David Finlay Jelly (September 28, 1847 – December 27, 1911) was an educator, farmer and political figure in the

Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories (abbreviated ''NT'' or ''NWT''; french: Territoires du Nord-Ouest, formerly ''North-Western Territory'' and ''North-West Territories'' and namely shortened as ''Northwest Territory'') is a federal territory of Canada. ...

, Canada. He represented Regina from 1885 to 1888 in the

1st Council of the Northwest Territories The 1st Council of the North-West Territories, also known as the North-West Council in Canada, lasted from October 7, 1876, to 1888. It was created as a permanent replacement to the Temporary North-West Council which existed prior to 1876. A 2nd ...

and North Regina from 1888 to 1894 in the

Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, or Legislative Council of the Northwest Territories (with Northwest hyphenated as North-West until 1906), is the legislature and the seat of government of Northwest Territories in Canada. It is a uni ...

as an Independent member. He was born in North Dorchester Township, Middlesex County,

Canada West The Province of Canada (or the United Province of Canada or the United Canadas) was a British colony in North America from 1841 to 1867. Its formation reflected recommendations made by John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham, in the Report on the ...

, the son of William Jelly and his wife Mary (née Finlay). He was educated in Harrietsville,

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

and

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...

. In 1877, Jelly married Ida Findlay. He taught school for five years in Harrietsville and then served as managing director for the Belmont Flax Company. He came to the Northwest Territories, where he farmed and raised livestock, in 1882. It is unknown when he arrived in

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, but he was admitted to

Dunwich Benevolent Asylum The Dunwich Benevolent Asylum was a Benevolent Asylum for the aged, infirm and destitute operated by the Queensland Government in Australia. It was located at Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island in Moreton Bay and operated from 1865 to 1946. His ...

in September 1911. On December 27, 1911, he jumped from a jetty and drowned. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the

Dunwich Cemetery Dunwich Cemetery is a heritage-listed cemetery at Bingle Road, Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island in the City of Redland, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1847 to 1952. It is also known as One Mile Cemetery. It was added to the Queenslan ...

. Admission records for this time frame are missing.

References

'The Canadian parliamentary companion, 1891''
JA Gemmill Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories 1847 births 1911 deaths {{NorthwestTerritories-politician-stub