Patient Story: Lucinda Gray Thompson
Courtesy Teddy Brock, trbrock@woh.rr.com
Lucinda GRAY was born 27 April 1796 in (likely Nicholas Co.) Kentucky to David and Jane (Allison) GRAY. She died 19 April 1882 while an inmate of Eastern State Hospital in Lexington, Ky. These dates taken from the family bible of her brother, John Gray, of Hillsboro, Fleming Co., Kentucky.
Lucinda's marriage bond to Hudson C. THOMPSON was dated 8 February 1820, Fleming Co., Ky. No known children were born to this couple. In 1850 they were enumerated in Greenup Co., Ky census. In 1860 Boyd Co., Ky., Lucinda is presumed a widow and enumerated in household of Melinda Newman. [Boyd County was formed from sections of Greenup, Lawrence and Carter Counties in 1860]
A letter dated Oct. 3rd 1863 from John Gray to a Dr. W. L. Chiply of Eastern State Hospital regarding Lucinda Thompson was found on microfilmed records of Eastern State Hospital by an associate of Mary Hatton, coordinator of the ESH website, and forwarded to me, Teddy (Gray) Brock on 29 March 2007. See transcription and corrected interpretation.
Declared Insane and Sent to the Asylum
1862 Inquest of Lucinda Thompson
State of Kentucky
Fleming Circuit Set
The Commonwealth of
Kentucky
Plaintiff
against
Lucinda
Thompson
Defendant
At a Court held for the Fleming Circuit on the 11th day of
March 1862. It being suggested to the Court that Lucinda
Thompson the defendant is a lunatic and it appearing to the
Satisfaction of the Court from the affidavits of C Keckley and
L J Jones that the condition of said defendant is such that it
would be unsafe to bring her into Court. Upon motion of the
Attorney for the Commonwealth it is ordered that a Jury
be impannelled [sic] here immediately to enquire into the state
of mind of the said Lucinda Thompson, and S. W. Andrews
Esq. was appointed attorney for the defendant thereupon
the following June was impannelled to wit--John Stuart.
William Bell, Mathew Thompson, Thomas Shanklin, Alexander
Foxworthy, Harrison Bowman, John D. Norwood, James Darnell,
Ben Robertson, Charles Z Duly, John Hinton, and George W.
Vansant who being first duly sworn and having heard the
evidence upon their oath say:
"We the Jury find that Lucinda
Thompson is of
unsound mind that she is a lunatic and that she lost
her mind about a year ago, but from what cause is unknown
to the Jury--She is sixty five years of age, was born in this
state and has resided in this state except for a few months
all her life. She is now a resident of Fleming County and
has resided there for the last two years. She has no Father or
Mother living and no children and has no estate in possessions
reversions or remainder sufficient for her support.
John Stuart Foreman
Therefore it is adjudged by the Court that the said Lucinda
Thompson is a lunatic and that the other facts found by the
Jury are true and it is ordered that John Gray be appointed
a committee to take charge of the said lunatic and that he
take her to the Lunatic Asylum at Lexington.
A Copy
Attest John M. Harbeson Clerk Fleming Circuit Court
**************************************************
Commonwealth of Kentucky vs}
Bond Lucinda Thompson Jas Porter having been appointed committee for Lucinda Thompson
the returned Lunatic herein, now we ack- nowledge ourselves bound to the Common- wealth
of Ky in the sum of $200.00 con- ditioned that the said James Porter will well and truly
discharge the duties of committee for the said Lucinda Thomp- son. Witness our hands
this 8th of Feby 1882
James Porter
D. S. Porter Attest C H Ashton, Clerk
Letter: Brother asks for Information
Dr. W. L. Chiply Esq,
I recived yours of June 6 th
in regard to Mrs. Lucinda Thom-
son my sister one of your inmates
I feel ansious to
hear from her please
wright soon and give
me the particulars of
her condision and the
prospect for her recovery
I inlose 3 stamp My address
Hillsboro Fleming Co Ky
Yours with respect
John Gray
Dr. W. L. Chiply, Esq.
I received yours of June 6th in regard to
Mrs. Lucinda Thompson, my sister, one
of your inmates. I feel anxious to hear
from her. Please write soon and give me
the particulars of her condition and the
prospect for her recovery. I enclose 3
stamps. My address: Hillsboro Fleming
Co., Ky.
Yours with respect
John Gray
Released from the Asylum
1881 - Lucinda Thompson Discharge
Dated 8th Feb 1882
Commonwealth of KY vs Bond Lucinda Thompson
The Fleming Co. Court appointed Jas. Porter committe for Lucinda Thompson.
Date: 26th September 1881
Fleming Co. Court . Court appointed C. N. Weedon be appointed commitee for Lucinda
Thompson and she was sent to the Poor House of Fleming County.