James Ross

JAMES ROSS (1835-71)

Canadian journalist, lawyer, and member of the provisional government established by Louis Riel during the Red River Rebellion of 1869-70

James Ross is the son of Alexander Ross and his Okangan wife Timentwa. He was born at the Red River Settlement in 1835 Memorable Manitobans

James Ross was educated at St. John’s College and subsequently received his BA at the University of Toronto. He taught briefly at Upper Canada College and then returned to Red River where he was appointed Sheriff, Postmaster and Governor of the Gaol in 1862. Between 1860 and 1864 he was joint editor and proprietor of the Nor’Wester, which became identified with the Canadian Party in the settlement, but because he criticized the Hudson’s Bay Company he was dismissed as Sheriff in November 1862.Memorable Manitobans

James Ross left Red River in 1864 to study law in Toronto, and turned to journalism to support himself and his family while obtaining his qualifications, working for the Toronto Globe, the Hamilton Spectator, and then the Globe again between 1865 and 1869. He returned to Red River on the eve of the Red River Rebellion, quickly becoming the spokesman and leader of the English mixed-bloods in the November council meeting with the Métis, to which he was a delegate from Kildonan. His advocacy of cooperation with the Métis at this council, although falling far short of an advocacy of rebellion, separated him from the Canadian Party in the settlement. Ross served as a delegate from St. John’s to the Convention of Forty, and was chosen as the convention’s interpreter and a member of the influential Bill of Rights committee. He opposed provincial status for Red River but supported the general aims of the resistance, and was appointed chief justice in the provisional government. Memorable Manitobans

Ross was the only Anglophone mixed-blood in the colony who had the stature and the ability to oppose Louis Riel on equal terms, and his equivocal support for the resistance was a crucial factor in its success. Ross was tall and slender, with black hair and a widow’s peak. His face was aristocratic and he was extremely handsome. In later years he sported a full black beard and moustache, and he had bushy eyebrows and piercing eyes.Memorable Manitobans

James Ross died at Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, on 20 September 1871. He was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Canadian Headstones He is commemorated by James Street in Winnipeg Memorable Manitobans

Metis Script Affidavir for her deceased Husband

Scrip affidavit for Ross, James Widow: Margaret Ross; born: 1836; died: September 20, 1871; father: Alexander Ross (Scot); mother: Sarah (Indian); heirs: Margaret (widow and deponent) and children Louisa, Jane, Caroline Sarah, Henrietta, and Rupert James; scrip no: 9505 to 9509; claim no: 1721; date of issue: August 8, 1876; amount: $160 = Demande de certificat pour Ross, James veuve: Margaret Ross; né(e): en 1836; décédé(e): 20 septembre, 1871; père: Alexander Ross (Ecossais(e)); mère: Sarah (Indien(ne)); héritiers: Margaret (veuve et témoin déposant) et ses enfants Louisa, Jane, Caroline Sarah, Henrietta, et Rupert James; no de certificats: 9505 à 9509; no de réclamation: 1721; date d'émission: 8 août, 1876; au montant de: 160$.

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Biographical Accounts

1. Memorable Manitobans
2. Dictionnaire biographique du Canada