First Meeting House of , built adjacent to the Friends Meeting House in Hope (now Sharon) Photo: Museum Archives.

The -14 and the Rebellion of 1837 from “The Story of Sharon”

by Ethel Willson Trewhella Transcribed and edited by Sandra McCann Fuller

The Story of Sharon was published in forty-two passed to that of the 19th century. In 1792, installments from 14 June 1951 to 27 March John Graves Simcoe, the first governor of 1952 in the Newmarket Era & Express had arrived at Kingston. newspaper, Newmarket, . In 2012-14, Here had come a man possessed of the Ontario is noting the 200th anniversary of the War abilities necessary to a period when a nation of 1812-14, and the 175th anniversary of the was in formative transition – he was Rebellion of 1837. Three installments pertaining determined, clear-sighted, and far-seeing, to these events from the Story of Sharon are and intensely loyal. In the American War for presented here. Independence from Britain, he had fought in command of the Queen’s Rangers of The continuity of the 18th century Virginia, and he fully anticipated further The Story of Sharon war. In fact, knowing at first hand heavily on neutral nations. This was conditions and aspirations to the south, he particularly true of the United States which had warned the Home Authorities that already had almost monopolized the another war was inevitable before the carrying trade of the world. colony could feel established. When he found that the western forts, Niagara and Meanwhile, around Sharon, memories Detroit, were to be given up to the United of the American Revolution were receding. States, he decided that “the chief town of a These law-abiding, peaceful, and loyal Province must not be placed under the guns settlers were intent on a main purpose – to of an enemy’s fort” at Niagara. establish their homes for the future. Oxen- On the north shore of Lake Ontario drawn wagons filled with settlers’ effects had once stood an old French Fort, were still arriving, and heads of families and , which also had the advantage of a sons with their families enlarged the good harbour. In every way, this seemed an population. excellent situation; so, here in the woods But down at the front, along the St Governor Simcoe established the capitol of Lawrence River, and Lakes Ontario and Upper Canada and changed its name to Erie, rising from the very roots of the York. In strategic ways, he prepared as best trouble which had caused these people to he could for the contingency of war. As a migrate to Canada, the war clouds soldier, he realized that roads were of first deepened. That inflation which sprang from necessity for transportation of troops. With the ideas of a certain element still this purpose in mind, he had Yonge Street intoxicated with the lust of war and surveyed and opened in 1794. Its military coupled with the ‘lingering and longing value was doubly important in that it desire to round off the country by the opened a direct route to the northern acquisition of British territory’ were the real waters of Georgian Bay. The anchor at causes of the trouble. It had constituted an is a souvenir of the War election pledge by American President of 1812. The hauling of that huge mass of Madison to declare war against Great metal – in measurement its arms extended Britain, and so sure of themselves were 10 feet from tip to tip – would constitute a they that Jefferson described it to be a bit of skillful manoeuvring at any time. At ‘mere matter of marching’, while Eustis, the that time in the history of Yonge Street, it US Secretary of War, declared, “We can required both engineering and brawn. The take the Canadas without soldiers!” anchor was fastened to what was called a catapult which was used as a stone boat and In 1812, when the Legislative Assembly drawn up through the underbrush by 12 at York was aware that the war situation had yoke of oxen. The trip from York required become alarming, they passed the Militia four days. Bill which authorized the Government “to In the case of many historic struggles, embody 2,000 bachelors between the ages the nominal causes were not the real causes. of 18 and 23 years for three months in the For a number of years, England had been years, and in case of invasion of imminent in a death grapple with Napoleon danger thereof, to retain them for one Bonaparte, and the retaliatory measures of year”. Before this was organized or the men the respective contestants, the Berlin equipped, war was declared. Decrees, and the Orders-in-Council, bore The time of every threatened crisis has

Canadian Quaker History Journal 77 (2012) 58 The Story of Sharon brought forth a strong leader. In this case, it laying the foundation for a permanent was the heroic Major-General Sir Isaac Federal Union. Brock, Commander of the Forces. Just as Governor Simcoe before him had A manuscript left by the late Titus anticipated this trouble, Brock, too, had Willson describes conditions in Sharon. He warned the Home Authorities in England stated that the war between England and and had done what he could, with the United States in 1812 was a great hampered means, to prepare to meet it. On drawback to Canada from which it did not his part, Brock well knew he could depend recover for several years. We were often upon the loyalty of the mass of the people, called out to do garrison duty for a month a loyalty which transcended two centuries to or two, and by the time we had got fairly the Old Land. In an address to the home we would perhaps be called out again. Legislature, he reminded them “that the By such continued interruptions, there was free spirit of a free people will never die!”. not enough raised upon farms to supply the Impeded by the vacillation of the people and the troops, but large quantities powers at Quebec, Brock turned to his of provisions were brought into the volunteers. While any attempt at evasion country from Europe. was punished by stern measures, at the As soon as peace was made, the British same time, he considered their difficulties government stopped sending over supplies. and endeavoured to give them opportunity He remembered that very many of them to harvest the crops, and in this they were joined together to send a man from aided and strengthened by the devoted Newmarket to Genesee River for a efforts of the women. Speaking in 1840, in schooner-load of flour. They got two vivid remembrance of this leader, Chief barrels which cost them when laid down at Justice Robinson said, “It would have Sharon $13.50 per barrel. However, this did required more courage to refuse General not last until the next harvest. They were, Brock than to go with him wherever he therefore, under the necessity of cutting would lead!”. Historians, writing of the War their wheat before it was fully ripe. They of 1812, have reiterated that “almost the pounded it as best they could, cleaned and entire population was drawn into the boiled it, and ate it with sugar and milk vortex” – farmers, mechanics, and when they had these. They had but one cow gentlemen. Out of this widely-scattered at that time, but they had a good deal of settlement of 500,000 persons against an sugar. Pork was quite out of the question. organized republic of 8,000,000, the The troops had eaten their hogs; so, they community of Sharon gallantly did its part. had to wait until others grew. He knew pork In the early phase of this unsuccessful to bring $50. per barrel. A great depression attempt to conquer Canada, the life of this followed the War. Prices had been courageous leader, Isaac Brock, was fabulously high during hostilities and when terminated by a bullet in the chest. His last peace was declared, they fell to lowest level. command: “Push on the York Volunteers!” A Sharon name prominent in the War has become immortal. The results of this of 1812 was that of Col. Thomas Selby war have been clearly portrayed on the who fought with Gen. Brock during the pages of history as the consolidation of War, but was home at the time of the Battle British sentiment and the bringing closer of Queenston Heights because his wife was the two inhabiting races, and unconsciously very ill. He saw service for three years and

Canadian Quaker History Journal 77 (2012) 59 The Story of Sharon received as reward 1,200 acres of land. Col. population was heathen. Thomas Selby and his wife had a family of In 1791, 2,500,000 acres of land were 12 children and each was given 100 acres of set aside to support a Protestant Clergy land at coming of age or at marriage. In which meant the Church of England. This time, all the sons of Col. Selby became enormous reservation was known as the officers in the Canadian Army, and the Clergy Reserves. In addition, persons military tradition was carried on during responsible for bringing in settlers, and World Wars I and II. Another Sharon name disbanded soldiers, had been given tracts of connected with the War of 1812 was that of land, each comprising thousands of acres. Captain Traviss. The British Government had the sincere At the close of the War of 1812, for interests of the colony at heart. Always reasons not known, , conciliatory, it had appointed governors, labouring under the impression that the and in turn it had recalled governors, but it government considered him to be a was becoming increasingly apparent that the seditious person and designed to banish methods of machinery of government in him, promptly composed an address Upper Canada were thwarting progress and proclaiming his loyalty and forwarded it to frustrating attempts for advancement. the governing body. The autocratic system was not functioning satisfactorily in the raw country. With the arrival of post-bellum days, it Suggestions from those who had been used was reasonable to expect that peaceful to a responsible form of government in the pursuits would constitute the agenda; to country to the south were not accepted. open and develop the country would appear When agitation flared up again in 1817, the logical interest. Settlers were coming in from out of the jumble of grievances, a rapidly – English, Irish, Scotch, and main bone of contention was the Clergy American – each representing a different Reserves, and an insistence on better land school of thought. They found that neither grants. These large sections of land – political nor economic conditions were to Clergy Reserves, land owned by King’s their advantage. Canada, a vast wilderness, College and absentee landlords – separated was governed by military officers neighbor from neighbor and prevented responsible to a government 3,000 miles establishment of schools, churches, and away. It was an age of imperialism and class. hospitals, and in many ways placed the Governor Simcoe, himself an avowed settler at a disadvantage. aristocrat, detested anything which smacked Time might have smoothed these of republicanism. The correspondence difficulties to the satisfaction of most, but between Simcoe and Lord Dorchester in the little backwoods village of York, the indicates beyond doubt that it had been the government had gathered about itself a intention of the Home Government to pseudo-aristocracy which blatantly ignored make the Canadian constitution a replica of the needs of the genuine settlers who, by itself, create an aristocracy, and set up an might and brawn, were wrestling with Established Church to which most of the indescribable hardships. This clique, the Loyalists belonged. This last was a families of which were intermarried, came missionary effort to underwrite support to to be known as the . Where Christianity in the new land where British such unlimited wealth was controlled by the sentiment was predominant and the native few, the few were in a position to favour

Canadian Quaker History Journal 77 (2012) 60 The Story of Sharon themselves and their friends, and it seemed that I think his credit must suffer. Besides inevitable that abuses crept into the that, his unwarranted attack on the administration. The very air of York was governor will disgust many of his fetid with scandal. advocates. Persons in David Willson’s Grievances were many and pressed Society are much disturbed thereat and heavily upon the people. Appeals to the enduring great storms on the subject of the Compact at York were received with propriety of supporting him”. The letter insolence. Mass meetings were increasing continues, “Edward went to York as he throughout the province. Petitions were intended – Lucius returned to account for sent to England, and petitions “breathing his absence. He returned at last, sick of defiance” began to reach the Governor. York and raving at the officials – they had The vicious effects of this Family Compact nearly given away some of his land”. were convulsing the tempers of the settlers David Willson, the leader of the sect and jeopardizing the economic life of the called the Children of Peace, was not country. There were unexplained delays in content with simply teaching his followers obtaining patents. These patents were at home. He wished to win new converts to declared void unless it was specially stated his faith. Periodically, he deemed it proper that a specified portion of the land be to make a demonstration in town. Once or allotted and appropriated in order to twice a year, the prophet’s disciples and maintain a Protestant Clergy. False patents friends, dressed in their best, mounted were issued to favourites of the white till-cloth covered wagons and government which enabled them to obtain solemnly passed down Yonge Street to large land areas. Taxes were unfair, and the York. In long procession, the Children of people were not allowed honest Peace wended their way through some representation. Space forbids listing the frequented thoroughfare of York to a place unjust manipulations of the day, but “that previously announced where the prophet shining thing in the souls of free men could would preach. His topic usually was “Public not be crushed”. The three central figures Affairs: their Total Depravity”. In effect, in the controversy were John Beverly the text of Willson’s homilies might be the Robinson, Revd John Strachan, and William following mystic paragraph taken from the Lyon Mackenzie. During those last hectic popular periodical, Patrick Swift’s Almanac of days when Rebellion was openly talked, the 1831: The backwoodsman while he lays the governor was Sir Francis Bond Head. axe to the root of the oak in the forests of David Willson had early incurred the Canada should never forget that a base dislike of the Family Compact because he basswood is growing in this, his native land, had warned against their machinations. The which, if not speedily girdled, will throw its fact that these Quaker-Davidites did not dark shadows over the country and blast his enter willingly into the prevailing attitude is exertions. Look up, reader, and you will see evident from an entry in the O’Brien the branches – the Robinson branch, the Letters written from Shanty Bay [on Lake Powell branch, the Jones branch, the Simcoe, south of ], November 1831: Strachan branch, the Boulton twig, etc. The “Mackenzie is doing all he can to make a farmer toils, the merchant toils, the laborer riot, but I believe he will not succeed, and toils, and the Family Compact reaps up the the business of the House proceeds so fruit of their exertions. much more effectually since his absence, Into all the points here suggested,

Canadian Quaker History Journal 77 (2012) 61 The Story of Sharon according to Dr Scadding, Mr Willson many demonstrations of joy, and the would enter with great zest. When waxing spirited young men of the volunteer warm in his discourse, he would sometimes, amateur musicians, composing the powerful without interrupting the flow of his words, band of the Militia Regiment, marched up suddenly throw off his coat and suspend it and down the street of Hope [Sharon] on a nail in the wall, waving about with playing cheerful and enlivening airs. I had perfect freedom, during the remainder of the curiosity to count three or four his oration a pair of sturdy arms. His clarionets, two French horns, two bassoons, address was divided into sections between beside German and octave flutes, flageolets, which hymns of his own composing were etc. They have also violins and violincelloes, sung by a company of females, dressed in and are masters of their delightful art.” white, sitting on one side, accompanied by a In June 1833, another public meeting band of musicians stationed on the other. was held at Newmarket at Hewitt’s Inn. Considering the language the prophet used was elected to the chair, in his addresses, it is not to be wondered at and William Reid Sr was appointed that the Davidites were strong adherents of secretary. Both of these were Sharon men. in the Rebellion of It was moved to secure the return of an ’37. independent member from the third riding The Colonial Advocate of February 1831 of the County of York. The committee for carried an account that the Children of consisted of Murdock Peace had presented a petition against McLeod Sr, Samuel Hughes, Silas Fletcher, unfair taxes, signed by George Hollingshead Brook Wakefield, Jacob Belfry, and Samuel and 49 others. At the same time, David Harrold. A month later, a meeting was held Willson was in controversy with the King’s at the house of John Reid, Inn Keeper at solicitor over the marriage bill, during Sharon, to consider the state of the which the latter used most abusive language province. Again, Samuel Hughes was against the Children of Peace. At York, in chairman and William Reid Sr was secretary. the summer of that year, David Willson had Titus Willson, an early resident of delivered a long discourse, by installments, Sharon, related in a manuscript, that “In the on the prevailing question of Clergy and fall of 1837 the political horizon looked Class. In the advance notice of this rather squally. The Rads were holding meeting, “attendants were requested frequent meetings in different parts of the carefully to refrain from strong liquors, as country – that is the disaffected part of all Sabbath drinking is disrespectful to the them and that was by far the largest part of worship”. York County. These meetings led to another In July 1831, the taxpayers of East district meeting in 1837. The account Gwillimbury petitioned the township clerk, relates, “There was wild excitement, and the John Weddel, to call a public meeting to Reformers asked that the Assembly might discuss current questions. At this meeting, have full control of public revenues and John Fletcher Sr moved that the meeting sale of public lands; that Clergy Reserves be endorse the resolution previously passed at secularized; that municipal councils be York. In Sketches of Canada, W.L. Mackenzie established; that right to impeach public has left a description of the enthusiasm officials be conceded; that judges and displayed in Sharon. “The meeting in East clergymen be excluded from parliament; Gwillimbury was followed in the evening by and that the law of primogeniture be

Canadian Quaker History Journal 77 (2012) 62 The Story of Sharon repealed. To this petition were attached further relates that “the two men who died 25,000 signatures. These requests have for from their wounds were James Kavanagh so long been a part of every day acceptance and Edward Stiles, both from the Township that the bitter struggle which brought them of East Gwillimbury. Kavanagh’s son, John, about has been forgotten. This was the year later became postmaster at Sharon. These of the accession of the young Queen men were conveyed to Montgomery’s, and Victoria. later to hospital where they died. George Fletcher, a nephew of Silas Fletcher, was It was apparent that there was no hope shot in the left foot. The bullet was finally for fair play, and on December 7th 1837, an cut out by Judah Lundy who resided at uprising took place at Montgomery’s Sharon for many years. Tavern on Yonge Street. “On the evening of December 6th, a wagon was packed at The Canadian militia from this upper Sharon with old shooting irons, pikes, part of the county, which made a gesture to shillelaghs, provisions, etc, and in charge of assist the government, was generally- John D. Willson, was sent down Yonge speaking not a war-like body of men who Street. Next morning, as arranged, the most knew no more about military manoeuvres enthusiastic reformers proceeded down than the insurgents under Lount - those towards York by way of Yonge Street and angry, frustrated, desperate, and determined assisted in the encounter at Montgomery’s farmers and mechanics from East Tavern where they were overtaken. Gwillimbury. In a leather-bound Bible which bears In those troubled times, Titus Willson evidence of much use, it is recorded in relates that arms were scarce around Sharon careful penmanship that “on the 25th day of – either in the hands of the rebels or the third month 1837, Ellen Hughes, hidden so that the government could not daughter of Amos and Rebecca Hughes, find them. Some 18 or 20 men about the was married to James Henderson”. In the Landing and Sharon joined and formed a heavy volumes of Dent’s History of the company for mutual defence. Rebellion is written the sequel. There, it is stated that James Henderson was shot by On Monday or Tuesday, as they fire of Sheriff Jarvis’s picket at the trouble gathered at Bradford, not one-third of at Montgomery’s place in 1837. James them had arms of any kind, and many of Henderson was a discharged British soldier, those who were armed had nothing better and for some time before the uprising he than pitchforks, rusty swords, dilapidated had worked as a cooper in Davidtown guns, pikes with an occasional bayonet on [Sharon]. His widow was still residing in the end of a pole. These persons, without Sharon in 1895, and in a recent interview the least authority of law, set about a with her at her home, she informed this disarming process, depriving everyone who author that he left her on Monday morning refused to join them or whom they chose to for Montgomery’s. From other sources, suspect of disloyalty, of his arms. Powder information was given that the body was was taken from stores, wherever found, left lying in the road when the rebels took without the least ceremony and without to their heels. One informant, a hale old payment. man of patriarchal age, was the last, except One of the young men who joined the for Lount, to leave the spot. This history group at Bradford was John Davis who had

Canadian Quaker History Journal 77 (2012) 63 The Story of Sharon come to Canada from Sligo County, Ireland, rope. with his father and mother, about the year At Holland Landing, some pikes which 1822. He was then a boy about 19 years of probably belonged to Lount were secured age. His father who had been a soldier in When they had travelled a short the British Army for forty years, received a distance down Yonge Street from Holland grant of 100 acres from the Government of Landing, some of the band of militia Upper Canada, being lot 9 Concession 13, wanted to go and burn the village of Township of West Gwillimbury. At this Sharon as some of the rebels were time, because there was no bridge across supposed to come from Sharon and the Holland River, a raft was used to cross vicinity. Others, including John Davis the river. objected to this kind of warfare, with the was at this at this time result that Sharon was not burnt nor doing blacksmith work at Holland Landing, molested. and John was one of his customers. In this Fearing an ambush, these recruits did way, a friendship grew up that was genuine, not venture to march through the oak although John Davis was a Tory and Samuel ridges in the night. When smoke was seen Lount a Liberal. to the south, they were led to the About December 1st 1837 when Samuel conclusion that Toronto was in flames. Lount started down Yonge Street with his Those from Bradford and Holland Landing 90 followers from Holland Landing (called joined those from Newmarket at McLeod’s the pike men), John Davis was chopping Inn near the ridges south of Aurora, which cord wood on his father’s Crown grant of they had taken over, as well as several other land ( lot 9 Concession 13, Township of houses in the vicinity. In a neighbouring West Gwillimbury). Reports of what the store, all kinds of provisions and clothing rebels were doing at Toronto were that could be obtained were continually being brought up Yonge Street unceremoniously seized. At the tavern, to Bradford. As a result of these reports, there was a regular scramble for food, and his father, James Davis, told him that he cake-baking and bacon-frying were going had better go and help the Government, or on upon a wholesale scale. Next morning, Mackenzie would soon be in control of the several who had no arms and others who Government. John Davis walked to were frightened returned to their homes. Bradford and two days later was marching When they marched into Toronto, with down Yonge Street in what is described as, a string of 50 prisoners, all fastened ‘Die first Canadian militia’. He was armed together, they were about as motley a with an old musket given to him by his collection as it would be possible to father. conceive. Each man wore a pink ribbon on On Thursday, when they finally began his arm to distinguish him from the rebels. to march down Yonge Street from Bradford Many joined from compulsion and a large to Toronto, the men numbered nearly 500, number, including some who had been at including 150 Indians with painted faces Montgomery’s, suddenly turned loyalists and savage looks. These grotesque-looking when they found the fortunes of their militiamen made a prisoner of every man insurrection had become desperate. This who did not give such an account of description by an eye-witness who came himself as they deemed satisfactory. Each down from the north would answer, with a prisoner, as he was taken, was tied to a very slight variation, for the militia of any

Canadian Quaker History Journal 77 (2012) 64 The Story of Sharon other part of the province. son, David, a sergeant, to warn those still at Such was the Canadian Militia in 1837 at home to turn out. David went to a time when Sir F. B. Head had sent all the Birchardtown [Mount Albert] settlement to regular troops out of the province to Lower warn men to turn out in defence of the Canada. government. He, himself, also went to a number, but could find none but James On 7th December 1837, as Titus Evans. Willson was then a lieutenant and Willson was going up Queen Street towards his brother, John, a captain in East Queensville [north of Sharon], he met five Gwillimbury. or six men with rifles whom he knew to be Mrs Mary Selby Kneeshaw of Bradford fond of deer hunting. He proceeded about has contributed some interesting items a half mile farther when he met 60 or 70 about the part played by the Selby family in men struggling along. Some had guns, some those days of anxiety. “William Selby was a swords, and others unarmed. There were colonel in the Royal Forces during the also several teams and wagons, loaded but Rebellion of 1837. He had to collect all the covered. He began to suspect their object firearms of the rebels in the neighbour- and questioned some that he knew, but hood. Once when the rebels came to his could get no satisfaction. He met Edgar house where he had some guns and Stiles opposite his father’s house and ammunition stored, he was all alone with followed him in where his father gave him a some the family and a young boy. He hailed pair of boots and some money. the rebels and said, “I have a gun to match On his way south, Willson went into the every one of yours and hands to fire them.” tavern of Hiram Moore on Tory Hill and The rebels retreated after a few shots. With asked the landlady if she understood the the aid of the boy, he loaded the guns and movement. She replied, “Yes, they are going ammunition on to a wagon and drove all to take Toronto. I knew it several days since. night to the garrison at Muddy York. “ I asked, “Why did you not tell me?” “I William Selby’s portrait hangs in Sharon was told not to do so,” was the reply. When Temple. she told him that, he immediately went Insofar as can be found, the names of across to the Landing, and on his way met those from East Gwillimbury who were on Sam Sweasy whom he asked if he the Government side were: Henry Fry, understood the movement. He replied, ‘Yes, William and John Selby, David T. Willson, they are going to take Toronto, rob the George Sullinger, Titus Willson. They were bank, hang the Governor, and when they badly armed with a few guns, a walking come back they will hang you!’ He then stick, an umbrella, a butcher’s cleaver, a bill went on to Holland Landing and saw hook, and a tremendous butcher knife. Captain Laughton and the Playters, his brother Alfred Willson, and two or three The break being quelled, the men from others who had heard something about the the north returned to their homes under stir but not the particulars. Some one went cover of darkness. On December 7th, 1837, to Bradford to spread the news, and Sir Francis Bond Head issued a Willson went to Newmarket. Proclamation offering a reward of £500 for From Newmarket, he went home by the apprehension of David Gibson, Samuel way of the Selby’s and found William and Lount, , or Silas Fletcher. Samuel John ready to do all they could. He sent his Lount had good reason to keep out of the

Canadian Quaker History Journal 77 (2012) 65 The Story of Sharon way of the Government militia. Queen, did unlawfully, maliciously, and Titus Willson was sent with despatches traitorously assemble to the number of 500 to Colonel Carthew at Newmarket, and that persons, armed and arrayed in a war-like night he went with a strong party to Sharon manner, attempt and endeavor, by force of where they captured some 30 or 40 of arms, to raise insurrection and rebellion to those who were implicated in the Rebellion. subvert and destroy the Constitution of this The Sharon rebels were back home only Province, contrary to the duty of their two or three days when they were arrested allegiance and against the peace of our and confined as prisoners in the building on Lady, the Queen, her Crown and Dignity. Botsford Street, Newmarket, (used in 1887 Meanwhile, the trials continued. as a club room by the bicyclists). This was Willson Reid was transferred to Kingston, on the 12th of December, and they were but escaped. Jacob Lundy took part in the kept in the old building which was then the skirmish on Yonge Street, also in the bush Old Kirk, for three days, subsisting on fight on December 10th. He was taken bread and water. For three or four days prisoner at Gallow’s Hill ambush, but was Willson was at Newmarket attending to the reprieved by the Lieutenant-Governor in guards for a number of prisoners. On the hope that he would turn state witness. morning of the 15th December, 43 of them Alexander McLeod was sentenced to were fastened to a long rope and walked to banishment for life to Van Dieman’s Land York in command of Moses Terry on [Australia], but died en route. Joseph horseback, halting overnight in a barn. Brammer was the only prisoner to bring Three prisoners were taken in a wagon: Joel away from the gaol the document, Bill of Lloyd, a cripple, Joseph Brammer, boots Indictment. When the grand jury brought frozen to his feet during the melee at in a true bill against him, Brammer said: Montgomery’s, and George Fletcher, “Your Lordship, I am an Englishman. I wounded in the ankle at the same place. have a heart as true and loyal to the Queen and to Britain as any British subject in the York was in a state of great excitement. country, but if you mean disloyal to the Prisoners from York North were kept for Family Compact and the men who are three weeks in the market building. They robbing the country, I am guilty!”. He was later were transferred to the gaol, 53 never tried. persons obliged to occupy one small room. David Willson was not at the Yonge William Reid and John Montgomery were Street trouble; yet, he and his sons, Hugh D. the first to kick the boards from the Willson and John D. Willson, were arrested windows in protest of the unsanitary and taken from their homes. Later, the conditions. John Reid developed smallpox father was released, but the two sons were and was removed to hospital. The weary confined for five months in York jail. Hugh hours in gaol were frequently shortened by D. was then taken to Kingston and endured the music of Joseph Brammer’s clarionet seven months of imprisonment. and Hugh D. Willson’s violin, both Those from Sharon who actively members of the Sharon band. opposed the Compact insofar as found, The charges for which they were were: John Reid, William Reid, Willson arrested were : “Being moved and seduced Reid, Alexander Reid, Joseph Brammer, by the instigation of the devil as false John Brammer, Ebenezer Doan, Charles traitors against our Sovereign Lady, the Doan, Jesse Doan, Jonathan Doan, Hugh

Canadian Quaker History Journal 77 (2012) 66 The Story of Sharon

D. Willson, Hohn D. Willson, David up the country and hid in the swamp near Willson, John Graham, Jeremiah Graham, where John Davis had been cutting cord- William Graham, Adam Graham, Judah wood. Davis was soon discharged and sent Lundy, Jacob Lundy, Reuben Lundy, Edgar home and started again at his wood- Stiles, John Kavanagh, George Fletcher, chopping job, and for about six weeks kept Alexander McLeod, Joel Lloyd, Peter Lount supplied with food. He had a third Rowen, Richard Graham, Robert Moore, task, as his father, James Davis, being a George Y. Moore; these two latter were loyalist, would have given Lount’s hiding from Queensville. place away had he know where he was There is hardly an old family living in hiding. One of John’s methods of getting Sharon district a century later that was not food to Lount was taking more lunch for represented in the patriot forces. Peter dinner than he could eat when going to Rowen, like Samuel Lount, the blacksmith chop wood. of Holland Landing who was executed for One day, his father grew suspicious and his share in the Rebellion, used his smithy followed John to where he was chopping to turn out arms for the rebel forces. He wood. Lount got none of the dinner that took part in what little fighting there was day. John kept on chopping until when it and was seized by the Loyalist army. When began to get dark, he put his axe on his his son was born, the father was languishing shoulder and started for home. His father in the jail at Toronto. But the authorities followed but had not gone far when he lost were unable to prove anything against him; John, or John lost his father purposely. John so, after a long confinement, he was then went back to the swamp and told released. Lount what had happened. Lount then wanted to leave his hiding-place and try to Lindsey’s Life and Times of William Lyon get to the United States, as others of his Mackenzie tellsof the part taken by Samuel friends had managed to do. That night, Lount in the Rebellion of 1837, but little is Davis took Lount in a north-easterly recorded or written by Lindsey of the direction through swamp and timber to one attempts made by Samuel Lount to keep of Lount’s friends at a place about 3½ miles out of the clutches of the Government and north-east from where Cookstown now save himself from being executed after that stands. Lount thought that he could make fateful day at Montgomery’s Tavern. his way by himself from here; so, Davis bid When they arrived at Toronto, the him good-bye with his well-wishes. John Rebellion was over, and Lount and several went back home and received a ‘calling- others were being held prisoners in the old down’ from his father. Toronto jail (where the Toronto Street A short time afterwards, Lount tried to Railway offices stood in 1922). John Davis go farther on his way towards the United was placed as one of the guards of these States. He hired an Indian of a tribe who prisoners, and he was sorry for the position were then living on Snake Island in Lake he found his friend Samuel Lount in. One Simcoe, and of whom Jim Snake was chief. night when he was on guard, John Davis For a sum of money, this Indian was to fell asleep (on purpose) and Lount escaped. have taken Lount in a south-easterly Lount’s horse had been brought to Toronto direction along the shore of Lake Simcoe. by friends and hidden near the Don River. Instead of doing this, the Indian showed Lount got the horse and made his way back his meanness and treachery by taking Lount

Canadian Quaker History Journal 77 (2012) 67 The Story of Sharon to the Government military camp near the Davis, 244 Margueretta Street, Toronto, is a mouth of the Holland River where he was son of the fine old pioneer whose portrait again captured. drawn by Owen Staples is from a much- Titus Willson had been ordered to go to faded photograph which is the only existing where Collingwood now stands to look for portrait of the pioneer. Lount who was said to be there at a lonely house of one John Braisier. Mr Eli Beaman In 1903 there was erected in the was to go with him. They started and got as Necropolis Cemetery, Toronto, by the far as Bradford when a man was sent after friends and sympathizers of Samuel Lount them with the report that Lount had been and , a gray granite captured and taken to Toronto. In the monument, surmounted by a broken spring of 1838, executions for high treason column, on which is inscribed the commenced in Canada. On the 12th of following: April 1838, Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews, the first of the victims, were Samuel Lount was the eldest son of executed at Toronto the late Gabriel Lount, an There is reason to believe that Lount Englishman who emigrated to could have purchased his life by putting the Pennsylvania in the middle of the Government in possession of evidence that eighteenth century, and of might have tended to place others in the Philadelphia Hughes, his wife, a position he occupied, but he resolutely Quakeress. He emigrated to Upper refused to accept it on such terms. Canada and settled near Newmarket There was none so sorry and bitter in the County of York in 1811. In about this execution than John Davis. John 1834, he represented the County of Davis died 5th March 1903 at the age of 101 Simcoe in the Upper Canada years and was buried at Coulson’s Cemetery, Legislature and served two years. In a few miles north of Bradford. Many times 1836, he became a candidate again during his late years, he would give as his and was defeated by corrupt opinion that if Sam Lount had stayed in practices used by his political hiding as Jesse Lloyd and others had done, opponents. A petition of eight he would not have been executed. And thousand people asked for a reprieve Samuel Lount died true to his friends, and which was refused. He lived a patriot would not tell on those who had helped and died for popular rights. He was him to keep out of the hands of the executed on 12th April 1838. Government, even though he might have saved his life by so doing. Washed by Lake Ontario on the south Relics or keepsakes of those times of and by Lake Simcoe on the north, lies the 1837 are still in possession of the Davis fruitful land which could rightly be called family, being a swivel link for a logging the Runnymede of Canada, and the chain made by Samuel Lount when he was extraordinary township of East blacksmithing at Holland Landing, and an Gwillimbury is rich in unique historic old rifle which was given to John Davis by evidence of the birth of Canada’s Magna Sir Francis Bond Head when he arrived at Charta, that fundamental constitution Toronto after marching from Bradford to which guarantees the rights and privileges defeat William Lyon Mackenzie. William H. of the present day; yet, no tangible

Canadian Quaker History Journal 77 (2012) 68 The Story of Sharon memorial exists around Sharon or Holland Landing to those rugged souls, patriot or rebel, who were largely the means of bringing it about. Still extant is a letter written at Hope [Sharon], 20th January 1839, by Samuel Hughes to his sister: “ . . . The political state of the country seems very uncertain, and no one knows how to realize the worth of either his liberty or property, . . . , a commissioner from Lord Durham was in our village last night and speaks of a speedy settlement of the matter”. An American tourist, visiting York County in 1900, returned some pertinent remarks on the indifference displayed by in the magnificent heritage which is part and parcel of the community.

Sources: Trewhella, Ethel Willson, “An Incident of the Rebellion of 1837: Down Old-Time Yonge Street with Pike and Musket,” Newmarket Era, (14 April 1922). Trewhella, Ethel Willson, “The Story of Sharon,” Newmarket Era & Express, installment #24 ( 22 November 1951); instalment #25 (29 November 1951); instalment #26 (6 December 1951).

Canadian Quaker History Journal 77 (2012) 69