John Frederick Holland
Encyclopedia
John Frederick Holland was an army officer, surveyor and political figure in Prince Edward Island
. He represented Charlottetown
in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
from 1803 to 1812.
He was born at Observation Cove (later Holland Cove), the son of Samuel Holland
, while his father was surveying St. John's Island (later Prince Edward Island). He joined the Royal Navy
in 1777 and, in 1779, joined the King's Royal Regiment of New York, reaching the rank of lieutenant. After Holland left the army in 1783, he joined a survey team laying out settlements west of the Ottawa River
and later worked on establishing the border between Quebec and New Brunswick. Holland married Mary Emily Tissable sometime before 1790. He became a lieutenant in Prince Edward
's regiment and assisted in the construction of the citadel at Halifax
. After getting himself into trouble there, he was sent to Charlottetown, where he served as justice of the peace
and high sheriff. By accusing the Loyal Electors, a political group, of being a seditious secret society, Holland succeeded in having James Bardin Palmer
, one of the group's leading members, removed from his various appointments and was himself named adjutant general of militia. He was named to the Legislative Council
in 1815. He was removed from the council in 1819 following allegations by Governor Charles Douglass Smith
related to Holland's membership in the Masonic
lodge in Charlottetown. Holland was unsuccessful in later attempts at re-election and was forced to sell much of his property after he was dropped from his post in the militia. He resigned as justice of the peace in 1841 and died in Charlottetown four years later.
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 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 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 1803 to 1812.
He was born at Observation Cove (later Holland Cove), the son of Samuel Holland
Samuel Holland
Samuel Johannes Holland was a Royal Engineer and first Surveyor General of British North America.-Life in the Netherlands:...
, while his father was surveying St. John's Island (later Prince Edward Island). He joined the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
in 1777 and, in 1779, joined the King's Royal Regiment of New York, reaching the rank of lieutenant. After Holland left the army in 1783, he joined a survey team laying out settlements west of the Ottawa River
Ottawa River
The Ottawa River is a river in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. For most of its length, it now defines the border between these two provinces.-Geography:...
and later worked on establishing the border between Quebec and New Brunswick. Holland married Mary Emily Tissable sometime before 1790. He became a lieutenant in Prince Edward
Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn
The Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn was a member of the British Royal Family, the fourth son of King George III and the father of Queen Victoria...
's regiment and assisted in the construction of the citadel at Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
. After getting himself into trouble there, he was sent to Charlottetown, where he served as justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
and high sheriff. By accusing the Loyal Electors, a political group, of being a seditious secret society, Holland succeeded in having James Bardin Palmer
James Bardin Palmer
James Bardin Palmer was an Irish-born land agent, lawyer and politician in Prince Edward Island. He represented Charlottetown in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1806 to 1818....
, one of the group's leading members, removed from his various appointments and was himself named adjutant general of militia. He was named to 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...
in 1815. He was removed from the council in 1819 following allegations by Governor Charles Douglass Smith
Charles Douglass Smith
Charles Douglass Smith was a British army officer and colonial administrator.He was born in England, the son of John Smith, a former captain in the British Army, and Mary Wilkinson. In 1776, he was commissioned Cornet in the 1st Regiment of Horse...
related to Holland's membership in the Masonic
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
lodge in Charlottetown. Holland was unsuccessful in later attempts at re-election and was forced to sell much of his property after he was dropped from his post in the militia. He resigned as justice of the peace in 1841 and died in Charlottetown four years later.