Posted on: Randolph Co. Indiana Biographies
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Surname: Kinsey, Thorn, Bundy, Nichols
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From the Scrapbook of Winifred Kinsey
including excerpts of records compiled by Neva Hill
This information has been made available by Robert M. Sharp of West Dundee,
Illinois. Robert is the great great nephew of Winifred Kinsey. A special
thank you to Robert for sharing these excerpt's of early pioneer life in
Randolph County.
Kinsey Family History
This history of the Kinsey family was read at a 1924 family reunion which
has a wealth of information about DAVID KINSEY and his family. It wa prepared
from memory by DAVID KINSEY'S granddaughter, MARIETTA (KINSEY) NICHOLS.
Taylor A. Thorn - My Grandfather
by Neva Hill written 1953
TAYLOR A. THORN was born April 18, 1814. Died Aug. 2nd, 1894. Lived to
be 80 years old. Date of marriage 1832. Was married to GULAELMA MARIA BUNDY,
in Guilford Co., N. Carolina.
They had eight children, five girls and three boys, Demaris (Met) Elizabeth,
Jane, Orpha, David, Martin, Alice, and Griffa Taylor Thorn. There may have
been others that died in infancy, not much is known of his people. The
name seems to have originated in Finland. The local name was Thorn, personal
name (Thorne). Somewhere along the "e" seems to have been dropped. We trace
them into England on south to Wales, which seems to make them of Welsh
descent.
They emigrated to North America, finally to North Carolina, Guilford County.
Taylor A. Thorn, unsatisfied at the time of his marriage after 3 days left
North Carolina and came to Indiana, living mostly in Randolph County, (moving
many times). His fathers was a slave owner and (reportedly) a heavy drinker,
of which he (Taylor Thorn) disapproved very much. He and his wife came
through in a one horse wagon and walked much of the way, living much as
many of the early settlers of that day. Seemingly very poor in earthly
goods, but a deeply religious man, he and his wife belonging to the Christian
Church.
How well as a child I remember of his sitting on the steps of our humble
home and singing the songs of Zion. That was in the older days and after
the death of his wife in july 1886. After the death of his wife he lived
with his (children) two sons David Thorn and Griffa Thorn, Jr. (Note :
He also lived with the other children).
He died at David Thorn's home August 2, 1894. Was buried beside his wife
in the Gilead Cemetery. In his latter days he had a fall while staying
with his daughter Demaris and struck his head on the ice which fall seemed
to affect his mind, which never cleared before his death.
Of his father's family I know at this time very little. I don't know his
father's or mother's names. I have three pictures of his brothers, one
name not on picture, the other two are 'named' on the folder of pictures
as Josiah and Thomas Elwood.
He had two children Jane and Orpha, who died while their children were
young, another son Martin died in the Civil War in a hospital in New Orleans.
He died of yellow fever, and was buried in a soldier cemetery there. I
have a record of him, Martin V. B. Thorn Co. B 57th Ind. Veterans, New
Orleans, La., July 7, 1865. This must have been the date of his death.
This must have been another sad time in his life.
My grandfather and grandmother raised one of Orpha's children, Maria Carroll
as their own child (she was about the age of my father Griffa T. Thorn)
nursing them as twins. He and his wife Maria at one time kept a toll gate
at the east part of Lynn, Ind. I remember (she being busy) gave permission
to take the toll and raising and lowering the pole over the road and of
accepting the few cents toll and giving it to my Grandmother. I was only
a small girl at the time.
One son David Thorn was injured in the Civil War. Was thrown out of a train
and left as dead with broken jaw which disfigured him for life. One other
son, Griffa T. Thorn, misrepresented his age and entered the war at the
age of 16. Was sent to Tennessee to guard a bridge, was there 6 months.
This verse is on the tombstone of his and his wife Maria Thorn:
"Rest, Father, rest in quiet sleep
while friends in sorrow o'er yon weep.
There's sweet remembrance of the just,
Shall flourish when they sleep in Christ."
Monument in Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Greensfork Township, Randolph County,
Ind.