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