His birthplace was near Chestnut Hill, in the territory which was incorporated into the town of Blackstone in 1845.

He was the son of Caleb Thayer and Hannah, the daughter of Peter Gaskill of Mendon.

His ancestors, so far as known, in all the line of descent, were New England farmers.

No better race ever existed for the development of the highest intellectual and moral quality.

They wrung a difficult livelihood from the soil and forest.