Robert Thorpe

As printed in 1881

ROBERT THORPE, Sr. (deceased). In the early settlement of Harmony Township, a number of English families those it as their home in the New World, and, among those worthy English folk, Robert Thorpe was one who undertook the laborious task of making a farm in the dense forest of Ohio. Born in Yorkshire, Eng., in 1773. He was raised to farm life, and there married to Elizabeth Raley, a native of the same shire, born in 1773, and the daughter of William Raley, an English physician of much skill in his profession. Of this union were born the following children—Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Jane, Margaret, Robert, Raley, Harriet, John and Thomas H., five of whom are now living—Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Jane, Raley and Harriet. In 1819, Robert and family, accompanied by his mother and father-in-law, came to the United States, the latter dying at Philadelphia soon after landing. They came down the Ohic River on a flat-boat, and, on reaching Portsmouth, his mother died, and was buried in that town. He had started from England with the purpose of locating in Clark Co., Ohio. where he had some friends who had previously settled here, and, on reaching this county, he purchased 200 acres of land in the southwestern part of Harmony Township, paying $9 per acre for the same, which was a high figure for that early day. He was not a poor man, but brought considerable means with him from England, and being a good, practical farmer, soon made his new home comfortable for those pioneer days. His wife being the daughter of a physician, learned from her father many of the secrets of medicine, and by the use of his medical books which he left her at his death, and which she had recourse to in the treatment of diseases, she practiced the art of healing, and was loved and trusted by all who knew her, people coming from long distances to get her assistance and medicines in their troubles and sickness. For about thirty years Robert Thorpe lived and labored on his farm in Harmony Township, and, on the 18th of April, 1849, peacefully breathed his last, dying as he had lived, a faithful adherent of the Episcopal Church, having passed the allotted time of man, being 76 years of age, when death claimed him as its victim. His wife was raised in the Presbyterian faith. and lived and died a firm believe in that church, passing away Oct. 22, 1852, aged 79. Robert Thorpe and wife were true representatives of * Old England," and their lives were marked by that outward. open-handed. generous hospitality in their home and genuine good nature, which are well-known traits of English character. No member of suffering humanity was ever turned from their door hungry, and the poor or oppressed never pleaded in vain to them for relief. At the time of Robert Thorpe's death he was the owner of about 470 acres of good land, and this John took charge of, with the exception of 100 acres, which Robert received at his father's death, the balance of the children remaining at the old home as one family. John Thorpe was one of the leading stock men of Clark Co.; was a man of energy and ability, who, by good management and the help of his brothers and sisters at home, added to the estate year after year, until, at his death, the family owned about 700 acres of first-class land. He died Sept. 7, 1877; Margaret, Aug. 31, 1878; Thomas, Sept. 6, 1878, and Robert, Feb. 1, 1881. The last mentioned is the only one of the children who married, and he raised a family of four daughters and two sons. The family have always adhered to their father's church and those who have passed away, died faithful Christians, with a strong and abiding faith in a blissful immortality. The Thorpe family are of Republican proclivities, have always stood among the upright citizens of Clark Co., and they have ever been noted for integrity of character and honesty of purpose.

As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.