Joseph Cunard
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Joseph Cunard (1799 – January 16, 1865) was a merchant, shipbuilder and political figure in New Brunswick. He represented Northumberland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1828 to 1833.
He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the son of Abraham Cunard and Margaret Murphy. In 1833, he married Mary Peters. Cunard was educated in Halifax and entered his father's firm. Around 1820, with his brothers Henry and Samuel, he opened a branch of the family timber business in Chatham, New Brunswick. The firm operated mills, wharves, a store and shipyards there. The business expanded to include operations at Shippegan, Kouchibouguac, Richibucto and Bathurst. Cunard was also a justice of the peace and served on the board of health for the region. In 1833, he was named to the province's Legislative Council. Cunard also served on the province's Executive Council from 1838 to 1843. He competed with the firm Gilmour, Rankin, and Company for control of timber reserves along the Miramichi River. In 1847, after having overextended himself financially, Cunard was forced to declare bankruptcy which put many people in the region out of work. In 1850, he left the area and settled at Liverpool in England where he again entered business selling ships, lumber and goods on a commission basis for merchants in the colonies. He died there in 1865.
