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

Inscription.
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 • Churches & Religion • Communications • Industry & Commerce. 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. Marker is at the intersection of Fore Street and Union Street, on the left when traveling east on Fore Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 455 Fore St, Portland ME 04101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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,

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measured in a direct line); John Ford Memorial (about 700 feet away); Mariner's Church (about 700 feet away); Elm Theater Mask (about 800 feet away); Hack Stand of Reuben Ruby (approx. 0.2 miles away); Press Herald Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Portland Civil War Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); Asa Clapp / Asa William Henry Clapp / Mary Jane Emerson Clapp (approx. ¼ mile 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 206 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.