Joseph Wightman (Canadian politician)
Encyclopedia
Joseph Wightman was a Scottish
-born farmer, merchant and political figure on Prince Edward Island
. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
from 1838 to 1839 and from 1843 to 1862 and from 1867 to 1874 and in the Legislative Council of Prince Edward Island
from 1874 to 1882 as a Liberal
.
He was born in Dumfriesshire
, the son of John Wightman and Margaret Ray Armstrong, and was educated in Scotland, attending Lockerby Academy. He came to Prince Edward Island with his family in 1823. The property on which they settled was originally leased from Sir James Montgomery but the family purchased the land in 1857. Besides farming and raising livestock, Wightman was also involved in fishing and shipbuilding. His goods were exported to England and he also traded with American fisherman. Wightman married Margaret McDonald in 1838. He was a justice of the peace
and served in the militia, reaching the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Wightman also served as high sheriff for Kings County
. He was speaker for the assembly from 1867 to 1870 and in 1872. He also served as president for the legislative council in 1876 and 1877. Wightman was a minister without portfolio in the province's Executive Council from 1854 to 1859 and from 1879 to 1882. Wightman retired from politics in 1882 due to health problems. He died in Lower Montague
in 1887.
His daughter Mary Armstrong married James R. McLean
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
-born farmer, merchant and political figure on Prince Edward Island
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 served 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 1838 to 1839 and from 1843 to 1862 and from 1867 to 1874 and in the Legislative Council of Prince Edward Island
Legislative Council of Prince Edward Island
The Legislative Council of Prince Edward Island was the upper house of the government of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. It existed from 1773 to 1893. Members were appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island on the advice of the Premier until 1862 when it became an...
from 1874 to 1882 as a Liberal
Prince Edward Island Liberal Party
The Prince Edward Island Liberal Party is a major political party in the province of Prince Edward Island, Canada. The PEI Liberals are aligned with the federal Liberal Party of Canada. The party is led by Robert Ghiz, a former member of the staff of the Prime Minister's Office under Prime Minister...
.
He was born in Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries is a registration county of Scotland. The lieutenancy area of Dumfries has similar boundaries.Until 1975 it was a county. Its county town was Dumfries...
, the son of John Wightman and Margaret Ray Armstrong, and was educated in Scotland, attending Lockerby Academy. He came to Prince Edward Island with his family in 1823. The property on which they settled was originally leased from Sir James Montgomery but the family purchased the land in 1857. Besides farming and raising livestock, Wightman was also involved in fishing and shipbuilding. His goods were exported to England and he also traded with American fisherman. Wightman married Margaret McDonald in 1838. He was 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...
and served in the militia, reaching the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Wightman also served as high sheriff for Kings County
Kings County, Prince Edward Island
Kings County is located in eastern Prince Edward Island, Canada.It is the province's smallest, most rural and least-populated county. Kings County is also least dependent upon the agriculture industry compared with the other two counties, while being more heavily dependent on the fishery and...
. He was speaker for the assembly from 1867 to 1870 and in 1872. He also served as president for the legislative council in 1876 and 1877. Wightman was a minister without portfolio in the province's Executive Council from 1854 to 1859 and from 1879 to 1882. Wightman retired from politics in 1882 due to health problems. He died in Lower Montague
Lower Montague, Prince Edward Island
Lower Montague is a rural community located to the east of the Town of Montague, Prince Edward Island, Canada.The Community of Lower Montague was incorporated in 1974. The first inhabitants of the Island and the area now called Lower Montague were the First Nations Mi’kmag people who came to the...
in 1887.
His daughter Mary Armstrong married James R. McLean
James R. McLean
James Roderick McLean was a merchant, notary public and political figure in Prince Edward Island. He represented 1st Kings in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1869 to 1879 and from 1883 to 1900 as a Liberal member.He was born at East Point, the son of Alexander MacLean and...
.