Note: A number of internet sites and eastern Thompson family members state that John's name was Theophilus and that he was English. However, the Emerett Nicholson Papers and the book the Sharp, Nicholson and Thompson families of East Texas, both state he was an Irish seaman (LDS film 1,698,00 1) All land records list him only as John and not as Theophilus. He did have a son named Theophilus and this may have been his middle name, or a nick name, but not the name he used on any official papers. This is one reason that those pursuing Theophilus Thompson can go no further back than him. As to his English origins, all papers related to him including some census records of family members state Scot or Irish ancestry. As a merchant seaman married to an English-Scot woman he probably was in England rather often, but clearly from the family bible of his son Daniel, which was purchased in Scotland, this line of Thompson's is Scottish via Ireland (Ulstermen).

John originally settled in Albermarle County, Virginia before moving to Norfolk County, Virginia. From there he took his family to Nash County, Nor th Carolina and then into Robeson County, North Carolina. He was a merchant seaman, owning a ship called the Ranger (not to be confused with the "Ranger" used by John Paul Jones during the Revoluitionary War) that he sailed from Bristol, England, to Norfolk and then to the Bahamas and Barbados. His ship was captured and he was killed by pirates near Barbados in September 1757. Lumbee Indian tradition states he one of the primary progenitors of the Thompson's of the Lumbee (Cheraw) tribe. There are also a number of the Thompson family in Barbados today where it is also believed he had a wife or concubine. All of his proven descendants, however, are through his wife Alsey Butt. NOTE: However, from all provable data, this line cannot go beyond John Thompson. All points beyond this are from family tales and some peples speculations. I am leaving it in this database until I can get clarification but caution is advised.

There is also the line claimed through a Nepsy with two children Reuben and Nancy. However Reubens date of birth would indicate he was a grandchild rather than a child as Rueben was born 8 years after John's death. I am including him under what some have listed as his older sister through Nepsy for data purposes. More research will have to be completed before a positive link is accomplished. The possibility of Nancy's being Rueben's mother would make more sense. Nancy married a James Thompson, but I cannot determine who this is. The dates are wrong for it to be her first cousin James, who is Matthew's son. JCT 1/23/00

See info related to family bible bought by Daniel Thompson in 1769: Dallas Morning News, Sunday, March 8, 1940, under heading, "Owns Prerevolutionary Bible" Article on Martin Luther Thompson of Smith County, Texas. Provided by Ras & Virginia Pool, 11/10/03

1. Nancy Thompson b: ABT 1747 in Robeson County, North Carolina

• Married: ABT 1737 in Norfolk County, Virginia
• Marriage Ending Status: Death of one spouse

1. Daniel Thompson b: 10 SEP 1738 in Norfolk County, Virginia
2. Henrietta Thompson b: ABT 1740
3. Camelia Thompson b: ABT 1742
4. Trimigan Thompson b: 1 MAR 1745/46 in Norfolk County, Virginia
5. Theophilis Thompson b: ABT 1748 in Nash County, North Carolina
6. Henry Butt Thompson b: 1750 in Nash County, North Carolina
7. Sarah Thompson b: 31 OCT 1751 in Robeson County, North Carolina
8. John Thompson b: ABT 1755 in Robeson County, North Carolina
9. Lemuel Thompson b: ABT 1756 in Robeson County, North Carolina