Amos Botsford
Encyclopedia
Amos Botsford was a lawyer, judge, land owner and political figure in New Brunswick
. He represented Westmorland County
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
from 1786 to 1812.
He was born in Newton
, Connecticut Colony
, the son of Gideon Botsford, a farmer, and Bertha Bennett and was educated at Yale College
. He studied law with Jared Ingersoll
, was admitted to the bar and taught law at Yale. In 1770, he married Sarah Chandler. Because Botsford remained loyal to Britain, his property was confiscated and, in July 1779, he left Connecticut.
In 1782, he was sent to Nova Scotia
with a group of Loyalists
from New York state; Botsford helped identify possible areas in the region for loyalist settlements. In 1784, he moved to Dorchester, New Brunswick
. Botsford was named clerk of the peace, judge for the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and registrar of deeds for Westmorland. He was chosen as speaker for the first legislative assembly
and performed that function until his death in Saint John
in 1812. Botsford opposed the choice of St Anne's Point (later Fredericton) as the capital of New Brunswick. Besides his law practice, he also farmed and rented farm land and owned a retail business.
His son William
also represented the county in the legislative assembly and later became a judge in the province's Supreme Court. His grandson Amos Edwin Botsford
served in the Senate of 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 Westmorland County
Westmorland County, New Brunswick
Westmorland County is located in southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. The county contains the fast-growing commercial centre of Moncton as well as its northern and eastern suburbs...
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 1786 to 1812.
He was born in Newton
Newtown, Connecticut
Newtown is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 27,560 at the 2010 census. Newtown was founded in 1705 and incorporated in 1711.-Government:...
, Connecticut Colony
Connecticut Colony
The Connecticut Colony or Colony of Connecticut was an English colony located in British America that became the U.S. state of Connecticut. Originally known as the River Colony, it was organized on March 3, 1636 as a haven for Puritan noblemen. After early struggles with the Dutch, the English...
, the son of Gideon Botsford, a farmer, and Bertha Bennett and was educated at Yale College
Yale College
Yale College was the official name of Yale University from 1718 to 1887. The name now refers to the undergraduate part of the university. Each undergraduate student is assigned to one of 12 residential colleges.-Residential colleges:...
. He studied law with Jared Ingersoll
Jared Ingersoll
Jared Ingersoll was an early American lawyer and statesman from Philadelphia.He was a delegate to the Continental Congress and signed the U.S. Constitution for Pennsylvania...
, was admitted to the bar and taught law at Yale. In 1770, he married Sarah Chandler. Because Botsford remained loyal to Britain, his property was confiscated and, in July 1779, he left Connecticut.
In 1782, he was sent to Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
with a group of Loyalists
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
from New York state; Botsford helped identify possible areas in the region for loyalist settlements. In 1784, he moved to Dorchester, New Brunswick
Dorchester, New Brunswick
Dorchester is a Canadian village and shire town in Westmorland County, New Brunswick.It is located on the eastern side of the mouth of the lush Memramcook River valley near the river's discharge point into Shepody Bay...
. Botsford was named clerk of the peace, judge for the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and registrar of deeds for Westmorland. He was chosen as speaker for the first legislative assembly
1st New Brunswick Legislative Assembly
The 1st New Brunswick Legislative Assembly represented New Brunswick between January 3, 1786 and 1792.The assembly sat at the pleasure of the Governor of New Brunswick, Thomas Carleton. The first and second sessions were held at the Mallard House, an inn in Saint John...
and performed that function until his death in Saint John
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...
in 1812. Botsford opposed the choice of St Anne's Point (later Fredericton) as the capital of New Brunswick. Besides his law practice, he also farmed and rented farm land and owned a retail business.
His son William
William Botsford
William Botsford was a lawyer, judge and political figure in the pre-Confederation Province of New Brunswick, Canada....
also represented the county in the legislative assembly and later became a judge in the province's Supreme Court. His grandson Amos Edwin Botsford
Amos Edwin Botsford
Amos Edwin Botsford, PC was a Canadian farmer, judge, politician, and businessman.Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, the son of William Botsford, and moved with his family to Westcock in 1808. He was a justice of the peace and a senior judge for the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in Westmorland...
served in the Senate of Canada.