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Accessioned and minimally processed by Benjamin Bromley in June 2011. Processed and finding aid completed by Jonathan Katora, special collections volunteer in August 2011.
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Benjamin Thompson Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary
Diaries and legal documents, 1810-1896, written by Benjamin Thompson (1810-1870) and Otis Thompson (1879-1896) of Topsham, Maine. Diaries include description of his life as a teenager working on a farm, people with whom he interacted, towns he visited, and the sermons at his church. There are also diaries of his life as a teacher, which include daily notes on what he taught. There are also descriptions of a trip that Thompson took to Ohio.
The legal documents related to Benjamin Thompson include work as an estate appraiser, town Selectman, Surveyor, and Justice of the Peace. They include local survey, bankruptcy, and estate documents for people in Topsham.
The legal documents related to Otis Thompson include work as an adminstrator and Justice of the Peace. They include power of attorney, deed, court evidence, and correspondence papers. Some names mentioned are Joseph B. Seeley, Luther Hall, Daniel Graves, Nathaniel Groton, John Hunter, Charles B. Hunter, Arnold Wentsworth, Benjamin Jaques, Mary Wilson, Hugh Wilson, James B. Lowell, John B. Morse, Robert P. Whitney, James Barker, Jane Morang, John Mallet, Walter Bash, Charlie Pierce, Melvin Smith, Thankful Brown, Fidelia Thompson, and Nathaniel Green.