The Thompsons and the Fight Against Slavery

The following summary about a branch of the Thompson family was compiled by Dr. Russell Miller (Webmaster) for version 1 of the Wilson-Thompson Family Association website. Dr. Miller compiled the information using the 1916 Genealogy of the Wilson-Thompson Families (aka Genealogy).

“There is no doubt that the Wilson-Thompson Family (WTF) has had its share of family members who served with distinction in all wars of this country from the Revolutionary, to the Civil, to today. However, little or no printed information may now exist about their service to their country. On the other hand, the military history of one individual family, during the Civil War, has been well documented—that is the family of Lewis Thompson (1807-1866) and Rosanna Gordon (1808-1895)--they had five children for whom there is detailed printed material (especially related to slavery and the Civil War) in the records of the Wilson-Thompson genealogy.”

Here are their stories.

Lewis (1807-1866) & Rosanna Gordon Thompson (1809-1894):

“Lewis Thompson and his wife Rosanna were both original members of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, and from 1846 to the breaking out of the Civil War, Lewis Thompson was the publisher of the Pennsylvania Freeman, the weekly organ of the Anti-Slavery Society of which John G. Whittier had been for some years editor. He suffered considerably from the attacks of the pro-slavery party, his office being frequently threatened by mobs. He was in Pennsylvania Hall when it was burned by the pro-slavery mob in 1828 and his house was a depot on the Underground Railroad over which numerous slaves found their way to freedom.” (Genealogy page 218)

Rosanna married Lewis in 1830 in Philadelphia. She was an active member of National American Woman Suffrage Association. She had eight children, of which five reached maturities.

Five of their children were very active in the Civil War to end slavery, as well as being involved in other military events. Their gravestone at Thompson Memorial Cemetery reads “Duty Was Their Creed”

James Gordon Thompson (1836-1901):

“…eldest son of Lewis and Rosanna Thompson…news of the surrender of Fort Sumter reached New York on April 14. Mr. Thompson…immediately decided to enlist…in Company A, 71st New York Regiment…was appointed Captain by Major General Rufus Saxton…took an active part in the reconstruction of South Carolina as a state…was appointed Commissioner of the United States Courts in South Carolina…was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1860, 1864, 1868, 1876…died in Washington DC August 6, 1901…remains were cremated and ashes interred in the Thompson Memorial Church in Solebury PA, Bucks County, PA.” (Genealogy, page 278).

Major Lewis Tappan Thompson (1838-1876):

“...enlisted with his brother James Gordon Thompson in Company A, 71st Regiment New York Volunteers…He was then appointed aid on the staff of General John C. Freemont, with the rank of Lieutenant…was subsequently appointed Captain of a Company in the third Kansas Calvary, for signal bravery and generalship…he was recommended by General Lane to the War Department for promotion…he was captured…and carried to the notorious Libby Prison…where he remained until a special parole was arranged for him by his brother-in-law General Rufus Saxton…on September 5 1865, he was brevetted Major for distinguished services during the war…appointed Indian Agent in Colorado….participating in many bloody encounters with the savages and having a number of hair breath escapes from death at their hands…to take part in the great campaign against the Sioux, and narrowly escaped the fate of General Custer and his command, when they were surrounded and massacred by Sitting Bull and his band. Major Thompson’s letter to his brother James, predicted the disaster several weeks before it happened….” (Genealogy, page 281)

Matilda Gordon Thompson (1840-1915):

“wife of a Civil War General…only surviving daughter of Lewis and Rosanna (Gordon) Thompson, graduated with distinction from the Normal School of Philadelphia, and was selected as teacher of English by end of the First State Normal School, Millersville, Pennsylvania, but did not accept the offer. She was married March 11,1863, to Major General Rufus Saxton, and remained with him in the field during the remainder of the war….and after the close of the war followed him to his different posts of command.” (Genealogy, page 283)

She is buried with her husband in the Arlington National Cemetery. More information regarding Major Saxton is found Genealogy, page 283-285 and www.arlingtoncemetery.net/saxton.htm.

Thomas Neely Thompson (1843-1897):

“…third son of Lewis and Rosanna Gordon Thompson…in 1861, when the call for troops…He enlisted aa a private…a Sargent…promoted to the rank of Frist Lieutenant…was later brevetted Captain for courage and gallant conduct on the field…in January 1863, he was appointed Captain in the Second South Carolina Colored Regiment, afterward…participated in the occupation of Jacksonville, Florida, and in Briney’s expedition up the St. John’s River. His Regiment also saw active service in the siege of Charlestown, on Folly, Johns and Morris Islands…He enlisted in the expedition, and with his companions was saved from the Spanish garrote by being cast away on one of the Florida Keys…in 1878, he was editing a paper in Indian Territory, and printing the laws in Choctaw…He always found friends who loved him for his sunny temper and his readiness to turn his hand to any pursuit that provided bread and new experience…died in Cincinnati, Ohio, after prolonged illness...”(Genealogy, page 285).

Charles Burleigh Thompson (1846-1901):

“…youngest son of Lewis and Rosanna (Gordon) Thompson…was a student in Philadelphia High School when war broke out with the South, not yet fifteen years of age, but he ardently desired to join his brothers in the army. In response to a letter to Colonel Wm. I. Palmer, in command of the Anderson Calvery, offering ‘Charlie’ a position on his staff to look after his papers, etc., the boy was mustered into Anderson’s Calvery at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1862, but on account of his age and size, was discharged October 18, 1862. Failing to get into the Army, Charles B. Thompson, resumed his studies…he studied law and was admitted to the Philadelphia Bar, June 1881…On January 9, 1877, he was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Fifth United States Infantry…he reported at once…was assigned temporary duty with Company D…in the field against hostile Indians…He was made field Quartermaster of the expedition…160 miles up the Yellowstone…he participated in the fight of Little Rosebud…He suffered many privations and narrow escapes from hostile savages…he was thrown from his horse on a steep hillside and badly injured…appointed Regimental Quartermaster of is regiment…he was appointed by President Harrison, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, United States Army,…reported for duty at Washington DC…in charge of the construction of the Post at Little Rock Arkansas…he performed throughout the war with Spain…The letters and telegrams to the War Department from high officials, both military and civil, recommending this appointment as a recognition of his services and ability, show a high appreciation of his character and abilities by those with whom he came in contact. He died August 17, 1901. He was unmarried….” (Genealogy, page 286).