THURY, Pierre (tu-ry), French missionary, born in Bayeux, France, about 1650; died in the Penobscot mission, Maine, or in Nova Scotia, 3 June, 1699. He studied for the priesthood in France, and, haying volunteered for the American missions, went to Quebec, where he was ordained on 21 December, 1677. In 1684 he was sent by Bishop Laval to labor among the Indians of Acadia. After devoting a year to the exploration of the country, he founded the mission of St. Croix in 1685. In 1688 he was transferred to the Penobscot, where he gathered together an Indian colony at Panawanisk6. His converts became noted for the fervor of their piety and devotion to the French, and in 1689 did the latter good service at the attack on Fort Pemaquid. He prepared prayers and hymns for their use m the Abnaki language. He was afterward sent to instruct the Indians of Nova Scotia. He returned to Maine and died there, according to some accounts, but others assert that he spent the rest of his life in Nova Scotia. See John G. Sheds "American Catholic Missions" (New York, 1854); Shea's "The Church in the Colonies" (1887) ; and Diereville's "Voyage" (Paris, 1708).