Jessie Ellen Gavin was the seventh daughter and tenth and youngest child of Robert Gavin and Margaret Horn. She was born in Purbrook on August 23, 1888. She appears with her parents in the 1891 census at 2 years old and the 1901 Census at 12 years old.
Jessie married George W. "Crab" Thompson. He was the son of Richard and Ann (McCracken) Thompson who were Methodist, born in Ireland and early settlers in Draper Township. Richard was a farmer and they lived near McCrackens, Pattersons and Bulls.
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The 1868 marriage of Richard Thompson and Ann McCracken is recorded at the Elm Street Wesleyan Methodist Church in Toronto and was performed by Rev. Edward H. Dewart.
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Richard H. THOMPSON, 31, b. Ireland, Toronto, s/o John & Hannah, married Anne McCRACKEN, 23, b. Ireland, Toronto, d/o George & Jane, witn: Thomas MOONEY of Toronto, 07 Nov 1868. *In the 1901 census, both Richard and Ann report that they came to Canada in 1868. A later record gives Richard's second name as Henry. It is not known if the McCrackens in Draper were related to Richard's wife.
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1901 Census - Draper TownshipThompson, Richard, Head............b.Jan 1, 1837........... 64
Thompson, Ann, Wife................... b.May 12, 1843....... 57
Thompson, John, Son................... b. Oct 6, 1869......... 31
Thompson, Thomas, Son.............. b. Sep 26, 1871....... 29
Thompson Allan, Son.................... b. Nov 3, 1879........ 21
Thompson George, Son......... b. Jun 12, 1882... 18
Thompson, Mary, Dau.................. b. Aug 20, 1885...... 16
George and Jessie were married on December 25th, 1907. The local newspaper reported the wedding as follows:
On Christmas Day, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gavin was the scene of a happy event when their youngest daughter, Jessie Ellen, was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Mr. George Thompson of Uffington. A number of relations and guests were present, among them an aunt of the bride from Manitoba (perhaps Margaret, Mrs. James Machan). The bride was becomingly attired in a very pretty dress of white net over white silk and with the customary wreath of orange blossoms. Miss Maggie Crozier attended the bride, while Mr. William Tinkiss was the groom's man. After the ceremony a very dainty repast was served to which all did ample justice. In the evening, dancing was indulged in until early morning when the newly wedded couple left for Bracebridge where they took the train for a trip to Midland. The bride's travelling suit was of grey cloth with a light grey hat to match. The bride received many handsome and useful presents with numerous expressions of good wishes.In the 1911 Census, George and Jessie were in Draper around 'Colsen's Corners' (Purbrook) close to her parents who were living with Will Gavin and his young family, and also close to her other married brother, Robert. Albert was living in Bracebridge by 1911.
1911 Census - Draper Township, Muskoka
Thompson, George, Head................... b. Jun, 1881......... 29
Thompson, Jessie, Wife...................... b. Aug, 1888........ 22
Thompson, Grace Emilia, Dau........... b. Apr, 1909.......... 2
Thompson, Ruth Alma, Dau............... b. Mar, 1911.......... 2/12
Three more children were born after this census - Norman, Robert and Ausborne.
George Thompson worked in the logging industry and appears in the Gavin logging crew photo which was posted May, 2010. The photo seems to have been taken in the early 1920's. George's job is given as 'dumper' on the back of the photo. As a young man, he received the knickname "Crab" because he was able to walk skillfully on the logs (Source: R. Lee).
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Muskoka Herald Feb 26 1920
"Mrs. Gavin was called to Purbrook on Sunday to the bedside of her daughter Mrs. Geo. Thompson who was seriously ill with pneumonia, following the 'Flu'. Today, Monday, we regret to learn that Mrs. Thomspon has passed away leaving a husband and five little children to mourn the loss of a loving wife and mother. Mrs. Thompson was highly respected in our village and the deepest sympathy of the whole neighbourhood is extended to the sorrowing ones. Mr. Thompson and the little ones, we understand, are all sick with the flu at time of our writing."
Jessie died February 23rd, 1920 at thirty-one years of age from influenza and pneumonia. November of 1918 was the peak of the Spanish flu pandemic; however, it did continue for several years after this date. Her death certificate states that Dr. A. B. Holmes attended for several days. She was buried at Fraserburg.
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After Jessie's death in 1920, the grandmother, Margaret Gavin, (widow of Robert who died in 1912) went to live with the Thompsons. She died in 1925.
Death Record:
Jessie Helen Thompson, d. 23 February, 1920, Purbrook, Draper Twp., Muskoka Cause of Death: influenza, pneumonia
Female, Scotch, Married, b. August 23, 1888, 31 years old
Parents: Robert Gavin and Margaret Horn, born Lanark County
Informant: Albert Gavin
Buried: Fraserburg
Doctor attended: February 19 - 23 Physician: A.B. Holmes
Monument at Fraserburg Cemetery
*************************************************************** Ruth Thompson (on the left - born 1911)and Grace Thompson (on the right- born 1909) were the daughters of George Thompson and Jessie Gavin of Purbrook. Grace married Clare Crockford and Ruth married Fred Lee (pictured below). *************************************************************** 
When Bill Hammond, son of Alfred Hammond and Margaret Gavin, joined the Army during World War Two, he sold his dairy in the town of Bracebridge to Fred Lee. 
The dairy continued as Hammond's until it was sold to Chub Downey. 
