History of Pei
1748 Treaty of Aix-la- Chapelle
The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle ended the War of the Austrian Succession. PEI, Cape Breton Island and Louisbourg were returned to France.
1769 Government for PEI
A separate government was established for St John Island, which was not named Prince Edward Island until 1799.
George Coles
Early life
Businessman and politician George Coles was born in Prince Edward Island. Coles was a prominent PEI businessman who specialized in many sectors, including brewing and distilling. A Father of Confederation, Coles supported union initially, but changed his mind because he believed that the terms of union extended to PEI did not address its needs. George Coles was raised on his father’s farm in East Royalty, Prince Edward Island. He received little formal education. At age 19, he travelled to England where, in 1833, he married Mercy Haine, with whom he had 12 children. Later that year, he returned to Prince Edward Island with his bride, and shortly afterwards he advertised for sale items he had brought from England. He opened a store in Charlottetown and established other businesses, becoming best known as a Brewer and Distiller.
Political Career
In 1842, George Coles entered public life by successfully contesting a rural constituency. As a man of property, he allied himself with the Conservatives in the House of Assembly, who in broad terms represented the interests of wealthier Islanders. The dominant issue in the colony was the land question, that is, the conflicts arising from the division of the Island into 67 townships or lots in the 18th century and their distribution to favourites. As a consequence, there was almost no crown land for settlers to acquire in freehold tenure; most had to become tenants. Coles came to see the land system as an impediment to the development of the colony especially for businesses such as his, which required healthy internal markets.
Life After politics
Earlier in 1867, the Reformers had won an election against the deeply divided Conservatives. George Coles returned to the premiership but his mind had begun to deteriorate. In mid-1868 he formally resigned as premier; during the next legislative session he rarely spoke; and in 1870 he was absent for the entire session. Coles’ senility was commonly attributed to overwork and anxiety. He himself dated his decline to his overexertion in the face of Charlottetown’s great fire in 1866, stating that he had collapsed twice in the course of fighting the blaze.
1748 Treaty of Aix-la- Chapelle
The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle ended the War of the Austrian Succession. PEI, Cape Breton Island and Louisbourg were returned to France.
1769 Government for PEI
A separate government was established for St John Island, which was not named Prince Edward Island until 1799.
George Coles
Early life
Businessman and politician George Coles was born in Prince Edward Island. Coles was a prominent PEI businessman who specialized in many sectors, including brewing and distilling. A Father of Confederation, Coles supported union initially, but changed his mind because he believed that the terms of union extended to PEI did not address its needs. George Coles was raised on his father’s farm in East Royalty, Prince Edward Island. He received little formal education. At age 19, he travelled to England where, in 1833, he married Mercy Haine, with whom he had 12 children. Later that year, he returned to Prince Edward Island with his bride, and shortly afterwards he advertised for sale items he had brought from England. He opened a store in Charlottetown and established other businesses, becoming best known as a Brewer and Distiller.
Political Career
In 1842, George Coles entered public life by successfully contesting a rural constituency. As a man of property, he allied himself with the Conservatives in the House of Assembly, who in broad terms represented the interests of wealthier Islanders. The dominant issue in the colony was the land question, that is, the conflicts arising from the division of the Island into 67 townships or lots in the 18th century and their distribution to favourites. As a consequence, there was almost no crown land for settlers to acquire in freehold tenure; most had to become tenants. Coles came to see the land system as an impediment to the development of the colony especially for businesses such as his, which required healthy internal markets.
Life After politics
Earlier in 1867, the Reformers had won an election against the deeply divided Conservatives. George Coles returned to the premiership but his mind had begun to deteriorate. In mid-1868 he formally resigned as premier; during the next legislative session he rarely spoke; and in 1870 he was absent for the entire session. Coles’ senility was commonly attributed to overwork and anxiety. He himself dated his decline to his overexertion in the face of Charlottetown’s great fire in 1866, stating that he had collapsed twice in the course of fighting the blaze.