Ralph Thompson

1781 - 1831


Biography

Planter and attorney in Jamaica. Ralph Thompson of Christiania, "white", age 51 years, was buried in Manchester, Jamaica, 13/07/1831.

Son of James Thompson of Shoreswood Hall, Norham (d. 1844) and his wife Martha (d. 1838). Probably the Ralph Thompson who was born 18/05/1781 in Norham.

Shoreswood Hall is a Grade II listed early 18th century house near Norham.

Probably married to Eleanor Jane Carpenter (1784-1873), described as the widow of Ralph Thompson Esquire of Jamaica on her gravestone. Eleanor Jane was born in Jamaica, the daughter of Thomas and Anne Thompson.

His daughter Martha Thompson was born in Jamaica c. 1809. She was living in Northumberland from at least 1851 until her death in 1882, with the occupation annuitant.


Sources

Familysearch.org, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online].

Headstone in Norham Churchyard, Northumberland, Section C Row 7 -9 - Thompson:

Erected in memory of Martha wife of James THOMPSON of Shoreswood Hall who died 26th November 1838 aged 81 years.

Also the above James THOMPSON who departed this life 9th May 1844 aged 88 years.

Also Ralph their son planter in Jamaica who died July 12th 1831 aged 49 years.

Also James (M.D.) their son who died in New Orleans in America 23rd May 1833 aged 31 years.

Also Isabella their daughter who died at Berrington June 30th 1857 aged 61 years.

Also John their son who died at Berrington November 13th 1866 aged 70 years.

Also Jane their daughter who died at Berrington August 21st 1871 aged 72 years.

Adam THOMPSON who died 25th March 1877 aged 90 years.

Martha THOMPSON daughter of the above Ralph THOMPSON who died 22nd November 1882 aged 73 years.

Ancestry.com, England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database online].

Vere Langford Oliver, Caribbeana being miscellaneous papers relating to the history, genealogy, topography, and antiquities of the British West Indies (6 vols., London, Mitchell, Hughes and Clarke, 1910-1919) vol. 3 p. 191 has a transcription of her headstone in Kensal Green Cemetery, London:

Eleanor Jane Thompson the widow of Ralph Thompson Esqre of Jamaica Born 3rd December 1784 died 22nd December 1873.

A footnote states, "Eleanor Jane Thompson (born Carpenter), daughter of Thomas and Ann Carpenter (born Lovibond), who was great-grandson of Samuel Carpenter, Treasurer of Barbados, and afterwards of Philadelphia, U.S.A., the friend and companion of Penn."

https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101155157-shoreswood-hall-shoreswood#.WhWfoVVpG2w [accessed 22/11/2017].

We are grateful to Trevor Swan for his assistance with compiling this entry.


Further Information

Children
Martha (1809-1882)
Occupation
Planter and attorney

Associated Estates (9)

The dates listed below have different categories as denoted by the letters in the brackets following each date. Here is a key to explain those letter codes:

  • SD - Association Start Date
  • SY - Association Start Year
  • EA - Earliest Known Association
  • ED - Association End Date
  • EY - Association End Year
  • LA - Latest Known Association
1817 [EA] - → Attorney
1809 [EA] - 1815 [LA] → Not known
1820 [EA] - → Attorney
1820 [EA] - → Attorney
1823 [EA] - 1829 [LA] → Joint owner
1820 [EA] - → Attorney
1820 [EA] - 1823 [LA] → Attorney
1817 [EA] - → Attorney
1823 [EA] - → Other

Purchaser of enslaved people from this estate.


Addresses (1)

Shoreswood Hall, Norham, Northumberland, Northern England, England