Bookmark this page or copy and paste URL to Email message Thompson Family papers, 1834-1864 (bulk 1861-1864)MS 266
Biographical NoteBowman Thompson, 1811-1865, was born in Northumberland County, England. He immigrated to the United States about 1830 and subsequently settled on a farm in Summit County, Ohio. In 1834, he married Elizabeth Cannon, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Gilchrist) Cannon. They had five sons and two daughters. Two of the sons, Robert and James, fought for the Union during the Civil War. Robert Thompson, -1861, served in Company G of the 37th Illinois Regiment Infantry, commonly known as "Fremont's Rifles," and was involved in Fremont's attempt to subdue a small militant force in southwest Missouri. On December 5, 1861, Rober was reported missing. James Thompson, 1840-1912, was born in Summit County, Ohio where he received a common-school education. He married Charlotte S. Oliver on January 1, 1861 before enlisting with Company L, 4th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry unit on January 13. During the Civil War, James served at Corrinth, Massachusetts, and also was with his regiment during the battle of Coffeeville. After completing his term of enlistment, he was mustered out in October 1864, having attained the rank of Commissary Sergeant. He resumed his occupation as a farmer. In subsequent years, he also held the posts of Collector, Supervisor and Postmaster. He moved to Grenola, Kansas in 1905. Scope and Content NoteThe collection consists mainly of letters, 1861-1864, from James Thompson to his wife Charlotte Thompson. These are firsthand accounts of army life and Civil War battles, and are written from Illinois, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Other letters include some written to Bowman and Elizabeth Thompson, from son, Robert; most are from Missouri before he died there in 1861. Earlier correspondence, 1851-1858, contains letters to Bowman from his sister, Jane Thompson Bland, in England. Bowman's copies of the English wills of his parents and siblings are present, dating from 1840-1856. Two original drawings depict Lowther Castle, the Thompson family castle in England, and Askham Church, Westmoreland County, England. An 1834 Ohio deed is also present. OrganizationThis collection is organized into four series.Series I: Biography and Genealogy Series II: Correspondence, 1851-1864 Series III: Legal Documents, 1834-1856 Series IV: Sketches RestrictionsRestrictionsNone. CopyrightIt is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the University of Arizona, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright. Access TermsPersonal Name(s) Bland, Jane Thompson --
Correspondence Thompson, Bowman,
1811-1865 Thompson, James, 1840-1912 --
Correspondence Thompson, Robert, d. 1861 --
Correspondence Family Name(s) Thompson family --
Genealogy Geographic Name(s) United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal
narratives Genre Form(s) Correspondence Drawings Wills Administrative InformationCredit LineThompson Family papers(MS 266).Special Collections, University of Arizona Libraries. Container List
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