John Dalgety Thomson

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation. ¹⁰⁴⁹ He was describing himself as an engineer in May 1888. Despite being named as an engineer on his marriage certificate, he was apparently a publican within a year. This may have been Susannah's influence, given her family's involvement in the hotel trade. However, the situation is clouded due to how common the name 'John Thomson' was; in any event, it would seem they spent the next six years moving from pub to pub in Sydney. On 17 January 1889 a John Thomson had a licence for colonial wine at Walker Street, St Leonards. which would have allowed him to sell wine by the glass or in small quantities.^3,4 Nearly three years later on Thursday, 10 December 1891 a John Thomson relinquished the licence to the Captain Cook Hotel, Clyde St, Millers Point. On 23 December 1891 a John Thomson relinquished a colonial wine licence associated with 341 Oxfrod Street, Paddington.
In 1893 a John Thomson was the publican of the Blue Anchor at 176 George St, Sydney. It is very likely that this is the John Thomson of our interest. John acquired the publican's licence to Trafalgar Hotel in Castlereagh Street, Sydney on Thursday, 29 June 1893 on the same day that he relinquished the licence to the Blue Anchor. John acquired the publican's licence to the Glasgow Arms ar 312 George Street, Sydney on Wednesday, 30 August 1893 on the same day that he relinquished the licence to the Trafalgar Hotel.
The renewal of the licence for Sydney was objected to a policeman on 13 June 1894:
"John Thomson applied for a renewal of the Glasgow Arms, George-street. Inspector Potter objected, on the grounds that applicant had a private bar apparently sub-let to females. Sergeant Carbeny testified that in May he visited the private bar, and on one occasion saw two barmaids sitting on two men's knees. On another occasion one - of the barmaids was sitting in an unbecoming way across a man's knees. He called the licensee's attention to the conduct. For the applicant Captain Kain, of the barque Bass Bock, was called. He stated that on the night of the 31st ultimo he was in the bar where Miss Brennan and Miss Payton were barmaids. Witness noticed the officers approach, and denied that any impropriety or indecorous conduct took place. Under cross-examination : 'Did you have your arms round the girl's neck?' 'No, it is not likely.' ' Why?' Because I'm a married man.' (Laughter.) Miss Kathleen Brennan stated that she was in receipt of £1 weekly from Thomson as barmaid. She denied that improper conduct had taken place. The bench, by a majority, granted the application, but cautioned the applicant to be more careful."
The Thompson family were the managers of the Como Hotel in Como, Sutherland for at least a year or so circa 1895.
Susannah and John hosted a festive evening on 20 February 1895:
"The members of the Festive Den, Como, and several of the Eastern Suburbs Harmonic Club, entertained themselves and friends at a quiet social gathering on Wednesday evening. Mrs. Thompson, the hostess of the Como Hotel, Como, placed her ballroom (which was tastefully decorated for the occasion) at their disposal, and a most enjoyable time was spent. Between the dances, several songs were creditably rendered, notably Mr. A. Blanchard, 'I Forget,' 'I'm in the Chair,' 'Moonbeams;' Mr. George Green, ' My Sweetheart When a Boy,' 'The Broken Home;' Mr. A. E. Bateman, ' What Will Tou Lend Me on Dolly,' and ''E Dunno Where 'E Are ;' Mr. Val. Bourke, 'The Ship I Love;' Mr. B. Dean, 'Poetical Fellows;' Mr. Ern. Bourke, song and dance; Mr. W. Shortall, 'Sweet Marie;' Mr. W. Bourke, 'Estudiantana.' Messrs. E. Bourke and Bash officiated at the- piano and Mr. A. E. Bateman fulfilled the duties of M.C.
On Monday, 28 October 1895 Susannah Alletta Nicholson and her son Donald were charged with having sold English Ale at Como from an unlicensed hotel. Three police officers observed them serving drinks where there were some 2,000 people at the hotel. They were assisted by John Dalgety Thomson but he wasn't charged though he acted to see the policemen off the premises. However, despite anything that may have happened, the police work was sloppy and the case was dismissed

John married Susannah Alleta Nicholson, daughter of Donald Nicholson and Margaret Francis (Fanny) Brown, on 7 May 1888 in Wesleyan Parsonage, 379 King St. Newtown, Sydney, NSW Australia.¹⁰⁴⁹ (Susannah Alleta Nicholson was born on 16 May 1850 in Bowning, Southern Tablelands, NSW Australia, christened on 16 Jun 1850 in Yass, NSW Australia and died on 31 Aug 1907 in Rockdale, Sydney, NSW Australia.). The cause of her death was abdominal cancer.