Collection search - Hugh Finlay fonds [textual record]

Record information – Brief
1
Hugh Finlay fonds [textual record]

Hierarchical level:

Fonds

Date:

1773-1793.

Reference:

R7479-0-X-E, MG23-GII9

Type of material:

Textual material

Found in:

Archives / Collections and Fonds

Item ID number:

100659

Context of this record:

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Hugh Finlay fonds
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Record information – Details
Date(s):

1773-1793.

Place of creation:

Québec (Province)

Extent:

2.8 cm of textual records (136 p.).

Language of material:

English

Added language of material:

English, French

Scope and content:

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Fonds consists of correspondence between Hugh Finlay and Lord LeDespencer regarding the purchase of seigniorial lands in Quebec, 1773-1774; proposals for legislation for Quebec, 1777-1778; correspondence with Colonel Skene, 1777; a report on the Lake Temiscouata road, 1786; a copy of Finlay's report on the post route from Quebec to Halifax, 1787; and Finlay's commentary on the land granting system in Lower Canada, 1792-1793.

Provenance:

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Finlay, Hugh, 1732-1801

Biography/Administrative history:

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Finlay, Hugh, 1732-1801 : Hugh Finlay (1732-1801) was the third son of Robert Finlay, a [Glasgow] tanner and cordwainer, and Susanna Finlay (née Parkins). In 1763 he emigrated to Quebec where he became a prominent merchant and politician, as well as the "father of the Canadian post office." Before departure from Britain, Finlay was assured that he would be appointed postmaster of Quebec upon arrival. This was confirmed on 10 June 1763. On 5 January 1773 Finlay was appointed Surveyor of the Post roads in the Continent of North America. On 31 January 1774 he was named one of the two joint deputy postmasters general of North America, but the American Revolution soon made this appointment largely obsolete.

In the summer of 1780, Finlay was appointed superintendent of post houses in Quebec. Originally without a salary, he was able to get the position salaried in 1781. In 1784 he became deputy postmaster general of the province of Quebec. In 1787 he undertook a survey of the postal route between Quebec and Halifax. As a result of this, he recommended unified authority over the entire route and, in 1788, obtained his own appointment as deputy postmaster general of British North America. Financial difficulties led to his dismissal from the Post Office in October 1799. He died on 26 December 1801.

Finding aid:

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Textual records (Electronic) The finding aid provides a descriptive list of records, notes on further sources relating to Hugh Finlay, and an index for Finlay's commentary on the land granting system in Lower Canada, 1792-1793. MSS1168 (Restrictions not set)
http://data2.archives.ca/pdf/pdf001/p000002813.pdf

Additional information:

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General note:

Correspondence of Hugh Finlay with Lord LeDespencer and related papers, 1773-1793, received from the estate of L.R. Masson of Terrebonne, Que.

Related material:

For records related to the estate of L.R. Masson of Terrebonne, Que., see MG 19 C 1.
Subject heading:

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Hugh Finlay - Correspondence, 1773-1774, 1777-1778

Lord LeDespencer - Correspondence, 1773-1774

Seigniorial tenure - Canada, 1773-1774

Seigniorial tenure - Quebec (Province), 1773-1774

Seigneuries - Canada, 1773-1774

Seigneuries - Quebec (Province), 1773-1774

Legislation - Quebec (Province_, 1777-1778

Colonel Skene - Correspondence, 1777

Roads - Canada, 1768

Roads - Route from Quebec to Halifax, 1787

Land grants - Lower Canada, 1792-1793

Lac Témiscouata (Québec)

Postal service Canada 18th century

Land grants Canada

Lac Témiscouata (Quebec)
Source:

Private

Former archival reference no.:

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MG23-GII9
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Conditions of access:

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Textual records

[Consultation90 Open]

Volume [MG23 G II 9] 1

[Consultation 90 Open]

Finding aid box [FA 1168] 99

[Consultation 10 Closed]

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