Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
Encyclopedia
The Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791
. It was the elected legislature
for the province of Upper Canada
and functioned as the province's lower house
in the Parliament of Upper Canada. It's legislative power was subject to veto
by the appointed Lieutenant Governor
, Executive Council
, and Legislative Council
.
The first elections in Upper Canada, in which only land-owning males were permitted to vote, were held in August 1792. The first session of the Assembly's sixteen members occurred in Newark, Upper Canada on 17 September 1792. Shortly before the capital of Upper Canada was moved to York
in 1796 the Assembly was dissolved and reconvended for twelve more sessions between 1797 to 1840 in modest buildings in the new capital. Members continued to be elected by land-owning males to represent counties and the larger towns.
During the War of 1812
, American troops
set fire to the buildings of the Assembly (the future Parliament of Canada
moved to its current location at Parliament Hill
in Ottawa
in 1866).
, a clique of wealthy individuals led primarily by John Strachan
(a member of the powerful Executive Council of Upper Canada
) and emerged in 1815. The Compact was deeply opposed to American republicanism and favoured full establishment for the Anglican church in Upper Canada. Their increasingly authoritarian style of governance and disregard for the will of the Legislative Assembly led to demands for government that was more responsible to the people and eventually the Upper Canada Rebellion
of 1837. Opposing the Family Compact were initially an assortment of anti-establishment members, but it did not gain strength until a more formal group of reformers emerged, initially lead by William Warren Baldwin
starting 1820s and then by William Lyon Mackenzie
in the 1830s.
The Act of Union (1840) united Upper and Lower Canada
into the single Province of Canada
and, from this point until Confederation
in 1867, a joint parliament was held for the united provinces.
. Some left Canada to join the United States Army during the War of 1812. Some were involved in the Rebellion of 1837
and other just simply abandoned Canada
.
Most moved to the United States
, some left for Britain
.
From 1824 to 1832, the Assembly sat at temporary locations due to the fire that destroyed the 2nd home:
Only Navy Hall survives today, all the other buildings were either demolished or burned down.
Constitutional Act of 1791
The Constitutional Act of 1791, formally The Clergy Endowments Act, 1791 , is an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain...
. It was the elected legislature
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
for the province of Upper Canada
Upper Canada
The 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 functioned as the province's lower house
Lower house
A lower house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house.Despite its official position "below" the upper house, in many legislatures worldwide the lower house has come to wield more power...
in the Parliament of Upper Canada. It's legislative power was subject to veto
Veto
A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...
by the appointed Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
, Executive Council
Executive Council of Upper Canada
The Executive Council of Upper Canada had a similar function to the Cabinet in England but was not responsible to the Legislative Assembly. Members of the Executive Council were not necessarily members of the Legislative Assembly but were usually members of the Legislative Council. Members were...
, and Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Upper Canada
The Legislative Council of Upper Canada was the upper house governing the province of Upper Canada. Modelled after the British House of Lords, it was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791. It was specified that the council should consist of at least seven members. Members were appointed for...
.
The first elections in Upper Canada, in which only land-owning males were permitted to vote, were held in August 1792. The first session of the Assembly's sixteen members occurred in Newark, Upper Canada on 17 September 1792. Shortly before the capital of Upper Canada was moved to York
York, Upper Canada
York was the name of Old Toronto between 1793 and 1834. It was the second capital of Upper Canada.- History :The town was established in 1793 by Governor John Graves Simcoe, with a new 'Fort York' on the site of the last French 'Fort Toronto'...
in 1796 the Assembly was dissolved and reconvended for twelve more sessions between 1797 to 1840 in modest buildings in the new capital. Members continued to be elected by land-owning males to represent counties and the larger towns.
During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, American troops
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
set fire to the buildings of the Assembly (the future Parliament of Canada
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
moved to its current location at Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill , colloquially known as The Hill, is an area of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Its Gothic revival suite of buildingsthe parliament buildings serves as the home of the Parliament of Canada and contains a number of architectural...
in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
in 1866).
Politcial Divisions
Following the war, the Executive and Legislative Councils became increasingly dominated by the Family CompactFamily Compact
Fully developed after the War of 1812, the Compact lasted until Upper and Lower Canada were united in 1841. In Lower Canada, its equivalent was the Château Clique. The influence of the Family Compact on the government administration at different levels lasted to the 1880s...
, a clique of wealthy individuals led primarily by John Strachan
John Strachan
John Strachan was an influential figure in Upper Canada and the first Anglican Bishop of Toronto.-Early life:Strachan was the youngest of six children born to a quarry worker in Aberdeen, Scotland. He graduated from King's College, Aberdeen in 1797...
(a member of the powerful Executive Council of Upper Canada
Executive Council of Upper Canada
The Executive Council of Upper Canada had a similar function to the Cabinet in England but was not responsible to the Legislative Assembly. Members of the Executive Council were not necessarily members of the Legislative Assembly but were usually members of the Legislative Council. Members were...
) and emerged in 1815. The Compact was deeply opposed to American republicanism and favoured full establishment for the Anglican church in Upper Canada. Their increasingly authoritarian style of governance and disregard for the will of the Legislative Assembly led to demands for government that was more responsible to the people and eventually the Upper Canada Rebellion
Upper Canada Rebellion
The 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:...
of 1837. Opposing the Family Compact were initially an assortment of anti-establishment members, but it did not gain strength until a more formal group of reformers emerged, initially lead by William Warren Baldwin
William Warren Baldwin
William Warren Baldwin was a doctor, businessman, lawyer, judge, architect and political figure in Upper Canada....
starting 1820s and then by William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie
William 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...
in the 1830s.
The Act of Union (1840) united Upper and Lower Canada
Lower Canada
The Province of Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
into the single Province of Canada
Province of Canada
The Province of Canada, United Province of Canada, or the United Canadas was a British colony in North America from 1841 to 1867. Its formation reflected recommendations made by John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham in the Report on the Affairs of British North America following the Rebellions of...
and, from this point until Confederation
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
in 1867, a joint parliament was held for the united provinces.
List of Parliaments
- 1st Parliament of Upper Canada1st Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 1st Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 17 September 1792. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in August 1792. All sessions were held at Navy Hall in Newark, later Niagara-on-the-Lake...
1792-1796 - 2nd Parliament of Upper Canada2nd Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 2nd Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 1 June 1797. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in August 1796. The first session was held at Navy Hall in Newark. The Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada John Graves Simcoe believed York was a superior location for the capital as it would less...
1797-1800 - 3rd Parliament of Upper Canada3rd Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 3rd Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 28 May 1801. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in July 1800. All sessions were held at Parliament Buildings of Upper Canada in York, Upper Canada...
1801-1804 - 4th Parliament of Upper Canada4th Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 4th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 1 February 1805. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in May 1804. All sessions were held at Parliament Buildings of Upper Canada in York, Upper Canada...
1805-1808 - 5th Parliament of Upper Canada5th Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 5th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 2 February 1809. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in May 1808. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada and sat at the Parliament Buildings of Upper Canada...
1808-1812 - 6th Parliament of Upper Canada6th Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 6th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 27 July 1812. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in June 1812. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada....
1812-1816 - 7th Parliament of Upper Canada7th Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 7th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 4 February 1817. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in July 1816. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada at the home of Chief Justice of the Court William Henry Draper...
1817-1820 - 8th Parliament of Upper Canada8th Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 8th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 31 January 1821. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in July 1820. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada and sat in the second Parliament Buildings of Upper Canada...
1821-1824 - 9th Parliament of Upper Canada9th Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 9th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 11 January 1825. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in July 1824. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada...
1825-1828 - 10th Parliament of Upper Canada10th Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 10th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 8 January 1829. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in July 1828. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada...
1829-1830 - 11th Parliament of Upper Canada11th Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 11th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 7 January 1831. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in October 1830. All sessions were held at York, later Toronto...
1831-1834 - 12th Parliament of Upper Canada12th Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 12th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 15 January 1835. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in October 1834. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada. This parliament was dissolved 28 May 1836 by the new Lieutenant Governor, Sir Francis Bond Head. Head ordered a new election...
1835-1836 - 13th Parliament of Upper Canada13th Parliament of Upper CanadaThe 13th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 8 November 1836. Elections in Upper Canada had been held 20 June 1836. All sessions were held at Toronto.The House of Assembly had five sessions 8 November 1836 to 10 February 1840....
1837-1840
Speakers
| Speaker | Term | Parliament |
|---|---|---|
| Captain John McDonell John McDonell Captain John McDonell was a soldier, judge and political figure in Upper Canada following the American Revolution. He was elected as the first speaker for the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada.-Early years:... |
1792-1796 | 1st |
| Sir David William Smith, 1st Baronet | 1796-1800 and 1801-1804 | 2nd and 3rd |
| Samuel Street Samuel Street Samuel Street was a judge, merchant and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Wilton, Connecticut in 1753. He traded with the native people along the Susquehanna River around 1776; in 1778, he moved to Fort Niagara where he provided supplies to the British... |
1800-1801 and 1809-1812 | 2nd and 5th |
| Alexander Macdonell Alexander Macdonell (politician) Alexander Macdonell was a soldier and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Scotland in 1762 and arrived in the Mohawk Valley of New York with other members of his family, including his brother, Angus Macdonell. He served with the Royal Highland Emigrant Regiment during the American... |
1805-1808 | 4th |
| Allan McLean Allan McLean (Upper Canada politician) Allan McLean was a Scottish-born lawyer and politician in Upper Canada. He was the first lawyer in 1794 authorized to practise in Kingston. He was first elected in May 1804 as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada... |
1813-1820 | 6th and 7th |
| Levius Peters Sherwood Levius Peters Sherwood Levius Peters Sherwood was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born at St. Johns in Lower Canada, the son of Justus Sherwood. He studied law and was called to the bar in 1803. In 1804, he was appointed registrar for Grenville, Leeds, and Carleton and customs inspector... |
1821-1824 | 8th |
| John Wilson John Wilson (Ontario politician) John Wilson was an Ontario lawyer, judge and political figure. He shot and killed Robert Lyon in what is believed to have been the last duel fought in Ontario and the last fatal duel in Canada.... |
1825-1828 | 9th |
| Marshall Spring Bidwell Marshall Spring Bidwell Marshall Spring Bidwell was a lawyer and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts in 1799, the son of Barnabas Bidwell. His family settled in Bath in Upper Canada before the War of 1812. He studied with a law firm in Kingston and was called to the Ontario Bar in... |
1829-1830 and 1835 | 10th and 12th |
| Archibald McLean Archibald McLean (judge) Chief Justice The Hon. Archibald McLean was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Upper Canada.-Early life:... |
1831-1834 and 1836 | 11th and 12th |
| Allan MacNab Allan MacNab Sir Allan Napier MacNab, 1st Baronet was a Canadian political leader and Premier of the Province of Canada before Canadian Confederation .-Biography:... |
1837 and 1837-1840 | 13th |
| Henry Ruttan Henry Ruttan Henry Ruttan was a businessman, inventor and politician figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Adolphustown in 1792. At the age of 14, he left school to work in a store in Kingston. He served in the militia during the War of 1812. After the war, he remained in the militia and reached the rank of... |
1837 | 13th |
Changing Loyalties
A few members of the Legislature eventually left CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Some left Canada to join the United States Army during the War of 1812. Some were involved in the Rebellion of 1837
Upper Canada Rebellion
The 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 other just simply abandoned Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Most moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, some left for Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
.
| Name | Born | Died | Reason for leaving Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Willcocks Joseph Willcocks Joseph Willcocks was a publisher, a political figure and ultimately, a traitor in Upper Canada.He was born in Palmerstown, Ireland in 1773. He came to York at the age of 27, staying initially with his second cousin once removed, William Willcocks... |
Palmerstown Palmerstown Palmerstown , occasionally referred to as Palmerston, is a suburb of Dublin,Ireland. It is located about 8km west of the city centre, in the administrative county of South Dublin. The area is bordered to the north by the River Liffey, to the west by Lucan, to the south by Ballyfermot and to theeast... , Ireland Ireland Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth... , Great Britain Great Britain Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles... |
Fort Erie, Ontario Fort Erie, Ontario Fort Erie is a town on the Niagara River in the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. It is located directly across the river from Buffalo, New York.... , Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
Fled Canada - organized Canadian Volunteers Canadian Volunteers The Canadian Volunteers was a unit composed of pro-American citizens or inhabitants of Upper Canada which fought for the United States of America during the Anglo-American War of 1812.-Background:... within United States Army United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services... , rank as Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence... ; died in Canada and re-bured in Buffalo, NY |
| William Macomb William Macomb (merchant) William Macomb was a merchant and political figure of Upper Canada.He was born in northern Ireland around 1751 and came to North America with his family in 1755... |
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west... , Great Britain Great Britain Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles... |
Fort Detroit Detroit, Michigan Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River... , Upper Canada Upper Canada The 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... |
Detroit was part of Upper Canada before 1796; died in Detroit |
| Hugh McDonell Hugh McDonell Hugh McDonell was a soldier and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born at Aberchalder Lodge in Scotland. In 1773, he came with his father and uncles to the Mohawk Valley of New York, settling on Sir William Johnson's estate near Johnstown. As a loyalist, he was taken prisoner by... |
Aberchalder Lodge Aberchalder Lodge Aberchalder Lodge is a country house in the Inverness-shire region of Scotland's Highland Council area.It lies at the centre of the 16,000 acre Aberchalder Estate close to Loch Oich.... , Scotland Scotland Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the... |
Florence (March of Tuscany March of Tuscany The March of Tuscany or Tuscia was a frontier march in central Italy, bordering the Papal States to the south and east, the Ligurian Sea to the west, and the rest of the Kingdom of Italy to the north. It was a Carolingian creation, a successor of the Lombard Duchy of Tuscia... , Austrian Empire Austrian Empire The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire... ) |
Left Canada to serve as British United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... diplomat; died in Italy |
| Robert Thorpe Robert Thorpe Robert Thorpe was a judge and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Dublin, Ireland around 1764. He graduated with a degree in law from Trinity College, Dublin and was admitted to the bar in 1790.... |
Dublin, Ireland Ireland Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth... , Great Britain Great Britain Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles... |
London, United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
Forced to leave Canada - subdsequently served as chief justice and judge of the Vice-Admiralty Court in Sierra Leone Sierra Leone Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4... 1808-1811; died in England |
| Benajah Mallory Benajah Mallory Benajah Mallory was a farmer, merchant and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in the Thirteen Colonies around 1764; he was living in Vermont at the start of the American Revolution and served with the local militia. He married Abia Dayton and settled in Burford Township in Upper Canada... |
Vermont Vermont Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England... (Thirteen Colonies Thirteen Colonies The Thirteen Colonies were English and later British colonies established on the Atlantic coast of North America between 1607 and 1733. They declared their independence in the American Revolution and formed the United States of America... ) |
Lockport, NY, USA | Fled Canada during War of 1812 and subsequently served in Canadian Volunteers Canadian Volunteers The Canadian Volunteers was a unit composed of pro-American citizens or inhabitants of Upper Canada which fought for the United States of America during the Anglo-American War of 1812.-Background:... with United States Army United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services... , died in NY |
| Abraham Markle Abraham Markle Abraham Markle was a businessman and political figure in Upper Canada and co-proprietor of Terre Haute, Indiana.He was born in Ulster County, New York in 1770... |
Ulster County, Province of New York Ulster County, New York Ulster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493. Recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 are at... |
Terre Haute, Indiana Terre Haute, Indiana Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and... , USA |
left Canada during War of 1812 War of 1812 The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant... and joined Canadian Volunteers Canadian Volunteers The Canadian Volunteers was a unit composed of pro-American citizens or inhabitants of Upper Canada which fought for the United States of America during the Anglo-American War of 1812.-Background:... with United States Army United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services... as a Major Major Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ... ; died in US |
| Marshall Spring Bidwell Marshall Spring Bidwell Marshall Spring Bidwell was a lawyer and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts in 1799, the son of Barnabas Bidwell. His family settled in Bath in Upper Canada before the War of 1812. He studied with a law firm in Kingston and was called to the Ontario Bar in... |
Stockbridge, Massachusetts Stockbridge, Massachusetts Stockbridge is a town in Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,947 at the 2010 census... , USA |
New York, NY | forced to leave Canada due in involvement in 1837 Rebellion, became New York State lawyer, died in NYC |
| Peter Perry Peter Perry Peter Perry was a businessman and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Ernestown, Ontario in 1792, the son of Robert Perry and Jemima Gary Washburn. His father was a United Empire Loyalist from Vermont who had served with the Queen's Rangers and Edward Jessup's Loyal Rangers during the... |
Ernestown, Upper Canada Upper Canada The 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... |
Saratoga Springs, New York Saratoga Springs, New York Saratoga Springs, also known as simply Saratoga, is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 26,586 at the 2010 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a Native American name, ... , USA |
died after visiting Bidwell |
| Hiram Norton Hiram Norton Hiram Norton was a merchant and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Vermont around 1799 and settled in Prescott. In 1833, he became a justice of the peace in the Johnstown District. He represented Grenville in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada from 1831 to 1838 as a Reformer... |
Vermont Vermont Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England... , USA |
Lockport, Illinois Lockport, Illinois Lockport is a city in Will County, Illinois, United States, that incorporated in 1853. Lockport is located in northeastern Illinois, 30 miles southwest of Chicago, and north of Joliet, at locks connecting Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal with the Des Plaines River via the Lockport... , USA |
fled Canada due to involvement in 1837 Rebellion; became a flower mill owner/operator; died in US |
| Charles Duncombe | Connecticut Connecticut Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately... , USA |
Hicksville, California California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... , USA |
fled Canada due to involvement in 1837 Rebellion, became California State Assembly California State Assembly The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000... man 1859 and later as a county representative of the Sacramento County 1863-1867; died in California |
| William Lyon Mackenzie William Lyon Mackenzie William 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... |
Dundee Dundee Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea... , Scotland Scotland Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the... |
Toronto Toronto Toronto 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... , Province of Canada Province of Canada The Province of Canada, United Province of Canada, or the United Canadas was a British colony in North America from 1841 to 1867. Its formation reflected recommendations made by John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham in the Report on the Affairs of British North America following the Rebellions of... |
fled Canada due to involvement in 1837 Rebellion and later returned to Canada 1849 |
| Jesse Ketchum Jesse Ketchum Jesse Ketchum was a tanner and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Spencertown, New York in 1782. After his mother died, he was taken into a foster home; his foster father was a tanner. He ran away from home in 1799 and joined his brother Seneca, who was farming north of York in Upper... |
Spencertown, New York New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... , USA |
Buffalo, NY, USA | retired and moved from Canada to Buffalo, New York Buffalo, New York Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the... ; died in Buffalo |
| Henry Yager Henry Yager Henry Wandal Yager was a farmer, businessman and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Claverack, Columbia County, New York, in 1802, the son of Wandal Yager and Eva Dings. The family moved to Upper Canada and settled in Thurlow Township, Hastings County, Ontario about 1800. He was not a... |
Claverack, New York Claverack, New York Claverack is a town in Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 6,401 at the 2000 census. The town name is a corruption for the Dutch word for "Clover Fields" or "Clover Reach".... , USA |
Dane County, Wisconsin Dane County, Wisconsin As of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile . There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile... , USA |
left Canada with family as dairy farmer in Dane County, Wisconsin Dane County, Wisconsin As of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile . There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile... and died there |
| Robert Alway Robert Alway Robert Alway was a farmer and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England in 1790 and arrived in Upper Canada around 1816. He represented Oxford in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada from 1834 to 1841 as a Reformer. He served in the local militia but... |
Gloucester Gloucester Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham.... , Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean.... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... , Great Britain Great Britain Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles... |
Republic of Texas Republic of Texas The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S... |
fled Canada due to involvement in 1837 Rebellion and died shortly after arriving in Texas |
Buildings housing the Legislative Assembly
- Navy HallNavy HallNavy Hall is a wooden structure encased within a stone structure that was the site of Upper Canada's first provincial parliament in 1792–1796. It is a national historic site located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, then known as Newark, Upper Canada...
at Newark (1792) - first (1793–1813) and second (1820–1824) Parliament Buildings of Upper Canada at York
From 1824 to 1832, the Assembly sat at temporary locations due to the fire that destroyed the 2nd home:
- residence of the Chief Justice of Upper Canada (1813–1820)
- old York County Court House on King between Toronto and Church Streets (1829–1832)
- ballroom of York HotelToronto Sun BuildingThe Toronto Sun Building, at 333 King Street East at Sherbourne, is home to one of Toronto's daily English language newspapers, the Toronto Sun. Built in 1975, the most notable feature of the structure is the large mural on the south side. The mural is 55 meters wide and 7.6 meters high, covering a...
at York - one session 1813 - York General HospitalToronto General HospitalThe Toronto General Hospital , is a part of the University Health Network, and a major teaching hospital in downtown Toronto, Ontario. It is located in the Discovery District, directly north of the Hospital for Sick Children, across Gerrard Street West, and east of Princess Margaret Hospital and...
(1824–1829) - third Parliament Buildings of Upper CanadaFirst Ontario Parliament BuildingsThe first Ontario Parliament Buildings were built between 1829 and 1832 near Front, John, Simcoe and Wellington Streets in Toronto, Canada. Architects of the buildings were J.G. Chewett, Cumberland & Storm , Samuel Curry, John Ewart, John Howard and Thomas Rogers...
(1832–1840)
Only Navy Hall survives today, all the other buildings were either demolished or burned down.
See also
- Legislative Council of Upper CanadaLegislative Council of Upper CanadaThe Legislative Council of Upper Canada was the upper house governing the province of Upper Canada. Modelled after the British House of Lords, it was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791. It was specified that the council should consist of at least seven members. Members were appointed for...
- Executive Council of Upper CanadaExecutive Council of Upper CanadaThe Executive Council of Upper Canada had a similar function to the Cabinet in England but was not responsible to the Legislative Assembly. Members of the Executive Council were not necessarily members of the Legislative Assembly but were usually members of the Legislative Council. Members were...
- Lieutenant Governors of Upper Canada, 1791-1841
- Legislative Assembly of the Province of CanadaLegislative Assembly of the Province of CanadaThe Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada was the lower house of the legislature for the Province of Canada, which consisted of the former provinces of Lower Canada, then known as Canada East and later the province of Quebec, and Upper Canada, then known as Canada West and later the...