William Grant (seigneur)
Encyclopedia
William Grant was a Scottish-born businessman, seigneur
and political figure in Lower Canada
.
He was born at Blairfindy, Scotland in 1744, the son of William Grant, the local laird. In 1759, he was hired by a relative, Robert Grant, who was supplying the Royal Navy
at Quebec
and sent there as an agent of the company. While there, he became involved in other business on his own, including trade in the seal
and salmon
fisheries, grain and furs
. He also acquired property in the province, including land holdings at Saint-Roch, which he was able to have designated a fief; he also purchased the sub-fief of La Mistanguienne (also known as Montplaisir) and the seigneury of Aubert-Gallion. He secretly married Marie-Anne-Catherine Fleury Deschambault, widow of seigneur Charles-Jacques Le Moyne de Longueuil in the Catholic Church
, marrying her publicly in 1770 at the Anglican
church in Montreal
. Through this marriage, he became associated with the seigneuries of Mingan and Jolliet and property on Île Sainte-Hélène. In 1779, he purchased the seigneury of Beaulac and part of Chambly; he later acquired part of Île-d’Anticosti.
Grant took part in the defence of the town of Quebec during the American invasion of 1775-6 and some of his property was damaged during this period. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Quebec from 1777 to 1791 and served as deputy receiver general from 1777 to 1784. In 1792, he was elected to the 1st Parliament of Lower Canada
for the Upper Town of Quebec; he was re-elected in 1796 and 1804. He tended to support the British party in the assembly. In 1805, he was named deputy master of Trinity House
at Quebec. He died at Quebec City later that year.
Seigneurial system of New France
The seigneurial system of New France was the semi-feudal system of land distribution used in the North American colonies of New France.-Introduction to New France:...
and political figure in Lower Canada
Lower Canada
The Province of Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
.
He was born at Blairfindy, Scotland in 1744, the son of William Grant, the local laird. In 1759, he was hired by a relative, Robert Grant, who was supplying 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...
at Quebec
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
and sent there as an agent of the company. While there, he became involved in other business on his own, including trade in the seal
Earless seal
The true seals or earless seals are one of the three main groups of mammals within the seal superfamily, Pinnipedia. All true seals are members of the family Phocidae . They are sometimes called crawling seals to distinguish them from the fur seals and sea lions of the family Otariidae...
and salmon
Atlantic salmon
The Atlantic salmon is a species of fish in the family Salmonidae, which is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and in rivers that flow into the north Atlantic and the north Pacific....
fisheries, grain and furs
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
. He also acquired property in the province, including land holdings at Saint-Roch, which he was able to have designated a fief; he also purchased the sub-fief of La Mistanguienne (also known as Montplaisir) and the seigneury of Aubert-Gallion. He secretly married Marie-Anne-Catherine Fleury Deschambault, widow of seigneur Charles-Jacques Le Moyne de Longueuil in the Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, marrying her publicly in 1770 at the Anglican
Anglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada is the Province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French name is l'Église Anglicane du Canada. The ACC is the third largest church in Canada after the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, consisting of 800,000 registered members...
church in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. Through this marriage, he became associated with the seigneuries of Mingan and Jolliet and property on Île Sainte-Hélène. In 1779, he purchased the seigneury of Beaulac and part of Chambly; he later acquired part of Île-d’Anticosti.
Grant took part in the defence of the town of Quebec during the American invasion of 1775-6 and some of his property was damaged during this period. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Quebec from 1777 to 1791 and served as deputy receiver general from 1777 to 1784. In 1792, he was elected to the 1st Parliament of Lower Canada
1st Parliament of Lower Canada
The 1st Parliament of Lower Canada was in session from December 17, 1792 to May 31, 1796. Elections in Lower Canada had been held in June 1792. All sessions were held at Quebec City.- External links :***...
for the Upper Town of Quebec; he was re-elected in 1796 and 1804. He tended to support the British party in the assembly. In 1805, he was named deputy master of Trinity House
Trinity House
The Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond is the official General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales and other British territorial waters...
at Quebec. He died at Quebec City later that year.