Archibald Thomson was a United Empire Loyalist. UEL Status:Proven Date: Undated
Archibald was born in Bentpath, Scotland[1] and christened the same day in Westerkirk, Scotland on May 7, 1749.[2]
Emigrated 1773 and with James Park settled near Johnstown Tryon cty(now Montgomery) NY, cleared 12 acres of 100 acres tract and had log house before 1775 on land owned by John Harper (also shown as James Harper)
claimed L87 settled for L58; ref A013/16/26-27 B2188 memorial 16 apr 1786 Niagara 12 acres Tryon cty
with James Park on James Harper’s land claimed L87 settled £58
also A02/109/294 B1161 ref Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution; Palmer, Gregory
met Elizabeth McKay, whose family had come out from Scotland and settled nearby
Father Hugh McKay with Elizabeth were later general merchants in Quebec city.
as a master carpenter, repaired Forts Niagara, Oswegatchie(Ogdensburg) and Post St Vincennes(Vincennes IA)
in Aug 1778 arrested by Albany cty Committee but escaped.
Volunteered in the Detroit Militia under Governor Hamilton and was a Lieutenant.
was a scout for Joseph Brant
In 1779 in Detroit Militia under Gov Hamilton as Lieutenant
in 1780 settles at Carleton Island near Kingston and had a wharf and store at Kingston.. Had trade connections with Detroit.
In 1781 in Kingston with business on waterfront
From Quebec Gazette (of Quebec City) of Thursday 2 Aug 1781 “married on Friday last Mr Archibald Thomson of Carleton Island, merchant and Miss McKay daughter of Hugh McKay, merchant”.
Andrew born 1782 Montreal
In 1782 with Brant’s Volunteers landing on both sides of Niagara River on Sep 4.
Mary born 1783 Fort Detroit
applied to settle on Crown land opposite Niagara (20 Jul 1784) KRRNY
on muster roll 6 Oct 1784 at Fredricksburg with a son and daughter both under 10
1785 settler “at the Mountain and Near Fort Erie” also settler at Township 3 above Cattaraqua (Fredricksburg)
Janet born 1785 Fort Detroit
attached to 2nd Battalian KRRNY victualed at Fredricksburg 1 Jul - 31 Aug 1786
victualed at Mr Burches District Niagara 14 Nov 1786
to Kingston 1786 Land Transaction : Thom(P)son, Arch Home District; Indian dept wife and 2 ch ;Provision List Niagara 1786,OC 21 jul 1796 Niagara stamped book; Employed as master carpenter Niagara; 1200 acres Land Board Mecklenberg 1790 closed his claim with 500 acres wife and 3ch Provision List Kingston 1786
Note that wife is also listed as UEL
Elizabeth born 1787 Kingston
Helen born 1789 Fredericksburgh twp
In 1789 built home in Kingston for Sir John Johnston
Hugh born 1791 Kingston
received waterfront lot in Kingston 1794
built St. Mary’s church @ Kingston 1792, owned lot 34 near Queen’s U, Church warden 1792, vestryman 1791 and 1795
Edward born 1794 Kingston
Stayed Kingston 14 years then to Newark in 1795 where owned Lot 139 where he wrote for David & Andrew to emigrate. Brothers arrived Quebec then to Newark in 22 Jul 1796
Alexander born 1796 Newark
In 18 Jul 1796 got 1000 acres for brothers. Archibald’s wife got 200 acres as daughter of UEL.
to Scarboro abt 1799,owned lot 3 then Duchess St corner with Caroline (now Sherbourne) St.
Archibald born 1799 York; 1799 census said his was largest family (9)
George born 1801York
Scarboro town warden elected 1799 Justice of the peace 9 Oct 1810
Is Archibald your ancestor? Please don't go away! Login to collaborate or comment, or contact
the profile manager, or ask our community of genealogists a question.
Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com
DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Archibald by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA.
However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line.
It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Archibald:
The two Archibald Thomson UELs: Part One of Five, copyright Stephen Bowley UE, Loyalist Trails: UELAC Newsletter 2023-51, December 17, 2023, https://uelac.ca/loyalist-trails/ . From email feed, not yet online in archive.
During the War of 1812, Archibald Thomson Sr. and Archibald Thomson Jr. both served in the 3rd York Militia at the capture of York by the Americans. Archibald Thomson UE would have been about 64 years old in 1813, which was usually too old to serve, but the service was for one day on April 27, 1813. Other men with militia exemptions served for that one day, so possibly Archibald UE served as Private Archibald Sr.
His son Archibald John Thomson was about 14 years old in 1813 and could have been Private Archibald Jr. In 1819, he declared that he had served.
Archibald David Thomson, son of David, was 16 years old in 1813, and could have been either Private Archibald Sr. or Jr.
Any family history of the war or thoughts on how to determine which two Archibalds served? A number of family members appeared to have served in the 3rd York Militia during the war: Andrew, David, Edward, James, John, Richard, and William.
https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=8381 https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=8401
edited by Mark Weinheimer
His son Archibald John Thomson was about 14 years old in 1813 and could have been Private Archibald Jr. In 1819, he declared that he had served.
Archibald David Thomson, son of David, was 16 years old in 1813, and could have been either Private Archibald Sr. or Jr.
Any family history of the war or thoughts on how to determine which two Archibalds served? A number of family members appeared to have served in the 3rd York Militia during the war: Andrew, David, Edward, James, John, Richard, and William.