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1775-1965, predominant 1821-1900 (Creation)
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- Uniacke (family)
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48 cm of textual records and other material
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Biographical history
The Uniacke family of Halifax and Mount Uniacke were prominent in the political, legal, religious, and social life of Nova Scotia. Richard John Uniacke, son of Norman and Alicia (Purdon) Uniacke, was born at Castletown, County Cork, Ireland and emigrated to Halifax, N.S. ca. 1755. He was lieutenant colonel of 8th Battalion, Halifax militia, and founder of the Charitable Irish Society. He held several public offices including MLA, 1783-1793, 1798-1805; speaker of the House of Assembly, 1789-1793, 1799-1805; solicitor general, 1781-1797 and attorney general, 1797-1830. In 1805 he published the third series of the Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia (1758-1804), commonly known as Uniacke's Laws. Between 1780 and 1819, he acquired large tracts of property at Mount Uniacke, where he built his estate and farm. Uniacke married Martha Maria Delesdernier (1762-1803), daughter of Moses Delesdernier of Hillsboro, N.S., on 3 May 1775. After her death, he married Eliza (Newton), daughter of Capt. Phillip Newton, on 14 January 1808. Richard John and Martha had eleven children who survived to adulthood: 1) Norman Fitzgerald (ca. 1777-1846) m. Sophie (Delesdernier); 2) Mary (1782-1825) m. Sir Andrew Mitchell; 3) Crofton (1783-1852?) m. Dorothy (Fawson); 4) Martha Mathilda (b. 1785) m. Thomas Nickelson; 5) Alicia (1787-ca. 1840) m. William Scott; 6) Richard John (1789-1834), m. Mary Ann (Hill); 7) Elizabeth (1791-1844); 8) Anne Margaret (1793-1871) m. Capt. [Kevan] Leslie; 9) Eleanor Rebecca (1795?-1849) m. Dr. William Hacket; 10) Robert Fitzgerald (1797-1870); m. Elizabeth (Francklin); and 11) James Boyle (1800-1858), m. Rosina Jane (Black). Crofton, Richard John II and James Boyle Uniacke followed in their father's footsteps and were active in provincial law and politics. Richard John II was acquitted in 1819 for killing William Bowie in a duel and went on to become MLA for Cape Breton Co. 1820-1830 and later puisne judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, 1830-1834. His brother, James Boyle Uniacke, became the first premier of Nova Scotia following the institution of responsible government in 1848. Andrew Mitchell Uniacke (1808-1895), the only child of Richard John and Eliza and husband of Elizabeth (Fraser), was a barrister, MLA, 1843-1847, president of the Bank of the Nova Scotia, and chairman of the Board of School Commissioners of Halifax, 1866-1872.
Custodial history
The letter book of Richard John Uniacke and his memorandum to Windham, 1806, was originally part of the Akins Collection in the custody of the Nova Scotia Historical Society and donated to the archives in 1931. In 1957, George Herman of the Department of Publicity and Industry deposited at the archives a number of commissions, deeds, and grants which were found in the Uniacke House when it was purchased by the Province of Nova Scotia as a historic site. Other Uniacke family records dispersed among family members in Canada and Europe were donated to the archives by W.A. Craik of Toronto, Ont. in 1956; Lt. Col. Richard John Uniacke of Glanleam, Ireland in 1958; by Eileen (Odevaine) Cuthbertson, of Sackville, N.B., (great granddaughter of Rev. R.J. Uniacke III), between 1959 and 1961; Jeremy Uniacke of London, England in 1968; and R.F. Uniacke, of Ottawa, Ont., date unknown. Additional material was received from the Nova Scotia Museum in 1978, and from James B. Uniacke, Chichester, West Sussex, England, in 1995, including original will of Richard John Uniacke and letter to his children, family letters, and material relating to the Uniackes of Youghal.
Scope and content
Fonds consists of records created and accumulated by four generations of the Uniacke family of Halifax and Mount Uniacke, N.S. Family members include Richard John Uniacke, Rev. James Boyle and his wife Mary (Merkel), Rev. Robert Fitzgerald, Richard John II, Rev. Richard John III (R.J.), Crofton and his wife Dorothy (Fawson), Andrew Mitchell, James Boyle, and Alicia Uniacke. Fonds contains originals and copies of correspondence concerning legal matters and financial transactions as well as some personal letters; accounts and other financial records, several relating to the Mount Uniacke estate; wills; commissions; deeds and grants mainly concerning family property at Mount Uniacke; private letter book of Richard John Uniacke, 1821-1824; memorandum written by Richard John Uniacke to Windham in 1806 regarding British colonies in America and trade; journal of Rev. R.J. Uniacke III describing his trip from Sydney to New York in 1876 as well as a manuscript of his short plays and his drawings; genealogical notes and charts (some on microfilm); biographical notes; poems and literary manuscripts, two written about the Uniacke family and estate (on microfilm); typescript relating to the indictment against Richard John Uniacke II; newspaper clippings about Mount Uniacke and Uniacke House; and printed material and other items concerning the Uniackes of Youghal, Ireland. Fonds also contains photograph portraits of Uniacke family members, Anglican and Episcopal bishops, and others, and four letters received by Capt. Jones Fawson of Halifax (Crofton Uniacke's father-in-law).
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Portion of the fonds available on microfilm.
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Finding aids
Partial item list available.
Associated materials
Correspondence and other items relating to the Uniacke family found in the Brian C. Cuthbertson fonds. Records relating to individual family members found in the James Boyle Uniacke fonds, Rev. James Boyle Uniacke fonds, Robert Fitzgerald Uniacke fonds, and F.F. Uniacke fonds.
Accruals
General note
Memoirs of Richard John Uniacke are reprinted in Canadian Historical Review, 17 (1) pp.41-58 (1936). Formerly known as the Uniacke papers.
Physical description
Includes: ca. 175 photographs, 21 maps, 1 microfilm reel. Parts of letter book are illegible due to style of handwriting as well as blurring of ink and mold discolouration.