The Thomson Family

At a young age, George began working in coal mines as a candleholder. Then, as a miner when he was older. During this time, George was introduced to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized on April 7, 1847.

"An older brother became so enraged because of his baptism that he held George by force while his mother whipped him."

In 1851, George saved enough money to sail to the United States and live with the Saints. George boarded the Ellen from Liverpool on Jan 8, 1851 and arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 14. During his travels, George met Alice Tomlinson. George traveled to Nebraska Territory, joined the Joshua Grant Freight Train, and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley the same year.

In 1860, the Thomson family formed a small company with the Andersen Family, William Aller, and his brother-in-law Richard J. M. Bee, and moved to Richmond.