Samuel Gerrard

Samuel Gerrard
Born	1767 Gibbstown House, County Meath, Ireland
Died	March 24, 1857(1857-03-24) (aged 89–90)
Occupation(s)	Fur trader, entrepreneur, militia officer, justice of the peace, politician, seigneur
Known for	Second president of the Bank of Montreal (1820–1826), member of the Special Council of Lower Canada (1838–1841), owner of Lanaudière and Carufel seigneuries

Samuel Gerrard (1767 – March 24, 1857) was a prominent figure in Canadian commerce and public service, known for his roles as a fur trader, entrepreneur, militia officer, justice of the peace, politician, and seigneur. He held the position of the second president of the Bank of Montreal from 1820 until 1826. Additionally, Gerrard served on the Special Council of Lower Canada from 1838 to 1841. In 1841, he became the owner of the Lanaudière and Carufel seigneuries.

Originating from Gibbstown House in County Meath, Ireland, Gerrard was born into a wealthy Anglo-Irish lineage that had maintained ownership of the Gibbstown estate since the mid-1600s. His family had longstanding associations with Clongill Castle and connections to distinguished individuals such as Jonathan Swift. By eighteen, Gerrard had made his way to Montreal where he engaged in fur trading activities centered around Timiskaming. In 1791, he formed a business partnership with William Grant—who would later become his brother-in-law—and Étienne-Charles Campion. Within this enterprise, Gerrard took on the role of accountant and was entitled to one-fourth of the profits.

Legacy

Toronto’s Gerrard Street bears his name as a tribute to his influence.