Family History
Dedicated to the Genealogy of
New England Goodwins and Intersecting Genealogies and Family Trees
Thompson Family History pg. 5
His last voyage was as first mate of the brig "Trident" of Kennebunkport, commanded by his brother, Captain Nathaniel Thompson (who was father of the late Captain Nathaniel L., Colonel William L., Frank and Charles Thompson, of Kennebunk), bound from New Orleans to Amsterdam. Captain Nathaniel Thompson died at New Orleans, and the command of the vessel devolved on Benjamin, who took it to Amsterdam. He suffered from malarial fever, contracted in the south, and was obliged to give up his life on the sea. He returned to the homestead and devoted himself to farming, acquiring a substantial fortune during his long life. When he relinquished the farm to his son Horace on account of advanced age, he continued to live in the old home with his son and his daughter Mary Elizabeth, the only surviving children. At the time of the father's centennial birthday, the son was seventy-one years old. Captain Thompson was a leading citizen of Kennebunkport; was for seven years on its board of selectmen, managing its affairs with ability and discretion. Before the civil war he was a Jacksonian Democrat; afterward a Republican. He retained excellent health almost to the last. Until he was ninety-eight years old he never engaged the services of a physician or took a dose of medicine; never used tobacco and never bought a glass of liquor over a bar except once. When he was in his prime he was six feet in height and he never weighed more than one hundred and sixty-eight pounds, yet he was of extraordinary strength. Once in Gibraltar he lifted three fifty-six pound cannon balls by his little finger, a feat none of his shipmates could equal. A few days after the centennial birthday of Captain Thompson, Charles O. Huff, a personal friend, wrote of him: "He is now quite erect, standing or sitting, and moves as spryly as the average men do at seventy-five. His head is well covered with iron-gray hair, and his eyes are quite brilliant under his heavy eyebrows.
He reads easily with glasses and, save his hearing, which is quite dull, his senses and mind are well preserved. He is buoyant in spirit and appears to be in perfect health.” (During the interview many mementoes of ancient date were produced and shown by the Captain. Among them were the old musket and powder-horn used by his father in the revolutionary war; the fire shovel and tongs that were his grandfather Thompson's; the dining table which is over two hundred years old, now in daily use by the family; the old clock in the corner of the sitting room, which has done duty for seventy-five years, and is now ticking away the time of the second century of the captain's life. The room where he was born and which he now occupies was noticed. There is no stove in it, and no heat but what is furnished by a wood fire in an adjoining room. The captain says he believes in having a good circulation of air, and that wood fire is more healthy than coal. His appetite is good, his sleep generally undisturbed; and he arises refreshed in mind and body.) Captain Thompson married, in June, 1821, Matilda Smith, born 1796, died November 1, 1877, daughter of Captain Robert Smith. Children: 1. Horace, born November 15, 1822, mentioned below. 2. William J., lost at sea at the age of eighteen. 3. Lydia Jane, born October 26, 1825, died at the age of nine. 4. Mary Elizabeth, born December, 1828, died November 5, 1895. 5. Robert, born July 8, 1830, died January 28, 1871. 6. Francis, born April 27, 1834, died March 11, 1872. He and his family attended the Baptist church.
(VIII) Horace, son of Benjamin (4) Thompson, was born at Kennebunkport, Maine, November 15, 1822. He was educated in the common schools of his native town and at the Kennebunk Academy. During his youth he worked on his father's farm. In 1848 he began his career as clerk in a general store in Kennebunk, and after three years in that position established a boot and shoe store at Saco. He sold his business after a few years, and in 1871 succeeded to the homestead which he conducted until 1903, when he sold it, removing to his present home in Saco, where he has since lived a retired life. From 1871 to 1891 he was also in the employ of the P. S. & P. railroad. In politics he is a Republican. He is an attendant of the Baptist church. He is well known and greatly esteemed by his townsmen. He married, December, 1853, Elizabeth T. Allen, born April 19, 1834, daughter of Jacob and Joanna Allen, of Turner, Maine. Children: 1. Elizabeth A., born September, 1854, died January 9, 1904; married William Stackpole; children : i. Fred H. Stackpole, born April 23, 1876; ii. William H. Stackpole, October 29, 1879. 2. Adeline Matilda, born June 26, 1856.