What follows is part 9 of a series of articles relating to the Portuguese presence in Canada before 1953. This particular piece focuses on Pedro da Silva, the first mail carrier in Canada. Although we attribute the start of the Portuguese immigration to Canada to 1953, our presence had already been felt here for centuries. At the end of the series, we will provide the archival and academic references that we used. As always, we welcome and encourage your contribution.

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Pedro da Silva: The First Mail Carrier in Canada

Another figure whose story firmly establishes Portuguese presence in Canada well before 1953 is Pedro da Silva, widely recognized as the first recorded mail carrier in what is now Canada. Unlike many early Portuguese individuals whose traces are faint or indirect, Pedro da Silva appears in official colonial records, making his presence both verifiable and historically significant.

Arrival in New France

Pedro da Silva arrived in New France in the early eighteenth century, during a period when Canada was still a French colony. He is believed to have come from Portugal, though, as with many individuals of the era, precise biographical details are limited. What is clear is that he was present in colonial society at a time when European migration to Canada was tightly controlled and numerically small.

His arrival predates British rule, Confederation, and any formalized immigration system. In this context, his presence alone is notable.

Role as a Mail Carrier

Pedro da Silva is documented in colonial records as having served as a messenger and courier, transporting official correspondence between Quebec City and Montreal—a critical function in the administration of New France. At a time when communication relied on physical transport across difficult terrain, this role required trust, reliability, and endurance.

While the modern postal service did not yet exist, Pedro da Silva’s work represents the earliest known instance of organized mail delivery in Canadian territory. For this reason, he is often referred to as Canada’s first mail carrier.

Official Recognition

Pedro da Silva’s role is not solely preserved through oral tradition alone. His name appears in notarial documents and legal records, including references related to disputes over compensation for his services. These documents confirm both his function and his recognized position within the colonial administrative system.

His inclusion in such records is rare for a person of Portuguese origin during this period and provides concrete evidence of Portuguese involvement in the earliest civic infrastructure of what would later become Canada.

Portuguese Identity in a Colonial Context

As with Portuguese Joe, Pedro da Silva’s story must be understood within its historical context. In eighteenth-century New France, identity was shaped less by nationality in the modern sense and more by occupation, religion, and loyalty to colonial authorities. Portuguese origin did not translate into ethnic community or cultural expression.

Pedro da Silva did not represent a Portuguese group, nor did he form part of a broader Portuguese presence. His life unfolded within French colonial society, and his Portuguese origins were largely incidental to his daily function. Yet it is precisely this fact that underscores the quiet, often overlooked nature of early Portuguese presence in Canada.

Why Pedro da Silva Matters

Pedro da Silva’s significance lies in documentation, timing, and function. He stands as:

• One of the earliest named Portuguese individuals in Canadian history
• A participant in colonial administration
• A contributor to the infrastructure of communication in early Canada

His story demonstrates that Portuguese individuals were not only present in Canada centuries ago, but were also entrusted with responsibilities essential to colonial life.

Beyond Symbolism

Pedro da Silva should not be viewed as a symbolic “founder” of a Portuguese-Canadian community, nor as evidence of a continuous Portuguese presence from the eighteenth century onward. That would be historically inaccurate. Instead, his life illustrates a different truth: that Portuguese individuals occasionally entered Canadian history at pivotal moments, even if their presence did not immediately produce visible communities or lasting demographic impact.

In recognizing Pedro da Silva, we acknowledge a Portuguese contribution that predates modern immigration narratives and challenges simplified timelines. His story reinforces the central argument of this article—that Portuguese history in Canada did not begin suddenly in 1953, but includes earlier, quieter chapters that deserve recognition and careful documentation.

A documentary on Pedro da Silva, produced by Portuguese-Canadian journalist Bill Moniz, can be found in our videos page: https://lusocanada.com/multimedia/