Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
R. John Gaskin fonds
General material designation
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
Level of description
Fonds
Repository
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
-
1891-1905 (Creation)
- Creator
- Gaskin, R. John
Physical description area
Physical description
1.2 m of textual records
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
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Numbering within publisher's series
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
John Gaskin was born in Kingston in 1840. After working for a number of years for ex-mayor John Flanigan, Gaskin took employment on board the Steamer Scotland. He held positions of responsibility on a number of steamers and became Captain of the Ranger at twenty-four years of age. In 1869 he became connected with the Montreal Transportation Company of Montreal. Two years later hs became outside manager of the Company in Kingston. He remained in this position until his retirement in 1902. Captain Gaskin was also active in municipal politics, serving as an Alderman for many years. In 1882, he was elected mayor. In 1904 he was the Kingston Conservative candidate for the Commons but was defeated. He died in 1908.
Custodial history
Scope and content
The fonds consists of correspondence, letterbooks, ledgers, scrapbooks, legal documents and financial records relating to Kingston business and shipping. The letterbooks, 1887-1889, contain correspondence of the Montreal Transportation Company. There are letters to Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir Mackenzie Bowel. Topics include the Orange Order, Catholicism, employment of locals, prices for timber in the hinterlands and the building of ships in Kingston.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Transfer from the City of Kingston records and gift of Mr. Walter Smith - 1974
Letterbook concerning Montreal Transportation Co Ltd (1884-1886) was purchased from estate of Dr. James A Gray, 1967
Arrangement
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
2228.1
2228.2
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Open
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Public domain
Associated materials
Accruals
No further accruals are expected