Jesse Thompson

Full Name

Jesse Thompson

Victim Profile

Jesse Thompson

Name Variations

Jeff

Biography

On June 17, 1898, Jesse Thompson, twenty years old, was lynched on Swayback Bridge in Wetumpka, Alabama by a massive mob of prominent white figures from Wetumpka under the accusation of homicide with his fellow victims: Solomon Jackson, Reese Thompson, and Lewis Spier. After being stolen from the local jail, each victim was tied together and hung using two pieces of long rope from a neighboring farmer. Jesse (Jeff) Thompson was born around the year of 1878 around the city of Tallapoosa, Alabama. He was the younger brother of Willie Thompson, who was older by two years. Their mother was Queen Thompson, and their father is unknown. He worked in agriculture in Elmore County. After the unjust murder of Jesse, his brother, Willie, eventually joined the United States Army and fought in World War I. Based off military records, Queen Thompson moved residence to Live Oak, Florida

Documented or Attempted

Documented

Birth Date

N/A

County of Birth; County of Death

N/A; Elmore County

Death Date

June 17, 1898

Date of Attempted Lynching

N/A

Age at Death

20

Race

Black

Sex

Male

Researchers

Mary Favela

Case Number

AMP541-06171898-001

Identified by:

Alabama Memory Project

Mother

Queen Thompson

Father

N/A

Spouse or Partner

N/A

Child

N/A

All other relatives

Willie Thompson (sibling)

Occupation

Farmer

Education Level

N/A

Head of Household and Literacy Status

N/A