A Gentleman of Substance: The Life and Legacy of John Redpath (1796-1869)A Gentleman of Substance covers the remarkable life of John Redpath. Born to humble circumstances in Scotland in 1796, he emigrated to Canada in 1816 to become a stonemason in Montreal. By 1818 he had his own building and contracting firm and was working on the Lachine Canal as well as much construction and restoration work on buildings in Montreal. His work on the Rideau Canal, as contracted by Colonel John By, established his business reputation, while his leadership within the Presbyterian Church stabilized his position in the community. His involvement in the political and military life of Montreal is traced from before the 1837 Rebellion period through to his involvement with the Annexation Movement, making him an obvious candidate for the Montreal City Council. The author traces John Redpath's upwardly mobile social status, his friendship with Peter McGill, and his acceptance into the elite society of Montreal, earning him a place within the coveted ?Square Mile.” Despite a rigorous business schedule and extensive family responsibilities (he fathered 17 children), he was a frequent benevolent contributor to community needs, as well as participating on numerous Boards and Committees and contributing to the shaping of the urban design of Montreal. Attention is given to his expansive home, Terrace Bank, the subsequent subdivision of his estate and the early residential expansion of Montreal, and to his founding of the Canada Sugar Refinery and its growth. |
Contents
4 | |
5 | |
7 | |
Chapter 2 A New Life in a New Land | 17 |
Chapter 3 Working in the Wilderness | 25 |
Chapter 4 A Tragic Loss and a New Beginning | 39 |
Chapter 5 Defending Against Rebellion and a New Home | 45 |
Chapter 6 We Stand on Guard | 57 |
Chapter 12 But What Happened to ? | 117 |
Epilogue | 123 |
The John Redpath Family | 124 |
Excerpt from Representation upon the Legislative Union of Upper and Lower Canada | 129 |
Excerpt from When I Was a Little Girl by Lily Dougall | 130 |
Excerpt from Charles Bullers Journal | 132 |
Excerpt from the Montreal Annexation Manifesto of 1849 | 133 |
Notes | 135 |
Other editions - View all
A Gentleman of Substance: The Life and Legacy of John Redpath (1796-1869) Richard Feltoe Limited preview - 2006 |
A Gentleman of Substance: The Life and Legacy of John Redpath (1796-1869) Richard Feltoe Limited preview - 2006 |
A Gentleman of Substance: The Life and Legacy of John Redpath (1796-1869) Richard Feltoe Limited preview - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
References to this book
Les Écossais: The Pioneer Scots of Lower Canada, 1763-1855 Lucille H. Campey No preview available - 2006 |