Hugh Thompson, schoolmaster

HUGH THOMPSON, the eldest of the emigrant brothers, was born in Ireland in 1720. With Thomas More, of Plumstead, he was granted letters of administration in the estate of Robert Thompson, of Wrightstown, October 3, 1745, signing his name to the bond in a good round hand very similar to his later signatures, including that to his will.

In the administrator's bond he is named as "Hugh Thompson, of Wrightstown, laborer," but he was for many years and up to the time of his death, a schoolmaster. This vocation, being of a more or less itinerant nature, naturally led to frequent change of residence in his earlier days. He seems to have resided in the neighborhood of Solebury at the time of the marriage of his brother Robert to the widow Simpson in 1748, as Robert takes credit for cash paid to him in the settlement of the Simpson estate. He was a resident of Philadelphia at the time of the baptism of his two sons John and William 1754-1757, at the 2d Presbyterian Church.

A Hugh Thompson is enrolled as a member of Captain Thomas' Solebury Company of Militia in the Revolution (Penna. Archives, Fifth Series, Vol. 5, p. 445.) who was doubtless the schoolmaster.

The tax list of Newtown 1779, the earliest list preserved shows Hugh Thompson taxed for one cow. His name appears regularly in the tax lists of Newtown from that date until his death in 1797. By deed dated September 31, 1788, he purchased a lot in Newtown on which he erected the house in which he died, at the corner of Court and Penn streets.

WILL OF HUGH THOMPSON.

I, Hugh Thompson, of Newtown, the County of Bucks and State of Penna. Schoolmaster being in health of body and of sound mind and memory. Blessed be God for the same; but considering the uncertainty of this Mortal Life do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. That is to say first I do order and it is my Will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be first be paid, next I do

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give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Sarah Thompson the use of all my Estate Real and Personal during her natural life and at her death I do give and bequeath and devise my house and lot of land in Newtown aforesaid unto my son John Thompson and to his Heirs and assigns forever except one third part of the yearly value of rent of the same which I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth, wife of Abraham Johnson during her natural life only, and as often as the said house and lot may wanting repairs my said daughter shall be at one third of the expense of the same and I do give and bequeath unto my grandson Robert Thompson and my grandson Hugh Johnson to each the sum of Ten Pounds and to my granddaughter Hannah Thompson Pitner the sum of Five Pounds out of my Personal Estate to be paid within one year after the decease of my wife Sarah and if any money of my personal Estate remain after the above Legacies are paid it is my Will and I do order it to be equally divided between all my grand children share and share alike and I do give and bequeath unto my grandson, Robert Thompson all my books and Instruments tending to navigation and the others to be sold and I do hereby appoint my beloved wife, Sarah Thompson Executrix and son John Thompson and my cousin William Neely Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Eighth day of August in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-five. Signed, Sealed Published and Declared by the above named Hugh Thompson to be his last Will and Testament in presence of us.

SUSANNA WORSTALL, HUGH THOMPSON.

JOSEPH WORSTALL,

This will was proved at Newtown August 17, 1798 before James Hannah, Register.

Hugh Thompson died September 1797, and he lies buried in the graveyard of the Presbyterian Church. The maiden name of the wife is unknown.