Burke Street is named in honour of Captain George Thew Burke, who lead the advance party to establish the Richmond Military Settlement in 1818, and who became head of the settlement.
George Thew Burke was born in Ballyartella, County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1776. He joined the British Army at the age of 22 and served in Egypt. Upon his return to Ireland, he was employed in the recruiting services and was instrumental in raising the 100th Regiment of Foot. As a Company commander and staff in the 100th Regiment, he served throughout the War of 1812, and was present at the hard fought battles of Sackett’s Harbour, Chateauguay and Queenston Heights. He was then appointed to the Posts of Deputy – Assistant Quarter Master General and Brigade Major at Quebec.
Upon the disbandment of the 99th Regiment of Foot in 1818 (the 100th Regiment had been renamed the 99th in 1816), he travelled to the Jock River area near present-day Ottawa, with the former soldiers of the 99th who had received free land grants and elected to remain in Canada. He headed the advance party that laid out the Richmond Military Settlement and became head of the settlement. Burke served in the Carleton militia and was named colonel in 1822. He became a justice of the peace in the Johnstown District in 1819 and in the Bathurst District in 1822. Burke represented Carelton in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada from 1819 to 1828. He died in Bytown in 1854 and is buried in the historical section of St Philip’s Cemetery in Richmond.
