Mayor John Simpson - Founding Member of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew

by Ian Andrews - 

President, Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew - 

In 2023 the city of Fredericton is celebrating the 175th anniversary of its incorporation in 1848. The Fredericton Region Museum has prepared a special exhibit to commemorate this important milestone in the history of New Brunswick’s capital city. The first Mayor of Fredericton was John Simpson, a prominent citizen of Scottish origin who had been actively involved in the life of his chosen community. 

Since John Simpson had been a founding member of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew in 1825, the FSSA decided to research and produce a short monograph on this “citizen of Fredericton”. The booklet was edited by FSSA members Ellen MacGillivary, John Ross and Wallace Brown and was published in 1987 under the title John Simpson: First Mayor of Fredericton and the First Secretary of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew. The following biographical sketch of John Simpson is adapted from this source. 

John Simpson (1795 – 1863) 

John Simpson was the epitome of a civic minded individual. His obituary declared that his death on February 22, 1863 had “…deprived the community of one of its most valuable citizens.” John Simpson’s immediate community included the city of Fredericton where he served as its first mayor upon incorporation in 1848. His extended community included the entire province of New Brunswick which he served as the first King’s/Queen’s Printer from 1829 until his death. His select community included fellow Scotsmen in this chosen land, with whom he founded the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew on November 30, 1825. 

The obituary also noted that in his life John Simpson’s work ethic exemplified the characteristics of determination, consistency and stability necessary to grow a pioneer community when it proclaimed that “in all the varied offices he had been called to fill he has performed the duty to the best of his ability and with a ready mind.” 

John Simpson was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on March 24, 1795, immigrating to New Brunswick in 1815 at the age of twenty. He established himself as a merchant and ten years later (February 23, 1825) he married Rebecca Coy, the second daughter of Amusa Coy, a pre- Loyalist settler of Maugerville. Their two decades of marriage produced nine children, but Rebecca died only two days after the birth of their youngest daughter Emma in 1844. The next year (January 7, 1845) John Simpson married Alicia Wallace of Saint John who was to outlive her husband by over two decades. There were no children from this second marriage. 

After Lieutenant-Governor Sir Howard Douglas appointed him the King’s Printer in 1829, John Simpson purchased property on the south side of King’s Street between Church and St. John in which he established the offices where the Royal Gazette was printed, as well as living quarters for his family. This property today houses the Legislative Library Publications Section. In his first issue of the Royal Gazette on January 6, 1830 Simpson indicated his editorial priorities when he said, “While we have time, let us do good onto all men.” His intention was to “…include a sacred and reverential regard to TRUTH.” Later UNB Prof. James Robb, a fellow Scot and executive member of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew, claimed that Simpson’s desire was more to please his employers than cause controversy when he stated that “Simpson the Editor just says what he is bid, his chief point is not to say anything against the powers that be.” 

When the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew was founded in 1825, Simpson served as Secretary for the first three years (1825-1828) before becoming Vice- President for two years (1832-1834), followed by five consecutive years as President (1834-1839). He was to return to the executive as 1 st Vice-President under President Dr. James Robb for five years (1847-1852). Simpson succeeded Robb as President for one year (1852-1853) before his appointment as Justice of Common Pleas for York County in 1853. 

Simpson volunteered for duty in the York County Militia, serving as Ensign from 1833 to 1838. He was promoted to Lieutenant of the First Battalion in 1838 and was appointed Captain of the Rifle Company in 1843. His activity in the business community resulted in his appointment as a Director of the Central Bank of New Brunswick in 1836 and Director of the Fredericton Branch of the Bank of British North America in 1842. In 1847 he became a Director of the newly incorporated Fredericton Gas Company. A strict Christian, Simpson was an adherent to the Wesleyan Church during his time in Fredericton, served on the executive of the Fredericton Auxiliary Bible Society (1840), and as Commissioner of the community Alms House and Work House (1841-1844). 

When the city of Fredericton was incorporated, John Simpson was elected on April 24, 1848 to represent Queen’s Ward on the first City Council. Four days later he was unanimously selected by his fellow councillors to serve as mayor, a position for which he was re-elected in 1850. One of his notable distinctions as Mayor was helping to design the seal for the city. As Mayor he presided over the appointment of a police force, the establishment of by-laws for the fire department, and the contract for the building of a market house. His appointment as Justice of Common Pleas in 1853 restricted his further involvement with community organizations. 

When he died on February 22, 1863 John Simpson was buried next to his first wife in the Old Burying Ground on Brunswick Street, not far from his residence on Queen Street. At this time he was still employed as the Queen’s Printer and Editor of the Royal Gazette. The new Editor stated that “The poor – the widow – and the fatherless, have lost a kind and generous friend – his widow, a devoted partner – his family a loving and affectionate Parent – the Public a faithful officer, - and his Staff of Workmen and Apprentices, an Employer and a Master beloved by them all… Whether as Captain of a volunteer Company, Mayor of the City, Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, or Queen’s Printer, his constant aim was to do his duty and do it well….” 

A tall weathered monument today marks the gravesite of this much revered and admired son of Scotland and citizen of New Brunswick.