Samuel Thomson (abt. 1699 - 1756)

Born about 1699 in Ulster, Ireland

Husband of Margaret (Clark) Thomson — married 27 Feb 1727 in Westborough, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died 14 Aug 1756 at about age 57 in Holden, Worcester County, Massachusetts

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Biography

Samuel Thomson was born in Ulster, Ireland, in about 1699. His parents were James Thomson and his wife Jennette. The family emigrated to New England, probably as part of the emigration of Ulster Scots that began in about 1718.

Samuel was "of Leicester" (i.e. Leicester, Massachusetts) when he was married to Margaret Clark of Westborough, Massachusetts, in Westborough, on 27 February 1727.^[1][2]

Children of Samuel and Margaret Thomson included:

1. James, described in his father's will as oldest son, but received a relatively small bequest.^[3] He married in 1751, so he probably was born in 1730 or earlier.
2. William, probably the second son; had reached adulthood by 1756, when his father wrote his will and made William his principal heir. Married in 1757.
3. Ann, born about 1730 and died 29 September 1742, in 12th year.^[4]
4. John, born about 1732 and died 17 September 1742, age 10.^[5]
5. Samuel, born about 1735, based on his age at death.
6. Esther, apparently was over 18 when her father wrote his will in 1756.
7. Hugh, born after 1738, as son "Hou" was under age 18 when his father wrote his will
8. Thomas, born about 1742; apparently younger than Hugh
9. John, born after 1742, when the first son of this name died
10. Ann, born after 1742, when the first daughter of this name died.

There is a discrepancy in the date of his death. Vital Records and his gravestone give the date of death as 14 August 1755,^[6][7] but his will is dated 9 August 1756.^[3] The will was filed for probate on 24 August 1756, so it is likely that he died on 14 August 1756, not the previous year. The inscription on his gravestone states that he was "in the 57th year of his Age."^[8]

Will

Saml Thomson's will was filed Aug 24 1756; allowed Sept 17 1756; and recorded Vol 5 page 98.^[3]

Partial transcription:^[9]

The last will and testament of Samuel Thompson of Holden in the counte of Worcester and Provience of Massachusetts Bay In New England Husbandman. ....

I give and bequeth unto my well Beloved wife Margret all my Haufel Goods Excepting my wearing epperal the same to be distrebutited among my Soons at the Decnation of my Spouse and my Exectrs.

I give and bequeth unto my wife one cow at hir choice and my sorrel meare to be at Hir Desposal. Said Mear and Cow to be well Kept Summer and winter by my Soon Willam. I hereby appoint my Said Soon to render and pay Hir yearly and Every year during her widdowhood fiften Bushels of Inden corn five of Hay four Bushels of good malt four barrels of Sidder a Hinde Quarter of good Beef weaing one Hunder end twenty Pounds the Sowing of one Peck of Flaxseed where she shall think proper [small piece torn out] Est Room her firewood brough to the door and cut fit for the fier.

I give and bequeth unto my oldest soon James, tenelve pounds eigh shillings lawful money...

..unto my soon William my first devison(?), containing fifte acres with all the buldings and Improvements with all the Stock of Creturs tulls and farmen utencels [note: "creatures, tools, and farmig utensils"] with all other my moveable or personal Estet excepting the mean end cone befor mentioned and I injoyen him and oblige him the said William that He fulfill the above said articals to his said mother faithfully and that He the sd William Pay all my just debts and the expence of my funeral and that he find Bed and Borde for his sister Ann till she arive at the Eage of Eighteen and further that sd. William pay my daughter Ester twenty seven pounds of lawful money for one year after my deces with introst from my deces and furter I will and appoint my son William to pay my daughter Ann twenty seven pounds lawful money as soon as she arrives at the Ege of Eighteen years the same to be upon introst from a year after my death.

I further will and appoint my three youngest soons Hou Thomas and John to leve with their Brother William until each of them arive to the Ege of Eighteen. Each He the sd. William fineng them comfortable clothing and Bed and Bord and Schooling when they can convenintly attend theron William to have the benifet of sd. Hou and [Joh struck out] Shol (?) places tll they be Eighteen.

I will and bequeth unto my soon Samuel a sarten farm or track of land lyeing and Being in Rutland Districk containing eighte six acres which Land I purchased of James Boyd with all the Improvements theron willing him the said Samuel to pay his Brother Willm six pounds thirteen shillings and 8 pence lawful money in one year after my death.

I will and bequeth unto my soons Hou and Thomas eighte two acres of Land Lyening Southerly of my Hom Lot and on each side of the Country Road the same to be Equaly devided Quantity and Quality between my two soons -- Hou and Thomas by my Exetrs which land I purchased of Mr. Jonas Stoon and Mr John Fletcher Each of them to com in to the possion of their part as Soon as they arrive at Eighteen years of Eage

I will and Bequeth unto my soon John asarten farm or percal of wilderness Land Lyeing within this townshipe containing seventy four acres Being Parte of a third and part of a forth Deveison Layed out to the testator By order of the Proprieters as part of his original Purchas. Sd John is to be free from His Brother William as soon as he is Eighteen years of Eage.

And Finally, I Declare appoint and Nomunate my Dear Brother James Thomson of New Brantre soo called and my good friend James Boyd of this town to the be the Executors of this my last will and testament ...

Signature is "Samuel Thomson"

Sources

1. ↑ Vital Records of Westborough, Massachusetts. Marriages, page 138: CLARK, Margaret and Samuel Tomson of Leicester, Feb. 27, 1727-8. C.R.
2. ↑ Town of Leicester, Massachusetts. Record created for Chapter 84, Section 4, Acts of 1857, Accessed at Ancestry.com in database Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988: Town Clerk's Office, Westboro, October 1857. Samuel Tomson of Leicester was joined in marriage to Margaret Clark of this Town Feb 27th 1727. A copy of Record of Marriage kept by Rev. Ebenezer Parkman first minister of the church in Westboro. Attest S. M. Griggs Town Clerk. Attest Charles A. During(?) Town Clerk.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Will and probate papers for Samuel Thomson of Holden, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Probate Records. Accessed at AmericanAncestors.org.
4. ↑ Vital Records of Holden, Massachusetts. Deaths, page 232: THOMPSON, Ann, d. Samuel and Margarett, d. Sept 29, 1742, in 12th year.
5. ↑ Vital Records of Holden, Massachusetts. Deaths, page 232: THOMPSON, John, s. Samuel and Margaret, d. Sept 17, 1742, a. 10. G.S.
6. ↑ Vital Records of Holden, Massachusetts, Holden deaths, page 232: THOMPSON, Samuel, Aug. 14, 1755, a. 57.
7. ↑ Find-A-Grave
8. ↑ Image of gravestone at Find-A-Grave
9. ↑ Transcribed by Ellen Smith, 2015

• Find-A-Grave, Samuel Thomson, Memorial #156353357.
• Smith, Alven Martyn, with Leander Thompson and Benjamin Franklin Thompson. James Thompson of Holden, Mass., and his descendants, South Pasadena, California, 1932.