1837 in Canada
Encyclopedia
See also:
1836 in Canada
,
other events of 1837,
1838 in Canada
.
----
Events from the year 1837 in Canada.
1836 in Canada
1836 in Canada
See also:1835 in Canada,other events of 1836,1837 in Canada.----Events from the year 1836 in Canada.-Events:*Opening of Canada's first railway line, from St. Johns, Quebec, to La Prairie, Quebec....
,
other events of 1837,
1838 in Canada
1838 in Canada
See also:1837 in Canada,other events of 1838,1839 in Canada.----Events from the year 1838 in Canada.-January to June:*January - Samuel Lount captured.*January 13 - Navy Island evacuated....
.
----
Events from the year 1837 in Canada.
Events
- British attempts to unite the colonies of UpperUpper CanadaThe Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
and Lower CanadaLower CanadaThe Province of Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
lead to revolt. Two separate rebellionsRebellions of 1837The Rebellions of 1837 were a pair of Canadian armed uprisings that occurred in 1837 and 1838 in response to frustrations in political reform. A key shared goal was the allowance of responsible government, which was eventually achieved in the incident's aftermath.-Rebellions:The rebellions started...
, one in UpperUpper Canada RebellionThe Upper Canada Rebellion was, along with the Lower Canada Rebellion in Lower Canada, a rebellion against the British colonial government in 1837 and 1838. Collectively they are also known as the Rebellions of 1837.-Issues:...
and one in Lower Canada, fail to dislodge entrenched elites. - Along with a general feeling that the government was not democratic, the failure of the executive committee to maintain the confidence of the elected officials leads to violent but unsuccessful rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada. The leaders, William Lyon MackenzieWilliam Lyon MackenzieWilliam Lyon Mackenzie was a Scottish born American and Canadian journalist, politician, and rebellion leader. He served as the first mayor of Toronto, Upper Canada and was an important leader during the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion.-Background and early years in Scotland, 1795–1820:Mackenzie was...
(Reformers) and Louis-Joseph PapineauLouis-Joseph PapineauLouis-Joseph Papineau , born in Montreal, Quebec, was a politician, lawyer, and the landlord of the seigneurie de la Petite-Nation. He was the leader of the reformist Patriote movement before the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837–1838. His father was Joseph Papineau, also a famous politician in Quebec...
(Patriotes), both escape to the U.S. - Revolts in Upper and Lower Canada. Small businessmen and farmers against merchant elites who, as political leaders, are raising property taxes, tariffs and freight rates to raise money for canals.
- Black militia units participate in putting down the rebellion in Upper Canada.
- British parliament passes Coercion Bill, seizes Lower Canada treasury.
- ChartistsChartismChartism was a movement for political and social reform in the United Kingdom during the mid-19th century, between 1838 and 1859. It takes its name from the People's Charter of 1838. Chartism was possibly the first mass working class labour movement in the world...
organize support in England. - May - Newfoundland general election, 1837Newfoundland general election, 1837The 3rd Newfoundland general election was held in 1837 to elect members of the General Assembly of Newfoundland in the Dominion of Newfoundland. The results of the previous election had been set aside by Henry John Boulton after he discovered some of the writs from the previous election had not...
. - July 31 - Declaration of Toronto Reformers followed by 200 township meetings.
- August 26 - Lord GosfordArchibald Acheson, 2nd Earl of GosfordArchibald Acheson, 2nd Earl of Gosford GCB , styled The Honourable Archibald Acheson from 1790 to 1806 and Lord Acheson from 1806 to 1807, was a British politician who served as Lieutenant-Governor of Lower Canada and Governor General of British North America in the 19th century.-Background:Born at...
prorogues Parliament by proclamation. Mr. Papineau finds a copy on his seat, on returning from the audience hall. - Lord Gosford is now convinced that it is intended to institute a republican form of government, in Canada. Justices of the Peace and officers of Militia are removed from office: Mr. Papineau among them.
- The newspaper Le Populaire is started, at Montreal, to quiet the public mind; and, at Quebec, the Liberal, a seditious journal.
- The Governor warns the people against rebellion.
- Messrs. Papineau, LafontaineLouis-Hippolyte LafontaineSir Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine , 1st Baronet, KCMG was the first Canadian to become Prime Minister of the United Province of Canada and the first head of a responsible government in Canada. He was born in Boucherville, Lower Canada in 1807...
, Girouard and Morin go through the country, exciting the inhabitants. - An effigy of the Governor is burnt.
- Mr. Lafontaine says "We have demanded reforms, without obtaining them. It is time to be up and doing."
- Lord Gosford proposes adding seven Frenchmen to the Legislative Council and nine to the Executive Council.
- "Sons of Liberty" secretly drill and prepare munitions; but many of the French remain loyal.
- Among the malcontents are Dr. Nelson, Messrs. Papineau, Wilson, Viger, Lacoste, Brown, and Girod.
- Alarmed at the length excitement has carried him, Mr. Papineau now inclines to the constitutional remedy of ceasing to trade with England, but Dr. Nelson declares that the time for action has come.
- The Roman Catholic Bishop LartigueJean-Jacques LartigueJean-Jacques Lartigue was a Canadian Roman Catholic who served as the first Bishop of Montreal. He was the only son of a noted Montreal family...
, of Montreal, preaches obedience to authority, as a cardinal rule of the Church. - The R. C. Bishop Signai, of Quebec, warns his flock against revolt, and reminds them that, even in France, where sovereignty resides in the people, it rests, not with a part, but with the whole population; and "who will dare to say that the whole population of this country desire the overthrow of the Government?"
- General Colborne speedily arms 600 inhabitants, and regulars are called from New Brunswick.
- November - William Lyon Mackenzie presents plans to overthrow the government.
- November 6 - In Montreal, the Doric ClubDoric ClubThe Doric Club was an association of Loyals set up in Lower Canada by Adam Thom, a lawyer and journalist, in March 1836. A noted opponent of the Patriotes, the group was both a social club and a paramilitary organization...
come to blows with "Sons of Liberty." - The military march through the streets with guns.
- November 23 - Patriotes defeat British army at St. Denis, Lower Canada. At St. Denis, Col. Gore, with five companies of regulars, fails to dislodge rebel Dr. Nelson, with 200 men, behind walls.
- For safety, Mr. Papineau is induced to cross the Line.
- November 24 - William Lyon Mackenzie delivers order to local leaders to march on Toronto Dec. 7.
- November 25 - British defeat Patriotes at St. Charles and return to burn St. Denis.
- November 25 - Col. Wetherall's 400 defeat a larger number of rebels, of whom about 100 are killed, 372 wounded, and 30 surrender. At St. Eustache, over 1,200 rebels, under Dr. Chenier and Girod, a Swiss, dwindle to 250. A priest tries to dissuade Dr. Chenier, who replies, with a trea, "I will conquer, or die."
- Sir John Colborne, with 2,000 and field-pieces, wins the battle. To unarmed followers Dr. Chenier has said: "Be easy; some will be killed - you can take their muskets." True, there are muskets to spare, but the men to use them are wanting. Girod shoots himself.
- T.S. Brown and Dr. O'Callaghan cross the Line.
- At St. Benoid, 250 men surrender to Sir John Colborne.
- People return thanks for peace, and promise loyalty.
- Mr. Lafontaine too tardily asks the Governor to summon Parliament. He refuses. Arrests are made on charge of High Treason.
- Rolph panics, calls troops out for December 4.
- December 2 - Troops occupy St. Denis.
- December 4 - Confrontation at Montgomery's TavernConfrontation at Montgomery's TavernThe Battle of Montgomery's Tavern was an incident in the Upper Canada Rebellion. The abortive revolutionary insurrection inspired by William Lyon Mackenzie was crushed by British authorities and Canadian volunteer units near a tavern on Yonge Street, Toronto.The site of Montgomery's Tavern was...
. See http://www.edunetconnect.com/cat/rebellions/1837f01.html - December 5 - Lord Gosford proclaims martial law.
- December 6 - Battle of Mississquoi Bay.
- December 7 - Rebels are defeated, at TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. - December 7 - Loyalist militia defeats Patriots at Toronto. William Lyon Mackenzie escapes to the U.S.
- December 9 - Peter Matthews captured.
- Charles Duncombe leads Patriot uprising in London DistrictLondon, OntarioLondon is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
. - December 13 - Revolutionary Provisional Government established at Navy Island.
- December 13 - Governor-General Colborne leads British assault on Two Mountains Country, Lower Canada.
- December 14 - Rebels are defeated, at St. Eustache, Jean-Olivier ChénierJean-Olivier ChénierJean-Olivier Chénier was a physician in Lower Canada . Born in Lachine . During the Lower Canada Rebellion, he commanded the Patriote forces in the Battle of Saint-Eustache...
is killed - December 15 - Rebels surrender, at Grade Brule.
- December 16 - William Lyon MacKenzie occupies Navy IslandNavy IslandNavy Island is a small island in the Niagara River in the province of Ontario, managed by Parks Canada as a National Historic Site of Canada. It is located about upstream from Horseshoe Falls, and has an area of roughly...
and proclaims the short-lived Republic of CanadaRepublic of CanadaThe Republic of Canada was a declared government proclaimed by William Lyon Mackenzie on December 13, 1837. The self proclaimed government was established on Navy Island in the Niagara River in the latter days of the Upper Canada Rebellion after Mackenzie and 200 of his followers retreated from...
.
- December 29 - The Patriot steamer "CarolineCaroline affairThe Caroline affair was a series of events beginning in 1837 that strained relations between the United States and Britain....
" is burned in the Niagara RiverNiagara RiverThe Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the Province of Ontario in Canada and New York State in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the name of the river...
at Niagara FallsNiagara FallsThe Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, is the collective name for the Horseshoe Falls and the adjacent American Falls along with the comparatively small Bridal Veil Falls, which combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfalls in the world and has...
. - In the course of this year, steam is adopted as the motive power, on the Champlain & St. Lawrence Railway.
- Unlike Upper and Lower Canada, other Canadian territories move toward responsible government without rebellion. New Brunswick accepts the British offer to allow their assembly more revenue control over salaries of public servants and judges. Nova Scotia agrees to the same conditions in 1839.
Births
- January 22 - Charles Alphonse Pantaléon PelletierCharles Alphonse Pantaléon PelletierSir Charles Alphonse Pantaléon Pelletier, KCMG, PC was a Canadian lawyer, militia officer, politician, publisher, judge, and the ninth Lieutenant Governor of Quebec....
, lawyer, militia officer, politician, publisher, judge, and the 9th Lieutenant Governor of QuebecLieutenant Governor of QuebecThe Lieutenant Governor of Quebec : Lieutenant-gouverneur du Québec, or : Lieutenant-gouverneure du Québec) is the viceregal representative in Quebec of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the ten other jurisdictions...
(d.19111911 in Canada-Events:* May 16 - James Palmer becomes Premier of Prince Edward Island, replacing F. L. Haszard* June 14 - Nova Scotia election: George Henry Murray's Liberals win a second consecutive majority...
) - January 23 - Agnes Maule MacharAgnes Maule MacharAgnes Maule Machar was a Canadian author.Machar was born and educated in Kingston, Ontario. She was the daughter of John Machar.- Bibliography :* For King and Country* Katie Johnson's Cross...
, author (d.19271927 in Canada-Events:*January 9 - 76 are killed when a fire breaks out at the Laurier Palace Theatre in Montreal*March 1 - The location of the boundary between Labrador and Quebec is settled by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, accepting the Dominion of Newfoundland's claim rather than Canada's.*May...
) - March 18 - Richard Maurice Bucke, psychiatrist (d.19021902 in Canada-Incumbents:*Prime Minister: Wilfrid Laurier*Governor General: Earl of Minto*Premier of British Columbia: James Dunsmuir then Edward Prior*Premier of Manitoba: R.P. Roblin*Premier of New Brunswick: Lemuel J. Tweedie...
) - May 20 - William Jackman, sailor
- July 18 - Joseph-Alfred MousseauJoseph-Alfred MousseauJoseph-Alfred Mousseau, PC , was a French Canadian politician.He was born in Sainte-Geneviève-de-Berthier, Lower Canada, the son of Louis Mousseau, the son of Alexis Mousseau, and Sophie Duteau, dit Grandpré...
, politician and 6th Premier of QuebecPremier of QuebecThe Premier of Quebec is the first minister of the Canadian province of Quebec. The Premier is the province's head of government and his title is Premier and President of the Executive Council....
(d.18861886 in Canada-Events:*March 25 - Workman's Compensation Act passed in Ontario*April 6 - Vancouver incorporated as a city*April 26 - New Brunswick general election, 1886*June 6 - The Parliament buildings open in Ottawa...
) - September 1 - Christopher William BuntingChristopher William BuntingChristopher William Bunting was an Irish-born politician, merchant, newspaper owner and newspaper publisher....
, politician, merchant, newspaper owner and newspaper publisher (d.18961896 in Canada-Events:*April 27 - Sir Mackenzie Bowell resigns as Prime Minister due to cabinet infighting. He is replaced by Sir Charles Tupper.*May 1 - Sir Charles Tupper becomes prime minister, replacing Sir Mackenzie Bowell...
) - December - Gabriel Dumont, MetisMétis people (Canada)The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
leader (d.19061906 in Canada-Events:*January 1 - Canada's first movie theatre Ouimetoscope opens in Montreal* January 22 – The SS Valencia strikes a reef off Vancouver Island, killing over 100 in the ensuing disaster....
) - December 14 - Arthur Sturgis HardyArthur Sturgis HardyArthur Sturgis Hardy, QC was a lawyer and Liberal politician who served as the fourth Premier of Ontario, Canada, from 1896 to 1899. On January 19, 1870 he married Mary Morrison, daughter of Judge Joseph Curran Morrison.Hardy attended school at the Rockwood Academy in Rockwood, Ontario...
, lawyer, politician and 4th Premier of Ontario (d.19011901 in Canada-Events:*March 9 — Japanese Canadians win the vote in British Columbia*December 12 — Guglielmo Marconi receives a transatlantic radio message at St. John's, Newfoundland*December 18 — The Territorial Grain Growers' Association is founded...
)
Deaths
- July 13 - Charles James StewartCharles James StewartCharles James Stewart was an English Church of England, clergyman, bishop, and politician. He was the second Bishop of Quebec from 1826 to 1837....
, clergyman of the Church of England, bishop, and politician (b.17751775 in Canada-Events:* 1775-83: Demands by the American colonists that they be represented in the English Parliament lead to the American Revolution.* April 19 - The Revolutionary War begins, at Lexington....
) - December 14 - Jean-Olivier ChénierJean-Olivier ChénierJean-Olivier Chénier was a physician in Lower Canada . Born in Lachine . During the Lower Canada Rebellion, he commanded the Patriote forces in the Battle of Saint-Eustache...
, physician and Patriote (b.18061806 in Canada-Events:* Minor trouble arises after 1806 when a governor attempts to anglicize Lower Canada, but he is able to quell dissent if not to achieve his goal.* Russian-American Company Company collects otter pelts from Alaska to Spanish California....
)