He then migrated to British North America, and after a stint in Hamilton moved to Halidmand County in Canada West (later Ontario) where he owned and operated a store.
During his short tenure at Port Franks he became embroiled in local politics and some serious financial reverses which resulted in him serving time in debtors' prison in Sarnia.
Upon his release he secured a position as teacher in Warwick, Ontario in Lambton County, and then removed to Oil Springs in 1862.
[1] In 1869 he published his voluminous Poems satirical & sentimental on many subjects connected with Canada : including a complete exposure of our County court and Divisional court system in several theatrical acts & dialogues, showing how the people have been, and are now victimized, all tending to prove on the part of those indicated, a complete conspiracy set up by them for the purpose of enslaving the people of this country; also a dissertation on the doings of the Canada Company' s land, jobbing, and other matterswhich was published in London, Ontario.
[2] However, in 1879 it was noted that he was "the sweet singer of Oil Springs, whose 'Lament of Annie Magee' and other poems, written in the Spenserian stanza have given him considerable local reputation as a poet .