"I have not heard from Vasco, your half brother.  I told you I was delighted with Jacksonville.  I am still delighted with this city.  The breeze and rain keeps it cool or rather comfortable summer weather.
"After I get well acquainted I shall have many friends I believe.  I am looking forward to the time when I'll have a place, or garden where I can plant fruit trees and the beautiful palms and shrubs, etc.  I am asking the Lord to give me a place for home and a work for Him and His.
"I was glad to hear about Helen, my Princess, I call her-turning heart and soul to the Lord-the Lord all and all.  There's nothing worth living for but the eternal things: life, truth and love everlasting.  It's so good right here and now and forever.
"I would have written sooner, only for the moving.  There is much more I could tell you, but I can't spare the time now.  I do like to write letters and do my best to interest and write so it is a pleasure to read, because it is plain, every letter nearly perfect and every sentence easy understood.  I feel as though I am writing for the listening ear of Mr. Jones and a dear daughter in every letter since you have told me about him.  Having such good listeners I must therefore be the more careful.  I take pleasure in doing so, I assure you.
"In the every presence of the All-wise Father, you both are cared for in His love and mercy, according to your faith and true love to Him, no more, no less.  Therefore, I know you are alright, safe in the arms of infinite goodness.  Therefore I will say goodbye and God bless you."

Making Children's Furniture
So John spent the last year of his life building children's furniture and spreading his views of the gospel.  He moved out of the Christian Center before he died Nov. 30, 1937, in Jacksonville, Florida, impoverished, only a year after moving to Florida.  The Christian Center where he had lived most of that year gave us a good look at the John in his final days:

He Sang Hymns
Dec. 8, 1937-The Christian Center in Jacksonville, FL wrote Leah:
"He came to us a year ago this month, one cold winter night, very thinly clad, and all his personal belongings in one small handbag.  He made a very excellent appearance as a Christian gentleman and so I let him stand by one of our Christmas kettles, which as you know is used for the receiving of funds for our Christmas work.  People often remarked of his kind and honest countenance as they were passing by.
"I considered it quite natural for you to want to have some of his personal effects.  However, I am very sorry to say that he had moved away from the institution prior to his death.  I talked with his land lady at his last address and was told that nothing remained of any value what-so-ever; but knowing he had constructed some children's furniture, I persuaded the woman to give me those articles which I have sent on to you as a keepsake.  I also contacted the undertaker to see if there was anything on his person and discovered a hymn book.  He sang hymns continuously and if he happened to awaken during the night, he would sing a hymn."





John and his granddaughter, Helen
This was the gardener and grooms cottages, with the purposebuilt church built behind them.  The Thompson
family most likely lived here.  John Richard may have been born in these walls.
The Edward Smith estate, as seen today.  Now owned privately.
The rectory in Saham Toney from which the
Thompsons dissented
John with grandson, Allan Alexander Mitchell

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