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Hi Thomas, I posted a query a couple of years ago on my black Thompsons and you answered that one too. I guess I will never find out for sure if this is my Peter. I will post everything again for the benefit of any future researcher who looks at this thread.
The facts I have are that my 3rd great grandfather was William Thompson born c1796 somewhere in Canada. Married 1818 in Berthier Co, Quebec (no other Thompsons there). On his marriage he states he is the son of Pierre and Marie (maiden Boucher or Goucher) Thomson.
The family story passed down to me (I don't like them without facts to back them up, but I will post it anyway) William was orphaned at a young age (2 or 3?) when his parent/parents drowned. They were on a boat or ship that sank. William's parent or parents was a former slave that came to the US after the Rev War to avoid being sold back into slavery.
I did find the Peter Thompson from Saint John listed in a few books. They suggest he was a free black loyalist who indentured himself to Charles McPherson before the move to Canada. Both men were members of De Lancey's 1st battalion and both came to Canada on the ship "Camel" in 1784. One book states Peter was a slave of McPherson and that he bought his freedom for 30 pounds in 1793, but died 5 years later. McPherson was said to be a guarantor for Thompson's debts when he died. (I think it was more likely he bought out the remainder of his indenture in 1793 since the ship manifest has him listed as "servant" and another book says he was a "free black loyalist".)
Anyway, This Peter fits all the criteria I'm looking for, but I can't find any mention of whether he was married or had children. Even if I could rule him out as my Peter it would be a step forward for me.
My William Thompson seems to be the one who "appears" in Montreal as a soldier in the 8th (Kings) regiment c1814/15. The only clue he gives me is the name of his parents on his marriage record, but so far it's proved useless. Seems blacks weren't that well documented.
I'm in RI so I have no real way to search Saint John records in person. I wonder if there is a record for any passenger boat or ship going down at the time Peter Thompson died c1798. I could find out if that part of my family story is fact or fantasy. Being on the coast I guess there may have been a boating tragedy almost every day there. This has been my most interesting, but most frustrating line. I have an old picture of Peter's granddaughter (my 2nd great grandmother), Marguerite Eulalie (Thompson) Clement 1819-1909.
Anyway, thanks for your interest. I hope someday my post helps someone.
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