Delaware in Middlesex County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Gideon Tiffany 1774-1854

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

1. Gideon Tiffany 1774-1854 Marker

Inscription. A native of New Hampshire who had come to Niagara in 1794, Tiffany was appointed King's Printer and published the official "Upper Canada Gazette" until 1797. He was not a Loyalist and the government, concerned by his American background, forced his resignation. In 1799 he and his brother Silvester founded at Niagara this province’s first independent newspaper, the "Canada Constellation". When it failed in 1800, Gideon moved to Delaware where, with Moses Brigham and another brother Dr. Oliver Tiffany of Ancaster, he purchased a large tract of land, including the site of the present village, from Ebenezer Allan and others. Active in township affairs, he remained here for the rest of his life.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1794.

Location. 42° 54.531′ N, 81° 25.282′ W. Marker is in Delaware, Ontario, in Middlesex County. It is on Gideon Road (County Road 3) 0.1 kilometers north of Longwoods Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2708 County Rd 3, Delaware ON N0L 1E0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 16 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ebenezer Allan 1752-1813 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Arthur Stringer House (approx. 15 kilometers away); The Lawson Site (approx. 15 kilometers away); Isaac Crouse (approx. 15.6 kilometers away); King Street Bridge (approx. 15.6 kilometers away); Paul Peel (approx. 15.8 kilometers away); The Founding of London (approx. 15.9 kilometers away); Middlesex Court House (approx. 15.9 kilometers away).

Also see . . .
1. Tiffany, Gideon (Dictionary of Canadian Biography).

It was probably through his brother-in-law, Davenport Phelps, who in 1794 was living in Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake), that Gideon learned the office of king’s printer for Upper Canada was available. In November he succeeded Louis Roy in this appointment and on 3 December published his first issue of the Upper Canada Gazette; or, American Oracle. Tiffany also undertook job printing and in 1795 published a pamphlet by Richard Cockrell entitled Thoughts on the education of youth; this is believed to be the earliest non-governmental publication in the province.

(Submitted on May 31, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

2. Ontario’s First Newspaper (Upper Canada Gazette). <blockquote>[Governor John Graves]

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

2. Gideon Tiffany 1774-1854 Marker

Simcoe emphasized that the Gazette's primary function was to disseminate government matters, such as Simcoe's Speech From the Throne. Only when there was "a dearth of political intelligence" was the paper permitted to provide its readers with details of local and international interest. Its main mandate was to serve as the government's mouthpiece. (Submitted on May 31, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Issue of the Canadian Constellation, Dec. 28th, 1799 image. Click for full size.

3. Issue of the Canadian Constellation, Dec. 28th, 1799

Source: University of Toronto Early Canadian Newspapers

Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.