William Macomb (merchant)

William Macomb (merchant)

William Macomb (ca 1751-April 16 1796) was an American merchant and Upper Canada political figure.

He was born in northern Ireland around 1751 and came to North America with his family in 1755. With his brother, Alexander, he became a major landowner and merchant in New York and Michigan; the brothers were the first owners of Grosse Ile. In 1792, he was elected to the 1st Parliament of Upper Canada representing Kent with François Baby. The history of Macoumb's political activities are limited, but he was not known for his loyalties to the Upper Canada. While he relayed military intelligence ito [Colonel [ John Butler, he and other Macoumbs' were not entirely loyal to the Crown:

* nephew was Major General Alexander Macomb of the United States Army and whom fought against the British Army's Sir George Prevost in 1814

* brother Alexander later served as Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army 1828-1841

He also served as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the Detroit area, at the time considered part of Upper Canada.

His biggest critic was none other than John Graves Simcoe, the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada.

With 26 slaves at the time of his death, William Macomb was the number one slaveholder in the history of the land now known as Michigan. He also dealt with native and supplied them with liquor, which as frowned upon by Simcoe and the Catholic Church.

Macoumb died at Detroit in 1796.

References

*"Becoming Prominent: Leadership in Upper Canada, 1791-1841", J.K. Johnson (1989)

* [http://www.uppercanadahistory.ca/ucfel/ucfel8.html Historical Narratives of Early Canada]


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