John Richardson (businessman)
Encyclopedia
John Richardson, was born in Scotland, the son of Thomas Richardson, merchant in Portsoy and his first wife Helen Stewart of Towiemore and by 1774 was working for Phyn & Ellice, a Scottish fur trading company out of Schenectady, New York
. James Phyn of that company was the brother of Helen Phyn, the second wife of Thomas Richardson, and was thus John Richardson's step-uncle. He was active throughout the American War of Independence and, by 1787 was based out of Montreal and involved in the fur trade. He became immediately active in politics and may have influenced the retention of British forts in American territory, such as Fort de La Présentation
, until 1796.
Although the Constitutional Act of 1791
did not satisfy him, Richardson ran in the first general election in 1792 and he, along with Joseph Frobisher
, was elected for Montreal East. He worked hard and effectively in the assembly but was frustrated by the experience and did not run for election in either 1796 or 1800. In 1804 he won a seat for Montreal West and fought for English speaking and business interests over the next four years. His controversial stands had alienated the voters and he was defeated in 1808 in the Montreal West riding.
Governor Sir James Henry Craig
appointed Richardson as the messenger between the Legislative Council of Lower Canada
and the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
in 1808 and in 1811 he became a regular member of the council, a position he held until his death.
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
. James Phyn of that company was the brother of Helen Phyn, the second wife of Thomas Richardson, and was thus John Richardson's step-uncle. He was active throughout the American War of Independence and, by 1787 was based out of Montreal and involved in the fur trade. He became immediately active in politics and may have influenced the retention of British forts in American territory, such as Fort de La Présentation
Fort de La Présentation
In 1749, the French Sulpician priest, Abbé Picquet, built a mission fort, which he named Fort de La Présentation . It was also sometimes known as Fort La Galette. It was built at the confluence of the Oswegatchie River and the St Lawrence River in Canada...
, until 1796.
Although the Constitutional Act of 1791
Constitutional Act of 1791
The Constitutional Act of 1791, formally The Clergy Endowments Act, 1791 , is an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain...
did not satisfy him, Richardson ran in the first general election in 1792 and he, along with Joseph Frobisher
Joseph Frobisher
Joseph Frobisher was a fur trader and political figure in Lower Canada.He was born in Halifax, England in 1740 and came to Quebec with his brother Benjamin around 1763; their brother Thomas joined them around 1769...
, was elected for Montreal East. He worked hard and effectively in the assembly but was frustrated by the experience and did not run for election in either 1796 or 1800. In 1804 he won a seat for Montreal West and fought for English speaking and business interests over the next four years. His controversial stands had alienated the voters and he was defeated in 1808 in the Montreal West riding.
Governor Sir James Henry Craig
James Henry Craig
General Sir James Henry Craig KB was a British military officer and colonial administrator.-Early life and military service:...
appointed Richardson as the messenger between the Legislative Council of Lower Canada
Legislative Council of Lower Canada
The Legislative Council of Lower Canada was the upper house of the bicameral structure of provincial government in Lower Canada until 1838. The upper house consisted of appointed councillors who voted on bills passed up by the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada. The legislative council was...
and the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
The Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada was the lower house of the bicameral structure of provincial government in Lower Canada until 1838. The legislative assembly was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791...
in 1808 and in 1811 he became a regular member of the council, a position he held until his death.