Edward Jessup
Encyclopedia
Edward Jessup was a soldier, judge and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born in Stamford, Connecticut
in 1735 and moved with his family to Dutchess County, New York
in 1744. In 1759, he served with Jeffery Amherst in the Lake Champlain
region. In 1764, he moved with his brother Ebenezer to Albany, New York
where they established a community known as Jessup's Landing on the Hudson River
. He was a recipient of a large land grant from the Crown in the Adirondacks of about 500000 acres (2,023.4 km²).
from this area, they joined Sir John Johnson's regiment, later forming their own corps, known as the King's Loyal Americans. They fought with Lieutenant General John Burgoyne
at Saratoga
and both brothers were taken prisoner. They were released and went to Quebec
. In 1781, Edward Jessup was named head of a new provincial regiment known as the Loyal Rangers, or Jessup's Rangers which mainly maintained garrisons in southern Quebec and occasionally took part in raids into New York state.
; he himself settled in Augusta Township
. He was appointed justice of the peace and a judge of the Court of Common Pleas. With his son, he founded the town of Prescott, Ontario
.
Later in life, he suffered from the palsy
and he died at Prescott in 1816, aged 80.
His son, Edward Jr.
, was elected to the 2nd Parliament of Upper Canada
representing Grenville
and became a lieutenant-colonel in the local militia. His grandson, Edward
, was elected to the 11th Parliament of Upper Canada
for Grenville
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
.
He was born in Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
in 1735 and moved with his family to Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...
in 1744. In 1759, he served with Jeffery Amherst in the Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
region. In 1764, he moved with his brother Ebenezer to Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
where they established a community known as Jessup's Landing on the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
. He was a recipient of a large land grant from the Crown in the Adirondacks of about 500000 acres (2,023.4 km²).
American Revolution
In 1776, with other loyalistsLoyalist (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 this area, they joined Sir John Johnson's regiment, later forming their own corps, known as the King's Loyal Americans. They fought with Lieutenant General John Burgoyne
John Burgoyne
General John Burgoyne was a British army officer, politician and dramatist. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, mostly notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762....
at Saratoga
Saratoga campaign
The Saratoga Campaign was an attempt by Great Britain to gain military control of the strategically important Hudson River valley in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War...
and both brothers were taken prisoner. They were released and went to Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. In 1781, Edward Jessup was named head of a new provincial regiment known as the Loyal Rangers, or Jessup's Rangers which mainly maintained garrisons in southern Quebec and occasionally took part in raids into New York state.
Life in Canada
After the war, Edward Jessup and his troops settled along the Saint Lawrence RiverSaint Lawrence River
The Saint Lawrence is a large river flowing approximately from southwest to northeast in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. It is the primary drainage conveyor of the Great Lakes Basin...
; he himself settled in Augusta Township
Augusta, Ontario
Augusta is a township in eastern Ontario, Canada, on the Saint Lawrence River in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.-Communities:The township comprises the communities of Algonquin, Bisseltown, Blue Church, Charlieville, Domville, Garretton, Glenmore, Herrons Corners, Lords Mills, Maitland,...
. He was appointed justice of the peace and a judge of the Court of Common Pleas. With his son, he founded the town of Prescott, Ontario
Prescott, Ontario
Prescott is a town of approximately 4,180 people on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Leeds and Grenville United Counties, Ontario, Canada. The Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge, 5 km east of Prescott in Johnstown, connects it with Ogdensburg, New York...
.
Later in life, he suffered from the palsy
Palsy
In medicine, palsy is the paralysis of a body part, often accompanied by loss of sensation and by uncontrolled body movements, such as shaking. Medical conditions involving palsy include cerebral palsy , brachial palsy , and Bell's palsy ....
and he died at Prescott in 1816, aged 80.
His son, Edward Jr.
Edward Jessup, Jr.
Edward Jessup was a farmer and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Albany, New York in 1766, the son of Edward Jessup, a United Empire Loyalist. He served with his father's Loyal Rangers, becoming a captain. After the American Revolution, he settled in Augusta Township...
, was elected to the 2nd Parliament of Upper Canada
2nd Parliament of Upper Canada
The 2nd Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 1 June 1797. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in August 1796. The first session was held at Navy Hall in Newark. The Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada John Graves Simcoe believed York was a superior location for the capital as it would less...
representing Grenville
Grenville County, Ontario
Grenville County area is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario.The county was created in 1792, and named in honour of William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville, Secretary of State in 1790. The First settlers were Loyalist from the United States...
and became a lieutenant-colonel in the local militia. His grandson, Edward
Edward Jessup III
Edward Jessup was a farmer and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Upper Canada in 1801, the son of Edward Jessup, Jr. and the grandson of Edward Jessup. He served in the local militia, becoming lieutenant in 1822 and captain in 1828. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Upper...
, was elected to the 11th Parliament of Upper Canada
11th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 11th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 7 January 1831. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in October 1830. All sessions were held at York, later Toronto...
for Grenville