The following is a transcription of Robert B. Thompson biography by Mercy R. Thompson, 1854 November (CHL call no.: CR 100 396):
Robert Blushel Thompson was Born
Oct. 1st 1811. in great Driffield, Yorkshire, Old England: was educated at
Dunnington. became a member of the Primitive Methodist Society when very young,
and in connection with that People preached what he then considered to be the
gospel for several years. In 1834 he with his parents Immigrated to the
Province of Upper Canada where he engaged in Merchanttile business, In May 1835
he embraced the Gospel of the Lord Jesus christ was Baptized by Elder Parley P.
Pratt was shortly after Ordained a Priest. In 1835 he moved to Kirtland where
on the 1st of june he was Married by Joseph Smith junr. to Mercy Rachel
Fielding received a Patriarchal Blessing from joseph Smith Sen. june 10. in the
same Month was Ordained to the Melchisadec Priesthood, and into the first
Quorum of Seventies; and was appointed to return to Upper Canada, on a Mission;
where he remained until Feb. 1836 preaching and Baptizing; when he was called
to go to Missouri in company with Brother Hyrum Smith and at Far West on the 3.
of june, was in the Battle at crooked River with David Patten; a few Days after
which he with a number of the Brethren had to flee into the Wilderness to
escape the fury of the Mob who were sworn to kill every Man who was engaged in
that Battle; he with the rest of the Brethren endured great hardships, the
Weather being extremely cold the snow deep, and their provisions failing they
had sometimes to subsist upon little else but Slippery Elm Bark; this was a
great shock to his delicate constitution: arrived at Quincy in jan. where he
commenced with the aid of his Pen to defend the cause of Truth; the Editor of
the Quincy Argus at that time possessing a sufficient degree of Independence to
publish for him. He engaged as clerk in the court House until the church became
established in Commerce after their expulsion from Missouri when by the request
of joseph Smith jr he repaired to that place and was employed by him as clerk,
he suffered much affliction of Body for several Months, he also acted as scribe
for Brother Hyrum Smith; Patriarch. He never in the smallest degree betrayed
the unbounded confidence reposed in him by those two Brothers. When the Nauvoo
Legion was organized on the 8th of april 1840 he received the office of col.
and aid. to gen. joseph Smith. in May 1840 he became associated with Don C.
Smith in Editing the Times and Seasons between whom and himself a warm
attachment was formed which could truly be compared to that which existed
between David and jonathan which attachment continued to increase until they
were separated by Death of Don C. which took place on the 4th of August The
Legion being called out to march in the procession at the Funeral Brother
Thompson was appointed to lead under the direction of a general one Week from
that Day he was attacked by the same disease of which Brother Don C. Smith had
Died: on the second day of his sickness Brother Joseph requested President
Young to go and administer to him and to try to get him to the grove where a
special conference was to be held, after the administration he arose from his
Bed Rode to the grove and attended the business as clerk which was the last
public duty he was called to perform on Earth he returned home went over to the
Editor's office which was the last time he was able to go out, the Disease
increased daily, in spite of the skill of Doctors and the Faith of Friends, he
endured his sufferings with great Patience not a murmuring word escaped his
Lips, a few Minutes before his Death he turned to Brother Hyrum Smith and asked
if he was satisfied that he had done his duty in all things; being answered in
the affirmative he appeared satisfied and after testifying with his dying
Breath that he had not followed cunningly devised Fables, that he had been
raised from the Dunghill and made to sit among Princes, Psalm, he fell asleep,
to make no more till the Morning of the Resurrection. August 27th 1844 Leaving
a Wife & [illegible] one Child
By his own special request no
Military procession or Music on the 29th. & funeral sermon was preached on
Sunday 30. by William Law. He left one child.
