John Graves Simcoe Exeter

John Graves Simcoe, Exeter

John Graves Simcoe (1752-1806) was a pupil of Exeter Free Grammar School in his youth, before going on to greater things as the first Lieutenant Governor of upper Canada, after serving as a daring officer in the British army commanding the Queen’s Rangers during the American War of Independence.

The First Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada

After the end of the war in America, Simcoe was instrumental in the founding of York (now Toronto) and the ending of slavery in the Canadian territories.

“The principles of the British Constitution do not admit of that slavery which Christianity condemns. The moment I assume the Government of Upper Canada under no modification will I assent to a law that discriminates by dishonest policy between natives of Africa, America, or Europe.”