Patrick County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Biographies.....Thompson, Samuel November 18, 1869 - July 6, 1934
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ron Martin cindyandron@bellsouth.net July 13, 2023, 9:30 pm

Author: Ron Martin

   Samuel Amos Thompson passed away on Friday, July 6, 1934 at 11:30 PM at his 
home in Stuart, Virginia at the age of 64 after an eighteen month illness.  He 
was born on November 18, 1869, the first child of William Pleasant Thompson and 
Sarah A. Hall Thompson.
    He attended William and Mary College and was a law school graduate of 
Washington and Lee.  He was a prophet in the law school commencement exercises 
held on June 16, 1896.   While he was attending law school, he was nominated by 
the Patrick County Democratic party as a representative for Patrick County in 
the House of Delegates in October, 1893.  He was immediately thrust into the 
spotlight in December, 1893 in regards to an investigation into appropriations 
in a Senatorial election.  The following month, he introduced a piece of 
legislature designed to save the State about $2000 annually. 
  After his tenure in the legislature, he returned home to Patrick County to 
practice law and on August 16, 1896, he married Martha Ruth Wright, the daughter 
of Nash Jefferson Wright and Nancy “Nannie” Jane Via Wright of Dodson.
  During his life, he was a prominent figure in the business and life of Stuart, 
Virginia.  He was a community leader and advocate in the Patrick County courts 
and surrounding courts as well as serving as an Elder in the Primitive Baptist 
Church at both Green Hill Primitive Baptist Church and later, he served as a 
charter member and the first Elder at Stuart Primitive Baptist Church.   He 
served for many years as Commissioner of Revenue as well as Mayor of the Town of 
Stuart.  He was also quite active in the activities of the Patrick County 
Democratic party.
  His ministry began on September 9, 1905 when Thompson and his wife Martha came 
forward at Green Hill Primitive Baptist Church and was received by letter.    On 
August 13, 1910, after hearing Thompson in relation to the call to the ministry, 
the church gave him the liberty to exercise his gift in the bounds of the 
church.   On Friday, October 13, 1911, the Presbytery appointed by the Smith 
River Primitive Baptist Association gathered at the request of Green Hill 
Primitive Baptist Church.  Upon this Presbytery, Thompson was delivered and 
examined as to his fitness and qualification for a Gospel Ministry.  The 
Presbytery after an extensive examination and hearing him provide evidence of 
his call found him orthodox sound in the faith and by prayer and laying on 
hands, set him apart to the full functions of the Gospel Ministry.  
  On August 14, 1915, the church granted Thompson and his wife letters of 
dismission to join another church of the same faith as well as David Harbor 
Martin and Harriett Bowling Martin.  All four members were instrumental in the 
beginning at Stuart Primitive Baptist Church.  
  Mr. Thompson participated in some of the highest profile trials in the 
judicial history of Patrick County including the ten-day trial in Stuart in 
March 1907 on an application by a company for a license to operate a distillery 
at Hartwell which was near the Floyd County line.  He along with attorney John 
W. Carter of Martinsville represented the anti-license group people.
  In July 1923, he was involved in another huge trial when a citizen was wounded 
by one of three officers who were pursuing him since he returned to Stuart after 
he had been told to remain out of Patrick County for a period of six months.  
The wounded citizen retained a Martinsville attorney, John R. Smith and warrants 
were sworn for the three officers.   The citizens of Stuart who were very 
interested in the case hired Thompson, H.L. Hooker, and R.P. Sanford to assist 
Smith in prosecuting the officers.
  In November, 1923, Thompson was involved in a controversial Commonwealth’s 
Attorney race in Stuart in opposition to R.E. Woolwine in which seemingly every 
attorney in Stuart was involved in some way and had strong opinions about the 
race.  
  Another huge trail took place beginning on March 8, 1927 when two men from 
Dodson were put on trial for the murder of three people in a moonshining 
shootout in Fayerdale.  Thompson as well as H.L. Fagge assisted Patrick County 
Commonwealth’s Attorney R.E. Woolwine for the prosecution in the three day trial 
which resulted in headlines across the country due to the nature of the crime.   
Later this event spawned a book called “The Fayerdale Tragedy”.
  The year before his death in February, 1933, he represented the prosecution in 
a huge murder case in Stuart in which a constable was murdered.  
  Sadly around March, 1933, he became ill according to newspaper accounts.   Two 
months later, the society news stories stated that he was seriously ill at his 
residence.
  On Friday night, July 6, he passed away leaving his wife and four children.   
Murray Thompson is the proprietor and editor of The Enterprise.   Dr. William 
Nash Thompson is a prominent physician in Stuart.  Mrs. Sallie Ruth Thompson 
Church and Miss Vergie Thompson also survive.  The funeral will be held at 2 PM 
on Sunday with interment at the Stuart Cemetery.


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