Richard Simonds
Encyclopedia
Richard Simonds was a merchant and political figure in the pre-Confederation
Province of New Brunswick, Canada
. He represented Northumberland County
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
from 1816 to 1828.
He was born in Portland (later Saint John, New Brunswick
), the son of James Simonds
and Hannah Peabody, and was educated there. He went into business with his uncle Francis Peabody at Miramichi
in 1810 and also operated his owner business from 1819 to 1824. In 1813, he married Ann Charters. Simonds served as a justice of the peace
and justice for the Inferior Court of Common Pleas. In 1824, he moved from Miramichi to Saint John. He was elected Speaker for the Legislative Assembly
in 1828 but resigned his seat in December of the same year after being named Provincial Treasurer
. His brother Charles
replaced him as speaker the following year. In 1829, he married Margaret Walker after the death of his first wife. In 1832, still provincial treasurer, he was named to the Legislative Council of New Brunswick
. He died in Saint John at the age of 47.
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
Province of New Brunswick, Canada
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 Northumberland County
Northumberland County, New Brunswick
Northumberland County , having the largest area of any county in the province, is located in northeastern New Brunswick, Canada.-Geography:Northumberland County is covered by thick forests, whose products stimulate the economy...
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 1816 to 1828.
He was born in Portland (later Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
), the son of James Simonds
James Simonds
James Simonds was a merchant, judge and political figure in New Brunswick. He represented Sunbury County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1773 to 1782 and St...
and Hannah Peabody, and was educated there. He went into business with his uncle Francis Peabody at Miramichi
Miramichi, New Brunswick
Miramichi is the largest city in northern New Brunswick, Canada. It is situated at the mouth of the Miramichi River where it enters Miramichi Bay...
in 1810 and also operated his owner business from 1819 to 1824. In 1813, he married Ann Charters. Simonds served as a 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 justice for the Inferior Court of Common Pleas. In 1824, he moved from Miramichi to Saint John. He was elected Speaker for the Legislative Assembly
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is the presiding officer of the provincial legislature. Since 1994 the position has been elected by MLAs using a secret ballot. Previously, the Speaker had been appointed by motion of the house, in practice moved by the Premier of New...
in 1828 but resigned his seat in December of the same year after being named Provincial Treasurer
Department of Finance (New Brunswick)
The Department of Finance is a part of the Government of New Brunswick. It is charged with New Brunswick's budgetary and tax policy and headed by the finance minister....
. His brother Charles
Charles Simonds
Charles Simonds was a merchant and political figure in the pre-Confederation Province of New Brunswick, Canada...
replaced him as speaker the following year. In 1829, he married Margaret Walker after the death of his first wife. In 1832, still provincial treasurer, he was named to the Legislative Council of New Brunswick
Legislative Council of New Brunswick
The Legislative Council of New Brunswick was the upper house of the government of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, between 1785 and 1891. Members were appointed by the New Brunswick lieutenant governor.-External links:*...
. He died in Saint John at the age of 47.