Alexander Macdonell of Greenfield (politician)
Encyclopedia
Alexander MacDonell of Greenfield (1782 – 1835) was from a prominent family in Upper Canada
. He was the sixth son of Alexander MacDonell of Greenfield and Janet Macdonell of Aberchalder (a sister of John Macdonell of Aberchalder
). He was also the cousin and brother-in-law of Miles MacDonell
.
Alexander worked as a fur trader and became a partner of the North West Company
prior to become a political figure in Upper Canada. He served in the 8th Parliament of Upper Canada
in the riding of Glengarry
and in the 12th Parliament
in the riding of Prescott
.
He should not be confused with Alexander Macdonell who also served in the riding of Glengarry during several parliaments including the 6th Parliament
in which the other Alexander Macdonnell succeeded Alexander MacDonell of Greenfield's brother, John MacDonell
.
In 1822 Alexander became the Sheriff
of the Ottawa District, a position he held until his death in 1835.
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 the sixth son of Alexander MacDonell of Greenfield and Janet Macdonell of Aberchalder (a sister of John Macdonell of Aberchalder
John McDonell
Captain John McDonell was a soldier, judge and political figure in Upper Canada following the American Revolution. He was elected as the first speaker for the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada.-Early years:...
). He was also the cousin and brother-in-law of Miles MacDonell
Miles Macdonell
Miles MacDonell was the first governor of the Red River Colony , a 19th-century Scottish settlement located in present-day Manitoba and North Dakota.He was born in Inverness, Scotland, around 1767...
.
Alexander worked as a fur trader and became a partner of the North West Company
North West Company
The North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in Montreal from 1779 to 1821. It competed with increasing success against the Hudson's Bay Company in what was to become Western Canada...
prior to become a political figure in Upper Canada. He served in the 8th Parliament of Upper Canada
8th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 8th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 31 January 1821. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in July 1820. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada and sat in the second Parliament Buildings of Upper Canada...
in the riding of 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...
and in the 12th Parliament
12th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 12th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 15 January 1835. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in October 1834. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada. This parliament was dissolved 28 May 1836 by the new Lieutenant Governor, Sir Francis Bond Head. Head ordered a new election...
in the riding of 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...
.
He should not be confused with Alexander Macdonell who also served in the riding of Glengarry during several parliaments including the 6th Parliament
6th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 6th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 27 July 1812. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in June 1812. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada....
in which the other Alexander Macdonnell succeeded Alexander MacDonell of Greenfield's brother, John MacDonell
John Macdonell
Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell of Greenfield was an aide-de-camp to British Major General Sir Isaac Brock during the War of 1812, dying in the Battle of Queenston Heights. He was born on 19 April 1785 in Scotland near Aberchalder and came to Canada when he was seven years old...
.
In 1822 Alexander became the Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of the Ottawa District, a position he held until his death in 1835.