Thompson, Meriwether Jeff, 1826-1876. | Tulane University Special Collections

Name: Thompson, Meriwether Jeff, 1826-1876.

Historical Note: Meriwether Jeff Thompson, son of Meriwether and Martha Broaddus Thompson, was born 1826 January 22, at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Both grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers. At fourteen, he went to Charleston, West Virginia, to attend military school. At seventeen, he moved to Philadelphia, then to Frederick City, Maryland, and eventually to Liberty and St. Joseph, Missouri. At twenty-two, he was married. His career included study and practice of waterway engineering and surveying in Louisiana; his military exploits in the Civil War led to the nickname, "Missouri's swamp fox of the Confederacy." At the close of the war, Thompson was appointed Surveyor General of Louisiana; also Chief State Engineer of Louisiana. He died in St. Joseph, Missouri, 1876 September 6, and was buried in Mount Mora Cemetery. Later family members lived in Missouri and Louisiana.

Sources: Manuscripts Collection 72

Note Author: sp

Records or Manuscript Collections Created by Thompson, Meriwether Jeff, 1826-1876.