Ralph Gray (politician)
Encyclopedia
Ralph Gray was a seigneur
, businessman and political figure in Lower Canada
.
He was born during or before 1740, probably in Scotland
, and came to North America during the Seven Years' War
, serving in Major-General Jeffery Amherst
's troops. He was wounded at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham
. After the war, he set up shop as a tailor in the town of Quebec
. Some time afterwards, he married Mary Ann Scott. In 1774, he purchased the sub-fief of Grandpré from William Grant
. Gray expanded into importing and opened a wholesale outlet. He retired from business in 1778. In 1789, he became part-owner of a toll bridge over the Saint-Charles River
. Gray was a shareholder of the Union Hotel at Quebec. In 1808, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
for Quebec
; he was reelected in 1809. He opposed measures taken to declare Pierre-Amable de Bonne
ineligible to sit in the assembly after de Bonne became a judge. In 1810, Gray married Phoebe Wallen, the widow of James Frost, after the death of his first wife. They separated in 1813.
He died at Beauport
in 1813.
Seigneurial system of New France
The seigneurial system of New France was the semi-feudal system of land distribution used in the North American colonies of New France.-Introduction to New France:...
, businessman and political figure in Lower Canada
Lower Canada
The Province of Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
.
He was born during or before 1740, probably in Scotland
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...
, and came to North America during the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
, serving in Major-General Jeffery Amherst
Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
Field Marshal Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst KCB served as an officer in the British Army and as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces.Amherst is best known as one of the victors of the French and Indian War, when he conquered Louisbourg, Quebec City and...
's troops. He was wounded at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham
Battle of the Plains of Abraham
The Battle of the Plains of Abraham, also known as the Battle of Quebec, was a pivotal battle in the Seven Years' War...
. After the war, he set up shop as a tailor in the town of Quebec
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
. Some time afterwards, he married Mary Ann Scott. In 1774, he purchased the sub-fief of Grandpré from William Grant
William Grant (seigneur)
William Grant was a Scottish-born businessman, seigneur and political figure in Lower Canada.He was born at Blairfindy, Scotland in 1744, the son of William Grant, the local laird. In 1759, he was hired by a relative, Robert Grant, who was supplying the Royal Navy at Quebec and sent there as an...
. Gray expanded into importing and opened a wholesale outlet. He retired from business in 1778. In 1789, he became part-owner of a toll bridge over the Saint-Charles River
Saint-Charles River
Saint-Charles River is a river of Quebec , and the main river in Quebec City. Its huron-wendat name is Akiawenrahk.-Geography:It springs from Saint-Charles Lake, follows a course of approximately 33 km and ends into Saint Lawrence River...
. Gray was a shareholder of the Union Hotel at Quebec. In 1808, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
The Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada was the lower house of the bicameral structure of provincial government in Lower Canada until 1838. The legislative assembly was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791...
for Quebec
Quebec County, Quebec
Quebec County is an historic county in the province of Quebec, Canada. The county included the Quebec City metropolitan area and extended northwestward...
; he was reelected in 1809. He opposed measures taken to declare Pierre-Amable de Bonne
Pierre-Amable de Bonne
Pierre-Amable de Bonne was a seigneur, lawyer, judge and political figure in Lower Canada.He was born in Montreal in 1758, the son of Louis de Bonne de Missègle, and studied at a college operated by the Sulpicians, then the Collège Saint-Raphaël and the Petit Séminaire de Québec...
ineligible to sit in the assembly after de Bonne became a judge. In 1810, Gray married Phoebe Wallen, the widow of James Frost, after the death of his first wife. They separated in 1813.
He died at Beauport
Beauport, Quebec
Beauport is a borough of Quebec City, Quebec, Canada on the Saint Lawrence River.Beauport is a northeastern suburb of Quebec City. Manufactures include paint, construction materials, printers, and hospital supplies. Food transportation is important to the economy...
in 1813.