Brief Life History of John Thomas
John Thomas Turner was born on 26 January 1831, in Middlesex, Virginia, United States as the son of Richard Turner and Betsy Hart. He married Nelly Evans about 1855, in Virginia, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 4 daughters. He lived in Accomack, Virginia, United States for about 10 years and Franktown, Northampton, Virginia, United States in 1880. He died on 19 August 1909, in Northampton, Virginia, United States, at the age of 78, and was buried in Belle Haven Cemetery, Underhill Farm Graveyard, Accomack, Virginia, United States.
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Family Time Line
Sources (34)
- Thomas Turlington, "United States Census, 1860"
- Legacy NFS Source: John ThomasTurner - Published information: birth-name: John ThomasTurner
- John T. Turner, "Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771-1989"
Spouse and Children
Children (7)
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World Events (8)
1832 · The Black Hawk War
Convinced that a group of Native American tribes were hostile, The United States formed a frontier militia to stop them in their tracks. Even though Black Hawk was hoping to avoid bloodshed while trying to resettle on tribal land, U.S. officials opened fire on the Native Americans. Black Hawk then responded to this confrontation by successfully attacking the militia at the Battle of Stillman's Run and then left northward. After a few months the militia caught up with Black Hawk and his men and defeated them at the Battle of Wisconsin Heights. While being weakened by hunger, injuries and desertion, Black Hawk and the rest of the many native survivors retreated towards the Mississippi. Unfortunately, Black Hawk and other leaders were later captured when they surrendered to the US forces and were then imprisoned for a year.
1844 · Lumpkin's Jail
In 1844 when Robert Lumpkin bought land in Virginia, this would be the spot of the Infamous Slave Jail (or Lumpkin’s Jail). The slaves would be brought here during the slave trade until they were sold. Lumpkin had purchased the land for his own slave business.
1861 · The Battle of Manassas
The Battle of Manassas is also referred to as the First Battle of Bull Run. 35,000 Union troops were headed towards Washington D.C. after 20,000 Confederate forces. The McDowell's Union troops fought with General Beauregard's Confederate troops along a little river called Bull Run.
Name Meaning
English: occupational name from Middle English t(o)urnour, turner ‘turner’ (Old French to(u)rn(e)our), mainly denoting someone who fashioned small objects of wood, metal, or bone on a lathe, but also a variety of other occupations, including turnspit and translator or interpreter. This surname may have become confused with Toner . In North America, it is also very common among African Americans.
English: occasionally perhaps a nickname from Middle English turn-hare, a compound of Middle English tournen ‘to turn, direct, steer’ + hare ‘hare’, a name for someone in charge of the greyhounds in hare coursing or an exaggerated compliment for someone who could run fast. See also Turnbull .
English: perhaps also from Middle English t(o)urn(e)our ‘jouster, one who takes part in a tournament’ (Old French tornoieor, tournoieur).
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
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