https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167347049/robert-dennistoun
Robert Dennistoun
Birth 18 Jan 1815 Braehead, North Lanarkshire, Scotland
Death 31 May 1895 (aged 80) York, York Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada
Burial Little Lake Cemetery Peterborough, Peterborough County, Ontario, Canada Add to Map
Memorial ID 167347049 · View Source
County Judge, Peterborough, Canada. Bought 500 acres to clear near Peterborough, 10 Shillings an Acre
Robert Dennistoun's own account _
It so happened at this time there was a general idea in Scotland that life in the colonies was a desirable one for young men with smell capital. Accordingly in October of that year (1834) I salied from Liverpool to New York, reaching Peterborough in December. In March following I purchased 500 acres of land on Cameron Lake in Fenelon and settled on it. I was in 1837 appointed Justice of the Peace. I was married on 24th December 1839. Our eldest child was born in October 1841. By 1844 I had cleared about 100 acres and become satisfied that if I continued to live as a farmer in the back woods I would have no chance of educating my children or pushing them on in the world. In February, 1844, when 29 years of age, with the approval of my wife I became a law student in the office of G.S. Boltoun, for three years we lived in cobourg, and I, until Feb., 1849, in Toronto, in D.B. Reid's office, when I was enrolled as a Solicitor and Attorney. In June following I was called to the Bar.
Having opened an office in Peterborough, my business soon became prosperous, in 1856 County Judge Hall thought of resigning his position, if he had I was to have been appointed, fortunately for me he changed his mind and there was no vacancy.
While living in Fenelon the 5th Durham Battalion of Militia was incorporated, I received a Captain's Commission, in 1857 the 5th. Peterborough Battalion of Militia was formed and I was appointed Lt.-Col.
I was afterwards appointed a Bencher at Osgoode Hall in July, 1867. I was appointed a Queen's Council 26th. June 1867. In July 1868 I was appointed County Judge and in February 1886, after 18 years service I had a slight attack of paralysis and retired on a pension.
In the year 1856 I built Inverlea House (on land I had purchased in the township of Smith, afterwards in the town of Peterborough) where we continued to reside until the end of May 1888, when it was sold.
Spouse
Maxwell Hamilton Dennistoun 1821–1894
Children
James Frederick Dennistoun 1841–1886
Robert Hamilton Dennistoun 1849–1884
Mary Maxwell Dennistoun 1852–1874
George Alexander Dennistoun 1859–1884
