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Ephraim Thorpe

This is Ephraim Thorpe

‘

s Corkscrew. It has a horn handle in the form of a fish. A

fin is applied to rear. A hinged metal door reveals a snuff compartment. The iron

helix is fluted.

The corkscrew was crafted by Ephraim Thorpe in 1867 at the age of 17 while

living in Four-mile Creek (now Woodruff, Idaho).

Signed by Ephraim Thorpe 1867 with

―

A Drink for the Soul, A Pinch for the

Nose.

‖

Ephraim Thorpe was born April 3, 1850 in Newton, Manchester, Yorkshire,

England. He died at the age of 20 on December 10, 1870. He was one of 13

children of William and Elizabeth Simms Thorpe.

William and Elizabeth were married on December 25, 1835. Elizabeth was born

on January 8 1816 in Heage, Derbyshire, England to Samuel Sims and Martha

Oliver. William was born on August 19, 1814 in Stannington, Yorkshire, England

William Thorpe was a forgeman. William and Elizabeth moved several times

during their marriage with the biggest step being in 1862. On May 14, 1862 they

left Liverpool, England for America aboard the ship William Tapscott. They

brought their children Thomas, Amelia, Ephraim, Joseph, Jane, Alma and Emma.

Three other children died early; William at 16 years, Nephi at 8 months, and

Mary Ann at 2 years. John and Martha had already immigrated to America.