Simcoe

Background Information on John Graves Simcoe

Commander of the Queen’s Rangers 1777-83

Simcoe was born in England in 1752. He was the son of a Royal Navy captain who died on active service in 1759, so young Simcoe was raised by his mother, in the city of Exeter. Later educated at Eton and Oxford, in 1770 he joined the British Army and was commissioned ensign in the 35th foot. In the early years of the American Revolutionary War he was promoted to captain of the grenadier company of the 40th foot.

Portrait of John Graves Simcoe, 1791

Credit: Toronto Public Library (T.R.L): T34632

Eager to acquire greater autonomy he sought the command of a Provincial regiment where he might be allowed to organise a rapid response unit. On October 15, 1777 he was granted the rank of Major-Commandant of the Queen's American Rangers then serving in Pennsylvania. His later exploits won him praise from his superiors and respect from his enemies. In 1781 the war was practically over and Simcoe returned to England on convalescent leave. On January 22, 1782 he received the Freedom of the City of Exeter, and shortly afterwards married Elizabeth Gwillim.

Simcoe now purchased a large estate near Honiton, Devon. In 1790 he was elected a member of Parliament but in June 1792 accepted the post of Lieutenant-Governor of the new province of Upper Canada, what is now Ontario. Here he established the settlement of York, which later became the city of Toronto.

Simcoe remained in Canada until July 1796 when he returned to England but his stay was short. Duty required him to serve this time on St. Domingo (Haiti) in the West Indies during the French revolutionary war. Returning to Devon in 1798, he completely re-organised the county volunteers and Yeomanry in case of foreign invasion.

In 1806 he was appointed commander-in -chief of British troops in India but fell ill en route to his new command. Obliged to return to England, at Exeter he could travel no further and on October 26th, died.

Simcoe was buried with full military honours at Wolford Chapel on the family estate. A memorial to his exploits is in Exeter Cathedral.

Wreaths laid at Wolford Chapel, to mark the 200th anniversary of his passing

Above, Society members honour memorials made to John Graves Simcoe within Exeter Cathedral and Cathedral Yard

Devonshire Connections

King's School, Ottery St. Mary

Simcoe's sons Henry & Francis were both educated at King's School. It remains to this day in operation providing secondary education to the local community..

Little House, Budleigh Salterton

In addition to the extensive estate north of Honiton, Simcoe purchased a seaside residence in Budleigh Salterton.

The town of Topsham, a military connection

The Exeter Flying Post lists an obituary in April 1795 "... in her 29th year, after a short illness Mrs. Dorothy Brown, Wife of Thomas Brown esq. lieutenant in the Queen's Rangers." Passed away in Topsham.