Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-11-10
CHARLES THOMPSON.
TFrom the Spectator of Feb. u 1884 !

| the earliest settlers In Augusta Coun'
| ty. The Thompson farm, mile or
two below Greenville, afterwards Trice,
and now PeIter. is where William. one
of several brothers of the above most
distinguished mem Der of the family,
settled. He was the maternal great
grandfather of Matthew Pilson. We
may have something to say in the fu-
ture of the Thompsons. Our purpose
now is to treat of the
PILSON FAMILY.
- Pison, great-grandfather of
Matthew, was of Scotch-Irlsh descent.
The first place that we have knowl-
edge of him in Augusta was on farm
near the Charles Patrick place. We
have not learned its present owner.
He bought farm in Albemarle, that
for three-fourths of a century has been
known as the John Dettor place. He
and his wife sleep in the Dettor ceme
tery, enclosed as it is with the rough
mountain stone of that region.
He had three sons, Samuel. grand
father of Matthew, who married Mary
Hutchinson, bought a farm on Chris
tian's Greek on the Port Republic road,
six miles from StaunuOn. He raised
family of three sons and one daughter.
The Hutchinson wife sleeps in link
ling Spring church yard. His second
was Polly Wright, raised on the jacob
Bear farm on South River. four miles
below Greenville, by whom be had one
son, William. He sold his Christian 8
Greek farm to that sturdy old citizen,
Robert Harnsberger, father of Stephen,
Samuel, Mrs. Peck, Mrs. Hamilton. a
son who died in camp in the war OF
1872. MIR. II. was blacksmith by
trade. Samuel Pllson, after selling
this farm, removed to West Union,
Adams county, Ohio, in 1907, with his
sons Samuel and William and daugh-
ter Eleanor. Samuel bought near Rus
sellville, in the county of Brown, where
some of his descendants yet live. VIII
liam. his half brother, remained on his
fathers farm; left family, and OF MS
yet there is James, VINO,
besides being County Surveyor and IN
the State Senate, was Brigadler Cen
eral of the State militia. In the late
unpleasantness, he was ordered to Call
out his brigade and refused, saying that
he would never fight against Virginia
He was immediate sent to Point Look |
)ut and confined until the close OF the |
war. He died year or two ago, up
wards of 80, leaving son In the Ola
homestead, George, next. son TO MI.
Pilson's grandfather, married EllZa-
beth Thompson in the congregation OF
Bethel. He had two sons and three
daughters. Samuel died ID his nth
year. the second son married Dorcas,
daughter of James Alexander OF the
Long Meadows. They had three SOUS
and one daughters; ono son died ID IN
fancy. John never married. He re-
moved to Albemarle and settled near
merchandising. lie was
an Elder in Lebanon church ana a
In that early day he hao d
yery much mountain population TO con-
troll. He rigidly prevented swearing
Tn one instance he fiued an individual
f ,r swearing in his presence. lie palo Tue
fine promptly, aud repeated the oHehce,
saving that he had never known man |
r, bn fired for swearing. Mr.. Pllson |
imposed a second fine. He hned MIN
q third time for the same offence, ana,
after paving the three fines, took out
his purse, and said: "Mr. Pilson,
must see how my money holds out, as
it might be worse for me, perhaps, II
that gives out" The examination
made. he said: II AM satisfied II you
are.n In 1916 he removed to Bethei
congregation. where he was the second
time made an elder. He died under the
roof of his nephew, Matthew Pilson, IN
his 74th year. His sister Ellen went TO
Ohio with her father.
Richard, mentioned in connection
with Hamilton. removed at an early
day to the county of Patrick, on the
Carolina border. He was known all
over that region AS Squire PIlson,
and his house was the headquarters OF
the Presbyterian clergy, not very unm-
erous at that Gay.
Tradition says that the Rev. A Alex
ander. Rev. J. B. Smith, and Rev. VIM.
Calhoun, soon after being licensed, did
some missionary service in Southslde
Virginia. M Messrs. Alexander and Smith
passed through buckingham a d
Prince Edward and on to Petersburg.
There was no church there; and to
bacco warehouse was lmprovlsed for
about two weeks. Mr.. Smith went
north. and Mr.. Alexander Travelled up
inside of the Carolina line and reached
Squire Pilson' s. Greatly to bis sur
prise and qualification, be there met
his 1T10Hu OdlUOuH. AItCl
some time doing service i'll that region,
they turned their faces towards the
Valley. Reaching it, they put up at a
comfortable inn and askedafor lodging.
shortly after they arrived. q party OF
six gentlemen rode up, seeking enter
tainment, which they secured. They
II ,f
retiring, the young divines consulted
whether they would let The host know
their calling and propose family wor-
ship. Mr.. Alexander thought, under
the circumstances, it would be better
not. Mr. Calhoun thought otherwise
and consulted the proprietor. He said
that he would be glad to have worship.
but feared he could no control his eom-