P5022

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Details

ID Number

P5022

Item Name

image

Title

Jacques (James) Baby

Description

black and white portrait of Jacques (James) Baby; Mr. Baby is wearing a dark suit and jacket with a high collared shirt; written on photograph Hon. James Baby/Mrs Pringle Artist;

History

Jacques (James) Baby (painted 1825-1830). Jacques (James) Baby (1763 - 1833) was born in Detroit and was very active in local politics and society. Jacques Duperon Baby, Jacques' (James) father, owned about 20 slaves (Black and Indigenous) and upon his death in 1789 some were inherited by Jacques (James) and his brother Francois. In 1802 he married Elizabeth Abbott and had five sons and one daughter. As Lord Lieutenant of the County of Kent (present day Chatham-Kent, Essex & Lambton Counties) Baby welcomed many important visitors to his home including Shawnee leader Chief Tecumseh and British Major General William Henry Proctor. Baby's wife died during the winter of 1812 - 1813 and, grieving, Baby moved to Quebec with his children. He later moved to York (now Toronto) where he died of a stroke on February 19, 1833. He was buried at St. Paul's, however, in 1860 his remains were removed to Sandwich for reinterrment in the Assumption Church Cemetery. Jacques was the brother of Francois Baby whose house (built in 1812) is the current location of Windsor's Community Museum. Francois was a militia officer, politician, justice of the peace and businessman. The Baby family, who were French and Roman Catholic was one of the most powerful in the Western District of Upper Canada. Following the British conquest of the French in 1760, the family pledged allegiance to the British crown and enjoyed good relations with the government at York (Toronto). However, it was sometimes regarded with suspicion by the local French-speaking population due to their close ties to the governing authorities.

Collection Name

Museum Windsor

Subject (Fre)

N

Subjects

Abbott, Elizabeth

Baby family / Famille Baby

Baby, Jacques

Baby, James

Duff-Baby House / Maison Duff-Baby

French Canadians / Canadiens-français

Government

Mill St. / Rue Mill

Proctor, General

Sandwich (Ont.)

Slavery / Esclavage

Tecumseh

War of 1812 / Guerre de 1812