William Teel Baird
Encyclopedia
William Teel Baird was born on the upper Saint John River in New Brunswick
where his father, John Baird
, was a school teacher.
Baird was trained as a pharmacist and in 1839 he moved to Woodstock
to open his own business. There he explored his many interests including music and books. His first interest was the militia, which he had joined in Fredericton, New Brunswick in 1836, and he continued with this pursuit in his new home.
Baird made large contributions to the militia in the province beginning in 1861 and the Trent Affair
where he organized the militia to thwart British troop desertions. Under instructions from Lieutenant Governor Arthur Hamilton Gordon, he organized the Home Guard during the time of the threat of Fenian raids
. He retired as a Quartermaster General.
William Teel Baird's other noteworthy contribution to history was his autobiography, Seventy years of New Brunswick life, which gives a particular insight into the militia and the political climate of the times.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
where his father, John Baird
John Baird (educator)
John Baird was born and educated in Graffa, Republic of Ireland and was recruited there by the British Army as a teacher.Baird was given the rank of sergeant in the 74th Foot and by 1818 was stationed in Fredericton, New Brunswick where he would serve his seven years of service teaching the...
, was a school teacher.
Baird was trained as a pharmacist and in 1839 he moved to Woodstock
Woodstock, New Brunswick
Woodstock is a Canadian town in Carleton County, New Brunswick located on the west bank of the Saint John River at the mouth of the Meduxnekeag River, 92 km west of Fredericton and close to the Canada – United States border and Houlton, Maine.- History :Woodstock was settled by Loyalists...
to open his own business. There he explored his many interests including music and books. His first interest was the militia, which he had joined in Fredericton, New Brunswick in 1836, and he continued with this pursuit in his new home.
Baird made large contributions to the militia in the province beginning in 1861 and the Trent Affair
Trent affair
The Trent Affair, also known as the Mason and Slidell Affair, was an international diplomatic incident that occurred during the American Civil War...
where he organized the militia to thwart British troop desertions. Under instructions from Lieutenant Governor Arthur Hamilton Gordon, he organized the Home Guard during the time of the threat of Fenian raids
Fenian raids
Between 1866 and 1871, the Fenian raids of the Fenian Brotherhood who were based in the United States; on British army forts, customs posts and other targets in Canada, were fought to bring pressure on Britain to withdraw from Ireland. They divided many Catholic Irish-Canadians, many of whom were...
. He retired as a Quartermaster General.
William Teel Baird's other noteworthy contribution to history was his autobiography, Seventy years of New Brunswick life, which gives a particular insight into the militia and the political climate of the times.