Turner, William Lawton
Birth
William Lawton Turner was born on the old farm in Wilmslow, Cheshire, Eng. on 9 Apr. 1824. His parents were Peter Turner and Sarah Lawton. Hi siblings were:
- Catherine Turner
- Arrabella C. Turner
- Reginald Turner
- John H. Turner
- Bertha Turner
- Richard Turner
Immigration
In 1827 he and his family immigrated to America to escape poor economic conditions in England. It took 11 weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a small sailing vessel. It was said that some of the very young children had to re-learn to walk when they arrived due to pitching of the vessel. The vessel landed in Perth Amboy, NJ. They traveled up the Hudson River and eventually settled on a farm lot 444 on West Mountain in Berne Township, Albany County, NY.
Education
William grew up on the farm attending the local school and learning to farm. He also got some further education.
Occupation
When his father died in 1839 he was 15 years old. His brother, John, who was 18 years old took over the running of the farm. After some time William decided to travel to Reading PA. to teach school. When John decided that he wanted to leave the family farm, William returned to West Mountain and farmed the place. He occasionally taught school in the area.
Naturalization
When William was 22 years old he became a naturalized citizen.
Marriage & Children
On July 1854 he married Catherine E. Kniskern on the old Kniskern Farm in Knox. They lived on the farm on West Mountain until his mother, Sarah, died in May of 1857.Some of their children were born there:
- Corinda b. 1856
- Alice b. 1857.
They then moved to a farm in Knox near West Township.
- Katie was born in 1860
- Mary Edna in 1863
- Jacob in 1865
- Arabella (Belle) in 1867
In 1875 he bought a farm from Gerardus Merselis in Knox (Francis Rd.) near the village of Berne where he stayed for the rest of his life. He continued to be involved with the running of the local school-interviewing the prospective teachers, cleaning the school and collecting money from the local farmers to maintain it.
Death
William died 18 Dec 1893 and was buried at Berne and Beaverdam Cemetery in the Turner Plot.
Obituary
Additional Media
Sources This information was from family, William's diaries and Letters.
