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{{short description|Canadian politician}}
{{about|the political figure in Upper Canada|the Australian author|Richard Beasley (author)|the American politician|Richard Lee Beasley}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
⚫
| name = Richard Beasley
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1761|07|21}}
| birth_place = [[Province of New York]], [[New England]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1842|02|16|1761|07|21}}
| death_place = [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Canada West]]
⚫
}}


'''Richard Beasley''' (July 21, 1761 – February 16, 1842) was a soldier, political figure, farmer and businessman in [[Upper Canada]].
'''Richard Beasley''' (July 21, 1761 – February 16, 1842) was a soldier, political figure, farmer, and businessman in [[Upper Canada]].


==Early life==
He was born in [[New York]] in 1761 and moved to [[Quebec]] in 1777. In 1783, he formed a partnership with [[Peter Smith]] in the [[fur trade]]. In 1788, he settled in [[Barton Township, Ontario|Barton Township]] on [[Lake Ontario]] near the current city of [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]],<ref name=HAMBIO1>{{cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1981}}</ref> still involved in trading furs. He built a [[sawmill]] and [[grist mill]] there. However, in 1800, after speculating in land along the [[Grand River (Ontario)|Grand River]], he was forced to sell part of his property to cover debts. At one time he owned {{convert|13350|acre|km2}} of land in what is now [[Kitchener, Ontario]]. Much of it was later sold to [[Germans|German]] settlers.<ref name=SAGA>{{cite book|title=Saga of a City|first=Milton |last=Watson|publisher=The Hamilton Spectator|year=1938}}</ref>
He was born in the British [[Province of New York|colony of New York]] in 1761 and moved to [[Quebec]] in 1777. In 1783, he partnered with Peter Smith in the [[fur trade]]. In 1788, he settled in [[Barton Township, Ontario|Barton Township]] on [[Lake Ontario]] near the current city of [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]],<ref name=HAMBIO1>{{cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W. L. Griffin Ltd|year=1981}}</ref> still involved in trading furs. Richard Beasley became one of the founders of [[Ancaster, Ontario|Ancaster]] when he gave millwright James Wilson half of the financial backing to build a grist-mill in 1791 and a sawmill in 1792. In 1797, Beasley sold his half-share of the mills to fur trader and businessman Jean Rousseaux. Ultimately, by 1800, after speculating on land originally granted to the [[Six Nations of the Grand River]] in 1784 by the [[Haldimand Proclamation]] along the [[Grand River (Ontario)|Grand River]], he was forced to sell part of his property to cover debts. At one time, he owned {{convert|13350|acre|km2}} of land in what is now [[Kitchener, Ontario]]. Much of it was later sold to German-speaking [[Pennsylvania Dutch]] settlers.<ref name=SAGA>{{cite book|title=Saga of a City|first=Milton |last=Watson|publisher=The Hamilton Spectator|year=1938}}</ref>


==Political career==
In 1796, he was elected to the [[2nd Parliament of Upper Canada]], representing [[Durham County, Ontario|Durham]], [[York County, Ontario|York]] & 1st [[Lincoln County, Ontario|Lincoln]]. He was also appointed magistrate in the same year. In the next Parliament, he represented West York, Lincoln & [[Haldimand County, Ontario|Haldimand]] and served as speaker from 1803 to 1804. In 1802, he became a lieutenant colonel in the York militia. In 1808, he was elected to represent West York in the [[5th Parliament of Upper Canada|5th Parliament]], but he was unseated because it was found that his agent had closed the polls too early.
In 1796, he was elected to the [[2nd Parliament of Upper Canada]], representing [[Durham County, Ontario|Durham]], [[York County, Ontario|York]] & 1st [[Lincoln County, Ontario|Lincoln]]. He was also appointed magistrate in the same year. In the next Parliament, he represented West York, Lincoln & [[Haldimand County, Ontario|Haldimand]] and served as speaker from 1803 to 1804. In 1802, he became a lieutenant colonel in the York militia. In 1808, he was elected to represent West York in the [[5th Parliament of Upper Canada|5th Parliament]], but he was unseated because it was found that his agent had closed the polls too early. Beasley, like most of the members of the Upper Canada Legislative Assembly during this period, was a [[Slavery in Canada#Upper Canada (Ontario)|enslaver]]. He enslaved several people in Hamilton.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/black-enslavement/ |title=Black Enslavement in Canada |last=Henry |first=Natasha L. |website=The Canadian Encyclopedia |language=en |access-date=2018-04-04}}</ref>


Beasley occupied [[Burlington Heights (Ontario)|Burlington Heights]] (now the site of [[Dundurn Castle]] and Harvey Park) in 1790, establishing a trading operation there.
⚫
Beasley occupied ''Burlington Heights'' (now the site of ''Dundurn'' and ''Harvey Parks'') in 1790. Financial difficulties forced Beasley to sell lands at Burlington Heights, but it was purchased by [[Allan MacNab|Sir Allan Napier MacNab]] who built [[Dundurn Castle]] on the foundations of Beasley's brick home.<ref name="HAMBIO1"/> A recent book by David Richard Beasley gives an account of Richard Beasley's life: From Bloody Beginnings: Richard Beasley's Upper Canada [Simcoe: Davus, 2008]


In 1813, retreating [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] forces set up camp on his land, causing considerable damage. After the war, he took part in a convention organized by radical reformer [[Robert Fleming Gourlay]]. As a result, he lost his post as magistrate. In addition, allegations regarding his participation in the [[War of 1812]] were raised.
In May 1813, [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] forces retreating from the Niagara area set up camp on his land, erecting earthworks and other fortifications. The British launched a successful counter-attack against the Americans from this encampment at [[Battle of Stoney Creek|Stoney Creek]] a week later. After the [[War of 1812]], he regained his land from the British and took part in a convention organized by radical reformer [[Robert Fleming Gourlay]]. As a result, he lost his post as magistrate. In addition, allegations regarding his participation in the [[War of 1812]] were raised.

⚫
Financial difficulties forced Beasley to sell lands at Burlington Heights, but it was purchased by [[Allan MacNab|Sir Allan Napier MacNab]] who built [[Dundurn Castle]] on the foundations of Beasley's brick home.<ref name="HAMBIO1"/>


In 1824, he was elected to represent [[Halton County, Ontario|Halton]] and became a magistrate again in 1827.
In 1824, he was elected to represent [[Halton County, Ontario|Halton]] and became a magistrate again in 1827.


He died in Hamilton in 1842. His gravesite is at the back of Christ Church Cathedral in Hamilton, Ontario. A recent book, From Bloody Beginnings: Richard Beasley's Upper Canada, issued by Davus Publishing and authored by David Beasley is creative non-fiction ostensibly told in his voice.
He died in Hamilton in 1842. His grave site is at the back of Christ Church Cathedral in Hamilton, Ontario.


==Tribute==
==Legacy==


The [[Beasley (Hamilton, Ontario)|Beasley]] neighbourhood in Hamilton is named after him. It is bounded by [[Barton Street (Hamilton, Ontario)|Barton Street East]] (north), [[Main Street (Hamilton, Ontario)|Main Street East]] (south), [[John Street (Hamilton, Ontario)|John Street North]] (west) and [[Wellington Street (Hamilton, Ontario)|Wellington Street North]] (east). Landmarks in this neighbourhood include [[Landmark Place]], ''Ramada Plaza hotel'', ''Connaught Block/Royal Connaught hotel'', the ''International Village'', ''Theatre Aquarius'' and [[Beasley Park (Hamilton, Ontario)|Beasley Park]], which was also named after him.<ref name=TOURISM>{{cite journal| title = Experience Hamilton: Tourist Guide 2006/2007| journal = Tourism Hamilton| pages = 34–35| date = Winter 2006}}</ref>
The [[Beasley (Hamilton, Ontario)|Beasley]] neighbourhood in Hamilton is named after him. It is bounded by [[Barton Street (Hamilton, Ontario)|Barton Street East]] (north), [[Main Street (Hamilton, Ontario)|Main Street East]] (south), [[John Street (Hamilton, Ontario)|John Street North]] (west) and [[Wellington Street (Hamilton, Ontario)|Wellington Street North]] (east). Notable features of this neighbourhood include [[Landmark Place]], [[Royal Connaught Hotel]] and [[Beasley Park (Hamilton, Ontario)|Beasley Park]], which was also named after him.<ref name=TOURISM>{{cite journal| title = Experience Hamilton: Tourist Guide 2006/2007| journal = Tourism Hamilton| pages = 34–35| date = Winter 2006}}</ref>


Richard Beasley Public School, also named after him, is a primary school on the east Mountain.
Richard Beasley Public School, also named after him, is a primary school on Hamilton's east mountain.


== See also ==
== See also ==


*[[Samuel D. Betzner]]
*[[Samuel D. Betzner]]

==Further reading==
* Beasley, David Richard.''From Bloody Beginnings (Richard Beasley's Upper Canada)''. Simcoe, Ontario: Davus Publishing, 2008. {{ISBN|0915317249}}


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>

* MapArt [[Golden Horseshoe]] Atlas - Page 647 - Grids F12, F13, G12, G13


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=3238 Biography at the ''Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online'']
*[http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=3238 Biography at the ''Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online'']


{{Authority control|VIAF=1913677}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
⚫
| NAME = Beasley, Richard
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Canadian politician
| DATE OF BIRTH = July 21, 1761
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = February 16, 1842
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beasley, Richard}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beasley, Richard}}
[[Category:1761 births]]
[[Category:1761 births]]
[[Category:1842 deaths]]
[[Category:1842 deaths]]
[[Category:Members of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada]]
[[Category:Members of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada]]
[[Category:People from Hamilton, Ontario]]
[[Category:Politicians from Hamilton, Ontario]]
⚫
[[Category:Canadian judges]]
[[Category:Canadian fur traders]]
[[Category:Canadian fur traders]]
[[Category:People from New York]]
[[Category:People from colonial New York]]
[[Category:United Empire Loyalists]]
[[Category:United Empire Loyalists]]
[[Category:Pre-Confederation Canadian businesspeople]]
[[Category:19th-century Canadian businesspeople]]
[[Category:18th-century Canadian merchants]]
[[Category:Upper Canada judges]]
[[Category:Canadian slave owners]]
⚫
[[Category:Canadian magistrates]]

Latest revision as of 20:01, 2 October 2024

Richard Beasley
Personal details
Born(1761-07-21)July 21, 1761
Province of New York, New England
DiedFebruary 16, 1842(1842-02-16) (aged 80)
Hamilton, Canada West

Richard Beasley (July 21, 1761 – February 16, 1842) was a soldier, political figure, farmer, and businessman in Upper Canada.

Early life

[edit]

He was born in the British colony of New York in 1761 and moved to Quebec in 1777. In 1783, he partnered with Peter Smith in the fur trade. In 1788, he settled in Barton Township on Lake Ontario near the current city of Hamilton,[1] still involved in trading furs. Richard Beasley became one of the founders of Ancaster when he gave millwright James Wilson half of the financial backing to build a grist-mill in 1791 and a sawmill in 1792. In 1797, Beasley sold his half-share of the mills to fur trader and businessman Jean Rousseaux. Ultimately, by 1800, after speculating on land originally granted to the Six Nations of the Grand River in 1784 by the Haldimand Proclamation along the Grand River, he was forced to sell part of his property to cover debts. At one time, he owned 13,350 acres (54.0 km2) of land in what is now Kitchener, Ontario. Much of it was later sold to German-speaking Pennsylvania Dutch settlers.[2]

Political career

[edit]

In 1796, he was elected to the 2nd Parliament of Upper Canada, representing Durham, York & 1st Lincoln. He was also appointed magistrate in the same year. In the next Parliament, he represented West York, Lincoln & Haldimand and served as speaker from 1803 to 1804. In 1802, he became a lieutenant colonel in the York militia. In 1808, he was elected to represent West York in the 5th Parliament, but he was unseated because it was found that his agent had closed the polls too early. Beasley, like most of the members of the Upper Canada Legislative Assembly during this period, was a enslaver. He enslaved several people in Hamilton.[3]

Beasley occupied Burlington Heights (now the site of Dundurn Castle and Harvey Park) in 1790, establishing a trading operation there.

In May 1813, British forces retreating from the Niagara area set up camp on his land, erecting earthworks and other fortifications. The British launched a successful counter-attack against the Americans from this encampment at Stoney Creek a week later. After the War of 1812, he regained his land from the British and took part in a convention organized by radical reformer Robert Fleming Gourlay. As a result, he lost his post as magistrate. In addition, allegations regarding his participation in the War of 1812 were raised.

Financial difficulties forced Beasley to sell lands at Burlington Heights, but it was purchased by Sir Allan Napier MacNab who built Dundurn Castle on the foundations of Beasley's brick home.[1]

In 1824, he was elected to represent Halton and became a magistrate again in 1827.

He died in Hamilton in 1842. His grave site is at the back of Christ Church Cathedral in Hamilton, Ontario.

Legacy

[edit]

The Beasley neighbourhood in Hamilton is named after him. It is bounded by Barton Street East (north), Main Street East (south), John Street North (west) and Wellington Street North (east). Notable features of this neighbourhood include Landmark Place, Royal Connaught Hotel and Beasley Park, which was also named after him.[4]

Richard Beasley Public School, also named after him, is a primary school on Hamilton's east mountain.

See also

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
  • Beasley, David Richard.From Bloody Beginnings (Richard Beasley's Upper Canada). Simcoe, Ontario: Davus Publishing, 2008. ISBN 0915317249

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Bailey, Thomas Melville (1981). Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875). W. L. Griffin Ltd.
  2. ^ Watson, Milton (1938). Saga of a City. The Hamilton Spectator.
  3. ^ Henry, Natasha L. "Black Enslavement in Canada". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  4. ^ "Experience Hamilton: Tourist Guide 2006/2007". Tourism Hamilton: 34–35. Winter 2006.
[edit]
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