Downtown in St. John's in Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)

John Reeves

(1752-1829)

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 2024

1. John Reeves Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This scholarly English lawyer played a pivotal role in shaping the judiciary system in Newfoundland. On his recommendation a civil Supreme Court was created in 1791, and then a permanent court with added criminal jurisdiction in 1792. Reeves became the island's first Chief Justice. His history of Newfoundland, which argued that English West Country merchants conspired to deny fishermen and settlers their just rights, remained the standard interpretation for nearly two centuries.

Avocat érudit, l'anglais John Reeves joua un rôle déterminant dans l'élaboration du système judiciaire de Terre-Neuve. Nommé juge sur cette île en 1791, il recommanda et obtint la création d'une Cour suprême civile, puis, en 1792, d'un tribunal permanent ayant juridiction dans les causes criminelles. Il devint aussi le premier juge en chef de l'île. Auteur d'une histoire de Terre-Neuve, il y présente les marchands de la côte ouest de l'Angleterre conspirant pour priver les pêcheurs et les colons de leurs droits fondamentaux, thèse qui demeura la dominante pendant près de deux siècles.

Erected

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2002 by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1752.

Location. 47° 33.878′ N, 52° 42.446′ W. Marker is in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in Avalon Peninsula. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Duckworth Street and Church Hill, on the right when traveling north on Duckworth Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 309 Duckworth Street, St John's NL A1C A1C, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Avalon Peninsula.

It is also in Atlantic Canada.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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,

and Acadia.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: William Carson (within shouting distance of this marker); St. John’s Court House (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); St. John the Baptist Anglican Cathedral (about 120 meters away); Masonic Temple (about 120 meters away); Former Bank of British North America (about 150 meters away); Bank of British North America (about 150 meters away); Gower Street United Church (about 180 meters away); (Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Monument) (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. John's.

St John's Courthouse & John Reeves Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 2024

2. St John's Courthouse & John Reeves Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.