Robert Carter (magistrate)
Encyclopedia
Robert Carter was a Newfoundland naval officer and political figure.
He was born in Ferryland
, the son of judge William Carter, and joined the Royal Navy
as a young man, retiring as a lieutenant in 1815. Later that year, he was named surrogate magistrate after the death of his brother William, serving until 1826. In 1832, Carter was elected to represent Ferryland in the first general election
held in Newfoundland. He was defeated in 1836, but went on to represent Bonavista Bay from 1842 to 1852 and from 1855 to 1859 and Fortune Bay from 1859 to 1865.
Carter also served as a road commissioner for Ferryland and as supervisor of streets for St. John's
from 1846 to 1848. In 1849, he was named colonial treasurer and governor of the Newfoundland Savings Bank; he held on to these posts until he was forced out of office by Governor Sir Charles Henry Darling
in 1855. Carter served as colonial secretary from 1861 to 1865, retiring from politics later that year. He died in St John's in 1872.
He was born in Ferryland
Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador
Ferryland is a town in Newfoundland and Labrador on the Avalon Peninsula. According to the 2006 Statistics Canada census, its population is 529. Addresses in Ferryland use the alphanumerically lowest postal codes in Canada, starting with A0A....
, the son of judge William Carter, and 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...
as a young man, retiring as a lieutenant in 1815. Later that year, he was named surrogate magistrate after the death of his brother William, serving until 1826. In 1832, Carter was elected to represent Ferryland in the first general election
Newfoundland general election, 1832
The 1st Newfoundland general election came after many years of agitation against the British Parliament. Newfoundland was the last British colony in North America to gain representative government.-Results by party:-Member distribution:...
held in Newfoundland. He was defeated in 1836, but went on to represent Bonavista Bay from 1842 to 1852 and from 1855 to 1859 and Fortune Bay from 1859 to 1865.
Carter also served as a road commissioner for Ferryland and as supervisor of streets for St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
from 1846 to 1848. In 1849, he was named colonial treasurer and governor of the Newfoundland Savings Bank; he held on to these posts until he was forced out of office by Governor Sir Charles Henry Darling
Charles Henry Darling
Sir Charles Henry Darling KCB was a British colonial governor.He was born at Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, the son of Major-General Henry Darling and nephew of General Sir Ralph Darling....
in 1855. Carter served as colonial secretary from 1861 to 1865, retiring from politics later that year. He died in St John's in 1872.