Alexander Macdonell (politician)
Encyclopedia
Alexander Macdonell was a soldier and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born in Scotland
in 1762 and arrived in the Mohawk Valley
of New York
with other members of his family, including his brother, Angus Macdonell
. He served with the Royal Highland Emigrant
Regiment during the American Revolution
. In 1781, he came to Canada
and joined Butler's Rangers
until the regiment was disbanded in 1784.
Macdonell moved to York (Toronto
), where he served as Sheriff for the Home District from 1792 to 1805. He was elected to the 3rd Parliament of Upper Canada
representing Glengarry
& Prescott
, serving until 1816. He was speaker of the House from 1804 to 1808.
At the start of the War of 1812
, he became a colonel in the militia. In 1813, he was taken prison at Niagara
by the American
s. In 1815, on his release, he was made superintendent of the Settling Department.
From 1831 to 1834 he was Chairman of the Home District Council
and the last to serve the post before Toronto City Council
was formed in 1834. In addition he was the Sheriff for the Home District.
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...
.
He was born in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 1762 and arrived in the Mohawk Valley
Mohawk Valley
The Mohawk Valley region of the U.S. state of New York is the area surrounding the Mohawk River, sandwiched between the Adirondack Mountains and Catskill Mountains....
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
with other members of his family, including his brother, Angus Macdonell
Angus Macdonell
Angus Macdonell was a lawyer and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Inverness-shire, Scotland, the son of Allan McDonell and brother of Alexander Macdonell, and came to the estate of William Johnson in the Mohawk Valley of New York in 1773 as part of a large emigration by members of...
. He served with the Royal Highland Emigrant
84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants)
The 84th Regiment of Foot was a British regiment in the American Revolutionary War that was raised to defend present day Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada from the constant land and sea attacks by American Revolutionaries...
Regiment during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. In 1781, he came to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and joined Butler's Rangers
Butler's Rangers
Butler's Rangers was a British provincial regiment composed of Loyalists in the American Revolutionary War, raised by Loyalist John Butler.Most members of the regiment were Loyalists from upstate New York...
until the regiment was disbanded in 1784.
Macdonell moved to York (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...
), where he served as Sheriff for the Home District from 1792 to 1805. He was elected to the 3rd Parliament of Upper Canada
3rd Parliament of Upper Canada
The 3rd Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 28 May 1801. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in July 1800. All sessions were held at Parliament Buildings of Upper Canada in York, Upper Canada...
representing Glengarry
Glengarry County, Ontario
thumb|right|Glengarry located within OntarioGlengarry County , an area covering , is a county in the Canadian province of Ontario, and is historically known for its settlement of Scottish Highlanders due to the Highland Clearances.Glengarry was founded in 1792 by Scottish loyalists, mainly from...
& Prescott
Prescott County, Ontario
Prescott County is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario.It was created in 1800 from a portion of Glengarry County. It was named in honor of Major General Robert Prescott, Governor of Canada at that time. First settlers were Americans, but not all were Loyalists...
, serving until 1816. He was speaker of the House from 1804 to 1808.
At the start of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, he became a colonel in the militia. In 1813, he was taken prison at Niagara
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a Canadian town located in Southern Ontario where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario in the Niagara Region of the southern part of the province of Ontario. It is located across the Niagara river from Youngstown, New York, USA...
by the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
s. In 1815, on his release, he was made superintendent of the Settling Department.
From 1831 to 1834 he was Chairman of the Home District Council
Home District Council
The Home District Council was the municipal governing body for York, Upper Canada from 1792 to 1834. It was established by Lieutenant Governor of Ontario John Graves Simcoe....
and the last to serve the post before Toronto City Council
Toronto City Council
The Toronto City Council is the governing body of the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Members represent wards throughout the city, and are known as councillors....
was formed in 1834. In addition he was the Sheriff for the Home District.