Ralph Thompson

Ralph Thompson (sometimes Thomson) was an Albany resident during the last quarter of the eighteenth century. Subsequent information tells us that he was born between 1756 and 1774. We seek information on his origins and path to Albany.

His wife was Ann. In July 1789, their son (Archibald) was christened at the Albany Lutheran church. In October 1790, another son, John, was baptized at St. Peter's Episcopal church.

In 1788, his house and property were valued on the city assessment roll at the end of the first ward.

In 1790, the Southside household of Ralph Thompson included four members. A decade later, the census showed three young boys, a young girl, and a man and slightly younger woman at the same location. In 1799, the first ward assessment valued his house, lot, and property modestly and noted that Abraham Quackenbush was living there as well.

After that, his name has not yet been encountered in our sweep of available community-based resources.

He does not seem to have been accounted for in the first city directory published in 1813.

In 1816, the widow Ann Thompson was listed in the city directory at 75 Hudson Street.

We seek information on the later life and passing of Ralph Thompson. Also puzzling is the seeming absence of expected qualitative information (economic and governmental) in the community-based record. At this point, we step back and move on.

Sources: The life of Ralph Thompson has not been assigned a CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.