John (born 1816) was the son of Donald Maciver and Catherine Maciver. The address at the time of his birth is not known, but in 1832 the family obtained 20 Old North Tolsta. 

John married Margaret Macdonald and settled with her as cottars at 20 Old North Tolsta. The couple emigrated with the majority of John's family to the Eastern Townships of Quebec in 1841. Once in Quebec they had ten children.