Thomson, John

John Thomson was a Federalist and associate of Alexander Contee Hanson, the publisher of the Federal Republican. On the night of July 28, 1812, he was with Hanson and twenty others to defend Hanson and his home from the mob that had gathered. The group of men were betrayed by several people meant to guard them when they agreed to go to the gaol the next day and the mob was able to access the area where they were contained. Thomson originally was able to get out of the room, but was caught, beaten, tarred and feathered, burned, and nearly hanged, before finally being set free and taken to a hospital where he was roomed with General Henry Lee. He and the General were moved to Pennsylvania and later, he told his story in a full narrative pamphlet.