Tying up the Thompsons.
* Established: Thomas Trevor ApSimon < Anna Elizabeth Thompson < Joseph Thompson/Agnes Pettigrew.
* Now, HTA Thompson Tree says that Joseph Thompson had (at least) one brother, Andrew Thompson. However, JdV says her father said that as far as he knew his great grandfather, Robert Thompson, had only one sibling, Joseph Thompson. I'd tend to believe JdV over HTA, who was probably busy with other things and may have relied overly on TTA's memory. On the other hand, if we abolish Andrew Thompson we can no longer explain why we have a silver snuffbox, presented to Mrs Andrew Thomson, New York, from the Glasgow Fire Brigade as a token of esteem for her son William, Glasgow 1848. (AMA: Snuffbox made in Birmingham in 1846-7. Presumably died in fire.)(Presumably Thomas Trevor ApSimon < Anna Elizabeth Thompson < Mrs Andrew Thompson.) Did Robert not mention Andrew for some reason?
* There is speculation on the interweb about the parents Robert, Joseph and possibly Andrew, one source naming as their mother Mrs Grace Thompson, who died 9/1/1829 Mountpleasant, near Florencecourt, aged 80, putting her in her early 50s at the time of their birth.
* Given Joseph's hat/fur business, the fact that his birthplace is sometimes given as Scotland, and Andrew's son William's work in Glasgow, I wonder whether he and his brother(s) are related to the Kilmarnock Thomsons: William Thomson, Kilmarnock, manufacturer and fur merchant, felted fabrics, patents // Son Thomas Thomson dies 25/1/1846 at King Street Kilmarnock aged 5 of scarlet fever (Glasgow Herald, 30/1/1846) // 1841 Scotland Census. Green Street Kilmarnock. Agnes Thomson 80 born Ayrshire occupation Ind, Agnes Thomson 15 born Ayrshire, Jean Thomson 40 born Ayrshire occupation Ind, William Thomson 55 Woollen manufacturer born Ayrshire, William Thomson 15 born Ayrshire, Boyd McCrea 15, Janet Mitchell 25, Mary Mitchell 15. // Glasgow Herald 11/2/1848: marriage of Helen, only daughter of late William Thomson of Kilmarnock, to James Mackintosh, merchant, Glasgow, at 18 Hyde Park Place by Rev Samuel Miller of Free St. Mathew's
* Re William:
** Could he be the William Thomson of Kilmarnock and the son of Andrew of New York? Surely too old for the latter.
** Perhaps he is the policeman in the following (and not the Kilmarnock William Thomson), and that he dies before getting to the States, whereupon the Fire Brigade for whatever reason send his mum in New York the famous snuffbox. Glasgow Herald 11/8/1848 p4: Police Presentation to Mr. Wm. Thomson. William Thomson, police clerk, is off to the USA. Presentation committe include Mr Forsyth of the Fire Brigade. To be presented with gold watch from Glasgow Police His situation for many years was a very peculiar one, and in the performance of his duties he uniformly acted in a manner both prudent and judicious. In present position for 6 years. Inclined to leave his situation and join his friends in America. Massive gold watch and appendages "Expressive of his value as a public servant of the City of Glasgow.
** I do not think he is one of the two William Thomsons who died in the typhus outbreak in 1847: Glasgow Herald 31/5/1847: Death of Mr William Thomson on Saturday AM of typhus, Superintendent of the Poor for the city of Glasgow. Son predeceased him 3 months ago from typhus fever, having left work in engineer's office to help father. Senior for many years worked as superintendent of the poor, having given up his private business to do so. // Long interview with Poor Law Thomson in 1843 https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ypo-AQAAMAAJ&lpg=PA285&ots=q6VGYfepg8&dq=william%20thomson%20superintendent%20poor%20glasgow&pg=PA285#v=onepage&q&f=false // 1841 census St Andrew's Square, Glasgow St Andrews: William 50 (1791) Superintendent, Isabella 40, William 21 (1820) civil engineer, Catherine 14, Jessie 10, Isabella 5, John 3, Donella 1 //Glasgow Parochial Board 12/7/1847 reports deaths of Inspector William Thomson and Assistant Inspector William Thomson, votes 107/2/6 for senior's family, 58/11/6 for junior's - leaves widowed mother with young family