James Thompson, Erin Twp, Wellington Co, Ontario

>From the "Biographical sketches" Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, 
Ontario, compiled, drawn and published from personal examinations and surveys.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co, 1906, reprint 1972.

p. 65-66

THOMPSON, JAMES (d.), b. Co. Roscommon, Ire., 1800; d. 1845, age 45.  He came 
to Canada via Quebec in 1820, and was eight weeks and four days in crossing.  
After stopping in Toronto most of the summer, he went to Trafalgar Tp., and 
worked in a flour mill at "Sixteen Hollow" for a year or more.  about 1823 he 
received a grant of 400 acres, lot 29, cons. 10 and 11, Esquesing Tp., on 
condition that he would erect and operate a mill, which he did, and this was 
the mill to which the pioneer of Erin Tp. took their grists in the early days. 
He also ran a distillery for ten or twelve years.  About 1842 he rented the 
mills and farm, and went to Bronte, where he kept the Bronte House until his 
death, which occurred accidentally in 1845, by his horse falling and crushing 
him.  When he came to Canada he was without means, but he was an excellent 
manager and planner, and became a very successful man, but took no interest 
in political or municipal matter. In the Rebellion of 1837 he offered his 
team for service, going with it to Thompson's tavern below Stewarton, but 
finding that here were plenty of others there, he returned home.  He was a 
member of the English church, and a Conservative. In 1821 he m. Catherine 
Stevens, nee Triller, who d. 1868, age 84. Issue Elizabeth, b. 1822 in Toronto;
Hilyard (d. infancy), Joseph T., Edward C., set. Bronte; Mrs. James MeWayne, 
Buffalo; Mrs. Phillip Triller (d.), and Mrs. McCraney, Toronto, and Marshall 
(d. 1905), Oswego.

Joseph Triller Thompson was b. 1825 at Thompson's Hollow, the name given the 
district where his father's mill was located.  He went to Bronte with his 
father in 1842, and in 1884 returned to Esquesing, where he received 200 acres 
of the homestead, to which he added by the purchase of another 100 acres, and 
lived there until 1895, when he retired with his son Marshall to Erin Tp. where
he d. in 1905, age 78.  He operated a shingle mill for a great number of years,
and was an excellent business man, owing to his business judgment his success 
in life.  He was a strong, robust man, and a hard worker, never sick until the 
last.  In addition to the property mentioned, he owned, 100 acres, lot 13, 
con. 9, Erin Tp., besides owning farms in other townships at different times.
He never cared for municipal office. He was Trustee of his school section in
Esquesing for three or four terms.  He was a member of the English church,
and a working Conservative.  In 1856 he m. Maria Gallagher, of Glen Williams.
Issue: Ed. Byron, Mrs. John Leslie, Caistor Tp.; Marshall, lot 13, con. 9,
Erin, and Fred C., on the homestead, "Thompson's Hollow."

Ed. Byron was b. "Thompson's Hollow," Esquesing, in 1857.  In 1885 he purchased
140 acres, the west half lot 4, and part of lot 3, con. 9, Erin Tp., where he
has since farmed. He is a good stockman, and takes a great interest in 
improving stock. He imported an American Percheron stallion and owned it on 
shares for three years.  A number of his Shorthorn cattle are eligible for 
registration.  He was Trustee of S.S. No. 4, Erin, for three years; is a 
Presbyterian and a Conservative, and has served on local committees a number
of times. In addition to his Erin property he owns 200 acres in Chaffey Tp.,
Muskoka, and 640 acres, near Goose Lake, Sask. He m. Elizabeth Standish, of
Chinguscousy Tp. Issue: J. Leslie and Edna.