Hugh and Alice with their (first) five children to Canada in 1831 and first obtained land from the Canada Company 15 July 1831 in Chinguacousy Township, Peel County: Lot 28, Concession 5, East of the Centre Road (200 acres). Hugh’s name appeared on the 1832 assessment rolls, and he later signed a petition in support of the position of William Lyon McKenzie against the Family Compact.

In 1847 Hugh bought 100 acres from the Crown in Euphrasia Township, Grey County: East half of Lot 18, COncession 7. It is not clear just when the family moved to Euphrasia, but they were there by the time of the 1852 Census. At the time of his death, Hugh owned at least four hundred acres of land.