Andrew Rainsford Wetmore

Andrew Rainsford Wetmore
1st Premier of New Brunswick
In office
August 16, 1867  May 25, 1870
Monarch Victoria
Lieutenant Governor Charles Hastings Doyle
Francis Pym Harding
Lemuel Allan Wilmot
Preceded by Peter Mitchell
Succeeded by George E. King
MLA for Saint John City
In office
March 4, 1865  May 25, 1870
Serving with Jacob Valentine Troop, Samuel Leonard Tilley
Preceded by Charles Watters
Succeeded by Aaron Alward
Personal details
Born August 16, 1820
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Died March 7, 1892(1892-03-07) (aged 71)
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Nationality Canadian
Political party Conservative
Spouse(s) Louisa Elizabeth Lansdowne (m. 1848)
Children 9
Residence Saint John, New Brunswick
Alma mater Fredericton Collegiate School
Occupation Lawyer and judge
Profession politician

Andrew Rainsford Wetmore (August 16, 1820 March 7, 1892) was a New Brunswick politician, jurist, and a member of a prominent United Empire Loyalist family.

Wetmore entered politics in 1865 with his election to the colonial legislature as an Anti-Confederate. His opposition to Canadian confederation dissolved when he didn't get the appointment he expected as Attorney-General in the Anti-Confederate Party's government. Wetmore crossed the floor and joined the Confederation Party which formed the government in 1866. When New Brunswick joined Canada in 1867 many prominent pro-Confederation politicians assumed positions in the Canadian House of Commons, the courts or other offices. Wetmore was able to assume the leadership of the remaining Confederation Party forces in the legislature becoming Premier in 1867.

Wetmore's government helped finance extensions to rail lines in the province. His government also incorporated the College of Saint Joseph and granted full property rights to all married women living apart from, or deserted by, their husbands.

On May 25, 1870 he retired from politics to accept a position on the New Brunswick Supreme Court.

References


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