JOHN THOMPSON
By Gertrude Anna Thompson

  John Thompson was born around 1750 in North Carolina and served 84 months in
the Revolutionary War.  Although in later life he was referred to as Colonel
Thompson, his rank was private.

  After the war, he returned to his native North Carolina and in 1780 married
Grizzel Ellis, who was born around 1755.  Around this time he and his wife 
operated a mill in Hillsboro, North Carolina.  His mill was across from the
county court house and he and his wife were frequently called to witness wills,
deeds, and bills-of-sale.  These date until 1795.

  In 1795 he received a land grant, No. 1338, from the state of North Carolina
for service in the war.  This grant was for 156 1/2 acres.   The warrant issued
was No. 1079 for land on the north side of the Nolinchucky River in Bedford
County, Tennessee.

  Apparently East Tennessee didn't appeal to John and Grizzel, as in April 26,
1798, he surrendered his initial grant and received a grant from the State of
Tennessee, warrant NO. 2407 for 640 acres in Davidson County.

  Later he and his family moved on south to near Murfreesboro.  In 1804 he was
appointed justice of the peace.  He received eight additional land grants in
Rutherford and other counties for his services as a county official.

  His children were David, Joseph, Jesse, William, Sally, Jenny, Catherine and
Peggy.  Jesse and his wife Patience Carr, were the ones who came to Fulton
County.

  The will of John Thompson was probated at the January, 1827 court a
Murfreesboro, and his wife died around 1820.  Both are buried at the Thompson
Cemetery on the Duck River ten miles west of Shelbyville, Tennessee.

  Member of the Jacob Flournoy Chapter, DAR who are descendants of John Thompson 
are Mrs. Ernest Cardwell, Mrs. Geraldine McMahan, and Miss Gertrude Anna
Thompson.

Taken from the Fulton Dailey Leader, Fulton, Kentucky, May 3, 1974.