William Teel Baird

1819-1897

Lt. Col. William Teel Baird (pharmacist, military officer, and author) was born in 1819 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Baird’s formal education began at the age of fourteen in the local grammar school. He would go on to become an apprentice to a pharmacist shortly thereafter. After his training was complete, he moved to Woodstock in 1839 to establish his own business. He set up the first circulating library in Woodstock, which was composed entirely of books from his own collection. He was also secretary for the Woodstock Mechanics’ Institute (which was largely founded by him) and a school trustee, as well as being a charter member of the Sons of Temperance.  Around 1838, his military career began as a volunteer with the Fredericton Rifles. In 1841, he organized a rifle company in Woodstock and later was commissioned lieutenant. After commanding the guard for the defence of Woodstock during the Orange Riot in 1847, he was made a captain commanding the Woodstock company. After numerous commands, he was gazetted Lt. Col. on 1 January 1863 and Deputy Quarter Master on 8 June 1863. In 1887, after many more commands and appointments at Woodstock to paymaster of military district no. 8 in 1869 and district storekeeper in 1879, he retired with the rank of Lt. Col. While his official duties sometimes required his residence at Saint John, he retired to his farm at Grafton, located just outside of Woodstock. The year 1890 marked the publication of Baird’s only literary work, Seventy Years of New Brunswick Life. Lt. Col. Baird died on 23 February 1897.

 

Predominant New Brunswick Residences:

Woodstock, Fredericton

Archival Material

• W. T. Baird, letter-book
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  Location

  L.P. Fisher Public Library

  Date Range of Material

  1865–1866