U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Thompson Family --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 623-624 Thompson I: James and Sarah (Wood) Thompson came from Belair, Harford county, Maryland, before 1790 to Monongalia county, Virginia. James Thompson was a shoemaker by trade and a local preacher. He preached to the Indians and was so friendly toward them that it was scarcely necessary for him to go to the fort in time of Indian raids, and when he did go, it was by the advice of friendly Indians. This James Thompson and his wife and some of his descendants are buried in the O'Neal graveyard on the old Thompson farm on the west side of Monongahela River at Little Falls, Monongalia county. Within a few rods of this graveyard was located a fort, used by the settlers in James Thompson's time for protection from the Indians. This historic farm has been continually owned by descendants of James Thompson until May, 1910, when Mrs. Samantha (Holland) Conway and husband sold it and moved away. The children of James and Sarah (Wood) Thompson were: James, Acquilla A., Jarrett, Amos G., Daniel, Frank, Elizabeth, Sarah, Anna, Nancy and John. Descendants of these live in Morgantown and Clarksburg, while others are in Ohio, Illinois and other states. Thompson II: Several descendants of James and Sarah (Wood) Thompson achieved unusual prominence in their professions. Will S. Thompson, the music composer, among the number; also John G. Thompson of Columbus, Ohio, an editor of a Democratic newspaper of much influence in his day. The late Colonel Frank Thompson of Morgantown, was a descendent of James and Sarah (Wood) Thompson, as is also Mrs. Virginia S. Hodge, Euclid Airnne, Cleveland, Ohio. There has been a minister of the Gospel in each generation. The present generation being represented by Rev. George Federer of the Methodist Episcopal charge at South Morgantown, Marion county, W. Va. Services have been continually held on the old James Thompson farm at Little Falls, Monongalia county, since the days of James Thompson. The church building there now was built in recent years. Amos G., son of James and Sarah (Wood) Thompson, was one of the pioneers of Methodism in America. Being a preacher in the M. E. Church 1786 to 1791, and one of the earliest district superintendents, or officiating elders during 1791-1792 while the territory of what is now West Virginia was in the Baltimore Conference, and his travel in interest of the church embraced Northwestern Virginia from the Eastern boundary to the Ohio river and from Pittsburgh to "Little Levels," in Greenbrier county. Daniel (brother of Amos G.), and son of James and Sarah (Wood) Thompson, was great-grandfather of Charles Howard Smoot (See Smoot Family). Daniel Thompson is buried in the Sanders graveyard at Maidsville, Monongalia county, his gravestone stating his death in 1810. His widow married a Mr. Batton. Elizabeth, born 1803, daughter of Daniel and Susan (Davis) Thompson married 1824 John Howard, Jr. --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------