Early Years
Pinhey was born in Devonshire, England in 1784 to Mary Townley and William Pinhey. He was educated at the Christ Hospital School in London. He became a grocery and insurance merchant, a partner in Pinhey and Crosley: Merchant and Ship Insaurance Brokers. Pinhey spoke fluent French and German, and claims to have been a secret spy from the Crown to the King of Prussia during the Napoleonic Wars. By the age of 35, Pinhey had made enough money to retire comfortably.
Pinhey married Mary Ann Tasker on December 12, 1812.
Hamnett Pinhey was now a very wealthy middle class man. Due to the class system in place in England at the time, Pinhey was not able to gain the power or privilege he desired. Seeking greener pastures, Pinhey petitioned the Earl of Bathurst, Secretary of State for War and the Colonies at the time, for lands in Upper Canada and received a land grant. Originally, Pinhey requested 1,200 acres (4.9 km2). He was granted 200.
Read more about this topic: Hamnett Kirkes Pinhey
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