aaa-0248.html
(key to sources at end of document)
1690 - Approximate year of Thomson's birth, Scotland.* 1 p. 1
1 March 1706 - Thomson Entered University of Glasgow.* p. 1
23 June 1713 - John Thomson licensed, Ulster Synod meeting at Antrim.* p. 2
21 September 1715 - Mr. John Thomson, probationer, now in America, wrote letter to Presbytery of Philadelphia meeting at New Castle on-the-Delaware, asking for advice and assistance [help finding a position].* p. 3
April 1717 - Thomson ordained, Presbytery of Philadelphia.* p. 5
April 1717 to September 1729 - Pastor at Lewes, Delaware.* p. 5
1720 - Middle Octorara was known as Sadsbury in 1720. Octorara first appeared in 1721; "Upper" appeared in 1727; former Sadsbury became known as Upper Octorara; Middle Octorara and Mouth of Octorara became Lower Octorara, subsequently Lower West Nottingham. (Seagrave notes on Madison E. McElwain Faith and Works at Middle Octorara Since 1727.)
10 December 1727 - John Caldwell arrived at New Castle, Delaware. 2
1729 - 1730 - Thomson divided his time between Newcastle, Nottingham (Lower Octorara), Fishing Creek (Middle Octorara), Drumore (Chestnut Level).* p. 17
October 1730 to September 1733 - Thomson served Middle Octorara, Fishing Creek and Chestnut Level. During this time, families living between Nottingham and Chestnut Level had to join congregations nearest them.* p. 21
1733/1734 - Rev. Thomson's first wife died.* p. 62 [Married (2) Mary McKean, widow of Thomas Reid] p. 63
1733 to 1744 - Served Chestnut Level [families at Middle Octorara were not paying their pledges]. p. 21-23 However, he also supplied "the people over the Elk River" and those at Nottingham, among others by special arrangement.* p. 24
22 December 1737 - John Caldwell patented 150 acres in Paxtan Township, Lancaster County, surveyed 10 January warrant #95, Surveys A52:107. 3
11 April 1738 - John Caldwell was member of Rev. Thomson's congregation at Chestnut Level.* p. 40
25 May 1738 - John Caldwell appeared before Synod of Philadelphia asking leave to settle in the "back parts" of Virginia under the Act of Toleration. [This laid the way for Cub Creek in Lunenburg/Charlotte and for Buffalo in Amelia/Prince Edward.] 1
1738 - Rev. Thomson visited Valley of Virginia (Augusta County) and was asked to remain.* p. 46
30 October 1739 - Rev. Thomson petitioned Donegal Presbytery to release him from Chestnut Level to settle in Virginia [refused].* p. 41
1739 - Rev. Thomson supplied Winchester and Staunton in Virginia. Continued serving "back parts" of Virginia* p. 46
9 October 1740 - 140 acre survey in Lancaster County and warrant issued to John and Mary Thomson.* p. 63
5 December 1740 - 140 acres on Octorara Creek patented to Rev. John Thomson and wife, Mary, (R. Thomas Maybill, p. 74).
4 April 1744 - Rev. Thomson again requested leave to Virginia [approved]. p. 42 Settled at Buffalo [Amelia County now Prince Edward] near John Caldwell [in adjacent Lunenburg County].* p. 47
1744 to 1751 - Thomson served at Buffalo.* p. 56
19 December 1745 - Samuel Cobbs of Amelia County sold 386 acres to John Thomson of Raleigh Parish.* p. 63-64
4 January 1748 - Rev. Thomson baptised George Finley, son of John Finley, at Tinkling Spring Meeting House, Beverley Manor, Augusta County, VA. 2
26 November 1748 - John Caldwell wrote his will, proved 3 April 1751, Lunenburg County WB 1:498.
10 December 1748 - 250 acres on Pequea Creek: David Jones - late of Robert Baker, decd. Granted to Robert Baker, father of Caleb, who died intestate. Pat. 500 acres to Caleb Baker and wife Martha. (R. Thomas Maybell, p. 22. . . note: there was a Caleb Baker in Prince Edward County).
1751 - Rev. Thomson settled near Centre Church, Anson County [later Rowan, later Iredell], North Carolina.* p. 57
25 March 1752 - Rev. Thomson bought 640 acres on Fifth Creek, Anson County, North Carolina.* p. 64 Also recorded in Iredell County, DB A:330. Also in May Wilson McBee, Anson County, NC Abstracts of Early Records. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1980, p. 20.
27 May 1752 - Last recorded attendance at Synod meeting; a year later his death was noted.* p. 58
4 March 1755 - Samuel and Elizabeth Baker & Robert and Hannah Lawson, of Rowan County, NC sold Rev. Thomson's 640 acres.* p. 64
1 Elizabeth Venable Gains, "Cub Creek Church and Congregation, 1738-
1838." Richmond, VA: Presbyterian Committee of Publication, n.d.,
p. 11.
1 * = John Goodwin Herndon, "John Thomson, Presbyterian Constitutionalist
Minister of the Word of God, Educational Leader and Church Builder."
Privately Printed, 1943.
2 Howard McKnight Wilson, "Tinkling Spring, Headwater of Freedom, A Study
of the Church and Her People, 1732-1952." Fisherville, VA: Tinkling
Spring and Hermitage Presbyterian Churches, 1954, p. 474.
2 "Caldwell," LDS film #908834, p. 178.
3 "Caldwell," LDS film #908834, p. 178.
c:\docs\virgnia\revthom.txt
aaa0248