The McKays of Quebec City. Part One: The Road to Quebec

In honour of Remembrance Day I’d like to share the story and commemorate the service of my 6x great grandfather, a career soldier and United Empire Loyalist.

Hugh McKay was born around 1735, somewhere in Scotland. I have yet to determine where. As a young man he followed in the footsteps of many others and joined the British army, probably around 1758. According to one of his wife’s later Land Petitions he “faithfully served His Majesty George the Third as a paymaster sergeant in the 8th regiment of infantry for the space of 18 years”. The records of the 8th regiment of Foot are available at the National Archives at Kew in London and I hope to be able to see them one day, though details on enlisted men are often not 

extensive.

Uniform of King's Regiment (centre) David Morier Collection, Wikimedia Commons

Historical Record of the Eigth, or the King's Regiment of Foot Wikimedia Commons

The 8th, or “King’s”, Regiment of Foot was one of the most senior regiments, originally raised in 1685. During the Seven Years War (1756-63) the 8th was involved in some raids on the French coast in 1757-58. Later it fought in battles in Germany in 1760-62, including the Battle of Warburg on 31 July 1760, the Battle of Vellinghausen     on 15 July 1761, and the battle that ended the Seven Years War in Europe, the Battle of Wilhelmstahl on 24 June 1762.

At this point Hugh and the 8th would have returned to England and Hugh began his family life. Around this time Hugh and Mary Embling were married. I know very little about Mary who was born around 1743. My 5x great grandmother Elizabeth was born around 1763 so presumably the couple was married at some point before this date. Hugh must have been stationed away from Mary (or perhaps some children died in infancy) as the next birth I could document was six years later. At this point the McKays were in Canada. The 8th landed on Île D’Orleans in the summer of 1768 and was then deployed to surrounding posts. 

According to A Military History of Quebec it was customary for soldiers wishing to marry to seek permission from their commanding officers. If granted, dependents were then entitled to quarters and rations. When a regiment left the UK for overseas only a limited number of wives were entitled to accompany them, be borne on regimental strength and receive rations from the government. The general ratio was 6 wives for every 100 men but this was often broken. Either way, Mary and Elizabeth were granted permission to travel with Hugh to Canada.

Hugh was likely stationed with the 8th at Fort Oswegatchie (now Ogdensburg in upper New York State). It was from here that Captain George Forster led a force of 40 regulars and 200 Indigenous warriors across the St Lawrence to attack Fort Cedars, just outside Montreal. This post was held by the Americans, who had invaded Canada in 1775 under the leadership of Benedict Arnold. The British were victorious in the battle (actually a series of skirmishes) that took place between May 18 and 27 1776. The Americans subsequently withdrew from Quebec. 

Bibliothèque Nationale de France from Wikimedia Commons. The Cedars are in the lower left of map

The regiment’s next engagement was the siege of Fort Stanwix in August 1777. Hugh was also involved in the Battle of Orskany on 6 August 1777, fighting alongside Sir John Johnson’s King’s Royal Regiment of New York. According to a later memorial:

 

 … his conduct in a Temporary Station under the Command of Major Forster(a Vollantier [sic]) on an Expedition against the Rebels at the Cedars; and soon after a second Time a Vollantier with Sir John Johnson on his first coming into Canada, was such as gained him the particular Notice of these brave Officers, and by whose Recommendation he obtained his Discharge

Shortly afterwards he obtained his first Assistant Commissary position at Isle aux Noix, in the Richelieu River. Returns of Provisions Condemned by Survey at Isle Aux Noix refers to the “time of Mr. McKay” prior to May 1778.

Haldimand Papers, Contingent and Current Accounts Relating to the Commissariat 1767-1782

By October 1778 Hugh and his family had relocated to Carleton Island where Hugh was appointed Assistant Commissary and acting Barrack Master.  Carleton Island is located in the middle of the St Lawrence River between New York and Ontario and was named after Sir Guy Carleton. The island became a base for British ships and construction of a fort was begun, though never completed. During the McKay’s stay over 1000 merchants, camp followers, soldiers, sailors and displaced Loyalists were living on the island which fell under the command of Sir Frederick Haldimand, “Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over our province of Quebec in America”.

Plan of Carleton Island by A. Gray Asst Qr Mr Genl Quebec 29 Dec 1810 Wikimedia Commons

Sir Frederick Haldimand produced a voluminous quantity of correspondence that is housed in manuscript form in the British Library. Library and Archives Canada have a copy of the material which is digitized on heritage.canadiana.ca. In his role as Captain General he was closely involved in the running of the various military bases, including Carleton Island. It’s amazing that a man with his responsibilities was so on top of the minutiae of day of day operations. His papers have proved a treasure trove of information on Hugh McKay’s trials and tribulations in his activities after his army service.

Hugh and Mary’s family had grown: Anne born in 1769, Deborah born in 1770, Mary born in 1775, Isabella born in 1777, Jane born in 1779 and Bridget born 1780. Church records for the baptisms of the children are unavailable as the military chaplain records are lost. Many a family historian has tried to locate but to no avail. 

Shortly after his arrival at Carleton Island Hugh encountered difficulties and his woes are well documented in the Haldimand papers. It appears that Mary McKay had requested and received permission to run a small business to supplement Hugh’s earnings of five shillings a day, an amount that was not adequate to support a family of nine.

In a Memorial to Haldimand  Hugh stated that the family arrived at Carleton Island 22 October 1778. There was no place to live and nothing was provided for him. He had to build at a very great expense, a place to live:

  

But by the Industry of my wife and daughter, who carry’d on a small   trade in dry goods in which I had no connection, I have been able to support my wife and seven children  

 

The family carried on until April 1780 when disaster struck - General Haldimand was informed that Hugh was engaged in trade and determined to discourage this practice, removed him from his post. Hugh was devastated and spent the next few years protesting his innocence and requesting reinstatement and vindication. He relocated his family to Quebec City where he continued to contact Haldimand. On 19 December 1782 he wrote to Haldimand:

… some time after Totally dismiss’d His Majesty’s Service, without giving your Memorialist an opportunity of Vindicating his Conduct (which Indulgence has been doubly granted to one, who never Served His Majesty in any other, and of less standing in that Department) was uncommon to one whose long and faithfull Services Justly intitled him to  

 Hugh felt he had discharged his duty in the strictness manner, settled the last ounce of provisions, but in the process gained enemies. He felt he had borne an “unblemished character through life, both as a man, and a soldier” and demanded a Board of Inquiry review his case.

 

It took until the following December for a Board to be arranged to review Hugh’s case. In a March 1784 memorial Hugh shares his good news to General Haldimand. The Board of Inquiry could not find “the last vestige of that fraud which calumny had suggested”. His character had been reinstated, but “his misery has not been removed”. His family still depends on him, though “now in an advanced period of life unable to act with that vigour and activity he has so faithfully exhausted and spent in the Service of his King and Country”.

Hugh sought pay from the time of his dismissal until 24 December 1783 when a reduction in every department took place, based on Haldimand’s 24 April 1780 letter promising a continuation of his pay. He had received payment for the provisions taken from him 2 years ago but he sustained a loss as the property was undervalued at £8.19.5, a loss he cannot sustain, as the money went directly into the hands of his creditors.

Haldimand Papers Hugh McKay 19 December 1782 Memorial 

It is interesting to note that in 1781 there is mention that the above provisions were transferred from the Kings Store to Mr. Thompson, the Shop keepers house. This would appear to be Archibald Thompson who shortly marry Hugh’s daughter Elizabeth. 

As it was not possible to be reinstated into his former position, Hugh asked that he receive his share of land based on his last military service in Sir John Johnson’s Corps. His petitions were unsuccessful, but by this time Hugh had established himself in Quebec City, rising to a new level of respectability and success. Stay tuned for part 2 of his story.

Foundations - Archibald Thomson

This year I've decided to participate in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks project. The topic for week 1 is Foundations. The word foundation applies to my 5x great grandfather Archibald Thomson in so many ways.

He’s the foundation of my family in Canada and indeed North America. Archibald was born in Westerkirk, Dumfriesshire, Scotland on 22 Jan 1747. He initially settled in New York State, emigrating from Scotland in 1773. I’ve written about his decision to stay loyal to the British crown in an earlier post, you can read this story here. He first petitioned for land in Kingston in 1790, becoming the earliest settler in Canada in my family. 

Library and Archives Canada, Upper Canada Land Petitions "T" Bundle Misc. RG 1 L3 Vol 511

While in Kingston Archibald was a model citizen, part of the foundation of this young community. He was granted town lots 34 and 35 in Kingston and subsequently was granted a water lot to build a wharf. In 1791 he is mentioned by the Upper Canada Land Board in regards to the land petition of John Catin who was previously refused land on the suspicion of his being a disorderly character. On 14 Dec 1791 the board heard that he had been in the employ of Archibald for a year and had behaved in an orderly, sober and industrious manner. Archibald also engaged to put of a house for him on the lot. The land was granted him accordingly.

Library and Archives Canada, Upper Canada Land Board Dec 14 1791 p.333 Vol. 7

 And this brings to another way in which Archibald is a foundation - he was a master carpenter. He was involved in other projects besides helping Mr. Catin and erected a wharf. His biggest endeavour was to act as the general contractor and carpenter on the first church in Kingston - Old St. George’s, erected in 1792. This was the oldest Anglican parish in Ontario founded in 1785.  According to "The Parish Register of Kingston Upper Canada 1785-1811" on January 9 1792 Archibald was retained to construct the church. His account totalled £113, 7, 3.

The Parish Register of Kingston Upper Canada 1785-1811 A.H.Young 1921

Not only did Archibald build the church, but his family attended the church and he served as vestry man and warden. Archibald also was a benefactor donating £2 to the church. It is worth noting that the Thomson family were staunch Presbyterians. However, at this point in time only Anglican churches were available. The Reverend John Stuart was the minister at the Kingston church and a fellow Loyalist. It is possible they were acquainted during their time in NY state and involvement with the Mohawk nation. In 1825 construction began on a new church. I haven’t been able to determine what happened to the original church; it was likely demolished. 

The Thomsons owned property and resided in Fredericksburg Township and the town of Newark (now Niagara on the Lake) before moving to the town of York. There they would have encountered Reverend Stuart’s son George Okill Stuart who had been appointed  minister of St. James Church.  He was appointed in 1801 and the original church was begun in 1807 and completed in 1809. There he married Archibald’s daughter Elizabeth in 1806 and baptized her daughter Mary in 1808.

Finally Archibald was the foundation of the Thomson family in Canada. Archibald was the second oldest of 8 children born to Andrew Thomson and Jannet Scott. His older brother William remained in Westerkirk but Archibald was followed to North American by his younger brothers Andrew and David. In 1796 he petitioned the Crown for land for his brothers as he had become accomplished in the process. The Petition notes that the family is on their way from Britain

Library and Archives Canada Upper Canada Land Petitions "T" Bundle 2 1796-1797 RG1 L 3 Volume 495

The brothers initially settled in the town of York then moved further east to settle in the new area of Scarborough. David and his family became the first family to settle in Scarborough and he and his wife Mary are commonly known as the mother and father of Scarborough. Once the Thomsons settled in Scarborough they donated land on which St. Andrew’s Church was erected in 1818, the first Presbyterian Church erected in Scarborough. Archibald died in 1819 and is buried at St. Andrews with his wife Elizabeth and his brothers.

Archibald Thomson - A Canadian Success Story

This is Heritage Week and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to write about my ancestor Archibald Thomson. Archibald's story is important not only to my personal heritage but also to that of the province of Ontario.

Archibald was born in the small town of Westerkirk in Dumfries Scotland in 1749, one of 8 children born to Andrew and Jannet Thomson. He was baptized in the parish church On May 7th.

Scotland's People Old Parish Registers. Westerkirk 854/00 0010 0057

In 1773 he crossed the ocean in search of a better life, settling in Harpersfield in Tryon County, New York State. He farmed with other young Scots, James Park, Daniel Rose and John Chisholm. In 1775 "his attachment to his sovereign caused him to leave what little property he had acquired (12 acres of land) behind him" siding with the British in the American Revolution. He ultimately filed 16 Land Petitions that provided me with details of his service to the Crown. Archibald was a carpenter by trade and initially completed repairs at Fort Oswegatchie and Niagara. He was later appointed Master Carpenter by Governor Abbott. In 1777 he served under Captain John MacDonnell in the Second Battalion of the King's Royal Regiment of New York. In 1778 Archibald joined Captain Joseph Brant and was allegedly arrested by the Rebels for detecting and defeating conspiracies. There he was placed "under sentence of death for joining the Indians and escaped the Americans". I hope to find more about this interesting part of Archibald's story! He and his colleagues served without pay for seven years until the end of the war and "suffered every extremity of distress" and "engaged in the most dangerous of enterprises" under the command of Captain Brant, serving with "all the Zeal and Bravery of Britons". He was ultimately granted a Lieutenant's commission by Lord Dorchester.

On 27 July 1781 Archibald married Elizabeth McKay in Quebec City. Elizabeth was the daughter of Hugh McKay another Scottish refugee from New York State who became the High Constable of Quebec.

Quebec Gazette 2 August 1781, page 2

The couple moved about the province acquiring and selling land in various areas that was acquired by their successful land petitions to the Crown. 

Ontario Archives RG 1-58 Township Papers, Scarborough MS 658 Reel 436

Elizabeth acquired land due to her status as a daughter and wife of a Loyalist. Archibald acquired a town lot in Kingston in 1790. He ran a timber yard, wharf and store from this property. In the same time period he also acquired land in Fredericksburg Township as well as in Thurlow Township. In 1793 he also acquired a town lot in Newark (later Niagara on the Lake)and property in Stamford Township. By 1797 he owned a coveted town lot in York (later Toronto) near the St. Lawrence Market. As you can see from this detail from a map from the time his neighbours included his brothers David and Andrew

Detail from the Peter Russell 1797 map of Toronto, Toronto Public Library

And here's where Archibald's importance to the province lies - in 1796 he had petitioned the crown for 400 acres of land for his brothers who wished to join him in Canada and settle in Scarborough. He was successful and the rest is history. His brother David and David's wife Mary were the first settlers in Scarborough.

By 1799 Archibald himself joined his siblings in Scarborough purchasing and leasing 4 plots of land. He ran a "house of entertainment" and a grist mill while farming and also acting as a Justice of the Peace. In 1815 he certified his son Edward's land petition. Here's his signature. I found it to be consistent on the various documents over the years.

Upper Canada Land Petitions, Library and Archives Canada RG 1, L 3, Volume 497 "T" Bundle 10

Archibald died on 22 January 1819. Elizabeth had died two years earlier and I believe the couple were originally buried on the family farm. They were reinterred at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Scarborough, the first Presbyterian Church in Scarborough, erected on land donated by the Thomson family. The inscription is difficult to decipher but reads: "Their remains moved to this place on June 3 1854 by their descendants numbering 231".

Picture taken by the writer

Archibald's demise was noted in the Upper Canada Gazette on the 28th of January 1819. He received a fine tribute:

Upper Canada Gazette, 28 January 1819, page 2

Archibald had packed a lot into his 70 years probably beyond what he expected as a young boy in Dumfries. He left behind a legacy that was build on by his many descendants. Archibald and Elizabeth had 12 children all of whom lived to adulthood. Two of his sons Hugh Christopher Thomson (1791-1834) and Colonel Edward William Thomson (1794-1865) have entries in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Roy Thomson, Lord Thomson of Fleet, and his son Ken are descended from Archibald's youngest child George. Actress Norman Shearer (descended from Colonel Edward) and writer Farley Mowat (descended from Hugh) are also Thomsons. 

And I'm a Thomson too! I'm descended from Archibald's fifth child Elizabeth McKay Thomson who married Thomas Forfar in 1806. I was pleased this year to be able to prove my descent from Archibald and receive my certification from the United Empire Loyalist's Association of Canada. Here's the back of Elizabeth's Land Petition referencing her father's UEL status:

Upper Canada Land Petitions, Library and Archives Canada RG 1, L 3, Volume 187 "F" Bundle 8

Archibald was recognized as a United Empire Loyalist as he demonstrated Loyalty to the Crown. In recognition of his service in defence of "Unity of Empire" I can now use the letters UE after my name. Archibald Thomson rose from a refugee to a founding member of Upper Canada due to his perseverance and hard work.