Camden People - Margaret Thomson

MARGARET THOMSON was born in Chester PA around 1863 to William and Frances McClenand. Her father was a schoolteacher, according to the 1880 Census. The 1906 Camden City Directory show her working as a schoolteacher and living at 415 Penn Street. Her sisters, Frances Wilmerton and Mary Brown, lived at 413 Penn Street, were also schoolteachers, and were both widows. The 1910 Census states that Margaret Thomson was a widow at that time.

Margaret Thomson served in the Camden public school system for thirty years. She retired in June of 1933, after having served as principal of the all-girls Northeast School for 16 years. She had worked across the street at the William J. Sewell School prior to her promotion to the principal's chair at Northeast.

When the Census was taken in April of 1930, Margaret Thomson, then a widow, was living with her two widowed sisters, Frances Wilmerton and Mary Brown, at 413 Penn Street. By 1947 the sisters were gone from Penn Street. Judge Mitchell H. Cohen was then the current resident.

Camden Courier-Post * June 2, 1933

Retiring Northeast Principal Is Guest of Honor at Dinner
School Officials, Teachers Praise Mrs. Margaret Thomson
30 YEARS' SERVICE IN CAMDEN ENDED
P.T.A Plans Farewell Reception at State Street M. E.

Twenty-two teachers of Northeast School, Seventh and Vine Streets, honored Mrs. Margaret Thomson, principal of the school, at an informal dinner Wednesday night in Haddon Heights, to mark Mrs. Thomson's retirement from active service in Camden schools after 30 years,

Some of the teachers at the dinner at the "Little White House" tea room are members of the present staff of Northeast School, while others have taught at the school and have either retired or been transferred.

The teachers' presented a chair to Mrs. Thomson, and a gold pin to Miss Eva Burrough, a cousin of Miss Clara S. Burrough, retiring principal of Camden Senior High School.

Mrs. Thomson began her Camden teaching career in 1904 when she was assigned to Sewell School. For 12 years the boys of Sewell School and members of their families regarded Mrs. Thomson as more than a teacher, often bringing to her little family problems to be settled, or seeking advice in matters other than affairs of the school.

In 1916 Mrs. Thomson was named principal of Northeast School, across the street from the building where she started teaching in Camden. Her interests in the families remained the same for her pupils at Northeast School were the% girls of the same families she had counseled while at Sewell School.

Mrs. Thomson was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, and received her education there. She taught in the Chester schools for several years before her marriage.

She decided to re-enter the teaching profession several years after her marriage and went to Millersville Normal School for further training.

Meanwhile her sister, Mrs. Mary Brown, had located in Camden to start the French department in the high school. Mrs. Brown, pleased with Camden and its schools, persuaded Mrs. Thomson to come here, and a few years later they were joined by another sister, Mrs. Frances Wilmerton.

A member of Centenary-Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church since coming to Camden, Mrs. Thomson has been active in church affairs of the community. She has served as treasurer of the Teachers' Relief Insurance Fund, and is a member of the State Teachers' Association as well as the National Education Association.

Through her efforts, the number of Camden teachers associated with the insurance fund has increased from less than 500 to more than 500, and the benefits have been increased from $300 to $500.

Mrs. Thomson will be honored Monday at a reception given by members of the Parent-Teacher Association of Sewell and Northeast Schools and by families, of the community. The reception will be held in State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Sixth and State streets.

Dr. James Bryan, former superintendent of Camden schools; Dr. Leon N. Neulen, present superintendent; Samuel E. Fulton, president of the Camden Board of Education, and several former pupils of Mrs. Thomson will review her career as a teacher here and recount many incidents of her work.

Camden Courier-Post * June 4, 1933

Retiring Principal Will Be Honored

Mrs. Margaret Thomson, retiring principal of Northeast School, will be honored tonight at a reception given by members of the Parent-Teacher Association of Sewell and Northeast Schools and by families of the North Camden community.

The reception will be held in State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Sixth and State streets. Mrs. Thomson will retire at the end of the present school term after 30 years of active service in North Camden.

Dr. James Bryan, former superintendent of Camden schools; Dr. Leon N. Neulen, present superintendent; Samuel E. Fulton, president of the board of education, and several former pupils of Miss Thomson will speak.

Camden Courier-Post * June 6, 1933

Retiring Principal Honored By 700
150 Men and Women, Former Pupils, Pay Tribute to Mrs. Thomson

Mrs. Margaret Thomson, who for 30 years has been a teacher or principal of North Camden schools, was honored last night on the eve of her retirement with a reception in State Street M.E. Church, attended by 700 persons.

More than 150 former pupils, now grown to manhood and womanhood, were in the audience when a massive four foot basket of flowers and a floor lamp were presented Mrs. Thomson.

Mrs. Thomson, who lives at 413 Penn Street, is at present principal of the Northeast Grammar School for Girls, at Seventh and Vine Streets.

She will retire at the end of the present school term.

Dr. James Bryan, former superintendent of Camden schools, Dr. Leon N. Neulen, present superintendent, and Samuel E. Fulton, president of the Board of Education, paid tribute to the work of the retiring principal.

Others who added to the praise of Mrs. Thomson were Benjamin G. Covington, Dr. John Pemberton, pastor of Centenary-Tabernacle M. E. Church and Dr. W. W. Payne, pastor of State Street M.E. Church.

Several former pupils of Mrs. Thomson entertained with vocal selections while a quartet from the Centenary-Tabernacle gave several selections. The North Baptist Church orchestra furnished music. .

Camden Courier-Post * June 16, 1933

PRINCIPALS FETE RETIRING MEMBERS
Association Gives Banquet and Entertainment for 8 at Hotel Here

Eight retiring school principals were honored last night at a banquet in the junior ballroom of Hotel Walt Whitman by the Camden Principals' Association.

Amid decorations of roses and spring flowers these teachers, who have served the city from 35 to 40 years, heard words of praise from their schoolmates and superiors.

They are Miss Daisy Furber, Central School; Mrs. Margaret Thomson, Northeast; Miss Minerva Stackhouse, Davis; Miss Bessie Snyder, McKinley; Miss Clara S. Burrough, Camden High; Miss Helen Wescott, Mulford; Miss Loretta Ireland, Cooper; Miss Charlotte V. Dover, Washington.

Harry Showalter, president of the association, presided. Eighty guests represented the entire school system of 38 institutions. Showalter, Dr. Leon N. Neulen, superintendent of schools, and Dr. James E. Bryan, retired superintendent, joined in paying tribute to the retiring principals as having set a high example for Camden's school system.

The male teachers serenaded the women instructors and vice versa with song. At the closing the teachers joined hands at the suggestion of Dr. Bryan and sang "Auld Lang Syne." .