Papers : 1801-1890.
Call Number: | HIL-MICL FC LFR .K5J6P3 |
Category: | Family |
Creator: | Kirby, John, 1772-1846. |
Description: | 2 microfilm textual records () ; 35 mm |
Background: | John Kirby came to America with his parents, John and Ann Kirby, and his brother William, from Yorkshire, England. The family established a farm at Ticonderoga, New York, in 1774, but moved to St. Johns (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu), Quebec, at the time of the American Revolution. In 1796 the family relocated to Kingston, Upper Canada. John Kirby, Jr. entered into a business partnership with Thomas Markland and Robert Macaulay (1744-1800), who married his sister Ann in 1791. After Markland's withdrawal from the company and Macaulay's death in 1800, John and his sister assumed joint control of the business, now called John Kirby and Company, which lasted until 1817. Thereafter, he continued alone in the forwarding and merchandising business. He acted as an agent for other businessmen, engaged in land speculation, and was a part owner of two steamships on Lake Ontario, the Frontenac and the St. George. Kirby's interest in financial matters led to a directorship in the Bank of Upper Canada and another in the Commercial Bank of the Midland District. In addition to his business interests, Kirby was an active member of the Church of England and a promoter of education, public health and several charitable projects. He was appointed to a number of public offices, including magistrate for the Midland District, and commanding officer of the 1st Regiment of Frontenac Militia. In 1831 he was named to the Legislative Council of Upper Canada. |
Contents: | The Papers of John Kirby include: correspondence, notebooks, business records, and legal documents of the Kirby family, with references to the Macaulay, Herchmer, and MacPherson families who were closely related to the Kirby family. |
Originals: |
The original records are held by Queen's University Archives. |
Archival Ref. No.: | Queen's A. ARCH 2254 ; Fonds F1369 |
Finding Aids: | A preliminary inventory has been microfilmed at the beginning of reel 1 and includes a brief biography of John Kirby. The preliminary inventory and a microfilm shelf list are available in print. |
Electronic Finding Aid Record: |
Kirby, John Papers Shelf List.pdf |
Notes: | The diary, which is mentioned in the preliminary inventory at the beginning of reel 1, was not included in the microfilm. The arrangement of the material in the microfilm copy of the Papers is not wholly consistent with the arrangement as outlined in the preliminary inventory at the beginning of reel 1. |
Part Of: | |
Other With: | The Benjamin Seymour Day Book, 24 August 1796-November 1798, was microfilmed at the end of reel 2 of the John Kirby Papers. The Day Book has been given a separate Inventory description but retains the same classification number as the John Kirby Papers. |