John Beikie
Encyclopedia
John Beikie
Lt. Col. John Beikie (February 14, 1766 – March 20, 1839) was a merchant and political figure in Upper Canada
. He was born of Scottish parents in Gibraltar
in 1766. He settled in Cornwall
in 1794 and was named justice of the peace in the Eastern District in 1796. He moved to York (Toronto
) in 1801 where he lived on the north side of Front Street east of Spadina Avenue where Windsor Street now stands. Rev. Dr. Henry Scadding describes him as a tall, upright, staidly moving man who was usually seen in a long snuff-coloured overcoat and, also, as one of the dramatis personae of York. He served in the local militia during the War of 1812
and was actively engaged in the defence of York against the American invaders in 1813 and was held by them as a hostage. His wife, Penelope, was one of the few who held fast in her home to keep off American looters. From 1810 to 1815 John Beikie was Sheriff of York and, as such, he probably was the first to complain of wretched conditions in York Gaol; a protest repeated by Sir William Campbell and many others over the years. Beikie represented Stormont
and Glengarry in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
from 1812 to 1816. He was clerk of the Executive Council
from 1820 to 1825 and was named justice of the peace in the Home District
in 1822. He became Lieutenant Colonel of the militia in 1826.
John Beikie was a Freemason and one of the founding members of St. Andrew's Lodge. He was Master from 1825 - 1828.
He died in Toronto in 1839.
Lt. Col. John Beikie (February 14, 1766 – March 20, 1839) was a merchant and political figure in Upper Canada
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 of Scottish parents in Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
in 1766. He settled in Cornwall
Cornwall, Ontario
Cornwall is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada and the seat of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Ontario. Cornwall is Ontario's easternmost city, located on the St...
in 1794 and was named justice of the peace in the Eastern District in 1796. He moved to York (Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
) in 1801 where he lived on the north side of Front Street east of Spadina Avenue where Windsor Street now stands. Rev. Dr. Henry Scadding describes him as a tall, upright, staidly moving man who was usually seen in a long snuff-coloured overcoat and, also, as one of the dramatis personae of York. He served in the local militia during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
and was actively engaged in the defence of York against the American invaders in 1813 and was held by them as a hostage. His wife, Penelope, was one of the few who held fast in her home to keep off American looters. From 1810 to 1815 John Beikie was Sheriff of York and, as such, he probably was the first to complain of wretched conditions in York Gaol; a protest repeated by Sir William Campbell and many others over the years. Beikie represented Stormont
Stormont County, Ontario
Stormont County area is a county in the Canadian province of Ontario.Stormont was created in 1792, however, it was settled seven years earlier in 1785. Veterans of Loyalist regiments were among the first settlers...
and Glengarry in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
The Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791. It was the elected legislature for the province of Upper Canada and functioned as the province's lower house in the Parliament of Upper Canada...
from 1812 to 1816. He was clerk of the Executive Council
Executive Council of Upper Canada
The Executive Council of Upper Canada had a similar function to the Cabinet in England but was not responsible to the Legislative Assembly. Members of the Executive Council were not necessarily members of the Legislative Assembly but were usually members of the Legislative Council. Members were...
from 1820 to 1825 and was named justice of the peace in the Home District
Home District
The Home District was one of four districts of the Province of Quebec created in 1788 in the western reaches of the Montreal District and partitioned in 1791 to create the new colony of Upper Canada. Known as Nassau District until 1792, it was composed of the areas along western Lake Ontario and...
in 1822. He became Lieutenant Colonel of the militia in 1826.
John Beikie was a Freemason and one of the founding members of St. Andrew's Lodge. He was Master from 1825 - 1828.
He died in Toronto in 1839.