Letter from General Commission on Archives & History of the United Methodist Church, P. O. 127, Madison, NJ 07940, 27, Jan. 1992: After searching our sources for genealogical information, we regret to say that we can find no mention of Dodson H. Thorp. From this lack of information we suggest that this person may have been a local pastor. A local pastor was a lay person who was authorized by the church to assist the ordained clergy in any given area. Such persons often had the authority to perform marriages, as well as other pastoral duties. Unfortunately, the church did not keep records on these persons as they did for the ordained clergy, and so we cannot provide you with biographical information.

From Joan Tharp:

He married LUCY EMBREE in Howard Co., MO, 23 July 1818. Occupation: Rancher.
Missouri military records indicate he enlisted in the company of mounted militia, commanded by Capt. Cooper, under Brig. Gen. Benjamin Howard. He enlisted for 60 days on 27 August 1814, as a private, and was discharged 25 Oct. 1814. He was a pensioner, serving in the Black Hawk War and the War of 1812. His Majority was evidently acquired in the Black Hawk War (Mo Archives has no record of his service in this war), or was an honorary title, bestowed by others on the Oregon wagon train.

He assisted in the Sullivan Survey of the Missouri border, from the Kaw River, north then east to the Mississippi. In 1827 he entered into a partnership with Zadoc Martin, obtaining an Army permit to operate a ferry at the Falls of the Platte, near Oregon, Holt Co., MO.. Zadoc insisted on selling whiskey to the Indians, in violation of the terms of the permit, so John Thorp dissolved the partnership. There is a letter written by J. Dougherty, Indian Agent (under authority of Gen. Wm. Clark, Supt. Indian Affairs), Camp Leavenworth, dated 26 Feb. 1828, concerning land purchased by "the Kanzas", as well as the fact that two families were located at the crossing of the "little river Platte", rather than the one family the Agent had been aware of previously.

He also was a surveyor on the Santa Fe Trail. "The Road to Santa Fe", the journal and diaries of George Champlin Sibley, edited by Kate L. Gregg, mentions on p. 141, the return from Taos, of Mr. Baillio and John Thorp. He is also carried on the pay roster of this project, as a surveyor and hunter.

THIS RECKLESS BREED OF MEN, Robert Glass Cleland, facing p. 202: A photocopy of a Traders' and Trappers' Permit appears, dated 23 July 1827. It is signed by Wm. Clark, Supt. of Indian Affairs, and reads: To all whom it may Concern: UNDER AUTHORITY vested in me by the President of the United States to grant permission to citizens or other persons to pass into and through the Indian country, &, permission is hereby granted to......among names listed is John Thorp......to pass through the Indian country to the Province of Mexico. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto fixed my seal. Given under my hand at St. Louis, the twenty third day of July A.D. eighteen hundred and twenty seven, and of the Independence of the United States, the fifty Second. /s/ Wm. Clark

THE ROAD TO OREGON, W. J. Ghent, 1934, pp. 81-83: The migration of 1844 consisted of four parties, independently organized. There was another party - a small one of health and pleasure seekers, led by William L. Sublette - which went beyond the mountains, but it does not count with the emigration. In this year for the first time starts were made from places other than Independence. General Cornelius Gilliam's company, which was made up of several small groups, crossed the Missouri at various places between Fort Leavenworth and Capler's Ferry, north of the newly established St. Joseph, and may possibly have broken the first wagon road to the junction with the Oregon Trail at the present Marysville, Kansas. According to John Minto, its chief chronicler, it consisted of about eight hundred persons, of whom 235 were capable of bearing arms. Two hundred and sixteen of the men, with their families, went to Oregon, seventeen to California, and two died on the way. A small company, led by John Thorp, started from near Bellevue and followed the north bank of the Platte to Fort Laramie, where it joined the main Trail. Another company of about forty men, with a large proportion of women and children, in twenty-seven wagons, under the lead of Elisha Stephens, an old mountain man, started from Independence and traveled off and on with the larger trains until it reached Cassia Creek, beyond Fort Hall, where thirteen wagons turned off for California. Like the Chiles-Walker party of the previous year, it took its wagons into the Sierras, and also, like its predecessor, was compelled to leave them there. It had the distinction of supporting a disproportionate number of leaders to followers. It is generally known as the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy party, though Clyman speaks of the California section of it as "Mr. Hitchcock's party,." In some respects the most important of these parties was that which left Independence on May 14. It consisted of from five hundred to seven hundred persons, according to Clyman, one of its members, and it was piloted by the famous mountain man, Major Moses ("Black") Harris. It started without any organization, but on the 25th, before reaching the Kansas, it elected Colonel Nathaniel Ford its captain, and it is usually known as Ford's company. This was the year of the great flood in eastern Kansas and Nebraska. Torrential rains, day after day, caused all the streams to overflow their banks, and the usually firm turf of the prairie became so soggy that the wagon wheels sank in it almost to the hubs. All the caravans were greatly delayed; Ford's company, though it passed Gilliam's beyond the South Platte crossing, did not reach Fort Laramie until the seventy-eighth day after its start. Minto said that the Ford, Gilliam, and Thorp parties never united. It is evident, however, that all four of the parties (including Sublette's) which went by the south bank of the Platte were in frequent contact; that after reaching Fort Laramie Thorp's party also traveled within reach, and that Harris acted as a general guide for the whole emigration. Polk County Oregon Territory (filed in Clay Co., MO, with estate papers of father) April 8, 1855 Received of Joseph Thorp, Adm. of the Estate of William Thorp Sen. Deceased Last of Clay Co. Missouri, Six hundred dollars being part of my interest in Said Estate. John Thorp

"The Mountain Men & the Fur Trade of the Far West", LeRoy R. Hafen, (1966), V-III, pp. 394-5: On July 19, 1862, (Caleb/Cale) Wilkins drank a tavern health to McClellan, and John Thorp, ex-Mountain Man and a leader of the 1844 immigration, responded `....to the health of Beauregard and to hell with the McClellan fraternity'. As Thorp spoke, he lunged at Wilkins with his bowie knife. The extraordinarily quick reactions which had kept Cale alive in Indian country brought his pocket knife into lightning play and into Thorp's left side. `NOT SO BAD', commented the Oregonian on learning that Thorp's wound was superficial. (This would have happened just short of John's 67th birthday!)

TRUE WEST magazine, March/April issue 1973: Gold had been discovered along the Salmon River, and Boone Helm made his way to the fields and began robbing men on the trail. Nathaniel Langford accused him of "several murders which were committed along the route leading from the Columbia River to the gold mines." When the law grew too interested in him, Helm decided to head north to the new gold strikes along the Fraser River, over the border in British Columbia. According to Langford he went up to Washington Territory, stole a herd of horses, and drove them to Vancouver Island where he sold them for a considerable sum. The gold diggings along the Fraser and Thompson Rivers, discovered four years earlier, and the smaller strikes in the Caraboo Country, which would boom a year later, appealed to Helm and seemed to offer rich pickings for his peculiar talents. He decided to stay for a while. The settlements were full of lucky or hopeful miners and more recent arrivals in the form of traders, merchants, saloonmen, card sharps, prostitutes, thieves and others who practiced the art of getting rich without digging in the ground or panning streams. Many of the miners there had known Boone Helm in California or the Salmon River country and looked upon his arrival with dismay. In August 1861, Major John Thorp, a large cattle owner from Washington Territory, hit upon the idea of driving a herd north to the Cariboo country, and hired a crew to make the 800-mile trip from the Yakima Valley to the diggings. Among the cowboys was sixteen-year- old Andrew Jackson "Jack" Splawn from Missouri, well educated youngster, shrewd, trustworthy and observant. The herd moved north, halting at various places along the route so the cattle could take advantage of good grass. One such stop was made at the town of Cottonwood in Washington Territory, and it was here that Jack Splawn met up with Boone Helm, as usual on the lookout for easy pickings. He often spoke to the youth in town and seemed friendly, though Splawn did not know who he was. "A strange man had been in Cottonwood a couple of weeks and had become quite friendly with me, " Jack Splawn recalled years later. "One evening we had a talk. He asked me if my people had not come from Missouri, said that his parents and mine had been neighbors back in the good old state, and that my older brothers had been his playmates. Then, looking steadily at me, he said, `My name is Boone Helm. Did you ever hear of me?'." Young Splawn had heard a great deal of him, none of it good. "The very name spelled blood and crime.", he said later, adding that the story of Helm's cannibalism had been the talk of the Northwest. "He had been seen, so it was claimed, with the shoulder of a human being." The youth timorously admitted that he had indeed heard of Boone Helm. He came closer", Splawn said, "and almost hissed in my ear: `You waste your time here. You are young and you will never get ahead. Join me; make big money. This country is tame. We will make one big haul, and then skip.' I shuddered at the thought of being linked with such a creature. He had stopped at nothing." Splawn, of course, did not accept Boone Helm's invitation to crime and warned his boss, Major Thorp, about the stranger. The herd moved northward to the Cariboo country and most of the cowboys stayed on there to try their luck as miners. Splawn handled the sale of the cattle, netting a near $7,000 for the Major, who had remained behind in Cottonwood (should this read Van Winkle?) to do some horse trading and transact other business. Splawn and Major Thorp started back to Washington Territory, traveling to Fort Alexander and outfitting there for the 200-mile ride to Fort Yale, the head of navigation on Fraser River. The Major was now carrying gold dust worth $20,000. "The second night out I woke up to find my companion sitting up by a big fire, his weapons close at hand." Splawn recalled. "When I sang out to know what the trouble was, he motioned silence. I rose and went over to him. `Jack', he said, `Boone Helm is in this neighborhood. He hung around Van Winkle, you know, till a short time ago, then disappeared. Well, I dreamed just now that he was creeping up to camp with an axe ready to strike. I saw that fiendish look in his eye right over me.' The Major actually shuddered. If Helm were around, the Major must have been beside himself to sit in the glare of the campfire as a target. We smothered the fire and sat in darkness till morning, and we kept a guard after this." The two men traveled on to Fort Yale and then took an Indian canoe down to New Westminister where they booked passage on the steamer Caledonia bound for Victoria. There they transferred to the Eliza Anderson sailing for Olympia, Washington Territory. "The first person to greet me aboard was Boone Helm." Splawn said. "He was full of whiskey and his tongue wagged at both end. Grasping my shoulder, he burst out with an oath, `What's the matter with the old man? What's his card, bub? Hey? I could have had you at Deep Creek, but the old son-of-a-gun got up. A knock on the head is good medicine, damn you, when there's dust around. What did he build that big fire for, and you sit up too?' Evading the ruffian, I hunted up the Major and told him that dreams sometimes were true. He intended having Helm arrested at Olympia, but during the night the outlaw raised a disturbance, shouting for Jeff Davis, and was taken off at Seattle ."

POLK COUNTY PIONEER SKETCHES, Sarah Childress Polk Chapter #6, DAR, 1927, p. 79: THE THARP FAMILY:

The Tharps, who built the grist mill where Falls City now is, sold the mill and lived in Independence. The Tharps were spiritualists. The writer heard one of the Tharps tell John Nichols one day at the mill that Nichols should have been with them at Independence at a seance or sitting that the spiritualists had a few evenings before. Tharp and Nichols at that time were men of past 50 years of age and the writer, who was about eighty, well remembers what was said by the two men. Mr. Tharp told Nichols that the medium called up John Nichols' father's spirit and the spirit told them that the U.S. would be in a civil war before the end of the next year. This conversation occurred early in 1860 about May of 1860. Nichols made this answer: I can't believe either spirit or the war part, and let's talk something else. Here two men of mature years, after being neighbors in old Missouri, met again in Oregon and the all-important question of that time came up in the above way. Both men were very serious about both questions. The Tharps so far as the writer knows, are all dead. The mill was moved to Dixie (Rickreall), rebuilt and changed from an old stone to an up to date roller mill and burned several years ago. (The grist mill at Falls City was built and operated by Major John Thorp, and his son, Theodore!)

LIBERTY ENTERPRISE, Liberty (Clay Co.), MO., 11 Feb. 1881: Mr. Miller:
Please give notice of my brother, John Thorp. He died at the residence of his son Elvin A. Thorp, in Polk County, Oregon, on January 9, 1881. He was born in Madison County, Kentucky, about 1794-95. Came to Missouri Territory, with his father, Elder William Thorp, in the year 1809. Grew to manhood in the wilds of Missouri, braving hardships of the Indian War from 1812 to 1815. After peace was restored, he aided the government surveyor, to run the boundary of the state, from the mouth of the Kaw River, 100 miles north, thence east to the Mississippi. He married Miss Lucy Embree, sister of the late Ambrose Embree, and aunt of our worthy fellow citizen, W. B. Embree. He came to Clay County in 1820, where his wife died, leaving him six children, four boys and two girls. In a short time, he moved to Holt County, and from there, in the year 1846 (sic) he fitted up his ox team (as that was then the mode of travelling), and joined a caravan, to cross the plains to the Pacific. After about five months toil, he landed safe in the Willamette Valley. He then had the advantages of a new country and all the inducements that were held out by the government to immigrants, and he and his boys improved their opportunity and accumulated a very comfortable living. Finally, he quit business and made his home with his son, abiding his time. /s/ Joseph Thorp

From Joan Tharp:

William's will was probated in Holt Co., MO,17 July 1851.

William & Elizabeth left with the 1846 wagon train, from Holt Co., MO., bound for Oregon Territory. Judging from William's estate papers in Holt Co. Circuit Court, 1851-1853, they either returned from Oregon, or returned to Holt Co., before reaching Oregon.

A 1917 History of Holt County says William and Riley (James Riley) left Holt Co., for the gold fields in California in 1849. It would appear that William died in California, intestate. The wording in court documents, makes it clear that William died nowhere near Holt County, at any rate. They also indicate that James Riley was residing in California in 1851. In 1853, the estate was settled, and in that same year, Elizabeth filed a Donation Land Claim in Linn Co., OR.. By 1856, all their sons were residing in Oregon.

History of Holt County, Missouri, 1917 p. 156: Among the residents of Oregon, Holt Co., who went to California gold fields on May 1, 1849, were William Thorp and Riley Thorp. The company reached Sacramento in October 1849. They were delayed in arrival by earlier pranksters who placed misleading signposts on the trail.

From Joan Tharp: History of Holt & Atchison Counties, Missouri, Nat'l Historical Pub. Co., 1882 pp.325/6:

The log hotel described as standing on the northwest corner of Nodaway and Washington streets, and built by Richard Linville in 1842, was kept by him for several successive years. It finally became the property of Francis M. Pollock, who enlarged the building, weather boarded the entire structure without, and plastered it within. Previously to this Daniel Zook, Sr., and afterwards his son, William, had as a matter of accommodation, entertained the sessions of the courts, the officials and many of the attendants on the same. Pollock's improvements on the original hotel, however, added a reputation which gave the house a sudden popularity, and it was liberally patronized. But alas, for the stability of human affairs!

On the evening of the 8th of July, 1851, a terrible visitation befell the doomed structure and its unfortunate inmates: About 8 o'clock on the evening of July 8, 1851, while a party composed of Daniel Sypes, Jr., commonly called "Black Sypes", a lad of about seventeen years, and a son of Daniel Sypes, who started in 1842, about four or five miles southeast of town, the first distillery in the county, Francis M. Pollock, the landlord, James Fortune, John Job, James Thorp, a hostler, and an Englishman, whose names are now unknown, were assembled in the bar room of the hotel, the building was struck by lightning, with the most disastrous results.

The bolt fell on the southeast corner of the room, the electric fluid communicating instantly along the wall to the northeast corner, and there exploded a barrel of brandy, one of alcohol and one of Bourbon whiskey. The flaming contents of the barrels instantly flooded the room, enveloping in flames every occupant. Job, who at the time was standing near the counter, was knocked down by the concussion, and almost entirely consumed by the devouring element, nothing but his skull and a few scattering pieces of bone being afterwards recovered. Fortune and Pollock were badly burned, the former dying before daylight, and the latter at sunrise. The hostler died in about seven days, and Thorp a day or two after. The Englishman also died. The only one of the entire party who recovered was Black Sypes. Standing near the window at the time, he was completely overcome by the instantaneous and powerful results of the stoke, but fortunately, with the instinct of self-preservation rather than from any presence of mind he dashed out the window sash, and jumped through to the street. In the frenzy of terror, he started on a run for his home, five miles and a half distant. Through the rain at the time was falling in torrents, the flames from his burning clothes were not extinguished when he reached Mill Creek, a stream about three-fourths of a mile southeast of the burning building. He plunged into a mill pond, through which the stream ran, and waded through to the opposite side, thus completely extinguishing the fire in his clothing. He was terribly burned and was confined to his bed eight weeks, in consequence of injuries sustained in the catastrophe. He ultimately recovered, but retained upon his person up to the period of his death, which occurred in the spring of 1881, the marks of his terrible experience.

From Charles Thorp: DAVID THORP DEAD:

In the death of David Thorp, which occurred at his home north of Liberty Wednesday morning, Feb 16, a worthy and esteemed citizen; a loving father and an obliging neighbor is taken from his community, family and friends. His children and other relatives will have the truest sympathies of the people of the entire county, to whom the family is well known. The deceased was aged 54 years and leaves a family of four children-three sons and one daughter, his wife having preceded him in death. The funeral services, conducted by Rev. J B Bradley, took place at 2 o;clock Thursday, at Little Shoal Church, followed by burial in the churchyard there. An exceptionally good and true man is thus taken from us. Peace to him in his last long rest. Liberty Tribune, Friday, February 18, 1898

From Charles Thorp:
Name given as Mary, obit. Liberty Tribune 3, July 1863. )
Died, after a short illness, at her father's house in Clay county, June 27th,
1863 at 10 o'clock a. m. Molly M., daughter of Joseph and Nancy Thorp, aged 15
years, 8 months and 6 days.
	Oh! she was lovely, every day
	New beauties would appear
	Till earthliness had ebbed away,
	And left a seraph there;
	Was it not best at early dawn,
	when heart from stain was free
	To take away our precious one
	A holy one to be

	She was so lovely and so fair-
	But more angelic now,
	Her sunny locks of silken hay
	Waved round her childish brow;
	No more at eve we'll pause to hear
	Her welcome footsteps light,
	Or see her here beside the chair,
	To kiss, and say good night.

	Drink of the cup, but look above,
	From God's hand it was given,
	He took our Mollie from our love
	To his bright home in heaven,
	We can't but weep, 'twill ease our hearts
	We cannot weep for her,
	She dwells in heaven from earth apart,
	Among the angels there.

		Parents
	Liberty Tribune, July 3, 1863

	"Our Dearest Mollie"

	She has left us here to mourn
	The absence of our dearest one,
	In tears and grief we bow and say
	We'll trust the Lord from day to day,

	Her youthful spirit is fled and gone
	Up to its long, eternal home,
	And hope is all that we have left,
	That God has saved her with the blessed.

	O that we could submissive be
	To God the Eternal One in Three--
	That when we come to fail and die,
	That we may dwell with him on high.

	There to behold our Mollie dear
	In brighter health than ever here,
	And praising God in nobler strains
	Than any angel there can sing.

	Redeeming grace has brought me here
	To praise the Lord through endless years,
	While Angels they can only sing--
	They are preserved from death and sin.

	While troubles constant round us flow,
	Why should we wish to stay below.
	Our Flesh and Sense is closely tied
	To earth with all her alluring pride.

	If God's Grace is in our hearts
	It can make us ready to depart
	To meet the Lord above the sky,
	And praise Him through Eternity.

		Daughter of Judge Joseph Thorp
		Liberty Tribune, January 29, 1869

From Charles Clifford Thorp (Jr.)

Dodson served in the Lincoln County militia in 1782-3. He signed petitions to the Virginia legislature in 1785 and 1789. He purchased land in Madison County in 1788. Dodson sold the land in Bedford County in 1795 to Charles Reynolds.

He appears on the tax list of Campbell County, Kentucky, in 1795 as owner of 125 acres. In 1795 he sold the land in Madison County to Thomas Burgin. He is shown on the 1810 census for Madison County. In 1811 there was a second deed recorded for the sale of the 217 acres in Bedford County.

Occupation: Farmer.

THE PARENTAGE OF DODSON, SR., HAS NOT YET BEEN DOCUMENTED {from Joan Tharp}

Polly (Holladay) Thorp, according to "Early Days in Missouri" (by Judge Joseph T. Thorp, Liberty Tribune, Clay Co., MO., 1883), died when their three sons were small boys. Following her death, Dodson either left his sons in the care of relatives, or on their own. "Early Days" states that Rev. William was the youngest son, and he was left in the care of a tyrannical aunt. After several unsuccessful attempts, he managed to escape, and found his "uncle", Thomas J. Tharp (Thomas J. Tharp had 8 sisters, but no brothers). Thomas J. Tharp (b. 1752, VA; d. 1818, KY) had married Elizabeth Holladay and moved to Bedford Co., VA. circa 1772. His wife died; he married Eleanor Jackson, in Bedford Co., in 1791

In 1792, Thomas sold his land in Bedford Co., and purchased land in Madison Co., KY.. "Early Days" states Thomas took James and William, sons of Dodson, Sr., with him to Madison Co., in 1786; however, because of the land transactions and the date of Thomas' second marriage, I believe this move was made in 1792. Dodson, Sr., had also settled in Madison Co., KY., and married Margaret Orchard, in 1788. Oaths of Allegiance - Bedford Co., VA: Signed oath 1 Sept. 1777

"George Rogers Clark and His Men - Military Records, 1778- 1784", by Margery H. Harding (1981), indicates that Dodson, Sr., served a a Sgt. in the Lincoln Militia, guarding the frontier in Lincoln Co., and an expedition against the Shawnee, during 1782-83.

Madison Co., KY., Deed Book F, p. 739, concerns a tract of land in Garrard Co., KY., willed to James and William, sons of Dodson, Sr., and the four children from the first marriage of Thomas J. Tharp, from the estate of William Hollady/Holladay. They signed the property over to "our friend Holdon/Dodson Thorp", through a Deed of Gift.

From Joan Tharp: Gateway to Empire, by Allan W. Eckert, Little Brown & Co. (1983)

William Wells was born 1770, in PA. His family moved to KY. (near present city of Louisville) in 1779. In 1784, he was captured by Miami Indians, and became the adopted son of Chief Minchikiniqua (Little Turtle). He was given the name, Apekonit (Wild Carrot), because of his red hair. He gained the reputation of being a brave warrior and participated in battles with other Indian tribes, as well as with the whites. In 1791, he was recognized by his uncle, Samuel Wells, at a peace treaty conference, and William chose to return to his white family, though both his parents were now dead. He had married Wanagapeth (A Sweet Breeze), daughter of Minchikiniqua, and they had 2 sons and 3 daughters, when she died in the summer of 1808. He became Chief Scout and Spy for Gen. Anthony ("Mad Anthony") Wayne (one of Wells' sons was named William Wayne Wells), and given the rank of Captain. Wells hand picked the men forming his company, and included on his roster is Dodson Thorp.

On 12 August 1794, disguised as Indians, Wells, Robert McClellan, William May, Dodson Thorp and Christopher Miller, captured two Shawnee Indians, near the confluence of the Auglaize and Maumee Rivers (present day Ohio). Dodson was ordered to take the captives and return with them to the newly established Ft. Defiance. May was killed, and both Wells and McClellan were wounded, fighting a delaying action with Indian pursuers. Wells married (2) Mary Geiger, in KY., in 1809. William Wells was killed by Potawatomi Chief Peesotum (Grasshopper), during the massacre of the whites leaving Ft. Dearborn (Chicago), 15 Aug. 1812.

During the previous year, 15 Mar. 1811, at Ft. Wayne, Peesotum and his followers, had planned to massacre the Americans inside the Fort, when they were invited to a celebration. Wells discovered the plan, and confronted Peesotum publicly, thus causing great embarrassment to the Potawatomi Chief, and a "death challenge" existed between the two men. At his death, Wells had already been fatally shot through the lung, by another Indian, and his horse had fallen on Wells' leg, pinning him to the ground. Peesotum still delivered a shot through Wells' neck, severing the spine.

Index to Volunteer Soldiers (1784-1811), transcribed by Virgil D. White, Nat'l. Historical Pub. Co. (1987) p. 665: Tharp, Dodson, Pvt., Scouts & Spies KY, 1790-94

FIFTY DOLLARS REWARD. Deserted from a detachment of the federal troops stationed at this post, on the 31st March 1799. Dodson Tharp. Sargeant in Capt. Richard Spark's company, 3rd Regiment; he is about 25 years of age, 5 feet 10 inches high, fair complexion, fair hair, and grey eyes. He is a native of Virginia, but it is supposed he may stear towards Kentucky, in company with John Newgent. A private in said company, who deserted with Tharp. Newgent is about 30 years of age, near six feet high, dark complexion, brown hair and Hazel eyes, by trade a mason. Whoever apprehends and delivers said deserters to any officer in the United States, shall receive the above reward, or 25 dollars for either, and reasonable expenses. s/s Benjamin Lockwood, Capt.4th Reg., South West Point, TN. 17 April 1799 P.S. The above mentioned Tharp's family lives in Madison county, on or near the head of Muddy creek, in this state, and Newgent's near Paris, in Bourbon county. Any person delivering them, or either of them to me in this place, shall receive the reward offered. /s/ Jonath. Taylor, Capt. 4th U. S. Reg., Lexington, KY. 17 April 1799

KENTUCKY GAZETTE, October 31, 1799: SIXTY DOLLARS REWARD. Fifty for apprehending Dobson Thorp, and ten for Samuel Wiley, with reasonable charges. Thorp is a Sargeant in Capt. Sparkes company, of the 3d regiment, who had deserted the same and delivered himself up to me at this place, and deserted last night: He is 25 years of age, 6 feet high, handsomely formed, ruddy complexion, with a very handsome face and yellowish hair, speaks smooth, and perhaps as much skilled in rascality as any in the state. His companion, Wiley, is a corporal in my company, and deserted at the same time: About 6 feet and an inch high, spare made, blackish hair and complexion, 30 years old, reddish eyes, late a corporal in the fifth regiment. They took with them a variety of clothing; - Thorp had a pair of half boots. They have in possession two stolen Horses, one a bay and the other a black - the bay has a long tail - the black is marked on one of his hind feet with white. Thorp's father lives in Madison county and it is possible he may make his course there - The above reward will be paid; as mentioned, by any officer of the army of the United States, to whom they may be delivered, or on a certificate from any jailor that they are securely lodged. /s/ Jona. Taylor, Capt. 4th United States Regt., Lexington 15 Oct. 1799

Liberty Tribune, Liberty, Clay Co., MO, 12 August 1870 "Old Men Of Clay County In 1870"

JOSEPH THORP. I was born in Madison Co., KY, on the 13th day of December 1804. My father-Elder William Thorp- emigrated from Bedford Co., VA to Kentucky about the year 1785. In the year 1809, I came with my father to Missouri, and we remained one season on Loutre Island, above old Franklin, and there remained until 1824. I was in Cooper's Fort three years after 1812, in consequence of the hostility of the Indians. There were continued difficulties with the Indians in Howard Co, during the late war with England. In 1824, I removed to Clay Co MO, here settled and lived ever since, a period of 46 years. I was one of the Justices of Clay County Court for the period extending from 1854 to 1858. I have always been a Whig. Am said to be disenfranchised by the registrars. NOTE: "Disenfranchised" refers to his refusal to sign a "loyalty oath" (following the end of the Civil War). This oath was later declared to be unconstitutional. In the estate accounts for the will of Elder William Thorp, there is a credit of $3,000 paid the estate by Joseph Thorp. It's stated that he had an agreement with his parents to deed their farm to him, and that he would pay $3,000 at the time he took possession of the property.

...In Co commanded by Capt. Barnes Clark (he was married to a Catherine Thornton and is buried in Thornton Cem.), in Sterling Price Division. In Battle at Pea Ridge. Returned to Rolla and surrendered to a Federal Provost Marshal and paroled to home. Pg. 431, KeKalb Co., MO census shows Thomas & Emerine living dwelling #254. Owen Perry & Catherine (Tillery) Stout are at #255; William H. Perry and Catherine (Deshazer) Adams are at #256; Washington Adams at #257; Franklin Todd at #258; Isabelle Todd at #259; and Martha Todd at #260.

Was soldier at Ft. Cooper, during war of 1812. Missouri Territorial Records: Territory of Missouri, County of St. Charles
To-Wit - Be it known to all whom it may concern that on the 25th day of July 1815 by virtue of the power and Authority vested in me by law, a Preacher of the Gospel D.C. - I joined in the holy state of Matrimony Daniel M. Stout and Patsy Tharp, of the Said Territory and County as Man and Wife -Satisfactory proof being given and of the legal Notice having been given as required by the Statute and Parental Concent obtained. as Witness my hand the 25th of July 1815. /s/ Wm. Tharp Recorded this 19th day of August 1815 /s/ Wm. Christy Clk

Barnett's will was probated in Madison Co., KY, WB D, pg. 542, 4 May 1829.

This is my Last Will and Testament made this st day of January in the year of our Lord, Eighteen hundred and twenty nine being in my Sound mind and reason.

1st My Will is that my body be buried in decency and my funeral charges paid Amen.
2nd All my Debts to be paid.
3rd My Will is that all my children out of this estate Patsey Thornton, John Owen, Walter Owen, William Owen, Frances Thorp, and Jemima Simms, Shall have only twenty Dollars cash.
4th The rest of my Children in Kentucky is to have the balance of my Estate (towit) Sally Orchard, Joicy Wilson, Polly Sullivan and Elizabeth Todd, Equally divided among them and the house hold furniture is to belong to Elizabeth Todd in ( ? ).
5th As to my Son Barnett Owen he has had his equal part of my Estate already and is entitled to no more of my estate.

Walter's will was probated in Lunenburg Co., VA, 11 July 1765 WB 2, pp 260-61, Lunenburg Co., VA.

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Walter Owen of Lunenburgh County being Sick and Weak in Body but in Perfect Sens & Memory do make and Ordain this my Last Will and Testament and desire it may be Recorded as such In manner & form following
Viz - Item my Will & desire is that my loving Wife, Joyce Owen shall have the use & Occupation of my whole Estate both real & personal during her natural life or widowhood and at her Death or Marriage it is my Will and desire that my Son Barnet Owen shall have all my Estate before Lent to my Loving Wife to him and his heirs forever and if my Son Barnet Owen should die without Lawful Issue my Desire is that my Estate shall be equally Divided between my three Sons William Owen, David Owen & Joseph Owen.
Item - I do Nominate Ordain and appoint my Son Barnett Owen whole and Sole Executor of this my Last Will & Testament.

Occupation: Farmer. Unable to locate will or property division. In the Wyandotte Co., KS. census of 1870, there is a Joseph Thorp counted at the residence of Squire B. and Thursa Thorp. Joseph's age is listed as 68, however, the film quality is very poor. I believe this may be Josiah, and the age should have been (or, actually was) recorded as 88.

Taylor Co., KY., WB I, p. 52:
I will unto my beloved wife Suky Morris the residue of my estate during her life..... Item 2, my beloved chldren, Thomas, Jesse, Elizabeth Johnson, Holiday Morris, Jeremiah and Zachariah - my son Josiah to have the tract of land where I now live. Old Kentucky Entries & Deeds, Jillson,
Book Q, pp. 75 & 428: John Morris lived on Big Benson Creek, Sept. 1814, and lived on Green River, June, 1820. Susannah is buried at Morris Chapel, west of Purdin, Linn Co., MO. The chapel is named for Thomas Morris, who donated 1 1/2 acres to the church in perpetuity. Marker shows "Susannah, wife of John, aged 90 years, 10 months, 26 days.

This day personally appeared before me Clerk of the County Court of Callaway County the undersigned Jeremiah Tharp who being by me sworn upon his oath says that to the best of his knowledge there are Eleven legal representatives of Isham P. Tharp Deceased including Father, Mother, Brothers & Sisters towit; Jeremiah Tharp & Rebecca his wife the Father & Mother of sd decd & Bazel L. Tharp, Stephen H. Tharp, Keziah Clanton wife of Jas. H. Clanton, Milly Moore wife of Jno Moore, William C. Tharp, Joel J. Tharp, Nancy Tharp, Thomas C. Tharp and Mourning Tharp the brothers & Sisters of said Deceased all of Callaway County Missouri And that the Deceased died without a will as far as he knows and believes and that he will well and truly administer all and singular the goods and chattles lands and tenements rights and Credits of the Deceaed and pay his debts as far as the assets which may come to his hands will extend and the law direct and that he will make a true and perfect Inventory of all the goods and chattles rights and Credits of the Deceased and account for and pay over according to law all assets which shall come to his hands possession

Occupation: Farmer. He was listed as a resident in the census report in Callaway Co., MO, 1830 (also in 1860 Callaway Co., census). He was listed as a resident in the census report in Adams Co., IL, November 1850. He was listed as a resident in the census report in Callaway Co., MO, 17 July 1860 (Dist. 18, Fulton, family 527 - brother, Bazel is family 525). In 1860 census, Stephen shows no real property - only $200 in personal property.

She was listed as a resident in the census report in Callaway Co., MO, 1850.