Philip VanKoughnet
Encyclopedia
Colonel The Hon. Philip VanKoughnet M.P. (April 2, 1790 – May 7, 1873) landowner, businessman and political figure in Upper Canada
.
in Switzerland
, when their name was spelt von Gachnang after acquiring the lands of Gachnang
and Schellenberg
in 1336. They remained loyal to the Princes of Austria
and were guests of the Holy Roman Emperor
at Zurich
in 1443. They later entrusted their considerable land holdings to Sigismund, Archduke of Austria
, which were lost in 1556; the succeeding Holy Roman Emperors having used the money raised to fight a series of unsuccessful wars. The family maintained their noble name and moved to the surrounding villages of Zurich
and Zurich itself, where they were prominent citizens spelling their name in the French way, von Gochnat. During the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) their ancestor fled to Turckheim
and then Colmar
, Alsace
, where three successive generations of the family were members of the Grand jury
. Having again lost their status after the French regained possession of Alsace
, in 1751, the subject's grandfather emigrated to North America
where the name came to be spelt VanKoughnet, as it has since been known.
), 2 April 1790, he was the son of Michael VanKoughnet (1751-1832), 'a large landowner' and United Empire Loyalist. He was educated at John Strachan
's school. He fought at the Battle of Crysler's Farm
during the War of 1812
. In 1816, he was elected to the 7th Parliament of Upper Canada
representing Stormont
& Russell
. In 1833, he was part of a commission to establish a canal at Cornwall to improve transportation along the Saint Lawrence River
, that brought him a personal profit of £10,000. VanKoughnet Island, off the canal, was named for him.
In 1832, Philip VanKoughnet inherited his father's extensive lands in Upper Canada (which he bought in 1783 after the Americans had put a price on his head for his loyalty to the Crown) adding to them over time until at his death he owned the entirety of the district. His father had named the original settlement 'New Johnstown', after Johnstown (New York) where the Colonel's grandfather, John, or Johann Eberhardt von Gochnat (1712-1770), had lived on arriving from Alsace
in 1751.
In 1836, VanKoughnet was appointed to the Legislative Council of Upper Canada
by Lieutenant Governor Sir Francis Bond Head
. In 1838, he commanded a battalion of militia (2nd Stormont Regiment) at the Battle of the Windmill
. In 1870, he was appointed chairman of the Canadian Board of Government Arbitrators. It was said of the Colonel that he had, ‘all the stubbornness of a German, with the patriotism of a Briton’. He had ‘earned the respect of his contemporaries for his sterling qualities and honest patriotism’, holding little regard for the American revolutionaries.
. But, after being publicly flogged and then wrongly imprisoned for giving grain to the starving Catholic population of Carrick-on-Suir
during the troubles of 1798, Scott declared himself bankrupt when the price of grain fell during his internment. He took his own life in 1812 http://www.ulsterancestry.com/ShowFreePage.php?id=186. Matthew Scott, descended on two sides from Nicholas Purcell, 13th Baron of Loughmoe
, was a nephew of John Scott, 1st Earl of Clonmell
. Mrs VanKoughnet's sister, Catherine (Scott) Pack (1785-1863), was the great grandmother of the author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes
.
Philip and Harriet left thirteen children, who after his death on 7 May 1873, divided Cornwall, Ontario
(which New Johnstown is now known as) between themselves. Their eldest son, The Hon. Philip Michael Matthew Scott VanKoughnet
, became the Chancellor of Upper Canada (Ontario), and among others they were the grandparents of Lady MacDonald
, Lady van Straubenzee
and Mrs F.E. Meredith
.
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...
.
History of the name
This family originated during the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, when their name was spelt von Gachnang after acquiring the lands of Gachnang
Gachnang
Gachnang is a municipality in the district of Frauenfeld in the canton of Thurgau in Switzerland.-History:Gachnang is first mentioned in 889 as Kachanang. In the local dialect it has traditionally been known as Gochlingen....
and Schellenberg
Schellenberg
Schellenberg is a municipality in the lowland area of Liechtenstein, on the banks of the Rhine. , it has a population of 952 and covers an area of .-Early history:...
in 1336. They remained loyal to the Princes of Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and were guests of the Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
at Zurich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
in 1443. They later entrusted their considerable land holdings to Sigismund, Archduke of Austria
Sigismund, Archduke of Austria
Sigismund of Austria, Duke, then Archduke of Further Austria was a Habsburg archduke of Austria and ruler of Tirol from 1446 to 1490....
, which were lost in 1556; the succeeding Holy Roman Emperors having used the money raised to fight a series of unsuccessful wars. The family maintained their noble name and moved to the surrounding villages of Zurich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
and Zurich itself, where they were prominent citizens spelling their name in the French way, von Gochnat. During the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) their ancestor fled to Turckheim
Turckheim
Turckheim is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France. It lies west of Colmar, on the eastern slopes of the Vosges mountains.-Places of interest:...
and then Colmar
Colmar
Colmar is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.It is the capital of the department. Colmar is also the seat of the highest jurisdiction in Alsace, the appellate court....
, Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
, where three successive generations of the family were members of the Grand jury
Grand jury
A grand jury is a type of jury that determines whether a criminal indictment will issue. Currently, only the United States retains grand juries, although some other common law jurisdictions formerly employed them, and most other jurisdictions employ some other type of preliminary hearing...
. Having again lost their status after the French regained possession of Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
, in 1751, the subject's grandfather emigrated to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
where the name came to be spelt VanKoughnet, as it has since been known.
Career
Born in New Johnstown (CornwallCornwall, 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...
), 2 April 1790, he was the son of Michael VanKoughnet (1751-1832), 'a large landowner' and United Empire Loyalist. He was educated at John Strachan
John Strachan
John Strachan was an influential figure in Upper Canada and the first Anglican Bishop of Toronto.-Early life:Strachan was the youngest of six children born to a quarry worker in Aberdeen, Scotland. He graduated from King's College, Aberdeen in 1797...
's school. He fought at the Battle of Crysler's Farm
Battle of Crysler's Farm
The Battle of Crysler's Farm, also known as the Battle of Crysler's Field, was fought on 11 November 1813, during the Anglo-American War of 1812. A British and Canadian force won a victory over an American force which greatly outnumbered them...
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...
. In 1816, he was elected to the 7th Parliament of Upper Canada
7th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 7th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 4 February 1817. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in July 1816. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada at the home of Chief Justice of the Court William Henry Draper...
representing 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...
& Russell
Russell County, Ontario
Russell County is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario.It was created in 1800 from a portion of Stormont County. It later merged with Prescott County to form Prescott and Russell United Counties....
. In 1833, he was part of a commission to establish a canal at Cornwall to improve transportation along the Saint Lawrence River
Saint 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...
, that brought him a personal profit of £10,000. VanKoughnet Island, off the canal, was named for him.
In 1832, Philip VanKoughnet inherited his father's extensive lands in Upper Canada (which he bought in 1783 after the Americans had put a price on his head for his loyalty to the Crown) adding to them over time until at his death he owned the entirety of the district. His father had named the original settlement 'New Johnstown', after Johnstown (New York) where the Colonel's grandfather, John, or Johann Eberhardt von Gochnat (1712-1770), had lived on arriving from Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
in 1751.
In 1836, VanKoughnet was appointed to the Legislative Council of Upper Canada
Legislative Council of Upper Canada
The Legislative Council of Upper Canada was the upper house governing the province of Upper Canada. Modelled after the British House of Lords, it was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791. It was specified that the council should consist of at least seven members. Members were appointed for...
by Lieutenant Governor Sir Francis Bond Head
Francis Bond Head
Sir Francis Bond Head, 1st Baronet KCH PC , known as "Galloping Head", was Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada during the rebellion of 1837.-Biography:...
. In 1838, he commanded a battalion of militia (2nd Stormont Regiment) at the Battle of the Windmill
Battle of the Windmill
The Battle of the Windmill was a battle fought in November 1838 in the aftermath of the Upper Canada Rebellion. Loyalist forces of the Upper Canadian government defeated an invasion attempt by Hunter Patriot insurgents based in the United States.-Background:...
. In 1870, he was appointed chairman of the Canadian Board of Government Arbitrators. It was said of the Colonel that he had, ‘all the stubbornness of a German, with the patriotism of a Briton’. He had ‘earned the respect of his contemporaries for his sterling qualities and honest patriotism’, holding little regard for the American revolutionaries.
Family
On 1 April 1819, he married Harriet Sophia Scott (1795-1854), daughter of Mathew Scott (1775-1812), of the Scotts of Scottsborough, Co. Tipperary, described 'a very eminent', 'affluent and respectable merchant' of Carrick-on-SuirCarrick-on-Suir
Carrick-on-Suir is a town in South Tipperary in Ireland. As the name – meaning "the rock of the Suir" – suggests, the town is situated on the River Suir. The of the town gives the population as 5,906 and shows that it has grown by 5.7% since 2002...
. But, after being publicly flogged and then wrongly imprisoned for giving grain to the starving Catholic population of Carrick-on-Suir
Carrick-on-Suir
Carrick-on-Suir is a town in South Tipperary in Ireland. As the name – meaning "the rock of the Suir" – suggests, the town is situated on the River Suir. The of the town gives the population as 5,906 and shows that it has grown by 5.7% since 2002...
during the troubles of 1798, Scott declared himself bankrupt when the price of grain fell during his internment. He took his own life in 1812 http://www.ulsterancestry.com/ShowFreePage.php?id=186. Matthew Scott, descended on two sides from Nicholas Purcell, 13th Baron of Loughmoe
Nicholas Purcell of Loughmoe
Nicholas Purcell, 13th Baron of Loughmoe was the son of James Purcell of Loughmoe and the maternal nephew of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde....
, was a nephew of John Scott, 1st Earl of Clonmell
John Scott, 1st Earl of Clonmell
John Scott, 1st Earl of Clonmell PC KC SL , known as The Lord Earlsfort between 1784 and 1789 and as The Viscount Clonmell between 1789 and 1793, was an Irish barrister and judge...
. Mrs VanKoughnet's sister, Catherine (Scott) Pack (1785-1863), was the great grandmother of the author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
.
Philip and Harriet left thirteen children, who after his death on 7 May 1873, divided Cornwall, Ontario
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...
(which New Johnstown is now known as) between themselves. Their eldest son, The Hon. Philip Michael Matthew Scott VanKoughnet
Philip Michael Matthew Scott VanKoughnet
The Hon. Philip Michael Matthew Scott VanKoughnet , President of the Executive Council of the Province of Canada, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chancellor of Upper Canada.-Early life:...
, became the Chancellor of Upper Canada (Ontario), and among others they were the grandparents of Lady MacDonald
Hugh John Macdonald
Sir Hugh John Macdonald, PC was the only surviving son of the first Prime Minister of Canada, Sir John A. Macdonald, and was a politician in his own right, serving as a member of the Canadian House of Commons and a federal cabinet minister, and briefly as the eighth Premier of Manitoba.-Early...
, Lady van Straubenzee
Casimir Cartwright van Straubenzee
Major-General Sir Casimir Cartwright van Straubenzee KBE CB CMG , was a British soldier of the Royal Engineers.-Education and career:...
and Mrs F.E. Meredith
Frederick Edmund Meredith
Frederick Edmund Meredith K.C., D.C.L. was a Canadian lawyer and businessman, the 8th Chancellor of Bishop's University, Lennoxville; honorary President of the Montreal Victorias for three of their Stanley Cup championships in the late 1890s, and Chief Counsel to the CPR at the inquest into the...
.