James Glenie
Encyclopedia
James Glenie was a Scottish
-born businessman and political figure in New Brunswick
. He represented Sunbury County
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
from 1789 to 1809.
He was born in Fife
, the son of an army officer. He was educated at the University of St Andrews
, first studying divinity but later excelling in mathematics. He entered the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich
as a cadet in the Royal Artillery
and became a second lieutenant in 1776. He served with John Burgoyne
and Barrimore Matthew St Leger
during the American Revolution
. Later, working for Governor Frederick Haldimand
, Glenie was charged with establishing a barracks on an island at the east end of Lake Ontario
. After a series of disputes with the commanding officer on the island, he was put to work at Sorel instead while awaiting a court martial. He was found guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer but the verdict was overturned.
In 1779, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. He married Mary Anne Locke during the early 1780s. In 1785, he was supervising army work parties in the Saint John River area of New Brunswick. Glenie applied for a land grant in the region but was not successful. He returned to England
, but resigned his commission and brought his family to New Brunswick in 1787.
He set up a business supplying masts for ships with a partner based in London
. He encountered opposition in this enterprise from Thomas Carleton
, governor for the province, who had taken part in Glenie's earlier court martial. Glenie began a series of attacks on Carleton and the ruling elite of the province. He was named deputy surveyor for the king's woods in New Brunswick in 1791 at the recommendation of John Wentworth
. By early 1795, Glenie was no longer involved in the masting business. In 1795, he introduced a bill which had the intent of granting more power to the elected assembly and less to the appointed legislative council. Glenie was one of the leaders in a dispute between the assembly and the council in 1802 regarding who had the power to recommend a replacement for the clerk of the house. Although Glenie was reelected in 1802, the remaining members of the assembly were more supportive of the governor.
In 1804, Glenie left for England, leaving his wife behind. He died in poverty in Pimlico
and was buried in the churchyard of St Martin-in-the-Fields
.
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...
-born businessman and political figure in New Brunswick
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...
. He represented Sunbury County
Sunbury County, New Brunswick
Sunbury County is located in central New Brunswick, Canada. A large military base is located in the western part of the county south of the town of Oromocto...
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
from 1789 to 1809.
He was born in Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
, the son of an army officer. He was educated at the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
, first studying divinity but later excelling in mathematics. He entered the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
as a cadet in the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
and became a second lieutenant in 1776. He served with John Burgoyne
John Burgoyne
General John Burgoyne was a British army officer, politician and dramatist. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, mostly notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762....
and Barrimore Matthew St Leger
Barry St. Leger
Barrimore Matthew "Barry" St. Leger was a British colonel who led an invasion force during the American Revolutionary War.Barry St. Leger was baptised on May 1, 1733, in County Kildare, Ireland. He was the son of Sir John St...
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...
. Later, working for Governor Frederick Haldimand
Frederick Haldimand
Sir Frederick Haldimand, KB was a military officer best known for his service in the British Army in North America during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War...
, Glenie was charged with establishing a barracks on an island at the east end of Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
. After a series of disputes with the commanding officer on the island, he was put to work at Sorel instead while awaiting a court martial. He was found guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer but the verdict was overturned.
In 1779, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. He married Mary Anne Locke during the early 1780s. In 1785, he was supervising army work parties in the Saint John River area of New Brunswick. Glenie applied for a land grant in the region but was not successful. He returned to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, but resigned his commission and brought his family to New Brunswick in 1787.
He set up a business supplying masts for ships with a partner based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He encountered opposition in this enterprise from Thomas Carleton
Thomas Carleton
Thomas Carleton was a British army officer who was promoted to Colonel during the American Revolutionary War after relieving the siege of Quebec in 1776. After the war, he was appointed as Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, and supervised the resettlement of Loyalists from the United States in...
, governor for the province, who had taken part in Glenie's earlier court martial. Glenie began a series of attacks on Carleton and the ruling elite of the province. He was named deputy surveyor for the king's woods in New Brunswick in 1791 at the recommendation of John Wentworth
John Wentworth (governor)
Sir John Wentworth, 1st Baronet was the British colonial governor of New Hampshire at the time of the American Revolution. He was later also Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia.-Early life:...
. By early 1795, Glenie was no longer involved in the masting business. In 1795, he introduced a bill which had the intent of granting more power to the elected assembly and less to the appointed legislative council. Glenie was one of the leaders in a dispute between the assembly and the council in 1802 regarding who had the power to recommend a replacement for the clerk of the house. Although Glenie was reelected in 1802, the remaining members of the assembly were more supportive of the governor.
In 1804, Glenie left for England, leaving his wife behind. He died in poverty in Pimlico
Pimlico
Pimlico is a small area of central London in the City of Westminster. Like Belgravia, to which it was built as a southern extension, Pimlico is known for its grand garden squares and impressive Regency architecture....
and was buried in the churchyard of St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields is an Anglican church at the north-east corner of Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, London. Its patron is Saint Martin of Tours.-Roman era:Excavations at the site in 2006 led to the discovery of a grave dated about 410...
.