Note: The following is a section of a family history compiled by Herbert Armstrong Poole between 1905 & 1960, transcribed by AAA Maitland 1998. Subject numbers are HAP's originals. HAP's page divisions are shown: after subject page numbers are complete document page numbers in brackets and issue dates. The original text had generations indented in turn: here, generation numbers are added to each individual: the children of the title subject are "1/--". Subject 342. Page 1 (318) JOHN THOMPSON. The following is taken from the "Genealogy of John Thompson", by Ignatius Thompson, (1841), and also from the "Genealogy and Descendants of John Thompson", by Charles Hutchinson Thompson, Lansing, Michigan, (1890) and also from the "Cooke Family Descendants & Relatives of Francis Cooke of the Mayflower 1577-1820". The name Thompson is spelled differently in England, Scotland and Ireland. In south England Tompson: in Ireland Thompson, in south Scotland Thomson. Wales being contiguous to Scotland, he was probably descended from the Scotch branch, not the Irish. In his Will, he spelled his name Tomson: in one of his deeds, Thomson. The letter P was not introduced into the name till a century and a half had rolled by. John Thompson was born in the northern part of Wales in 1616. It is said his father died soon after his birth and his mother married again. The child lived with his legal parents (step-father) and received his scanty education from their lips. According, to Ignatius Thompson, he came to America in the third embarkation from England. The second embarkation which arrived at Plymouth was under Capt Robert Cushman in the "Fortune" bringing 35 families, the remainder of Robinson's Society of Pilgrims, (some of whom came over on the Mayflower) on November 11/1621. The third embarkation was two vessels containing 60 or 70 men: some had families under the patronage of Thomas Weston, a merchant of distinction in London: amongst them was John Thompson. They landed at Plymouth in May 1622, then John was but six years old. The second genealogy quoted above, by Charles Hutchinson Thompson, questions the statement by Ignatius for the following reasons:- The first embarkation was the Mayflower which arrived November 1620, the Pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock on December 11/1620, on which were were 102 passengers. The second embarkation, the "Fortune", arrived at Plymouth November 23/1621, with 35 passengers. The third embarkation was the little "James & Anne", which arrived August 1623 with 60 passengers. The foregoing were named "first comers". Another arrival was the "Sparrow" in May 1622, with 7 passengers, sent out by Thomas Weston. Still another was the "Charity & Swan" in July 1622, sent out by Thomas Weston with 60 colonists for Wassaqussit or Weymouth, which visited Plymouth, bringing letters from Mr Weston, to the effect that he had quit the adventurers. Undoubtedly John Thompson came in some one of the above embarkations and landed at Plymouth, but which one is uncertain. Tradition is silent respecting any incident in his life until he arrived at manhood. It appears from his will that he was a carpenter. Along with his friend Richard Church he built the first meeting house in Plymouth in 1637, and as compensation for his labor, the town gave him a piece of land from the Market House, back extending to the Herring Brook, now called Spring Hill. On March 3/1645 he purchased of Samuel Eddy, a house and garden in Plymouth near Spring Hill. He married on December 26/1645, Mary Cooke, born 1626, daughter of Francis Cooke, of the Pilgrim Fathers of the Mayflower. His chief business was that of a farmer and his first appearance in that capacity was at Sandwich. His carpenter work was a necessity, not a trade. Being a man of fruitful expedients and of uncommon ingenuity. He lived in that town a few years, but came to the conclusion he could better his fortune for himself and his children by moving further into the interior. He accordingly selected a site 13 miles west on the confines of Bridgewater, and purchased land there from the Indians, Wetispaquin, Sachem of Neponsets, and approved by the Court, 6000 acres in all. At present it is divided into more than a hundred farms. He built a log house in Middleborough and lived in it until it was burned by the Indians. His settlement amidst a surrounding enemy must have been attended by many troubles and fearful apprehensions. As the tine drew mar when open hostilities were about to commence in 1675, Subject 342. Page 2 (319) in the terrible war of King Philip, there was a marked change in the demeanour of the Indians. At one time, three came when Mrs Thompson was alone and began to behave rudely, and when one pulled a fish out of the boiling pot, she reprimanded him and he drew a knife. She seized a broom handle and drove him out of the house. Soon after this incident, John Thompson decided to go to the Fort, near Four Corners, Middleborough. He buried his money in the swamp nearby and packed same goods and furniture. Knowing a good deal of the Indian language, their customs and manners, he could discern the motives of their conduct, and thereby always escaped being ambushed. His gun was 7 ft 4 1/2 inches long, the barrel being 6 feet 1 1/2 inches long: the bullets were 12 to the pound, and it is now preserved 1n Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth. Despite their fine defence, all the white inhabitants were driven back to Plymouth by the Indians, but at the close of the war in 1677, they returned and took up their estates. He rebuilt his burned house and lived there until he died: this home stood until 1838. He was a very religious man and he and his wife walked the 13 miles to Plymouth every Sunday, his wife once carrying her six month old child Elizabeth - a total of 26 miles. He lived to the age of 80 and his wife to 88 and are buried in the first Burial Ground in Middleborough. His will dated April 23/1696, left his wife half the house during her widowhood and use of all household goods, 6 cows, score of sheep, and four acres of land lying by my house, to be kept improved for her out of my estate: also œ100 to dispose of to the children as she shall see cause: also a cow and steer yearly for her provisions. And whereas I give my son John, half a score of land formerly, and he hath nothing to show for it, I now give him 50 acres where his house now standeth, and the house and fourth part of upland, 200 acres. To my sons Thomas and Peter, half my house during their mother's life on condition they agree to keep together and maintain their mother's cattle, - they to have the increase to make good the principal. To son Thomas all my house and barn after his mother's decease. To my son Peter 50 acres of upland I bought from John Morton. To Peter, œ20 towards building him a house. To Mary Tabor, œ35 besides what is due me from her husband. To Esther œ33 besides what is due me from her husband. To Elizabeth œ25 and œ10 to her son Thomas at 21. To Sarah œ40. To Lydia œ34 besides what she already hath had. The inventory of his estate was œ1559.0.9. Issue:- 1. Adam Thompson. Born and died 1 1/2 years. 2. John Thompson. Born 1648, died November 23/l725. He married Mary Tinkham, born 1664, died 1731, daughter of Ephraim, the emigrant. 3. Mary Thompson. Born 1650. Married Thomas Taber in June 1672. See subject 170 for issue and further particulars. 4. Esther Thompson. Born July 28/1652. Married Jonathan Reed, whose descendants lived in Abington. 5. Elizabeth Thompson. Born January 28/1654. She married Thomas Swift and settled in Nobscusset. 6. Sarah Thompson. Born April 7/1657. Unmarried. 7. Lydia Thompson. Born October 5/1659. Married James Souls. 8. Jacob Thompson. Born April 24/1662, died September 1/1726. He married Abigail Wadsworth, born 1669, died September 15/1744. 10 children. 9. Thomas Thompson. Born October 19/1664, died October 26/1742. Ha married Mary Morton born 1669, died March 10/1761. He was intimate with her father John Morton and on one occasion Morton advised him to get married as he was then of the proper age of 25. He replied, I will marry that daughter of yours, pointing to the infant Mary who was in her cradle, when she is old enough. Morton made no objection so when Subject 342. Page 3 (320) Thomas was 50, he married Mary, aged 25. Thomas was a farmer and Glazier, and set diamond glass in lead, common in those days. He inherited 700 acres from his father, including the original house where he lived and died. They had seven children. 10. Peter Thompson. He married Rebecca Sturtevant. His Will mentions a wife Sarah and children Sarah 1699, Peter 1701 James 1703 and Joseph 1706. 11. Mercy Thompson. Born 1671, died April 19/1756.