John Doggett

Who was John Doggett?

John Doggett was a merchant, seaman and political figure in Nova Scotia. He represented Granville township in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1770 to 1772.

He was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the son of Ebenezer Doggett and Elizabeth Rickard. In 1748, he married Abigail House. By that time, he was living in Scituate, where he worked first as a ship's captain and then as a ferry operator. In 1759, he received a grant of land in Liverpool township, Nova Scotia. He established a store and was part owner of a sawmill. In 1760, he was named a justice of the peace and he also served as customs collector and major in the local militia. In 1764, he was named judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and registrar for Queen's County. In 1771, he became lieutenant-colonel in the county militia. He died on Port Mouton Island after being ill for some time, possibly having been quarantined on the island. His descendants still remain in the local area of White Point, Nova Scotia.