Life of Count Rumford. 71 



think it must have been at an earlier time, probably 

 . in March, 1775, while he was at his mother Pierce's 

 house in New Bridge Village, Woburn, a military com- 

 pany, perhaps a body of practising minute-men, came 

 to arrest him when he was temporarily confined by 

 illness. His friend, Colonel Baldwin, whose mansion 

 was opposite, seeing the men halt, at once suspected 

 their object, and determined to try to protect Thomp- 

 son. He made a speech to the company, saying that 

 he well knew his friend's principles and feelings, and 

 that he was not inimical to the American cause, but 

 might have appeared so in consequence of having been 

 disappointed of the promotion he desired. After plead- 

 ing in behalf of Thompson to the extent of his ability, 

 he remarked to the men that they must be greatly 

 fatigued by their ma'rch, and that he would be much 

 gratified if they would cross over to his barn (which 

 was the nearest building, and opposite the Pierce 

 house), and that he would then bring out what he 

 might have for their refreshment. They accepted the 

 invitation, and were so generously treated with food and 

 liquor that their errand was overlooked, and they re- 

 turned without molesting Thompson, though they had 

 previously twice sent in their summons that he should 

 present himself, whether sick or well. 



Whether this incident transpired at the earlier or the 

 later date, it shows that Major Thompson had not 

 overcome the animosity against him. While his wife 

 and child were with him the skirmishes at Concord, 

 Massachusetts, and Lexington occurred, in which it 

 has been said, on what authority I cannot learn, that 

 Thompson bore arms with the Massachusetts yeomen 

 in resisting the British inroad. 



