WILLIAM GEORGE THOMSON 1820-1899

 
Marries AGNES BROWN 1816-1899 on 12th March, 1847 at The March, Auchenbenzie, Penpont, by the Rev. John Smith, of Burnhead Church. They have 6 children, between 1849-1858 - 5 boys and l girl who dies. All children were christened at Burnhead Church where William Thomson was an elder.

Burnhead village and church  

Interior Burnhead Church

In the local paper The Dumfries and Galloway Standard, dated 17th March, 1897 have:

“GOLDEN WEDDING of Mr and Mrs Thomson Gatelawbridge – The Golden Wedding of Mr and Mrs Thomson (the father and mother of the late Joseph Thomson, African explorer) fell to be observed last Friday. As the members of the firm had made no arrangements for the recognition of the interesting event among the employees at the quarry, there was no public celebrations of the occasion. The members of the family met in a private capacity at Gatelawbridgge and spent a pleasant evening in a manner suitable to the circumstances. Three generations were present at the meeting, the second being represented by the Rev James Brown Thomson, Greenock: Mr. William Thomson Gatelawbridge: Mr. John Thomson Sanquhar: and Mr. Robert Thomson, Thornhill: (who were present along with their wives): and the third generation (thirty-three in number) were represented by Mr. William Tortius Thomson (son of William Thomson) The couple are still hale and hearty. Mr. Thomson being 77 years and his wife three years his senior.”

AGNES and WILLIAM THOMSON in 1897

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