Person:John Thompson (166)

Post from Alex Thompson: John didn't die on 10 Dec 1819. That was the date his death notice appeared in the "Raleigh Register": "Died in Orange Co., lately, John Thompson, Esq., miller, for many years a Representative in the General Assembly from that county."

John's very lengthy will can be found on the Internet, but here's a summary: Orange Co. Will of John Thompson dated 13 Sep 1817, codicil 14 Nov 1819, pr. Feb. 1820 (Will Book D-568) wife Jennet, "all my children to wit: Thomas, James, Elizabeth Graham, Elender Thomas, William, John, Jennet Johnston, Rachel Russel & Ann Thompson." Execs. brother Robert Thompson and son William Thompson Wit. Alexander Clendenin, William (X) Gooley[?], Jno Thompson, Wm. Thompson

The children were apparently listed in birth order.

A full list of John's sons and sons-in-law can be seen from: Oct 1826 Orange Co. DB 22-298: Power of Attorney to James THOMPSON and George JOHNSTON from Thomas THOMPSON, John THOMPSON, Robert GRAHAM, Micajah THOMAS, Isaac CLEGG and John RUSSELL, all of Orange Co., to obtain funds due them from Robert & William THOMPSON Esq., Executors of John THOMPSON dec'd.

From this, in comparison to John's will, we see that Elizabeth married Robert GRAHAM, Elender married Micajah THOMAS, Jennet married George JOHNSTON (she m2. William RUSSELL in 1831 and they went to Saline Co. AR), Rachel married John RUSSELL and Ann, unwed when the will was written, married Isaac CLEGG (she was his second of three wives, and she never married a RUSSELL).

This information regarding John's POSSIBLE ancestry came from here (http://www.thompsonfamilies.org/pats.html): David Thompson b. c1564 Northumberland, England - g thompson [needitnc AT gmail.com]

   * John Thompson, b. 1596 Northumberland, England; m. Elizabeth Miller
         o Nicholas Thompson, b. c1617; m. Jane Walton
               + Edward Thompson, b. c1642 Durham, England; m. Jane Hull
                     # John Thompson, b. 1663 Durham, England; m. Ann Wheatley
                           * John Thompson, b. 1700 Durham, England; m. Sarah Moreland [The above generations from David to John are not proven.  The pedigree below is believed to be correct.]
                                 o Thomas Thompson, b. 1731 Durham, England; m. Elinor Agan
                                       + T-91 John Thompson Sr., b. 1753 Baltimore Co. MD; d. 1819 Orange Co. NC; m Jane "Jennet" Anderson

Full text of will:

D-1. Will of John Thompson, Esquire Copy of the will of John Thompson, Son of Thomas Thompson. State of North Carolina, County of Orange.

In the name of God, Amen. I, John Thompson, of the county and state aforesaid, being in perfect mind and memory and knowing that it appointed for all men to die, do think it proper to make this my last will and testament. That is to say - First I give and bequeath my soul to Almighty God who gave it, nothing doubting but I shall receive the same from Him again in the great day of God. My body I recommend to the earth to be buried with a decent Christian burial at the discretions of my Executors, hoping to receive the same by the Great Power of God at the Resurrection of the Just. As touching this worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I do give and bequeath in the following manner to (wit): I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Jennet Thompson, all that part of my plantation lying on the South Side of Moteses Creek with my houses and one half of my household and kitchen furniture. One third of my mill and one negro AAron who tends the same. Also three negroes To (wit), Abram, Lucy, and Charlotte, one clock, one cupboard and its contents, two beds and furniture, one horse of her choice, two hundred dollars in money, three cows her choice of the stock, In sheep her choice of the flock, Ten hogs her choice of the drove. One plow and gears for and during her natural life. Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas my plantation lying on the river known by the name of Corrathers, That is provided he makes my daughter Rachel and my son-in-law John Russell a Right and title to his plantation lying at the mouth of Haw Creek, known by the name of Justices' place. If he does not comply with this, the the Sd. Corrathers place shall be equally divided between them. That is to say, one half to my son Thomas and one half to my son-in-law John Russell. I also bequeath unto him one third of my mill and negro Aaron during his mother's lifetime. After which he, my son Thomas, shall justly and lawfully claim and hold one half of Sd. Mill and negro, provided he should pay my son James Thompson $750.00 within the space of three years after my decrease. I also give unto him 2 acres of land where he shall choose near or adjoining the mill. And with Sd. mill I give and bequeath a quantity of land extending from eight rods below Sd. mill the same width up to the head of Sd. mill Race, and to my corner including the Islands which is to be for use of Sd. mill. Thirdly I give to my son James Thompson the balance and all my adjoining that where he now lives, and all my mountain land. Also my negro man Abram after my wife's decrease. As well as the $750.00 named in the above provision. Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my son William Thompson my plantation known by the name of Kock's place, $1,000 out of the store before any divide shall be made, after which he shall have one half of Sd. store and its profits. The goods being calculated at first cost. Also two negroes to (wit) Sam and Doll. One bed and furniture. One hundred dollars to buy him a horse and saddle and also so I shall further provide. Fifthly, I give unto my son John Thompson one half of the plantation where on I now live and the other half at my wife's decrease as also one third of the mill and negro Aaron, with its lands during her natural life, after which he shall claim and hold one half of Sd. mill and its land with Sd. negro on his just and lawful property. That is to say, one half of Sd. mill and its lands and Sd. negro shall belong to my son Thomas and the other half to my son John, provided he shall pay my son William Thompson $750.00 within the space of three years after my decrease. I also give and bequeath unto him (my son John) one hundred and fifty acres of land lying over the River allowing him the choice of McMullin's place. Also two negroes. To (wit) Watt and Lewis. The mare and saddle that he now holds, My silver watch and my desk. Sixthly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jennet and my son-in-law George Johnston all my land on the south side of Mary's Creek adjoining Robert Graham's which is not otherwise disposed of. Also my negro girl named Aga. Seventhly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rachel and my son-in-law John Russell one negro girl named Tempy and further according to the above disposal. Eighthly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann the balance of my land on the north side of Mary's Creek, one horse and saddle worth $75.00. Two beds and furniture. One chest of drawers. One negro woman named ------- and $50.00 to purchase other household utensils and furniture. Ninethly, the residue of my property not otherwise disposed of I allow to be sold and after my just debts shall have been duly paid and lawfully satisfied the remainder, if any, shall be equally divided among all my children. To (wit) Thomas, James, Elizabeth Graham, Elender, William, John, Jennet Johnston, Rachel Russell, and Ann Thompson. Tenthly, After my wife's decrease I allow all her property, if any remains, to be sold and divided among all my children as is above named excepting my old negro woman Lucy to be set free and maintained by my son John, allowing her the liberty of living where she shall please so that it be with one of my family. And if Sd. woman shall not be pleased to dwell with my son John, my son shall pay for her maintanance if it be required of him. Lastly, I constitute and appoint my brother Robert Thompson and my son William as executors of this my last will and testament, Ratifying and confirming the same. This and this only to be my last will and testament. In witness therof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of September - In the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventeen. Signed and sealed and delivered in the presence of us - Alexander Clendenin, James Thompson, William Gooley (mark), William Thompson John Thompson (Seal) This quodical made this forteenth day of November in the year of our Lord 1819 as an appendix to my last will and testament made some time hence in ------as followeth - I give and bequeath to my wife Nell (negro girl) to have and to hold during her livetime and at her decrease to be equally divided between my daughters. I give and bequeath to my sons William and James my Black Boy Stephen to be divided as they may think proper. I give to my daughter Ann my boy Tom to be her own right and property. In testimony here I set my hand and seal this day and date above written. Signed in the presence of J.A. Mebane- John Thompson (Seal)

_John Thompson, Esquire