Uncover interesting facts about the history of Canada and its citizens from this 1890 publication.
Uncover interesting facts about the history of Canada and its citizens from this 1890 publication.
Published in 1890, Alphabet of First Things in Canada by George Johnson, second edition, is a collection of significant dates and facts surrounding "first things" in Canada. The book is arranged alphabetically.
You can search by name and page number. Use the keyword search to search by both dates and terms.
This second edition is three times the size of the first and is full of interesting anecdotes and factoids. For instance, we learn that Emma Albani, a famous soprano in the 19th and early 20th century, first visited Montreal professionally in 1884 and by searching under "apples," we learn that they were first grown in Nova Scotia in 1633.
Discover information about Canada, such as
The first marriage in Canada occurred in Quebec between Etienne Couillard and Anne Hebert in 1617. In 1882, it was made legal to marry your deceased wife’s sister.
Lists of the Baronets of Canada
Government officials
The first Roman Catholic Bishop in Canada, M. de Laval, and the first Protestant Bishop in Quebec, Rev. Dr. Mountain, as well as the dates of first churches in various parts of Canada
The first book published in Upper Canada, St. Ursula’s Convent, or the Nun of Canada in Kingston, 1824
Information regarding the boundaries of Canada, criminal statistics, societies, and post office statistics
Sir Provo Wallis was a Royal Navy officer who, as a junior officer, served as the temporary captain of the HMS Shannon as it hauled the captured USS Chesapeake after the Battle of Boston Harbor on 1 June 1813 during the War of 1812. Sir Wallis would continue to move up the ranks over the course of his career, eventually being promoted to admiral in 1863 and appointed the Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom in 1870.
Information on Sir Wallis can be found within the pages of this book: "[He was] the first to bring a captured American man-of-war into Halifax Harbour in the war of 1812. He entered his 100th year on the 12th of April, 1890. He joined the British Navy as a middy 86 years ago, and is the sole survivor of the naval life of the time of Nelson. He is a Nova Scotian by birth, and as senior officer commanded the Shannon when she sailed out of Boston after the historic fight with the American Chesapeake, towing the captured vessel, with Laurence’s body on board, to Halifax, for which exploit he was made commander, 78 years ago. He has always taken a deep interest in his native land, and in all Canadian matters."