PATTON, Andrew: 1771 - 1838

Andrew Patton was born in Fifeshire, Scotland. In the British military for twenty-six years, Andrew was a major in the 45th Regiment and served in Holland, Egypt and Spain. He married Elizabeth Simpson of Derby, England.

After receiving an honourable discharge from his regiment and selling his commission, he and his family came to Canada in 1816. In 1821, he became Barrack Master at Fort Wellington in Prescott. Fort Wellington had been built in Prescott, Ontario during the War of 1812 to defend shipping on the St. Lawrence from American attack. He was also Registrar of Grenville County. From 1829 to 1836 he was Barrack Master at Fort York.

After coming to Canada, Andrew swore an Oath of Allegiance in the Home District of York, Upper Canada in September 1817. Andrew Patton would be considered a late Loyalist and as a former Soldier of the King with the rank of major, he was entitled to a grant of land in Upper Canada.

His Land Petition dated September 1817 reads:

To his Honor Samuel Smith Esquire, Administrator of the Government of the Province of Upper Canada   Etc. Etc. Etc.
The Petition of Andrew Patton Esq.
Humbly Showeth
That Your Petitioner is a Native of Scotland. That Your Petitioner was lately a Major in the Army of His Majesty, and was upwards of 26 Years in His Majesty’s Service, from which Your Petitioner was under the necessity of retiring on account of his bad state of Health, and in consequence permitted to sell out. That Your Petitioner since that period (1809) has been resident principally in England until June last when he migrated to this Country, and has now come into this Province, and has brought with him his Family, with the intention of becoming a fixed resident therein, and being possessed of means to improve and cultivate Lands, is desirous of attaining a part of the waste Lands of the Crown for that purpose.

Therefore Your Petition humbly Prays that Your Honor would be pleased to grant him such portion of the waste Lands, under the existing Regulations, as to your Honor may appear meet.

And Your Petitioner Shall ever pray. Andrew J. Patton, York, 24th September 1817

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Grant in Council
28th February 1818

Ordered One Thousand Acres including former Grant. The Surveyor General to Grant before the Warrant expires.

The Crown Records Office shows that Andrew Patton was granted lot 7 and lot 8 at Fort Wellington in 1834.(1)

Andrew Patton was the father of the Honourable James Patton L.L.D. Q.C. Law Society of Upper Canada. James Patton was elected a life bencher and served from 1858 to 1871.

Andrew Patton died in Toronto on August 15, 1838 in his sixty-eighth year.

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References

1. Land Grants Petition 53b,c,d – York, 1817, granted 1818, Land Book, 302.