Thomas Dickson (Upper Canada politician)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Dickson was a businessman and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born in Dumfries
, Scotland
around 1775. When his father's business encountered financial hardship, Thomas and his brothers travelled to Upper Canada to seek work with their cousin Robert Hamilton
. In 1793, Dickson opened his own shop in Fort Erie
to supply goods to the military and fur trade
rs. In 1796, he relocated to Queenston
. In 1800, he was named justice of the peace in the Niagara District.
In 1803, Dickson became customs collector at Queenston. Beginning in 1804, he operated a ferry between Queenston and Lewiston, New York
. In 1812, he was elected to the 6th Parliament of Upper Canada
representing the 3rd riding in Lincoln
. During the War of 1812
, he served with the Lincoln militia, becoming lieutenant-colonel. He was wounded at the Battle of Chippawa
in 1814. He served as an associate judge at the so-called Bloody Assize
held at Ancaster
later that year.
He died in Queenston in 1825.
His brother William
was a member of the Legislative Council
for the province.
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...
.
He was born in Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
, 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...
around 1775. When his father's business encountered financial hardship, Thomas and his brothers travelled to Upper Canada to seek work with their cousin Robert Hamilton
Robert Hamilton (judge)
Robert Hamilton was a businessman, judge and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Bolton, East Lothian, Scotland in 1753, the son of John Hamilton and Jane Wright. He came to Canada as part of a contract with a fur trading company operating west of the Great Lakes...
. In 1793, Dickson opened his own shop in Fort Erie
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....
to supply goods to the military and fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
rs. In 1796, he relocated to Queenston
Queenston, Ontario
Queenston is located 5 km north of Niagara Falls, Ontario in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The community is bordered by Highway 405 and the Niagara River; its location on the Niagara Escarpment led to the establishment of the now-defunct Queenston Quarry in the area...
. In 1800, he was named justice of the peace in the Niagara District.
In 1803, Dickson became customs collector at Queenston. Beginning in 1804, he operated a ferry between Queenston and Lewiston, New York
Lewiston, New York
Lewiston is a village in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 2,781 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Morgan Lewis, an early 19th-century governor of New York. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.The Village of Lewiston,...
. In 1812, he was elected to the 6th Parliament of Upper Canada
6th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 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....
representing the 3rd riding in Lincoln
Lincoln County, Ontario
Lincoln County is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario.The county was formed in 1792. In 1845, the southern portion of Lincoln County was separated to form Welland County....
. 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...
, he served with the Lincoln militia, becoming lieutenant-colonel. He was wounded at the Battle of Chippawa
Battle of Chippawa
The Battle of Chippawa was a victory for the United States Army in the War of 1812, during an invasion of Upper Canada along the Niagara River on July 5, 1814.-Background:...
in 1814. He served as an associate judge at the so-called Bloody Assize
Bloody Assize (1814)
The Bloody Assize in Upper Canada was a series of trials held at Ancaster during the War of 1812.During the war, a number of settlers from the Niagara and London Districts had taken up arms against their neighbours. Many later fled to the United States....
held at Ancaster
Ancaster, Ontario
Ancaster is a picturesque and historic community located on the Niagara escarpment, within the greater area of the city of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. This former town was founded officially in 1793 and was one of the oldest European communities established in present day Ontario along with Windsor...
later that year.
He died in Queenston in 1825.
His brother William
William Dickson (Upper Canada)
William Dickson was a businessman, lawyer and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Dumfries, Scotland in 1769. In 1785, he emigrated to the Niagara peninsula, where he managed mills and a store for Robert Hamilton, his cousin...
was a member of the 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...
for the province.