Simcoe, John Graves, 1752-1806

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John Graves Simcoe was born at Cotterstock, England in 1752, the third of four sons of John and Katherine Simcoe. He spent one year at Merton College, Oxford, before entering the army as an Ensign in the 35th Foot in 1770. He was posted to Boston in 1775, and in 1777 was given command of the Queen's Rangers, a mixed (predominantly light infantry) corps made up of loyalists. He took part in several operations in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia before being invalided home as a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1781.

In 1782, Simcoe married Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim, the ward of his godfather, Admiral Samuel Graves and his wife Margaret. She provided a significant financial support for his career, enabling Simcoe to purchase an estate in Honiton, Devon, and build Wolford Lodge, which served as the Simcoe family home until 1923. He spent the years 1782-1791 as a half-pay officer, managing his estate, pursuing military promotion and appointments, and corresponding with members of his former command about land claims and problems faced by loyalists. He entered Parliament in 1790, but took little part in debates. In 1791 he was appointed the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. Simcoe, his wife, and two of their younger children arrived in the Canadas in 1792.

As Lieutenant-Governor, Simcoe was instrumental in organizing the first civil government in what is now Ontario. Following the instructions of the Home Secretary, he organized the legislative and executive bodies which were to govern the province for the next fifty years. Simcoe began the process of road construction and the survey of town and rural lots on which organized settlement were to be based, and actively promoted settlement. He took part in studying and recording the resources of Upper Canada, taking extensive inspection tours, ordering the survey and construction of roads, and the improvement of water communications. Part of Simcoe's duties in Upper Canada included the maintenance of good relations with aboriginal groups in the territory ceded to the United States in 1783.

In 1796, Simcoe returned to England on leave, and two years later resigned his appointment. His command was then changed from Upper Canada to Santa Domingo (Haiti), where he was to suppress a slave revolt being covertly supported by Spain and French republicans. He spent only eight months on the island before returning to England in 1797.

In 1799, Simcoe was promoted to the rank of Major- General and appointed commander of the garrison at Plymouth; his rank was increased again two years later to Lieutenant-General in command of coastal defence in Devonshire. His principal responsibility was organizing and planning defensive measures against an expected invasion from France. In 1806 Simcoe was appointed to the command of British forces in India, but during a diplomatic mission to Portugal he became ill and died shortly after his return to England.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney papers, 1665-1828. William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Jarvis, Stephen, 1756-1840. Autobiography of Stephen Jarvis : Typescript, [19--]. Churchill County Museum
referencedIn Goodwin-Haines Collection. Letter Written by Joseph Brant to Lt. Gov. Simcoe Concerning Lands on the Grand River, April 3, 1796. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Miller, Edward, 1756-1823. Edward Miller journal, 1794. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Simcoe, John Graves, 1752-1806. Journal of the operations of the Queen's Rangers : autograph manuscript draft, before 1787. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn 1. LETTER of W[illiam] Dover, President of Buenos Ayres, to the Prince of Wale, sending. productions of the country; 13 Jan. 1716, f. 1. 2. Dr. Malcolm Flemming to -and to J. Nourse, the bookseller; Brigg , 22 Nov. 1755, 30 Jan. 1756, ff. 3, 4. 3. J... British Library
creatorOf Simcoe, John Graves, 1752-1806. Descriptive account of propsal presented to the British Parliament, 1792. Library of Congress
creatorOf [Upper Canada and the Great Lakes region] William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Vol. II. (I. ff. 382). 1762-1794.includes:f. 1 Richard Howe, Viscount and 1st Earl Howe: Instructions to Capt. Suckling: 1762. f. 1 Captain Maurice Suckling, RN: Instructions to, from Adm. Howe: 1762. f. 8 General Sir John Dalling, Governor of Jama..., 1762-1794 British Library
referencedIn Vol. XXXVII. (ff. 309). July 1798-Dec. 1799.Maps and Plans: Plans of earthworks in Shropshire, by E. A. Downman: 1883-1906.William Windham, Secretary of State, etc: General political correspondence: 1782-1810.includes:ff. 1, 56 Lodge Evans Morres, ... British Library
referencedIn Ewing, William. Letter : Geneceo [sic], to Israel Chapin, Esq., 1794 Sept. 17. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn [Commonplace book], 1829. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Simcoe (Ont. : County). Tweedsmuir history of Bond Head, Simcoe County, Ont. / compiled by the Bond Head Women's Institute. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Aitkin, Alexander, d. 1800. Copy of a plan of York harbour with the soundings, shoals &c. surveyed by order of Lt Governor Simcoe / by A. Aitkin d surveyor 1793. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf John Macintosh Duff Collection. Letters from Fidelia and Richard Munkhouse to Samuel Peters, from Wakefield to Pimlico 1796. References to Governor Simcoe. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Vol. XXXVI (ff. 366). Jan.-Nov. 1790.includes:f. 1 Lemuel Goodrich, of Leicester: Letter to the 1st Earl of Liverpool: 1790. f. 2 John Pownall, Commissioner of Excise, etc: Correspondence with the 1st Earl of Liverpool: 1762-1790. ff. 3, 115, 134,... British Library
referencedIn Vol. XLVIII. (ff. 305). Feb.-May 1810, and undated.William Windham, Secretary of State, etc: General political correspondence: 1782-1810.includes:f. 1 Sir John Joseph Dillon: Letters to W. Windham: 1806, 1810.f. 3 Sergeant, A discharged: Letter, ... British Library
creatorOf Simcoe, John Graves, 1752-1806. Correspondence, 1793-1795. Wisconsin Historical Society Archives
creatorOf Simcoe, John Graves, 1752-1806. John Graves Simcoe papers, 1774-1824, bulk 1774-1804. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Goodwin-Haines Collection. Collection of Paper Bookplates of Important Historical Figures Circa 1823. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829. Timothy Pickering papers, 1795-1797 Detroit Public Library, Detroit Main Library
referencedIn Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805. Orderly book, 1781, 28 June to 19 October. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Correspondence with Mrs. Simcoe [Elizabeth Postuma Simcoe] Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Robinson Family Papers, 1684-1915. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Book relative to Indian affairs journals to treaties, 1791-1794. Newberry Library
referencedIn Miscellaneous Canadian papers, 1646-1935. Houghton Library
referencedIn Windham, William, 1750-1810. Papers, 1804-1806. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Colonel John Simcoe collection, 1774-1932. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Simcoe, John Graves, 1752-1806. Proceedings of a council holden at Buffaloe Creek, 1794 Detroit Public Library, Detroit Main Library
creatorOf John Graves Simcoe Papers Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Smith, David William, 1764-1837. A sketch shewing the situation of 230 acres of land, set apart for his excellency Major General Simcoe, to complete his military allowance as colonel, should his excellency approve of the place / DW Smith actg sur gen. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf DROPMORE PAPERS. Vol. CCCLXXXII (ff. ii+28). Bound volume: 'Original Memoir from Captain Simcoe respecting the conquest of Canada from France in 1760 -with observations on the present State of that Country'; [circa 1790?]. Copy (?). See Add. 59005, ..., approximately 1790 British Library
creatorOf Goodwin-Haines Collection. Letter From Sir George Yonge, Secretary of War in the British Cabinet, to Colonel John Graves Simcoe Concerning Queens Rangers and Their Service in the American Revolution, January 21, 1783. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Simcoe family fonds (F 47) Archives of Ontario
referencedIn Public Archives of Canada. Selected materials on Indian affairs, 1698-1796. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Henry Clinton papers, 1736-1850 William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Goodwin-Haines Collection. John Graves Simcoe Writing Hon. Peter Russell Administrator of Upper Canada in Absence of Lieut. Gov. Simcoe. Probably First Letter Written to York U.C. After Simcoe's Return to England Nov. 3, 1796. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Flaxman, John, 1755-1826. Autograph letter signed : Buckingham Street [London], to R. Eales, 1812 Feb. 4. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Simcoe, John Graves, 1752-1806. Correspondence, 1793-1795. Wisconsin Historical Society Archives
creatorOf Selected materials on Indian affairs, 1698-1796, 1698-1796 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn (III. ff. 367.). Apr. 1797-1799.includes:ff. 1, 200, 209 Sir John Dalrymple, of Cranstoun, 4th Baronet (1771), Baron of the Scotch Exchequer: Letters to the 3rd Lord Hardwicke: 1797-1801. f. 3 Captain James Dalrymple: Despatches concerning the captu..., 1797-1799 British Library
creatorOf DROPMORE PAPERS. Vol. CLI (ff. 110). Lieutenant-General John Graves Simcoe; 1790-1807, n.d. See also Add. 59236.Lieutenant-General John Graves Simcoe, Governor of Upper Canada: Correspondence with Lord Grenville of Lieut.-General John Graves Simcoe: ..., 1790-1807 British Library
creatorOf Simcoe, John Graves, 1752-1806. Papers, 1781-1806. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Canada Public Archives records of Indian affairs [microform], 1696-1856. Wisconsin Historical Society Archives
referencedIn [Sketch of Upper Canada showing the route of Lt. Gov. J.G. Simcoe] William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Goodwin-Haines Collection. Document Signed J. Butler, Judge of Court of Common Pleas, Approving a "Special Bail" in the Case of Moyer Vs Faist, 1774. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Vol. XXXVI. (ff. 325). Mar. 1797-June 1798.Sir Herbert Croft, 5th Baronet: Letter to W.Osgoode: 1797.William Windham, Secretary of State, etc: General political correspondence: 1782-1810.includes:ff. 1, 7, 133, 161 Richard Wilson, MP for Barnstaple... British Library
creatorOf [Campaign of Major General Anthony Wayne, 1793-94] William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Hammond, George, 1763-1853. Letter : Philadelphia, to Lieutenant Governor [John Graves] Simcoe, Niagara, [Ont.], 1792 Sept. 13. Newberry Library
referencedIn Vol. XLIII. (ff. 244). June-Nov. 1806.William Windham, Secretary of State, etc: General political correspondence: 1782-1810.includes:ff. 1, 60, 105, 184 Samuel A-? Humphreys: Letters to W. Windham: 1803-1810. f. 3 Maria Elliott: Letter to W. Windham... British Library
referencedIn Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney papers 1665-1828 1780-1788 Sydney, Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount papers William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834. Marquis de Lafayette letter to Governor Thomas Nelson, 1781 June 28. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813. Letter to J. King [manuscript], 1794 April 25. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Donald Hyde and Mary Hyde Eccles Autograph Collection, 1505-1957 (inclusive), 1702-1854 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Goodwin-Haines Collection. Broadside Describing the Settling of Lands Granted to the Loyalists in the Province of Upper Canada the Sixth Day of Nov., 1794. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf [Essays and journal : manuscript]. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
referencedIn Virginia. Public Foundry. Agency history. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Simcoe, John Graves, 1752-1806. Letter book of John Graves Simcoe, 1792, Jan. 16 -- 1793, Dec. 16. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Washington Irving's Life of George Washington Volume X, miscellany, 1764-1805 Cornell University Library
referencedIn Henry Clinton papers, 1736-1850 William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Hamilton, Henry, d. 1796. Correspondence, 1793. Clarke Historical Library
referencedIn Vol. XXX. (XXIX. ff. 349). 1 Sept.-2 Nov. 1805.includes:f. 1 John James Hamilton, 1st Marquess of Abercorn: Letter to Lord Nelson: 1805. f.3 Alexander Hamilton, Marquess of Douglas; 10th Duke of Hamilton: Letter to Lord Nelson: 1805. f. 5 George Gr... British Library
creatorOf John Graves Simcoe papers 1774-1824 1774-1804 Simcoe, John Graves William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Edward Miller journal 1794 Miller, Edward journal William L. Clements Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aitkin, Alexander, d. 1800. person
associatedWith Amherst, Jeffery Amherst, Baron, 1717-1797. person
associatedWith Bouquet, Henry, 1719-1765 person
associatedWith Brant, Joseph, 1742-1807 person
associatedWith Buckingham, George Nugent Temple Grenville, Marquess of, 1753-1813. person
associatedWith Burd, James, 1726-1793 person
associatedWith Butler, John, 1728-1796. person
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associatedWith Chastellux, marquis de. person
associatedWith Chew, Joseph, d. 1798 person
associatedWith Clarke, Alured, Sir, 1744 or 5-1832. person
associatedWith Claus, Christian Daniel, 1727-1781 person
associatedWith Clinton, Henry, 1771-1829 person
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associatedWith Gray, James, ca. 1732-1796. person
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associatedWith Great Britain. Parliament. corporateBody
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associatedWith Hamilton, Henry, d. 1796. person
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correspondedWith Hammond, George, 1763-1853. person
associatedWith Holland, Samuel, 1728-1801. person
associatedWith Howe, William Howe, Viscount, 1729-1814. person
associatedWith Hutchins, Thomas, 1730-1789 person
associatedWith Jarvis, Stephen, 1756-1840. person
associatedWith John Macintosh Duff Collection. corporateBody
associatedWith Kerr, Elizabeth, d. 1845. person
associatedWith Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834. person
associatedWith Littelhales, E.B. ( Edward Baker), d. 1825. person
associatedWith Littlehales, Edward Baker, d. 1825. person
associatedWith Long, Charles, 1760-1838. person
associatedWith Mansfield, William Murray, Earl of, 1705-1793 person
associatedWith McKee, Alexander, d. 1799 person
associatedWith Miller, Edward, 1756-1823 person
associatedWith Monckton, Robert, 1726-1782 person
associatedWith Monro, John, 1731-1800. person
associatedWith North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792. person
associatedWith Ourry, Lewis, 1717-1779 person
associatedWith Parrish, John, 1729-1807. person
associatedWith Pécaudy de Contrecoeur, Claude-Pierre, 1705-1775 person
associatedWith Perth, James Drummond, Lord, 1744-1800. person
associatedWith Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829. person
associatedWith Public Archives of Canada. corporateBody
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spouseOf Simcoe, Elizabeth, 1762-1850. person
childOf Simcoe, John, 1710-1759. person
associatedWith Simcoe (Ont. : County). corporateBody
associatedWith Smith, David William, 1764-1837. person
associatedWith Stanwix, John, 1690? -1766 person
associatedWith St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818 person
associatedWith St. Clair, John, Sir person
associatedWith St. Vincent, John Jervis, Viscount, 1735-1823. person
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associatedWith Townsend, Samuel. person
associatedWith United States. Continental Congress. corporateBody
associatedWith Upper Canada. Lieutenant Governor (1791-1794 : Simcoe) corporateBody
associatedWith Virginia. Public Foundry. corporateBody
associatedWith William L. Clements Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Windham, William, 1750-1810. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States 00 US
Ontario 08 CA
Devon ENG GB
Northamptonshire ENG GB
Exeter ENG GB
Republic of Haiti 00 HT
Subject
American loyalists
Colonial administration
Fortifications, Military
Indians of North America
Iroquois Indians
Lieutenant governors
Manuscript maps
Military maps
St. Clair's Campaign, 1791
Wayne's Campaign, 1794
Occupation
Army officers, British
Lieutenant Governor
Public officials
Activity

Person

Birth 1752-02-25

Death 1806-10-26

English

Information

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