Bliss Botsford
Encyclopedia
Bliss Botsford was a lawyer, judge and political figure in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada
. He represented Westmorland County
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
from 1851 to 1854, from 1856 to 1861 and from 1866 to 1870.
He was born in Sackville, New Brunswick
, the son of William Botsford
and Sarah Lowell Murray who was the daughter of William Hazen. He studied at King's College
in Fredericton
but did not receive a degree. Botsford then studied law ith William End
, was called to the bar in 1838 and set up practice at the Bend of Petitcodiac (incorporated as Moncton in 1855). In 1842, he married Jane Chapman.
Botsford was named mayor of Moncton in 1862 and promptly had the town's incorporation act repealed so that its municipal debt would be spread across the county. Moncton was later incorporated again in 1875 after becoming a major railway centre for the province.
Botsford was an opponent of Confederation
. He served as speaker for the Legislative Assembly from 1867 to 1870 and as a member of the Executive Council of New Brunswick
, was Surveyor General
from April 5, 1865 to April 14, 1866.
In 1870, Bliss Botsford was named judge for the court for Westmorland and Albert counties. He was also a major in the county militia and an active Freemason.
Botsford died in Moncton at the age of 76 after collapsing while descending a flight of stairs and then falling out through a window.
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 1851 to 1854, from 1856 to 1861 and from 1866 to 1870.
He was born in Sackville, New Brunswick
Sackville, New Brunswick
Sackville is a Canadian town in Westmorland County, New Brunswick.Mount Allison University is located in the town...
, the son of William Botsford
William Botsford
William Botsford was a lawyer, judge and political figure in the pre-Confederation Province of New Brunswick, Canada....
and Sarah Lowell Murray who was the daughter of William Hazen. He studied at King's College
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
in Fredericton
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, by virtue of the provincial parliament which sits there. An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art...
but did not receive a degree. Botsford then studied law ith William End
William End
William End was an Irish-born lawyer and politician in New Brunswick. He represented Gloucester County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1830 to 1850 and from 1854 to 1861....
, was called to the bar in 1838 and set up practice at the Bend of Petitcodiac (incorporated as Moncton in 1855). In 1842, he married Jane Chapman.
Botsford was named mayor of Moncton in 1862 and promptly had the town's incorporation act repealed so that its municipal debt would be spread across the county. Moncton was later incorporated again in 1875 after becoming a major railway centre for the province.
Botsford was an opponent of Confederation
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
. He served as speaker for the Legislative Assembly from 1867 to 1870 and as a member of the Executive Council of New Brunswick
Executive Council of New Brunswick
The Executive Council of New Brunswick is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
, was Surveyor General
Department of Natural Resources (New Brunswick)
The Department of Natural Resources is a department in the Government of New Brunswick, Canada. It is responsible for management of the Province's forests including timber utilization, trail management, insect and disease protection including spruce budworm and gypsy moth, fire protection,...
from April 5, 1865 to April 14, 1866.
In 1870, Bliss Botsford was named judge for the court for Westmorland and Albert counties. He was also a major in the county militia and an active Freemason.
Botsford died in Moncton at the age of 76 after collapsing while descending a flight of stairs and then falling out through a window.