Background
Wells was born at Norwich, where he trained as a carpenter.
Wells was born at Norwich, where he trained as a carpenter.
He is best known for his work in Montreal, Quebec, most notably the Bank of Montreal Head Office and Ste. Ann"s Market, that afterwards housed the Parliament Buildings at Montreal. Exploiting the rapid growth and population boom, he came to Montreal in about 1830.
His first commission was to erect the new prison, and afterwards he constructed the Ste.
Ann"s Market (1832), that stood until the Burning of the Parliament Buildings in Montreal.
He completed several religious buildings for all denominations, including Chalmers-Wesley United Church, and his personal popularity won him private commissions for some of Montreal"s leading figures within the Golden Square Mile - such as the Notman House (1845) and Prince of Wales Terrace, completed in 1860 for Sir George Simpson.
