Allison, David Wright.

  • From: The Centennial of the settlement of Upper Canada by the United Empire Loyalists, 1784-1884 : the celebrations at Adolphustown, Toronto, and Niagara,
    • D.W. Allison (David Wright Allison) was a prominent 19th-century Canadian politician, farmer, and businessman based in Adolphustown, Ontario (formerly Upper Canada). Born in 1826 as a descendant of United Empire Loyalists, he served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for the riding of Lennox.
    • Allison was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in an 1883 by-election, and again in 1891. 
    • Allison House: Constructed in 1877, this grand Victorian mansion served as his family residence. Today, the property is owned by the Bay of Quinte Branch of the United Empire Loyalist Association and functions as the UEL Heritage Centre and Park as well as a Loyalist Cultural Centre. 
      Historical Significance: His estate was a central hub for early pioneers. For example, Allison hosted the major 1884 Loyalists’ Centennial demonstration that drew thousands of visitors.
    • David Wright Allison, a prominent local farmer, businessman and descendant of the early Loyalists had his home built in 1877. Allison was the Warden for Lennox and Addington County in 1881, served as its Member of Parliament from 1883 to 1891 and was well-known as a political adversary of Sir John A. MacDonald. For many years Allison was a significant landowner in the county and his home, fitted with the latest conveniences, was considered among the finest in the region. A cemetery is located northwest of the house and Loyalists were interred there as early as 1784. The Park possesses archaeological resources particularly in the vicinity of Hagerman’s Point, along the natural verge at the edge of Hagerman’s Creek, and in the western half of the Park in general.
    • Mr.  D.  W.  Allison,  M.P.,  though  suffering  from  tempo- rary illness,  consented,  at  the  earnest  request  of  many,  to address  the  meeting.  He  dwelt  with  feeling  on  the  scene which  this  point  had  witnessed  a  hundred  years  ago  yes- terday, when  the  pilgrim  band  of  Loyalists  landed  at  the outskirts  of  an  unbroken  wilderness,  which  Ontario  was, and  contrasted  that  with  the  scene  of  life  and  luxury which  the  place  presented  to-day.  He  dwelt  also  upon the  strong  contrast  between  the  condition  of  the  Loyalists and  of  their  descendants  of  to-day.  The  first  were  victims of  persecution,  leaving  all  for  the  sake  of  their  loyalty to  their  country  and  to  duty,  braving  hardships  and  privations that  they  might  have  the  flag  they  loved  float over  them.  Their  descendants  possess  the  land  which they  had  redeemed  from  the  encumbering  forests,  and  in that  land  peace  and  plenty  reigned,  so  that  even  the  poorest enjoy  advantages  which  the  best  of  their  forefathers could  not  hope  to  secure.  The  colonists  of  these days,  instead  of  coming  in  the  face  of  all  hardships,  had colonial  roads  and  railways  provided  in  advance  of  them in  the  wilderness.  The  first  apples  grown  here  were  from seed  brought  over  by  the  first  party  when  they  came.  When the  first  crop  was  ripe  the  man  who  grew  them  called  all the  people  of  the  settlement — men,  women  and  children — together,  and  the  apples  were  shared  equally.  Had  that been  in  this  day,  the  man  who  had  the  apples  would  have been  governed  by  the  law  of  supply  and  demand,  and would  have  sold  the  apples  to  his  neighbours  at  the  highest price.  It  had  been  stated  that  there  was  settlement at  Kingston  before  here,  but  those  people  did  not  leave the  States  till  after  Independence  was  declared,  and  the date  given  for  the  Kingston  settlement  was  too  early  for that.  He  contended  this  was  the  first  settlement,  and that  the  first  line  of  this  township  of  Adolphustown  was the  first  line  ever  run  by  a  surveyor  in  Ontario.  He closed  by  expressing  pleasure  at  the  large  turn  out  to  do honour  to  the  memory  of  Loyalists. 
  • Great Grandson of Proven Loyalist from the Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=93
  • Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152555122/david-wright-allison