Biography for James Hood

Received fromK Jan Darbhamulla - SAVAPD@aol.com

James Hood and his family emigrated to Canada in 1820 aboard the Prompt.  In "The Lanark Society Settlers" by Carol Bennett, p. 51, it is written that "A story handed down says that the Prompt was formerly a battleship which had been sunk during the Napoleonic war and later raised and used as an emigrant ship."

Not a lot is known about James Hood's early years as a boy.  It is documented that James (of Bridgeton) Hood was born in Kelso, Roxburgshire, Scotland in April 1775/76.  His parents were William Hood and Hannah Clarke/Clerk.  William worked as a weaver and when James was still a young boy, sometime after 1779, the family relocated to the Glasgow area.

James married his first wife, Elizabeth Jones/Jonnes in May 1798 in Bridgeton, Barony Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland.  Their first child, William, was born July 6, 1799.  He would end up to be the only surviving son that James had.  William eventually married Martha Park and lived the rest of his life in Dalhousie Township, Lanark County, Ontario.  William died in Feb. 1874, and he and Martha are buried at St. Andrew's Cemetery, Watson's Corner.  Jane came next.  She married John Whyte/White Jack, her cousin, and it is reported that she died in 1862 in Simcoe County, Ontario.  Elizabeth was born next, in 1801.  Her first husband's last name was Graham.  It is not known if he was related to Dr. William Hood's wife, Jean Graham.  After his death, Elizabeth married WIlliam Allan, and also died in Simcoe County, Ontario in August 1875.  A girl named Hannah may have been the next child born, but nothing is known about her except for her birth date, so she may have died while still very young.  Another daughter, Jean, may also have died young, one year later in 1803.  Elizabeth Jones also died during this same time, so her death may be linked to childbirth complications.

Almost five years later James married Margaret Bisland/Besland in October or November of 1808, again at Bridgeton, Barony Parish.  Nothing is known about the early years of either of James Hood's wives.  James and Margaret went on to have a large family.  Their first child was Jean, born in August 1809, who married her cousin James Jack.  They are buried at Tiverton Cemetery, Bruce Township, Bruce County, Ontario.  Agnes was born next on March 4/5, 1811.  She married Alexander Hill, Jr.  Alexander eventually became an early Mormon and they were on that first wagon train to Salt Lake City.  Agnes died at Mill Creek, Utah.  It is recorded that James Junior, born on Jan. 31, 1812, died in June of 1827 at the age of 15 in Dalhousie Township, Lanark County.  He was mistaken for a deer or some sort of animal and shot to death.  Decades later, a man on his deathbed confessed to this accidental killing.  It has been said that becasue of the grief that James and Margaret suffered at James Jr.'s death, that the family did not want to stay in Dalhousie Township any longer, and that caused them to relocate to Simcoe County.  Margaret came next, born on Nov. 24, 1813.  Her first husband was her cousin Davidson Todd.  After his early death, she married another cousin, James Graham Hood, son of Dr. WIlliam Hood and Jean Graham.  Margaret was quite a bit older than her second husband, but he must have been quite fond of her, because he included her on his own headstone many years later after her death, even though she was buried at a different cemetery.  Isobel was the next daughter, born in September 1814, but she seems to have died when she was just a toddler.  Robert, their next son, died on September 20, 1820, not long after the family arrived in Lanark County,  Ontario.  He was about four years of age.  A second Isabella/Isobel was the next chiild and she also married into the Hill family like her older sister.  Isabella was the first child of James and Margaret to be born in Dalhousie Township, Lanark County, Ontario.  Her husband was Archibald Hill.  Archibald also became an early Mormon, but Isabella died in Nebraska, while on the wagon train to Utah.  Annie came next in 1823.  She married Gilbert McArthur and died at Stayner, Simcoe County.  Another daughter, Mary, died at 1 1/2 years of age in 1826.  After Mary's death, another Mary came along and she married a farmer who may have been named Edward Beecroft(?).  She died in April 1910 at Nottawasaga Township, Simcoe County.  The youngest child was Janet/Jennet who died not long after she had her first birthday in 1830.

It has been said that James was very active in the Disciple of Christ church in Simcoe County.  Both James Hood and Margaret Bisland are buried at Creemore Cemetery, Notttawasaga Twp, Ont.

Posted: 05 October, 2005.