Robert Unwin Harwood
Encyclopedia
The Hon. Robert Unwin Harwood (January 22, 1798 – April 12, 1863) was the last Seigneur
of Vaudreuil
and a political figure in Lower Canada
and Canada East
.
, England
in 1798, the son of William Harwood and Elizabeth Unwin. Coming to Montreal
in 1821, he represented the family-owned wholesale silver and hardware House of John Harwood & Co., run by his brother, John, back in Sheffield
. Two years later he married Marie-Louise-Josephte Chartier de Lotbinière (1803-1869), the eldest daughter of the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michel-Eustache-Gaspard-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière
, and heiress to the Seigneury of Vaudreuil
. From having been a relatively obscure young merchant in Montreal
, this opportune marriage improved his life significantly.
in 1832 and served until the Lower Canada Rebellion
led to the dissolution of the council. He was a member of the Special Council
from August 1839 until it was dissolved in 1841. After several unsuccessful attempts, in 1858, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
for Vaudreuil
; he resigned in 1860 to run (successfully) for a seat in the Legislative Council
for Rigaud division. In 1853, Harwood helped found the Vaudreuil Railway Company.
, Harwood was held in great respect by his tenents. Exchanging a life of society and business in Montreal
, he and his wife arrived in Vaudreuil
in 1829 to bring the estate back to order. Rather than relying on rents as an income he built a large scale co-operative mill to the great benefit of all those who lived on his land. He gave generously to churches, schools and the needy in Vaudreuil. He described his interest in pursuing reforms in agriculture and transportation as a 'a hobby', but he displayed a firm grasp of the problems facing his tenants, and it revealed his genuine concern to improve things.
When it came to collecting his seigneurial dues he preferred leniency to litigation, adding to the respect and admiration that his tenents held for him. His brother in England
on the other hand berated him for his liberal attitude writing to him that 'the management of property to advantage is a talent not possessed by many, and certainly not by our family'. But the French speaking newspaper La Minerve wrote at his death,
Mr Harwood's conduct as a seigneur has been and remains irreproachable... Few seigneurs were as well liked by their censitaires as he was... The Hon. Robt. Harwood was much respected, indulgent to his tenantry, of unspotted reputation, courteous and considerate to all with whom he had relations
had been abolished, his heirs sold the house and it subsequently became the College de St. Raphael before it was destroyed by fire. After the fire, under the foundation stone a leaden plate stamped with three fleurs de lys was found bearing the French inscription -
This stone was laid by Lady Louise Elyzabeth de Joybert, wife of the high and powerful Seigneur Philippe de Rigaud (Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil
), Chevalier, Marquis de Vaudreuil, Grand Cross Order of Saint Louis
, Governor and Lieutenant-General to the King of all of New France in 1723, the 15th of March.
Lady Louise de Joybert was the daughter of Pierre de Joybert de Soulanges et de Marson
and his wife Marie-Francoise (who died in Paris
, 1732), the daughter of Louis-Théandre Chartier de Lotbinière
, Mrs Harwood's great, great, great grandfather.
. He and his wife were the parents of ten children. Their sons, Henry Stanislas Harwood
and Robert William Harwood, became members of the Canadian House of Commons
, and another, Antoine Chartier de Lotbinière Harwood
, represented Vaudreuil
in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
in 1863 and then for Quebec
in 1867. Harwood's nephew, Sir Henri-Gustave Joly de Lotbinière
served as the Prime Minister of Quebec and Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
. Of their daughters, one was married to Sir Henri-Elzear Taschereau, and another married a grandson of Jean-Antoine Panet
. One of his grand-daughters married Major-General Sir Sam Steele
. His family became known as the de Lotbinière-Harwood family, the co-seigneurs of Vaudreuil
.
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:...
of Vaudreuil
Vaudreuil
-Places:Canada* Vaudreuil-Dorion, a city located west of Montreal, Quebec* Terrasse-Vaudreuil, Quebec, a small Quebec municipality located near Montreal* Vaudreuil-Soulanges Regional County Municipality, Quebec...
and a 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...
and Canada East
Canada East
Canada East was the eastern portion of the United Province of Canada. It consisted of the southern portion of the modern-day Canadian Province of Quebec, and was primarily a French-speaking region....
.
Arrival in Canada
Robert Unwin Harwood was born in SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1798, the son of William Harwood and Elizabeth Unwin. Coming to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in 1821, he represented the family-owned wholesale silver and hardware House of John Harwood & Co., run by his brother, John, back in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
. Two years later he married Marie-Louise-Josephte Chartier de Lotbinière (1803-1869), the eldest daughter of the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michel-Eustache-Gaspard-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière
Michel-Eustache-Gaspard-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière
Colonel The Hon. Michel-Eustache-Gaspard-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière , de jure 2nd Marquis de Lotbinière...
, and heiress to the Seigneury of Vaudreuil
Vaudreuil
-Places:Canada* Vaudreuil-Dorion, a city located west of Montreal, Quebec* Terrasse-Vaudreuil, Quebec, a small Quebec municipality located near Montreal* Vaudreuil-Soulanges Regional County Municipality, Quebec...
. From having been a relatively obscure young merchant in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, this opportune marriage improved his life significantly.
Politics
He was named to the Legislative Council of Lower CanadaLegislative Council of Lower Canada
The Legislative Council of Lower Canada was the upper house of the bicameral structure of provincial government in Lower Canada until 1838. The upper house consisted of appointed councillors who voted on bills passed up by the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada. The legislative council was...
in 1832 and served until the Lower Canada Rebellion
Lower Canada Rebellion
The Lower Canada Rebellion , commonly referred to as the Patriots' War by Quebeckers, is the name given to the armed conflict between the rebels of Lower Canada and the British colonial power of that province...
led to the dissolution of the council. He was a member of the Special Council
Special Council of Lower Canada
The Special Council of Lower Canada was an appointed body which administered Lower Canada until the Union Act of 1840 created the Province of Canada. Following the Lower Canada Rebellion, on March 27, 1838, the Constitutional Act of 1791 was suspended and both the Legislative Assembly and...
from August 1839 until it was dissolved in 1841. After several unsuccessful attempts, in 1858, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
The Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada was the lower house of the legislature for the Province of Canada, which consisted of the former provinces of Lower Canada, then known as Canada East and later the province of Quebec, and Upper Canada, then known as Canada West and later the...
for Vaudreuil
Vaudreuil (electoral district)
Vaudreuil was a federal electoral district in the province of Quebec, Canada, represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1867 to 1914, and from 1968 to 1997.-History:...
; he resigned in 1860 to run (successfully) for a seat in the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of the Province of Canada
The Legislative Council of the Province of Canada was the upper house for the Province of Canada, which consisted of the former provinces of Lower Canada, then known as Canada East and later the province of Quebec, and Upper Canada, then known as Canada West and later the province of Ontario...
for Rigaud division. In 1853, Harwood helped found the Vaudreuil Railway Company.
Seigneur de Vaudreuil
Despite being an Englishman who had married into the right to be called a seigneurSeigneurial 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:...
, Harwood was held in great respect by his tenents. Exchanging a life of society and business in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, he and his wife arrived in Vaudreuil
Vaudreuil
-Places:Canada* Vaudreuil-Dorion, a city located west of Montreal, Quebec* Terrasse-Vaudreuil, Quebec, a small Quebec municipality located near Montreal* Vaudreuil-Soulanges Regional County Municipality, Quebec...
in 1829 to bring the estate back to order. Rather than relying on rents as an income he built a large scale co-operative mill to the great benefit of all those who lived on his land. He gave generously to churches, schools and the needy in Vaudreuil. He described his interest in pursuing reforms in agriculture and transportation as a 'a hobby', but he displayed a firm grasp of the problems facing his tenants, and it revealed his genuine concern to improve things.
When it came to collecting his seigneurial dues he preferred leniency to litigation, adding to the respect and admiration that his tenents held for him. His brother in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on the other hand berated him for his liberal attitude writing to him that 'the management of property to advantage is a talent not possessed by many, and certainly not by our family'. But the French speaking newspaper La Minerve wrote at his death,
Mr Harwood's conduct as a seigneur has been and remains irreproachable... Few seigneurs were as well liked by their censitaires as he was... The Hon. Robt. Harwood was much respected, indulgent to his tenantry, of unspotted reputation, courteous and considerate to all with whom he had relations
Chateau Vaudreuil
In 1830, Harwood rebuilt the old manor house at Vaudreuil where his wife had grown up, naming the new house 'Chateau Vaudreuil'. It was a large and imposing four storey, stone house on a hill. After Harwood's death, when the Seigneurial system of New FranceSeigneurial 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:...
had been abolished, his heirs sold the house and it subsequently became the College de St. Raphael before it was destroyed by fire. After the fire, under the foundation stone a leaden plate stamped with three fleurs de lys was found bearing the French inscription -
This stone was laid by Lady Louise Elyzabeth de Joybert, wife of the high and powerful Seigneur Philippe de Rigaud (Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil
Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil
Philippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil was a French politician, who was Governor-general of New France from 1703 to 1725....
), Chevalier, Marquis de Vaudreuil, Grand Cross Order of Saint Louis
Order of Saint Louis
The Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis was a military Order of Chivalry founded on 5 April 1693 by Louis XIV and named after Saint Louis . It was intended as a reward for exceptional officers, and is notable as the first decoration that could be granted to non-nobles...
, Governor and Lieutenant-General to the King of all of New France in 1723, the 15th of March.
Lady Louise de Joybert was the daughter of Pierre de Joybert de Soulanges et de Marson
Pierre de Joybert de Soulanges et de Marson
Pierre de Joybert de Soulanges et de Marson was the administrator of Acadia in 1677-1678.Born at Saint-Hilaire de Soulanges, Marne in Champagne, France, son of Claude de Joybert, Seigneur de Soulanges. As a young man he served in Portugal before coming to Quebec in 1665 as a Lieutenant in the...
and his wife Marie-Francoise (who died in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, 1732), the daughter of Louis-Théandre Chartier de Lotbinière
Louis-Théandre Chartier de Lotbinière
Louis-Théandre Chartier de Lotbinière , considered by some sources to have been the 'Father of the Canadian Magistrature', he was the disreputable Lieutenant-General of the Provost's Court of New France...
, Mrs Harwood's great, great, great grandfather.
Family
Robert Unwin Harwood died at Chateau Vaudreuil in 1863, and he and his family are buried in the Chartier de Lotbiniere (subsequently the de Lotbiniere-Harwood) vault at their Church, Saint-Michel, Vaudreuil, built by Mrs Harwood's grandfather, Michel Chartier de Lotbinière, Marquis de LotbinièreMichel Chartier de Lotbinière, Marquis de Lotbinière
Michel Chartier de Lotbinière, 1st Marquis de Lotbinière , Seigneur of Vaudreuil, Lotbinière and Rigaud, Quebec etc. On his advice, the Marquis de Montcalm successfully attacked Fort William Henry in 1757...
. He and his wife were the parents of ten children. Their sons, Henry Stanislas Harwood
Henry Stanislas Harwood
The Hon. Henry Stanislas de Lotbiniere Harwood was a Quebec farmer and political figure. He represented Vaudreuil in the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal member from 1891 to 1892 and 1893 to 1904....
and Robert William Harwood, became members of the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
, and another, Antoine Chartier de Lotbinière Harwood
Antoine Chartier de Lotbinière Harwood
Antoine Chartier de Lotbinière Harwood was a Quebec lawyer and political figure. He represented Vaudreuil in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec from 1867 to 1871....
, represented Vaudreuil
Vaudreuil
-Places:Canada* Vaudreuil-Dorion, a city located west of Montreal, Quebec* Terrasse-Vaudreuil, Quebec, a small Quebec municipality located near Montreal* Vaudreuil-Soulanges Regional County Municipality, Quebec...
in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
The Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada was the lower house of the legislature for the Province of Canada, which consisted of the former provinces of Lower Canada, then known as Canada East and later the province of Quebec, and Upper Canada, then known as Canada West and later the...
in 1863 and then for Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
in 1867. Harwood's nephew, Sir Henri-Gustave Joly de Lotbinière
Henri-Gustave Joly de Lotbinière
Sir Henri-Gustave Joly de Lotbinière, served as the fourth Premier of the Canadian province of Quebec, a federal Cabinet minister, and the seventh Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.- Early years :...
served as the Prime Minister of Quebec and Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia is the viceregal representative in British Columbia of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared with equally the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest...
. Of their daughters, one was married to Sir Henri-Elzear Taschereau, and another married a grandson of Jean-Antoine Panet
Jean-Antoine Panet
Jean-Antoine Panet was a notary, lawyer, judge, seigneur and political figure in Lower Canada.He was born in Quebec in 1751, the son of Jean-Claude Panet. He served in the militia defending the town of Quebec during the American Revolution and he later attained the rank of ieutenant-colonel in the...
. One of his grand-daughters married Major-General Sir Sam Steele
Sam Steele
Major General Sir Samuel Benfield Steele, CB, KCMG, MVO was a distinguished Canadian soldier and police official...
. His family became known as the de Lotbinière-Harwood family, the co-seigneurs of Vaudreuil
Vaudreuil
-Places:Canada* Vaudreuil-Dorion, a city located west of Montreal, Quebec* Terrasse-Vaudreuil, Quebec, a small Quebec municipality located near Montreal* Vaudreuil-Soulanges Regional County Municipality, Quebec...
.
Photographs
- Robert Unwin Harwood, circa 1860
- Harwood's father, William Harwood
- Harwood's mother, Elizabeth (Unwin) Harwood
- Early Portrait of Robert Unwin Harwood
- Early Portrait of Marie-Louise-Josephte (Chartier de Lotbinière) Harwood
- Mrs Marie-Louise-Josephte Harwood, 1863
- The Harwood's eldest son, Antoine Chartier de Lotbiniere Harwood
- The Harwood's third son, William Bingham de Lotbiniere Harwood
- The Harwood's fourth son, Alain Chartier de Lotbiniere Harwood
- The Harwood's daughter, Marie-Henriette or Elizabeth, standing in the centre of the group
