First Continental Congress Secretary Thomson Honored in Philadelphia

On October 13, 2024, the Sons of the American Revolution sponsored and executed a Patriot Grave Marking honoring Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress from 1774-1789. Mr. Thomson was born in Ireland in 1729, then migrated to the American Colonies in 1739 with his father and brothers. Mr. Thomson served as the only secretary to the Continental Congress and was at Philadelphia's Independence Hall when the Declaration of Independence was signed. The first published version of the Declaration included his name and role as Secretary. Thomson drew and submitted a proposal for the Great Seal of the United States. With some modifications his design was adopted by Congress.
Thomson was admired by Founding Fathers including John Adams, who considered Thomson to be the “Samuel Adams” of Philadelphia. He was an ally of Benjamin Franklin and a member of the Philadelphia Sons of Liberty. Thomson spoke out against Britain's various Intolerable Acts and was an outspoken, and active proponent of Independence.
Thomson resided at "Harriton House," just west of Philadelphia in Bryn Mawr, PA, built in 1704 by Rowland Ellis. The next owner was Richard Harrison, daughter of Hannah Harrison Thomson, Charles Thomson's 2nd wife. He married Hannah September 1, 1774, shortly before the First Continental Congress convened.
Thomson died in August of 1824 and initially interred with Hannah in the family cemetery at Harriton. He and his wife were later re-interred at Laurel Hill Cemetery, also west of Philadelphia.
The Sons of the American Revolution, led by National Historian General Jeffrey D. Thomas, honored Charles Thomson with a Patriot Grave Marking as part of the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the First Continental Congress. The Congress convened in Philadelphia between the 5th of September and the 26th of October, 1774.
The Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter of Loudoun County was represented by Ken Bonner. Mr. Bonner participated in the Color Guard, wreath presentation, and a firelock volley at Thomson’s grave at Laurel Hill Cemetery to honor Mr. Thomson.
For more information about the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter please visit our website at https://johnchampe-sar.org/.