James McNabb

Who was James McNabb?

James McNabb was a businessman and political figure in Upper Canada.

He was born in one of the Thirteen Colonies, possibly Virginia, around 1776. His father joined a loyalist regiment there in 1777 as a surgeon. He came to Quebec with his father and settled at Newark in 1796. He later moved to York and then Thurlow in 1800. In 1804, he built a sawmill and grist mill on Meyer's Creek.

In 1808, he became a justice of the peace in the Midland District and, later than same year, was elected to the 5th Parliament of Upper Canada representing Hastings & Ameliasburgh Township.

During the War of 1812, he provided transport and supplies for the garrison at Kingston. After the war, he persuaded Lieutenant Governor Francis Gore to establish the new town of Belleville. In 1815, his right leg had to be amputated following an accident. In 1816, he was re-elected in Hastings & Ameliasburg. He died in 1820 while travelling between York and Belleville.