The boat ride to Canada was during very rough weather, and took 6 weeks, and some family baggage was lost overboard. Arrived in 1832, landing in Montreal, and then up to Fitzroy, where he purchased Lot 16, 5th Concession from a widow named Rachel Horton, who had obtained it from the Crown in 1831. He and his family were in the midst of the asiatic cholera epidemics of 1832 and 1834.

Listed in the 1851 census as widowed, age 70, with 3 kids living with him: Charles (age 21), James (age 19) and Alice (age 18). Also a 3 year old (born about 1848) name John, born in Fitzroy (grandson?)