Ebenezer Perry

Ebenezer Perry (September 29, 1788 – May 1, 1876) was a merchant and Canadian political figure. He was a Conservative member of the Senate of Canada from 1871 until his death and at the age of 83, the oldest person ever summoned to the Senate.

Background

He was born in Ernestown (later Bath), Upper Canada in 1788. He built a grist mill there, later known as Pratt's Mill or just "The Mill", and still preserved as a heritage building. His son George Perry built the regency styled Woodlawn in 1835, which is located at 420 Division Street. The building survives and today, known as The Woodlawn Inn, which was a hotel and restaurant for many years and is now a rehabilitation facility. Mr. Perry played a central role in numerous town projects. One of the major investors in the Cobourg harbour Commission, Mr. Perry was also a contributor to the stock company which designed and operated a town steamboat and a director of the Cobourg Railway Company. While living at The Woodlawn, Mr. Perry actively lobbied for the incorporation of the Town of Cobourg and served as the first president of the town's board of police. He was also a member of the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada, serving from 1855 until Confederation. His son Charles served in the House of Commons.