Sarah (Walker) Thompson (1739 - 1792)

Born 6 Aug 1739 in Rumford, Province of New Hampshire

Ancestors

Wife of Benjamin Rolfe — married about 1769 (to 21 Dec 1771) in Concord, Province of New Hampshire

Wife of Benjamin Thompson — married 1772 (to 19 Jan 1792) in Concord, Province of New Hampshire [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 19 Jan 1792 at age 52 in Concord, New Hampshire, United States

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Biography

Sarah Walker was born in Rumford (now Concord), New Hampshire, on August 6, 1739, the eldest daughter of the Rev. Timothy Walker and Sarah Burbeen.^[1][2][3][4]

Her father was one of the first settlers of the town, and also its first minister. She married a close associate of his, Col. Benjamin Rolfe, who was almost 30 years her senior. They had one son, Paul, born on August 4, 1770. Based on the birth date of their only son, they were probably married about 1769.^[3][4][5]

Col. Benjamin Rolfe soon died, on December 20, 1771, at the age of 61.^[4]

She married second, in 1772, Benjamin Thompson, formerly of Woburn, Massachusetts, and of late the local school-master. They had one daughter, Sarah, born on October 18, 1774.^[4][6][7]

Her husband Benjamin was a staunch friend of the Colonial government, and with the American Revolution brewing, he feared for his safety. In October, 1775, he left his wife and daughter, and in January, 1776, fled to England, where he was given the rank of lieutenant colonel, and in 1882, was knighted by the King for his service. He later entered into the service of the Duke of Bavaria, who proclaimed him "A Count of the Holy Roman Empire," to which Benjamin attached "Rumford" in honor of the older name of his wife's home town.^[7][8][9]

Lady Sarah Thompson died in Concord, New Hampshire, on January 19, 1792, at the age of 52. She was buried at the Old North Cemetery in Concord, where her gravestone (possibly a replica) reads:^[2][4][10]

In Memory of

SARAH

Daughter of Rev. Timothy Walker

and wife of

Sir Benjamin Thompson,

Count Rumford,

Formerly Widow of

Col. Benjamin Rolfe,

Born Aug. 6, 1739

Died Jan. 19 1792

Sources

1. ↑ "New Hampshire Births and Christenings, 1714-1904," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FDNV-5RR : 10 February 2018), Sarah Burbeen in entry for Sarah Walker, 06 Aug 1739; citing RUMFORD TWP,MERRIMACK,NEW HAMPSHIRE; FHL microfilm 1,001,053.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 July 2018), memorial page for Sarah Walker Thompson (6 Aug 1739–10 Jan 1792), Find A Grave: Memorial #17254556, citing Old North Cemetery, Concord, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, USA ; Maintained by Angela Peters (contributor 46867975).
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Moore, Jacob B. Annals of the Town of Concord, in the County of Merrimack, and State of New Hampshire, From It's First Settlement in 1726, to the Year 1823. Concord: Published by Jacob B. Moore, 1824. Page 42. Citing: "Timothy Walker, the first minister, and one of the first settlers, of the town of Concord."
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} Moore, Annals of the Town of Concord: Pages 36-37. Citing: "1771.-On the 20th December, died Benjamin Rolfe, Esq. who was one of the early settlers [of Rumford]... Associated with the Rev. Mr. Walker, whose eldest daughter he married ... His widow subsequently married Benjamin Thompson, a school-master of this place, from Woburn, who was afterwards distinguished Count Rumford. Lady Sarah Thompson died in Concord in 1792."
5. ↑ "New Hampshire Birth Records, Early to 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLP4-XSC : 10 March 2018), Paul Rolfe, 04 Aug 1770; citing Concord, Merrimack, New Hampshire, United States, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Concord; FHL microfilm 1,001,035.
6. ↑ "New Hampshire Births and Christenings, 1714-1904," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FDNX-87G : 10 February 2018), Sarah Thompson, 18 Oct 1774; citing CONCORD TWP,MERRIMACK,NEW HAMPSHIRE; FHL microfilm 1,001,048.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Sewall, Samuel. The History of Woburn, Middlesex County, Mass. From The Grant of Its Territory To Charlestown, In 1640, To The Year 1860. Boston: Wiggin And Lunt, Publishers, 1868. Citing: "In the autumn of 1770, he took charge of a school at Concord, N. H., (then called Rumford); and while fulfilling this engagement, he became acquainted with Mrs. Sarah Rolfe, daughter of Rev. Timothy Walker, the first minister of the place, and widow of Col. Benjamin Rolfe, one of the early settlers of Concord, and a gentleman of influence there, who deceased in 1770. This lady he married, in 1772, and came into possession by her of a large property." Page 392.
8. ↑ Moore, Annals of the Town of Concord: Citing: "Mr. Thompson lived with his wife about two years; when the revolution commencing, and being a staunch friend of the government, he was obliged to quit his family and rural residence ; and he retired within the lines of the British army. In October, 1775, he went to Rhode-Island; embarked for Boston harbor ; and in January following, sailed for England. ... obtained the rank of lieutenant colonel ... in 1784, the King conferred upon him the honor of knighthood." Page 56.
9. ↑ Sewall, History of Woburn: Citing: "Among the numerous honorary distinctions awarded him, was his admission 'as a member of the two academies of Munich and Manheim;' his election in 1787 as 'a member of the Academy of Science at Berlin;' his appointment of 'Councillor of State' to the Elector; Lieut.-General of the Army of Bavaria; 'Commander-in-chief of the General Staff;' 'Minister of War;'Superintendent of the Police of the Electorate' ; and to crown all, in the interval between the death of the Emperor Joseph, and the coronation of his successor Leopold, his friend, Elector and reigning Duke of Bavaria, becoming Vicar of the empire, availed himself of the prerogatives of that office, to make him 'A Count of the Holy Roman Empire'. In receiving the last dignity, he chose a title in remembrance of the country of his nativity, and of the place endeared by recollections both of pleasure and pain ; and was thenceforth known as Count of Rumford, from one of the names by which the residence of his wife had been distinguished." Page 395-396.
10. ↑ "New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSLJ-J6V : 10 March 2018), Sarah Walker, 19 Jan 1792; citing Concord, Bureau Vital Records and Health Statistics, Concord; FHL microfilm 1,001,114.

See also:

• Sarah Thompson "Countess Rumford" (daughter) on Wikipedia.
• Concord, New Hampshire on Wikipedia.

Acknowledgements

• Thank you to Marjory Simonds for helping create this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of edits by Marjory and others.