89
T
HE
H
ONORABLE
A
LEXANDER
T
HOMSON
1788
–
1848
Archibald Thomson, son of Alexander and
Elizabeth, joined the Patriots during the American
Revolution. In 1785 he married Ann Andrews and
moved to Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Ann and
Archibald died young leaving a family of two sons and
five daughters. Alexander, born January 12, 1788, (d.
August 2, 1848) was apprenticed to his Uncle Andrew,
the sickle maker, at the age of 15.
Recognizing his nephew's love of learning,
Andrew ended the indenture. Alexander studied for a
short
time
under
Reverend
Mr.
Grier
in
Northumberland. When he returned to the valley,
Alexander took charge of the academy in Bedford,
studied law under Judge Riddle and was admitted to
the Bar.
Alexander served in the Pennsylvania House of
Representatives and in 1824-1826 in the United States
House of Representatives. At the end of his term in