| Description | These documents were compiled by the depositor during visits to Canada in 1964 - 1965 and in the following few years. The collection principally comprises his manuscript, notes, correspondence, and copies of source material
Rains was born in Hubberston in Pembrokeshire, the son of a naval officer. He was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1805, and saw service during the during the Napoleonic Wars before retiring on half pay to Sutton Lodge, Lambston, in 1817. During a return to duty with the army as a Major in 1824 - 1830 he became interested in the idea of developing part of Canada. He emigrated there and became a Commissioner of the Peace in 1833. In 1834 he petitioned to settle St Joseph Island in Lake Huron, Ontario and spent the remainder of his life in that place, some parts of which were named after areas of Pembrokeshire |