FIFTH GENERATION

406. Nathaniel Thorn was born on 14 Jan 1721 in Cortland Manor, Westchester, NY. He died bet1787/1790 in Dutchess Co, NY. Nathaniel Thorn is shown in Poughkeepsie as of the 1790 census & is not on the 1800 census. In 1790 he was shown with 1 male over age 16 & 1 under + 2 females. Philip V. Thorne Notes:

Nathaniel Thorne was no doubt named after his Mother's brother. Her brother was Nathaniel Stevenson of Burlington County, NJ. His will, executed 5 June 1736 & proved 31 Aug 1736 this Nathaniel is mentioned as "Nathaniel, son of Samuel Thorn & sister Ann Thorn." Nathaniel would have been age 15 at the death of his uncle. According to the NYG& B in Volume II of Long Island Gen., nothing is really known of this Nathaniel Thorn. A marriage & children have not been firmly established, but according to the official records he appears to have been resident in Crum Elbow & Charlotte Precincts (Dutchess County, NY) from 1760 to 1775.

DEFINITE FACTS THAT ARE KNOWN:

1) born 14 Jan 1721 probably in Westchester County or Possibly Flushing, NY.

2) Mother Ann Stevenson Thorn dies 19 May 1724 in Flushing. Nathaniel is age 3.

3) Father remarries about 1724/25 to Esther.

4) His father has at least 5 sons from Esther born 1725 to 1737; unknown how many children are born to the 2nd marriage.

5) From 1761 to 1764 he is listed in a series of lawsuits.

6) In 1776 (at age 55), he was arrested, along with his 3 half brothers Jonathan, Stephen & Robert, as Loyalists & they are sent to Exeter, New Hampshire.

7) The presumed son, Samuel I Thorn, is said to have met a British Col;onel, while in NEW ENGLAND? & followed him to NY, where he enlisted 25 Oct 1780.

8) In 1787 he mortgaged property to his Uncle Joseph & half brother Dr. Stephen Thorn.

9) In the Dutchess County Census of 1790, there is a Nathaniel Thorn who has 1 male under 16 & 1 male over + 2 females in his home. As he was age 70 by this time, it may be not be him, however for the time being, I'll assume it is. By 1800 he is not listed.

CONCLUSIONS:

He appears ion Dutchess County in the records up until his arrest as a Loyalist in 1776 & does not reappear until 1787! I have read that many of the Loyalists did not return home until the end of the Revolution due to the obvious hostility displayed them by the new American government. In fact many lost everything. This may be Nathaniel's case. He may have remained in New Hampshire with his family, where his son met this British Colonel.

Nathaniel Thorn and unknown had the following children:

+685 i. Samuel I. Thorn.