Alexander Macdonell (politician)

Alexander Macdonell of Collachie (1762 – March 18, 1842) was a soldier and political figure in Upper Canada.

Alexander Macdonell of Collachie
Chairman of the Home District Council
In office 1831–1834
Preceded by	William Allan
Succeeded by	none
Personal details
Born	1762 Glengarry Estate, Aberchalder, Scotland
Died	18 March 1842 Toronto, United Provinces of Canada
Occupation	Soldier, Politician

He was born in Scotland in 1762 and arrived in the Mohawk Valley of New York with other members of his family, including his brother, Angus Macdonell of Collachie. He served with the Royal Highland Emigrant Regiment during the American Revolution. In 1781, he came to Canada and joined Butler's Rangers until the regiment was disbanded in 1784.

Macdonell moved to York (Toronto), where he served as a Sheriff for the Home District from 1792 to 1805. He was elected to the 3rd Parliament of Upper Canada representing Glengarry & Prescott, serving until 1816. He was speaker of the House from 1804 to 1808.

At the start of the War of 1812, he became a colonel in the militia. In 1813, he was taken prison at Niagara by the Americans. In 1815, on his release, he was made superintendent of the Settling Department.

From 1831 to 1834 he was Chairman of the Home District Council and the last to serve the post before Toronto City Council was formed in 1834. In addition he was the Sheriff for the Home District.

Death

He died at Toronto on 18 March 1842.

External links

• Works by Alexander Macdonell at Faded Page (Canada)
• Glengarry's Representatives in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada, University of Manitoba archives
• Dictionary of Canadian Biography