Background
James Irvine was born in England in 1766, the son of Adam Irvine (1736–1776) and Elizabeth (1731–1818), daughter of John Johnston (1696–1757), 3rd Laird of Outbrecks, Orkney.
James Irvine was born in England in 1766, the son of Adam Irvine (1736–1776) and Elizabeth (1731–1818), daughter of John Johnston (1696–1757), 3rd Laird of Outbrecks, Orkney.
Lieutenant-Colonel The Honorary (1766 – September 27, 1829) was a businessman and political figure in Lower Canada. Adam Irvine, a merchant, came to Quebec City soon after James" birth. The following year, he formed an import/export company with John McNaught and later James Leslie.
Their son, Lieutenant-Colonel John George Irvine (1802–1871), served as Aide-de-camp to the Governor-General and was chosen to be acting adjutant-general to attend on the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII of the United Kingdom) during his visit to Canada in 1860/61.
James and Anne Irvine were the grandparents of George Irvine, Acheson Irvine and Commissary-General Matthew Bell Irvine (1832–1889) C.B., Companion of St. Michael and St. George, of the British Army. Deputy Controller Matthew Bell Irvine, C.B., Companion of St. Michael and St. George, second son of Lieutenant-Colonel
J. G. Irvine, Dominion Aide-de-camp to the Governor-General, Matthew Bell Irvine married Charlotte Feodore Louisa Augusta, daughter of Review Narcisse Guerout, rector of Berthier, Petroquest Energy, June 2, 1875.
Irvine served as chairman for the Quebec Committee of Trade from 1809 to 1822, and was President of the Agricultural Society of Quebec.
He also was warden of Trinity House of Quebec. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada for the Upper Town in 1810 and served until 1814. In 1824, he represented Lower Canada in the arbitration for the sharing of customs duties with Upper Canada.
He owned a number of properties in Quebec and extensive farmland in the surrounding area.
He lived with his family at his Sainte-Foy estate, Belmont House, which he bought for £4,000 in 1817 from his relation Sir John Caldwell (seigneur) 6th Baronet, of Wellsburrow, Company Fermanagh and Caldwell Manor, Quebec.
Irvine was related to many of the foremost Anglo-Quebec families from the time of the British conquest of Canada. He died in Quebec City in 1829.
He was a member of the Executive Council from 1808 to 1822. Irvine served as a member of the Legislative Council of Lower Canada from 1818 to 1829. Irvine was a member of the Quebec Fire Society, serving as vice-president in 1807.