Background
He was born on Cape Breton Island, probably at Louisbourg, the son of Laurence Kavanagh, an immigrant from Ireland, and Margaret Farrell.
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Laurence Kavanagh
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He represented Cape Breton County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1820 to 1830. His first name also appears as Lawrence and his surname as Cavanagh in some sources. The family moved to Saint Peter"s in 1777, three years after his father"s death at sea.
Kavanagh in 1823 broke 100+ years of precedent when, as the first representative of Cape Breton Island in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, he became the first English speaking Roman Catholic to serve in a legislature.
His election had to be approved by the Colonial Office and confirmed by a vote of the assembly. Other Roman Catholics were then granted the right to serve in the assembly.
Kavanagh died in office at Saint Peter"s in 1830.
Membership
He also served as a major in the militia, justice of the peace and as a member of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for Cape Breton.
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Born
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Died
August 20, 1830 (aged 66) -
Nationality
Canada