William Thorburn
William Thorburn was born in St. Ann’s, Dumpfriesshire, Scotland in 1815. By 1864 Thorburn had moved
to St. John’s, Newfoundland, where he opened a distillery and brewery on Lazy Bank Road. On September
26, 1867, a fire broke out in a slaughter house adjoining the distillery and quickly spread to
Thorburn’s premises. The distillery was destroyed and even though Thorburn was only partially
insured, he managed to reopen at 362 Water Street. Thorburn continued to operate his retail wine
and spirit into the 1870s and died in 1888
Photo 1 Liquor flask embossed “THORBURN / WATER STREET.” Aqua in colour, 18.5 cm in height. 1870-1888.