Married. Died due to old age. He was a merchant. State of Michigan Wayne County 1868 death register.
"Palmer, Thomas, deceased, one of the pioneer merchants of Detroit, was born at Ashford, Windham County, Connecticut, February 4, 1789; and died in Detroit, August 3, 1868. He was one of a family of six sons and three daughters. His grandfather, Thomas Barber, annually brought good to Detroit as early as 1763, hauling them from Hartford to Schenectady with oxen; freighting them by boats up the Mohawk; thence via Wood Creek to Oneida Lake, and down the outlet to Oswego; and thence, by Lakes Ontario and Erie, to Detroit. Here he remained, trading with the Indians; disposing of his goods for furs, and transporting the latter back of Hartford; each venture proving financially successful. The story of these adventures, told to his grandsons, kindled in the minds of two of them, at least, a desire to seek their fortunes in the West. In the spring of 1812, Thomas Palmer, with his brother Friend, having bought a stock of goods, from the East, opened a store at Malden, Canada, about twenty miles below Detroit. On the declaration of war, which occurred soon after, both the brothers were imprisoned in Malden jail because they were American citizens; but were liberated after five weeks, and put ashore upon the American sider near Monguagon, whence they walked to Detroit. They joined a company of volunteers, commanded by Shubael Conant, and were present at the surrender of Detroit to the British by General Hull. After the surrender, they were permitted by the British commandant to return to Malden and secure their goods. They then proceeded to Canandaigua, New York, where they established a store, and continued business until after the close of the war. In 1816 Thomas Palmer returned to Detroit, and opened a store under the firm name of F. & T. Palmer, the brothers continuing their business under the supervision of Friend Palmer, at Canandaigua, and having a branch store at Ashtabula, Ohio. They also built and owned flouring-mills at Scio, New York. For a number of years the firm did a very large business. They took many contracts for public works, constructed many of the turnpike roads leading out of the city, and built the territorial, the site of which is now occupied by the high school. For the building of the capitol, they received the ten thousand acre tract back of the city, and about five hundred central city lots. They also built and carried on potteries and asheries in the city, and entered large tracts of land in the Military Tract of Illinois. They built and owned a number of vessels, among which were the "Tiger" and "Young Tiger"—the former commanded by Captain Blake, of lake fame—and became largely interested in various kinds of business. During the financial crisis of 1824, they were compelled to suspend payment. Friend Palmer died shortly after, and Thomas Palmer closed up the affairs, paid all their debts, and left no stain upon the reputation of either brother. Soon recovering from this temporary suspension of business, he branched out into other ventures; and, in company with the father of George Jerome, of Detroit, erected saw-mills on Pine River, St. Clair County. In 1828 he purchased the site of the city of St. Clair, then a wilderness; he erected saw-mills, there, which were afterwards sold to Wesley Truesdail, and did a large lumbering business for many years. The place was called Palmer, until he sold out his interest there. From 1845 to 1847, Mr. Palmer was interested in Lake Superior ventures; but they did not prove profitable investments. Though nearly sixty years of age, he coasted from Sault Ste. Marie to the head of Lake Superior in a six-oared boat, and returned in the same. From 1849 until age rendered him unable to work, he transacted a land and insurance agency business. In social life no man was more genial and kind-hearted. Unobtrusive and modest, no one could claim more or warmer friends. He was of that type of pioneer who, though not achieving great financial success for themselves, by their energy and daring made success possible for others. In every trial he acted the part of a true man; and throughout his life his conduct was irreproachable. He died poor. In politics, Mr. Palmer was a prominent Whig; but became a Republican upon the organization of that party, in the affairs of which he took an active interest until his death. He never aspired to office, and never held any public place save that of Alderman from the First Ward of the city of Detroit. In 1821 Mr. Palmer married Mary A. Witherell, daughter of Judge James Witherell. She survived her husband, dying in 1874. They had nine children, two of whom—Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, and Mrs. Julia E. Hubbard—are living. Mary W., wife of Henry M. Roby, now of Monroeville, Ohio, died in 1854, leaving one daughter now living,--Miss Mary W. Roby. Sarah C. died in 1859. Mr. Palmer and Miss Witherell were passengers on the "Walk-in-the-Water," the first steamboat on the lakes, on her first trip, in 1819. They afterwards made their bridal trip in the same vessel; and, on the return voyage form Buffalo, were wrecked the night of October 31st. Mrs. Palmer's reminiscences of the incidents of the wreck are now on file among the records of the Buffalo Historical Society. Mrs. Palmer was, for sixty years, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was an active worker in various Christian and benevolent enterprises, and was one of the founders of Detroit Protestant Orphan Asylum." – Excerpt from "American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Michigan Volume," published by Western Biographical Publishing Co., Cincinnati, O., 1878.
"Palmer, Thomas, deceased, one of the pioneer merchants of Detroit, was born at Ashford, Windham County, Connecticut, February 4, 1789; and died in Detroit, August 3, 1868. He was one of a family of six sons and three daughters. His grandfather, Thomas Barber, annually brought good to Detroit as early as 1763, hauling them from Hartford to Schenectady with oxen; freighting them by boats up the Mohawk; thence via Wood Creek to Oneida Lake, and down the outlet to Oswego; and thence, by Lakes Ontario and Erie, to Detroit. Here he remained, trading with the Indians; disposing of his goods for furs, and transporting the latter back of Hartford; each venture proving financially successful. The story of these adventures, told to his grandsons, kindled in the minds of two of them, at least, a desire to seek their fortunes in the West. In the spring of 1812, Thomas Palmer, with his brother Friend, having bought a stock of goods, from the East, opened a store at Malden, Canada, about twenty miles below Detroit. On the declaration of war, which occurred soon after, both the brothers were imprisoned in Malden jail because they were American citizens; but were liberated after five weeks, and put ashore upon the American sider near Monguagon, whence they walked to Detroit. They joined a company of volunteers, commanded by Shubael Conant, and were present at the surrender of Detroit to the British by General Hull. After the surrender, they were permitted by the British commandant to return to Malden and secure their goods. They then proceeded to Canandaigua, New York, where they established a store, and continued business until after the close of the war. In 1816 Thomas Palmer returned to Detroit, and opened a store under the firm name of F. & T. Palmer, the brothers continuing their business under the supervision of Friend Palmer, at Canandaigua, and having a branch store at Ashtabula, Ohio. They also built and owned flouring-mills at Scio, New York. For a number of years the firm did a very large business. They took many contracts for public works, constructed many of the turnpike roads leading out of the city, and built the territorial, the site of which is now occupied by the high school. For the building of the capitol, they received the ten thousand acre tract back of the city, and about five hundred central city lots. They also built and carried on potteries and asheries in the city, and entered large tracts of land in the Military Tract of Illinois. They built and owned a number of vessels, among which were the "Tiger" and "Young Tiger"—the former commanded by Captain Blake, of lake fame—and became largely interested in various kinds of business. During the financial crisis of 1824, they were compelled to suspend payment. Friend Palmer died shortly after, and Thomas Palmer closed up the affairs, paid all their debts, and left no stain upon the reputation of either brother. Soon recovering from this temporary suspension of business, he branched out into other ventures; and, in company with the father of George Jerome, of Detroit, erected saw-mills on Pine River, St. Clair County. In 1828 he purchased the site of the city of St. Clair, then a wilderness; he erected saw-mills, there, which were afterwards sold to Wesley Truesdail, and did a large lumbering business for many years. The place was called Palmer, until he sold out his interest there. From 1845 to 1847, Mr. Palmer was interested in Lake Superior ventures; but they did not prove profitable investments. Though nearly sixty years of age, he coasted from Sault Ste. Marie to the head of Lake Superior in a six-oared boat, and returned in the same. From 1849 until age rendered him unable to work, he transacted a land and insurance agency business. In social life no man was more genial and kind-hearted. Unobtrusive and modest, no one could claim more or warmer friends. He was of that type of pioneer who, though not achieving great financial success for themselves, by their energy and daring made success possible for others. In every trial he acted the part of a true man; and throughout his life his conduct was irreproachable. He died poor. In politics, Mr. Palmer was a prominent Whig; but became a Republican upon the organization of that party, in the affairs of which he took an active interest until his death. He never aspired to office, and never held any public place save that of Alderman from the First Ward of the city of Detroit. In 1821 Mr. Palmer married Mary A. Witherell, daughter of Judge James Witherell. She survived her husband, dying in 1874. They had nine children, two of whom—Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, and Mrs. Julia E. Hubbard—are living. Mary W., wife of Henry M. Roby, now of Monroeville, Ohio, died in 1854, leaving one daughter now living,--Miss Mary W. Roby. Sarah C. died in 1859. Mr. Palmer and Miss Witherell were passengers on the "Walk-in-the-Water," the first steamboat on the lakes, on her first trip, in 1819. They afterwards made their bridal trip in the same vessel; and, on the return voyage form Buffalo, were wrecked the night of October 31st. Mrs. Palmer's reminiscences of the incidents of the wreck are now on file among the records of the Buffalo Historical Society. Mrs. Palmer was, for sixty years, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was an active worker in various Christian and benevolent enterprises, and was one of the founders of Detroit Protestant Orphan Asylum." – Excerpt from "American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Michigan Volume," published by Western Biographical Publishing Co., Cincinnati, O., 1878.
Married. Died due to old age. He was a merchant. State of Michigan Wayne County 1868 death register.
"Palmer, Thomas, deceased, one of the pioneer merchants of Detroit, was born at Ashford, Windham County, Connecticut, February 4, 1789; and died in Detroit, August 3, 1868. He was one of a family of six sons and three daughters. His grandfather, Thomas Barber, annually brought good to Detroit as early as 1763, hauling them from Hartford to Schenectady with oxen; freighting them by boats up the Mohawk; thence via Wood Creek to Oneida Lake, and down the outlet to Oswego; and thence, by Lakes Ontario and Erie, to Detroit. Here he remained, trading with the Indians; disposing of his goods for furs, and transporting the latter back of Hartford; each venture proving financially successful. The story of these adventures, told to his grandsons, kindled in the minds of two of them, at least, a desire to seek their fortunes in the West. In the spring of 1812, Thomas Palmer, with his brother Friend, having bought a stock of goods, from the East, opened a store at Malden, Canada, about twenty miles below Detroit. On the declaration of war, which occurred soon after, both the brothers were imprisoned in Malden jail because they were American citizens; but were liberated after five weeks, and put ashore upon the American sider near Monguagon, whence they walked to Detroit. They joined a company of volunteers, commanded by Shubael Conant, and were present at the surrender of Detroit to the British by General Hull. After the surrender, they were permitted by the British commandant to return to Malden and secure their goods. They then proceeded to Canandaigua, New York, where they established a store, and continued business until after the close of the war. In 1816 Thomas Palmer returned to Detroit, and opened a store under the firm name of F. & T. Palmer, the brothers continuing their business under the supervision of Friend Palmer, at Canandaigua, and having a branch store at Ashtabula, Ohio. They also built and owned flouring-mills at Scio, New York. For a number of years the firm did a very large business. They took many contracts for public works, constructed many of the turnpike roads leading out of the city, and built the territorial, the site of which is now occupied by the high school. For the building of the capitol, they received the ten thousand acre tract back of the city, and about five hundred central city lots. They also built and carried on potteries and asheries in the city, and entered large tracts of land in the Military Tract of Illinois. They built and owned a number of vessels, among which were the "Tiger" and "Young Tiger"—the former commanded by Captain Blake, of lake fame—and became largely interested in various kinds of business. During the financial crisis of 1824, they were compelled to suspend payment. Friend Palmer died shortly after, and Thomas Palmer closed up the affairs, paid all their debts, and left no stain upon the reputation of either brother. Soon recovering from this temporary suspension of business, he branched out into other ventures; and, in company with the father of George Jerome, of Detroit, erected saw-mills on Pine River, St. Clair County. In 1828 he purchased the site of the city of St. Clair, then a wilderness; he erected saw-mills, there, which were afterwards sold to Wesley Truesdail, and did a large lumbering business for many years. The place was called Palmer, until he sold out his interest there. From 1845 to 1847, Mr. Palmer was interested in Lake Superior ventures; but they did not prove profitable investments. Though nearly sixty years of age, he coasted from Sault Ste. Marie to the head of Lake Superior in a six-oared boat, and returned in the same. From 1849 until age rendered him unable to work, he transacted a land and insurance agency business. In social life no man was more genial and kind-hearted. Unobtrusive and modest, no one could claim more or warmer friends. He was of that type of pioneer who, though not achieving great financial success for themselves, by their energy and daring made success possible for others. In every trial he acted the part of a true man; and throughout his life his conduct was irreproachable. He died poor. In politics, Mr. Palmer was a prominent Whig; but became a Republican upon the organization of that party, in the affairs of which he took an active interest until his death. He never aspired to office, and never held any public place save that of Alderman from the First Ward of the city of Detroit. In 1821 Mr. Palmer married Mary A. Witherell, daughter of Judge James Witherell. She survived her husband, dying in 1874. They had nine children, two of whom—Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, and Mrs. Julia E. Hubbard—are living. Mary W., wife of Henry M. Roby, now of Monroeville, Ohio, died in 1854, leaving one daughter now living,--Miss Mary W. Roby. Sarah C. died in 1859. Mr. Palmer and Miss Witherell were passengers on the "Walk-in-the-Water," the first steamboat on the lakes, on her first trip, in 1819. They afterwards made their bridal trip in the same vessel; and, on the return voyage form Buffalo, were wrecked the night of October 31st. Mrs. Palmer's reminiscences of the incidents of the wreck are now on file among the records of the Buffalo Historical Society. Mrs. Palmer was, for sixty years, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was an active worker in various Christian and benevolent enterprises, and was one of the founders of Detroit Protestant Orphan Asylum." – Excerpt from "American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Michigan Volume," published by Western Biographical Publishing Co., Cincinnati, O., 1878.
"Palmer, Thomas, deceased, one of the pioneer merchants of Detroit, was born at Ashford, Windham County, Connecticut, February 4, 1789; and died in Detroit, August 3, 1868. He was one of a family of six sons and three daughters. His grandfather, Thomas Barber, annually brought good to Detroit as early as 1763, hauling them from Hartford to Schenectady with oxen; freighting them by boats up the Mohawk; thence via Wood Creek to Oneida Lake, and down the outlet to Oswego; and thence, by Lakes Ontario and Erie, to Detroit. Here he remained, trading with the Indians; disposing of his goods for furs, and transporting the latter back of Hartford; each venture proving financially successful. The story of these adventures, told to his grandsons, kindled in the minds of two of them, at least, a desire to seek their fortunes in the West. In the spring of 1812, Thomas Palmer, with his brother Friend, having bought a stock of goods, from the East, opened a store at Malden, Canada, about twenty miles below Detroit. On the declaration of war, which occurred soon after, both the brothers were imprisoned in Malden jail because they were American citizens; but were liberated after five weeks, and put ashore upon the American sider near Monguagon, whence they walked to Detroit. They joined a company of volunteers, commanded by Shubael Conant, and were present at the surrender of Detroit to the British by General Hull. After the surrender, they were permitted by the British commandant to return to Malden and secure their goods. They then proceeded to Canandaigua, New York, where they established a store, and continued business until after the close of the war. In 1816 Thomas Palmer returned to Detroit, and opened a store under the firm name of F. & T. Palmer, the brothers continuing their business under the supervision of Friend Palmer, at Canandaigua, and having a branch store at Ashtabula, Ohio. They also built and owned flouring-mills at Scio, New York. For a number of years the firm did a very large business. They took many contracts for public works, constructed many of the turnpike roads leading out of the city, and built the territorial, the site of which is now occupied by the high school. For the building of the capitol, they received the ten thousand acre tract back of the city, and about five hundred central city lots. They also built and carried on potteries and asheries in the city, and entered large tracts of land in the Military Tract of Illinois. They built and owned a number of vessels, among which were the "Tiger" and "Young Tiger"—the former commanded by Captain Blake, of lake fame—and became largely interested in various kinds of business. During the financial crisis of 1824, they were compelled to suspend payment. Friend Palmer died shortly after, and Thomas Palmer closed up the affairs, paid all their debts, and left no stain upon the reputation of either brother. Soon recovering from this temporary suspension of business, he branched out into other ventures; and, in company with the father of George Jerome, of Detroit, erected saw-mills on Pine River, St. Clair County. In 1828 he purchased the site of the city of St. Clair, then a wilderness; he erected saw-mills, there, which were afterwards sold to Wesley Truesdail, and did a large lumbering business for many years. The place was called Palmer, until he sold out his interest there. From 1845 to 1847, Mr. Palmer was interested in Lake Superior ventures; but they did not prove profitable investments. Though nearly sixty years of age, he coasted from Sault Ste. Marie to the head of Lake Superior in a six-oared boat, and returned in the same. From 1849 until age rendered him unable to work, he transacted a land and insurance agency business. In social life no man was more genial and kind-hearted. Unobtrusive and modest, no one could claim more or warmer friends. He was of that type of pioneer who, though not achieving great financial success for themselves, by their energy and daring made success possible for others. In every trial he acted the part of a true man; and throughout his life his conduct was irreproachable. He died poor. In politics, Mr. Palmer was a prominent Whig; but became a Republican upon the organization of that party, in the affairs of which he took an active interest until his death. He never aspired to office, and never held any public place save that of Alderman from the First Ward of the city of Detroit. In 1821 Mr. Palmer married Mary A. Witherell, daughter of Judge James Witherell. She survived her husband, dying in 1874. They had nine children, two of whom—Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, and Mrs. Julia E. Hubbard—are living. Mary W., wife of Henry M. Roby, now of Monroeville, Ohio, died in 1854, leaving one daughter now living,--Miss Mary W. Roby. Sarah C. died in 1859. Mr. Palmer and Miss Witherell were passengers on the "Walk-in-the-Water," the first steamboat on the lakes, on her first trip, in 1819. They afterwards made their bridal trip in the same vessel; and, on the return voyage form Buffalo, were wrecked the night of October 31st. Mrs. Palmer's reminiscences of the incidents of the wreck are now on file among the records of the Buffalo Historical Society. Mrs. Palmer was, for sixty years, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was an active worker in various Christian and benevolent enterprises, and was one of the founders of Detroit Protestant Orphan Asylum." – Excerpt from "American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Michigan Volume," published by Western Biographical Publishing Co., Cincinnati, O., 1878.
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