Gray, Colonel John Hamilton National Historic Person

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
In Notman, William, "Portraits of British Americans, with biographical sketches by Fennings Taylor," Montreal: W. Notman, 1865-1868, Vol. II, facing p.111. © Canada. Bibliothèque du parlement / Library and Archives Canada / C-018884
Colonel John Hamilton Gray
© Canada. Bibliothèque du parlement / Library and Archives Canada / C-018884
In Notman, William, "Portraits of British Americans, with biographical sketches by Fennings Taylor," Montreal: W. Notman, 1865-1868, Vol. II, facing p.111. © Canada. Bibliothèque du parlement / Library and Archives Canada / C-018884Gray, Colonel John Hamilton © Parks Canada | Parcs Canada
Address : 165 Richmond Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Recognition Statute: Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date: 1939-05-29
Life Date: 1811 to 1887

Other Name(s):
  • Gray, Colonel John Hamilton  (Designation Name)

Importance: Father of Confederation, Premier of Prince Edward Island (1863-65)

Plaque(s)


Existing plaque:  165 Richmond Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Born in Charlottetown, a Father of Confederation, Gray served in the Imperial cavalry (1831-52) before entering politics. Elected in 1858 to represent Queen's County, he served as Premier of the province (1863-65) and played a prominent role in the Confederation debates. An ardent confederate, he presided over the Charlottetown Conference and attended the Quebec Conference. When the Island legislature rejected the Quebec Resolutions he left politics and reverted to military life. Adjutant General of the island Militia in 1867, he became, in 1873, Deputy Adjutant General of the 12th Military District. He died at Charlottetown.