William Botsford Jarvis
Encyclopedia
William Botsford Jarvis (May 4, 1799 – July 26, 1864) was an important member of the Family Compact
and Sheriff of the Home District. His estate in what was then York, Upper Canada
gave it's name to Rosedale, Toronto
. Jarvis Street
was named for his cousin, Samuel
.
, he was the son of United Empire Loyalists from Danbury, Connecticut
and named for his father's friend, William Botsford
. His father, Colonel Stephen Jarvis (1756–1840) of the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons
, became Adjutant-General to the Forces
in Upper Canada
and Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to the Parliament of Canada
. Colonel Jarvis had fought with the British
during the American Revolutionary War
, but was captured by the Americans in his home town at Connecticut
. He escaped in a canoe
to Long Island
, rejoining the British forces there. After the war he joined some cousins in New Brunswick
, where William was born, before being persuaded to move to York, Upper Canada
in 1809 by one of them, 'the incompetent and dishonest' William Jarvis (Upper Canada official)
.
with the entrepreneur Joseph Bloor
, and he was involved in the incorporation of a number of companies in the Toronto
area including the Victoria Mining Company in 1856.
In 1827 he was the choice of the Family Compact
to be Sheriff of the Home District, and was duly elected. In 1837, as sheriff, he stopped William Lyon Mackenzie
and his rebels during Upper Canada Rebellion
from entering York, Upper Canada
, forcing them back to engage at the Battle of Montgomery's Tavern. After the rebellion was repressed he presided over the executions of Peter Matthews
and Samuel Lount
, even though it was Lount who had stopped the rebels burning Jarvis's home. Mackenzie and Jarvis were bitter enemies and he was intent on burning Rosedale to the ground, but Jarvis' wife and two of her sick children were in the house, and it was Lount who declared to the rebels that he was not there to fight women and sick children. Jarvis served as sheriff until 1856.
In 1830, he was elected to the 11th Parliament of Upper Canada
for the town of York, Upper Canada
; he was defeated in 1834. He was elected to the town council for Toronto
in 1841, but resigned the following year. Jarvis died at his home, Rosedale, in 1864.
district of Toronto was named after Jarvis' residence, Rosedale House, that formerly occupied that space. The house, which overlooked Castle Frank Brook, a tributary of the Don River, was "a wonderful rambling villa
perched on the edge of a ravine... with a wildflower garden, a conservatory full of hothouse flowers, and, the envy of Toronto, a magnificent curving double staircase that descended to a foyer panelled in richest walnut." Two new wings were added to either side of the house c.1830 containing a peach house, a grape house, bedrooms, a morning room and a large verandah. Orchards, quiet arbours, rose gardens and masses of flowers surrounded the house, which was named by Jarvis' wife Mary, granddaughter of William Dummer Powell
, for the wild roses that grew so abundantly throughout the estate.
, and his wife. The Jarvis' were the parents of five children: (1) Anne Frances Jarvis (1830–1919), married Edmund Allen Meredith
, for whom Meredith Crescent in Rosedale
is named (2) Louisa Jarvis (b.1831), married (Daniel) Augustus Nanton (d.1873), the parents of Sir Augustus Meredith Nanton, father-in-law of Malcolm Trustram Eve, 1st Baron Silsoe
(3) Lt.-Colonel William Dummer Jarvis (1834–1914) of the 12th York Rangers and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
married Margaret, daughter of William Parker Ranney H.E.I.C.S., of Topsham, Devon
(4) Sarah Harriet Jarvis (b.1836), married in 1854 Lewis William Ord, a first cousin of Sir Harry Ord
, and the son of Major Robert Hutchinson Ord (1789–1829) D.L., of Greenstead Hall, Essex
, formerly of the King's Hussars (5) Lt.-Colonel Robert Edward Colborne Jarvis (b.1842) of the 67th Leinster Regiment). He was attached to the Staff College at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
. He then served with the Red Cross Ambulance Corps throughout the Franco-Prussian War
, and was awarded by the French government in recognition of his services with one of only two gold crosses made. He served on the staff of Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts
during the Second Anglo-Afghan War
, and was one of the lucky few to survive the infamous withdrawal through the Khyber Pass
. He later served in South Africa. Though 'an elegant young man, a very lady-killer', he died unmarried.
Family Compact
Fully developed after the War of 1812, the Compact lasted until Upper and Lower Canada were united in 1841. In Lower Canada, its equivalent was the Château Clique. The influence of the Family Compact on the government administration at different levels lasted to the 1880s...
and Sheriff of the Home District. His estate in what was then York, Upper Canada
York, Upper Canada
York was the name of Old Toronto between 1793 and 1834. It was the second capital of Upper Canada.- History :The town was established in 1793 by Governor John Graves Simcoe, with a new 'Fort York' on the site of the last French 'Fort Toronto'...
gave it's name to Rosedale, Toronto
Rosedale, Toronto
Rosedale is an affluent neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which was formerly the estate of William Botsford Jarvis, and so named by his wife, granddaughter of William Dummer Powell, for the wild roses that grew there in abundance....
. Jarvis Street
Jarvis Street
Jarvis Street is a north-south thoroughfare in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, passing through some of the oldest developed areas in the city. Its alignment extends from Bloor Street in the north to Queens Quay East in the south. South of Front Street, it continues as Lower Jarvis Street...
was named for his cousin, Samuel
Samuel Jarvis
Samuel Peters Jarvis was a Canadian government official in the nineteenth century. He was the Chief Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Upper Canada , and he was a member of the Family Compact....
.
Birth
Born in Fredericton, New BrunswickFredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, by virtue of the provincial parliament which sits there. An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art...
, he was the son of United Empire Loyalists from Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury is a city in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It had population at the 2010 census of 80,893. Danbury is the fourth largest city in Fairfield County and is the seventh largest city in Connecticut....
and named for his father's friend, William Botsford
William Botsford
William Botsford was a lawyer, judge and political figure in the pre-Confederation Province of New Brunswick, Canada....
. His father, Colonel Stephen Jarvis (1756–1840) of the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons
17th Regiment of Light Dragoons (1759)
The 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons was a cavalry regiment of the British Army raised in 1759 and disbanded in 1763.It was raised in Scotland by Captain Lord Aberdour in 1759, for service in the Seven Years' War, and disbanded following the Treaty of Paris in 1763.-References:"On the institution of...
, became Adjutant-General to the Forces
Adjutant-General to the Forces
The Adjutant-General to the Forces, commonly just referred to as the Adjutant-General , is one of the most senior officers in the British Army. He is in charge of administration, personnel and organisational matters. The Adjutant-General usually holds the rank of General or Lieutenant-General...
in Upper Canada
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...
and Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to the Parliament of Canada
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
. Colonel Jarvis had fought with the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, but was captured by the Americans in his home town at Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. He escaped in a canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
to Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, rejoining the British forces there. After the war he joined some cousins in New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, where William was born, before being persuaded to move to York, Upper Canada
York, Upper Canada
York was the name of Old Toronto between 1793 and 1834. It was the second capital of Upper Canada.- History :The town was established in 1793 by Governor John Graves Simcoe, with a new 'Fort York' on the site of the last French 'Fort Toronto'...
in 1809 by one of them, 'the incompetent and dishonest' William Jarvis (Upper Canada official)
William Jarvis (Upper Canada official)
William Jarvis was an American born head of famous Jarvis family of Toronto.Jarvis was born in Stamford, Connecticut to Samuel Jarvis, who was the town's clerk and Martha Seymour. The Jarvis family was forced to flee when his home was seized at the start of the American Revolution...
.
Business and politics
William Botsford Jarvis had ‘a gregarious and outgoing personality’. He founded Yorkville, TorontoYorkville, Toronto
Yorkville is a district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, well known for its shopping. It is a former village, annexed by the City of Toronto. It is roughly bounded by Bloor Street to the south, Davenport Road to the north, Yonge Street to the east and Avenue Road to the west, and is considered part of...
with the entrepreneur Joseph Bloor
Joseph Bloor
Joseph Bloore was an inkeeper, a brewer, and a land speculator in the 19th century who founded the Village of Yorkville and is the namesake for Bloor Street. Originally from Staffordshire he immigrated to Canada in 1819 and eventually moved to Toronto, where he became a prominent early figure...
, and he was involved in the incorporation of a number of companies in the Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
area including the Victoria Mining Company in 1856.
In 1827 he was the choice of the Family Compact
Family Compact
Fully developed after the War of 1812, the Compact lasted until Upper and Lower Canada were united in 1841. In Lower Canada, its equivalent was the Château Clique. The influence of the Family Compact on the government administration at different levels lasted to the 1880s...
to be Sheriff of the Home District, and was duly elected. In 1837, as sheriff, he stopped William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie was a Scottish born American and Canadian journalist, politician, and rebellion leader. He served as the first mayor of Toronto, Upper Canada and was an important leader during the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion.-Background and early years in Scotland, 1795–1820:Mackenzie was...
and his rebels during Upper Canada Rebellion
Upper Canada Rebellion
The Upper Canada Rebellion was, along with the Lower Canada Rebellion in Lower Canada, a rebellion against the British colonial government in 1837 and 1838. Collectively they are also known as the Rebellions of 1837.-Issues:...
from entering York, Upper Canada
York, Upper Canada
York was the name of Old Toronto between 1793 and 1834. It was the second capital of Upper Canada.- History :The town was established in 1793 by Governor John Graves Simcoe, with a new 'Fort York' on the site of the last French 'Fort Toronto'...
, forcing them back to engage at the Battle of Montgomery's Tavern. After the rebellion was repressed he presided over the executions of Peter Matthews
Peter Matthews (rebel)
Peter Matthews was a farmer and soldier who participated in the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837.He was born in the Bay of Quinte region of Upper Canada around 1789, the son of United Empire Loyalists. In 1799, the family moved to Pickering Township. Peter served with Isaac Brock as a sergeant in...
and Samuel Lount
Samuel Lount
Samuel Lount was a businessman and political figure in the province of Upper Canada. He participated in the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837....
, even though it was Lount who had stopped the rebels burning Jarvis's home. Mackenzie and Jarvis were bitter enemies and he was intent on burning Rosedale to the ground, but Jarvis' wife and two of her sick children were in the house, and it was Lount who declared to the rebels that he was not there to fight women and sick children. Jarvis served as sheriff until 1856.
In 1830, he was elected to the 11th Parliament of Upper Canada
11th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 11th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 7 January 1831. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in October 1830. All sessions were held at York, later Toronto...
for the town of York, Upper Canada
York, Upper Canada
York was the name of Old Toronto between 1793 and 1834. It was the second capital of Upper Canada.- History :The town was established in 1793 by Governor John Graves Simcoe, with a new 'Fort York' on the site of the last French 'Fort Toronto'...
; he was defeated in 1834. He was elected to the town council for Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in 1841, but resigned the following year. Jarvis died at his home, Rosedale, in 1864.
Rosedale
The RosedaleRosedale, Toronto
Rosedale is an affluent neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which was formerly the estate of William Botsford Jarvis, and so named by his wife, granddaughter of William Dummer Powell, for the wild roses that grew there in abundance....
district of Toronto was named after Jarvis' residence, Rosedale House, that formerly occupied that space. The house, which overlooked Castle Frank Brook, a tributary of the Don River, was "a wonderful rambling villa
Villa
A villa was originally an ancient Roman upper-class country house. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became small farming compounds, which were increasingly fortified in Late Antiquity,...
perched on the edge of a ravine... with a wildflower garden, a conservatory full of hothouse flowers, and, the envy of Toronto, a magnificent curving double staircase that descended to a foyer panelled in richest walnut." Two new wings were added to either side of the house c.1830 containing a peach house, a grape house, bedrooms, a morning room and a large verandah. Orchards, quiet arbours, rose gardens and masses of flowers surrounded the house, which was named by Jarvis' wife Mary, granddaughter of William Dummer Powell
William Dummer Powell
William Dummer Powell was a Loyalist lawyer, judge and political figure in Upper Canada.-Early life and education:...
, for the wild roses that grew so abundantly throughout the estate.
Family
William Jarvis married Mary Boyles Powell (1803–1852), in 1828. She was brought up by her grandfather, Chief Justice William Dummer PowellWilliam Dummer Powell
William Dummer Powell was a Loyalist lawyer, judge and political figure in Upper Canada.-Early life and education:...
, and his wife. The Jarvis' were the parents of five children: (1) Anne Frances Jarvis (1830–1919), married Edmund Allen Meredith
Edmund Allen Meredith
Edmund Allen Meredith LL.D., was Under Secretary of State for Canada; a prison reformer, writer, and the third principal of McGill University from 1846 to 1853.-Early life in Ireland:...
, for whom Meredith Crescent in Rosedale
Rosedale
- Australia :* Rosedale, New South Wales* Rosedale, Queensland* Rosedale, Victoria* Rosedale, South Australia. The former Rosenthal.- Canada :* Rosedale, British Columbia* Rosedale, Calgary* Rosedale, Manitoba, rural municipality in the province of Manitoba....
is named (2) Louisa Jarvis (b.1831), married (Daniel) Augustus Nanton (d.1873), the parents of Sir Augustus Meredith Nanton, father-in-law of Malcolm Trustram Eve, 1st Baron Silsoe
Malcolm Trustram Eve, 1st Baron Silsoe
Arthur Malcolm Trustram Eve, 1st Baron Silsoe GBE, MC, TD, KC , known as Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve, 1st Baronet, from 1943 to 1963, was a British barrister and First Church Estates Commissioner....
(3) Lt.-Colonel William Dummer Jarvis (1834–1914) of the 12th York Rangers and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
married Margaret, daughter of William Parker Ranney H.E.I.C.S., of Topsham, Devon
Topsham, Devon
Topsham is a suburb of Exeter in the county of Devon, England, on the east side of the River Exe, immediately north of its confluence with the River Clyst and the former's estuary, between Exeter and Exmouth. Although village-sized, with a current population of around 5,023, it was designated a...
(4) Sarah Harriet Jarvis (b.1836), married in 1854 Lewis William Ord, a first cousin of Sir Harry Ord
Harry Ord
Major-General Sir Harry St. George Ord GCMG, CB, RE, was born on 4 August 1819 in North Cray, Kent, England. He was the son of Henry Gough Ord and grandson of Craven Ord of Greenstead Hall, Essex, a prominent antiquarian.-Education and career:...
, and the son of Major Robert Hutchinson Ord (1789–1829) D.L., of Greenstead Hall, 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...
, formerly of the King's Hussars (5) Lt.-Colonel Robert Edward Colborne Jarvis (b.1842) of the 67th Leinster Regiment). He was attached to the Staff College at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
. He then served with the Red Cross Ambulance Corps throughout the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
, and was awarded by the French government in recognition of his services with one of only two gold crosses made. He served on the staff of Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts
Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts
Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, Bt, VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, KStJ, PC was a distinguished Indian born British soldier who regarded himself as Anglo-Irish and one of the most successful British commanders of the 19th century.-Early life:Born at Cawnpore, India, on...
during the Second Anglo-Afghan War
Second Anglo-Afghan War
The Second Anglo-Afghan War was fought between the United Kingdom and Afghanistan from 1878 to 1880, when the nation was ruled by Sher Ali Khan of the Barakzai dynasty, the son of former Emir Dost Mohammad Khan. This was the second time British India invaded Afghanistan. The war ended in a manner...
, and was one of the lucky few to survive the infamous withdrawal through the Khyber Pass
Khyber Pass
The Khyber Pass, is a mountain pass linking Pakistan and Afghanistan.The Pass was an integral part of the ancient Silk Road. It is mentioned in the Bible as the "Pesh Habor," and it is one of the oldest known passes in the world....
. He later served in South Africa. Though 'an elegant young man, a very lady-killer', he died unmarried.