David Higgins (merchant)
Encyclopedia
David Higgins was a ship's captain, merchant, early settler and political figure on St John's Island (later Prince Edward Island
).
Higgins was captain of a fishing boat operating in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence
during the 1760s. With two other merchants, he acquired Lot 59
on St John's Island in 1767. He formed a partnership with James William Montgomery, Scotland’s lord advocate, to develop this property. Higgins was one of the first members of the Legislative Council
but was dismissed in 1773 for lack of attendance. In 1773, he married Elizabeth, the daughter of Boston merchant Job Prince. Higgins operated a store at Georgetown
, built a sawmill
and gristmill
and settled a number of tenants on his property. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
and was chosen as speaker in 1779 but resigned in March of the following year.
After experiencing financial losses and losing his property, his business and finally his wife, Higgins began drinking heavily and contracted a fever that led to his death in Charlottetown
in 1783.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
).
Higgins was captain of a fishing boat operating in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence
Gulf of Saint Lawrence
The Gulf of Saint Lawrence , the world's largest estuary, is the outlet of North America's Great Lakes via the Saint Lawrence River into the Atlantic Ocean...
during the 1760s. With two other merchants, he acquired Lot 59
Lot 59, Prince Edward Island
Lot 59 is a township in Kings County, Prince Edward Island, Canada. It is part of St. Andrew's Parish....
on St John's Island in 1767. He formed a partnership with James William Montgomery, Scotland’s lord advocate, to develop this property. Higgins was one of the first members of the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Prince Edward Island
The Legislative Council of Prince Edward Island was the upper house of the government of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. It existed from 1773 to 1893. Members were appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island on the advice of the Premier until 1862 when it became an...
but was dismissed in 1773 for lack of attendance. In 1773, he married Elizabeth, the daughter of Boston merchant Job Prince. Higgins operated a store at Georgetown
Georgetown, Prince Edward Island
Georgetown is a Canadian town and the county seat of Kings County, Prince Edward Island. As of 2011, the population was 693.-Geography:Georgetown, Capital of Kings County, sits on an 8 kilometre long peninsula formed by the Cardigan and Brudenell Rivers, Along with Georgetown Harbour...
, built a sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
and gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
and settled a number of tenants on his property. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
The Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, along with the Lieutenant-Governor, forms the parliament of the province. The General Assembly meets at Province House, which is located at the intersection of Richmond and Great George Streets in Charlottetown....
and was chosen as speaker in 1779 but resigned in March of the following year.
After experiencing financial losses and losing his property, his business and finally his wife, Higgins began drinking heavily and contracted a fever that led to his death in Charlottetown
Charlottetown
Charlottetown is a Canadian city. It is both the largest city on and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island, and the county seat of Queens County. Named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, Charlottetown was first incorporated as a town in 1855 and designated as a city in 1885...
in 1783.