The Alexander Ramsay Thompson Manuscript Collection

Collection

Identifier: SCM 221

Staff Only

Scope and Content

This collection consists of scrapbooks, photographs, genealogical tables and notebooks, ledgers, diaries, correspondence, and various mementos and documents belonging to Dr. Thompson's family.

Dates

1777 - 1895

Language of Materials

English

Access:

There are no special restrictions on access to this collection. It may be examined by library patrons under the normal rules and conditions of the Seminary Archives.

Preferred Citation

The following is the acceptable citation for publication: The Alexander Ramsay Thompson Manuscript Collection. Special Collections, Princeton Theological Seminary Library.

Chronology

1822 October 16
: Born, New York City
1842
: Graduated, New York University
1842-1845
: Student, Princeton Theological Seminary
1845
: Assistant, Reformed Church of America, Brooklyn
1845
: Assistant, 8th Street Presbyterian Church, New York City
1846 January 14
: Ordained, Presbytery of Elizabethtown
1846-1847
: Pastor, First Church, Morristown, New Jersey
1847-1848
: Missionary, Bedford, New York
1848-1851
: Pastor, Reformed Church of America, Tompkinsville
1851-1859
: Pastor, Stapleton
1859-1862
: Stated supply, South Cong church, Bridgeport, Connecticut
1862-1873
: Pastor, 21st Street Reformed Church of America, New York City
1863-1865
: Chaplain, New England Hospital, New York City
1865
: Awarded honorary Doctor of Divinity, New York University
1873-1890
: Chaplain, Roosevelt Hospital, New York University
1873-1884
: Pastor, North Reformed Church of America, Brooklyn, New York
1895 February 7
: Died, Summit, New Jersey

Biographical Information

The Reverend Doctor Alexander Ramsay Thompson (1822-1895) was born in New York, New York and educated at New York University and Princeton Theological Seminary (class of 1845). He was a pastor of several Dutch Reformed churches in New York and New Jersey, and served as a military chaplain during the Civil War. He also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from New York University.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (4 Boxes)

Additional Description

Related Material

See also the following material in Special Collections:

Thompson, Alexander R. Hymnal. New York?: s.n, 1870s. Benson Collection of hymnals and hymnology. Call Number: SCC #4927

Thompson, Alexander R. On the Way. New York: [s.n.], 1895. Benson Collection of hymnals and hymnology. Call Number: SCB #14,595

Zimmermann, Linda. Forging a Nation: From Revolution to Civil War : personal experiences of three generations of the Thompson Family, from documents in the private collection of Richard F. Ricca. New York: Eagle Press, 1996. Call Number: SC Ref CS71.T66 Z56 1996

Processing Information:

The provenance of this collection is unknown. These items had been preserved uncataloged in library storage for many years before they were semi-organized as a manuscript collection in October of 1996. The original finding aid was written by Raymond D. Cannata, under the direction of William O. Harris, Archivist, in January 1997. The collection was reorganized and the finding aid was updated by Daved Anthony Schmidt in October of 2009.