Charles Simonds
Encyclopedia
Charles Simonds was a merchant and political figure in the pre-Confederation
Province of New Brunswick, Canada
. He represented Saint John County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
from 1821 to 1846, from 1850 to 1851 and from 1856 to 1857.
He was born in Portland (later Saint John, New Brunswick
), the son of James Simonds
and Hannah Peabody, and educated there. Simonds joined his father's business, later taking over the management of its activities at Portland. In 1817, he married Catharine Mary Longmuir. In 1820, he became one of the first directors of the Bank of New Brunswick
and, in 1824, he became its president. He married Lucy Anne Clopper, the sister of Henry George Clopper, in 1824 after the death of his first wife. Simonds also became involved with the Commercial Bank of New Brunswick and the Saint John Fire Insurance Company. He served as a member of the first council for King's College (later the University of New Brunswick
). However, later Simonds became critical of the college. He was speaker for the legislative assembly from 1829 to 1831, succeeding his brother Richard
. Simonds later served again as speaker from 1835 to 1841, in 1851 and from 1856 to 1857. He also was a member of the Executive Council and of the Legislative Council of New Brunswick
. Simonds also served as a justice of the peace
. He died in Saint John at the age of 75.
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...
Province of New Brunswick, 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 Saint John County 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 1821 to 1846, from 1850 to 1851 and from 1856 to 1857.
He was born in Portland (later Saint John, New Brunswick
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...
), the son of James Simonds
James Simonds
James Simonds was a merchant, judge and political figure in New Brunswick. He represented Sunbury County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1773 to 1782 and St...
and Hannah Peabody, and educated there. Simonds joined his father's business, later taking over the management of its activities at Portland. In 1817, he married Catharine Mary Longmuir. In 1820, he became one of the first directors of the Bank of New Brunswick
Bank of New Brunswick
The Bank of New Brunswick was established on March 25, 1820 in the pre-Confederation Province of New Brunswick, Canada as the first Canadian bank to operate under a charter. Headquartered in a new building on Prince William Street in Saint John in 1826, the neoclassical bank façade consisted of an...
and, in 1824, he became its president. He married Lucy Anne Clopper, the sister of Henry George Clopper, in 1824 after the death of his first wife. Simonds also became involved with the Commercial Bank of New Brunswick and the Saint John Fire Insurance Company. He served as a member of the first council for King's College (later the University of New Brunswick
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...
). However, later Simonds became critical of the college. He was speaker for the legislative assembly from 1829 to 1831, succeeding his brother Richard
Richard Simonds
Richard Simonds was a merchant and political figure in the pre-Confederation Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Northumberland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1816 to 1828....
. Simonds later served again as speaker from 1835 to 1841, in 1851 and from 1856 to 1857. He also was a member of the Executive Council and of the Legislative Council of New Brunswick
Legislative Council of New Brunswick
The Legislative Council of New Brunswick was the upper house of the government of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, between 1785 and 1891. Members were appointed by the New Brunswick lieutenant governor.-External links:*...
. Simonds also served as a justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
. He died in Saint John at the age of 75.