Yesterday I shared the last will and testament of my 5th great-grandfather, Rev. Benjamin Thompson (d. 1853). He was born between 1765 and 1769 in North Carolina, son of Closs Thompson (d. abt 1800) and Jane Jones.
Benjamin married Mary, daughter of Jacob Foster, on 29 September 1797 in Campbell County, Kentucky. Several of Benjamin’s and Mary’s children were born in Kentucky, but the family was in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri by the early 1800s.
Benjamin became a member of the Baptist clergy in 1822 and became pastor of Bethel Church near Jackson, MO in 1826. He preached there until his death 27 years later.
Children of Benjamin and Mary Thompson:
- Elizabeth Thompson (d. abt 1881) m. (1) Henry Devore; (2) Charles ?
- Rebecca Thompson (d. bef. 1853) m. Joseph Franks
- Mary Thompson (d. bef. 1853) m. John Strong
- Jane Thompson (b. abt 1804) m. Samuel Patterson
- Lucinda Thompson (b. abt 1812) m. Harmon B. Lincecum
- Samuel Thompson (b. abt 1808) m. (1) Amanda Jane Crump; (2) Diadama ?
- Benjamin Wilson Thompson (b. abt 1817) m. Marthew “Martha” Wilkenson
- Celia Thompson (b. abt 1818) m. James H. Crump
- Henry Lee Thompson (1820-1903) m. (1) Rebecca Wilkerson; (2) Hannah Deck
- Sarena Irene Thompson (d. bef. 1836) m. Joel Kinder
Following copied from minutes of Bethel Church, 11 Feb 1854. Copyright The Primitive Baptist Library. [via FamilySearch Family Tree; entry for Benjamin W. Thompson, 1769-1853:
Departed this life the 31st day of December, 1853, Elder Benjamin Thompson, aged eighty years. He joined the Regular Baptist Church called Bethel near Jackson, in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, on February 8, A. D. 1812, and was licensed to preach the gospel on June 8, A. D. 1822, and was ordained a minister of the Gospel, March 12, A. D. 1825; and September 9, A. D. 1826, was chosen pastor of said church, and remained pastor until the day of his death. Elder Thompson as a preacher was sound in the faith that was delivered to the saints. His life was an example to all people that knew him. When at home he was engaged in working on his farm at peace with all his neighbors, and when out preaching the word, he freely gave it, for as much as it was given to him freely, so he made the Gospel without a charge. Believing with all his heart that it was his duty to preach wherever his mind led him, if any opportunity served, and so he did, all the time, till his age and weakness became so that he had to stay at his own dwelling, where he was kindly waited on until the messenger of death was prepared to separate his spirit from his body. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, yea, saith the Spirit, for they shall rest from their labour, and their works do follow them. He left a wife and one son and grandson on the farm, and other children scattered about with many brethren and neighbors and friends to mourn his loss.
Visit the Rev. Benjamin Thompson / Mary Foster family page in the Lincecum Lineage database.
Stephanie Lincecum Genealogy 