Picton in Prince Edward in Prince Edward County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

John A. Macdonald in Hallowell

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 30, 2026

1. John A. Macdonald in Hallowell Marker

Inscription. John A. Macdonald (1815-1891), who became Canada's first prime minister at Confederation, began the study of law in 1830 under George Mackenzie, a prominent Kingston lawyer. Three years later he came to Hallowell (now Picton) to manage the law practice of his cousin, Lowther P. Macpherson, who was in ill-health. During his stay here, Macdonald became the first secretary of the Prince Edward Young Men's Society in 1834 and served as secretary of the Prince Edward District School Board. The latter position constituted his earliest experience in the field of public administration. Macdonald returned to Kingston in the summer of 1835 where he set up his own law practice.

Erected 1965 by Archeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 44° 0.447′ N, 77° 8.511′ W. Marker is in Prince Edward, Ontario, in Prince Edward County. It is in Picton. It is on Main Street West 0.1 kilometers west

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of Ross Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 199C Main Street W, Prince Edward ON K0K 2T0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeastern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Montreal (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); North American Hotel (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); The “Conference Church” (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The County Buildings (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Letitia Youmans 1827-1896 (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The Rev. William Macauley (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); The White Chapel (approx. 3 kilometers away).

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 30, 2026

2. John A. Macdonald in Hallowell Marker

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Prince Edward.

John A. Macdonald, 1840s image. Click for full size.

3. John A. Macdonald, 1840s

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 9, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.