Langley pioneer Philip Jackman
Philip Jackman was a young Royal Engineer with the Columbia Detachment who arrived in B.C. in 1859. The six month journey from England by ship was documented in the Emigrant Soldiers’ Gazette, a newspaper written during the journey (middle left). Jackman’s life and work intersected with many aspects of the colony’s development: he helped build the Cariboo Wagon Road during the gold rush, was a night watchman who transported drunks in a wheelbarrow, a CPR employee who mutinied, an entrepreneur who operated a saloon and general store, and a fisheries guardian on the Fraser River. Phillip eventually settled in Aldergrove in 1886 with his wife. Philip Jackman Park honours him today. He also served as reeve (or mayor) of Langley for three years (Council Minutes displayed lower right) and lived a long, productive life in his adopted country. Jackman died at age 92. Visit the Virtual Museum of Canada for more on his life story HERE.
