Walter Patterson (governor)

Walter Patterson (c. 1742 - 1833) was the first British Governor of St. John's Island, now Prince Edward Island, from 1769 to 1786. His tenure was marked by controversy and accusations of corruption and mismanagement, particularly concerning land distribution and treatment of settlers.

Patterson was appointed governor shortly after St. John's Island was separated from Nova Scotia. He immediately began implementing a feudal system of land tenure, dividing the island into townships granted to absentee landlords in England, Scotland, and elsewhere. These landlords were expected to settle the land with tenants and pay quitrents to the government. However, many failed to fulfill their obligations, leading to widespread land speculation and hindering the island's development.

His administration also faced criticism for its dealings with the Mi'kmaq people, the island's indigenous inhabitants, as well as for alleged favoritism and self-enrichment. He was accused of granting land to himself and his associates, further exacerbating the land ownership issues.

The growing discontent among settlers and concerns from London led to a formal investigation into Patterson's conduct. Although exonerated of some of the more serious charges, he was recalled in 1786 and replaced by Edmund Fanning. While he later served as a judge in the Bahamas, his governorship of St. John's Island remains a significant and contentious period in the province's history. His efforts to establish a colonial government were ultimately overshadowed by the issues of land ownership and the tensions they created.