Capt. Thompson Ward - Builder of Ft. Amanda

 

Captain Thompson Ward

 

Note the fallen tree to the left side of the picture. Ohio Historical Connection officials say that the tree was growing during the time Ft. Amanda was being built.

When I first began researching the history of Ft. Amanda, I knew nothing about the men and women associated with it. My perception was that most of the men were older fellows, salt of the earth God fearing people, a little rough around the edges, rugged frontier types with little to no education.

Old Frontiersman

Boy was I wrong. Many of the main characters in the Ft. Amanda story were young men under the age of 30 and a large number of those yet in their teens. In particular was Captain Thompson Ward, the man assigned to built Ft. Amanda. Thompson was definitely not an "older fellow" (26 years old at the time) In addition, he was neither “rough around the edges", nor would one describe him as a "rugged frontier type." In fact, many of the young company commanders were also lawyers or politicians.   

As for Ward's education, in addition to being a soldier, Ward was also a farmer, lawyer and legislator. He practiced law before the Greenup County, Kentucky Bar from 1815-1830, admitted to Bar as an Attorney of Lewis County in 1819, and served as a State Representative from Greenup County in 1815, 1817, 1818 and 1830 and State Senator from 1820-1826. He was at one point a member of the Electoral College for the state of Kentucky. He purchased and sold land in Carter County (formerly Greenup County), Kentucky from 1819 through 1842. He continued to practice law in Missouri and in Oregon.

As you can see, Thompson Ward was far from the preconceived perception of an old, rough around the edges and uneducated frontiersman, in fact, he was quite the opposite.

Young Frontiersman

Thompson Ward (1786 - 1860)

Thompson Ward was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky on April 6, 1786, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Thompson Ward. He later moved to Fleming, Kentucky where he married Sarah Kountz (Kouns). She was born in Pennsylvania on April 28, 1789. Thompson and Sarah had two daughters; Nancy (b. 1819) and Sarah Elizabeth (b. 1829). Captain Ward was a close personal friend of another of Pogue’s company commanders; Joseph C. Belt. Years later, Ward daughter Sarah married Belts son, Dr. Alfred Belt. There is anecdotal evidence that at least some of the men in Joseph Belts company helped build Ft. Amanda and wintered there in 1812.

After the War

After the War, Ward emigrated from Kentucky to Missouri in 1842 where he continued practicing law. The 1850 census lists his address as Weston, Platte County, Missouri and his occupation as “Judge of the Court.” In 1854 he moved again, this time to Salem Oregon.

If You Won't Take Care of Business I will!

By 1847, Thompson Ward had been promoted to General in the Missouri Militia and was living near Lower Lake, Plat County, Missouri. It was during this time settlers were having problems with the local Fox Indians. Ward, apparently not waiting on the slow wheels of government to take action, seems to have taken matters into his own hands. The Jan. 19, 1847 edition of a local newspaper reported the following:

 "General Thompson Ward, commander of "the 15th Division Missouri Militia, near Lower Lake, Platte county," following the example of his political compeers, has determined to get up a war on his own responsibility. It seems, from the explanations of the editor of the Platte Argus, that a band of Fox Indians are roaming at large in the counties of Gentry and Harrison, committing depredations on the property of citizens, and frequently insulting and terrifying women and children, being excited thereto from the effects of liquor, which is furnished them by whiskey traders, who "follow in their wake. "It is furthermore said, that he has been induced to order the immediate removal of these Indians out of the State, by the representation of men of high character and standing, residing in the immediate neighborhood of the "scene of action" - the "infected region." All this sounds well enough, but we should like to know where this militia general gets his authority to commence such acts of hostility against these Indians, or any body else. Would it not be quite as well for the general to employ himself in finding out the punishing the scoundrels who sell whiskey to the Indians, thereby causing them to insult the women and children, instead of taking upon himself to call out the militia and punish the Indians? We had supposed that the Governor might have something to say in matters of this kind, but it seems that Gen. Ward considers himself quite competent to originate and carry on the war without any consultation with him. We shall note its progress."

 In a letter to Captain Moses H. Simmonds, commander of another company of Missouri militia, Ward wrote:

 "SIR: You are hereby commanded that you, with your company of one hundred men, take immediate and requisite steps to cause to be removed from beyond the bounds of this State the Fox Indians, or any others who may be found lurking about or encamped within the counties of Gentry and Harrison, or any other counties in the northern frontier of the State of Missouri. You will cause said Indians to be passed over the River Missouri, at or near the town of St. Joseph, and you will pursue as gentle means as possible with said Indians, so as to be enabled to consummate this order.
Given under my hand the day and year first above written."
THOMPSON WARD

 

The 1850 census lists Wards address as Weston, Platte County, Missouri and his occupation as “Judge of the Court.” In 1854 he moved again, this time to Salem Oregon. Sarah Ward, Thompsons wife, died two years later on July 26, 1856.

Thompson eventually moved in with his daughter and her family; the John Bell family. The 1860 census lists John Bells occupation as "merchant." Ward, was still practicing law at the age of 74. Just 3 days after the 1860 census was taken, Thompson Ward died; August 2, 1860.

Thompson Ward's Obituary

OBITUARY: Died -- In Salem, Aug. 2, Gen. Thompson Ward, of Salem, aged 80. Gen. Ward was born in Bourbon County, Ky., April 6th, 1780. Died Aug. 2, 1860. Emigrated from Kentucky to Missouri in 1842, and from thence to Oregon in 1854. He was a captain in the war of 1812. At the close of the war, he was elected General of militia in Kentucky. He held various posts of public trust, and in every post, private and public, he was most prompt and faithful. He lived a useful and efficient life, continuing his labors to within one week of its close. The deceased was universally respected in life and mourned in death. He was buried with Masonic honors, the funeral being attended by a large concourse of citizens.

Weekly Oregon Statesman, Aug. 7, 1860.

Taken before the stones were lost.

Thompson Ward and his wife Sarah are buried side by side in the Salem Pioneer Cemetery, Salem, Marion County, Oregon, Plot 39.

(Many thanks to Tracey Saucy of Salem, Oregon who at the request of a total stranger in Ohio, took the time to go to the cemetery and snap this picture. Thank you so much Tracey)

GPS: N44°55'12.80”,W123°02’48.61”

Sensing the Past

Next time you visit the Fort Amanda park as you're approaching the obelisk, to the left of the monument was the large blockhouse and more than likely the quarters for Captain Thompson Ward. I once gave a talk at a historical society and on my way home it was dark but I felt compelled to stop by the fort. I parked along the road and walked across the field and sat at the base of the monument in total darkness. There I was, alone, in the dark half thinking, this is crazy, but turns out I had a purpose. I know it was imagination but sitting there I could visualize the light of the cabins peeking through the windows and under the doors and smell the smoke from the chimneys. I imagined a sentry walking his post in the dark, walking slowly back and fort. I had been transported back to 1812. Oh sure, the buildings of Ft. Amanda are long gone and the soldiers have long since passed on, but the thing that will reside there forever is our appreciation for their service and the sacrifices they made for our country..