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Family Group Sheet
| Husband: | Ebenezer Thompson |
|---|
| Born: | 08 Oct 1778 | in: VA |
| Died: | 07 Oct 1865 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Father: | James Thompson (1747-1818) | |
| Mother: | Nancy Ann Perry (1748-1818) |
| 1st Wife: | Elizabeth Howard |
|---|
| Married: | 27 Dec 1799 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Born: | 17 Nov 1783 | in: VA |
| Died: | 12 Nov 1813 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Father: | ||
| Mother: |
| CHILDREN |
|---|
| 1 M Name: | James Thompson | |
| Born: | 28 Nov 1800 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | 20 Jun 1801 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| 2 M Name: | John Howard Thompson (1802-1889) | |
| Spouse: | Dorcas Elliott (c1803-1830) |
| 3 F Name: | Margaret Thompson | |
| Born: | 04 Jan 1805 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | 15 Jul 1807 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| 4 M Name: | William Parker Thompson | |
| Born: | 03 May 1807 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | 08 Feb 1853 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Married: | 28 Dec 1829 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Spouse: | Sarepta Elliott | |
| Born: | 24 Aug 1808 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | 1870 | in: IN |
| Children: |
Elizabeth Thompson (1837-) m. R E Harris (1833-) Ebenezer J Thompson (1839-) m. Ursula B Stiles (1839-1904) George Thompson (1841-) m. Amanda Ellis (1844-) John Thompson (1843-1863) Maria A Thompson (1846-1926) m. Henry C Pepper (1844-1910) Elijah Thompson (1847-) Emily F Thompson (1849-) m. James W Pepper (1849-) |
|
| 5 M Name: | George Howard Thompson | |
| Born: | 09 Oct 1813 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | 20 Dec 1886 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Married: | 14 Aug 1832 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Spouse: | Julia Ann Elliott | |
| Born: | 07 May 1810 | in: Mason Co., KY |
| Died: | 07 May 1876 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Children: |
Elizabeth A Thompson (1836-1889) m. Vestal C Shaw (1837-1921) George Howard Thompson (1837-1911) m. Catherine Witmer (1841-1882) Mary Ann Thompson (1839-1926) m. Samuel L Good (1834-1899) Martha Thompson |
|
| Married: | in: | |
| Spouse: | Margaret McCord | |
| Born: | Abt 1819 | in: OH |
| Died: | in: | |
| 2nd Wife: | Mary Ann Bradford |
|---|
| Married: | 10 May 1819 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Born: | 02 Aug 1797 | in: Greene Co., PA |
| Died: | 22 Feb 1863 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Father: | Thomas Bradford | |
| Mother: | Lydia |
| CHILDREN |
|---|
| 1 F Name: | Elizabeth M Thompson | |
| Born: | 12 May 1819 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | in: | |
| Married: | 14 May 1846 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Spouse: | Chester P Bagley | |
| Born: | in: | |
| Died: | Abt 1855 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Children: |
child Bagley Anna Bagley m. Ferguson |
|
| 2 F Name: | Nancy Ann Perry Thompson | |
| Born: | 04 Feb 1821 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | 29 Nov 1897 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Married: | 05 Oct 1843 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Spouse: | James Richard Slack | |
| Born: | 28 Sep 1818 | in: Buck Co., PA |
| Died: | 28 Jul 1881 | in: Chicago, IL |
| Children: |
James Richard Slack (1846-1920) m. Flora Maria McCaughey (1848-1930) Sarah Elizabeth Slack (1852-1921) m. Edward K Alpaught (1853-) Mary Caroline Slack (1855-1930) m. Boston H P Grayston (1850-) |
|
| 3 F Name: | Sarah Thompson | |
| Born: | 1822 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | 1825 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| 4 F Name: | Mary Ann Thompson | |
| Born: | 14 Feb 1825 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | 29 May 1852 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Married: | 19 Jan 1848 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Spouse: | Leonard Chester Bagley | |
| Born: | in: | |
| Died: | in: | |
| Children: | Leonidus T Bagley (1852-) m. Belle Patterson | |
| 5 F Name: | Maria Orpha Thompson | |
| Born: | 16 Feb 1827 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | 5 Mar 1908 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Married: | 27 Feb 1850 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Spouse: | Byron Eldridge Murray | |
| Born: | 1827 | in: OH |
| Died: | 1874 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Children: |
Anne Murray (1856-) m. William Kaufman Laura I Murray (1861-) m. Julius Baer |
|
| 6 F Name: | Susan Tana Thompson | |
| Born: | 04 Dec 1829 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | in: |
| 7 M Name: | James E Thompson | |
| Born: | 1832 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | 1833 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| 8 M Name: | Henry Bradford Thompson | |
| Born: | 28 Feb 1834 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | 08 Oct 1855 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| 9 F Name: | Malissa Jane Thompson | |
| Born: | 19 Dec 1835 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Died: | in: |
Biography and Timeline
From Huntington County, Indiana History & Families 1834-1993:
EBENEZER THOMPSON II - Ebenezer II, the sixth child and fifth son of James Sr. was born in Virginia. In about 1800 he moved to Kentucky where he came to own much land and many slaves. He contributed to and was influential in material development and political history of that part of Kentucky, Bracken County.
Ebenezer became a follower of the teachings of Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone and could not conscientiously condone slavery. His conclusion was God never intended that one human being have a vested interest in another. After giving freedom to all his slaves, he moved to the free state of Indiana.
His first destination was Salamonie Twp. but soon afterwards moved to Huntington Twp. where he built up a lucrative business sawing lumber, grinding flour and meal and carding wool in his mill on the Little River.
Ebenezer's first wife was Elizabeth Howard whose family is linked to the famous Howard family of "Kentucky Feud Fame". They became the parents of five children - two died in infancy. The surviving children were John Howard, Wm. Parker, and George Howard. The three brothers married Elliott sisters in Bracken County. Their mother, Elizabeth, died Nov. 12, 1813. Their father married Mary Ann Bradford in 1818. She was a native of Scotland and the only survivor of her family as the ship was wrecked on its way to America.
Never losing his interest in the religion which had caused him to sacrifice the greater part of his property for conscience sake, Ebenezer became a lay preacher at age 61 and at 67 had formed a congregation which is now known as the Central Christian Church (Disciples) of Huntington, IN. He died in 1865. His place of burial is unknown, but believed to be on the family property which was about 250 acres at the corner of Broadway and Riverside Drive as shown on the 1866 map of Huntington Twp.
From Thompson Family History, 3rd edition:
Ebenezer II, fifth son of James, Sr and Ann also worked on the first "White House" with his father in 1792 at age fourteen. He married Elizabeth Howard. The Howard's are linked to the famous Howard Family of "Kentucky Feud Fame" that came to Kentucky about the same time as the Thompsons. Whether they married in Maryland or Kentucky isn't known.
Ebenezer II and Elizabeth Howard Thompson became the parents of five children - two died in infancy. The surviving children were John Howard, Wm. Parker and George Howard. (Note: two have their mother's maiden name.) The three brothers married Elliott sisters in Bracken County. Their mother died November 12, 1813.
In 1818 their father married Mary Ann Bradford. She was born August 2, 1779 in Glasgow, Scotland. She was on her way to America with her parents when they were shipwrecked. Only Mary Ann, then a small child, was saved. Her parentage was never known, but because of her jewels saved with her, it was supposed she was from a family of importance. She died February 22, 1863.
Ebenezer was a slave holder and successful farmer in Bracken County, Kentucky acquiring some wealth. He contributed and was influential in material development and political history of that part of Kentucky. He was a devout Christian preaching quite often. He was one of five men to whom an acre of ground was given by John D. Morford (ref. Braken County History 1969) for $1.00 and stipulation that a church be built and the yard used as a cemetery where Mr. Morford's son was buried. This became the German Christian (Disciples) Church and Maple Grove Cemetery. The five trustees were: John Burkett, Ebenezer Thompson, James A. Holton, Joseph Frazee and James W. Coburn.
Ebenezer became a follower of the teachings of Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone and could not conscientiously condone slavery. His conclusion was God never intended that one human being have a vested interest in another. In 1837 he set all of his slaves free and in 1839 moved to the free state of Indiana.
It was at this time he sold his farm to Wm. Pollock - 151 acres for $35 per acre. On August 24, 1839, an agreement was entered into by Ebenezer Thompson and Wm. Pollock for terms of sale except 1/4 acre reserved where the grave yard is located. This is where James, Ann and other family members are buried. It is not known if this farm had been owned by James, but records at the Historical Society, Frankfort, Kentucky do show that Ebenezer was appointed administrator of his father's estate January 16, 1819. John Payne recorded the deed to Wm. Pollock by Ebenezer and Mary Ann Thompson (his second wife) at Bracken County Court House September 19, 1839.
John, William and George with their families went to Indiana about 1837. Ebenezer and his second family followed in 1839 via horseback and wagon. Cows were taken so the young children could have milk. Ebenezer's first destination was Salamonie Township, Huntington County, Indiana.
From Biographical Memoirs of Huntington County, 1901, pages 417-420:
Bracken county, Kentucky, was filled with a peculiarly rugged class of citizens, their hardihood and perseverance making them well qualified to take up the responsibilities of felling the forests that covered all this region. Probably the state at the south never contributed a family whose members have done more to develop Indiana than has the Thompson family, whose earlier representatives were as hardy and vigorous a race of men as ever crossed the river, and whose numerous representatives of to-day are counted among the most active and progressive men of the county. While the space that can be devoted to a single article precludes an expansive treatment of all the prominent members of this family, several distinct reviews of its various representatives will be found in this volume. In dwelling somewhat upon the life of the man whose name introduces this article, we will also speak at some length of his father, Ebenezer Thompson, and in doing so will carry the reader back two generations further into the family genealogy, directing attention for a moment to another Ebenezer Thompson whose birth is traced to Virginia, where the distinctness of the line becomes obscured, though it is almost certain that the origin of the family in this country dates back to a time considerably anterior to the revolutionary period, and that the family was ably represented on the side of the colonists in the struggle. It is known that his wife, a Virginia lady, was Elizabeth Howard, a name that has been faithfully handed down through the succeeding generations, no less than a half-dozen of the family bearing that designation at the present time. This man was of the adventurous race of men who delighted in the life of the frontier, and who were as necessary to the future settlement and making of a new country as were those who succeeded them in taking up the work they had begun.
Many of this class of brave frontiersmen followed Boone into the country west of the Mississippi, but Ebenezer Thompson had his attention directed northward toward the close of the eighteenth century; he had gone into the Kentucky country when it was well named "the dark and bloody ground," being found there previous to the opening of the nineteenth century, residing there until that section of the state became somewhat settled up, and, feeling himself somewhat crowded, looked about "to find new worlds to conquer." His gaze rested upon the valley of the Salamonie, and in 1839, but six years after the first cabin was built on its banks, he is here found at a time in life when most men are content to let well enough alone and drop into the "sere and yellow leaf." Seeing what he deemed a more promising country in the valley of Little river, he finally settled near where Huntington now stands, making that his permanent home, and where he died, rich in years and experience.
His first wife, Elizabeth Howard, was the mother of three sons: George, John Howard and William, the latter remaining in Kentucky, while the other two came to this county.
When only 14 years old, Ebenezer and his father helped to build the first White House in Washington, D.C. He moved from Virginia to Kentucky around 1800, where he prospered, owning much land and many slaves. He later freed all of his servants, sold his possessions in Kentucky, and moved with his family to Salamonie Twp., Huntington Co., Indiana. During 1835 and 1836, Ebenezer purchased 1040 acres of land from the government in 6 recorded transactions. In 1839, he purchased more land from Daniel Johnson. This property included a saw mill on the Little River. The mill business was expanded to include sawing lumber, grinding flour and meal, and carding wool. The business was very profitable, making Ebenezer one of the wealthiest men in the county. He was a very religious man, being one of the leaders in the founding of the church now known as the Central Christian Church of Huntington in the 1840's. The first gathering of its congregation occurred at the Thompson home by the Little River.
Timeline:
| Date: | Place: | Event: |
| 1778 | VA | Birth: Ebenezer |
| 1783 | VA | Birth: Elizabeth |
| 1799 | KY, Bracken Co. | Marriage: Ebenezer and Elizabeth |
| 1810 | KY, Mason Co. | Census: Ebenezer (age 26-44) carpenter, female (age 26-44) |
| 1813 | KY, Bracken Co. | Death: Elizabeth |
| 1819 | KY, Bracken Co. | Marriage: Ebenezer and Elizabeth |
| 1820 | KY, Bracken Co. | Census: Ebenezer (age 26-44), female (age 16-25) |
| 1830 | KY, Bracken Co. | Census: Ebenezer (age 50-59), female (age 30-39) |
| 1840 | IN, Huntington Co. | Census: Ebenezer (age 60-69), female (age 40-49) |
| 1850 | IN, Huntington Co. | Census: Ebenezer (age 71) carpenter, Mary Ann (age 54) |
| 1860 | IN, Huntington Co. | Census: Ebenezer (age 81) miller and farmer, Mary (age 64) |
| 1863 | IN, Huntington Co. | Death: Mary |
| 1865 | IN, Huntington Co. | Death: Ebenezer |
Family Photos
Ebenezer Thompson
Birth Records
Marriage Records
1799 Bracken Co., KY marriage record for Ebenezer Thompson and Elizabeth Howard (from FamilySearch.org):
Kentucky Marriages, 1802-1850: (Ancestry.com)
Spouse 1: Howard, Elizabeth
Spouse 2: Thompson, Ebenezer
Marriage Date: 27 Dec 1799
Marriage Location: Kentucky, Bracken County
Spouse 1: Bradford, Mary Ann
Spouse 2: Thompson, Ebenezer
Marriage Date: 10 May 1819
Marriage Location: Kentucky, Bracken County
Bracken County, Kentucky marriage record, book 1, p. 127:
Note that Ebenezer and Mary were married by Ebenezer's father, James Thompson.
Death Records
Ebenezer Thompson's place of burial is unknown, but believed to be on the family property which was about 250 acres at the corner of Broadway and Riverside Drive as shown on the 1866 map of Huntington Twp., Huntington Co., IN.
Elizabeth Thompson
Wife of Ebenezer Thompson
Born Nov. 17, 1783
Died Nov. 12, 1813
Thompson Cemetery
Bracken County, KY
The cemetery is located outside of Germantown off of State Road 10 West. The Headstone was located in 1977 by Thelma Thompson Brewer, Dorothy Thompson Mayhugh, Jean Crosby Love, and Janet Brewer. In 1995, there was a second visit to see the headstone by Dorothy Mayhugh, Fel Brunett, and Mary Esther and Charles Dungan.
Ebenezer Thompson obituary, Indiana Herald, Wednesday October 11, 1865:
Mary Thompson obituary, Indiana Herald, Wednesday February 25, 1863:
Estate sale, Indiana Herald, Wednesday November 1, 1865:
Index to Indiana Wills, Phase II, 1850 through 1880, by Charles M Franklin:
Name: Thompson, Ebenezer
Year: 1865
County: Huntington
Book: B
Page: 135
Census Records
1810 Census, Kentucky, Mason County:
| Ebenezer Thompson | 2 males 0-9, 1 male 26-44, 1 female 26-44, 4 slaves, "carpenter" (written on side) |
1820 Census, Kentucky, Bracken County:
| Ebenezer Thompson | 1 male 0-9, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 16-18, 1 male 26-44, 1 female 0-9, 1 female 16-25, 3 engaged in agriculture, no slaves |
1830 Census, Kentucky, Bracken County:
| Ebenezer Thompson | 1 male 15-19, 1 male 50-59, 3 females 0-4, 1 female 5-9, 1 female 10-14, 1 female 20-29, 1 female 30-39 |
1840 Census, Indiana, Huntington County:
| Ebenezer Thompson | 1 male 5-9, 1 male 20-29, 1 male 60-69, 1 female 0-4, 2 females 10-14, 2 females 15-19, 1 female 20-29, 1 female 40-49 |
1850 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, District Fifty Two:
| Ebenezer Thompson | age 71, male, carpenter, owns $7000 of real estate, born in VA |
| Mary Ann Thompson | age 54, female, born in PA |
| Susan Thompson | age 18, female, born in KY, attended school |
| Henry Thompson | age 15, male, farmer, born in KY, attended school |
| Malissa Jane Thompson | age 12, female, born in KY, attended school |
| Jacob Styne | age 25, male, laborer, born in PA |
1860 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Huntington Township:
| Ebenezer Thompson | age 81, male, miller and farmer, $10,000 real estate, $1,000 personal estate, born in VA |
| Mary Thompson | age 64, female, born in PA |
| Susan Thompson | age 27, female, born in KY |
| Melisa J Thompson | age 21, female, born in KY |
| Leonidas Bagley | age 8, male, born in IN, attended school |
| Simon Sowers | age 21, male, farm laborer, born in IN |
Notes and Other Records
To do:
- Get copy of Ebenezer's 1865 will, Huntington Co., IN, book B, p.135.
- Get copy of will for John Howard in Nicholas Co., KY, could be father of Elizabeth Howard?
Proof of lineage notes:
- 1799 Bracken Co., KY marriage record shows Ebenezer Thompson married to Elizabeth Howard.
- 1822 Bracken Co., KY marriage record shows Ebenezer Thompson is father of John H Thompson.
- 1889 obituary for John Howard Thompson, Sr. states that he is son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth Thompson of Bracken Co., KY.
- 1901 Huntington Co., IN biography states that Ebenezer Thompson and Elizabeth Howard are the parents of George, John Howard, and William.
U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 (Ancestry.com):
Ebenezer Thompson, Indiana, 20 Mar 1837, Huntington Co., Twp: 28-N, Range: 10-E, Sec: 19
U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 (Ancestry.com):
Ebenezer Thompson, Indiana, 2 Nov 1837, Huntington Co., Twp: 26-N, Range: 10-E, Sec: 13
U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 (Ancestry.com):
Ebenezer Thompson, Indiana, 2 Nov 1837, Huntington Co., Twp: 26-N, Range: 10-E, Sec: 14
Sources and Credits
- Thompson Family History, 1st edition, 1941. Work by: Fred E. Swaim, Monroe Wiley, Ellen E. (Thompson) Huffman, Elza Thompson and Dorotha (Jones) Thompson.
- Thompson Family History, 2nd edition, 1978. Work by: Richard Thompson, Ward and Ruby (Thompson) Irick, Charles and Mary (Thompson) Dungan, and Doris (Thompson) Knuckles.
- Thompson Family History, 3rd edition, 2002. Work by: Richard Thompson, Mrs. Robert B. (Ruth) Falk, Nellie Stinson Sleppy, and Mary Esther Thompson Dungan. Special tribute to: Fred Swaim, Dorothy (Thompson) Mayhugh, and Fel Brunnet.
- History of Huntington County, Indiana, 1887.
- Huntington County, Indiana History & Families 1834-1993.
- Biographical Memoirs of Huntington County, 1901.
- Little River Mill Manuscript and other data received from Loel E. Thompson in 1997.
- Data received from Betty Rudolph in 1996 and 1997, including copies of documents she received from Ruth E. Moon.
- 1819 Bracken County, Kentucky marriage record.
- 1810 Census, Kentucky, Mason County.
- 1820 Census, Kentucky, Bracken County.
- 1830 Census, Kentucky, Bracken County.
- 1840 Census, Indiana, Huntington County.
- 1850 Census, Indiana, Huntington County.
- 1860 Census, Indiana, Huntington County.
- Cemetery headstone for Elizabeth Thompson, Bracken County, KY.
- Mrs. Thompson obituary, Indiana Herald, Wednesday February 25, 1863.
- Ebenezer Thompson obituary, Indiana Herald, Wednesday October 11, 1865.
- Data from family trees at Ancestry.com.
- Data from FindAGrave.com.
- 1799 Bracken Co., KY marriage record for Ebenezer Thompson and Elizabeth Howard (from FamilySearch.org).