Cowie Thompson Family

This article was so faded it was almost illegible but because I hope it might help someone.

In a recent letter to Patrick Leonard of Perth a descendent of John Thompson, an early Perth settler, Mrs. Margaret L. Burroughs, now of Twin River, New Jersey, tells some of the history of this pioneer and his descendants and the Cowie family.

John Thompson lived in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, and in April of (date illegible) he married Anne Temperly(?) Temperby(?). A year later they had a son, William John Wilson Thompson and in (date illegible) they came to Canada. Eventually the Thompson family settled in Perth where John started a shoe business on what is now Gore Street.

They had five children: William John Wilson(?) who married Margaret(?) Fraser(?) or Frost(?); C – – – who married Harmon(?) Kellery(?); Elizabeth who became Mrs. Munroe(?); while Nathaniel and George remained single.

Of the second generation, William John Wilson had ten children: Mary Ann who died young; Margaret who married William Curry and lived in Almonte; Samuel who married Henrietta Coure(?) and settled on the Scotch Line; William George who married Margaret Gamble(?) and lived in Almonte; James, Mrs. Burroughs grandfather, who married Agnes Cowie and he eventually settled in Almonte after living several years in (illegible); N – – – – – – – Nicholas(?), who married Mary – – meson (Jameson?) and took up residence in Orillia(?); (son, name illegible) who married Martha Armour and went to Drummond; Hannah who married(?) Alexander Cameron(?) and took up residence in (illegible word) Bay; Joseph who married Jane Abby and lived in Carleton Place; David who married (illegible first name, maybe Hannah) Close and his (illegible two words) married L – – – L – – . These couples lived in Brace – – – – – and Ramsay respectively.

Of the third generation, Mrs. Burroughs grandfather, James, lived in Glen Tay where her mother, Henriette Jane, was born. The next three children, Robert, Margaret and Agnes were born in Almonte.

Of the fourth generation, Henrietta Jane married John Moore and resided on the 7^th Line Ramsay. There were six children as follows: Agnes, Gertrude Malinda(?), William, Charlotte(?) M – – – – – – (Mathilda??), Margaret L who married A.A. Burroughs and moved to the U.S., and John Osborne of (Orillia??).

Cowie—Robert Cowie of Edinburgh, Scotland came to Split Rock, New York with his sister in the later half of the last century. Robert married Henrietta Jane Adams of Split Rock who was related to John Adams, second President of the United States.

Henrietta, their first child, was born in Upper Canada. The next three, John, Agnes and William, were born in the U.S. in Split Rock or Utica and then they returned to Perth where the next five were born: Francis, Lillie(?) or Leslie(?), Margaret, Robert and Jane. Of these it is not know who John married while Agnes became Mrs. James Thompson, Mrs. Burroughs grandparents; William married twice and his daughter Garvella (last name illegible, begins with a ‘S’) lives on the Scotch Line.

Janet Cowie, sister of Robert, married Mr. Allen, a lawyer who practised law and opened the first post office in Perth. Mrs. Cowie’s brother, John Adams, came to Perth with the Cowies. John farmed and taught music. It is not known who John married but they had no(?) children. They adopted his wife’s niece Louise McKay who later married Ralph Dodds and their grand daughter Mrs. Ferrier lives on the Scotch Line across the road from the old John Adams farm.

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)