American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-01-03
From the Berks and ISclaylkiu Journal.
CHARLES THOMPSON, ESQ.

A gentleman from the west who had long che
rished high regard for the character of that ire
proschabe patriot and christian, the late secretary
Of the American Continental Congress, had few
weeks since, no small qualification in spending Sc
vera hours with the venerable saint of patriarchal
aspect, now on the verge of Heaven Many arel
sill living, who remember with what conhdencei
every act Of the old congress, to which his namel
was attached was at once received by the pcoplel
Of the u States. in time of peculiar trial
He is about six feet in height, remarkably erect
in his gait, neat in his person, dgnihed in his de
pertinent, interesting in conversations and has out
lived nearly all his contemporaries, being in his
ninety second year.
He resides about len miles from Philadelphia in
an ancient and retired but spacious mansion, on a
very extensive and well cultivated farm, to which
he has given the name OF Harrton.
TIE traveller called early in the day, and found
Mr. Thompson reading Young's Night Thoughts.
He paused little, after entering the door, before
he discovered himself, being surprised and charm
ed at the distinct audible emphatical, appropriate,
and feeling manner with which the good old man
pronounced one of the finest passages in that ad-
mired author
| After due introduction, Mr.. Thompson made
the following remark in reference to what he had
Just read: " am stranger in strange land, am
looking about me to see what am, and what there
is for me to do -
The traveller was much pleased with his miscel
laneous observations, nterspersed with anecdotes Of
former tmes.--He was much surprised to hear
him, at his advanced age, speak with SO much in
telligence on various topics, pathological, religious
and polilica yet occasionally he noticed signs OF
lsecond childhood.
| II appears that he was the third son of Johr
Thompson, and that he was born in the county o
Derry, Ireland, in The town of Gortede, and parish
4 of Maharaw. in the first week OF November, 1923
. but the particular day cannot be specified HI
t came to America, with his father when about ter
, years old, accompanied with his brothers. His ia
Their died on board the ship in which they pas
sengers, after entering the capes of Delaware; ant
BY an act of injustice, his property of considerable
amount, was withheld from the sons then in thei
Y minority, in foreign country, without kindred
without friend, without money, left to follow tn
headings of Divine Providence; yet they amply ex
Iperienced the protecting of Him, who is fathe
of the atherless Charles had good taste for learn
ling, and fortunate to the patronag
# and instruction of that distinguished scholar, Dr.
Allison, ard became of the greatest proficient
t lin Latin, Greek. and French in the country.
. . The longevity of his family is worthy Of notice
n Taking the children of John Thompson in reguia
IS order, these their names with their respectiv
lagos; 6rst William, who died at the age OF ninety
!, three; second, Alexander, who died at the age
;, eighty; third, Charles, who is now in his ninety
third; fourth, Matthew, who died at the ape
% eighty-one; fifth, john who died at the age of 81
s rentynife; and sixth, Mary, who is in her eighty
fourth year, and makes of the family OF Charlie
l. Mr. Thompson in the course Of conversation
/ said it was strongly impressed upon his mind, TIL
he should live till he entered upon his hundret
I year. The traveller asked him how he felt undo
such an impression, and whether he was willing