1801 in Canada

Events from the year 1801 in Canada.

Incumbents

• Monarch: George III<ref name="rh">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Federal government

• Parliament of Lower Canada: 3rd (starting January 8)
• Parliament of Upper Canada: 3rd (starting May 28)

Governors

• Governor of the Canadas: Robert Milnes
• Governor of New Brunswick: Thomas Carleton
• Governor of Nova Scotia: John Wentworth
• Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland: James Gambier
• Governor of St. John's Island: Edmund Fanning

Events

• David Thompson fails to cross Rocky Mountains.
• Alexander Mackenzie's Voyages to the Frozen and Pacific Oceans published in London.
• Mackenzie knighted in honor of his explorations.
• Shipbuilding has become an important industry in Canada.
• Two ships, the Sarah and the Dove, arrive at Upper Canada carrying 700 passengers from Lochaber, Scotland from the Cameron and Fraser clans.
• Cassidy's Ltd. is established, third oldest company closed its doors in 2000

Births

• January 18 – James Evans, missionary and linguist (d.1846)
• March 11 – William Henry Draper, politician, lawyer, and judge (d. 1877)
• May 31 – Robert Rankin, timber merchant and shipowner (d. 1870)

Full date unknown

• Edward Feild, Church of England clergyman, inspector of schools, bishop of Newfoundland (d.1876)
• Wilson Ruffin Abbott, businessman and landowner (d.1876)
• Shanawdithit, the last known survivor of the Beothuks (d.1829)

Deaths

• December 28 – Samuel Holland, army officer, military engineer, surveyor, office holder, politician, and landowner (b.1728)<ref>Samuel Holland, Canada's first Surveyor-General</ref>

Historical documents

Proclamation announces ceasefire in war between United Kingdom and France and requires return of vessels taken in following 5 months off North America<ref>"A Proclamation" (October 12, 1801), The Quebec Gazette, December 24, 1801 pg. 3. (See also Prince Edward Island resident explaining how British governments switch from war to peace) Accessed 30 April 2024</ref>

"The Admiralty Board has given orders for the general introduction of the cow pox into the Navy"<ref>"London, Oct. 7," The Quebec Gazette, January 1, 1801, Cahier 1 pg. 1. (See also Edward Jenner's An Inquiry into(...)the Cow Pox (1801) and Thomas Paytherus' A Comparative Statement (on) the Cow Pox (1801)) Accessed 29 April 2024</ref>

Lower Canada

Trois-Rivières wants to hire teacher and set up school to teach two "indispensably necessary" languages and "first principles" of sciences<ref>"Saturday, 7th February, 1801; A Petition(...) Journal of the House of Assembly of Lower-Canada from the 8th January to the 8th April 1801[...], pgs. 144, 146. Accessed 28 April 2024</ref>

New "Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning" is to set up free school in any township or parish, with inhabitants providing schoolhouse<ref>An Act for the Establishment of Free Schools and the Advancement of Learning in this Province (April 8, 1801), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 19 April 2024</ref>

Gazette printer has for sale "the Encyclopedia Britannica, the latest edition, elegantly bound in Calf, gilt and lettered, price £40"<ref>"Lately Imported from London[....]" (July 30, 1801), The Quebec Gazette, July 30, 1801 pg. 3. Accessed 29 April 2024</ref>

British society's awards to hemp growers in Lower Canada include first prize (gold medal or 50 guineas) for largest acreage of hemp production<ref>"Account of Certain Premiums Offered in 1801" (April 9, 1801), The Quebec Gazette, July 23, 1801 pg. 1. Accessed 29 April 2024</ref>

Corporation is created to supply Montreal area "with good and wholesome Water," with penalties set for "annoying the water" in springs and reservoirs<ref>An Act for supplying the City of Montreal and the parts thereunto adjacent with Water (April 8, 1801), sections I and XV, British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 19 April 2024</ref>

Government may support by grants to religious communities foundlings and persons jobless by "a temporary or lasting derangement of intellect"<ref>An Act for the Relief of Insane Persons and for the Support of Foundlings (April 8, 1801), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 19 April 2024</ref>

Because barring testimony from people who are third cousins or closer in relation often impedes civil justice, cousins-german is new such criterion<ref>An Act to amend an Article of the Code Civile(...)which directs and fixes the Degrees of affinity and consanguinity of Witnesses in Civil Suits (April 8, 1801), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 19 April 2024</ref>

Call for contractors to build replacement bridge over Jacques-Cartier River, spanning 60 feet French and with 16 feet French width<ref>"Jacques Cartier Bridge" (December 17, 1800), The Quebec Gazette, January 1, 1801, Cahier 1 pg. 4. (See also three contracts offered by province (pg. 1)) Accessed 29 April 2024</ref>

Women guilty of high treason or of committing or counselling petit treason are to be hanged (instead of former penalty: death by burning)<ref>An Act for discontinuing the Judgment which has been required by Law to be given against Women convicted of certain Crimes(....) (April 8, 1801), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 19 April 2024</ref>

Eighteen-year-old man kills woman and her daughter ("seven months gone with child by him") with axe; suffering 4 blows, daughter dies 2 days later<ref>"Quebec, Thursday, 24th September, 1801; On Friday last was executed[....]," The Quebec Gazette, September 24, 1801, Cahier 1 pg. 4. Accessed 29 April 2024</ref>

François Blanchet is elected to American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia along with two Swedish physicians and New York politician<ref>"Quebec, March 4," The Quebec Gazette, January 1, 1801, Cahier 1 pg. 4. (See also brief notice (pg. 4) of Blanchet receiving Lower Canada medical licence, and his articles here (pg. 3) and here (pg. 4) on medical matters) Accessed 29 April 2024</ref>

"Wanted a young girl of about 13 or 14 years, belonging to English parents, to attend upon Children in a decent family"<ref>"Wanted a young girl[....]," The Quebec Gazette, December 31, 1801, Cahier 3 pg. 3. Accessed 30 April 2024</ref>

Montreal's ancient and crumbling walls are to be replaced with streets, squares etc.<ref> An Act for removing the old Walls and Fortifications that surround the City of Montreal, and otherwise to provide for the Salubrity, Convenience and Embellishment of the said City (April 8, 1801), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 19 April 2024</ref>

Trois-Rivières resident provides brief history of House of Brunswick-Lüneburg out of "profound respect due to His Majesty"<ref>"Three Rivers, 1st December, 1801," The Quebec Gazette, December 10, 1801, Cahier 1 pg. 4. Accessed 30 April 2024</ref>

Cape Diamond Brewery can deliver porter, burton and mild ale and table and small beer in hogsheads and other barrel sizes<ref>"Cape Diamond Brewery" (April 29, 1801), The Quebec Gazette, May 7, 1801, Cahier 1 pg. 4. Accessed 29 April 2024</ref>

Upper Canada

Lt. Gov. Peter Hunter praises "zeal and liberality" of Assembly in promoting hemp cultivation, "so strongly recommended to us by our Parent State"<ref>"Upper Canada, York, Saturday, July 11th," The Quebec Gazette, July 30, 1801 pg. 2. (See also Hunter's proclamation (pg. 2) nominating two commissioners to distribute hemp seed and pay bounties to "deserving Cultivators and Exporters of Hemp") Accessed 29 April 2024</ref>

Same duties are to be paid for goods imported from U.S.A. as are charged on goods from Britain<ref> An Act for granting to(...)this Province the like Duties on goods and merchandize brought into this Province from the United States of America as are now paid on goods and merchandize imported from Great Britain and other places (July 9, 1801), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 17 April 2024</ref>

For their "comfort" and "better regulation," no rum or spirits should be sold or bartered to "Moravian Indians" on Thames River (Orford Township)<ref>An Act to prevent the sale of Spirituous Liquors and strong waters in the tract occupied by the Moravian Indians on the River Thames in the Western District (July 9, 1801), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 17 April 2024</ref>

Local authorities are to establish market in Kingston "where butchers meat, butter, eggs, poultry, fish, and vegetables shall be exposed to sale"<ref>An Act to(...)establish and regulate a Market in and for the Town of Kingston(....) (July 9, 1801), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 17 April 2024</ref>

Nova Scotia

"Long wished-for [bank in Halifax] is pregnant with many advantages to the commercial interests of the Province"<ref>"Halifax, March 19," The Quebec Gazette, May 7, 1801, Cahier 1 pg. 3. Accessed 29 April 2024</ref>

Joint legislature committee's questionnaire collects information on Indigenous people "for us to form some plan for the settlement of the Indians"<ref>Circular letter with "list of queries about the Mi'kmaq" (January 23, 1801), Nova Scotia Archives. (See replies from Colchester, Tatamagouche, Cumberland and Horton plus committee report) Accessed 22 April 2024</ref>

"Engineers have been sent out to Halifax[...]to construct two docks in that port as speedily as possible for the reception of 74[-]gun ships"<ref>"London, March 4; Engineers[....]," The Quebec Gazette, May 7, 1801, Cahier 1 pg. 2. Accessed 29 April 2024</ref>

Commissioners of poor in Halifax area are to keep males "picking oakum or rasping wood" and females making clothes, spinning, knitting, weaving etc.<ref>An Act for the better management and relief of the Poor of Halifax (1801), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 19 April 2024</ref>

Before their trial, father and son give their stories of events leading to death of Black woman Jude (and are acquitted of murder charge)<ref>"Examination of Samuel Andrews, Esq. for his part in 'willfully and maliciously murdering a black woman called Jude,'" pgs. 1–2 and son's examination pgs. 3–4 Nova Scotia Archives. Accessed 22 April 2024</ref>

Slave owner sells for £39 "certain Negro boy named Jack [who was born in my house to parents who are] both my property"<ref>Quoted in The Slave in Canada (1898; unpaginated). Accessed 2 May 2024</ref>

John Wiswall writes to missionary society his plans for increasing glebe farm income by clearing more land and renting out projected house and barn<ref>Journal of Rev. John Wiswall letter (May 28, 1801), frames 119–20. Accessed 24 April 2024</ref>

Woman's words of faith include "let us fear God for his power, trust him for his wisdom, love him for his goodness, praise him for his greatness[....]"<ref>"Correspondence to Edward Manning from Charlotte Forsythe, October 7, 1801" Esther Clark Wright and Atlantic Baptist Archives, Acadia University. Accessed 2 May 2024</ref>

Simeon Perkins regrets departure of brother ("not very likely We Shall ever See each other again") and woman who nursed family through smallpox<ref>"Wednesday, April 29th," Diary of Simeon Perkins; April, 1801, pg. 301 Nova Scotia Archives. Accessed 22 April 2024</ref>

Painting: view of Halifax<ref>George Parkyns, "View of Halifax from George's Island" (1801), Toronto Public Library. Accessed 22 April 2024</ref>

New Brunswick

Inflation's effect on middle class is especially hard on Loyalists with fixed incomes not increased since 1783 and only enough to barely feed families<ref> "Letter from Mather Byles to Edward Winslow" (July 2, 1801), pg. 3 University of New Brunswick Library. Accessed 24 April 2024</ref>

Call for contractor(s) to deliver to Saint John harbour 300 masts (with no less than 22-inch diameters), yards and bowsprits in following May<ref>"Wanted for His Majesty's Service[....]" (July 21, 1801), The Saint John Gazette, and General Advertiser (August 1, 1801), pg. 2. (See also "Take Notice" (pg. 2) demand of mast labourers that they be paid one-third more) Accessed 25 April 2024</ref>

Noille Bernard, Thomas Squatehan and 16 other Wolastoqiyik, "destitute of land," request land grant in Tobique-Restigouche area (note: "savages" used)<ref>"Transcription for Indian Affairs; Document #10" (July 1, 1801), University of New Brunswick Archives. Accessed 1 May 2024</ref>

Request to Jonathan Odell to aid Indigenous people who are obstructed from travelling on Tabusintac River or fishing for salmon or eels on it<ref>"Indian Affairs; Document #17" (October 1, 1801), University of New Brunswick Archives. Accessed 1 May 2024</ref>

Odell orders removal of Little Southwest Miramichi River fish net harming Mi'kmaq (some of whom have "made considerable improvements as Planters")<ref>"Letter from Jonathan Odell to Duffey Gillas" (July 20, 1801), University of New Brunswick Library. Accessed 24 April 2024</ref>

If unable to support themselves, any jailed debtor may after 14 days apply to have their creditor provide them "weekly maintenance"<ref>An Act for the Support and Relief of confined Debtors (February 21, 1801), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 19 April 2024</ref>

Saint John government authorized to put tax on dogs of no more than 5 shillings per year per dog to be "applied for the support of the Poor"<ref>An Act for the further and better support of the Poor in the City of Saint John (February 11, 1801), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 19 April 2024</ref>

Armed brig sails to find French privateer, and it is "to the honor of the Inhabitants of this City" that so many quickly volunteered to be crew<ref>"Saint John, Saturday, August 15, 1801," The Saint John Gazette, and General Advertiser (August 15, 1801), pg. 3. (See also comment (pg. 3) on privateers near Boston: "We shall probably hear further of those piratical fellows in a short time.") Accessed 25 April 2024</ref>

Seamen of John Black & Co. of Saint John have deserted and $30 reward for each is offered to informant(s), whose names can be kept secret<ref>"30 Dollars Reward" (October 31, 1801), The Saint John Gazette, and General Advertiser (November 7, 1801), pg. 3. Accessed 26 April 2024</ref>

New book of British American sacred music includes "principles of Vocal Music in a plain and concise manner" and psalm and hymn tunes<ref>"Sacred Music" (September 1, 1801), The Saint John Gazette, and General Advertiser (September 5, 1801), pg. 3. Accessed 26 April 2024</ref>

"Rags! Rags! Rags! Cash or Books given for clean Linen and Cotton Rags at [Gazette printer's] Office"<ref>"Rags! Rags! Rags!" The Saint John Gazette, and General Advertiser (January 10, 1801), pg. 3. Accessed 24 April 2024</ref>

Western interior

Alexander Mackenzie says "very great and essential advantages may be derived by extending our trade from one sea to the other" (Note: "savage" used)<ref>Alexander Mackenzie, "Preface" (November 30, 1801), A General History of the Fur Trade from Canada to the North-West, pg. x (See also map (1801) of Mackenzie's routes to Arctic Ocean (1789) and Pacific Ocean (1793)) Accessed 22 April 2024</ref>

Map: Edition of Siksika chief Akutkomikimaan's map of Rocky Mountain Indigenous people that sketches their locations, mountains and rivers<ref>Peter Fidler, "An Indian Map of the Different Tribes that inhabit on the East & West Side of the Rocky Mountains with all the rivers & other remarkbl. places, also the number of Tents etc." (February 7, 1801), Archives of Manitoba. Accessed 1 May 2024</ref>

Hudson's Bay Company

Kitternawaggan and brother bring Moose Factory more than 100 made beaver, having "dextriously evaded" Canadian traders on their way down river<ref>"[October] 5th [1801] Monday," Moose Factory post journal, 1801-1802 frame 6, Archives of Manitoba. Accessed 3 May 2024</ref>

Indigenous people add 11 deer to 2,000 lbs. of venison in store at York Factory; "I hope [it] will set want at defiance for this Winter"<ref>"1801 Octr. 28 Tuesday," York Factory post journal, 1801-1802 frame 12, Archives of Manitoba. Accessed 3 May 2024</ref>

York jobs include 11 men hunting and fishing, 15 men making firewood and timbers in woods, and 3 tailors making clothing for "English and Ind[ian]s"<ref>"1801 Decr. 7th Monday," York Factory post journal, 1801-1802 frames 15–16, Archives of Manitoba. Accessed 3 May 2024</ref>

Elsewhere

Canadians should try "the pure and free air of the United States" to escape "overbearing tyranny" in social class dominated Upper and Lower Canada<ref>An Address to the People of the Canadas (1801?), pg. 9 (Image 16). (See also U.S. politician's opinion that Canada is like Britain in its forms of monarchy, aristocracy and hierarchy) Accessed 22 April 2024</ref>

Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, "decidedly attached to the present Republican government in France," are U.S. President and Vice President<ref>"Halifax, January 3" The Saint John Gazette, and General Advertiser (January 17, 1801), pg. 4. Accessed 24 April 2024</ref>

William Henry Harrison tells Jefferson goods are brought from Canada via Illinois River into Louisiana and smuggled into U.S.A.<ref>William Henry Harrison to Thomas Jefferson (December 30, 1801), U.S. National Archives. Accessed 2 May 2024</ref>

Detroit Moravian missionary says "no Indian understands (how) to trade" and explains how deals are affected by prices and grain pests<ref>"Dealings with Moravian Indians" (May 6, 1801), The John Askin Papers; Volume II: 1796-1820 (1931), pgs. 535–6. Accessed 17 April 2024</ref>

Certificate: Detroit Masonic lodge declares Master Mason William Shaw fit to join any Masonic body<ref>"Declaration from Zion Lodge, No. 10, Lower Canada, dated 1801" Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library. Accessed 1 May 2024</ref>