Individual Details

I have autosomal DNA matches to descendants of James Thompson that do not go through my ancestor Frances Thompson who is proposed as a daughter of James, but I have found no paper proof. The DNA would indicate Frances was indeed his daughter, although the possibility for other matches in other lines is possible.

All the online databases give the wife of James Thompson as Sallie Renfro, daughter of Joseph Renfro and Mary Owens, or Mary Owen(s) Randolph. Sallie shown as born Goochland or Bedford Vo, VA. However, I believe this relationship highly unlikely as the Joseph Renfro who died Bedford Co VA, prior to probate of his will on 25 Mar 1776, named nine children - none was named Sallie or Sarah. Many of his older children received 5 shillings reflecting that they had already received their inheritance - I feel that he named all of his children. Joseph Renfro did have a daughter Susannah and I saw one database that had Susan "Sallie" Renfro for the wife of James Thompson - perhaps an attempt to reconcile this descrepancy. Sallie was a nickname for Sarah, not Susan.

1810 Census. Christiansburg, Montgomery Co VA,
Jas Thompson Sr.: 1m 16-26, 1m over 45. 1f 10-16, 1f over 45.

There is said to be some sort of "probate" settlement for James Thompson in Carroll Co showing that there were 12 children. I don't know if the wife was named and Carroll Co seems an unlikely place since others say James had died 1813, Montgomery Co and Carroll Co wasn't even formed until 1842. Possibly there is a deed at a later date when the area had become Carroll Co. This would be an interesting record to find. Searches of probate and deed indexes in these counties - Montgomery, Carroll & Floyd, has not revealed any trace of such a settlement.

The children as listed here, other than Frances "Fanny" who married John Huff, have come from online databases without further research by me. These databases place Sallie Renfro as the wife of James Thompson which I consider more than somewhat questionable.

In fact the records from Montgomery Co, Virginia at the time of the death of James Thompson show that his widow was certainly Phoebe, not Sarah or Sally. Either this James in Montgomery Co who died in 1813 is not the same James Thompson (which seems HIGHLY likely), or much of the data online about him is just wrong - 1813 is usually stated as his death. This appears to be quite a young man with one young son and a pregnant wife. The son of James shown as married to Renfro is said to have married a Nancy Dickerson - so that doesn't fit, either - it can't be the son.

Montomgery Co, VA, Will Book 2, p.173-175
I James Thompson of Montgomery County and State of Virginia being of sound mind but Badly afflicted in body knowing the certainty of Death and the uncertainty of the time and to prevent any disputes respecting my little Estate after my departure from this world do make and ordain this my last will and Tesatment.
First I recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God, Trusting he will receive it through the merits of Jesus my Redeemer.
I Secondly wish to be buried in a plain and decent manner my burial expenses being first paid the residue of my property I wish disposed of as follows.
I wish my land to be sold on a credit of two Years. The one half of the purchase money to be paid at the expiration of Twelve months. The other half at the end of two years from the day of Sale. I Leave my Beloved wife Two feather Beds with their furniture, with all the balance of my household furniture, one Bay mare, on three year old heiffer, one red cow, to have and to hold in her own right during her widowhood. The residue of my personal property I wish sold at the discretion of my Executors. The full amount of money obtained for Land and for personal property I wish appropriated to the best use for my son & should the Child with which my wife is now pregnant live I wish it to have an equal part. for the carrying this my last Will and Testament into effect I depend upon my Friends Harmond Sifford and Philip Haymaker who I appoint as my Executors.
given under my hand this 10th day of October 1813
James (X) Thompson
done in the presence of William J. Ronald, David Stephens, Larkin Thompson
Codicil: I wish out of my estate that fifty dollars should be appropriated for the schooling of a boy named George, the son of Tena Carden, formerly Tena Howery, supposed to be mine.
James (X) Thompson
Wit: William Ronald, David Stephens, Larkin Thompson
Mongomery December Court, 1813. This last Will & Testament of James Thompson with a Codicil thereto annexed was presented in Court and proved by the oaths of David Stephens & Larkin Thompson, Witnesses thereto and ordered to be Recorded. And on the motion of Harmon Sifford and Philip Haymaker the Executors therein named who made oath thereto according to Law, and with David Stephens & Samuel Lucas their Securities entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of One thousand Dollars conditioned as the Law directs. A Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.
Test: Charles Taylor, mc

Phebe received none of the land under the above will which would have left her with no home - under the rights allowed her by Virginia law, she disavowed the will which would then entitle her to one-third of her husband's real and personal property.
Montgomery WB 3,p. 50
Know all men by these presents that I Phoebe Thompson widow of James Thompson, deceased, do hereby solemnly declare that I will not take or accept the provision made for me by the Will of the sd James Thompson dec'd my lat husband or any part thereof and I do renounce all Benefit which I might claim by said will. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal this 31st day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and fourteen.
Phebey (X) Thompson
signed and sealed in presence of these witnesses: Henry Carty, Jotham Parce
At Montgomery February Court, 1814. This Renunciation was presented in Court, proven by the oaths of the Witnesses thereto and ordered to be Recorded
Teste: Charles Taylor, mc

WB 3, p.50 The Estate of James Thompson in account with Harman Leifford & Philip Haymarker, Extrs. Several paid accounts - one to Geo. Thompson, $74, one to Thos. Bowyer for $103.25, and many small ones. There was an amount rec'd by Mrs. Thompson in property taken at the appraisment - $93.34. The sale came to $792.78. The balance in the hands of the executors was $519.20.
In obedience to an order at the June Term 1818, the accounts & vouchers of the estate of James Thompson, Dec'd with Harmon Lifford & Phillip Haymaker, Extrs, were exhibited and respectfully submitted by: Lewis Anniss, Thos. H. Wilkinson
Court held Montgomery County first day of September 1818. The report was returned and ordered recorded.

Not until February of 1819 was the dower land laid off...
Montgomery WB 3, p.154
In the Margin: Thompson P, Report of Dower
The Commissioners named in the within Order, met on the Premises of the dec'd on the 25th day of February 1819 & agreeable to order proceeded to allot the widows dower as follows:
Beginning on a Double Black oak which they marked W.D. in the north line of the Plantation & running a S.E. course across the improvement 40 poles to a walnut marked A, near the chimney of the dwelling house, thence a South course 75 poles to a which oak on the south line of said land marked B. Assigning to the widow the west part of the plantation from the above marked line. Note the Bearings & lenghts of the above line was not corrected by a compass & chain.
Given under our hands: David Page, Ro. Gardner, Thos. Smith
At Montgomery March Court 1819 This report was returned and ordered to be Recorded.
Teste, Charles Taylor, mc

From the Court Orders of Montgomery Co, VA
Book 18, p.104 The last Will & Testament of James Thompson presented in court, proved by witnesses David Stephens & Larkin Thompson, Executors qualified, recorded, etc.
p.113 Renunciation of the Will by his widow Phoebe Thompson, presented in court.
Book 20, p.60 June Court 1818 Lewis Amiss, Thomas H. Wilkinson & William E. Rutledge or any two of them to examine and settle the accounts of Philip Haymaker and Harmon Lifford, Executors of James Thompson, dec'ed and make report to Court
p.95 The account of Harmon Lifford and Philip Haymaker, extrs of James Thompson, dec'd was return to court and ordered recorded
p.119 December Court 1818. Ordered David Page, Robert Gardner & Thomas Smith appointed commissioners to lay off and assign to Phebe Thompson, widow of James Thompson, her dower in the land of which the said James Thompson died seized and make report thereof to Court
p.155 March Court 1819 Report of laying off and assigning dower to Phoebe Thompson was returned and ordered recorded.

Death	1813	Montgomery County, Virginia
Marriage		Sally Renfro

Spouse	Sally Renfro ( - )
Child	FRANCES "Fanny" Thompson (1769 - 1860)
Child	John Thompson (1772 - )
Child	Henry Thompson (1773 - 1847)
Child	James Thompson (1777 - 1813)
Child	Adam Thompson (1778 - 1869)
Child	Nathaniel Thompson (1780 - 1858)
Child	Letitia "Letty" Thompson (1783 - 1840)
Child	Mary "Polly" Thompson (1784 - 1806)
Child	Francis M. Thompson (1786 - 1860)
Child	Mildred Thompson (1787 - 1859)
Child	William Thompson (1788 - 1859)
Child	Elisha Thompson (1790 - 1849)