Individual Details
General William Thompson
(1745 - 7 Aug 1830)
GEN. WILLIAM T. THOMPSON:
Revolutionary War General.
HISTORY: In 1771, at about the age of 19, William, along with his brothers Richard and John "Pigeon" Thompson, moved to the area that would later become Honaker, in the New Garden Township in Russell County, Virginia, which was first settled in 1769. This was still mostly wilderness and was very prevalent to Indian attacks. Because of this, the New Garden Station Fort was constructed near Honaker, in New Garden, Russell County, Virginia on Thompson's Creek.
In case of an Indian attack, the men and women would take shelter in the fort. The fort was almost certainly a necessity in this area, because of the Shawnee war paths passing through and the fact that the Elk Garden and Castlewood Forts were miles away.
The common early fort on the Virginia frontier was a blockhouse. The second story was larger and came out over the edge of the first story, which left openings through which boiling water was poured on attackers. A log wall was built around the outside. A hole was dug for each log as close together as possible. The log was then stood in the hole. According to George William Settle's history of Russell County, twenty-five to thirty people lived at New Garden Station.
William's home was probably a simple, one-room, windowless cabin, constructed very near the fort. Sources say that the men would walk to the nearby spring to eat and drink but would never go without rifles for fear of Indian or wild animal attacks. Most forts of the day contained a water source, but since the men would go to the spring this suggests that there wasn't one in New Garden Station.
The Thompson brothers joined the Virginia Militia and in 1774, after repeated Indian attacks in Virginia, Lord Dunmore, who was the Royal Governor of Virginia, and Colonel Andrew Lewis lead the Virginia Militia to fight in the Battle of Point Pleasant. William along with his brothers served in this battle under Colonel Andrew Lewis in Henry Pauling's Company. Before this, William was stationed at Glade Hollow Fort and Upper Station Fort.
Lewis raised an army of about 1,000 men on the Virginia frontier and assembled them at Fort Savannah, now Lewisburg, West Virginia. He led the men on a one hundred sixty mile trip across West Virginia and on to Point Pleasant, West Virginia. On Sunday October 9, 1774, the Virginians under Lewis fought Chief Cornstalk at Point Pleasant and won. This battle kept the Indians from siding with the British in the first years of the Revolutionary War. The Virginians lost eighty-one men and one hundred-forty were wounded.
William fought at the Battle of King's Mountain on October 7, 1780 during the Revolutionary War as a Lieutenant. In this battle, Patriot riflemen killed, injured, or captured 1,100 New York and South Carolina Tories. He also fought at Guilford Courthouse as a Lieutenant. William probably fought in other battles, but I cannot say for sure.
William bought two-hundred acres of land in New Garden on Thompson's Creek in August 1781 near the original settlement at New Garden Station made in 1771. On March 20, 1782, William was recommended as a lieutenant in the Washington County, Virginia Militia, and was also paid three pounds for fifty-one days of horse service.
On October 8, 1783, William bought two separate tracts of land on both sides of Thompson's Creek. The first tract contained 200 acres and the second contained 133. This is the land grant to William for the second tract.
Patrick Henry Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, to all to whom the presents shall come greetings:
Know ye, that by virtue of part of a certificate in right of settlement given by the commissioners for adjusting the Titles to unpatented lands in the district of Washington & Montgomery and in consideration of the ancient composition of fifteen shillings sterling paid by William Thompson into the Treasury of this Commonwealth there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said William Thompson a certain tract or parcel of land containing one hundred and thirty three acres by survey bearing date the eighth day of October one thousand seven hundred and eighty three lying and being in the County of Washington on both sides of Thompsons Creek a branch of Clinch River and is bounded as followeth to wit, Beginning at a white oak & beech on the North side of a steep rocky hill a corner to John Thompsons land and running with his line south fifty one degrees east ninety poles to a red bud and white oak on the side of a ridge thence leaving said Thompsons line north seventy one degrees east twenty nine poles to a Spanish oak and two dogwoods by a spring north fifty six degrees east seventy three poles to a white oak and dogwood on the side of a ridge north thirty degrees east forty five poles to a white oak on a brushy hill side north seventeen degrees west fifty six poles to Synn? on a bald rocky spur south sixty eight degrees west one hundred and twenty eight to a hickory and whit oak north thirty degrees west seventy poles crossing the creek to a hickory and two white oaks at the foot of a large ridge south sixty six degrees west sixty nine poles to a beech and white oak on the side of said ridge south thirty seven degrees west twenty six poles crossing a branch to a walnut and dogwood at the foot of said ridge south sixty eight degrees west sixty eight poles to a red oak and two white oaks on the side of said ridge south forty five degrees east twenty two poles to a large buckeye and sugar tree by the creek north sixty four degrees east fifty nine poles up said creek several crossings to an ash white oak and beech in a bottom south fifty eight degrees east seventy five poles crossing the creek and along the side of a steep hill to the beginning with its appurtenances; to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with its apputenances to the said William Thompson and his heirs forever. In witness whereof the said Patrick Henry Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his hand, and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond, on the twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five and of the Commonwealth the ninth.
P. Henry
HISTORY: In 1785, William owned 133 acres joining his brother John's land. Also in 1785 the people in the Russell County, Virginia area signed a petition to form Russell county. William and his brothers, Richard and John, signed the petition.
I have recorded every entry for William from the Russell County law order books from 1786 to 1803. They will appear in the order that they occurred.
HISTORY: 1786
In the first Russell County court on May 9, 1786, William was appointed captain of the Russell County Militia. In 1786, William was on the grand jury of inquest. Jacob Jackson's will was proven by the oaths of William and his brother Richard. William was on the jury twice in 1786. He was to view a road the same year from Brown's Mill to the Russell County Courthouse. William was on the jury again for Crunk vs. Craddock in 1786. William once again had to view a road from Brown's Mill to Glade Hollow. That road had to be cut out of the wilderness. William was on the grand jury for John Horton beating Bean Smallwood.
1792
William appraised the estate of James Jackson and was on the grand jury.
1796
William appraised the estate of William Roman and viewed a road from a ford of the Clinch River to Benjamin Aldersons home and from there to the Russell County Courthouse.
1798
William appraised the estate of William Fletcher and gave an oath approving the will of William Johnson. William reported against the surveyor of the road from Glade Hollow to the top of Copper Ridge, the surveyor of the road from the Clinch River to Damron's Mill, the surveyor of the road from the ford of the river at Mr. Greenwoods to the top of Copper Ridge, and the surveyor of the road from Copper Ridge to Glade Hollow.
1802
William was paid for killing one old wolf.
1803
He was on the grand jury of inquest.
HISTORY: He had one person in his house over twenty-one in 1787. In 1788 William owned 150 acres of land. He owned the same amount in 1794, 1795, and 1796. In 1810 William owned one slave. On the 1810 tax list his name is spelled Thomson. The 1820 Russell county census states that there were six people living in William's household that were farmers. William's wealth evidently increased between 1810 and 1820, because in also in 1820 he owned four male slaves under the age of fourteen, two male slaves between the ages of fourteen and twenty-six, and two female slaves between the ages of twenty-six and forty-five. I have found from his will, that when he made the will, he owned at least one bed, several bedsteads, one looking glass, and a corner cupboard. He gave this, one half of his dresser ware, and one half of the cupboard ware to his grand-daughter Nancy Fletcher. He lived on a plantation and owned seven slaves. Their names were Milly, Sal, Ben, Sam, Peter, Daniel, and Nelson. He also owned one saddle.
Revolutionary War General.
HISTORY: In 1771, at about the age of 19, William, along with his brothers Richard and John "Pigeon" Thompson, moved to the area that would later become Honaker, in the New Garden Township in Russell County, Virginia, which was first settled in 1769. This was still mostly wilderness and was very prevalent to Indian attacks. Because of this, the New Garden Station Fort was constructed near Honaker, in New Garden, Russell County, Virginia on Thompson's Creek.
In case of an Indian attack, the men and women would take shelter in the fort. The fort was almost certainly a necessity in this area, because of the Shawnee war paths passing through and the fact that the Elk Garden and Castlewood Forts were miles away.
The common early fort on the Virginia frontier was a blockhouse. The second story was larger and came out over the edge of the first story, which left openings through which boiling water was poured on attackers. A log wall was built around the outside. A hole was dug for each log as close together as possible. The log was then stood in the hole. According to George William Settle's history of Russell County, twenty-five to thirty people lived at New Garden Station.
William's home was probably a simple, one-room, windowless cabin, constructed very near the fort. Sources say that the men would walk to the nearby spring to eat and drink but would never go without rifles for fear of Indian or wild animal attacks. Most forts of the day contained a water source, but since the men would go to the spring this suggests that there wasn't one in New Garden Station.
The Thompson brothers joined the Virginia Militia and in 1774, after repeated Indian attacks in Virginia, Lord Dunmore, who was the Royal Governor of Virginia, and Colonel Andrew Lewis lead the Virginia Militia to fight in the Battle of Point Pleasant. William along with his brothers served in this battle under Colonel Andrew Lewis in Henry Pauling's Company. Before this, William was stationed at Glade Hollow Fort and Upper Station Fort.
Lewis raised an army of about 1,000 men on the Virginia frontier and assembled them at Fort Savannah, now Lewisburg, West Virginia. He led the men on a one hundred sixty mile trip across West Virginia and on to Point Pleasant, West Virginia. On Sunday October 9, 1774, the Virginians under Lewis fought Chief Cornstalk at Point Pleasant and won. This battle kept the Indians from siding with the British in the first years of the Revolutionary War. The Virginians lost eighty-one men and one hundred-forty were wounded.
William fought at the Battle of King's Mountain on October 7, 1780 during the Revolutionary War as a Lieutenant. In this battle, Patriot riflemen killed, injured, or captured 1,100 New York and South Carolina Tories. He also fought at Guilford Courthouse as a Lieutenant. William probably fought in other battles, but I cannot say for sure.
William bought two-hundred acres of land in New Garden on Thompson's Creek in August 1781 near the original settlement at New Garden Station made in 1771. On March 20, 1782, William was recommended as a lieutenant in the Washington County, Virginia Militia, and was also paid three pounds for fifty-one days of horse service.
On October 8, 1783, William bought two separate tracts of land on both sides of Thompson's Creek. The first tract contained 200 acres and the second contained 133. This is the land grant to William for the second tract.
Patrick Henry Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, to all to whom the presents shall come greetings:
Know ye, that by virtue of part of a certificate in right of settlement given by the commissioners for adjusting the Titles to unpatented lands in the district of Washington & Montgomery and in consideration of the ancient composition of fifteen shillings sterling paid by William Thompson into the Treasury of this Commonwealth there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said William Thompson a certain tract or parcel of land containing one hundred and thirty three acres by survey bearing date the eighth day of October one thousand seven hundred and eighty three lying and being in the County of Washington on both sides of Thompsons Creek a branch of Clinch River and is bounded as followeth to wit, Beginning at a white oak & beech on the North side of a steep rocky hill a corner to John Thompsons land and running with his line south fifty one degrees east ninety poles to a red bud and white oak on the side of a ridge thence leaving said Thompsons line north seventy one degrees east twenty nine poles to a Spanish oak and two dogwoods by a spring north fifty six degrees east seventy three poles to a white oak and dogwood on the side of a ridge north thirty degrees east forty five poles to a white oak on a brushy hill side north seventeen degrees west fifty six poles to Synn? on a bald rocky spur south sixty eight degrees west one hundred and twenty eight to a hickory and whit oak north thirty degrees west seventy poles crossing the creek to a hickory and two white oaks at the foot of a large ridge south sixty six degrees west sixty nine poles to a beech and white oak on the side of said ridge south thirty seven degrees west twenty six poles crossing a branch to a walnut and dogwood at the foot of said ridge south sixty eight degrees west sixty eight poles to a red oak and two white oaks on the side of said ridge south forty five degrees east twenty two poles to a large buckeye and sugar tree by the creek north sixty four degrees east fifty nine poles up said creek several crossings to an ash white oak and beech in a bottom south fifty eight degrees east seventy five poles crossing the creek and along the side of a steep hill to the beginning with its appurtenances; to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with its apputenances to the said William Thompson and his heirs forever. In witness whereof the said Patrick Henry Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his hand, and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond, on the twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five and of the Commonwealth the ninth.
P. Henry
HISTORY: In 1785, William owned 133 acres joining his brother John's land. Also in 1785 the people in the Russell County, Virginia area signed a petition to form Russell county. William and his brothers, Richard and John, signed the petition.
I have recorded every entry for William from the Russell County law order books from 1786 to 1803. They will appear in the order that they occurred.
HISTORY: 1786
In the first Russell County court on May 9, 1786, William was appointed captain of the Russell County Militia. In 1786, William was on the grand jury of inquest. Jacob Jackson's will was proven by the oaths of William and his brother Richard. William was on the jury twice in 1786. He was to view a road the same year from Brown's Mill to the Russell County Courthouse. William was on the jury again for Crunk vs. Craddock in 1786. William once again had to view a road from Brown's Mill to Glade Hollow. That road had to be cut out of the wilderness. William was on the grand jury for John Horton beating Bean Smallwood.
1792
William appraised the estate of James Jackson and was on the grand jury.
1796
William appraised the estate of William Roman and viewed a road from a ford of the Clinch River to Benjamin Aldersons home and from there to the Russell County Courthouse.
1798
William appraised the estate of William Fletcher and gave an oath approving the will of William Johnson. William reported against the surveyor of the road from Glade Hollow to the top of Copper Ridge, the surveyor of the road from the Clinch River to Damron's Mill, the surveyor of the road from the ford of the river at Mr. Greenwoods to the top of Copper Ridge, and the surveyor of the road from Copper Ridge to Glade Hollow.
1802
William was paid for killing one old wolf.
1803
He was on the grand jury of inquest.
HISTORY: He had one person in his house over twenty-one in 1787. In 1788 William owned 150 acres of land. He owned the same amount in 1794, 1795, and 1796. In 1810 William owned one slave. On the 1810 tax list his name is spelled Thomson. The 1820 Russell county census states that there were six people living in William's household that were farmers. William's wealth evidently increased between 1810 and 1820, because in also in 1820 he owned four male slaves under the age of fourteen, two male slaves between the ages of fourteen and twenty-six, and two female slaves between the ages of twenty-six and forty-five. I have found from his will, that when he made the will, he owned at least one bed, several bedsteads, one looking glass, and a corner cupboard. He gave this, one half of his dresser ware, and one half of the cupboard ware to his grand-daughter Nancy Fletcher. He lived on a plantation and owned seven slaves. Their names were Milly, Sal, Ben, Sam, Peter, Daniel, and Nelson. He also owned one saddle.
Events
| Birth | 1745 | Ulster, Ireland | |||
| Marriage | 1770 | Russell County Virginia - Nancy Jackson | |||
| Death | 7 Aug 1830 | Russell County, Virginia |
Families
| Spouse | Nancy Jackson ( - ) |
| Child | Martha "Mattie" Thompson (1749 - 1830) |