James Thomson (cabinetmaker)
James Thomson, born in 1825 in Tain, Scotland, and died on August 14, 1896, in Montreal, Canada, was a Scottish-born Canadian cabinetmaker, interior designer, merchant and local Canadian politician. He notably served as mayor of the municipality of Saint-Lambert from 1882 to 1886.
James Thomson produced custom-made furniture for, among others, Rideau Hall, the residence of Sir Hugh Allan, Ravenscrag, the residence of George Stephen, and various residences belonging to the family of John Redpath.
Biography
James Thomson was born in 1825 in Tain, Scotland. He emigrated to Canada as a "young boy" and settled in Toronto, Ontario. He apprenticed as a cabinetmaker with the cabinetmaking and interior decorating firm Jacques & Hay, where he worked before becoming a foreman. From 1843 to 1849, he worked independently, then partnered with cabinetmaker John Drummond in 1849. This partnership ended in 1850. In 1853, he partnered with cabinetmaker John Haigh. Upon Haigh's death in September 1855, he partnered with cabinetmaker George McKeand, thus creating McKeand, Thomson & Co. The factory, located in a four-story brick building, employed eighty-five workers and produced worth of furniture annually. In June 1857, for an unknown reason, the company was dissolved and liquidated.In August 1857, James Thomson married Marianne Stitt. In 1858, the couple moved to Quebec City where James worked independently for a little over a year. Towards the end of 1859, the couple moved to Montreal and settled at 12-14 Bonaventure Street. Around 1862, James partnered with George Kellond, a sculptor he had met during his time in Quebec City. This partnership dissolved around 1864. Around 1865, James established his factory and warehouse on Saint Jacques Street and became "a serious competitor of the Hiltons at Montreal provincial exhibitions. Indeed, he presented to the judges and visitors furniture of such exquisite craftsmanship as that of John and William Hilton". In 1869, he obtained the necessary capital from Hugh Allan to build a brand-new factory at the intersection of Craig and Saint-François-Xavier Streets. During the 1870s and 1880s, he gradually brought his sons, James A. and Charles Thomson, into the management of the business. Around 1888, the company moved its showrooms to Guy Street.
In 1890, illness forced James Thomson to retire from his business and delegate its management to his sons, James A. and Charles Thomson. On February 17, 1890, he sold his Saint-Lambert residence, known as Maplehurst, and moved to Richmond Square in Montreal. On July 9, 1890, W. A. Caldwell was appointed curator of James Thomson's estate. His sons and a former employee, cabinetmaker George H. Randall, continued the business under the name "James Thomson & Co.", which now specialized in office, warehouse, and store furniture, but not exclusively. This company ceased operations around 1899. James Thomson died on August 14, 1896, in Montreal. His funeral took place on August 17, 1896, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Morris, at 47A Durocher Street. He was buried in Mount Royal Cemetery.
Political life
Around 1875, James Thomson and his family moved to Saint-Lambert. He was then elected municipal councillor and remained so until 1882. On February 6, 1882, he was elected mayor of the same municipality. He was successively re-elected to this position in 1883, 1884 and 1885.Personal life
In August 1857, James Thomson married Marianne Stitt. Around 1875, James Thomson and his family moved to their new residence in Saint-Lambert, known as "Maplehurst." On August 3, 1877, one of his daughters, Jane Thomson, died at the age of twelve following an accident: while trying to pick berries, a stone was dislodged and fell on the young girl. His wife, Marianne Stitt, died on July 6, 1889, at the age of 55. He had five children: two sons, James A. and Charles, and three daughters, Jane, Mrs. John Morris, and Mrs. Hughes.Thomson and the artists
Here is a non-exhaustive list of artists who worked for or in association with James Thomson:- Mr. Barnard.
- Édouard Bertrand, cabinetmaker.
- John Drummond, cabinetmaker.
- John Haigh, cabinetmaker.
- George Kellond, sculptor.
- Mr. Lavallée.
- George McKeand, cabinetmaker.
- George H. Randall, cabinetmaker.
Exhibitions and awards
Below is a non-exhaustive list of exhibitions in which James Thomson's company has exhibited works:List of works
Below is a non-exhaustive list of known works by James Thomson's company:- 1860s: Part of the furnishings for the residence of J. Gordon Makenzie.
- 1860s: Part of the furnishings for the residence of Robert and Jane Pilkington.
- 1860s: Part of the furnishings for the Montreal Club.
- 1860s-70s: Furnishings for the residence of Hugh Allan, known as Ravenscrag.
- Circa 1869: Part of the furnishings for Rideau Hall.
- 1860s-70s: Furnishings for the residence of John Redpath, known as "Terrace Bank".
- 1870s-80s: Part of the furnishings from the residence of Robert Kane.
- 1870s: Part of the furnishings from the residence of Hector Hébert
- 1870s: Part of the furnishings from the residence of J. H. Wilkins.
- 1870s: Part of the furnishings from the residence of Henry H. Atwater
- 1870s: Part of the furnishings from the residence of D. Butters.
- 1870s-80s: Part of the furnishings from the residence of the Honourable John Hamilton, Canadian Senator.
- 1870s-80s: Part of the furnishings from the residence of Robert A. Smith, of the Hugh & Andrew Allan Shipping Company.
- 1870s-80s: Part of the furnishings from the residence of E. A. Bernard, Esquire.
- 1870s-80s: Part of the furnishings from the residence of John Cowan.
- 1870s-80s: Part of the furnishings from the residence located at 1821-1823 Notre-Dame Street, Montreal.
- 1870s-80s: Part of the furnishings from the residence of James McDougall, Esquire, located at 808 Palace Street, Montreal.
- Around 1871: Design of some of the furnishings for James Goulden's pharmacy on Saint-Laurent Street, Montreal.
- Around 1879: Some of the furnishings for the steamship SS. Sarmatian of the Hugh & Andrew Allan Shipping Company.
- Between 1880 and 1884: Some of the furnishings for the George Stephen House.
- Around 1885: All the furnishings for the official Canadian government railway car, known as the Ottawa, of the Prince Edward Island Railway.