John Thomson (Presbyterian Minister) - Educational Institutions

Educational Institutions

The Synod of Philadelphia created a school in 1743 under the leadership of Rev. Francis Allison that was the culmination of years of attempts that had never gotten fully off the ground. John Thomson had always been in favor of a school for young men. Thus, in 1744 when trustees were chosen for the school, John Thomson was placed on the original board. This school moved when it was taken over by Rev. Alexander McDowell, and was given a charter by New Jersey in 1769 as the Newark Academy. The original charter recognizes the original board including John Thomson. The Newark Academy would eventually become the University of Delaware.

John Thomson may have also contributed to the founding of Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. Apparently while a missionary at the Buffalo Settlement in Virginia, he began a school for young men. Some argue that this is the school from which Hampden-Sydney sprang. John Thomson's son-in-law, Richard Sankey (sometimes written Zanchey) sat on the original board. This may give credence to the claims that John Thomson's efforts and school led to the founding of the college.