Sir John Pelly, 1st Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir John Henry Pelly, 1st Baronet, DL
(31 March 1777-13 August 1852) was an English
businessman. During most of his career, he was an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company
(HBC), serving as Governor of the HBC for three decades. He held other noteworthy offices, including Governor of the Bank of England
. The title of Baronet Pelly
was created for him.
, as did his father. Sally-Hitchen Blake (died 1824) was his mother.
Pelly was a fourth generation sailor, and may have served in the Royal Navy
at a young age.
in 1823, and Deputy Master some years later. He was a Commissioner of the Lord Lieutenant of the City of London
, and of the Loan Office of Public Works and Fisheries. He served as magistrate and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant
of Essex
on 16 October 1810. From 1841-1842, he was Governor of the Bank of England
. He was appointed a vice-president of the Marine Society in 1847.
Pelly was also a businessman. He owned timber plantations in Norway
. With Charles Boulton, and his father-in-law, Henry Boulton, Pelly was a partner in the company, Norway Merchants.
With Jukes Coulson and Paul Malin, Pelly was a partner in the ironmonger and iron merchants company, Jukes Coulson & Co.
and Thomas Simpson
which assisted in the discovery of the Northwest Passage
. He was responsible for the 1849 colonization of Vancouver Island
.
Pelly developed a business relationship with Sir George Simpson
, Governor-in-Chief of Rupert’s Land, and an HBC employee. They were partners in the London firm, Pelly, Simpson & Co., and the Norwegian firm, Pelly & Co.
, Surrey
in 1807. She was the daughter of Henry Boulton of Thorncroft
, governor of the Corporation of Working Mines and Metals in Scotland
. They had ten children. HIs eight sons were: Sir John Henry (who succeeded as baronet), Raymond, Charles, Albert, Richard-Wilson, Edmund, Octavius, and Percy-Leonard. His two daughters were Juliana-Sally and Emma-Eugenia.
Sir Lewis Pelly
, Conservative
Member of Parliament
and an East India Company
officer, was his nephew.
Upon the recommendation of Lord Melbourne, he was created Baronet Pelly, of Upton in the county of Essex
in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 6 July 1840.
He had residences at Warnham Court near Horsham
, Sussex
, and Upton House, West Ham
, Essex
. Pelly died at his home, Upton House, in 1852.
, these included Pelly Island
and Pelly Lake. In Nunavut
, there is Mount Pelly, Pelly Bay, and Pelly Point. In Saskatchewan, the HBC post, Fort Pelly
bears his name, as well as the unincorporated town of Pelly
. In the Yukon
, Pelly Banks, Pelly Crossing
, Pelly Formation
, Pelly Lakes, Pelly Mountains
, and the Pelly River
bear his name.
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
(31 March 1777-13 August 1852) was an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
businessman. During most of his career, he was an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
(HBC), serving as Governor of the HBC for three decades. He held other noteworthy offices, including Governor of the Bank of England
Governor of the Bank of England
The Governor of the Bank of England is the most senior position in the Bank of England. It is nominally a civil service post, but the appointment tends to be from within the Bank, with the incumbent grooming his or her successor...
. The title of Baronet Pelly
Pelly Baronets
The Pelly Baronetcy, of Upton in the County of Essex, is a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 12 August 1840 for John Pelly, Governor of the Bank of England and of the Hudson's Bay Company. The title descended in the direct line until the early death of his grandson,...
was created for him.
Early years
Pelly was born 31 March 1777. His father was Captain John Hinde Pelly (1744–1818), Esq., of Upton who worked for the East India CompanyEast India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
, as did his father. Sally-Hitchen Blake (died 1824) was his mother.
Pelly was a fourth generation sailor, and may have served in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
at a young age.
Career
Pelly became an Elder Brother of Trinity HouseTrinity House
The Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond is the official General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales and other British territorial waters...
in 1823, and Deputy Master some years later. He was a Commissioner of the Lord Lieutenant of the City of London
Lord Lieutenant of the City of London
The City of London is unique in that the post of Lord-Lieutenant is held in commission. The Lord Mayor of the City of London is the head of the Commission of Lieutenancy....
, and of the Loan Office of Public Works and Fisheries. He served as magistrate and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
of Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
on 16 October 1810. From 1841-1842, he was Governor of the Bank of England
Bank of England
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694, it is the second oldest central bank in the world...
. He was appointed a vice-president of the Marine Society in 1847.
Pelly was also a businessman. He owned timber plantations in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. With Charles Boulton, and his father-in-law, Henry Boulton, Pelly was a partner in the company, Norway Merchants.
With Jukes Coulson and Paul Malin, Pelly was a partner in the ironmonger and iron merchants company, Jukes Coulson & Co.
Hudson's Bay Company
Pelly was a Director of the HBC before becoming its 17th Governor, serving in that capacity for three decades, from 1822 through 1852. Pelly was responsible for organizing several exploration parties, including some for Peter Warren DeasePeter Warren Dease
Peter Warren Dease was a Canadian fur trader and arctic explorer.-Early life:Peter Warren Dease was born at Michilimackinac on January 1, 1788, the fourth son of Dr. John Dease, captain and deputy agent of Indian Affairs, and Jane French, Catholic Mohawk from Caughnawaga...
and Thomas Simpson
Thomas Simpson
Thomas Simpson FRS was a British mathematician, inventor and eponym of Simpson's rule to approximate definite integrals...
which assisted in the discovery of the Northwest Passage
Northwest Passage
The Northwest Passage is a sea route through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America via waterways amidst the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans...
. He was responsible for the 1849 colonization of Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
.
Pelly developed a business relationship with Sir George Simpson
George Simpson (administrator)
Sir George Simpson was a Scots-Quebecer and employee of the Hudson's Bay Company . His title was Governor-in-Chief of Rupert's Land and administrator over the Northwest Territories and Columbia Department in British North America from 1821 to 1860.-Early years:George Simpson was born in Dingwall,...
, Governor-in-Chief of Rupert’s Land, and an HBC employee. They were partners in the London firm, Pelly, Simpson & Co., and the Norwegian firm, Pelly & Co.
Personal life
He married Emma Boulton (1786–1856) of LeatherheadLeatherhead
Leatherhead is a town in the County of Surrey, England, on the River Mole, part of Mole Valley district. It is thought to be of Saxon origin...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
in 1807. She was the daughter of Henry Boulton of Thorncroft
Copthorne (hundred)
Copthorne was a hundred in what is now Surrey, England. It includes the following places: Ashtead, Burgh, Cuddington, Epsom, Ewell, Fetcham, Headley, Leatherhead, Mickleham, Pachevesham , Tadworth, Thorncroft and Walton-on-the-Hill....
, governor of the Corporation of Working Mines and Metals 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...
. They had ten children. HIs eight sons were: Sir John Henry (who succeeded as baronet), Raymond, Charles, Albert, Richard-Wilson, Edmund, Octavius, and Percy-Leonard. His two daughters were Juliana-Sally and Emma-Eugenia.
Sir Lewis Pelly
Lewis Pelly
Sir Lewis Pelly, KCSI, , was Conservative Member of Parliament for Hackney North from 1885 to 1892 and an East India Company officer.-Early years:...
, Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
and an East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
officer, was his nephew.
Upon the recommendation of Lord Melbourne, he was created Baronet Pelly, of Upton in the county of Essex
Pelly Baronets
The Pelly Baronetcy, of Upton in the County of Essex, is a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 12 August 1840 for John Pelly, Governor of the Bank of England and of the Hudson's Bay Company. The title descended in the direct line until the early death of his grandson,...
in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 6 July 1840.
He had residences at Warnham Court near Horsham
Horsham
Horsham is a market town with a population of 55,657 on the upper reaches of the River Arun in the centre of the Weald, West Sussex, in the historic County of Sussex, England. The town is south south-west of London, north-west of Brighton and north-east of the county town of Chichester...
, Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
, and Upton House, West Ham
West Ham
West Ham is in the London Borough of Newham in London, England. In the west it is a post-industrial neighbourhood abutting the site of the London Olympic Park and in the east it is mostly residential, consisting of Victorian terraced housing interspersed with higher density post-War social housing...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
. Pelly died at his home, Upton House, in 1852.
Honors
Several landforms were named in his honor. In the Northwest TerritoriesNorthwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
, these included Pelly Island
Pelly Island
Pelly Island is an uninhabited island in the Beaufort Sea. It is named for Sir John Pelly, 1st Baronet, the 17th Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company....
and Pelly Lake. In Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
, there is Mount Pelly, Pelly Bay, and Pelly Point. In Saskatchewan, the HBC post, Fort Pelly
Fort Pelly
Fort Pelly was a Hudson's Bay Company fur trading post located in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The fort was probably named after Sir John Pelly, governor of the Hudson's Bay Company...
bears his name, as well as the unincorporated town of Pelly
Pelly, Saskatchewan
-External links:********...
. In the Yukon
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
, Pelly Banks, Pelly Crossing
Pelly Crossing, Yukon
Pelly Crossing is community in the Yukon, Canada. It lies where the Klondike Highway crosses the Pelly River. Population in 2008 was 291.It is the home of the Selkirk First Nation, and home to the Northern Tutchone culture. Cultural displays and artifacts are housed in a replica of Big Jonathan House...
, Pelly Formation
Pelly Formation
The Pelly Formation is a lava flow in the Yukon Territory, Canada. It was erupted during the Pleistocene and is in the Volcano Mountain area in the northern portion of the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province.-See also:*List of volcanoes in Canada...
, Pelly Lakes, Pelly Mountains
Pelly Mountains
The Pelly Mountains are a mountain range in the Yukon, Canada. It has an area of 44014 km2 and is a subrange of the Yukon Ranges which in turn form part of the Pacific Coast Ranges.-References:...
, and the Pelly River
Pelly River
The Pelly River is a river in Canada, and is a headstream of the Yukon River. The river originates west of the Mackenzie Mountains and flows 530 km long through the south central Yukon. The Pelly has two main tributaries, the Ross and Macmillan rivers.The river was named by Robert Campbell in...
bear his name.
Further reading
- Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.