James Glenie

James Glenie (1750 – November 23 1817) was a Scottish-born businessman and political figure in New Brunswick. He represented Sunbury County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1789 to 1809.

He was born in Fife, the son of an army officer. He was educated at the University of St Andrews, first studying divinity but later excelling in mathematics. He entered the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich and became a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in 1776. He served with John Burgoyne and Barrimore Matthew St Leger during the American Revolution. Later, working for Governor Frederick Haldimand, Glenie was charged with establishing a barracks on an island at the east end of Lake Ontario. After a series of disputes with the commanding officer on the island, he was put to work at Sorel instead while awaiting a court martial. In 1779, he was named a fellow of the Royal Society. He was found guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer but the verdict was overturned. Glenie married Mary Anne Locke during the early 1780s. In 1785, he was supervising army work parties in the Saint John River area of New Brunswick. Glenie applied for a land grant in the region but was not successful. He returned to England, but resigned his commission and brought his family to New Brunswick in 1787.

He set up a business supplying masts for ships with a partner based in London. He encountered opposition in this enterprise from Thomas Carleton, governor for the province, who had taken part in Glenie's earlier court martial. Glenie began a series of attacks on Carleton and the ruling elite of the province. He was named deputy surveyor for the king's woods in New Brunswick in 1791 at the recommendation of John Wentworth. By early 1795, Glenie was no longer involved in the masting business. In 1795, he introduced a bill which had the intent of granting more power to the elected assembly and less to the appointed legislative council. Glenie was one of the leaders in a dispute between the assembly and the council in 1802 regarding who had the power to recommend a replacement for the clerk of the house. Although Glenie was reelected in 1802, the remaining members of the assembly were more supportive of the governor.

In 1804, Glenie left for England, leaving his wife behind. He died in poverty at Pimlico and was buried in the churchyard of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

References

* [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=2422 Biography at the "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online"]