More Thompson Family letters and Documents
A letter written by Isabell Thompson to David Swain who was her "foster son." Copied by E. Goehring. Original owned by Charles Swain, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Isabell was married to Job, one of Abel's sons. (I used the original spelling and capitalization)
Leaboeuff Township, Erie County state of Penn.
August 8, 1830
Dear son and daughter:
I once more take my pen in hand to write to you ti inform you we are all middling well in health at present for which I desire to be truly thankful to the giver of every good and perfect gift and hope that these few lines may find you all enjoying health and peace. I am not so healthy as I was when we were out to see you. I had a long spell of sickness last fall and a return of the same complaint last spring. I did not expect to be alive now but the Lord was mercyfull to me in spearing my unprofitable life. Dar son I have looked for you out here according to your promise a long time but have give it up. I have not had a line from you sence we came home. We heard you had left your home and gone near barny-gat to live. I now conclude that we shall meet no more in this vail of teares. But oh my son we must meet at the Judgement seat of Christ there to give an account of the deeds done in the body and my desire and prayer to the Lord is that we may prepare to meet our god while the day of grace lasts. Rest not without an interest in the precious blood of Christ and the Lord in mercy grant we may all be so happy as to meet on the peacefull shore of Canan, is the deisre and prayer of your affectionate Mother. Reuben and John is marryed and settled near home. John has one daughter. Henry has one son and 2 daughters. Samuel has one son sence we came home. Thomas is working for himself and Elizabeth is teaching school this summer and last and we have none left at home but Isabell and Josiah. We still live in the old place. Please to write to us the first opportunity. No more at present but our love to you all and remain your well wishing.
Father and Mother
Job and Isabell Thompson
************
Excerpt from letter to Mrs. Ada Hill of North East, Pennsylvania from C.M. Thompson of Warren, Ohio, dated February 17, 1924...I will now try to answer what you asked for, what information I could give you concerning the occupation of the old stock of Thompsons. I will give you all I know. My grandfather was a blacksmith. Uncle Joel was an agent for a patent testing water wheel when I knew him. Caleb was a farmer, I think. Job, I do not know.
**************
Except from letter to Mrs. Ada Hill of North East, Pennsylvania from L.W. Dickson of Tonawanda, New York, dated October 16, 1939
Dear Cousin:
When I promised to send you the item about our ancestor I thought all I had to do was inclose it in an envelope as soon as I came home and mail it to you. Unfortunately, I had taken it from the letter box where I had kept it for years, intending to put it in my steel treasure chest. It must be that I mixed it with other papers and put it into a folio from which I intend to make a scrap book. Well, I searched this place over the second time before I gave it up for lost. Saturday I took down the folio and found it. I could have told you when I saw you that the original Abel was not a soldier but a gunsmith in the Revolution, but that ought not make any difference in his being classified as a veteran. All workers behind the lines are entitled to be called members of the army. The man who makes the guns is quite as important as the man who uses them. What I thought my old paper would reveal was the locality where he enlisted, but all it gives is Burlington County, New Jersey. I don't know whether a gunsmith would be easily traced, but it might be worth trying..."
Abel and Jemima Kemp Thompson were both born at Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey, about 1785. They moved to Fayette County, Pennsylvania on horseback. In 1802** they moved to Union Mills or Union City as it is now called. They died there and was buried in the old Thompson Burying Ground at that place with about 40 other relatives.
Robert Gray Thompson, son of second marriage was married to Mrs. Yeager. They had several children and lived near Williamsport, Pa.
** Erie County History Book says 1800
Other Erie Co. History Book says 1787
*****************************
Copy of Marriage Certificate of Abel Thompson I and Jemima Kemp
State of New Jersey
County of Burlington
S.S.
By William Hough of the Justice of Peace in and for the County aforesaid
SEAL
To all to whom these presents shall come, or may hereafter concern, Greeting,
Know ye that in Springfield in the county aforesaid on the twenty-eighth day of September, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, by virtue of a license of marriage from his Excellency, William Livingstone-Esquire Governor of the State aforesaid---Abel Thompson and Jemima Kemp-parties in the recited license named were joined together in the holy bonds of matrimony and by me pronounced man and wife in he presence of and before the witnesses whose names are hereunto subscribed in testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and seal the day and year before written.
Wm. Hough
Thomas Wallen
Sarah Thompson
*********************
Will of Abel Thompson
Erie Gazette, July 30, 1840-Thursday
Died in Union Township, July 3, 1840 Abel Thompson, aged 63 years
Will....Abel Thompson
Will Book A, pp. 223-225
Residence....Union Township
Drawn...February 20, 1834
Registered....October 10, 1840
Revolutionary soldier
Heirs: Son: Robert; son, Charles K; daughter, Sarah Boyles (Boylan)
Wife: Tamar
Exrs: Wife and son, Charles K.
Witnesses: Ebenezer Thomas, Hugh Wilson
File No. 14141
Name: Thompson, Abel
Death: Place:
Exrs: Tamar Thompson
Proceedings: Vol. 9, p. 68, bk 2
Abel Thompson's Will
In the name of God-Amen. I, Abel Thompson in the township of Union in the County of Erie and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; being of sound mind and memory, do make and ordain this last will and testament in form following-viz.
First it is my will and I bequeath to my youngest son, Robert Gray, all my lands and real estate of which I may die possessed; but if my said son, Robert, would die without heir, then it is my will that my said real estate shall descend and become the property of my son Charles K. (Kemp). But it is my will and I bequeath to my son Caleb the sum of twenty-five dollars and I do (also) to the point of my sons as they each own on early (?) bequest to each the sum of sums which they respectfully owe or may owe to me at the time of my demise, and as to my personal property it is my will that my loving wife Tamar, have the use of it for the purpose of raising and educating my youngest son Robert Gray until he arrives at the age of twenty years and it is my will that when he arrives at the age of twenty my personal property aforesaid or what may then remain after shall be his. Fourth, it is my will and I bequeath to my daughter, Sarah Boylan, the sum of one dollar and lastly I nominate and appoint my said wife and my son Charles Kemp afterward to be Executors of my last will removing all the other wills and declaring this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have been upon set my hand this twentieth day of Feb. A.D. 1834.
Abel Thompson
signed, sealed-published and declared by the said testators as the last will and testament in the pursuance of as who in his presence and at his prospect have subscribed as witnesses.
Hugh Wilson
Ebenezer Thomas
Registrars Office
Erie Co.
Tamar Thompson duly sworn according to laws doth depose and say that as Executrix of the last will and testament of Abel Thompson demanded she will (will) and truly administering the goods and chattels, rights and credits of said deceased according to laws and will diligently and faithfully regard and (still) truly comply with the provisions of the laws relating to the collaterals inheritance.
Tamar T. Thompson
her mark
Subscribed the 10th day of Oct. A.D. 1840 before me, Moorhead, Registry
Leaboeuff Township, Erie County state of Penn.
August 8, 1830
Dear son and daughter:
I once more take my pen in hand to write to you ti inform you we are all middling well in health at present for which I desire to be truly thankful to the giver of every good and perfect gift and hope that these few lines may find you all enjoying health and peace. I am not so healthy as I was when we were out to see you. I had a long spell of sickness last fall and a return of the same complaint last spring. I did not expect to be alive now but the Lord was mercyfull to me in spearing my unprofitable life. Dar son I have looked for you out here according to your promise a long time but have give it up. I have not had a line from you sence we came home. We heard you had left your home and gone near barny-gat to live. I now conclude that we shall meet no more in this vail of teares. But oh my son we must meet at the Judgement seat of Christ there to give an account of the deeds done in the body and my desire and prayer to the Lord is that we may prepare to meet our god while the day of grace lasts. Rest not without an interest in the precious blood of Christ and the Lord in mercy grant we may all be so happy as to meet on the peacefull shore of Canan, is the deisre and prayer of your affectionate Mother. Reuben and John is marryed and settled near home. John has one daughter. Henry has one son and 2 daughters. Samuel has one son sence we came home. Thomas is working for himself and Elizabeth is teaching school this summer and last and we have none left at home but Isabell and Josiah. We still live in the old place. Please to write to us the first opportunity. No more at present but our love to you all and remain your well wishing.
Father and Mother
Job and Isabell Thompson
************
Excerpt from letter to Mrs. Ada Hill of North East, Pennsylvania from C.M. Thompson of Warren, Ohio, dated February 17, 1924...I will now try to answer what you asked for, what information I could give you concerning the occupation of the old stock of Thompsons. I will give you all I know. My grandfather was a blacksmith. Uncle Joel was an agent for a patent testing water wheel when I knew him. Caleb was a farmer, I think. Job, I do not know.
**************
Except from letter to Mrs. Ada Hill of North East, Pennsylvania from L.W. Dickson of Tonawanda, New York, dated October 16, 1939
Dear Cousin:
When I promised to send you the item about our ancestor I thought all I had to do was inclose it in an envelope as soon as I came home and mail it to you. Unfortunately, I had taken it from the letter box where I had kept it for years, intending to put it in my steel treasure chest. It must be that I mixed it with other papers and put it into a folio from which I intend to make a scrap book. Well, I searched this place over the second time before I gave it up for lost. Saturday I took down the folio and found it. I could have told you when I saw you that the original Abel was not a soldier but a gunsmith in the Revolution, but that ought not make any difference in his being classified as a veteran. All workers behind the lines are entitled to be called members of the army. The man who makes the guns is quite as important as the man who uses them. What I thought my old paper would reveal was the locality where he enlisted, but all it gives is Burlington County, New Jersey. I don't know whether a gunsmith would be easily traced, but it might be worth trying..."
Abel and Jemima Kemp Thompson were both born at Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey, about 1785. They moved to Fayette County, Pennsylvania on horseback. In 1802** they moved to Union Mills or Union City as it is now called. They died there and was buried in the old Thompson Burying Ground at that place with about 40 other relatives.
Robert Gray Thompson, son of second marriage was married to Mrs. Yeager. They had several children and lived near Williamsport, Pa.
** Erie County History Book says 1800
Other Erie Co. History Book says 1787
*****************************
Copy of Marriage Certificate of Abel Thompson I and Jemima Kemp
State of New Jersey
County of Burlington
S.S.
By William Hough of the Justice of Peace in and for the County aforesaid
SEAL
To all to whom these presents shall come, or may hereafter concern, Greeting,
Know ye that in Springfield in the county aforesaid on the twenty-eighth day of September, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, by virtue of a license of marriage from his Excellency, William Livingstone-Esquire Governor of the State aforesaid---Abel Thompson and Jemima Kemp-parties in the recited license named were joined together in the holy bonds of matrimony and by me pronounced man and wife in he presence of and before the witnesses whose names are hereunto subscribed in testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and seal the day and year before written.
Wm. Hough
Thomas Wallen
Sarah Thompson
*********************
Will of Abel Thompson
Erie Gazette, July 30, 1840-Thursday
Died in Union Township, July 3, 1840 Abel Thompson, aged 63 years
Will....Abel Thompson
Will Book A, pp. 223-225
Residence....Union Township
Drawn...February 20, 1834
Registered....October 10, 1840
Revolutionary soldier
Heirs: Son: Robert; son, Charles K; daughter, Sarah Boyles (Boylan)
Wife: Tamar
Exrs: Wife and son, Charles K.
Witnesses: Ebenezer Thomas, Hugh Wilson
File No. 14141
Name: Thompson, Abel
Death: Place:
Exrs: Tamar Thompson
Proceedings: Vol. 9, p. 68, bk 2
Abel Thompson's Will
In the name of God-Amen. I, Abel Thompson in the township of Union in the County of Erie and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; being of sound mind and memory, do make and ordain this last will and testament in form following-viz.
First it is my will and I bequeath to my youngest son, Robert Gray, all my lands and real estate of which I may die possessed; but if my said son, Robert, would die without heir, then it is my will that my said real estate shall descend and become the property of my son Charles K. (Kemp). But it is my will and I bequeath to my son Caleb the sum of twenty-five dollars and I do (also) to the point of my sons as they each own on early (?) bequest to each the sum of sums which they respectfully owe or may owe to me at the time of my demise, and as to my personal property it is my will that my loving wife Tamar, have the use of it for the purpose of raising and educating my youngest son Robert Gray until he arrives at the age of twenty years and it is my will that when he arrives at the age of twenty my personal property aforesaid or what may then remain after shall be his. Fourth, it is my will and I bequeath to my daughter, Sarah Boylan, the sum of one dollar and lastly I nominate and appoint my said wife and my son Charles Kemp afterward to be Executors of my last will removing all the other wills and declaring this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have been upon set my hand this twentieth day of Feb. A.D. 1834.
Abel Thompson
signed, sealed-published and declared by the said testators as the last will and testament in the pursuance of as who in his presence and at his prospect have subscribed as witnesses.
Hugh Wilson
Ebenezer Thomas
Registrars Office
Erie Co.
Tamar Thompson duly sworn according to laws doth depose and say that as Executrix of the last will and testament of Abel Thompson demanded she will (will) and truly administering the goods and chattels, rights and credits of said deceased according to laws and will diligently and faithfully regard and (still) truly comply with the provisions of the laws relating to the collaterals inheritance.
Tamar T. Thompson
her mark
Subscribed the 10th day of Oct. A.D. 1840 before me, Moorhead, Registry