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Family Group Sheet
| Husband: | James Thompson | (served in the Revolutionary War) |
|---|
| Born: | 16 May 1747 | in: Edinburg, Lanarkshire, Scotland |
| Died: | 16 Sep 1818 | in: Blue Lick Creek, Bracken Co., KY |
| Father: | Ebenezer Thompson (c1720-) | |
| Mother: |
| Wife: | Nancy Ann Perry |
|---|
| Married: | 16 Mar 1768 | in: Prince George's Co., MD |
| Born: | 18 Apr 1748 | in: Queen Anne Parish, Prince George's Co., MD |
| Died: | 28 Jan 1818 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Father: | Edward Perry (1693-1716) | |
| Mother: | Elizabeth Sommerset (1715-1749) |
| CHILDREN |
|---|
| 1 M Name: | James Thompson, Jr. | |
| Born: | 10 Nov 1768 | in: Prince George's Co., MD |
| Died: | 13 Mar 1856 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Married: | 27 Dec 1790 | in: Prince George's Co., MD |
| Spouse: | Mary Phillips | |
| Born: | 1774 | in: Prince George's Co., MD |
| Died: | 1858 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Children: |
Gus Thompson John Phillips Thompson (1795-1871) m. Priscilla Gregg (1800-1849) m. Mary Allen Ebenezer Thompson (1802-1886) m. Nancy Pollock (1801-1877) Mary Thompson (1807-1880) m. John Howard Thompson (1802-1889) |
|
| 2 M Name: | John Thompson | |
| Born: | 10 Nov 1770 | in: Prince George's Co., MD |
| Died: | 1815 | in: |
| 3 F Name: | Margaret Thompson | |
| Born: | 23 Sep 1772 | in: Prince George's Co., MD |
| Died: | 4 Jun 1833 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Married: | Abt 1792 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Spouse: | William Currens | |
| Born: | 4 Apr 1767 | in: MD |
| Died: | 16 May 1842 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Children: |
Nancy Currens (1793-1826) m. John Gregg (1786-1856) Sally Currens (1799-1844) m. James Phillips Savage (1792-1854) Maria Currens (1808-1884) m. Robert Parker Dimmitt (1795-1872) Elijah Currens (1816-1885) m. Mary E (1816-1848) m. Adeliza Fee (1819-1858) m. Amanda Flemming (1837-1918) |
|
| 4 M Name: | William Thompson | |
| Born: | 25 Jul 1774 | in: Prince George's Co., MD |
| Died: | 20 Jul 1775 | in: Prince George's Co., MD |
| 5 M Name: | William E Thompson | |
| Born: | 6 Nov 1776 | in: Prince George's Co., MD |
| Died: | 17 Jan 1848 | in: Marshall Co., IN |
| Married: | 16 Nov 1797 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Spouse: | Nancy Lewis | |
| Born: | Oct 1779 | in: Washington Co., PA |
| Died: | 15 Jan 1858 | in: Marshall Co., IN |
| Children: |
Martha Thompson (1798-) m. James Wiley John Lewis Thompson (1799-1855) m. Mary Sally Feagan (1799-1863) Sally Bohanon Thompson (1801-1844) m. James P Kipper Ebenezer Thompson (1803-) Lewis T Thompson (1804-1853) m. Phebe Lewis Dickson (1806-1884) James Thompson (1806-) Eleasor Thompson (1808-1844) Elizabeth P Thompson (1810-1880) m. Vincent Brownlee (1803-1882) Mary Lewis Thompson (1813-1903) m. Elias B Dickson (1807-1889) William Edward Thompson (1818-1907) m. Martha McDonald (1820-1908) Nancy Thompson (1820-1845) m. Noah B Lawson (1816-) |
|
| 6 M Name: | Ebenezer Thompson (1778-1865) | |
| Spouse: | Elizabeth Howard (1783-1813) |
| 7 M Name: | Edward James Thompson | |
| Born: | 23 Oct 1780 | in: Fairfax Co., VA |
| Died: | 5 Sep 1863 | in: Brown Co., OH |
| Married: | 20 Apr 1803 | in: Bracken Co., KY |
| Spouse: | Susannah Feagan | |
| Born: | 25 May 1780 | in: Loudoun, VA |
| Died: | 29 Oct 1855 | in: Prince William, VA |
| Children: |
James F Thompson (1805-1865) m. Mary Gilson Morrison William Thompson (1808-1880) m. Jane C King (1814-) John Thompson (1813-) m. Mary Violette Thompson (1818-1888) m. James Richards (1805-1880) |
|
| 8 F Name: | Ann Thompson | |
| Born: | 25 Feb 1782 | in: Fairfax Co., VA |
| Died: | 1829 | in: |
Biography and Timeline
From Huntington County, Indiana History & Families 1834-1993:
JAMES THOMPSON SR. - The Thompson family of Salamonie Twp. can be traced back to James Thompson who was born in Edinburg, Scotland, on May 16, 1747. The date of his arrival in this country is not known, but from data compiled by Fred E. Swaim of Huntington, the parents of James Thompson also came to America and from this it appears we go back another generation for the family origin in this country and start with Ebenezer Thompson I, who was born in Scotland and came to America sometime before 1768, which was the year his son James was married to Anne Perry. This marriage took place March 16, 1768.
Soon after the outbreak of the Revolution, he enlisted with the Colonials and served as a private in the Maryland Regiment. His first enlistment began in 1776 and he was discharged in 1778. He must have re-enlisted because there is a record of a second discharge in 1781. His Pension Certificate was numbered 16,564 or 76,564. How long he lived in Maryland is not known, but family records state that his son Ebenezer II was born in Virginia. In about 1800 he moved to Kentucky and died there on Sept. 16, 1818.
There is a tradition in the family that Anne Perry, his wife, was related to the parents of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, who won the celebrated victory over the British fleet in Lake Erie during the War of 1812. She was born on April 18, 1748, probably in Rhode Island, and died on Jan. 28, 1818 in Bracken County, KY. Their children were James Jr., born 1768; John, born 1770; Margaret, born 1772; William, born 1774, died 1775; William, born 1776; Ebenezer II, born 1778; Edward, born 1780; and Ann, born 1782.
From Thompson Family History, 3rd edition:
James Thompson, Sr., was born in Scotland near Glasgow, May 16, 1747, (one source says Edinburg). He came to America as a stowaway at the age of twelve. Whether he came with his father (Ebenezer) or alone is not known, but it was in 1759. He was apprenticed to an architect for a year to pay for his passage and thus became a carpenter. He worked on the first "White House".
Soon after the outbreak of the Revolution he enlisted with the Colonials, and served as a Private in the Maryland regiment. Records show two enlistments in the Continental Army - being discharged December 10, 1776 and again December 27, 1779 - reference Maryland Archives Vol. 18, Page 6 and 168; N.S. Dar #76564,94697,450371.
James married Ann Perry, a native of Rhode Island on March 10 or 16, 1767 in Marglowe, Maryland. There is a tradition in the family that Ann was related to the parents of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, who won the celebrated victory over the British fleet in Lake Erie during the War of 1812. She was born on April 18, 1748, probably in Rhode Island. Their children were born in Maryland - now District of Columbia. James, Ann and their seven living children moved to Bracken County, Ky, around 1800. He and his eldest son, James Jr. were both Baptist preachers - Circuit Riders.
Ann died in Bracken Co., Ky, January 28, 1818 in Germantown vicinity and James drowned while fording Bracken Creek September 16, 1818, Ref. Deed Book E., Page 46 - Brooksville, Ky. James had sold and deeded to his son Ebenezer a farm of - eighty acres for $600 on August 21, 1818 and recorded January 27, 1819. They are buried with other family members, on a farm owned by Ebenezer, their son - one and one half mile from Germantown.
From History of Kentucky Baptists, page 265:
James Thompson was pastor of the Anti-slavery division of Bracken church, from the division, in 1805, till its dissolution about 1818. He was a native of Scotland, and emigrated to America in his youth. Arriving in Philadelphia, January 8, 1767, he was sold for a term of three years, to pay his passage across the ocean. He married during his servitude. When his term of service expired, he moved to Virginia. Here, under the preaching of Henry Hagan, he professed religion, and, although he had been raised a Presbyterian, was baptized by Mr. Hagan into the fellowship of a Baptist church. The next year he was drafted into the army. At the return of peace, he moved to Braken county, Kentucky, where he was set apart to the Gospel ministry, and gave the evening of his life to preaching the Word. He was regarded a man of sincerity, as well as a sound gospel preacher.
Information compiled and written by Dorothy Thompson Mayhugh :
James Thompson, the son of Ebenezer, born in Scotland near Glasgow, came to America as a stowaway at age 12. Whether he came with his father or alone is not known but it was in 1759. He was apprenticed to an architect for a year to pay for his passage and thus became a carpenter. He worked on the first White House. Records show two enlistments in the Continental Army; discharged December 10, 1776 and again December 27, 1779 (Reference: Maryland Archives Vol. 18, pages 6 and 168; N.S. DAR No. 76564, 94697, 270620, 450371). James married Ann Perry (thought to be a relative of Commodore Perry), a native of Rhode Island, on March 10 or 16, 1767 in Marglowe, Maryland. Their children were born in Maryland, now the District of Columbia. James, Ann and their seven living children came to Bracken County, Kentucky around 1800. He and his eldest son, James Jr., were both Baptist preachers – Circuit Riders. Ann died in Bracken County on January 28, 1818, in the Germantown vicinity and James drowned while fording Bracken Creek on September 16, 1818. Reference: Deed Book E, page 46 – Brooksville, Kentucky. James had sold and deeded to his son, Ebenezer, a farm – 80 acres for $600 on August 21, 1818, and recorded January 27, 1819. They are buried on a farm, with other family members, owned by Ebenezer, their son, 1-1/2 miles from Germantown.
Timeline:
| Date: | Place: | Event: |
| 1747 | Scotland | Birth: James |
| 1748 | MD, Prince George's Co. | Birth: Nancy Ann |
| 1759 | Scotland - America | Travel: James came to America at age of 12 |
| 1768 | MD, Prince George's Co. | Marriage: James and Nancy Ann |
| 1776 | MD | Military: James served in American Revolution |
| 1800 | KY, Bracken Co. | Tax List: James |
| 1810 | KY, Bracken Co. | Census: James (age 45+), female (age 45+) |
| 1818 | KY, Bracken Co. | Death: Nancy Ann |
| 1818 | KY, Bracken Co. | Death: James |
Family Photos
The Conch Shell
This shell was brought to America from Scotland by James Thompson and has been passed down from generation to generation, remaining in the Thompson family.
Birth Records
Marriage Records
Death Records
Nancy Ann Perry Thompson's Headstone:
Nancy Ann's original headstone was located during a visit to the Thompson Cemetery in Bracken County, Kentucky in 1977. The cemetery is located outside of Germantown off of State Road 10 West. The headstone was found by Thelma Thompson Brewer, Dorothy Thompson Mayhugh, Jean Crosby Love, and Janet Brewer. It is believed that James was also buried here. Nancy Ann's headstone was not found during a later visit to the cemetery in 1995.
James Thompson's SAR Headstone:
In April of 2012, there was a SAR dedication ceremony for the new SAR headstone that was placed at James and Ann Thompson's grave site near Germantown in Bracken County, Kentucky. Photos are from Dennis McClurg (descendant of James and his son James) who participated in the ceremony.
Census Records
1800 Tax List, Kentucky, Bracken County:
| James Thompson | date: 22 Nov 1799 |
1810 Census, Kentucky, Bracken County, page 151:
| James Thompson | 1 male 45+, 1 female 45+, no slaves |
| Wm Thompson | 3 males 0-9, 1 male 26-44, 1 female 0-9, 1 female 26-44, no slaves |
| James Thompson | 2 males 0-9, 3 males 10-15, 1 male 26-44, 2 females 0-9, 1 female 16-25, no slaves |
| Wm Thompson | 1 male 26-44, no slaves |
Notes and Other Records
To do:
- Look for 1768 marriage record in Prince George's Co., MD.
- Get copy of military/pension records for James.
- Look for any death record for James and Nancy in Bracken Co., KY.
Proof of lineage notes:
- Need to find more proof.
- 1941 Thompson Family History book states that James Thompson and Ann Perry are parents of Ebenezer.
- 1976 DAR record shows James Thompson married to Ann Perry and children are William and Ebenezer (b. 1778 and married Mary Ann Bradford).
Roster of Revolutionary Ancestors of Indiana DAR, 1976, page 637:
Possible parents of James Thompson:
Scottish Church Records:
James Thomson
Father: Ebenezar Thomson
Mother: Janet Morreson
Christening on 8 Nov 1750
Clackmannan, Clackmannan, Scotland (between Glasgow and Edinburgh)
James Thompson served in the Maryland Troops in the War of the Revolution. Enlisted Jan 24, 1776 at Annapolis, First Company, Regular troops, Capt. John Harkin Stone, Commander. (From Archives of State Library, Annapolis). James Thompson's name appears from May 1776 to
Feb 1779 showing that he served three years of his enlistment. During this time he was sergant and Cap't Stone became Col. Stone. Lieut. Peal having charge of the company. (From Adjutant-General's office, Was Department, Washington, D. C. Note James Thompson was Drowned in
the Blue Lick River, Bracken Co. Ky. James Thompson was born April 18,1748, died September 16, 1816.
SOURCE: Typed sheet 'Revolutionary War Service' annotated in the hand writing of Llyra Thompson - 'History for Emma Bell White Thompson'
The DAR PATRIOT INDEX - CENTENIAL EDITION PART 3 has the following: James: b 5-16-1747 ST (Scotland) d 9-16-1818 KY m Anna Perry Sgt MD. Reported to have helped build the White House, as an apprentice. Became a Baptist Minister.
From ROSTER OF REVOLUTIONARY ANCESTORS and DAR Register. James served as a private in the Maryland Troops, enlisting 24 Jan 1775 at Annapolis, 1st Co., Regular Troops, Capt. John Hoskins Stone, Commanding. He served from May 1776 to Feb. 1779 as a sargeant in Capt. William Smallwood's Maryland Regiment.
James Thompson is verified as a soldier in the American War of Independence. He enlisted on December 10, 1776 as a private, in the John Hoskins Stones Co., Col Smallwoods Regt., (Maryland Archives Vol 18 p. 6) and is also listed as a Sgt. 1st Regt., Maryland Troops, enlisted December 10, 1776, discharged December 1779, and re-enlisted in 1781. ( p. 168)
(Brumbaughs, Colonial & Revolutionary Records Vol 1, p. 159 DAR # 390247)
First Child Born in the White House: John Phillip Thompson was likely the first child ever born in the White House, in Washington D.C. He was born while his father was employed as a carpenter engaged to build the White House. While working on the building, he had great difficulty finding housing for his family, and so, he and other carpenters were allowed to live with their families in the partially completed building. It was here that John Phillip Thompson was born. (Note: The cornerstone of the White House was laid October 13, 1792. John Adams and his wife Abigail moved into the unfinished house in 1800. Construction was completed in 1809, when Thomas Jefferson was the occupant.)
James Thompson was a young shepherd in the lowlands of Scotland. He left his sheep behind and came to America. He brought with him a Conch shell, which became a relic that has been handed down through the Thompson family. Before the time of the telephone, this shell was blown to summons the neighbors for a meeting or for help. James arrived in Philadelphia on 8 Jan 1767 and was endentured to an architect for a term of three years to pay for his passage across the ocean. He later helped in the construction of the first White House.
James married Nancy Ann Perry during his servitude and they moved to Virginia after he completed the three years. During the American Revolution he enlisted and served as a Private in the Maryland regiment. He initially enlisted in 1776 and was discharged in 1778. There is also a record of a second discharge in 1781. In about 1799, he moved to Bracken Co., Kentucky, with his family. He became a Baptist preacher and circuit rider, teaching the Gospel in Bracken Co. and surrounding counties. In 1818 he died from drowning in Blue Lick Creek, Kentucky. James and his son William were on their way to a Baptist convention in southern Indiana, traveling by horseback. A pocket watch worn by James was in the water for four hours, but continued to run.
James Thompson, b. 16 May 1747 'near' Glasgow, Lanarkshire Scotland, the son of Ebenezer Thompson;d. Sept 1818 in Bracken Co., KY; md. 16 Mar 1768 in Prince Georges Co., MD to Nancy Ann Perry (8 Apr 1748, Queen Ann Parish, MD - 28 Jan 1818, Bracken Co. KY); He was a Baptist minister and drowned in Blue Lick Creek while returning from a conference.
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 Kentucky Baptists, pages 264-265.
- 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.
- 1800 Tax List, Kentucky, Bracken County.
- 1810 Census, Kentucky, Bracken County.
- Roster of Revolutionary Ancestors of Indiana DAR, 1976.
- Huntington County, Indiana History & Families 1834-1993.
- Headstone photos and data received from Dennis McClurg in 2012.
- Data from family trees at Ancestry.com.
- Data from FindAGrave.com.