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'''John Askin''' (1739–1815) was a leading [[fur trade]]r, [[merchant]], and [[official]]. He was instrumental in the establishment of British rule in [[Upper Canada]].
'''John Askin''' (1739–1815) was a leading [[fur trade]]r, [[merchant]], and [[official]]. He was instrumental in the establishment of British rule in [[Upper Canada]].


==Biography==
==Early years==
He was born in [[Aughnacloy, County Tyrone|Aughnacloy]], [[Northern Ireland]] in 1739; his ancestors are believed to have originally lived in [[Scotland]] with the surname Erskine.<ref>{{Cite book |editor=Quaife, Milo M. | title=The John Askin Papers, Volume I: 1747–1795 | year=1928 | publisher=Detroit Library Commission}} pp. 4–5.</ref> He came to [[North America]] with the [[British Army]] in 1758. After the British took over [[New France]], he entered the [[fur trade]] and operated a trading post at [[Fort Michilimackinac]]. In 1781, he formed a partnership with [[Robert Hamilton (judge)|Robert Hamilton]]’s son Alexander and [[Richard Cartwright (Upper Canada)|Richard Cartwright]]; Askin was based in [[Detroit]]. From 1786 to 1789, he was part of a group of trading companies known as the Miamis Company. He was also involved in a shipping business and [[land speculation]]; he was one of the partners involved in the Cuyahoga Purchase along the south shore of [[Lake Erie]]. In 1789, he was named [[justice of the peace]] at Detroit. When Detroit was turned over to the [[United States|Americans]] in 1796, he became a justice of the peace for the [[Western District, Ontario|Western District]] and moved to Sandwich ([[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]]) in 1802. Askin was connected to the [[Family Compact]] through a number of business and social ties, particularly associating with [[James McGill]], who underwrote much of his debt. Through these connections, he assumed a number of political roles, including lieutenant-colonel for the local militia, member of the Land Board of Hesse, and local magistrate.<ref>Clarke, John. ''Land, Power, and Economics on the Frontier of the Upper Canada.'' Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2001, 393-412.</ref>
He was born in [[Aughnacloy, County Tyrone|Aughnacloy]], [[Northern Ireland]] in 1739; his ancestors are believed to have originally lived in [[Scotland]] with the surname Erskine.<ref>{{Cite book |editor=Quaife, Milo M. | title=The John Askin Papers, Volume I: 1747–1795 | year=1928 | publisher=Detroit Library Commission}} pp. 4–5.</ref>
==Career==
He came to [[North America]] with the [[British Army]] in 1758. After the British took over [[New France]], he entered the [[fur trade]] and operated a trading post at [[Fort Michilimackinac]]. In 1781, he formed a partnership with [[Robert Hamilton (judge)|Robert Hamilton]]’s son Alexander and [[Richard Cartwright (Upper Canada)|Richard Cartwright]]; Askin was based in [[Detroit]]. From 1786 to 1789, he was part of a group of trading companies known as the Miamis Company. He was also involved in a shipping business and [[land speculation]]; he was one of the partners involved in the Cuyahoga Purchase along the south shore of [[Lake Erie]]. In 1789, he was named [[justice of the peace]] at Detroit. When Detroit was turned over to the [[United States|Americans]] in 1796, he became a justice of the peace for the [[Western District, Ontario|Western District]] and moved to Sandwich ([[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]]) in 1802. Askin was connected to the [[Family Compact]] through a number of business and social ties, particularly associating with [[James McGill]], who underwrote much of his debt. Through these connections, he assumed a number of political roles, including lieutenant-colonel for the local militia, member of the Land Board of Hesse, and local magistrate.<ref>Clarke, John. ''Land, Power, and Economics on the Frontier of the Upper Canada.'' Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2001, 393-412.</ref>


In 1795, Askin was part of a partnership with [[Ebenezer Allen]] and Charles Whitney of Vermont, [[Robert Randal]]l of Philadelphia and several other British subjects in Detroit including [[William Robertson (Western Quebec and Upper Canada)|William Robertson]], which planned to buy the entire lower Michigan peninsula from the United States government.<ref>{{cite book | title = Collections of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan together with Reports of County Pioneer Societies, Vol VIII. | url = http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/lhbumbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(lhbum+5298a)): | access-date = 2006-10-15 | orig-year=1886 | year = 1907 | edition=second | publisher = Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford | location = Lansing, Mich. | pages = 406–411 | chapter = Account of a Plot for Obtaining the Lower Peninsula of Michigan from the United States in 1795 by J. V. Campbell | chapter-url = http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/lhbum:@field(DOCID+@lit(lhbum5298adiv184))}}</ref>
In 1795, Askin was part of a partnership with [[Ebenezer Allen]] and Charles Whitney of Vermont, [[Robert Randal]]l of Philadelphia and several other British subjects in Detroit including [[William Robertson (Western Quebec and Upper Canada)|William Robertson]], which planned to buy the entire lower Michigan peninsula from the United States government.<ref>{{cite book | title = Collections of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan together with Reports of County Pioneer Societies, Vol VIII. | url = http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/lhbumbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(lhbum+5298a)): | access-date = 2006-10-15 | orig-year=1886 | year = 1907 | edition=second | publisher = Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford | location = Lansing, Mich. | pages = 406–411 | chapter = Account of a Plot for Obtaining the Lower Peninsula of Michigan from the United States in 1795 by J. V. Campbell | chapter-url = http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/lhbum:@field(DOCID+@lit(lhbum5298adiv184))}}</ref>

⚫
John Askin owned eight [[History of slavery in Michigan#Slavery|enslaved people in Michigan]].<ref name="Banerjee">{{Cite news |last=Banerjee |first=Mandira |date=February 19, 2018 |title=Detroit's dark secret: Slavery |language=en-US |work=Michigan Today |url=https://michigantoday.umich.edu/2018/02/19/detroits-dark-secret-slavery/ |access-date=2022-03-19}}</ref> He owned an [[Odawa]] woman named Monette, with whom he had three children. He later freed Monette. Askin bought and sold Native American and African American slaves.<ref name="McGraw">{{Cite news |last=McGraw |first=Bill |date=June 20, 2020 |title=Slavery is Detroit's big, bad secret. Why don't we know anything about it? |work=Deadline Detroit |url=https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/25564/slavery_is_detroit_s_big_bad_secret_why_don_t_we_know_anything_about_it |access-date=2022-03-19}}</ref>


Following the transfer of Fort Detroit by the British in 1796, Askin abandoned his farm, Private Claim # 1, which was acquired by [[Elijah Brush]] whom later served as Mayor of Detroit.
Following the transfer of Fort Detroit by the British in 1796, Askin abandoned his farm, Private Claim # 1, which was acquired by [[Elijah Brush]] whom later served as Mayor of Detroit.
Line 39: Line 40:
Concession 2 lot 14, Barton Township; where present day [[Hamilton, Ontario]] is, was part of the original Crown Grant to John Askin on July 10, 1801. He sold to Nathaniel Hughson Sr., who sold to [[James Durand]] around 1806.<ref name=barton>{{cite web|title=Gore Park, Barton Township |url=http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/Localhistory/Gore+Park.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234125/http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/Localhistory/Gore%2BPark.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-09-26 |access-date=2007-01-08 }} </ref>
Concession 2 lot 14, Barton Township; where present day [[Hamilton, Ontario]] is, was part of the original Crown Grant to John Askin on July 10, 1801. He sold to Nathaniel Hughson Sr., who sold to [[James Durand]] around 1806.<ref name=barton>{{cite web|title=Gore Park, Barton Township |url=http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/Localhistory/Gore+Park.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234125/http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/Localhistory/Gore%2BPark.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-09-26 |access-date=2007-01-08 }} </ref>


==Slaves and personal life==
John Askin was the father of [[John Askin Jr.]], a fur trader like himself. The senior Askin died at Sandwich in 1815.
⚫
John Askin owned eight [[History of slavery in Michigan#Slavery|enslaved people in Michigan]].<ref name="Banerjee">{{Cite news |last=Banerjee |first=Mandira |date=February 19, 2018 |title=Detroit's dark secret: Slavery |language=en-US |work=Michigan Today |url=https://michigantoday.umich.edu/2018/02/19/detroits-dark-secret-slavery/ |access-date=2022-03-19}}</ref> He owned an [[Odawa]] woman named Monette or Manette, with whom he had three children. He freed Monette in 1766.<ref name="McGraw" /><ref name="Farrell">{{Cite web |last=Farrell |first=David R. |date=2003 |title=Askin, John – Volume V (1801-1820) |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/askin_john_5E.html |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=Dictionary of Canadian Biography, University of Toronto/Université Laval}}</ref> Askin bought and sold Native American and African American slaves.<ref name="McGraw">{{Cite news |last=McGraw |first=Bill |date=June 20, 2020 |title=Slavery is Detroit's big, bad secret. Why don't we know anything about it? |work=Deadline Detroit |url=https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/25564/slavery_is_detroit_s_big_bad_secret_why_don_t_we_know_anything_about_it |access-date=2022-03-19}}</ref> John Askin was the father of [[John Askin Jr.]], a fur trader like himself. The senior Askin died at Sandwich in 1815.<ref name="Farrell" />

He married Marie-Archange Barthe, after June 21, 1772, when he contracted to marry her. He had an additional six children with his wife, and treated his children all the same.<ref name="Farrell" />


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>


== External links ==
== External links ==

Revision as of 00:30, 22 March 2022

For his son, see John Askin Jr.
John Askin
Born1739
Aughnacloy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Died1815
Sandwich, Upper Canada, (today Windsor, Ontario)
Occupation(s)Fur trader, Merchant, Official
SpouseMarie-Archange Barthe

John Askin (1739–1815) was a leading fur trader, merchant, and official. He was instrumental in the establishment of British rule in Upper Canada.

Early years

He was born in Aughnacloy, Northern Ireland in 1739; his ancestors are believed to have originally lived in Scotland with the surname Erskine.[1]

Career

He came to North America with the British Army in 1758. After the British took over New France, he entered the fur trade and operated a trading post at Fort Michilimackinac. In 1781, he formed a partnership with Robert Hamilton’s son Alexander and Richard Cartwright; Askin was based in Detroit. From 1786 to 1789, he was part of a group of trading companies known as the Miamis Company. He was also involved in a shipping business and land speculation; he was one of the partners involved in the Cuyahoga Purchase along the south shore of Lake Erie. In 1789, he was named justice of the peace at Detroit. When Detroit was turned over to the Americans in 1796, he became a justice of the peace for the Western District and moved to Sandwich (Windsor) in 1802. Askin was connected to the Family Compact through a number of business and social ties, particularly associating with James McGill, who underwrote much of his debt. Through these connections, he assumed a number of political roles, including lieutenant-colonel for the local militia, member of the Land Board of Hesse, and local magistrate.[2]

In 1795, Askin was part of a partnership with Ebenezer Allen and Charles Whitney of Vermont, Robert Randall of Philadelphia and several other British subjects in Detroit including William Robertson, which planned to buy the entire lower Michigan peninsula from the United States government.[3]

Following the transfer of Fort Detroit by the British in 1796, Askin abandoned his farm, Private Claim # 1, which was acquired by Elijah Brush whom later served as Mayor of Detroit.

Concession 2 lot 14, Barton Township; where present day Hamilton, Ontario is, was part of the original Crown Grant to John Askin on July 10, 1801. He sold to Nathaniel Hughson Sr., who sold to James Durand around 1806.[4]

Slaves and personal life

John Askin owned eight enslaved people in Michigan.[5] He owned an Odawa woman named Monette or Manette, with whom he had three children. He freed Monette in 1766.[6][7] Askin bought and sold Native American and African American slaves.[6] John Askin was the father of John Askin Jr., a fur trader like himself. The senior Askin died at Sandwich in 1815.[7]

He married Marie-Archange Barthe, after June 21, 1772, when he contracted to marry her. He had an additional six children with his wife, and treated his children all the same.[7]

References

  1. ^ Quaife, Milo M., ed. (1928). The John Askin Papers, Volume I: 1747–1795. Detroit Library Commission. pp. 4–5.
  2. ^ Clarke, John. Land, Power, and Economics on the Frontier of the Upper Canada. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2001, 393-412.
  3. ^ "Account of a Plot for Obtaining the Lower Peninsula of Michigan from the United States in 1795 by J. V. Campbell". Collections of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan together with Reports of County Pioneer Societies, Vol VIII (second ed.). Lansing, Mich.: Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford. 1907 [1886]. pp. 406–411. Retrieved 2006-10-15.
  4. ^ "Gore Park, Barton Township". Archived from the original on 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
  5. ^ Banerjee, Mandira (February 19, 2018). "Detroit's dark secret: Slavery". Michigan Today. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  6. ^ a b McGraw, Bill (June 20, 2020). "Slavery is Detroit's big, bad secret. Why don't we know anything about it?". Deadline Detroit. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  7. ^ a b c Farrell, David R. (2003). "Askin, John – Volume V (1801-1820)". Dictionary of Canadian Biography, University of Toronto/Université Laval. Retrieved 2022-03-22.


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