The Thompson Family
San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Dr. Samuel (1765-1843) and Precious Wofford (d. 1841) Thompson and their sons were among the earliest settlers of this area. Samuel Thompson served as Alcalde of the San Augustine municipality and later organized area churches and schools. Burrell J. Thompson (1790-1875), the eldest Thompson son, came to Texas in 1821 with Stephen F. Austin. He was involved in the Fredonian Rebellion, gave financial aid to the Texas Revolution, and later served three terms as Justice of the Peace in San Augustine. William Alston Thompson (1795-1837) arrived in Texas with his brother Burrell in 1821. He served in the Texas Revolution and in 1837 was murdered by horse thieves near his home. Napoleon B. Thompson served in a Ranger company during the Texas Revolution. He was District Attorney of the San Augustine Judicial District and died sometime before 1850. Charleton W. Thompson (1809-1838) was Alcalde at Anahuac, served in the Convention of 1833, and was a member of the Republic of Texas Congress in 1838. John H. Thompson was a participant in the Battle of Nacogdoches. Descendants of the pioneer Thompson family still remain in San Augustine County. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Dr. Samuel Thompson and his wife Precious, with their grown sons, were among the earliest Anglo settlers of the San Augustine area, and Samuel served as alcalde before helping organize local churches and schools. Their sons stood at the center of Texas's founding drama: eldest son Burrell came with Stephen F. Austin's colonists in 1821 and joined the Fredonian Rebellion; others fought in the Texas Revolution, sat in the Convention of 1833, and served in the Republic of Texas Congress. One brother was murdered by horse thieves, another rode with a Ranger company, in the rough world of the frontier borderlands.
Why it matters
The Thompsons are a single family's window onto the entire birth of Texas—from Austin's first colonists through rebellion, revolution, and the young Republic.
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Related people
- · Samuel Thompson
- · Burrell J. Thompson
- · William Alston Thompson
- · Charleton W. Thompson
- · Stephen F. Austin
Related events
- · Fredonian Rebellion
- · Texas Revolution
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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