Robert THORNE

                      INFO. FROM JAN DEXTER.RESEARCHER FROM N.B. GEN. SOC. WHO SAID SHE COLLABORATED WITH SANDRA THORNE ON A BOOK FOR THE G.S. AND FOUND ROBERT THORNE SON OF SAMUEL AND ESTHER ? THORNE.  ROBERTS WILL LISTED ROBERT AND CATHERINE BRITTAIN AS GRANDCHILDREN.
In N.Y. Robert leased land owned by Col. Bateman in Dutchess Co. and became a tenant farmer paying 23 bushelsof wheat annually.  he cleared 100 acres on a 209 acre farm.  He built a house and barn and lived along the Hudson river. Robert joined the British at New York.  He had a schooner, the equivalent of a pickup truck, for transport and travel.  Tobert used this to run provisions for the British.  He was imprisoned for fout months.  In 1778 his wife was driven out leaving crops on the ground.  He lost 6 cows, 1 horse,5 young cattle, 5 hogs, 30 sheep, and household furniture.  His home was taken.  He took his family to New York City to seek refuge.  In May 1784 he sailed on the Eagle with his wife, tow children over 10,Samuel and Mary, and 3 children under 10, Catherine, Esther, and Michael. Michael died about 1785. They settled at Gagetown along the St. John River.  He was assigned lot 17. a 396 acre land grant on Upper Musquash Island along with 24 other persons. books used "Arrivals  Our First Families" by Sandra Kierstead Thorne; Pioneers on the Bay of Quinte by Wm. Morley;American Loyalist claims by Peter coldham; The Loyalists of New brunswick by Esther Clark Wright and The Kings Loyal Americans by B. Woodholt; The Chase Family chart;copys of land grants, and letters from Blanche Young Detlor, who obtained her info. from Margaret Hubbs Thorn. Notation on will and list of burials from St.Johns Anglican Church listed his age as 70 which would make his birth 1749.