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In the years before the Rebellion of 1837, a reform movement had developed in Upper Canada that sought, if not a democratically-elected government like that of the US, then at least more power for the elected assembly. The reform movement grew more radical following the 1836 election, which saw the Crown, in the person of Lt.-Gov. Francis Bond Head, intervene on behalf of the Tory candidates. In December of 1837, hearing reports that William Lyon Mackenzie had led a successful rebellion in Toronto, Dr. Charles Duncombe, an American-born physician living in Burford, rallied about 200 followers and marched toward Scotland, southeast of Woodstock. They soon dispersed, however, when it was reported that the militia under Sir Allan MacNab was approaching from Hamilton. In the months following the rebellion, several attacks were made on Canadian towns along the border. An invasion of Windsor was attempted on December 4, 1838 by several hundred Patriots, mostly Americans, resulting in the deaths of 21 invaders as well as a number of defenders. About 40 were arrested and sent to the courthouse in London where a general court martial was held. Many sentences for hanging and for transportation to Tasmania were handed down. A total of six men were hanged on the courthouse square during January and February of 1839, and buried in the jail yard.
By then, the British government had established a military base at London to secure this part of the province and protect those loyal to the Crown. Even so, many left the province following the rebellion including Thomas Edison's father, Samuel. |
