DAR #A114302

John served in the Virginia Military Service between 15 Jan 1775–1783. He served as a Pvt, under Captain Long, Augusta Co., VA. Revolutionary War Rolls, list John Thomson in the U.S. Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775‐1783, Name: John Thomson, Gender: Male, Individual Summary: John Thomson VI, RS, Sex: Father: Mother: Male John Thompson V Rev Elizabeth Foster, Notes: Military Date: 15 Jan 1775 ‐ 1783 Military Place: Virginia, USA State or Army Served: Virginia Regiment: 14th Regiment Rank: Corporal.

John Thomson VI RS, was born in 1731 in Maghera, County Londonderry, Ireland to the Rev. John Thompson V and Elizabeth Foster. Rev John Thomson, the son of Alexander Thomson, was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh. He sailed to the colonies with his father shortly after the death of his mother in 1738, along with two or three siblings (William, Alexander, Charles, Matthew, and possibly Mary). The father passed away at sea, outside of Delaware, his possessions were stolen, and the now penniless boys were separated on arrival in New Castle, Delaware. An orphan at the age of eight John went to live with relatives on the Elk River, in Maryland. As he grew he was able to obtain land first in Cumberland Co., PA, by patrolling the boarder, and but in 1756 John sailed to Virginia where he farmed in Augusta Co., and later served in the military. He kept his land on the Elk River, to be sold in 1811, following his death. In Virginia he met Bishop Asbury and became a Methodist. Before 1786 John married Mary Greenleaf and they were the parents of Matthew, Robert, Alexander, Charles, Betsy, Rachel, Martha, Polly, and Mary Thomson.

Matthew (b 23 June 1789‐d 21 April 1844), married Elizabeth Ellen Rutledge (b 10 December 1793‐d 25 October 1862), in Augusta Co., VA, 7 April 1829. In 1837 they moved with their young family to Fulton Co., IL. They were the parents of Charles Lee (1831‐1891) who married Lucinda Laws in 1859, Fulton Co., Elizabeth (1836‐1918) who married John William Barker, Jr., in 1880, Fulton Co., IL, and Theressa Corila Jane (1838‐1908) who married James Edward Westlake in 1857, Fulton Co., IL. Matthew and Elizabeth are buried in the Barker Cemetery, Farmer’s Twp., Fulton Co., IL. The families of these three families stayed in the Fulton and McDonough County, Illinois area and in turn raised children who are today represented by many area families.

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One interesting note is that regarding John’s older brother Charles. He became actively involved in colonial politics and participated in the early formation of our country. He would become one of the founding fathers of our country, serving as secretary for the Continental Congress throughout its existence (174????‐1789). He prepared the Journals of the Continental Congress, and he, along with John Hancock, were the only two members to sign the first printing of the Declaration of Independence. Charles is also known for co‐designing the Great Seal of the United States Declaration of Independence. and adding its Latin mottoes Annuit coeptis and Novus ordo seclorum, and for his translation of the Bible’s Old Testament.

Resources:
-John Thompson in the U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s‐1900s
‐Service Source: CREEL, SELECTED VA REV WAR RECS, VOL 2, PP 70, 82, 83 Service Description: 1) CAPT LONG, AUGUSTA CO
‐Military Service Notes: (Bet. 15 Jan 1775–1783 in Virginia, USA) U.S., Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775‐1783 for John Thomson Virginia 10th Regiment, 1778‐1779 (Folders 266‐272); 11th Regiment, 1776‐1778 (Folders 273‐281)