A piece of Chatham’s history is finally on display in council chambers.
The sword of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Douglas McLean, Chatham’s first mayor, was donated to the people of Chatham-Kent back in 2023.
During a recent council meeting, Mayor Darrin Canniff revealed the newly displayed sword that was a gift from Don Wilson, who was in charge of the estate of McLean’s late great-granddaughter, Evelyn.
McLean was born in Montreal and is believed to have participated as a Loyalist in the Rebellion of 1837. After the Rebellion, he went on to train as a lawyer, and was elected Chatham’s first mayor in 1855.
“In 1855, Chatham became a town and elected its first town council under the county of Kent,” said Canniff. “Among them was McLean, who was elected as the first mayor of the town of Chatham. McLean served two terms, in 1855 and 1856.”
The field officers’ dress sword, circa 1840, will sit to the left of the mayor in council chambers.
Canniff recognized two volunteers, Dr. Bruce Warwick and John Rhodes, who played a large role in getting the sword displayed.
