William Jarvis (Upper Canada official)

William Jarvis (September 11, 1756 – August 13, 1817) was the American-born head of the famous Jarvis family of Toronto.

Jarvis was born in Stamford, Connecticut to Samuel Jarvis, who was the town's clerk and Martha Seymour. The Jarvis family was forced to flee when his home was seized at the start of the American Revolution. His father fled to Long Island, New York, but William chose to settle further north in Upper Canada. He immigrated to Canada with his brother, Stephen Jarvis. His loyalty to the British during the Revolutionary War saw him appointed Provincial Secretary and Registrar of Upper Canada. He served from 1791 until his death in 1817. Secretary Jarvis was working in Niagara when John Graves Simcoe came to Toronto, known as York, and so he accompanied him to the young city.^[1]

Upon arriving in York he purchased a large park lot and built a residence. After his death the property was cut up by his descendants and the home was sold; acquired by a man named Lee who operated an English chop house and billiard room in the home.

Jarvis was married to Hannah Owen Peters, the daughter of Reverend Samuel Peters of Hebron, Connecticut. They had three children. Their son was Samuel Jarvis, who also became a prominent member of the Family Compact. Their two daughters were Maria Lavinia (1788) and Augusta (1790).^[2]

References

Bibliography

• W Jarvis
• William and Samuel Jarvis [Broken Link]
• Personal Sheet [Broken Link]