Fulton, Stephen

DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: K. G. Pryke, “FULTON, STEPHEN,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 9, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/fulton_stephen_9E.html
DCB profile notes:
- Merchant, shipowner, shipbuilder, and politician; b. in 1810 in Wallace, Cumberland County, N.S., son of William Fulton; m. first Julia Ann Heustis, who died childless in 1844; m. secondly Sarah Elizabeth Black, and they had two sons and five daughters; d. 23 Oct. 1870 of typhus at Wallace.
- By the 1850s Fulton had become a merchant and shipowner in Wallace at a time of rapid economic development on the north shore. He was not deeply involved in shipping, but in the mid 1850s he built or commissioned four vessels, of which two were soon sold in Newfoundland and one in Liverpool, England. Apart from extensive land holdings, probably inherited from his father, his main business activity was as a merchant and ship-chandler. Eventually he constructed a warehouse, a wharf, and a sawmill. At his death he left his business to his son Allison, whom he had admitted as a partner some years previously, and the bulk of his land to his other son, William.
- During the 1840 provincial election Fulton was recruited as a last-minute Tory candidate in Cumberland County when the incumbent, Andrew McKim, died during the campaign. In 1850 Joseph Howe* proposed that the government build a railway from Halifax through Cumberland to connect with a proposed railway in New Brunswick. Fulton, like other Tories, not only feared the centralization of political power inherent in this government project, but was also unenthusiastic about a rail link to Canada. He recognized, however, that such a railway would tie into a proposed link to Portland, Maine. North shore merchants were usually interested in improved communications with the United States, and there would be an opportunity to compete with New Brunswick for a share of the trade between the United States and Prince Edward Island. Thus, Fulton supported the railway enough to be compelled in 1851 to vote against Conservative leader.
- Despite this success Fulton continued to face opposition in his county, particularly evident in 1853 in a petition signed by several hundred shipyard workers in Wallace protesting against his support of the railway.
- Apart from his involvement in the railway controversy, Fulton had not played a large role in provincial politics and his death in 1870 attracted little notice. He had been a useful member of the assembly, however, and his career illustrates the strong influence of county politics on the tone and conduct of provincial affairs. Furthermore, his independent approach shows why political innovations and clear party divisions were so difficult to introduce in Nova Scotia.
Grandson of Proven Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory –https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=9715
Find a GRAVE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183204514/stephen-fulton