Andrew Rainsford Wetmore

Andrew Rainsford Wetmore (August 16, 1820 – March 7, 1892) was a New Brunswick politician, jurist, and a member of a prominent United Empire Loyalist family.

Andrew Rainsford Wetmore
1st Premier of New Brunswick
In office August 16, 1867 – May 25, 1870
Monarch	Victoria
Lieutenant Governor	Charles Hastings Doyle Francis Pym Harding Lemuel Allan Wilmot
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	George E. King
MLA for Saint John City
In office March 4, 1865 – May 25, 1870 Serving with Jacob Valentine Troop, Samuel Leonard Tilley
Preceded by	Charles Watters
Succeeded by	Aaron Alward
Personal details
Born	August 16, 1820 Fredericton, New Brunswick
Died	March 7, 1892(1892-03-07) (aged 71) Fredericton, New Brunswick
Nationality	Canadian
Political party	Conservative
Spouse	Louisa Elizabeth Lansdowne ​ ​ (m. 1848)​
Children	9
Residence	Saint John, New Brunswick
Alma mater	Fredericton Collegiate School
Occupation	Lawyer and judge
Profession	politician

Wetmore entered politics in 1865 with his election to the colonial legislature as an Anti-Confederate. His opposition to Canadian confederation dissolved when he didn't get the appointment he expected as Attorney-General in the Anti-Confederate Party's government. Wetmore crossed the floor and joined the Confederation Party which formed the government in 1866. When New Brunswick joined Canada in 1867 many prominent pro-Confederation politicians assumed positions in the House of Commons of Canada, the courts or other offices. Wetmore was able to assume the leadership of the remaining Confederation Party forces in the legislature becoming Premier in 1867.

Wetmore's government helped finance extensions to rail lines in the province. His government also incorporated the College of Saint Joseph and granted full property rights to all married women living apart from, or deserted by, their husbands.

On May 25, 1870, he retired from politics to accept a position on the New Brunswick Supreme Court.

References

• "Andrew Rainsford Wetmore". Dictionary of Canadian Biography (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. 1979–2016.