Thomas Turner was born between 1765-1770, at Montville, New London, Connecticut. Father: Thomas Turner, Senior, born about 1745, Montville, New London, Connecticut.
Married Betsey Bishop, [born about 1778, Sandisfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts] in 1794, at Glastonbury, Connecticut.
Children:
1. Sally Turner, b. Abt 1796
2. Betsy Turner, b. Abt 1798
3. Chauncy Turner, b. 19 May 1800, Sandisfield, Berkshire, Massachusettes
4. Clement Turner, b. Abt 1802, Sandisfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts
5. Giles Turner, b. Abt 1804, Sandisfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts
6. Laura Turner, b. Abt 1806, Sandisfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts
7. Julia Ann Turner, b. Abt 1808, Sandisfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts
Turner was a participant in "Zion's Camp," in 1834. Because of his enrolment in "the Camp," his ordination was approved by the Conference held July 7, 1838, at Far West, Missouri. Members of the Camp received their blessings and were ordained seventies.
[Far West Record: Minutes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-1844, edited by Donald Q. Cannon and Lyndon W. Cook (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company), 1983.]
Thomas Turner suffered the loss of property and died 1837 [1838], Far West, Caldwell County, Missouri, from wounds, according to reports. He is buried in the Far West Burial Ground west of the town site.
Cannon and Cook, Far West Record, currently out of print
Far-West, Mo. Saturday, July 7th 1838.
The Conference convened agreeable to adjournment. Opened by Prayer by President Sidney Rigdon.
When the following brethern, who came up in the Camp in 1834 received their blessing, also ordained as Seventies:
Horace Evans
James Dunn
Alanson Ripley
Chandler Holbrook
Justus Morse
John Fawsett
Jackson Smith
Thomas Turner
Ebenezer Miller
Joseph Holbrook
Lewis Zabriskie
Horace Cowan
James R. Ivie
John C. Annis
After which several recommends passed the Conference as follows:
William Martin, presented but rejected by the Conference. Johnathan T. Packer, to the office of Teacher. Pleasant Ewell to the office of Deacon. Uziel Corey to the office of Deacon.
George Walters came forward and to make confession but did not give satisfaction.
After some remarks by President Rigdon, & On Motion, the Conference adjourned until the first Friday in October next.
Benediction by President Rigdon.
Ebenezer Robinson. Clerk.
[Conference Minutes, 7 July 1838, Far West Record, 201.]
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