WILLIAM HAMILTON MERRITT 1793-1862
Posted by: 
cldisme
N 43° 09.367 W 079° 11.647
17T E 646822 N 4779734
A plaque and photo opportunity for the kids to learn about this gentleman who helped lead the construction of the Welland Canal.
Waymark Code: WM1YCW
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 08/03/2007
Views: 82
This plaque (dedicated in 1974) is located at the Welland Canal Lock 3 Museum in St. Catharines, Ontario and it states (in English):
Born of a Loyalist family in the state of New York, Merritt became a pioneer merchant and industrialist on Upper Canada's Niagara frontier. In 1818 he began to promote construction of the Welland Canal, of which, he became the first general manager (1824-41). Active in provincial politics from 1832 to 1862 as MLA, President of the Executive Council (1848-50) and Commissioner of Public Works (1850-51), he devoted his considerable energies to the economic development of the province through advocacy of such measures and the improvments of the St. Lawrence navigation and limited reciprocal free trade with the United States.
The plaque also states the above in French, as well.
Next to the plaque is a life-size cutout of William Merritt, but with the face removed so children can become William Merritt themselves. However, I don't think Mr. Merritt would have smiled with such a cheesy grin.
Classification: National Historic Person
Province or Territory: Ontario
Location - City name/Town name: St. Catharines
Link to Parks Canada entry (must be on www.pc.gc.ca): Not listed
Link to HistoricPlaces.ca: Not listed
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