James Curtis (politician)
Encyclopedia
James Curtis was a merchant
, judge
, land agent
and political figure on Prince Edward Island
. He represented Kings County
in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
from 1779 to 1790, from 1797 to 1806 and from 1812 to 1818.
He arrived on St. John's Island (later Prince Edward Island) as the footman
of Phillips Callbeck
around 1770, later serving as clerk to Callbeck and then David Higgins
. He then became a store owner and trader at Covehead in Lot 34
. Curtis was first elected to the legislative assembly in 1779. He handled a series of property sales ordered by the island's Council in 1781. Curtis married Elizabeth, the daughter of David Lawson. In 1800, he was named assistant judge of the Supreme Court although he had no legal training. Curtis served as speaker for the legislative assembly from 1801 to 1805 and from 1813 to 1817. Curtis became the land agent for Ann Callbeck, the widow of Phillips Callbeck, and Sir James Montgomery.
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...
, judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
, land agent
Land agent
Land agent may be used in at least three different contexts.Traditionally, a land agent was a managerial employee who conducted the business affairs of a large landed estate for a member of the landed gentry of the United Kingdom, supervising the farming of the property by farm labourers and/or...
and political figure on Prince Edward Island
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...
. He represented Kings County
Kings County, Prince Edward Island
Kings County is located in eastern Prince Edward Island, Canada.It is the province's smallest, most rural and least-populated county. Kings County is also least dependent upon the agriculture industry compared with the other two counties, while being more heavily dependent on the fishery and...
in 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....
from 1779 to 1790, from 1797 to 1806 and from 1812 to 1818.
He arrived on St. John's Island (later Prince Edward Island) as the footman
Footman
A footman is a male servant, notably as domestic staff.-Word history:The name derives from the attendants who ran beside or behind the carriages of aristocrats, many of whom were chosen for their physical attributes. They ran alongside the coach to make sure it was not overturned by such obstacles...
of Phillips Callbeck
Phillips Callbeck
Phillips Callbeck was a merchant, lawyer and political figure in St. John's Island . He served as administrator for the island from 1775 to 1780....
around 1770, later serving as clerk to Callbeck and then David Higgins
David Higgins (merchant)
David Higgins was a ship's captain, merchant, early settler and political figure on St John's Island ....
. He then became a store owner and trader at Covehead in Lot 34
Lot 34, Prince Edward Island
Lot 34 is a township in Queens County, Prince Edward Island, Canada. It is part of Charlotte Parish. As of the 2006 census, there were 2,355 people living on a land area of ....
. Curtis was first elected to the legislative assembly in 1779. He handled a series of property sales ordered by the island's Council in 1781. Curtis married Elizabeth, the daughter of David Lawson. In 1800, he was named assistant judge of the Supreme Court although he had no legal training. Curtis served as speaker for the legislative assembly from 1801 to 1805 and from 1813 to 1817. Curtis became the land agent for Ann Callbeck, the widow of Phillips Callbeck, and Sir James Montgomery.