Bliss, William Blowers

  • DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: Phyllis R. Blakeley, “BLISS, WILLIAM BLOWERS,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 10, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/bliss_william_blowers_10E.html
  • DCB profile notes:
    • Barrister and judge; b. 24 Aug. 1795 at Saint John, N.B., son of Massachusetts loyalists Jonathan Bliss, attorney general of New Brunswick, 1785–1809, chief justice, 1809–22, and Mary Worthington; brother of Henry; d. 16 March 1874 at his residence, Fort Massey, Halifax, N.S.
    • As a loyalist William Blowers Bliss was part of the group which ruled the colony of Nova Scotia and had tremendous social prestige. After graduating from King’s Collegiate School, he received a ba in 1813 and an ma in 1816, both from King’s College where he was recognized as a classical scholar and poet.
    • In 1830 Bliss was elected to the Nova Scotia assembly for Hants County. In keeping with his family tradition and social position he was a Tory, but he expressed independent opinions by supporting the demand for the separation of the executive and legislative functions in the council and by backing a group of Halifax businessmen seeking a charter for the Bank of Nova Scotia in 1832 
    • When S. S. Blowers resigned the office of chief justice in 1833, he strongly recommended that his son-in-law and protégé be appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court, but there were other candidates with more seniority. However, upon the death of Richard John Uniacke II, Bliss was appointed by royal mandamus of Queen Victoria a puisne judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on 15 May 1834, at an annual salary of £540 and fees. 
  • Son of United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=645
  • Find a GRAVE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210536238/william-blowers-bliss