Robert Thompson
M, #14507, b. 1823, d. 1897
| Father* | John Thompson b. c 1793, d. bt 1841 - 1850 |
| Mother* | Elizabeth Grier |
| Note* | Notes for ROBERT THOMPSON (by Louise Power, via Leta): Cheryl and Leta, I just returned from four days in Salem, OR, looking into the Grier (Greer)/Thompson/Drake family members that are buried in the Salem/Silverton/Stayton area. I found some particularly interesting information on Robert THOMPSON and Rachel HARRIS THOMPSON. As you know, Robert was the son of John THOMPSON and Elizabeth GREER; Rachel was the daughter of Isaac HARRIS and Mary Jane DRUMM. John was the brother of my gg grandmother Mary Ann THOMPSON HARRIS (seems that the Harrises and the Thompsons intermarried a lot). Well this has gone on long enough, so let me know what you're interested in. Louise Anyway, the only wife I ever saw listed for Robert THOMPSON was Rachel. Only, that is, until I visited the State Archives in Salem, OR, last week and got a copy of Robert's will and probate documents. On page two of the typescript will (signed 28 November 1894), it says, in part: "I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Jane B. Thompson, the sum of $800.00 in money to be paid at my death; I also give, grant and bequeath to said Jane B. Thompson the property where we now live in Marquam, Clackamas County, State of Oregon, described as follows to wit: Commencing 24 feet South of the South West corner of the house in which we now live in Marquam; thence running along the road North East 54 rods; thence North 22 rods; thence South of West 36 rods; thence South 26 [might be 28] rods; thence West 13 rods; thence South 36 rods to place of beginning, containing 10 acres more or less. It is my desire that she is to have use of this land and property, and in case said Jane B. Thompson moves away from said premises or marries again then and in that case it is to go to be the property of my son Charles D. Thompson. I also give, grant and bequeath to my said wife my horse and buggy and harness." In a holographic codicil dated 20 July 1895, she is again mentioned as follows (just part of the codicil): "Now I do by this writing which I hereby declare to be a codicil to my said will to be taken as a part thereof, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Jane B. Thompson all household furniture including Kitchen utencils [sic] Beding [sic] &ct.[sic] to hold Same or give to my four children Mary J. Robbins Rose A. Robbins. Rhoda A. Gray and C.D. Thompson as She may see fit, my wife to hold the above mentioned furniture &ct. [sic]. As long as She remais my widow or lives on the premises, if She Should move off the premises the above named household furniture &ct.[sic] to be equelly [sic] divided between my four children." This is not, comparing Robert's signature with the handwriting of the codicil, a true holographic codicil since it looks like he did not write it himself. But it is handwritten. Probably by his lawyer. By the date of the codicil, he was 72 years old. Rachel (spelled Rachael on the probate documents) had died in 1886, so I guess he married this Jane shortly (or an appropriate time) thereafter. I guess men didn't live by themselves in those days. Jane was 56 years old when Robert died 11 February 1897. They could have been married as much as 10 years. I have to assume that since no children other than four of his children with Rachel and one grandchild (son of Wade, dec.) were mentioned, Robert and Jane had no children. I found no marriage announcements for them. I'll probably have to go to Oregon City, the county seat of Clackamas Co, and look up the records. Unfortunately, Oregon didn't require registration of marriage and death records until after the turn of the century (around 1907), so there may be nothing. Also, since she wasn't buried in the family plot in the Miller Cemetery, she must have (assuming, again) remarried after Robert's death and is probably buried with another family. So, we have a mystery wife. Have either of you heard of her? Also, I have about 100 pages of probate documents for Robert and Rachel. A lesser number for John and Elizabeth DRAKE, plus about 20 or so pages copied out of scrapbooks and books at the Silverton Library. If you have interest in any of these, let me know and I will have them copied and send them. I also have photos of Miller Cemetery and the gravesites for the Thompsons and Drakes. Photos of Thompson gravesites in the Pioneer Cemetery in Salem. Photos of the Grier gravesites in the Grier-Campbell Stayton Pioneer Cemetery in Stayton. Let me know if you're interested in any of these and I'll scan them and send them to you electronically. Estate records for Rachel Harris Thompson (25 pages), daughter of Isaac Harris and Mary Jane Drumm, wife of Robert Thompson. Estate records for Robert Thompson (55 pages), son of John Thompson and Elizabeth Greer/Grier, husband of Rachel Harris Thompson. Estate records for Hugh Thompson (21 pages), husband of Sarah Greer (sister of Rachel Greer Thompson). This is not the Hugh who is the son of Robert and Rachel Thompson. Probably the brother of John Thompson (husband of Elizabeth Greer/Grier Thompson). They are listed in the register of 1852 Emigrants on the Oregon Trail composed by Leah Menafee. This list, donated by Richard Milligan, shows 16 Thompsons and three Drakes and is available on the web.* Also available from Louise Power * http://linnhistory.peak.org/1852/index.htm Notes for RACHEL HARRIS: Estate records for Rachel Harris Thompson (25 pages), daughter of Isaac Harris and Mary Jane Drumm, wife of Robert Thompson. Estate records for Robert Thompson (55 pages), son of John Thompson and Elizabeth Greer/Grier, husband of Rachel Harris Thompson. Estate records for Hugh Thompson (21 pages), husband of Sarah Greer (sister of Rachel Greer Thompson). This is not the Hugh who is the son of Robert and Rachel Thompson. Probably the brother of John Thompson (husband of Elizabeth Greer/Grier Thompson). They are listed in the register of 1852 Emigrants on the Oregon Trail composed by Leah Menafee. This list, donated by Richard Milligan, shows 16 Thompsons and three Drakes and is available on the web.* * http://linnhistory.peak.org/1852/index.htm Estate records for Rachel Harris Thompson (25 pages), daughter of Isaac Harris and Mary Jane Drumm, wife of Robert Thompson. (Available from Louise Power) More About ROBERT THOMPSON and RACHEL HARRIS: Marriage: June 12, 1845, Morgan County, Ohio More About ROBERT THOMPSON and JANE THOMPSON: Marriage: November 22, 1888, Marquam, Clackamas, Oregon.1 | |
| Birth* | 1823 | Robert Thompson was born in 1823. |
| Death* | 1897 | He died in 1897. |
| Last Edited | 22 Nov 2003 |
Citations
- [S173] email from Leta Goedert.