Hazelton Spencer 1757-1813

An important figure in early Upper Canada, Spencer was born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. During the American Revolution he fought with the British forces and in 1784, when his unit was disbanded, he settled here. Widely acknowledged as a man of ability and stature, Spencer quickly achieved prominence. He represented this region in the province’s first parliament (1792-96) and secured several judicial and administrative appointments. Continuing his distinguished military career, he was commissioned an officer in the Royal Canadian Volunteer Regiment and served in the garrison at Kingston (1797-1800) where he was commandant and at Fort George (1800-02). Spencer gained his highest office in 1794, however, with his appointment as Lieutenant of the County of Lennox. He held this prestigious post until his death.

Personnage important aux débuts du Haut-Canada, Spencer est né à Greenwich, Rhode Island. Pendant la Révolution américaine, il se bat aux côtés des forces britanniques et, en 1784, lorsque son unité est dissoute, il vient s’installer ici. Reconnu par tous comme un homme fort compétent et de grande envergure, il joue rapidement un rôle dominant. Il représente cette région au premier parlement provincial (1792-1796) et occupe plusieurs postes judiciaires et administratifs. Il poursuit sa brillante carrière militaire, est nommé officier au Royal Canadian Volunteer Regiment, devient commandant de la garnison de Kingston (1797-1800) et sert à Fort George (1800-1802). Spencer exerce, toutefois, ses plus hautes fonctions à partir de 1794, losqu’il est nommé Lieutenant du comté de Lennox, charge prestigieuse qu’il remplit jusqu’à sa mort.