Hand Written Notes about Thomas Gamlin

Transcription

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Thomas J Gamlin,
Father of Edith Eleanora Gamlin.

Thomas Gamlin was born July 21st 1849 in Canada, at St Francis, near Big Lake, Province of Quebec. He was the son of Thomas Gamlin born in Canada in 1818. Died in 1884 and Matilda Du Plaze Gamlin, born in Canada in 1824. Died in 1870.

When Thomas Jr was 8 years of age the family moved to Vermont, U.S. Entering school the English language had to be mastered, along with the A.B.C’s. The original French spelling of the family had been Gamelin. The children at school pronounced it as best they could the English way, and the teacher wrote it Gamlin. Thus it has stood through all the generations since.

The father Thomas Sr, and another older son Israel, entered the army and fought side by side in the Civil War between the States. (War records attached.)

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He remained at home to look after his mother, a younger brother and a sister.

In 1869 Thomas set out for California. He came on the first through train from the eastern to the West Coast. He left the train at Sacramento, and came on into the San Joaquin Valley by stage coach. This was the only transportation facilities into the Valley at the time. He landed at Kingston on the south bank of the Kings River, crossing over by ferry boat. He had expected to find his brother Israel 1867 who had come earlier to California at Kingston. But Israel was up in the Sierras working in a saw mill. Thomas was taken in by friendly settlers untill such time as a lumber teaming outfit would come from the mill. In the mean time he helped at building the Spangler house on the Mussel Slough. After joining Israel at the mill he went to work for the owner,

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In the fall the brothers returned to Kingston. Thomas worked at the Geisler Hotel through the winter. For them he hauled the first load of lumber that went into the building of the first house in Lemoore.

He met Turenne L. Pursell and they were wed Dec 22, 1872 14 children were born to them. Eight are still living. Turenne passed away, Sept 2, 1923 and Thomas Apr. 7, 1935. They are both buried in the Auburn Cemetary Placer Co. California.

Further information concerning Thomas Gamlin in the attached story of the General Grant Tree, by Lizzie Gamlin McGee

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