John Philip Roblin

John Philip Roblin (August 16, 1799–November 12, 1874) was a farmer and political figure in Upper Canada and Canada West (now Ontario). He was born in Sophiasburgh Township in Prince Edward County, Upper Canada in 1799, the son of Prudence Platt and Philip Roblin. His father was a Loyalist who had left New Jersey for Upper Canada in 1784. His uncle, John Roblin, was a member of the 5th Parliament of Upper Canada from 1809 to 1810. John Philip Roblin lived in Prince Edward County his entire life. As a young man, he first settled in Ameliasburgh Township, clearing land and farming, then moved to Hallowell Township and finally settled at Picton in 1858. Roblin represented Prince Edward County in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada from 1830 to 1836. He was elected twice, in the elections of 1830 and 1836. He was a supporter of the Reform movement of Upper Canada, following the lead of Reformers Marshall Spring Bidwell and Peter Perry, the members of the Legislative Assembly from the neighbouring Lennox and Addington County. All three were defeated in the election in 1836, when the Tories won control of the Assembly. Although he was a supporter of the Reform movement, he did not support the radical approach which resulted in the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837. Instead, as a captain of the 2nd Battalion of Prince Edward militia, he commanded a troop of cavalry in the winter of 1837–1838.