The news & observer., 1898-06-12

city of London, England, on the 2Sth
day of February, 1903. His parents, one
brother and three sisters resided in Lon
don until 1915, when the entire family
emigrated to America, and settled IN
the city of New York, and with the ex-
ception of George resided there until
their death.
The subject of this sketch was from
early youth, brought up under religious
association and discipline, and in his
thirteenth year connected himself with
the Mulberry Street Baptist church, and
was baptized by its pastor, the Rev.
Archibald Maclay.
As to the extent of his education,
whether it was academic only, or he re-
ceived the advantages Of a college grad
uation, is not known; but from his man
ner of speaking, his use of language and
strength Of expression, it is reasonably
to be concluded that he received at least
a fair education.
In 1923 he came South, and located in
Petersburg Va. AS to his occupation or
calling in Petersburg nothing is known.
He returned to New York the same year,
and on the 18th day of August was Ii
censed to preach the Gospel Of Christ.
In 1929 he returned South, and To-
Gated in Richmond, Va; and on the 2nd
day of September, 1880 he was orlan-
ed to the holy office of the ministry in
the city of Richmond, Va, by presby-
terry of very able men, Luther Rice John
Kerr and Eli Ball.
The following is copied from the or
iginal certificate of ordination:
I'VE the undersigned members of the
Gospel of the Baptist denomination, hav-
ing been called on by the church at Sa-
pony, in Sussex county, Virginia. as
presbytery, to ordain to the office and
work of the Gospel ministry our we'll
beloved brother, George NJ. Thompson,
did accordingly attend on the 2nd day
of September, 1880, at the First Baptist
church in the city of Richmond, and af
ter due examination, did proceed, by
solemn prayer and imposition of hands,
to set apart and ordain our said brother
to the full work of the ministry; the
work whereunto we trust he has been
called by the Great Head of the church.
''Be it known, therefore, that our said
brother, George NJ Thompson, is sane
toned and authorized, as minister of
the Gospel of the Baptist denomination,
to dispense the Gospel Of Jesus Christ,
to administer the ordinances and to ex-
ercise all the functions appertaining to
the ministry.
"And we recommend him in the en-
pacity of minister to that Christian
and friendly regard due to those who are
to be highly esteemed in love for their
works sake. JOHN KERR.
'IUTHER nICE.
ssEII BALL.
Soon after his ordination he moved to
rasquotank county, North Carolina, and
was called to serve the churches at Sa
lem and Elizabeth City, and at Suffolk
Va and he continued III this service and
capacity for three years.
On the 9th day of December, 1881, he
was married to Mrs. Margaret Poole,
relict OF the late $. b. Poole, of Pas
quotank county. She was the daughter
of William Edward Wilson, one OF the
most prominent, influential and highly
respected citizens of that county.
His married life was marked by the
gentlest ties and tender association, and
his family circle and dresde were the
scenes of happiness and contentment.
He was meek and gentle in his DISPOSE
tion, courteous and pleasant to all, de-
voted and affectionate in his family, and
the center and JOY of its tireside associa-
ton He was the easiest Of men to be
led. but of the hardest to be driven;
II TX.
as well as to listen, and though the gen
tleness of the lamb was always on the
surface. the will Of the lion was not far
concealed. Neither Hamilcar nor his son
Hannibal had greater purpose or de-
termination to pursue their plans or de-
tails than this good man to advoyate
and declare, to maintain and advance
his religious tenets and creed.
His children now living are Mary, the
Oldest, who never married, now living
IN Edenton. N. O.; Margaret, widow of
the late A. Il. Bell, now living in Eliza
beth City; Annie the wife Of i. b. Bou-
shall, and mother OF j. d. Boushall. of
Raleigh. now residing at Belcross Cam
den county, and Bette, the wife of A.
Il. Bush, of Edenton. He had two step
sons-Dr. William u. and s. b. Poole,
TO whom he acted as a father, observing
no difference between them and his
own children.
His labor and work in the churches of
Pasquotank county We're widely seen
and felt The seeds were sown in good
ground, and a plenteous harvest OF re
pentance and religious hope was reaped.
After leaving that field of labor he en-
tered more actively in the extension or
church work, and for the diffusion OF
EellSlous sSnlihieit ana eAdiilplS.
For four years he travelled as mission
ary for the ASSOCIATION in the more desti- |
tute counties Of Washington and Tyrrell; |
which frequently caused an absence
from his family for months consecutively
in that more barren portion of the as
sociation's field; but he was ardent and
untiring, and success crowned his efforts |
In 1888 he located his family in Hert-
ford county, and in 1910 settled in the
town of Murfreesboro, where the re-
mainder of his days were spent. He Iiv-
ed in the house. located well back in tho
large grounds just opposite the Wilson
place, now the residence Of Mrs Susan
Myrick, the house in which this writer
was born.
Immediately upon his removal across
the Chowan river, he was called to the
churches at Meherrin, Mt Carmel and
Potecasi With the two former of these
he was connected as pastor up to the
time of his death
During the last eight years of his life
he labored extensively in the county of
Halifax affpctinO mulch GOOD in fha