Barbara A. Martindale- For What It's Worth October 7, 2013
A question was asked recently in regard to why and/or after whom was Haldimand named. There is quite a story to the man, Governor Haldimand.
Frederick Haldimand was born in Switzerland to French speaking landowners on August 11, 1718. He became interested in the military at an early age, which led him to join foreign armies. Thus his career was listed as a soldier and a provincial governor, best known for his involvement in the Seven Years War (1754-1763) and the American Revolution (1775-1783).
Haldimand created and preserved mounds of written correspondence, especially during his time in North America covering the years from 1755 to 1784 known as the Haldimand Collection. It can be found at the British Museum with copies at the Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa.
He became Governor of Quebec (included Ontario at the time) in 1778 during the American Revolution. He replaced Sir Guy Carleton.
Frederick Haldimand's job as a British agent was to resettle Loyalist refugees, who became known as United Empire Loyalists, locating many in territories of New Brunswick and Ontario. He also helped settle the Six Nations, who had been driven out of New York during the American Revolution and he issued what is known as the Haldimand Proclamation that awarded the tract of land of six miles on each side of the Grand River, signed October 25, 1784.
Governor Haldimand left Quebec in the summer of 1784, yet he would retain his Governor of Quebec status until 1786, even though he never returned. Sir Guy Carleton, Lord Dorchester, was re-appointed to take over Haldimand's job.
Despite Governor Haldimand's good intentions, he was plagued by disputes and complaints from disgruntled loyalists, some trying to circumvent Haldimand's plan for distributing the township lots impartially. By the time he left, some loyalists were well on their way to establishing themselves.
The founding of what has become Ontario could be argued was due to the unwavering support of Haldimand, without whom the original settlers would have faced greater hardships.
Governor Haldimand also had supported his family in Switzerland, built up land holdings in the USA and in Canada, from which he received rent and he held stocks.
Once he was settled comfortably in the fashionable Mayfair district of London England in the fall of 1784, Haldimand would often return home to Switzerland to visit family in his hometown of Yverdon. On June 5, 1791, on one of his visits home, Frederick Haldimand passed away.
He had never married. In all that correspondence for more than 30 years, there was no mention of any romantic involvement. In his will, he left his nephew, Anthony Francis, all of his property. Other monies, some 13,000 pounds, were given to various persons and institutions.
There are various spots where Frederick Haldimand has been memorialized in North America. In Canada, besides Haldimand County there is Fort Haldimand at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Haldimand River in Prince Edward Island, four areas near Gaspe, Quebec - Haldimand Beach, Cape Haldimand, Haldimand East and Haldimand West and there is Haldimand Cliff within the Magdalen Islands. In the USA, Haldimand Bay is the main harbour at Mackinac Island, Michigan.
