John Brown Thomson (1853-1930)

John was born on 13^th May 1853 at March Cottage, Penpont. After leaving school in 1869, he started work as an apprentice draper in Thornhill and remained there for nearly 10 years. He married Mary Thomson Brown in Penpont on 16^th July 1878 starting out family life at 35 Drumlanrig Street, Thornhill, where their first two sons William and John were born. They then moved to number 37 where their first daughter was born.

In 1884 the family moved to Annan. (John’s bother Robert married his sister-in-law Jane and they took over residence at 37 Drumlarrig Street.) John worked as an Assistant Draper in Annan and the family remained there until 1892. In 1890 Mary returned to her parents’ home in Penpont to have her child Jane Robb Thomson.

John and Mary had a total of 10 children – 7 boys and 3 girls.

In 1893 the family moved to Sanqhuar where John opened his own Draper and Milliner’s business at 29 High Street. Their home was at 27 High Street where John stayed until his death in 1930. After his death the Sanquhar business was run by his two sons until 1938 when it was sold.

In 1925 he opened a drapery and post office in Kirkconnel which was run by his eldest son William until 1951 when he retired and moved to Dunoon.

John took an active part in Sanqhuar life. He served on the Town Council for many years and was a JP. He was a member of South United Free Church where he was Presbytery Elder. He was a strong advocate of temperance. Politically he was one of the Gladstone Liberals and took part in election activities.

Mary Thomson Brown (John’s wife) (1857-1942) - was born in Penpont on 7^th September 1857 and was the oldest child of John and Mary Brown (nee Laidlaw). (Her sister married Robert Thomson see above)

Jane Robb Thomson (Mary and John’s daughter) (1890-1961) married Rev James Wright (1891-1936) on 6 February 1917 in Sanquhar. Both Jane and Rev James lost brothers in WW1.

(John’s son James Brown Thomson was killed in WW1. Further information on this can be obtained from G Cuttle at mailto@penpontheritage.co.uk