It was 1716 when Archibald Thompson, with two brothers, landed in Amboy, New Jersey, from Scotland. It is surmised he was a child at the time since he did not marry until 1741, 25 year later. His wife . . was of Holland stock and bore many children. One of their sons, John Thompson, served in the Revolutionary War as a Captain, who . . was taken prisoner by the British and held by them until the close of the war.
To John, a son- Phillip K., was born in New Brunswick, N.J., in 1778, growing up in Fonda, N.Y. After age 21, c. 1800, he married Eunice Gaylord and became a farmer in Livingston County, N. Y., prior to moving to Ohio in 1846. From 1848-49 he was a representative in the Ohio legislature, later moving to Oberlin, O. He had seven children by his first wife and three by the second. Which was the mother of John, born June 22, 1819, in New York, weve not been able to determine. Young John worked as a farm laborer earning $12.00 per month, taking an academical course at Nunda Academy in Nunda. N. Y., from which he added teaching to his income. By 25 years of age, John came to Michigan (1844) teaching in Washtenew County. His teaching took him from Minnesota to Mississippi, always on the lookout out for a place to settle. However, in February, 1853, hed returned to Michigan and purchased 230 acres in Section 1 of Green Oak Township, through which the Huron River flows; east of Kensington Road on the south side of the Grand River Trail.
He and 26 year old Annie E. Glover, whom hed married October 9, 1851, settled on their farm and raised a family of six. The eldest, Phillip, graduated from Michigan State Normal School (EMS) and became a farmer in Dakota. Sarah graduated from Oberlin, O.; she died c. 1880. Mary G., after graduating from Michigan State Normal (EMS), became a doctor at Michigan University (UM), taking her practice to Boulder, CO. Gaylord graduated from State Agricultural College (MSU) becoming a prosperous attorney in West Superior, Wisconsin. John, Jr., became a pharmacist in Adrain after receiving his degree at the University (UM). Baby Eunice graduated from Ann Arbor High School c. 1880.
Evidenced by the fact they educated their daughters, as well as their sons, John and Annie well know the value of . . a thorough and comprehensive education. They provided an atmosphere conducive to that end.
By 1890 John had 312 acres upon which he raised a fine flock of sheep, along with grain and stock. John and Annie died within four days of each other (John-February 22, 1893 at 75 years and Annie- February 18, 1893 at 68 years). They are buried in the Old Kensington Cemetery (north side of Grand River) not far from their home on the Grand River Trail. In 1895 Eunice owns 40 acres of the original farm, just inside the county line, immediately west of the site of the former Village of Kensington, now owned by the Island Lake Recreation Area.
Compiled by Marieanna Bair from Atlas and Census records; Old Kensington Cemetery records; 1891 Portrait and Biographical Album.