| Notes |
- James Thomson Cook and his wife Lynda Jean McCaughey recorded "David married his childhood sweetheart and they had one son, John. However, David's wife had not been well following the child's birth. Soon she died, leaving David with a young one to care for on his own. A wife would have to be found! David married Jane Edgar." From the Old Parish Records, Westerkirk, Scotland, on 22 June 1825, David Thomson , Boneaze, had a natural son baptized, named John born 16 Dec 1823. According to a distant relative, Ian Glendinning, Aberdeen, Scotland, this phrase "natural son" means an "illegitimate son" and though tradition of having a child baptized within days of birth, it was quite common for a space of a year or two before an illegitimate child was baptized. Therefore, the likely story is that David had an illegitimate son born to his childhood sweetheart, She died and David married Jane Edgar on 27 January 1826.
In the 1841 Scottish Census David was listed as a 40 year old agricultural labourer, living at Nether Knock, Westerkirk Parish, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. In the 1851 Scottish Census was listed as a 51 year old head of household, farm servant, born in Westerkirk Parish, Dumfriesshire, living at Nether Knock, Westerkirk Parish. David had a natural son, John in 1823. Married Jane Edgar in 1826 and they immigrated from Scotland in June 1857 to Scarboro, Province of Canada and that fall moved to South Orillia Township, Simcoe County, Province of Canada. (From obituary of son, Archibald Thomson). They settled on Lot 14, Concession 3 in South Orillia across from the John Allan family who came over on the boat with them from Scotland. It does not appear that David owned the land, it may have been in son Archibald's name and then son William took over the homestead. Their home was a log house called "Hillhouse". Lived with son William and then son Archibald. David is buried in St Andrew's & St James' Cemetery, Plot A12-3, Orillia, Ontario, Canada. His tombstone says "native of Parish of Westerkirk, Dumfrieshire, Scotland."
The September 28, 1882 issue of The Orillia Times, page 3
"At Orillia on Saturday 23rd inst. David Thomson, Sr, in the 84th year of his age" and "Obituary - Last Monday a large company assembled at the house of William Thomson, of South Orillia, to attend the funeral of his aged father, David Thomson. Mr. Thomson was born at Bonnies, Parish of Westerkirk, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, in the year 1798. The farm of Bonnies had been occupied by his family for many generations. The records of their occupation only goes back to the year 1679, but tradition places the establishment of the family centuries beyond that date, and connects them with the original Scottish settlers of this district. Mr. Thomson was much respected in the parish of Westerkirk, was an influential member of the Church of Scotland; and as one of the Directors of the Parish Library was of great service in promoting education and diffusing intelligence. In religious knowledge, in acquaintance with his Bible and in clear view of its doctrines, he was a type of a Presbyterian of the good old stamp. In humble views of himself, in his simple and unobtrusive piety, by his love of the house of God and the ordinances of religion, and in his lowly trust in the Lord Jesus, he was a specimen of a class of Scottish yeomanry, that are alas too rapidly dwindling away. Their lineaments and best features are admirably preserved by the genius of Burns in the "Cottar's Saturday Night." In the year 1857 Mr. Thomson left the old country and the home possessed for so many centuries by his ancestors, and settled with his family in South Orillia, Possessed of an excellent constitution he continued to enjoy good health till a ripe old age. Since the death of his wife, eight years ago, he has continued to fail and after about two years illness he passed peacefully away, falling asleep in Jesus at the ripe age of 84. He had a family of five sons and two daughters, who are well known throughout the neighbourhood. One son is a well known miller and produce merchant in this town. Another son is the respected reeve of the township of Orillia and Matchedash, and has been both useful and energetic in managing the affairs of the municipality. His skill and success as a farmer are well known and he has done much to introduce superior kinds of stock into the district. Another branch of the family have been settled for many years in the township of Scarborough, and hold a prominent and influential position in that fertile township. As the old settlers are thus dropping off, the inspired questions of the venerable prophets forcibly present themselves, "Your fathers, where are they?" "And the prophets, do they live for ever? - Cox"" (Archives of Ontario microfilm N39 Reel 8).
1861 census, Orillia/Matchedash
David Thomson, age 62, b: Scotland, farmer
Jane Thomson, age 62, b: Scotland
Archibald Thomson, age 32, b: Scotland, labourer
Robert Thomson, age 30, b: Scotland, labourer
Janet Thomson, age 22, b: Scotland
James Thomson, age 18, b: Scotland
Marg Thomson, age 16, b: Scotland
1871 census Matchedash/Orillia:
Living with son Archibald and family.
DavidThompson, age 71, b: Scotland
Jane Thompson, age 71, b: Scotland
In the 1881 Ontario Census, David is listed with his son William Thomson, being 83 and widowed.
|
1799 - 1882 (83 years)
