The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-11

one who knew HIM lie was born IN
CharIestown, now the northern part of
Boston December j., 1872.
lie was the son of Ebenezer and Han
nah Gage Thompson. and q descendant
in the eighth generation of James Thomp-
son. who came from England in 1880, and
with Governor Winthrop, became one Of
the founders of Charlestown, and OF the
Massachusetts Bay Colony.
James Thompson and his wife. Eliza
beth We're admitted TO membership in the
First Church OF Charlestown. August 81,
1858, and in December following he took the
"Freeman's Oath" In 1910 he was one OF
the thirty-two men who subscribed his
name tO the noted Town Orders foi
Woburn. a new town. located In What
was then "a wild wilderness some nine
miles north of Boston.
James Thompson was one OF the seven
chosen to serve upon the first Board
of Selectmen, for the government Of the
new town. and was continued in the same
service for period of about twenty years.
one OF the first acts Of these selectmeh
was To choose "a reliable man. in the
serve them as town clerk, and TO keep
a faithful record Of their dongs. which
he did for more than thirty years. and
until his death in 1872. These records.
fortunately. have been preserved. and
furnish us with much trustworthy in
formation Of those early times and men.
This Captgin Johnson also wrote the
first history Of New England, printed n
London i'm 1854. entitled the wonder
Working Providence of Sion's Saviour in
New England"
Many of the descendants OF James and
Elizabeth Thompson did good service I'm
the numerous Indian wars i'm New Eng
land and also in the Revolutionary War,
some o. whom achieved distinction.
COUNT RUMFoRD.
b The most distinguished Of their descend
ants however was Sir benjamin Thomp-
son. Count Rumford d153-lslD who. in
Bavaria. became a prime minister ard
commanding general Of an European
army and who. by his scientific re-
searches and discoveries-nota i'm re,a-
tion 10 heat and light. and the economy
Of fuel. and BY his life In general. led
noted historian 10 remark concerning
him: For his eminent services 10 man
kind as n scientist and philanthrOpist.
the world looks on him as benefactor.
and America considers him as ono OF
her greatest men,
In 1883 he received the honor Of knight
hood from George Ill Of England in
1921 he was created count of the Holy
Roman Empire. and chose his title. Rum
ford. from the name OF an American
township. 1t is related that ION one oc-
casion. when he was dangerously III. the
poor OF Munich. the capital Of Bavaria,
went publicly in body in procession
to the cathedral, and put up public
prayers for his recovery
In 1893 he. I'm conjunction with Sir
Joseph Banks. projected the establishment
Of the Royl Institution of London. which
received its charter of Incorporation from
George III. I'm lso. Count Rumford him
self selected Sir Humphrey Dayy as the
first scientific lecturer there.
He was the founder and the first re-
clDient OF the Rumford medal Of the
London Royal Society and OF the Rum
ford professoship in Havad University.
His complete works We're published by
the American Academy of Arts and
Sciences at Boston in 1872. and repubhsh-
Ell with a fun memoir of the author
I'm London by Messrs. Macmillan In 1876.
or his very valable gifts TO the United
states Government. and now IN the
Smithsonian Institute at Washington, ana
OF his many other benefactions to the
public 4; is not necessary now TO speak !;
the above being sufficient, perhaps, 10