Bothwell (Canadian electoral district)

Bothwell was a federal and provincial electoral district in the Canadian province of Ontario, which was represented in the House of Commons of Canada from 1867 to 1904 and in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1867 to 1875. It is sometimes also considered one of Ontario's historic counties, as it was listed in some post-Confederation census records as a county of residence.

Federal district

At its creation in 1867, Bothwell consisted of the Kent County townships of Bothwell, Camden, Dresden, Howard, Orford, Ridgetown, Thamesville and Zone, and the Lambton County townships of Dawn, Euphemia and Sombra. In 1882, the Townships of Euphemia, Orford and Howard were excluded from the riding, and the township of Chatham, the villages of Wallaceburg, Dresden and Thamesville, and the town of Bothwell were added to the riding.

The electoral district was abolished in 1903 when it was redistributed between Kent East, Kent West, Simcoe East and Simcoe South ridings.

Provincial district

The provincial district was divided between Kent West and Kent East in 1875.

Members of Parliament

This riding elected the following members of the House of Commons of Canada:

1. David Mills, Liberal - 1867-1882
2. John Joseph Hawkins, Conservative - 1882-1884 (election voided on appeal)
3. David Mills, Liberal - 1884-1896
4. James Clancy, Conservative - 1896-1903

Members of the Legislative Assembly

The riding elected the following member to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

1. Archibald McKellar, Ontario Liberal Party - 1867-1875

Election results

1872 Canadian federal election
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	MILLS, David	1,727
	Unknown	ATKINSON, C.R.	1,135

1874 Canadian federal election
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	MILLS, David	1,600
	Unknown	DOBBYN, ?	1,137

Mr. David Mills was appointed Minister of the Interior and Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, 24 October 1876:

By-election on 15 November 1876
Party		Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	MILLS, David	1,650
	Unknown	DAWSON, James	1,142

Election declared void Mr. J.J. Hawkins was declared not duly elected and was unseated by judgement of Supreme Court. The seat was awarded to his opponent, 25 February 1884:

By-election on 25 February 1884
Party		Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	MILLS, David

1887 Canadian federal election
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	MILLS, David	2,182
	Conservative	MITCHELL, Geo. M.D.	2,161

1891 Canadian federal election
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	MILLS, David	2,006
	Conservative	LANGFORD, G.R.	1,456
	Unknown	MCLARTEY, A.	1,088

External links

• Riding history from the Library of Parliament