Robert Lester
Encyclopedia
Robert Lester was a businessman and political figure in Lower Canada
.
He was born in Galway
, Ireland
around 1746 and came to the town of Quebec
around 1770. He became a merchant there, importing cloth and spirits, exporting wheat, supplying provisions to the army and providing small loans to individuals. He served in the militia as a captain during the American
invasion of 1775-6. Lester was among those lobbying for a representative assembly and, in 1792, he was elected to the 1st Parliament of Lower Canada
for the Lower Town of Quebec; he was defeated in 1796 but elected again in 1800. He was named lieutenant-colonel in the militia in 1799. With his nephew, Robert Morrogh, as partner, Lester's business expanded into the timber trade; the partners had ships built for use by the business and set up a distillery
and a brewery
. Lester was also speculating in land in the Eastern Townships
. As a Roman Catholic
, he was able to cultivate close ties with the Quebec clergy, including Bishop Joseph-Octave Plessis
.
Although on the surface the company appeared to be doing well, it had overextended itself financially and went bankrupt in 1807, a common fate of businesses importing goods at that time. Lester died at Quebec City a few months later.
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 in Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
around 1746 and came to 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...
around 1770. He became a merchant there, importing cloth and spirits, exporting wheat, supplying provisions to the army and providing small loans to individuals. He served in the militia as a captain during the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
invasion of 1775-6. Lester was among those lobbying for a representative assembly and, in 1792, he was elected to the 1st Parliament of Lower Canada
1st Parliament of Lower Canada
The 1st Parliament of Lower Canada was in session from December 17, 1792 to May 31, 1796. Elections in Lower Canada had been held in June 1792. All sessions were held at Quebec City.- External links :***...
for the Lower Town of Quebec; he was defeated in 1796 but elected again in 1800. He was named lieutenant-colonel in the militia in 1799. With his nephew, Robert Morrogh, as partner, Lester's business expanded into the timber trade; the partners had ships built for use by the business and set up a distillery
Distillation
Distillation is a method of separating mixtures based on differences in volatilities of components in a boiling liquid mixture. Distillation is a unit operation, or a physical separation process, and not a chemical reaction....
and a brewery
Brewery
A brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company....
. Lester was also speculating in land in the Eastern Townships
Eastern Townships
The Eastern Townships is a tourist region and a former administrative region in south-eastern Quebec, lying between the former seigneuries south of the Saint Lawrence River and the United States border. Its northern boundary roughly followed Logan's Line, the geologic boundary between the flat,...
. As a Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, he was able to cultivate close ties with the Quebec clergy, including Bishop Joseph-Octave Plessis
Joseph-Octave Plessis
Joseph-Octave Plessis was a Canadian Roman Catholic clergyman from Quebec. He was the first archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec after the diocese was elevated to the status of an archdiocese....
.
Although on the surface the company appeared to be doing well, it had overextended itself financially and went bankrupt in 1807, a common fate of businesses importing goods at that time. Lester died at Quebec City a few months later.