Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-02-12
A Lexington Martyr.

We have been trying to persuade 0urself that
the following sketch of one of the Martyrs of
Lexington, from late number of the Woburn
Journal, and the pen of our relative, Cyrus
Thompson, Esq, Of that town, possesses gener-
al interest enough to warrant Its appearance in
our columns, If it does not, we must invoke
the mantle of charity, which, we trust, will be
made broad enough to permit us to 90 step
further and add, that we number two among our
ancestry whose names and characters stand in
singular contrast-Danie Thompson, the subject
Of The subjoined sketch, and Benz Thompson, who
became the noted Count Rumfnd. They started
life together in the same neighborhood The
former WIS humble shoemaker, but Ills whole
soul was for the hberies of his conntry. The
latter made science and distinction his gods. and.
desertng his country at her need, obtained the
objects Of his ambition in the royal courts oi
Europe. he one, through he literally poured
out his hearts boo for his country, became lit
tie known while the other, with no such " hon
est fame" to entitle him to rememberance. be-
came famous through the world. But for our.
self, were we TO devise new family escntcheon
we should feel 2rouder to see enbazoned there
our Grandfathers ap-stone than The Counts
cornet-ED.
DANIEL THOMPSON was born in the north
part of Wobnrn, on the 9th day Of March, 1874.
He was lineal descendant of the fifth genera
ton of James Thompson, one of the first settlers
of that town in 1912 Ills fathers name was
Samuel and his mothers maiden name was
Ruth Wright, and he was brother of the late
Same Thompson, E.q, and Abli h Thompson,
senior. At about II years of age he had the
misfortune TO lose his father, and soon IA ter be-
cane an apprentice to learn trade When of
age, he became an active and enterprising man.
set up and corried on his business successfully
in hrs native town. His place was that now
owned and occupied by John J. Richardson
Mr.. Thompson possessed an ardent temperament,
SO that whatever he undertook was performed
with untirng energy. He zealously espoused
the cause of his country, in the troubles which
proceeded the Revolution. Euly on the morn
ing OF the 10Th of April, I775, on hearing of
the march of British troops towards Concord, he
instantly mounted his horse and rode to tie
north village to alarm his friends, and urge
them to resistance. One, and one only, of those
he adIrsessed, asked if he was not "too fast
if he was not erposiag himself? His prompt and
energetic answer was tell you friend that
stores, and if no one else opposes them to day,
| wM." THIS was no idle threat; he hurried TO
the scene Of action, bo dIy took his positions
and poured his fire among tie ranks Of the en-
emy.
At length on the retreat of the British from
Concord, he took position near the road, step
cling around the corner of the barn, he would
fire diagonally through the platoons of the enc.
my, so that every shot might take effect. This
being observed by British grenadler, so exas
rerated him, that he came around the corner of
the barn and shot Mr.. Thompson dead, before
he had finished reloadng his gun. Tradition
says that ball from another Woburn gun, pre-
vented The grenadier from ever rejoinng his
corps
The place where Mr.. Thompson fell, is said
to be on that part of the road between Concord
and Lexington, which passes through corner
OF Lincoln. His body was brought home, and
buried in the old buryng ground" near the
centre of which, among the locust trees, now
stands stone, on VIII ch is inscribed the story
OF his DEATH Thus early in the contest fell an
ardent patriot, useful cll zen and an honest man,
In l760 Mr., Thompson was married to Miss
Phebe Snow, their children were two sons and
one daughter. The Oldest son, Isaac S. was a
physician, and settled in Baldwin, Maine. the
daughter Phebe, married Josiah Pierce. ESQ, Of
the same place, and (if the writer is not mlsln.
lormed,) was the mother Of the present Judge
Of Probate for Cumberland County, Maine
The second son, Daniel, settled in Berlin, VT.
and was the father Of the Hon. Dane Pierce
Thompson, of Montpelier, Vt, author of the
Green Mountain Boys" sc.