Joseph Cawthra
Encyclopedia
Joseph Cawthra was a Canadian merchant
and politician
. Cawthra arrived in York
, Upper Canada
, (now Toronto
) from Yeadon
, Yorkshire
, England
, in 1802. He was granted a 400 acres (162 ha) tract of land in Mississauga, Ontario
(which at the time was undeveloped rural property) by the Crown, provided he build a home on it within four years. The land remained in the hands of the Cawthra Family
up until the 1970s, and much of it is now retained by the City of Mississauga as parkland.
Cawthra married Mary Turnpenny in 1801 and they had a family of 9 children, 6 sons and three daughters:
Cawthra opened an apothecary
shop, and the base for his family's great wealth was established. Cawthra's wealth grew enormously as a result of his involvement in profiteering during the War of 1812. Eventually Cawthra money was invested in other enterprises throughout the city, especially real estate. When he died, he left the bulk of his great estate and business interests to one of his sons, William Cawthra
.
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Cawthra arrived in York
York, Upper Canada
York was the name of Old Toronto between 1793 and 1834. It was the second capital of Upper Canada.- History :The town was established in 1793 by Governor John Graves Simcoe, with a new 'Fort York' on the site of the last French 'Fort Toronto'...
, Upper Canada
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
, (now Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
) from Yeadon
Yeadon, West Yorkshire
Yeadon is a town within the City of Leeds metropolitan borough, in West Yorkshire, England. It is home to Leeds Bradford International Airport.-History:...
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, in 1802. He was granted a 400 acres (162 ha) tract of land in Mississauga, Ontario
Mississauga, Ontario
Mississauga is a city in Southern Ontario located in the Regional Municipality of Peel, and in the western part of the Greater Toronto Area. With an estimated population of 734,000, it is Canada's sixth-most populous municipality, and has almost doubled in population in each of the last two decades...
(which at the time was undeveloped rural property) by the Crown, provided he build a home on it within four years. The land remained in the hands of the Cawthra Family
Cawthra family
The Cawthra Family of Toronto was famous for its business, social and cultural contributions to the city. They are one of the oldest families in Toronto, and many descendants of the House of Cawthra's founder, Joseph Cawthra, continue to play significant roles in Toronto society.* Joseph Cawthra -...
up until the 1970s, and much of it is now retained by the City of Mississauga as parkland.
Cawthra married Mary Turnpenny in 1801 and they had a family of 9 children, 6 sons and three daughters:
- John Cawthra (d 1851) - Newmarket merchant and member for Simcoe County in the Legislative Assembly of Upper CanadaLegislative Assembly of Upper CanadaThe Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791. It was the elected legislature for the province of Upper Canada and functioned as the province's lower house in the Parliament of Upper Canada...
(1828–1830) - twins Henry and Joseph Jr.
- Jonathan Cawthra - Private in Captain Cameron's Company of the Regiment of York Militia during the War of 1812; died 1854
- Mary Cawthra - married Henry Mulock
Cawthra opened an apothecary
Apothecary
Apothecary is a historical name for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses materia medica to physicians, surgeons and patients — a role now served by a pharmacist and some caregivers....
shop, and the base for his family's great wealth was established. Cawthra's wealth grew enormously as a result of his involvement in profiteering during the War of 1812. Eventually Cawthra money was invested in other enterprises throughout the city, especially real estate. When he died, he left the bulk of his great estate and business interests to one of his sons, William Cawthra
William Cawthra
William Cawthra was the eldest son of Joseph Cawthra, the founder and patriarch of the Cawthra Family in Toronto, Ontario, Canada....
.