Born in Newery, County of Armagh, Ireland, in 1825, James Thompson set sail for Canada with his parents in the late 1830's. Just hours from their destination on Canada's East Coast, their ship was struck by an iceburg, drowning many of the would-be settlers. James Thompson's parents were among those lost at sea, but at least James survived to see the new land. It is believed he worked his way west as far as London, Ontario and when oppertunity and resources allowed he took out a homestead in Carrick Township, Bruce County, Ontario.
(Quoted from the THOMPSON Family in Bruce Township Tales & Trails)