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James Thorburn

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James Thorburn

Birth	:	10 Aug 1806 Isle of Bute, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Death	:	20 Mar 1878 Ashfield Township, Huron County, Ontario, Canada
Burial	:	Kincardine Cemetery, Kincardine, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate	:	44.1613350, -81.6461868
Plot	:	C-L49-G01
Description	:	James was the eldest son of James Thorburn and Jane (Jean) (McKay) Thorburn and Kerrycroy, the birthplace of James, was the home for the estate workers of Mount Stuart. It was a village in the parish of Kingarth, 2 1/4 miles from Rothesay, on the east side of the island and on the western shore of the Firth of Clyde. It was built in a half timbered old English style designed to make the English wife of the 2nd Marquess of Bute feel less homesick. James was a draftsman and boat builder for the Marquis of Bute... Read More	James was the eldest son of James Thorburn and Jane (Jean) (McKay) Thorburn and Kerrycroy, the birthplace of James, was the home for the estate workers of Mount Stuart. It was a village in the parish of Kingarth, 2 1/4 miles from Rothesay, on the east side of the island and on the western shore of the Firth of Clyde. It was built in a half timbered old English style designed to make the English wife of the 2nd Marquess of Bute feel less homesick. James was a draftsman and boat builder for the Marquis of Bute prior to his departure from Scotland, which according to family members took 6 weeks at sea before arriving at Quebec. A letter of reference dated May 9, 1850 by the Reverend John Buchannon, Minister at Kingarth stated the following: "Mr. James Thorburn is a native of this parish and has constantly resided in it. He has been known to me very intimately during the twenty three years of my ministry in it. He is possessed of great natural abilities, which he has cultivated with more that ordinary care. Branches of knowledge and science to which he has more particularly directed his attention, especially in matters of pertaining to Fisheries and Naval Architecture. He is well known to be eminently skilled. He is exemplary as a husband and father and is induced by his desire to open up a wider field of prospect for his family than at present offers itself here, to seek a home for his family in a distant land to the regret of numerous and warmly attached friends whom he leaves behind. He bears in every respect an excellent character. He is most honorable and trust worthy in all his intercourse with society. He is entitled to the confidence and regards to all among whom his lot may be cast, and their cooperation in forwarding the Laudable views of a deserving man, and he carries with him the goodwill of all who know him and their best wishes for the prosperity and happiness of himself and his house." It appears that the Thorburns immigrated to Canada in approximately 1850 where they settled on the east shore of Lake Huron near Clark Pt. From the timber on their homestead, large boats were built, thirteen acres below the hill was cleared and as long as James lived, no more land was cleared as each tree was marked as suitable for some part in his boat building. James and his sons built several vessels, pit sawing all the lumber and launching them from the beach. Fishing boats were soon built by pitsawing the lumber, and the nets were made and set with settlers coming for miles to get fish. His sons from the first marriage, James, John and David gained experience in handling boats in all kinds of weather and they became sailors on the Great Lakes. They are listed from 1861 - 1901 in the census of Ashfield Township, Huron County, Ontario. In the 1861 census of Ashfield Township, Huron County, Ontario and on his death certificate, James occupation was that of a shipbuilder. According to the 1879 Historical Atlas of Huron County, the Thorburns resided on Concession XIV near Amberley, Ontario. According to family members, the early home and shop were built below the hill and the only remaining remnant of their life there were two great logs used as boat ways. The first school in the township was erected near the present village of Kintail, five miles from the Thorburn home and only a blazed trail through deep woods to follow in getting there. But the difficulty of distance was overcome and the teacher came to live at the Thorburn home, and each Monday morning, saw their early educator accompanied the Thorburn children and enough provisions to last the week take the trail through the woods for the schoolhouse. They prepared their meals and slept in the building at night and by day William Bannatyne instructed the pupils in the subjects deemed necessary in such a school. William was a Scotsman and a poet of no small ability as indicated by two volumes of verse he published in later years. William compiled a poem in memory of the eldest member of the Thorburn family, James who drown in 1868.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is James Thorburn's memorial?
James Thorburn's memorial is located at: Kincardine Cemetery, Kincardine, Bruce County, Canada.
When did James Thorburn death?
James Thorburn death on 20 Mar 1878 in Ashfield Township, Huron County, Ontario, Canada
Where are the coordinates of the James Thorburn's memorial?
Latitude: 44.1613350
Longitude: -81.6461868

Family Members:

Spouse

Ann McInnes Thorburn

(1827 - 1902)

Children

Capt James Thorburn

(1837 - 1868)

Jean Blair “Jane” Thorburn Stacey

(1838 - 1912)

(1840 - 1921)

(1842 - 1873)

(1849 - 1881)

(1852 - 1912)

Mary Thorburn Manners

(1859 - 1898)

Grace Walker Thorburn Teskey

(1865 - 1957)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Kincardine Cemetery
Kincardine, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.1613350, -81.6461868

2. Anglican Church of the Messiah Memorial Garden
Kincardine, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.1736000, -81.6328600

3. Reid Family Cemetery
Kincardine Township, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.1749000, -81.6146000

4. Pine River United Cemetery
Pine River, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.0913000, -81.7349000

5. St. Luke's Anglican Cemetery
Huron Township, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.0911390, -81.7346940

6. Pine River United Church Cemetery
Ripley, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.0908410, -81.7350930

7. Ripley Huron Cemetery
Ripley, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.0691000, -81.5868000

8. Armow Methodist Cemetery
Armow, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.1907700, -81.5102700

9. Bervie Methodist Church Cemetery
Bervie, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.1278100, -81.4965700

10. Bervie Anglican Church Cemetery
Bervie, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.1283220, -81.4960130

11. Bervie Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Bervie, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.1229730, -81.4827040

12. Tiverton Cemetery
Tiverton, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.2704180, -81.5416430

13. Olivet United Church Verdun Methodist Cemetery
Clover Valley, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.0229710, -81.6154580

14. Inverhuron Cemetery
Inverhuron, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.2995100, -81.5987500

15. McKenzie
Huron Township, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.0083420, -81.6313210

16. Lochalsh Cemetery
Lochalsh, Huron County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.0079100, -81.6317070

17. Evangelical United Brethren Cemetery
Bruce Township, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.2814000, -81.4736000

18. Kinlough Methodist Cemetery
Kinloss Township, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.0581000, -81.4429000

19. Port Bruce Cemetery
Baie du Doré, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.3266600, -81.5325200

20. Hope Methodist Cemetery
Ashfield Township, Huron County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.9817990, -81.5677030

21. St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church Cemetery
Holyrood, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.0249130, -81.4642640

22. Shiloh Community Cemetery
Kincardine Township, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.2606000, -81.4205000

23. McLean Family Cemetery
Glammis, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 44.2287950, -81.3965030

24. Kinloss Mennonite Cemetery
Kinloss Township, Bruce County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.9957771, -81.4917755