125
Thorp Family Papers
Collection, Ms 22
1749 – 1938
The Thorp family arrived in Fairfield in 1679 and established themselves as farmers, military officers, and sea captains. They were a prolific family, and an extensive family tree can be found in the collection folder to help identify the individual members. Burr ( ), Joel (1776- 1824), and Walter ( ) Thorp were sea captains and ship owners. Charles W. (d. 1855), Charles (1837-1891), and Charles W. () all served in the Army while David () was in the Navy. Jabez Thorp (1748-1824) was a Loyalist during the Revolution and had his lands confiscated.
The materials in this collection are organized alphabetically by the first name of the
Thorp family members represented and then chronologically within the series. Series A contains
tax receipts for Abigail Thorp, 1786-1787. Burr Thorp was the captain of the Sloop Sally on its
trip from Wilmington, N.C. to the West Indies. The journal of that voyage, perhaps kept by the
supercargo, is in Series B. The papers of General Charles E. Thorp (d. 1855) include his
promotion certificate, 1838, a set of General Orders from the State of Connecticut, 1839, among
other legal documents, 1824-1836. Another Charles Thorp (1837-1891) is represented in Series
D by two death announcements, 1891; photographs of him in his uniform, ca. 1865; and his
military appointments and discharge, 1861-1865. Of particular interest is a letter from Lt. C. W.
Wakely from the headquarters of General Sherman discussing military matters, 1864. The latest
Charles Thorp’s papers, in Series E, consist of military discharge documents, 1917. The David
in Series F may actually be two separate individuals. The writs dates 1774 and 1786 probably to
do not belong to the David who was discharged by the Navy in 1864.
Two Ebenezer Thorps are represented in Series G and H. The elder Ebenezer (b. 1730) is
represented by a deed dating from 1749 and a writ, 1783. Deeds, 1789-1842, constitute the
papers of Ebenezer, Jr. (1765-1852). Eunice Thorp’s estate inventory and distribution records,
1869, are arranged in Series I. Eliphalet Thorp (1740-1795) was involved in various legal
matters, which are documented in writs, 1771-1781, organized in Series J.
Jabez Thorp (1727-1811), the son of Peter, is represented in Series K by deeds, 1763-
1777, and his will, 1799. A younger Jabez Thorp (1748-1824) had his lands confiscated after
being branded a Loyalist. An act passed by the General Assembly, 1786, and a deed, 1788,
related to the confiscation are found in Series L. Joel Thorp (1776-1824), a sea captain, is
represented in Series M by a letter from his wife, Priscilla, describing their new child in 1809,
and an account book of voyages on the Sloop Hector, 1811-1819. The balance of the account
book, which includes labor accounts and charges for doing legal/clerical work, 1839-1845, and
for the construction of his house 1845, seems to be that of another Joel Thorp (b. 1791). John
Thorp’s account book, 1768-1777, and receipts, 1768-1777, related to agricultural products and
imported goods such as rum and molasses, are organized in Series N.
Note:
One Thorpe house photograph has been removed to general
photographic collection in the upstairs vault folder under
the title Fairfield -- Buildings Old Post Rd. (Thorpe).
One daguerreotype has been removed and housed within
the oversized flat boxes of daguerreotypes kept in the
manuscript storage area in the basement.
Thorp family members represented and then chronologically within the series. Series A contains
tax receipts for Abigail Thorp, 1786-1787. Burr Thorp was the captain of the Sloop Sally on its
trip from Wilmington, N.C. to the West Indies. The journal of that voyage, perhaps kept by the
supercargo, is in Series B. The papers of General Charles E. Thorp (d. 1855) include his
promotion certificate, 1838, a set of General Orders from the State of Connecticut, 1839, among
other legal documents, 1824-1836. Another Charles Thorp (1837-1891) is represented in Series
D by two death announcements, 1891; photographs of him in his uniform, ca. 1865; and his
military appointments and discharge, 1861-1865. Of particular interest is a letter from Lt. C. W.
Wakely from the headquarters of General Sherman discussing military matters, 1864. The latest
Charles Thorp’s papers, in Series E, consist of military discharge documents, 1917. The David
in Series F may actually be two separate individuals. The writs dates 1774 and 1786 probably to
do not belong to the David who was discharged by the Navy in 1864.
Two Ebenezer Thorps are represented in Series G and H. The elder Ebenezer (b. 1730) is
represented by a deed dating from 1749 and a writ, 1783. Deeds, 1789-1842, constitute the
papers of Ebenezer, Jr. (1765-1852). Eunice Thorp’s estate inventory and distribution records,
1869, are arranged in Series I. Eliphalet Thorp (1740-1795) was involved in various legal
matters, which are documented in writs, 1771-1781, organized in Series J.
Jabez Thorp (1727-1811), the son of Peter, is represented in Series K by deeds, 1763-
1777, and his will, 1799. A younger Jabez Thorp (1748-1824) had his lands confiscated after
being branded a Loyalist. An act passed by the General Assembly, 1786, and a deed, 1788,
related to the confiscation are found in Series L. Joel Thorp (1776-1824), a sea captain, is
represented in Series M by a letter from his wife, Priscilla, describing their new child in 1809,
and an account book of voyages on the Sloop Hector, 1811-1819. The balance of the account
book, which includes labor accounts and charges for doing legal/clerical work, 1839-1845, and
for the construction of his house 1845, seems to be that of another Joel Thorp (b. 1791). John
Thorp’s account book, 1768-1777, and receipts, 1768-1777, related to agricultural products and
imported goods such as rum and molasses, are organized in Series N.
Note:
One Thorpe house photograph has been removed to general
photographic collection in the upstairs vault folder under
the title Fairfield -- Buildings Old Post Rd. (Thorpe).
One daguerreotype has been removed and housed within
the oversized flat boxes of daguerreotypes kept in the
manuscript storage area in the basement.
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