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The History of William Thompson - Common Progenitor

GIVEN AT THE FAMILY REUNION AT RICHMOND UTAH ON 17th JUNE 1961

William Thompson, the progenitor of this group assembled today in a family reunion, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland on 16 June 1806, (one hundred fifty-five years ago yesterday). He was the oldest son of David and Jean Wetherspoon Thompson. There was a family of twelve children, six boys and six girls.

In 1831 he married Elizabeth McCauley of Port Haven, Isle of Islay, Scotland. To William and Elizabeth Thompson a son, David, was born in Scotland 26 Dec. 1831.

In 1833 the family immigrated to America, locating in Canada. I imagine for the next few years their thoughts often returned to their native land of Scotland and to the loved ones and familiar scenes left behind.

In Canada two more sons were born to them, Daniel on Christmas Day, 1834, and William on the 12th of January, 1836. It was here also that they joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. William Thompson Sr. was baptized by Elder Orson Hyde in 1836.

The family travelled west to be with the church and they joined the saints in Missouri at the time of the terrible persecutions and drivings. Here their daughter, Maria, was born 16 August 1838 in Caldwell, Daviess Co. Driven back into Illinois, the family eventually located in Quincy, Illinois around 50 miles south of Nauvoo. Grandfather would go to Nauvoo to meetings and conferences. He was ordained a teacher, 15 November 1840 by Samuel W. Richards. He was licensed to preach the gospel, 25 November 1844 signed by Enos Curtis, Presiding Elder.

In Quincy, Illinois, their son, Orvil was born, on 8th of May, 1841 and a baby girl, Eliza Jane, on the 8th of Feb. 1845. She died at the age of 6 months in July, and 3 months later, the wife and mother passed away on the 7th Oct. 1845.

These personal tragedies followed close after the martyrdom of their Prophet Joseph Smith and brother Hyrum. In letters written to his parents in Scotland, William Thompson Sr. tells of his work which was raising garden truck, milking cows and chores, and he compared prices. He wrote "David cares for the cows, Daniel keeps house and cares for the younger children, and William is helping at a doctor's house." He also tells of the killing of the prophets and the burning of homes, etc. He was very anxious to get a letter back by spring as they would go west to find a place where they could be in peace.

From Garden Grove, Father Thompson with his four sons and little daughter commenced their trek across the plains in the Harry Walton Company. No doubt they with other saints were inspired by William Clayton's song, "Come, Come, Ye Saints", which was written to be sung in the evening at the campfires, to give succor and support to the pioneers and help them to lay aside useless cares and to fight the many troubles and trials of the journey.

An acquaintance once said of our Grandfather, "Bro. Thompson was a lovely hymn singer, even in his sleep."

It was while on the trek that Father Thompson took a second wife, Mary Ann Hales, mother of the noted artist, Isabel H. Horne. However, his plan to give his family a second mother was short lived, as she also died before reaching the valleys of the Rocky Mountains.

The family arrived in Salt Lake Valley on 30th of Sept. 1851. This was four years after the first company arrived. They stopped for a short time in Salt Lake City then went to Bountiful, then known as Sessions Settlement. William Thompson took out his citizenship papers on June 1, 1868, and as there were other William Thompson's in the community, he added the initial "G" in his name. Now a full fledged citizen of his adopted country, his prayer could well have been, as are ours today, God Bless America.

Here also they endured the hardships of pioneer life. I have heard that at one time they had no corn in the house with which to make bread. Being humble and full of faith, the family knelt down in prayer and asked the Heavenly Father to care for them and provide them with bread. While they were still kneeling in prayer, a knock came at the door. A man had come to their home with an offer of work. He asked William Thompson if he would come and fix his chimney and he would pay him for his work in corn as he had no money. The family felt that it was a direct answer to their prayer.

Our Grandfather Thompson had a membership and attended the School of the Prophets which was held in Salt Lake City.

He died on 5th Dec. 1876 on the farm and home that he located on in 1851. His son David W. Thompson was called to protect the people of San Pete from Indians. He married and located in Ephraim, Utah, where he died at the age of 33, preceding his father. Daniel Thompson and Orvil Thompson were early settlers of Scipio, and Fillmore, Utah. William Thompson settled in Richmond, Utah, and Maria T. married and after two years in Nevada, came back and lived with her father and cared for him until his death. His obituary states: Bro. Thompson was ever faithful to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Was a man of strict integrity, bore a faithful testimony to the religion he had embraced and died as he had lived in full faith and the hope of a glorious resurrection. Truly a good man has passed from our midst.

The following is an exact copy of a letter written by William Thompson to his parents except for some punctuation when necessary. There was none in the letter. - Shirley Watkins (Written at Quincy, Illinois) April 27, 1845

Dear father and mother,

I tack this opertunity of leting you know that myself and wife and 6 children are all in good helth at this time for which I feal thankfull to god our havenly father for his blessings toward us. We have four boys and 2 girls. The youngest was born on the 8 of February last. Her name is Elisa Jane. David Daneall and William is at school. I have been sick with the fever and ague the most part of the winter so that I could not work but little for nearly 6 months. My health is good at this time. I got only 1 letter from Alexander about the time he went to Glasgow. That was the first I heard of the Death of Mareys husband. I was sorey to hear of the loss of her companion. We was glad to her from Alexander and from you all.

I would have rot a answer to his letter but i did not know what direction to put on his letter and I was waiting till all was well in my own famley. We have three milk cows. Young near 3 years old will have a colt this spring. I never have been sorey for coming to this country only for one thing that is being so far from you in your old age.

I was glad to heare from you all in your last letter that you sent with the woman that came from Pasley. They got hear a few days ago in good health. I was sorey to hear of my fathers sight being so dim. I am in hops that my Brothers and sisters that ar or have it in there powr to tack care of you Both in your old age as long as you live.

I have thought as Marey has lost her husband and trying to bring up her children by her own industry if she could consistantly move to Pasley, she will save house rent and keep a shape in with father and Mother and be a comfort to you in time of trouble. I do not wish to be understood that I want to put more on Marey than the rest of Brothers and sisters but that they will all put to the helping hand to help Marey and children and father and mother. I feel that you need some one of your children to live with you.

If I were near you I would administer all the comforts I could. Betey (note: Elizabeth McCauley) often wishes she was near father and mother in law that she could help you.

We have plenty of food and remant and we learn therewith to be content. There is not much money paid for work in this place but I get 1 doler per day in store goods which I can pay my rent with and have plenty of clothing and I can exchange store goods for country produce with the farmers. I get money some times but not so much as I did 6 years ago.

I rent a small faeld of land closs to the city that I live in about 3 ackers. I pay ten Dolers for the 3 ackers this summer. I plant potatoes for my own youse and have some to sell. I plant some indian corn. We feed it to the cows and to the hogs. It is good for fatning pork and when it is ground it macks good meal for bread or other uses.

We have not got aney land yet and do not know when I shall. When I left Canada to go to the state of Missouri about 12 hundred miles it cost me a great lot of money and being united with the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints and because of the prejduce of the people against us we had to leve our homes and purtache joyfully the shiping of our goods and seek a home in Illinois and the same spirit prevals in this state against the saints but we feel to hold fast our profetion beleving that we live in the dispensation of the fullness of times and god has organized his church and kingdom on the erth and called men to preach repentance and baptism for the remision of sins. He that belaveth shall be saved and he that belaveth not shall be damned and the signs shall flow them that believe and so forth.

We know that the gifts of the gosple are enjoyed in this our day and generation and I would advise you all to go and here the gospel preached by the elders of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints and prove all things and hold fast that which is good is the desire of my heart.

Mr. Brown that called to see you came back to this place last spring. I was sorre he did not let you know that he was comming. He and famely are well. I was glad that Mr. Harday called on you to let you know from us.

Mistress Picken wished my mother to let Mr. Harday know that herself and sone are in Quincy. Her son is at work in the Quincy house. She is living with Thomas Wotson (?) at present. Mistrs. Picken wants Mr. Harday to let her friends know that she has arrived here saffe 6 weeks an see no ackcdent.

I wish you to rite to me as soon as you can and let me here how you all are getting along.

I remain your son,

 

William Thomson

 

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