IV Life and writings of Count Miimfori, 



r 



Tlolfe, widow of Col. Rolfe^ a lady possessing a considerable 

 country estate, and by whom he afterwards had one daughter, 

 the present Countess of Rumford. From the period of this con- 

 nexion, lie appears to have enjoyed additional consideration in 

 the society around him. Possessing the external quallftcations 

 necessary to conciliate esteem, a handsome and commanding per- 

 son, and a captivating address and manner, he acquired respect 

 and confidence from his equals and acquaintance. An aspirin 

 temper which never deserted him in any subsequent period of his 

 life, led him to cultivate the acquaintance of those whom fortune 

 had placed in more elevated ranks of society. Governor Went- 

 worth, of New Hampshire, was amona; the number with whom 





he had 



the success to ingratiate himself, and this new intimacy 

 procured him the commission of a civil magistrate, and after- 

 wards, of a major in the militia of the province. ^ 



At the commencement of the troubles which gave birth to the 

 American revolution, Major Thompson had the misfortune to 

 labour under suspicions of being unfriendly to the cause of Amer- 



Bdora. These suspicions had their origin almost wholly 

 in his previous intimacy with individuals attached to the British 

 Bide. They were nevertheless so strong, that they kindled into a 

 degree of p(>|)ular excitement against him, which he was more 

 than once obliged to shift his residence to avoid. His real 



fc 



ho 



the side of American lib 



erty. He earnestly sought for a commission in the service of 

 Congress, and continually consulted with his friends how he 

 should avert or change the popular opinion which threatened to 

 frustrate his really patriotic wishes. He was present at the bat- 



where the first blood of the revolution was shed. 



tleofL...„^.„„^ 



V 



