Her father, Lysander Thompson, had preceded his family to the U.S., and was engaged as a comedian and actor in one of the leading theaters of New York City at the time of their arrival.

[1] She accordingly spoke to Mr. Dyot, a gentleman then connected with Wallack's company, and who had been very kind to the family after the death of Mr. Thompson, making him acquainted with her intentions and asking his friendly aid in becoming an actress.

[1][a] She was only a child of eleven years when she made her debut, and she probably found great difficulty in overcoming her sensitiveness and timidity; but that she was an indefatigable student, and always acquitted herself creditably, and with good taste of voice and gesture.

It would be useless to attempt to describe all the sufferings during the three seasons she remained at Wallack's, from various annoyances, but especially through the envy and petty jealousy of those who acted in small parts.

In referring to her first engagement, she stated:—[1]"I was too young to be of much use to Mr. Wallack, and too shy to think of speaking above a whisper, save at home; yet the benevolent manager paid my salary-six dollars per week-regularly.

She must at this time have made very considerable proficiency in the dramatic art, for there was a lengthy and elaborate criticism from a Montreal paper of Green Bushes:—[1] "The acting of little Eveline, by little Miss THOMPSON, was a surprising performance; the most free and natural representation of the part, imaginable.

She commenced the following season, in the same year, at the Howard, played a few weeks, and joined a theatrical company in Savannah, Georgia, as "Juvenile Lady".

[1] During this time, Thompson had by hard work on her part, and the strict economy and careful management of her mother -who has always travelled with her- saved a sufficient amount of money to purchase a home.

[1] She commenced the next season at Mrs. John Drew's Arch Street Theatre, Philadelphia, on September 1, 1861, and left before her term had expired, through the irregularity of the management in casting her parts she did not engage to play.

After this, she accepted a "stock-star" engagement of six weeks at the Front Street Theatre, Baltimore, under the management of George Kunkle, at the expiration of which, in February 1862, she commenced her first regular tour.

Her uniform success wherever she performed induced her to sever her connection with all stock companies and trust to the continued favor of theatrical managers and the approbation of the public in her efforts as a star.

In Philadelphia, she played at the Walnut Street Theatre, and near the close of her engagement, was tendered a complimentary benefit by a large number of citizens.

This series of visits included the following: Buffalo, Toronto, Cleveland, Boston, Hartford, Louisville, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh.