Welcome back to the Young Historians Corner, where we get to hear from rising historians. In this series, every story is dreamed up and written by students with a passion for the past.
This month, Verity introduces us to a fascinating figure of the American Revolution: Hannah Harrison Thomson. This lesser-known Founding Mother is not often in the history books. A dedicated young historian, Verity traveled to Hannah’s historic home to uncover the stories of her life.
Introducing…
HANNAH HARRISON THOMSON (1728–1807)
By Verity W.
Age 11
I have to say, at first I only researched Hannah because my mom was working on a project about Charles Thomson, but as I learned about her, I began to feel passionate about this project. You would be amazed to learn how similar the people back then were to us. It’s time to go back to the 1700s to learn about a woman who had a role in building our country, who most people have never heard of: Hannah Harrison Thomson.
Verity in front of Harriton House, Hannah Harrison Thomson’s home in Pennsylvania
Childhood
Hannah Harrison was born on December 23, 1728, in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Province of Pennsylvania, into a rich Quaker family. She was the daughter of Hannah Norris Harrison and Richard Harrison. She grew up on her family's plantation with her siblings. She was well educated. All of her siblings died before her, so when her parents died, she inherited the estate, “Harriton.”
Home Life
When Hannah was in her forties, she caught the eye of an Irish immigrant named Charles Thomson. They married in early September 1774. As soon as the newlyweds got home to Philadelphia, Charles had to get to work as the Secretary of the Continental Congress. As an apology for basically stealing her honeymoon, Congress gave her a silver tea urn. Although the couple did not have any children, they helped raise some of Hannah’s family members.
Hannah enjoyed sewing and writing about the latest gossip, which is sort of like texting, which just shows how similar they are to us. In one letter, Hannah tells about a carriage accident that she saw while living in New York for Charles's work.
Hannah Harrison Thomson’s bedroom
Role in the American Revolution
Hannah had an important role in the American Revolution. She did not battle or nurse, but she did play an important part. She and her friends went door to door raising money for the soldiers. She also went to a play with other founding mothers. Her husband, who was the Secretary of the Continental Congress, would come home with lots of notes, and Hannah would help him with them. While her efforts are not widely known, they were important. Hannah was very important to Charles's success; her help, advice, and wealth helped his success so much.
Most of my information came from my tour of Harriton House. It was so helpful. I saw lots of primary things that showed what her life may have looked like.
A dish with Chinese patterns in Harriton House
I also learned that Charles was interested in China, so they had some items with Chinese patterns. Hannah died in 1807, but I hope I have kept her story alive.
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