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John Thompson Log House - Digital Archive
The Digital Archive and complementary Interactive Heritage Register Map are initiatives to provide historical information regarding properties included on the Township’s Heritage Register. The Digital Archive only includes properties which have consented to include their heritage property on this archive.
The lands we know today as the Township of Puslinch have been home to
Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. We acknowledge that we are on the
traditional territory of the Hatiwendaronk, as well as the treaty lands and traditional
territory of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee.
With increasing encroachment by non-Indigenous settlers in the Township of Puslinch, the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee could not continue their traditional lifestyle and settled in their villages along the Credit River and in the Grand River Valley. These Indigenous nations uphold their Treaty Rights within our jurisdiction.
Today, the Township of Puslinch remains home to Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to share and respect Mother Earth and are committed to building constructive and cooperative relationships with Indigenous nations.
John Thompson Log House
Biographical Info
The John Thompson Log House was built in 1845 on land owned by “Big” John Thompson. Thompson used huge pine logs hewn on both sides when building his cabin, as opposed to the smaller common logs of black ash or cedar, which has aided in the overall preservation of the John Thompson Log House. The rare one-and-a-half storey structure still has its original stone fireplace. Thompson commissioned stonemason Angus McDonald to construct the foundation, and Peter Lamont as carpenter on the project. McDonald was a master mason, called “Clahair” or “Stonemason” in Gaelic.
After emigrating from Scotland, the two Thompson brothers, Neil and James, started families in Puslinch. Both brothers had sons named John, with Neil’s son known as “Big John” and James’ son known as “Little John.” “Big John” Thompson became a farmer, while his cousin became a tailor.
The property is historically associated with Scottish immigration from Argyllshire and the settlement of Killean in Puslinch. The John Thompson House is part of the Crieff Hills Community.
Categories: Decade Built – 1840s, Decade Plaqued – 2000s, Historical Association – Scottish/Scotland, Materials – Wood, One-and-a-half storeys, Traditional Log House Style