Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Thompson, Pishey

738922Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 56 — Thompson, Pishey1898Charles William Sutton

THOMPSON, PISHEY (1784–1862), historian of Boston, was born at Peachey Hall, Freiston, near Boston, Lincolnshire, in 1784. While engaged as a bank clerk at Boston he began to collect materials for a history of that town and the neighbouring villages. His intention to publish such a work was announced in 1807, and he continued his labours until 1819, when he removed to the United States. His materials were then arranged and published under the title of ‘Collections for a Topographical and Historical Account of Boston and the Hundred of Skirbeck in the County of Lincoln,’ 1820. While in America he followed the occupation of a bookseller and publisher at Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, where he formed the acquaintance of Daniel Webster, Edward Everett, and other leading men. When he returned to England in 1846 he resumed work on his book, which he eventually published in 1856 as ‘The History and Antiquities of Boston and the Villages of Skirbeck, Fishtoft, Freiston, Butterwick, Bennington, Leverton, Leake, and Wrangle, comprising the Hundred of Skirbeck in the County of Lincoln’ (royal 8vo, pp. xxii, 824). This work is admirably arranged and executed, and well illustrated and indexed. He died at Stoke Newington on 25 Sept. 1862, and was buried at Abney Park cemetery. He was married, but had no children. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Tonge, was the author of a small volume of poems.

[Pref. to Hist. of Boston; Gent. Mag. 1862, ii. 651; information kindly supplied by Mr. Charles Wright, sen. and Miss J. E. Smith of Boston.]

C. W. S.