The following is an excerpt from the Dictionary of Canadian Biographies, University of Toronto Press: WASHBURN, SIMON EBENEZER, militia officer, lawyer, and politician; b. probably 1794 in Fredericksburg Township, Upper Canada, son of Ebenezer Washburn and Sarah De Forest; m. 12 April 1821 Margaret FitzGibbon; d. 29 Sept. 1837 in Toronto. "He was a bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada from 3 Nov. 1829 until his death." - Ruth McKenzie "..succeeded in 1837 in being elected alderman of St. David's Ward in Toronto." - R McK "..and in 1835 rose to Colonel of the 2nd regiment of West York." - R McK "Simon Washburn was a generous and public-spirited man. He had a zest for life, exemplified by his love of skating, and his considered slightly eccentric for wearing a monocle." - R McK Regards, BZ