Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-07-01
=. Obituary..
THE LATE HON. d. P. THOMPSON

| 9th QdV Oh CuuCs AooS3 ~ -
seventy-two years For several years past
he had been in iIl-health, having had partial
strokes of paralysis, which had greatly I'M
haired his health, and which were but the
nrecursers of the final attack which proved
fatal. His former position as the editor OF
the FREEMAN, his official positions tor some
wears in our State government, his ioentlh-
cation throughout his life with our town his
tory. and his reputation as novelist, war
rant us in giving this sketch OF his lie.
Mr.. Thompson was born in the town OF
Charlestown, Massachusetts, October LIST,
1795 and after the death of his grandfather
who was killed at the battle of Leigngton-
removed with his father to the then new
town of Berlin, in this State. There his
earliest years were spent in the usual routine
of New England farmer life as 1t then ex-
listed. But soon, though without means, yet
with the energy and determination OF New
ENGLAND bow. he left his home, and alter
some preparatory studies entered Mlddlebury
College, where he graduated IN lo2o- Several
following years of his life were occupied IN
teaching in Virginia, where he studied law
and was admitted to the bar of that State
He then returned to this State, and com
menced the practice of law in this town, and
here he has since resided. He was never,
however, extensively engaged in the practice
of his profession, but almost Immediately
was chosen the Register of Probate for
Washington County, which Office, in connec-
ton with that of a clerk of the House ori' r
resentatives, he held for several years. On
The expiration of his term of office he was APP
pointed clerk of the County and of tie Su-
preme Court, and after, was chosen Jucge of
Probate, and then was elected Secretary Of
State of Vermont, which Office he held Until
the expiration Of the official year in 1855
This was the last public Office which Judge
Thompson ever held
Widely known as he was to the people Of
our State public officer, his memory viii
be most cherished for other reasons. He
was the only novelist Vermont has ever pro
duced During all the years before alluded
to, he gave much time to the minute investt
CATION of the incidents of our States earlics:
history. Fond of literary pursuits, he loved
to embody in his writings such "reminiscences
of old times, as he could gather from record,
and from the recollection Of old men \ lover
of old stories and traditions it was his habit
to converse with our eldest citizens, and he
delighted to listen to the quaint narratives
they liked TO tell, and to embody them in
articles for his paper, or weave them fnto his
work of greater pretcnsion. He was wont
to wander through the country with his
| fishing rod, (for he was deyOut disciple of
old lack Walton and by the roadside, or
| by some farmhouse door, he would spend
hours conversing with some old settle, gar
rulous of the times when Ethan Allen ad-
ministered the - Beech Seal or when
Warner and Francis met the royal troops at
Hubbardton, or. still later, when the farmers
of Vermont encountered the enemy al platts-
burgh. The fame of Ethan Allen, of Seth
Warner, Remember Baker, Ira Allen, and
the other noted founders of our State is
greatly due to his pen; to the industry and
enthusiasm with which he collected and
placed before our people, incidents which
would have otherwise been forgotten long
ago. His first work of any Importance, was
~-.--i~1 - No. h~-tin. The Money Dig
GERS and written in successful com
petition for prize offered by one of the then
Boston journals. In 1910, he published
:" The Green Mountain Boys" historical
tale. embodying some of the main incidents
of the earliest history of the State, and in
Producing the leading men of the times
Then followed = Locke Amsden," tale
written with view to the reformation in
some respects, of our then school system,
. The Rangers, or the Tory's Daughter,
was published in 1850, and is tale illustra-
tive of the early history of Vermont, and
gives. in the form of novel, an interesting
account of the battle of Bennington and the
incidents connected with the Northern cam
paign of 1777. " Cant Gurley, q tale of the
Umbagog, 9 The Doomed Chief, or King
Philip and * Centeola,' have since sue
cecded these. Many other tales of less pre-
tention, have been the work of his pen His
writings are everywhere deservedlv popular
and many of them have been reproduced in
Europe, and in other languages. His novels
are true to historical fact and are written in
graphic, natural language, and have done
much to perpetuate our States history. As
the editor of the FREEMAN, he eminently sue
ceeded in making the paper attractive to all.
In politics, though originally a Democrat,
he early became identified with the old Lib
erty party, and has since been consistent
supporter Of the policy which this paper
advocates. In his prime of life he was iden-
titled with almost every incident of our town
history. Several years since, at the request
Of the town, he prepared and published its
history, which work is in many respects,
though possessing but local interest, the
most perfect of his writings. interviewer
with minute statement of fact, records and
dates, are incidents of the earliest settlers,
trivial in themselves perhaps, but interesting
to our citizens and calculated to endear our
home to US all, and to peIpotuote tho
ry of those stalwart men of our earlier his
tory. In series of biographical sketches
the history he has with great
and with a keen appreciation,
portrayed with anecdote and illustration the
characters of our leading departed citizens.
The work is an excellent record of our town
We shall all miss his familiar face, and all /
Vermonters will honor the memory of one
who has done so much for the credit of his |
State. Another of our old citizens has gone
from us May we that live after him depart |
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