remained in Epping until his death. He was a cordwainer (shoemaker) and also described as a gentleman. Between 1762 and 1767, he was a member of the Epping Congregational Church, but apparently did not retain membership in that church before or after that date.

Samuel died sometime not long before February 28, 1783, when his widow Elizabeth was appointed as the administratrix of his estate. Later records from his estate's probate case confirm the below list as the names of his children when his real estate was divided between them. The below list of children is also confirmed by the Epping Town Records, where all of their birth dates were recorded.

There is a lot of false information out there about this Samuel Thurston, presumably confusing him with different Samuel Thurstons who also happened to marry women named Elizabeth. He is often confused with a Samuel Thurston who was born on January 21, 1751. However that was a different person: original records confirm that that Samuel Thurston died on January 21, 1751 (he was this Samuel's first cousin, the son of Samuel Thurston and Elizabeth Gilman, see farther above).

In 1749, he was involved in the administration of the estate of his wife's grandfather, Jonathan Chase of Stratham, New Hampshire. He was appointed guardian of Moses and Jonathan Chase, his wife's minor brothers.

They had the following children:

1	Shuah Thurston
2	Sarah Thurston was born on December 17, 1750 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 53. She died before 1759 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
3	Jonathan Thurston was born on January 28, 1753 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 53. He died before 1761 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.

Details about Samuel's second wife Elizabeth are unclear. Most family trees provide her maiden name as either Gilman or Brown, which is confusing her with different Samuel and Elizabeth Thurston couples. She was definitely not Elizabeth Gilman, as that person was from an earlier generation (born circa 1700-1710 and married to this Samuel Thurston's uncle Samuel Thurston - see farther above under Abner Thurston). It's also unlikely that she was Elizabeth Brown, as that person was born during the 1750s, too young to have been married to Samuel Thurston by 1759.

Elizabeth was probably a widow when she married Samuel Thurston. In August 1762, Samuel joined the Epping Congregational Church and had three children baptized at the same time: his children Jonathan (born 1761) and Sarah (born 1759) and another one described as "William son-in-law of Samuel Thurston". It is not possible for Samuel to have had a son-in-law based on the modern definition, instead at the time the term "son-in-law" would have been used for what we now call a "step son". So, this William (last name unfortunately not listed) was probably the son of Elizabeth Thurston by an earlier marriage or relationship.

They had the following children:

4	Sarah Thurston was born on October 15, 1759 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 53. She married John Bartlett on February 17, 1780 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
5	Jonathan Thurston was born on May 7, 1761 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 53. He died on November 22, 1788 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He married first Sarah Ordway on February 10, 1780 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He married second Mary "Molly" Berry on April 24, 1785 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
6	Dorothy "Dolly" Thurston was born on April 17, 1763 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 53. She died on November 23, 1841 in Middleton, Strafford Co., New Hampshire. She married Henry Pike before 1787. They had no children. Dover Enquirer, Dec. 21, 1841, Pg. 3: "In middleton, Nov. 23, mrs Dorothy Pike, widow of mr Henry Pike, aged 79."
7	Ezekiel Thurston was born on May 25, 1765 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 53. He died on September 20, 1809 in Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia. He married Mrs. Bray. They had children. Gazette [Portland, ME], Nov. 6, 1809, Pg. 3: "Died, in Savannah, (Georgia) 20th Sept. capt. Ezekiel Thurston, of Portland, aged 44."
8	Samuel Thurston was born on April 3, 1767 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 53. He died before 1803.
9	Anna "Nancy" Thurston was born on February 5, 1769 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 53. She died on August 3, 1809 in Cornish, York Co., Maine. She married John Pike on February 22, 1787 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
10	Elizabeth "Betsey" Thurston was born on June 24, 1771 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 53. She died after 1839, probably in Maine. Elizabeth never married. Sometime between 1803 and 1839, she had left her hometown of Epping, New Hampshire, and moved to Monmouth, Maine, where she lived with her brother Gilman. She was described in her brother Gilman's will of October 1839, and died sometime after that.
11	Gilman Thurston was born on October 23, 1773 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 53. He died on August 10, 1840 in Monmouth, Kennebec Co., Maine. He married Elizabeth H. Starks.
12	Nathaniel Thurston was born on October 31, 1778 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 53. He died circa 1837, probably in Maine.

Shuah Thurston was born on February 8, 1747/8 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire ^5,29,53. She died on February 20, 1827 in Deerfield, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire ²⁷. She is buried in the Freese-Fogg Cemetery, Deerfield, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.

Father: Samuel Thurston
Mother: Sarah Chase

Shuah is listed in the Thurston Genealogies as one of those Thurstons who they were not able to attach to any family, but believed to have been a descendant of Daniel Thurston of Newbury. The New Hampshire Birth Index ²⁹ indicates that Shuah was the daughter of Samuel Thurston and his wife Sarah (Chase) and that Samuel was in turn the son of Abner Thurston and his wife "Shure" (Gilman). This would make sense, since the given name Shuah was very uncommon even among early New Englanders. Shuah was probably named after her paternal grandmother, Shuah Gilman Thurston. She was raised in Epping, New Hampshire, where she married Andrew Freese in 1769. Soon after, they moved to Deerfield, New Hampshire, where they remained.

For a transcription of her obituary/death notice, please click here.

For information on their children, see his page.

1. List of births, Bixby family, written between 1922-1924
2. Death Certificate of Julia Bixby, 1946, Multnomah Co., OR
3. Death Notice of Julia Bixby, The Oregonian, September 5, 1946
4. Marriage records, Blue Earth Co., MN
5. Thurston, Brown. Thurston Genealogies, 1635-1892, Second Edition. Brown Thurston: Portland, ME, 1892.
6. Obituary of Irvin H. Thurston, Mankato Free Press, July 8, 1887
7. International Genealogical Index
8. Online gedcom family files
9. Minnesota Death Index, Minnesota Historical Society
10. Online cemetery index, Oak Grove Cemetery, Delaware, OH. (http://delawareohio.us/Cemetery/og/oak_grove_cem.html)
11. Assorted US Federal census records
12. California Death Index
13. Bushnell, Henry. The History of Granville, Licking County, Ohio.. Press of Hann & Adair: Columbus, OH, 1889.
14. Bryant, Charles W. Copies of Epitaphs of the Old Colony Burial Ground. Licking County Historical Society, 1886.
15. Online cemetery index, Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, IA
16. Vital records of Andover, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849. Topsfield Historical Society, Topsfield, MA, 1849.
17. Savage, James. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England. Boston, MA, 1860-1862.
18. Obituary of Reuben H. Thurston, Mankato Free Press, April 1880
19. Ohio Marriages, 1803-1900, Ancestry.com
20. Idaho Death Index
21. Pepperell, Massachusetts Vital Records, 1747-1861. (International Genealogical Index.)
22. Vital Records of Pepperell, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849. New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, MA.
23. Death Notice of Moses Thurston, New Hampshire Gazette, April 29, 1800.
24. Vital Records of Newbury, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849. The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1911.
25. Groton, Massachusetts Vital Records. Ancestry.com
26. Tombstone inscriptions, Ottumwa Cemetery, Ottumwa, IA
27. Death notice of Shuah Freese, New Hampshire Patriot & State Gazette, Apr. 2, 1827
28. Vital Records of Rowley, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849. The Essex Institute, Salem, 1928.
29. Index to Births, Early to 1900. New Hampshire Registrar of Vital Statistics. (International Genealogical Index).
30. Vital Records of Haverhill, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849. Topsfield Historical Society, Topsfield, MA, 1910.
31. Hollis, New Hampshire: Town History to 1879 (Ancestry.com)
32. Furber, George C. History of Littleton, New Hampshire. University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1905.
33. Vital Records of Reading, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849. New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1912.
34. Index to Marriages, Early to 1900. New Hampshire Vital Records. (International Genealogical Index).
35. Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990. familysearch.org
36. Death card of Lydia Conant, 1856, Hardwick, VT, Familysearch.org.
37. Sons of the American Revolution application of Frederick Crocker Smith Jr, 1969, Ancestry.com.
38. Marriage register, Franklin Co., OH, Vol. 7, Pg. 79
39. Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992. familysearch.org
40. Tombstone inscriptions, Homer Cemetery, Homer, Licking Co., OH
41. Lucas Co., Ohio Marriage Register, Vol. 1, Pg. 77
42. Vermont, Vital Records, 1760-1954. familysearch.org
43. Licking Co., Ohio Marriage Registers
44. Chipman, Bert L. The Chipman Family, A Genealogy of the Chipmans in America, 1631-1920. Winston-Salem, NC, 1920.
45. Obituary of Mary E. Snow, The San Francisco Call, Feb. 4, 1909, Pg. 11
46. Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915. Familysearch.org
47. Cemetery index, Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato, Minnesota. Blue Earth County Historical Society.
48. Newspaper article, The Oregnian, Nov. 11, 1934, Pg. 12
49. Death notice of Cora Thurston, The Mankato Union, Mar. 8, 1867, Pg. 3
50. Online obituary index, Appleton [WI] Public Library, http://db.apl.org/obit/
51. Obituary of Mary Thurston, unknown newspaper [Mankato, MN], April 1940
52. Obituary of Mrs. Henry Spicer, The Post-Crescent [Appleton, WI]. Feb. 25, 1942, Pg. 14
53. Epping (NH) Town Records, Vol. 1

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