Life and Writings of Grant Thorburn Prepared by Himself

Born in Scotland in 1773, Thorburn learned from his father to make nails and became an expert. In 1794 he immigrated to New York, as he says in the Preface "with only three cents in my pocket, and my nail-hammer in my hand." Thorburn immediately found employment in that profession (the nature of the nail-making business is described here in detail). Soon however the invention of the nail-cutting machine deprived him of an occupation. He went to work as a grocer and became interested in plants. When purchasing his first plant, he claims that he "knew not a geranium from a cabbage." But by 1803, according to the DAB, he "became the first seedsman of any consequence in America and came to found a business that functioned for more than a century." In 1812, Thorburn issued the first seed catalogue in American history. Among the events from his life described here are providential escapes, a scene at sea, and accounts of the New York yellow fever epidemic in 1822. Thorburn also took to writing, having assumed "Lawrie Todd" as a pen name. His collective successes allowed him to indulge his propensity for mingling with the rich and famous. According to the DAB, Thorburn "jeopardized his standing with his church by cultivating an acquaintance with Thomas Paine" author of COMMON SENSE. Thorburn includes here a number of Paine anecdotes, including one about Paine's narrow escape from execution in France, and the remarks Paine made on his death-bed. There is a 17-page appendix of correspondence between Paine and William Carver. Another appendix is entitled "Hints to Gardeners Wishing to Emigrate to the United States." Thorburn "was very proud of being the original of the hero of John Galt's LAWRIE TODD, the first novel with Rochester, New York, for its setting."Sabin 95610. Howes T-219.

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