1847 Hamilton, Ontario, municipal election

The 1847 Hamilton municipal election was the first election held to the newly incorporated Town of Hamilton. The vote was held on January 12, 1847 to select ten members to represent each of the city's five wards on the Hamilton, Ontario, City Council.[1] Those councillors would, in turn, elect one mayor from their ranks and an additional councillor to represent the seat they vacated on Saturday, January 16, 1847.[2]

1847 Hamilton municipal election

January 12, 1847 1848 →
 
Nominee Collin Ferrie
Party Independent
Electoral vote 9
Percentage 90%

Mayor before election

office created

Elected mayor

Collin Ferrie
Independent

Mayoral Election

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The first council of the City of Hamilton met on Saturday, 16 January 1847, to elect a mayor from among their ranks. The Hamilton Spectator and Journal of Commerce reported that "after some discussion", St. Mary's ward councillor Colin Ferrie was proposed and a vote was held, where only one councillor voted against Ferrie's assuming the office. Following the election of Ferrie as mayor, councillors selected Alexander Carpenter as Ferrie's replacement on city council.[3]

Summary of the January 16, 1847 Hamilton, Ontario Mayoral Election
Candidate Affiliation Council vote   Elected?
For Against
  Colin Ferrie Independent 9 1  
Total votes 10
Note: The mayor was elected by councillors from among their ranks.
Sources: [3]

Councillors

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St. Andrew's Ward

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Summary of the January 12, 1847 Hamilton, Ontario St. Andrew's Ward Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote   Elected?
Votes
  H.B. Wilson Independent 156  
  (?) Gunn Independent 126  
  Thomas Gillesby Independent 59
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: [4]

St. George's Ward

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Summary of the January 12, 1847 Hamilton, Ontario St. George's Ward Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote   Elected?
Votes
  (?) Freeman Independent 86  
  (?) Mills Independent 84  
  (?) Walker Independent 39
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: [4]

St. Patrick's Ward

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Summary of the January 12, 1847 Hamilton, Ontario St. Patrick's Ward Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote   Elected?
Votes
  (?) Kelly Independent 131  
  (?) O'Reilly Independent 107  
  (?) Clemeat Independent 86
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: [4][5]

St. Lawrence Ward

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Summary of the January 12, 1847 Hamilton, Ontario St. Lawrence Ward Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote   Elected?
Votes
  (?) Ford Independent 113  
  (?) Counsel Independent 75  
  (?) Winer Independent 71
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: [4]

St. Mary's Ward

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Summary of the January 12, 1847 Hamilton, Ontario St. Mary's Ward Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote   Elected?
Votes
  Colin Ferrie Independent 110  
  Andrew "Yankee" Miller Independent 88  
  (?) Webster Independent 68
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: [4][6]

References

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  1. ^ "First election of councillors", Hamilton Spectator and Journal of Commerce, Volume 1, No. 53, Wednesday, January 13, 1847, pg. 2
  2. ^ "Election of mayor", Hamilton Spectator and Journal of Commerce, Volume 1, No. 55, Wednesday, January 20, 1847, pg. 2/3
  3. ^ a b "Election of Mayor". The Hamilton Spectator and Journal of Commerce. January 20, 1847.
  4. ^ a b c d e "The First Election of Councillors". The Hamilton Spectator and Journal of Commerce. January 13, 1847.
  5. ^ "Crrr [sp] Elections". The Hamilton Spectator and Journal of Commerce. January 20, 1847.
  6. ^ Quigley, Michael (1987). On The Market. Hamilton: W. L. Griffin Publishing Limited. p. 16. ISBN 0-921055-01-3.