Keys to History

The Joseph family became established in Canada when seventeen-year-old Henry Joseph emigrated from England in 1792 at the urging of his uncle Aaron Hunt, a Trois-Rivières businessman. From his first ventures as supplier to the army at Sorel and to the fur traders in the west, Henry built up an extensive business as commission merchant and shipper. His four surviving sons benefited from their father's experience and success, three of them establishing themselves in Montreal. Abraham, featured in the above picture, settled in Quebec City where he made his mark in banking and shipping. He is shown here with his twelve sons and daughters in Kincardain, the family home. His wife Sophia David had died in 1866.