In 1841 an infamous hurricane swept the East Coast, battering the North Carolina shoreline unmercifully, and then up to the Mid-Atlantic states. It dumped tons of rain into Pennsylvania and Bucks County, raising water levels by as much as five feet. Many of the bridges along the Delaware River were threatened, including the one near Washington's Crossing at Taylorsville PA. Citizens gathered along the river banks to watch the rising floodwaters elevate, preparing to swallow the local covered bridge. Dr. Huston Thompson (1801-1844), a successful physician from nearby Dolington PA was among the many onlookers. A citizen remarked that the old covered bridge housed a unique painting by the famous Newtown artist Edward Hicks. The painting had hung there for several years; it depicted General George Washington crossing the Delaware River. It was weathered but for the most part protected; but now in real danger. Dr. Thompson, throwing caution to the wind, went into action "rushed out on the quivering bridge and rescued the painting, regaining the abutment just as the bridge went down" (p.214, Genealogy of the Wilson Thompson Families). This historic relic by the renowned Edward Hicks is now on display at the Mercer Museum in Doylestown PA. Huston Thompson, M.D. was the eldest son of Thomas Mifflin Thompson and Elizabeth Wilson Thompson. Way to go Huston Thompson!