Hi,
I have sent many emails to people listing the line of John Theophilus Thompson. Only a few have taken the time to email me back regarding their information. I am seeking sources and references to this line. I have a big feeling the line is tainted. I have spent the last week visiting the libraries in Norfolk County VA. The Norfolk Public Library and the Chesapeake public library. There is nothing in either library that lists this specific Thompson. I was able to find info on some of the children listed as John's but no parents were linked with them. There are many Butt's in Norfolk Co. VA but there isn't one listing for an Alsey Butt. I spoke with a historian whose passion is researching the ships that were in the Norfolk Co in the 1700's. After, I was unable to find Hohn or Theophilus or both names in the Norfolk records. I told the historian that it is said that John died at sea. Some claim he was attacked by pirates others claim he started a new family in or around Barbado's. I know that there would be a record about this if John was a merchant. People would be seeking their money or goods. There is no official documented record of any such disaster. Newspaper resources that might have listed anything were destroyed in a fire. I won't find anything for the year John set out to barbado's or after.
The ship records do not list a John Thompson of any sort. I do have a John Thompson listed with a ship that is not his and it's dated 1699 and 1700, I believe.
So far I have failed to prove the lines out there. I would think it wise for others to ask for sources other than heads of households. I have those sources too and they don't tell you who is who and whose related to who. I have a small quantity of miscellaneous info on this specific Thompson line as well as more info I don't know where it belongs. I can't build a tree from this info without assuming in some big ways.
At this point in my research I am going to assume that some researchers did a lot of assuming on the line and it's tainted. Until I can prove the line or someone shows me verifiable references.
I thought other researchers would like to know what I am not finding regarding the line. Keep smiling!
Darlene