Appendix A
Doris Harris Notes 1976

There are frequent references to [Harris, Notes 1976] in this manuscript. This appendix contains a transcript of these notes, and explains all that is known about their creation.

In 1976, Doris (Thompson) Harris, searched out relatives of Thompsons seeking genealogical information. As a result she compiled outlines of two family groups -- Andrew Thompson and Amos Thompson -- and some notes. She apparently was given the information by Mrs. Harriet Minnechan, a cousin. Apparently Mrs. Minnechan had Andrew Thompson's will and land deeds, as she has established DAR records.

Tradition has maintained that James Thompson, son of Amos Thompson, is our James F. Thompson, father of David Fleming Thompson. This tradition was passed on (or reinforced) through a discussion Doris had during this period with "a Bruce".

When Doris passed away (1978), her notes were passed on to her daughter, Carolyn (Harris) Cragun (my mother). A photocopy is in my possession. Doris's notes are mostly in pencil. The organization and content of her notes suggest that she used local records, probably at the courthouse, as part of her research. It is evident from the order of the children on the family group sheets that she added to her information as she went. The source of her original family structure is not clear, but it was most likely one of her contacts.

In general, Doris collected an excellent set of information. Almost all of her information has been shown to be true.

Here is a transcript of her family group records and notes. Carolyn Cragun has diligently compared this transcript to her original. I have included everything because I don't know what may be important to others.

 

 

FAMILY GROUP SHEET FOR ANDREW THOMPSON
==============================================================
Father:  Andrew Thompson
B:  between 1750, living 1830
M:  1775
D:  1840 died 90   Wythe Co, Va
Bur:  John Hoge Thompson cemetery (family cemetery) Bland

Mother:  Ann (Nancy)
B: between 1750-1760, living 1830
D: after 1830
Bur:   John Hodge Thompson family cemetery, John Hoge Thompson

Child:  John Thompson                  Spouse:  Mrs. Mary Montgomery
M: 8-10-1815       Wythe, Va.

Child:  Amos Thompson                  Spouse:  Mary Bruce
B: ca 1786  (between 1780 - 1790)
D: ca 1875
M: before 1811

Child:  Francis Thompson               Spouse:  Pheobe Schapley
B: bet 1780-1790   Bland, Va.
D: after 1855
M: 9-13-1821       Wythe, Va.

Child:  Mary Thompson                  Spouse:  John Helvey
M: 6-21-1802       Wythe, Va.

Child:  Nancy Thompson                 Spouse:  Charles Havens

Child:  Joseph Thompson                Spouse:  2nd Elizabeth Carr
B: 1792
M: 9-15-1864       Bland, Co.

Child:  Andrew Thompson Jr.            Spouse:  Joanna Deavor
B: between 1770-1780   Wythe
M: 8-10-1830

Child:  Bryant Thompson
B: between 1790-1800

 

FAMILY GROUP SHEET FOR AMOS THOMPSON
=============================================================
Father:  Amos Thompson
B:  between 1780 - 1790   Bland (then Wythe) Virginia USA
M:  Before 1811
D:  ca. 1875
Bur:  John Hoge family cemetery Bland
Father:  Andrew Thompson     Mother Anne (Nancy)

Mother:  Mary Bruce
B: btw 1780-1790
D: before 1870
Father: William Bruce        Mother:  Annie Ballard

Child:  Joshua Bruce Thompson
B: Oct 12 1812
M: 6-17 1834                 Spouse:  1st Esther Smith
M: 2-4-1868                  Spouse:  2nd r.m. Mrs. Margaret B. McCoy
D: Apr 13 1899

Child:  Elisha Thompson

Child:  Garland Thompson     Spouse:  Sarah Hicks

Child:  John Thompson        Spouse:
M: yes

Child:  James Thompson       Spouse:  Ann Herron
M:      Wytheville in home of daughter Mrs. Groseclose

Child:  Anne Thompson        2nd wife to:  Joseph Hutsell

Child:  Josiah Thompson
B: 12- -1810
M: 11-12-1837                Spouse:  1st Anna Devor
M: 7-29-1878                 Spouse:  2nd Phebe Repass

 

======================= notes =================================
Mrs. Nell Dunbar told me:
  Rose Thompson died when baby was born.
  Ida raised her child (a girl Aunt Neely thinks).

Any Information Be Sure to Record:
  (1) Date - (2) from whose records - (3) where

Dates recorded on Andrew Thompson prepared
by professional genealogist in that area.  Accepted
by D.A.R. as authentic.
  Lucile Thompson.  now living in Tazewell.  has
  epaullete from shoulder of Andrews Army uniform.
  27 men of Thompsons were in civil war.
  Harriet Minnechen has his will, and land deed to
  establish his record.
  He was in French & English war prior to Revolution.
DAR. Roster, pg 491
  William Thompson. b Ulster Ireland, 1722 d. Tazewell Co Va 12-1798
     Res. Botecourt Co. and Montgomery Co. Va. Leeut.
     Could be father of Andrew.
----------
Cicero Thompson [grandson of Amos], son of John Hoge & Lou Fannon Thompson 
lives on original land of Andrew Thompson.  Told to Harriet Minichan. 1956.
  Bland Couthouse first called Seddon.

 

====================== new page ===================================
Letter to Mrs Minichan  3/14/58 from Dept of Health Richmond
  re Vital Statistices.
  No recorded births & deaths between 1896 - June 14 1912.
  Early records indexed of births & marriage
     Death records not indexed.
  If a date & place are furnished for death, search
  can be made for 50 (cents).  If no date & place time consumed
  will be charged.
      Signed Estelle Marsh
        State Registrar

Annals of Southwest Virginia pg 1362-1368
Andrew & James Thompson qualified as deputy sheriffs.
Wythe Co Va.  3-14-1797
Sept 11, 1798 Andrew Thompson appointed Sheriff Wythe Co.
Andrew Thompson Ensign and Justice of the Peace

 

====================== notes ===================================
Virginians of Virginia.  A.N.Thompson Pg. 896  Volume 2.
Andrew Thompson came from Ireland to America in
colonial days and fought for American Independence in
the Continental Army.  He settled in what is now Bland Co.
and was a land owner east of Bland Courthouse.  His son
Amos in turn farmed the same land and was the father
of Joshua Thompson. who was a farmer near Point
Pleasant and married Ester Smith (1st wife).  A.N.Thompson
their son, subject of this sketch was born near Point Pleasant
July 15, 1840.  He volunteered for service in the Southern
Army at Wytheville, May 29, 1861, and served
[crossed out: 9/11/1998 Andrew Thompson appointed Sheriff]
Annals of SW. Va Louis Preston Summers pg 1386 Wythe Count.

There is a connection to the Bird Family of Va. who now
own property covering John Hoge Thompson Cemetery.

Bland Courthouse - Lena May Burton - Uncle Millers Daughter.
                         Father - son of Joshua Thompson.
{Information of James T. Thompson.
{ Wythe Co. first.

1750 they begin naming in Census
  Ask to see Woodrow Birds House - it was Andrew Thompson farm.
  Very likely Thompson blood -  quite commn in History

Lucilee Thompson  15 E Pen St. Bluefield.
  Tazewell Va.

 

==================== new page  ==============================

Joshua Bruce Thompson
B. 10-12-1812    Bland
M. 6-17-1834     Bland
D. 4-13-1899     Bland
Buried Presb. Church. Graveyard Point Pleasant. Bland Co.

Father Amos Thompson.
Mother.            Esther Smith 1st wife.

© Copyright Brian J. Cragun, 1994, 1997. All rights reserved.