Colonel Gabriel G. Ludlow

English: , Born to a wealthy American family in 1736, Gabriel Ludlow grew up a supporter of the King. When the American Revolution came Ludlow raised a battalion for General DeLancey's Brigade. He was commissioned colonel of the Third Battalion, part of His Majesty's colonial troops known as Royal Provincials. , At the war's end Col. Ludlow joined other defeated loyalists in England. A new colony, New Brunswick, was created on the north side of the Bay of Fundy. In autumn 1784 its new governor Thomas Carleton sailed from Britain with Loyalist elite to reward their colonial service. Two Ludlow brothers, Gabriel and George, were with him. , By 1785 Governor Carleton had joined the communities of Carleton (on the west of the harbour) and Parrtown (on the south side) into the City of Saint John. Carleton appointed Gabriel Ludlow the first mayor of Saint John, made him a member of the new colony's governing Council, and judge of the Vice-Admiralty Court. , Col. Ludlow's wife Ann sailed from New York to join him. The refugee ship, Martha, one of the last to sail from Long Island, went down in sight of the Saint John harbour at Saints Rest Beach. Ann was saved but many men of DeLancey's Brigade, who remained after the war organizing refugees' departures, were lost in the wreck. , For 10 years Mayor Ludlow was responsible for developing the rapidly expanding city's laws and regulations. From his home on the west side of the harbour Mayor Ludlow was rowed over every day to the city centre on the south side to attend to his own drygoods business and to the city's business. Council meetings in Fredericton rarely saw him. , When Governor Carleton returned to London in 1803, Col. Ludlow, the senior military officer, became the colony's new Commander-in-chief. As the senior councilor Ludlow also became the administrator, and president of the Council. During his 5 years' tenure he left the colony's Council responsibilities to his brother George Ludlow, the Chief Justice. , In 1807 Britain feared a new threat of war from the United States. New Brunswick was ordered to prepare. Commander-in-chief Col. Ludlow called out the colonial militia in January 1808. The great response from the former Royal Provincials proved New Brunswick could defend itself and possibly even defend Halifax. Ludlow did not believe the Americans would attack. He planned to disband all troops in March. However, in February 1808 Col. Ludlow died. , Col. Gabriel Ludlow and his wife were buried in the Old Carleton Graveyard. Their grave markers today are in the courtyard of Carleton Kirk United Church. Ludlow Street in west Saint John is named after him. ,