Thompson, Robert Blashel

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by John Taylor, 22 July 1836, in Upper Canada. Resided at Churchville, Chinguacousy Township, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada, 24 Apr. 1837. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, May 1837. Married Mercy Rachel Fielding, 4 June 1837, in Kirtland. Began serving mission to Upper Canada, June 1837. Returned to Kirtland, Mar. 1838. Moved to Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri, with Hyrum Smith’s family, May 1838. Fought in skirmish at Crooked River, near Ray Co., Missouri, 25 Oct. 1838. After Missouri expulsion, moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, 1839. Appointed to gather reports and publications circulated against church, 4 May 1839, at Quincy. Ordained a seventy, 6 May 1839. Moved to Commerce (later Nauvoo), Hancock Co., Illinois, 1839. Appointed to Nauvoo incorporation committee, 1840. Regent of University of Nauvoo, 1841. Appointed aide-de-camp to lieutenant general in Nauvoo Legion, Mar. 1841. Served as scribe to JS and as church clerk, 1840–1841. Preached sermon at funeral for Joseph Smith Sr., 15 Sept. 1840. Elected Nauvoo city treasurer, 3 Feb. 1841. Associate editor of Times and Seasons, May–Aug. 1841. Died in Nauvoo, apparently from severe lung infection.