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Beckwith, Hon. John Adolphus. The late Hon. Mr. Beckwith was born at Fredericton, New Brunswick, on December 1st, 1800, and died November 23rd, 1880. His father, Nehemiah Beckwith, was a loyalist, settled in Fredericton, and built sloops in partnership with the celebrated Benedict Arnold, who, at that time, also resided in Fredericton. Nehemiah Beckwith was married at Fredericton, to Julie Louise LeBrun, a daughter of Jean Baptiste LeBrun, barrister, and proctor at law, etc., of Quebec. Miss LeBrun came to Fredericton from Quebec with the family of Sir Guy Carleton, in the capacity of companion and French governess to Miss Carleton. About 1813, Nehemiah Beckwith purchased a large tract of land in the suburbs of Montreal from Count du Chaillu (father of the great explorer and historian), but his death very soon after, before the deeds were completed, lost him the property and purchase money. This property is now a valuable part of the City of Montreal. Mrs. Beckwith (neé LeBrun) was cousin to Cardinal Richelieu, and aunt to L’Abbé Ferland, professeur d’Histoire, University Laval, Quebec. Hon. John A. Beckwith was cousin to l’Abbé Ferland. Hon. Mr. Beckwith commenced his studies in the old Fredericton Grammar School, and completed them in Montreal and Quebec, graduating as a surveyor and engineer. He was connected with the militia from early manhood, and was for some years in command of the 1st battalion York Militia. For several years he was deputy surveyor general, before responsible government, and was commissioner of the N.B. & N.S. Land Company, from 1860 till his death. He served as mayor of Fredericton in 1863 and 1864, and represented York county in the local legislature from 1866 to 1873, holding the office of provincial secretary and receiver general from 1868 to 1873, when he was appointed to a seat in the Legislative Council. Mr. Beckwith ever took an active interest in the advance of agriculture, and was always one of the committee in Provincial exhibitions. He was at one time grand master of the Orange body of New Brunswick. In religious matters he was a member of the Church of England. He was first married in 1822, to Ann Jewett; and married a second time in 1837, to Maria Ann Berton, whose father, a son of a loyalist, was the first sheriff of York county. His second wife survived him four years.