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1776 in Canada
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April 2026
September 2022
1776
Events from the year 1776 in Canada.
Incumbents
Monarch: George IIIKings and Queens of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/royal-family/kings-queens.html#e2 aem 24 February 2021 11 August 2017
Governors
Governor of the Province of Quebec: Guy Carleton
Governor of Nova Scotia: Mariot Arbuthnot
Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland: John Montagu
Governor of St. John's Island: Walter Patterson
Events
American Revolutionary War. United Empire Loyalists move to Upper Canada and settle (lumbering, farming starts).
April 29 – Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Chase and Rev. John Carroll, a Jesuit, urge Canadians to send delegates to Congress, promising toleration. Franklin brings a printer and press, for a newspaper, to mould public opinion. Canadians regard Franklin as an enemy, and the priests remind Father Carroll that, unlike some of the Provinces, Britain tolerates the Romish Church.
May 6 – As a British fleet is in sight, the Continental Army, before Quebec, weakened by disease, retires from a superior enemy, who await reinforcements, behind strong walls.
June 8 – Attempting to surprise Three Rivers, General Thompson, with 200 of 1,800 Americans, is taken prisoner.
June 16 – Arnold's force has retreated from Montreal.
June 18 – General Burgoyne finds that the Continental Army has evacuated St. Johns.
The eleventh Article of "Confederation and Perpetual Union" provides that: "Canada, according to this Confederation, and joining in the measures of the United States, shall be admitted into, and entitled to, all the advantages of this Union; but no other Colony shall be admitted to the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine States."
October 11 – The British are victorious on Lake Champlain.
October 13 – On Lake Champlain, Arnold runs part of his fleet ashore, to avoid capture.
The Jesuits' College, at Quebec, converted into barracks.
The American colonies declare their independence. The United States Declaration of Independence is signed July 4, 1776.
Common Sense by Thomas Paine (1737–1809) appears.
Under Guy Carleton, Quebec withstands an American siege until the appearance of a British fleet (May 6). Carleton is later knighted.
Births
January 23 – Howard Douglas, soldier, educator, author, inventor, and colonial administrator (d.1861)
February 21 – Joseph Barss, privateer (d.1824)
April 3 – François Blanchet, author, physician, teacher, militia officer, businessman, seigneur, politician, office holder (d.1830)
May 20 – Simon Fraser, fur-trader and explorer (d.1862)
July 17 – John Neilson, publisher, printer, bookseller, politician, farmer, and militia officer (d.1848)
August 1 – Archibald Acheson, 2nd Earl of Gosford, colonial administrator (d.1849)
August 5 – John Willson, judge and political figure (d.1860)
Full date unknown
Colin Campbell, army officer and colonial administrator (d.1847)
Deaths
March 30 – Jonathan Belcher, lawyer, chief justice, and lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia (b.1710)
References
1776 in
76
Canada