We do not know exactly when John & Isabella left Scotland. What we do know is that they had arrived in Toronto, Ontario (then York, Upper Canada) on August 11, 1831. On that day, John applied for a land grant. The document tells us that he had served seven years with the King's Footguards and in return for his service, the Crown granted him 100 acres. This is the first instance where we actually can see his signature, a nice personal touch in place of a photograph. (His death came before cameras were common; we will probably never discover a photo of him—but you did see one of Isabela, taken years later, on the introductory page.)
A day later, probably to qualify him for the land grant, he takes an Oath of Allegiance, which served to put him on record as a man who could be called up to defend the crown, mainly against any threat from across the border to the south. He is described in the Oath as a 'carpenter'.
Original documents held by Hugh James Munro (Jim) of Lethbridge.
For a detailed description of John and Isabella's emigration, insofar as we know it, go to the page 'John & Isabella's Odyssey to Canada."
