Michael Grass

Captain Michael Grass (c.1735–1813) was a French-born militia captain who was loyal to the British and led a contingent of United Empire Loyalists to Canada after the American War of Independence. He was one of the founders of Kingston, Ontario.

Early years Michael Grass was born in Strasbourg, Alsace around 1735, emigrated to America, and settled in Philadelphia in 1752. During his years in Philadelphia, he worked as a tanner and saddler. He later moved to New York City and then to Tryon County, New York where he began farming as well as continued his vocation of saddler. Grass arrived with about fifty families in 1784.

Grass is considered one of the founders of Kingston, Ontario. He became a leader in the new community, creating one of the first permanent English-speaking towns in Canada. He was appointed a magistrate and performed many of the marriages in Kingston during these early years In Kingston, Ontario, a street is named after Michael Grass. As well, the publishing house Michael Grass House bears his name.