John Longworth
Encyclopedia
John Longworth was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Prince Edward Island
. He represented 2nd Queens
in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
from 1846 to 1850 and from 1858 to 1867 as a Conservative
member.
He was born in Charlottetown
, the son of Francis Longworth
, and educated there. Longworth studied law with Robert Hodgson, was admitted as an attorney to the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island and set up practice as a lawyer and notary public
in Charlottetown. In 1847, he married Elizabeth White Tremaine. Longworth served as a deputy judge in the province's vice admiralty court
. He was a founding director of the Bank of Prince Edward Island, later serving as its president, and was also agent for a number of insurance firms. Longworth served as a member of the province's Executive Council from 1859 to 1867. He opposed Confederation
and supported free trade
with the United States
. In 1863, he was named Queen's Counsel
. Longworth was named to the Charlottetown Board of School Trustees in 1878. He died in Charlottetown in 1885.
His brother Francis
also served in the provincial assembly.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
. He represented 2nd Queens
2nd Queens
2nd Queens was an electoral district in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, which elected two members to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1873 to 1993.The district comprised the western central portion of Queens County....
in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
The Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, along with the Lieutenant-Governor, forms the parliament of the province. The General Assembly meets at Province House, which is located at the intersection of Richmond and Great George Streets in Charlottetown....
from 1846 to 1850 and from 1858 to 1867 as a Conservative
Prince Edward Island Progressive Conservative Party
The Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island is one of two major political parties on Prince Edward Island. It and its rival, the Liberals have alternated in power since responsible government was granted in 1851 and are the only two parties represented in the PEI Legislative...
member.
He was born in Charlottetown
Charlottetown
Charlottetown is a Canadian city. It is both the largest city on and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island, and the county seat of Queens County. Named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, Charlottetown was first incorporated as a town in 1855 and designated as a city in 1885...
, the son of Francis Longworth
Francis Longworth, Sr.
Francis Longworth was an Irish-born businessman and political figure in Prince Edward Island.He was born in County Westmeath, the son of Francis Longworth, and came to St. John's Island around 1791. He had learned the trade of tanning leather and established a tannery at Charlottetown. In 1797,...
, and educated there. Longworth studied law with Robert Hodgson, was admitted as an attorney to the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island and set up practice as a lawyer and notary public
Notary public
A notary public in the common law world is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and foreign and international business...
in Charlottetown. In 1847, he married Elizabeth White Tremaine. Longworth served as a deputy judge in the province's vice admiralty court
Vice admiralty court
Vice admiralty courts were juryless courts located in British colonies that were granted jurisdiction over local legal matters related to maritime activities, such as disputes between merchants and seamen. Judges were given 5% of confiscated cargo, if they found a smuggling defendant guilty...
. He was a founding director of the Bank of Prince Edward Island, later serving as its president, and was also agent for a number of insurance firms. Longworth served as a member of the province's Executive Council from 1859 to 1867. He opposed 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...
and supported free trade
Free trade
Under a free trade policy, prices emerge from supply and demand, and are the sole determinant of resource allocation. 'Free' trade differs from other forms of trade policy where the allocation of goods and services among trading countries are determined by price strategies that may differ from...
with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 1863, he was named Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
. Longworth was named to the Charlottetown Board of School Trustees in 1878. He died in Charlottetown in 1885.
His brother Francis
Francis Longworth
Francis Longworth was a merchant, ship builder and political figure in Prince Edward Island. He represented Charlottetown and Royalty in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1838 to 1859 as a Conservative member.He was born in Charlottetown, the son of Francis Longworth, an Irish...
also served in the provincial assembly.