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I love Canada because . . .31 May 2008
Queens County, New Brunswick, Canada
Credits:Courtesy of Josh, Triangle 4-H Club
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Samuel Leonard Tilley represented Saint John in Parliament and served in the Federal Cabinet until 1873. The glow of Confederation had worn off by the early 1870s, with the public placing ever increasing demands upon the new nation. In New Brunswick, things had turned sour over a debate about public schools. Tilley even asked to be appointed the first Lieutenant Governor of the new province of British Columbia. After being passed over on several occasions, the Finance portfolio was finally his in early 1873; Prime Minister Macdonald recognizing the talents of his Confederation ally. Tilley's first budget was well received, however the Pacific Scandal soon unravelled the Macdonald majority when it was revealed certain members of the government had received bribes in exchange for railway contracts. Later in 1873 with a deep depression spreading through the United States and into Canada, the Macdonald government was defeated.3
Lantern slide: Parliament Buildings1900-1920
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Credits:New Brunswick Museum
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Just prior to the resignation of the Macdonald government, Samuel Leonard Tilley was appointed Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. At the age of 55, it seemed a fitting cap to a distinguished career. Returning from Ottawa, the Tilleys took up residence in the grand governor's house in Fredericton.5
Stereograph detail: Lieutenant Governor's Residence, Fredericton, New Brunswick1871-1876
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Credits:New Brunswick Museum
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Tilley seemed content with the largely ceremonial position. It seemed ironic that a man instrumental in stripping power away from unelected officials and providing more control to the people would find himself in the very office that represented the Crown. In another sense, perhaps it was an obvious choice. Tilley and the Fathers of Confederation were not opposed to the Crown, they just wished for a greater balance between the needs of the electorate and the broader needs of a constitutional monarchy. Tilley understood those roles better than anyone and so he delivered speeches from the throne, attended military reviews and presided over official receptions and government functions with Alice at his side.7
Photograph: Lieutenant Governor Samuel Leonard Tilley1873
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Credits:New Brunswick Museum
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Government House rang with the laughter and activity of a young family. Built in the 1820s, the grand residence was designed and constucted for official life rather than as a home. Somehow the Tilleys managed to make the stone mansion comfortable. Slightly north of the downtown core of Fredericton, the house had extensive grounds in a peacful and historic setting. Aboriginals and Acadians had lived on the site in previous centuries. The Prince of Wales had visited in 1860. A new greenhouse provided fresh flowers for enjoyment and entertainments. And the views of the St. John River were enjoyed from a veranda on the river side.9
Photograph: Government House, Fredericton1865-1875
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Credits:New Brunswick Museum
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This carriage was found in the attic of the Tilley House at Saint John in the 20th century. Given its age it would have been used by Alice Tilley for her children in the early 1870s and was probably used at Government House.11
Carriage found in Tilley House, Germain Street, Saint John, New Brunswickc. 1870
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Credits:Gift of Russell D. Wheaton, 1970
Queens County Historical Society & Museum Inc.
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By the mid-1870s, Samuel Leonard Tilley's children from his first wife were in early adulthood and making lives for themselves. This is a photograph of Leonard Arthur Tilley as a young man in 1873.13
Photograph: Leonard Arthur Tilley3 June 1873
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Credits:Gift of James Barker, 1999
Queens County Historical Society & Museum Inc.
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Herbert and young LPD Tilley lived with their parents at Government House. The vast spaces of the mansion must have seemed palatial and cavernous to the young boys. |
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