Old Port in Portland in Cumberland County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Home of Deacon Brown Thurston, 32 Union Street
Portland Freedom Trail
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 15, 2021
1. Home of Deacon Brown Thurston, 32 Union Street Marker
An early supporter of the Temperance cause and one of the first to "espouse the cause of the slave."
Thurston (1814-1900) helped freedom seekers in their flight from slavery, "at one time having the care of 30 fugitives, who were dispatched to St. John, New Brunswick and Montreal, Canada." He was a deacon in the High Street Congregational Church and superindendent of the Sunday School. He owned Thurston, Foster & Co., which printed newspapers, schoolbooks and anti-slavery tracts. His home was burned in the great fire of 1866.
Erected 2007 by Maine Freedom Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Communications • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Maine, Portland Freedom Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 43° 39.347′ N, 70° 15.318′ W. Marker is in Portland, Maine, in Cumberland County. It is in Old Port. It is at the intersection of Fore Street and Union Street, on the left when traveling east on Fore Street. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Secondhand Clothing Store of Lloyd Scott (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Ford Memorial (about 700 feet away); Mariner's Church (about 700 feet away); DiMillo's Floating Restaurant (about 700 feet away); Elm Theater Mask (about 800 feet away); The Berlin Wall (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First FOX23 Heroes Wall (approx. 0.2 miles away); The history of DiMillo's and The Newport (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 15, 2021
2. Home of Deacon Brown Thurston, 32 Union Street Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 537 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
