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- Was christened 19 March 1843 in Westerkirk Parish, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. In the 1851 Scottish Census, was listed as 8 years old scholar, born in Middlebie, Dumfriesshire, living at Nether Knock, Westerkirk Parish, Dumfriesshire. Marriage Registration 002187 Archives of Ontario microfilm MS932 Reel 1. James was living in Medonte Township and Margaret was living in South Orillia Township, Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada when they got married. Witnesses at the wedding were Robert Thomson of Scarboro, York County and Jane Loumer of Orillia, The service was conducted by Rev. Alex Stewart. James and Margaret's marriage recorded in the Orillia Presbyterian St. Andrews Church Records, marriage register 1858-1873: James Thomson, age 26, resident of Medonte, Ontario, yeoman, bachelor, Presbyterian, parents David Thomson and Jane Edgar; Margaret Dunn, age 24, resident of Orillia, Ontario, spinster, Presbyterian, parents Thomas Dunn and Margaret Jamieson. Married at the home of Thomas Dunn by Rev John Gray. Witness, Robert Thomson of Scarborough and Jane Lorimer of Orillia, Ontario, married 29 December 1869.
The Northern Lights, Orillia newspaper, Friday 31 December 1869 reported on page 2
"Married: At the residence of the bride's father, on Wednesday, the 29th of December, by the Rev. John Gray. Mr James Thomson farmer to Margaret, daughter of Thomas Dunn, of the Township of Orillia."
James owned a farm in Medonte Township, Simcoe County, Ontario (assume he sold it to his brother George). On the 3 April 1873 (registered 10 April 1873) James Thomson and his brother Robert Thomson purchased from John Blain for $2,600, part of Lots 10 & 11, Concession 2 and part of Lots 10 & 11, Concession 3 containing the former Dallas Grist Mill, Saw Mill and Mill Pond. On 17 December 1873 (registered 31 December 1873), James sold for $1.300 his half share of the mill property to his brother Robert. (Archives of Ontario Abstracts to Deeds microfilm GSU178869). On 17 December 1873, (registered 31 December 1873) James purchased W1/2 Lot 12, Concession 2, (100 acres) South Orillia Township, Simcoe County from Thomas Dunn (his father-in-law) for $2,000. Was a Merchant in partnership with Mr. Joseph Dunn. When his brother Robert died in 1879, James took over Robert's Grist Mill and raised Robert's son, Duncan Cameron after age 14. James was involved with his brother Archibald in arranging for Archibald being appointed Guardian of their brother, Robert's five infant children. At Public Auction on 12 January 1883 (registered 13 February 1883), James purchased the former Dallas Grist Mill and Saw Mill including the Mill Pond, part of Lots 10 & 11, Concession 2 and part of Lots 10 & 11, Concession 3, South Orillia Township, Simcoe County, that had been part of the real estate property of his late brother Robert, for $5,000 from a Power of Sale of James Johnston, mortgage holder on the property. James took a $2,000 mortgage from James Johnston at the time of the purchase. On 11 September 1899 (registered 30 September 1899) James sold 14 acres of the mill property to Thomas Dunn and his son Alexander L. Dunn. James Thomson and his family lived in a house, The Miller's House" known as 245 Westmount Drive South, Orillia. James appears to have received an honourary degree as he used to sign his name followed by "B.A." James enjoyed reading books on religion and he wrote treatises on the subject defending his viewpoints (descendants have a copy of one of his writings on the teachings of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. James was a very successful businessman. Death Registration 027010 Archives of Ontario microfilm MS935 Reel 139. Was a gentleman of South Orillia Township who died of Pernicious Anaenmia and heart weakness, suffered for 6 months, under the care of J.N. Harvie.
"Mr. Chris Thomson of O'Sullivan Corner, Scarboro, was here attending the funeral of his cousin, the late James Thomson. While in town, he was the guest of his nephew Mr. D. Thomson, Front Street."
The Weekly Times Orillia dated August 13, 1908 reported: (Archives of Ontario microfilm N39 Reel 47)
THOMSON - At South Orillia on August 9, James Thomson aged 65 years 5 months.
"The Late James Thomson
Very general surprise and regret was expressed when it became known that James Thomson, of "Mill Hill" had passed away early Sunday morning. For some time deceased's health had been failing, but as he had only just turned sixty five years of age it was hoped that he would be able to shake off the anaemia which had attacked him. Mr. Thomson was born at Langholm, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and had been a resident of South Orillia for about forty years. His first mercantile enterprise was the old water power gristmill near the homestead. This mill was operated by his brother, the late Robert Thomson. Upon his death James bought the mill and continued the business. In 1872 he entered into partnership with Joseph Dunn, of this town, as flour and feed merchants, and opened a store on the site now occupied by Frost & Co. and Jos. Tiffin. The firm of Thomson & Dunn had a lease on the mill and continued the business for about twenty years, when Mr. Thomson retired. Messrs. Thomson and Dunn continued together, however, and jointly owned up to the time of Mr. Thomson's death the brick store building where they were so long in business. Mr. Thomson is survived by his widow, and leaves two sons and one daughter. Prof. David Thomson, who recently left to take a post graduate course in Germany. Mr. Thomas Thomson, who is in Alberta, and Mrs. C. S. Harvie, South Orillia. He is also survived by three brothers and two sisters, William, South Orillia; Archie, of Ardtrea; George, of Eady; Mrs. Dan Walker, Eady and Mrs. Simon Thomson, South Orillia. For two or three years Mr. Thomson was a member of the Town Council. He was a man of great literary tastes, and was exceptionally well informed on current topics. He was a kindly Christian gentleman, and his death leaves a vacancy in a very large circle of friends. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon and was conducted by Rev. Dr. Grant and Rev. Mr. MacGregor pastors of the Presbyterian Church of which deceased had been a member for many years. Six of his nephews acted as pall-bearers, and laid to rest in the Orillia Cemetery one whose memory will be long cherished. The pall-bearers were Messrs. Duncan C., William, Donald, Thomas, and David Thomson and Mr. Geo. Walker."
Will of James Thomson dated August 8, 1908 was applied for probate #6016 January 7, 1909 by executors Duncan C. Thomson, Miller of Town of Orillia, Joseph Dunn, Esquire of Town of Orillia and Nellie Thomson Harvie , married woman of South Orillia Township, Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada. (Archives of Ontario microfilm MS1325). Real Estate consisted of part of Lot 10 concession 3, South Orillia Township, part of Lots 1, 2, & 3 west side of Front Street and east side of Matchedash Street, Town of Orillia and part Lot 4 south side of Mississaga Street, Town of Orillia. All household furniture, personal effects and chattels in and about his household in South Orillia Township went to his dear wife Margaret. The household property including the land on the south side of the Ridgeway and buildings there on to be held by his wife until her natural death. His Life Insurance was split $1,000.00 to daughter Nellie and the balance divided between daughter Nellie and sons David and Thomas with Thomas' portion held until he was age 40 but Thomas was to receive the yearly interest from the invested money. James Thomson, son of nephew Duncan C. Thomson received $100.00. The balance of the estate was to be held, invested and rented. Wife to receive $25.00 a month during her life. Upon her death, the estate was to be disposed of and divided equally between his children but son Thomas was not to get his until age 40.
General Description of Property:
Household Goods and Furniture$400.00
Horned Cattle$ 60.00
Book Debts & Promissory Notes$919.40
Moneys Secured by Mortgages $5,047.03
Bank Stock & other stock $1,150.00
Cash in hand $1,078.93
Farm Produce$ 25.00
Real Estate $6,500.00
Total $15,180.36
Real Estate:
Part Lot 10, Concession 3, South Orillia
"The Homestead" 20 acres $2,500.00
Part Lots 1, 2 & 3 Front Street, Orillia $1,000.00
Part Lot 4 Mississaga Street, Orillia $3.000.00
$6,500.00
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1843 - 1908 (65 years)
