James Macaulay - Return To York, Upper Canada

Return To York, Upper Canada

Returning to York, he served on the first Medical Board of Upper Canada and acted as its Chief Medical Officer from 1819 until his death three years later. With James Baby, Peter Robinson (1785–1838) and others, he was appointed to a commission formed in 1819 to deal with estates forfeited during the War of 1812, and he joined with other members of York’s élite, including William Allan, Thomas Ridout and William Warren Baldwin in promoting the bank which was to be chartered as the Bank of Upper Canada.

Described as 'an assiduous collector of land', before 1800 alone Macaulay had acquired 5,300 acres (21 km2). He lived with his family at Teraulay Cottage . Governor John Graves Simcoe described his friend Macaulay as "a young man attached to his profession, and of that docile, patient, and industrious turn... that will willingly direct itself to any pursuit." The York Observer reported at his death,

It becomes our painful duty to communicate to our readers the decease of Dr Macaulay of this town. In the death of this truly valuable member of society, charity has lost its best supporter, and the unfortunate emigrants their best friend. He was ever ready to wait upon and relieve the forlorn stranger not only with his medicine, but with his purse; and it is to be hoped that those gentlemen who are left behind will endeavour to immitate his unbounded liberality. The House of Assembly and the Honourable Legislative Council adjorned to attend the funeral.