USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Historical sketches : a collection of papers prepared for the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 30
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Lieutenant Archibald Thompson at the same election was chosen lieutenant colonel of the Fifth Battalion district, com- prising the townships of Norrington, Whitemarsh, Plymouth, Whitpain, Worcester and New Providence. Robert Curry* was elected colonel, and John Edwardst major of this battalion. These officers' commissions were dated may May 6, 1777.
On the 23d of September, 1777, the British, while giving chase to General Washington and his troops after their defeat at the battle of Brandywine, as they, the Americans, retreated in the direction of Warwick furnace and Pottstown, General
*Colonel Robert Curry was Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Thompson's step- father by marriage and a resident of Norriton.
tMajor John Edwards at this time was a prosperous and influential farmer who resided on a plantation in New Providence township now owned and occu- pied by Mr. Albert Crawford, near Shannonville.
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Howe with his troops crossed the Schuylkill at Fatland (Val- ley Forge) and Gordon's (Phoenixville) Fords, marching in the direction of Philadelphia. A portion of General Howe's army camped for the night on the north side of Stony run (creek), Norristown.
At this time Colonel Thompson was home, sick, and con- fined to his bed. When it was learned by those about him of the enemy's approach he was gathered up in the bed clothes, carried from his room and securely hidden in the leaves and bushes near the creek in the woods some distance west of the inn .* The British searched for Colonel Thompson ; their labors were in vain, and they retaliated by applying a torch to the inn and partly burning the building. +For this damage done Colonel Thompson by the British the State in 1782 al- lowed his widow Hannah Thompson £807.
Colonel Thompson was grieved and angered at the wanton destruction of his property by the British ; neverthe- less he immediately set to work and had the damaged prop- erty rebuilt.
That the Tories in the neighborhood were active in aiding and abetting the royal cause at the expense and distress of the active patriots, such as pointing out the homes and plantations and rendering other assistance to the British troops while here, plainly showed itself by the destruction of other property that took place at the same time.
*The exact location of this hiding place as near as I can learn, was close by the tenant house, now owned by John Thomas, near a branch of Indian creek, west of Jeffersonville.
tAs confirmatory evidence of the destruction of said building at this time by the British I copy the following extract taken from Gernan MS .- a journal kept at that date by H. M. Muhlenberg. Mr. Muhlenberg's residence at that time was at the Trappe in New Providence. Entry dated Wednesday, September 24, 1777 : "A portion of the British army is still lying about five miles southeast from our house, and to-day the American army is coming back from New Hanover. Toward evening we saw several high rising smokes and are informed that the British have burned the houses of militia officers. * *- Life of Major-General P. Muhlenberg, page 344.
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The following extract of a letter* explains the exasperated condition these loyal sufferers were wrought into for the future protection of their property and families :
" COL. JOSEPH REED TO PRESIDENT WHARTON.t
" HEADQUARTERS, JAMES NORRIS', 17 MILES FROM " PHILADELPHIA, ON THE SKIPPACK ROAD, OCTOBER 30TH, 1777. "Si) :- * The seizure of the estates of those who join the enemy is highly necessary and I think it should extend to those who volun. tarily serve them as spies, guides, pilots, or execute other offices under them. The burning of houses who act vigorously in the militia, receive stores, etc , is attended with the most ruinous consequences and ought to be prevented by all possible means. I have mentioned it here, but amidst other business it has not been sufficiently attended to. It appears to me to be an indispensable duty of the board at which you preside to protect as much as possible those who are employed in your service. I would beg leave to propose that immediate application to be made to Congress for an instruction to Gen. Washington to write General Howe upon the subject, specifying Col. Thompson, Col. Dewees and Col. Bull, and threatening immediate retaliation if any such outrage is committed in the future. It is the more necessary that these sufferers talk loudly of taking the matter into their own hands, and I need not describe the disorder and consequences that might ensue should that be the case. I don't think the loss of two or three houses to be compared to the advantages that would result from a security to our vigorous and active friend against so distressing calamity.
Washington, after his defeat at Germantown, retired with his army to Whitemarsh; thence, after some delay, on De- cember 17, 1777, he went into winter quarters at Valley Forge. A line of videttes were placed on the Ridge road toward Phila- delphia, and Colonel Thompson's inn was selected for the quarters of one of these outposts. The hotel buildings gave shelter and protection from the severe weather to those troops that were on duty here.
This inn, situated as it is in close proximity to Valley Forge, was undoubtedly frequented by many of the American troops during this sad winter's encampment. Without a doubt all visiting troopers received their share of attention at the hands of these kind people, associated in the same cause-the best that a public house could afford under the trying circum-
*Life and correspondence of President Joseph Reed, Vol. i, p. 332.
+Thomas Wharton, Jr., was at this time presiding officer of the Supreme Ex- ecutive Council.
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stances existing in this section at that time. Some touching and heart-rending stories might here be told in relation to the trying and denying times of these distressed people, if such were not lost with the forgotten and unrecorded events of fleeting time.
The Assembly of this state secured its first quorum at Lancaster in the second week in October, 1777. . One of the first acts of this body, after convening, was the passage of an act creating a "Council of Safety," and investing this body with extraordinary powers in view of the enemy's presence, especially to seize property, levy troops and punish traitors. This newly created council sat from October 17th to December 6th, 1777, and was then dissolved. One of the first acts of this appointed body was the passage of a confiscation ordi- nance directed against the " personal estates" of such of the inhabitants of this commonwealth who had abandoned their families or habitations and joined or should join the British army, or who supplied it with provisions, intelligence or other aid. For the county of Philadelphia, Col. Archibald Thomp- son was appointed one of the commissioners to carry the said act in effect.
The following letter explains itself :*
" PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, NOVEMBER THE ISTH, 1777.
" Sirs :-- As we, the subscribers, together with James Stroud and Daniel Heister, are appointed by the honorable council of safety, commissioners for the purpose of seizing on the personal estates of such of the inhabitants of the county of Philadelphia as have or hereafter shall abandon their families or habitations to join the army of the King of Great Britain, etc. And as the same James Stroud refuses to serve as a commissioner for said purpose, and said Daniel Heister hath been for a considerable time past out of the state on business, and it is not known when he will return, therefore as there appears to us much business to be done by the commissioner of this county, we request the Honorable Council, if they think proper, to add Col. William Dean, Dr. Archibald McLean, and Col. George Smith to the number of commissioners already appointed for the county of Philadelphia,
*Penna. Archives, p. 13, 1777-Ist series.
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which, if the council sees proper to do, certificate of their appointment should be sent them as soon as possible, for we have need of their services immediately.
" We are, sir, with the greatest,
" Your most obedient, humble servants,
" ROBERT LOLLER, " WILLIAM ANTES, "ARCHIBALD THOMPSON.
" P. S .- If they are appointed we would be glad that if you could send cer- tificate of appointment by bearer of this letter.
"To His Excellency, Thomas Wharton, President of the Supreme Executive Council.
" Express."
The tone and the character of the above written letter imply that the undersigned commissioners were bent on per- forming with vigor their ascribed or assigned duties.
The Supreme Executive Council in session at Lancaster, Wednesday, May 6, 1778,* took into consideration the ap- pointment of commissioners or agents, agreeably to an act of General Assembly, entitled an " Act for the Attainder of Di- vers Traitors, etc., within the Commonwealth of Penna." Among the named persons appointed to carry said act of for- feited estate into effect for and in the county of Philadelphia, was Colonel Archibald Thompson.
At a meeting of the Supreme Executive Councilt at Phil- adelphia, on Thursday, July 23, 1778, Colonel Thompson and Colonel Antes, two of the agents for seizing forfeited estates, represented that the said duty was too great and extensive to be executed by them alone; Colonel Heister having declined to serve, on consideration, ordered " that Col. John Moore, Capt. Joseph Blewer and Mr. George Smith be appointed agents for seizing and disposing of the forfeited estates according to law, in addition to the agents already appointed for the county of Philadelphia.
It was stated at the meeting of the Supreme Executive Council at Lancaster, on Wednesday, February 18, 1778, that Lieutenant William Coates, of the county of Philadelphia, was then a prisoner with the enemy. "Ordered, that Colonel
*Colonial Records, p. 479, Vol. xi.
+Colonial Records, p. 537, Vol. xi.
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Archibald Thompson, sub-Lieutenant of the county of Phila- delphia, be authorized and empowered to act in behalf of the said Colonel Coates as Lieutenant,* and to exert himself in recovering the substitution money in that county which greatly is wanted for recruiting services."
Colonel Archibald Thompson continued to act as Lieu- tenant for the county of Philadelphia for over one year-until Colonel Coates' exchange was effected, which took place on March 29, 1779.
The following is a letter from President Joseph Reed to Col. Archibald Thompson : t
" IN COUNCIL, PHILADELPHIA, DEC. 4TH, 1778.
" Sir :- The council having received word from Col. Wall, Lieutenant of the county of Bucks, that a class of militia of that county has yielded but about one hundred men, there is too much reason to fear that the militia of Philadelphia county will also fall greatly short of the number expected from the class already ordered, and as a delay of 5 or 6000 men, even for a few days, in a place where proper provision has not been made for them, would be attended with alarming consequences, and eat up the country around them for a considerable distance, the council finds themselves under the necessity to order out, and you are hereby to call out two or more classes of militia of this county from the same Battalion out of which the last call was made, and march them with all possible expedition to Sherrard's Ferry.
" The council sees and laments the great hardship it is to the * * to have so many classes called out at one time, and so suddenly, but the service must be performed, and immediately, and it is evident that the remissness of those already called renders the present order indispensably necessary.
" Your zeal, &c. (as in letter to Col. Wall).
"The enclosed letter from Col. Blane, to whose conduct the convention troops are committed, will inform you of the route they take, and his orders are to be obeyed. " Your obedient servant, " JOSEPH REED.
"To Col. Archibald Thompson, Lieutenant of Philada. county."
The letter to Colonel Wall above noted is from V. P. George Bryan, dated November 26, 1778. It has reference to a letter from His Excellency, George Washington, through the Board of War for four or five hundred militia, to guard the prisoners taken at Saratoga through this state on their
*Penna. Archives, Vol. 3, p. 221-2d series.
+Colonial Records, p. 419, Vol. I.
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way southward. Their intended march was by way of Read- ing, Lancaster and Hanover.
At the general election held in Philadelphia county on the 12th day of October, 1779, Col. Archibald Thompson was elected a member of General Assembly for the State of Penn- sylvania. The Assembly met for reorganization October 25, 1779. On account of illness Colonel Thompson was never able to be present at any of its meetings to take the oath of office. He died November 19, 1779, in the thirty-ninth year of his age. At a special election held November 26, 1779, Joseph Blewer was elected to fill the vacancy in General Assembly caused by the death of Archibald Thompson, Esq.
Col. Archibald Thompson was ever active and must have been an extremely busy man during the revolutionary period. We find him all at one time as agent to confiscate real and personal estates of tories, Lieutenant of the county of Phila- delphia, and Lieutenant Colonel of the troops of the Fifth Battalion district. All of these commissions during the excit- ing times of war were important to fill, and involved much labor. To perform each as occasion demanded necessitated · considerable time and forbearance ; besides, there were Colonel Thompson's private interests, his inn and plantation, that needed personal supervision and attention. Probably it was these associated cares and trials, with the great physical en- durance and exposure that this faithful man was subjected to from so much horseback riding, etc., that led him, just in the prime of life to an early grave.
A wife (Hannah) and seven small children survived Col- onel Thompson at the time of his death. The children's names were Sarah, Robert, Joseph, Mark, Benjamin, Archibald and Mary.
Colonel Thompson's remains lie interred in the old Nor- riton (Presbyterian) burying ground. The following inscrip- tion is cut on the tablet marking the grave :
" He was a tender husband and indulgent father,
A firm patriot, and a friend to the distressed."
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No more fitting words in brevity could be written indica- tive of this good and noble man's trait of character than these two lines. They are pathetic, filled with much expression, and placed there by one who sadly mourned the loss.
Col. Archibald Thompson, in his day, was a man of con- siderable intelligence and prominence, and of more than ordi- nary ability. He enjoyed the confidence and respect of the community in which he lived and in general. He was ever alert and active in any local or general affairs productive of public good.
Colonel Thompson died intestate. Hannah Thompson (widow), Mark Thompson (brother), and John Bartholomew (father-in-law), of Chester county, administered to the estate.
The inventory of the personal property of Col. Archibald Thompson, deceased, was quite large, and of great variety. A few of the enumerated articles are : " Five horses (a riding horse), five cows, steers, swine, riding chair and harness, wagons, sleds, harness, saddle bridle, saddle bag, holsters and pistols, farming utensels, corn, wheat, rye, oats, buckwheat, flaxseed, hay, straw ; houshold furniture (in great variety), two wheels and reels, watch, desk, rifles, horn, cortridge box," etc.
As the inventory was made in 1779, in the midst of ex- citing times of the revolutionary war, Pennsylvania currency had depreciated very much in its value, and the appraisers were in the necessity of filing two valuations to their appraise- ment, one column figuring the valuation in Pennsylvania cur- rency in 1779, and the other as the valuation would have been in 1774. The depreciation of the Pennsylvania currency at this time was about three hundred per cent. Major John Ed- wards and William Rees were the appraisors.
The widow never filed a settlement of the estate, but kept her family together, and continued at the innkeeping and farming until her death in 1789. In 1780, and thereafter until her death, the hotel license was annually granted in the name of Hannah Thompson.
Widow Thompson conducted a successful business at innkeeping. Necessity fashioned her for the position, and the 46
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business grew under her administration. She provided for her children a good education-a good one comparatively speaking for those days considering the disadvantages of at- taining such.
By act of Assembly in 1784 Montgomery county was created from Philadelphia county. Section 4 of said act reads thus *
* " At the same time the freemen of said county (Montgomery) shall meet at the house of Hannah Thompson, innkeeper, in the township of Norriton, and there elect repre- sentatives," etc.
In compliance with the above law the freemen of Mont- gomery county convened at the public house of Hannah Thompson in 1784, and elected the following named officers : Members of State Legislature-Peter Richards, Robert Loller, George Smith and Benjamin Rittenhouse; Sheriff, Zebulon Potts, Esq .; Coroner, Conrad Beyer ; Councillor, Daniel Heister.
At this time Montgomery county was but one election district, and the voters from all over the county were required to assemble at this appointed place to cast their ballots. The general election of Montgomery county was held at the public house of Hannah Thompson for 1784 and 1785. After the completion of the new court house, in Norristown, in 1785, the general elections of the county were he'd there until the county later on was divided into more election districts.
Widow Thompson died November 4, 1789, in the forty- second year of her age. Seven children survived her. She was interred beside the remains of her husband in the old Norriton (Presbyterian) burial ground. She died intestate. Sarah Thompson was the oldest child, and Robert Thompson the oldest son. Robert being of age administered to the es- tate; the personal property was quite large and of great variety.
Robert Thompson, being the oldest son, made application to the Orphans' Court, Norristown, February 11, 1790, to have the real estate of his father (Archibald Thompson, de- ceased) appraised and adjudged to him; which in due time
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and process of law was done. The appraised value of the same, with the improvements thereon, was seven pounds, eleven shillings and eight pence per acre.
All the children of Col. Archibald Thompson, deceased, at the time of their mother's death, were minors, with the ex- ception of Sarah and Robert. As there was considerable es- tate to be apportioned among them the Orphans' Court at Norristown was petitioned to appoint guardians. Col. Robert Curry was appointed guardian for Mary ; Major John Edwards was appointed guardian for Benjamin, Archibald and Mark; and Zebulon Potts, Esq., was appointed guardian for Joseph.
In 1791 the innkeepers' license was granted in the name of Robert Thompson. Robert Thompson at this time was an officer in the United States army. His first appointment was an ensign of an infantry regiment commanded by Colonel Jo- siah Harmer. His commission was dated September 29, 1789, and on June 4, 1791, he was promoted to a first lieutenancy, which commission he resigned January 10, 1792. After a short respite Robert Thompson again entered the army service ; he was appointed first lieutenant of infantry, March 5, 1792 ; assigned to Fourth Sub-Legion, September 4, 1792 ; promoted to captaincy, April 17, 1793. He was assigned to the Fourth United States Infantry November 1, 1796, and resigned his commission November 20, 1799.
Of Capt. Robert Thompson's military life I know nothing with the exception of a letter published by him in the Norris- town Gasette, in 1799, noting him on duty at that time on the frontier in Tennessee.
Capt. Robert Thompson never married, and died intestate, in the early part of March, 1801 ; his four brothers, namely, Mark, Benjamin, Joseph, and Archibald, and two sisters, Sarah and Mary, surviving him. Archibald Darrah (a brother-in- law), Mark and Benjamin Thompson, administered to the es- tate. His personal effects were few-a sorrel (riding) horse, saddle and bridle, gun, pistols, hostlers' disk, desk and a few sundry accounts. The estate showed clearly the chosen voca- tion this man followed.
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Although the innkeepers' license was granted in the name of Robert Thompson, 1791, I don't think this man ever per- sonally conducted this inn. Robert, about 1791, rented the inn to Archibald Darrah. The court annually thereafter granted the said license in the name of Archibald Darrah until 1804.
Archibald Darrah, early in his hotel career, married Sarah Thompson, Robert's sister, to whom later on three children were born, namely, Hannah, Rebecca and Mary.
On July 12, 1801, Archibald Darrah purchased from the heirs (brothers and sisters) of Capt. Robert Thompson, de- ceased, the inn and one hundred and thirty acres of land there- with, paying therefor twenty-four hundred pounds lawful gold or silver. Mr. Darrah retained possession of this property until 1810, when he disposed of the same to Isaac Markley, of Limerick township.
Archibald Darrah personally conducted this inn until 1803, in which year he rented the same to Frederick Hallman, of Worcester. Mr. Darrah completed in 1803 the erection of a stone dwelling house on a knoll on his lands southeast of the inn, on the south side of Ridge turnpike, to which place he then removed with his family. This dwelling is now owned by Mr. George Garrett.
About this time the sign-post, with Thomas Jefferson's portrait painted upon it, made its appearance. The post upon which the sign swung stood in the woods on the south side of Egypt road, opposite the hotel. As this community was rich in great admirers of Thomas Jefferson, undoubtedly this em- blem of their favorite swinging in the breezes was hailed with much joy and admiration.
Frederick Hallman continued as renter of the inn for two years, when he was succeeded on April 1, 1805, by Jacob Wykle (Weikle). Wykle remained but one year, when on April 1, 1806, he was followed by Samuel Patterson.
In 1805 Archibald Darrah advertised the inn at private sale, " with eighty acres of land, twenty-six whereof are wood- land; fourteen acres of natural meadow land, and the rest handsomely divided into fields and all under clover. The stand
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is located in Norriton township, at the junction of the Lan- caster and Reading post roads ; nineteen miles from Philadel- phia and two miles from Norristown ; equal if not superior to any stand between Philadelphia and Reading * * "
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Samuel Patterson remained here as renter for two years. On May 4, 1806, a meeting of the Democratic Vigilance Com- mittee was held at his place; Major John Armstrong was ap- pointed chairman of the meeting ; John McFarland, secretary, and Stephen Porter, treasurer.
On November 15, 1806, the Democratic Republicans of Montgomery county convened at the public house of Samuel Patterson, in Norriton township, " for the purpose of taking in consideration the propriety of forwarding a respectful address to Thomas Jefferson, requesting him to suffer his name to be supported for the presidency at the ensuing presidential elec- tion," etc. Nathaniel B. Boileau, Andrew Porter, Jonathan Roberts, Jr., Andrew Norney and Peter Richards were ap- pointed a committee to draft a suitable address. * Stephen Porter was chairman, and Jonathan Roberts, Jr., sec- retary of the meeting.
An address in due time was draughted, and at a subse- quent meeting, held also at this inn, was approved and then forwarded to President Thomas Jefferson.
In the Norristown Register of June 1, 1807, appears the following communication : " Ye supporters of American free- dom, peace and independence turn out to celebrate the ever memorable day (at Samuel Patterson's) and do honor to the man who was author of the glorious manifesto, which severed America from British tyranny and oppression."
In the Norristown Register of June 24, 1807, appears the following notice: "A number of Democratic Republicans have agreed to dine at Mr. Samuel Patterson's (Jefferson inn) on the 4th day of July, next, to celebrate the anniversary of that day which hailed our country free and in- dependent. * "
Agreeably to the above notice a " respectable number " of Democratic Republicans convened at the public house of
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