Utility Box, SW corner of Creditview and Eglinton

At the corner of Eglinton Avenue and Creditview Road there is a utility box with images on it, courtesy of a public art program through the Mississauga Arts Council. On this particular box there is a portrait of William Lyon Mackenzie (1795-1861). He was historically a political and social figure of renown in the early years of Canada, although he only ever briefly passed through historic Mississauga. Recently I had an inquiry as to who and why the picture was on this utility box, and it is (to me) and fascinating story to share. But let’s set the stage first.

Growing up in Canada, we often hear stories of the American Revolution, the fight for independence, and the triumphant battles fought for freedom from political oppression. It speaks to us of a society seeking freedom and identity. But as these American tales cajole us, rarely in Canadian lore do we hear mention of the Rebellion of 1837, inspired by similar ideals, albeit with a drastically different outcome. But in its wake, we can see the foundation stones of the political system and social infrastructure that we, perhaps, take for granted today – such as representative Government and the secret ballot for starters. While my intention is not specifically to discuss the rebellion itself, we have to take into account the prevailing political winds and sentiments of the time, in order to set the stage for the primary focus on this story and the “flight” through historic Mississauga – something that will bring us back to the corner of modern Eglinton Avenue and Creditview Road.

March of the Rebels of 1837, by CW Jefferys

Following the American Revolution from 1775-1783 and in the aftermath of the War of 1812, the influx of settlers into Canada steadily grew. In the early years, immediately following the American Revolution, many of these new immigrants were United Empire Loyalists, who were flocking north to settle the lands under the protection of the British Crown. While America prospered in the post war years, settlement in the newly emerging provinces of Canada was sporadic, amidst an influx of ‘new’ settlers from Britain and abroad. Amongst the wave of new immigrants also came the ‘Late Loyalists’ with their mixed backgrounds and equally mixed allegiances. The seeds for discontent were planted, and it is said that the post-War of 1812 Canadian colonies were full of grumblers. The grievances were largely based on jealousy of the ‘grass being greener on the other side’ as many looked toward the relative prosperity of American settlers while early Canadians had to deal with the lacking infrastructure of roads, bridges and conveniences once accustomed to in the American colonies. Compared to the perceived view of America, Canada was to some a rather backwater place, where the ruling “Family Compact” consisted of highly overpaid officials who were lacking in concern towards the needs of the average settler. Coupled with wealthier landowners engaging in land speculation, hoarding political offices, and the large tracts of un-cleared Crown and Clergy reserves, by the early 1830s discontent was beginning to bubble.

Enter William Lyon Mackenzie: a fiery, redheaded Scotsman. He had a flair for argument, and a passion for politics. In his independent newspaper, the Colonial Advocate, he aggressively campaigned on the rights of the farmers and criticized the ruling elite and their policies of land speculation. Mackenzie wanted to raise the ire of the rural population. As the 1820’s progressed, Mackenzie openly attacked, in print and in speech, members of the social and political elite, while continuing to gather support for reform from farmers in those in rural areas. While many of the original United Empire Loyalists remained loyal to the Crown, late settlers often found that Mackenzie championed their cause. Some, fueled with romantic notions of revolution (inspired by revolutions in America and France) added to the general discontent felt by many.

Mackenzie arrived in Upper Canada in 1820 and founded his newspaper in 1824. He was elected to the assembly in 1828, and was repeatedly expelled for libeling fellow members of the assembly. He was inclined to support the new American style of self-government, with democratic elections, and openly advocated for “Responsible Government”. Mackenzie’s primary aim, according to his own newspaper, was “Agitation, agitation, agitation!” Through his persistent efforts regarding reform, Mackenzie gained strong support within the Home District (historic York & Peel counties). It was almost impossible for settlers in the Home District not to declare their views, especially as the tensions escalated. The votes and public sentiment were equally split, and while Mackenzie was elected the first Mayor of the newly renamed City of Toronto in 1834, he was dismissed shortly after.

The common belief in impartial elections was attacked when Mackenzie was defeated in the elections of 1836; public accounts during the elections for Peel County held in Streetsville show that while Mackenzie was narrowly defeated, the presence of Sheriff Frederick Starr Jarvis (who was standing beside the hustings holding a whip and declaring that reformers were enemies) openly influenced the vote. Minor altercations and altercations, which often pitted neighbour against neighbour, and Reformer against Tory, broke out whenever the inflammatory topic of politics was approached. An exasperated Mackenzie felt that the only option left was open rebellion.

The rebels gathered on December 7, 1837, almost five miles north of Toronto, near where Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue intersect today. Their goal was to march down Yonge Street and overthrow the government. Through tactical errors, poor planning and execution, and little training, the rebels were quickly scattered by Colonel James Fitzgibbon and his troops. Two rebels were killed in the exchange, Ludwig Wideman and James Henderson, and two rebels, Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews, were later captured and hanged for high treason. Most fled, and hunt for the rebel leader – Mackenzie – was on.

One can imagine Mackenzie, with some loyal followers, dashing away from the scene of the rout, desperately trying to outrun the soldiers. Their plan was to make for the United States. However, a vast distance, and countless redcoats intent on their capture, stood between them and freedom. The rebels opted to split up, some in groups of two or three, while disappeared into the vast countryside. News traveled slowly, and while many of the leaders and more militant rebels were known and we openly pursued, many farmers-turned-rebels simply went back to their homes.

In Mackenzie’s own vague accounts and the reflections of others at the time, we can attempt to trace Mackenzie’s flight to the United States through historic Mississauga. It is difficult in the sense that Mackenzie, in his own papers, did not mention many of the names of his supporters for fear of retribution. Also, the legend of Mackenzie’s flight grew a life of its own, and throughout Peel, from Caledon to Port Credit, people claimed to have sheltered or aided Mackenzie. Similar, perhaps, to the hiding of Bonny Price Charlie in Scotland, Mackenzie’s journey and escape gained a fame of its own.

Following the failed rebellion, Mackenzie ventured up Yonge Street, where a local supporter gave him a horse. He then continued north on Yonge Street, where he overtook fellow rebel, Colonel Anthony Von Egmond and about 90 comrades. They agreed to make for the United States but were in disagreement as to whether they should disperse or stay together. In the end, 16 rebels went with Mackenzie while the others dispersed. Von Egmond was captured shortly after and later died in prison.

Mackenzie found himself closely pursued. The party made for the Humber River, and when finding a bridge guarded, the company went south and crossed the river on a footbridge. They were able to get some sustenance at a loyal farmstead. Mackenzie and his companions then travelled southward, crossing the Etobicoke Creek and coming into historic Mississauga (likely in the vicinity of what is now Fleetwood Park) and they reached Dundas Street (which Mackenzie referred to as the Great Western Road) by 2 am on December 8, 1837. Exhausted and cold, Mackeznie found shelter with the “worthy settler” on Dundas Street – the “worthy settler is known to have been Absalom Wilcox, who lived near what is now Dixie Road and Dundas Street.

Blankets were hung over the windows, and the rebels were able to sleep and eat in relative security. The fleeing rebels then split up into groups of two or three for the southward flight, and the young lad who went with Mackenzie was Allan Wilcox, Absalom Wilcox’s son. Mackenzie's intention was to bypass the Dundas Road bridge over the Credit River, which was guarded by the local militia. They were able to make a northwesterly course up to the “concession road” by way of the “angled line” (what is now most likely Creditview Road - the historic route of Creditview Road follows parts of what are now Perivale Road and Rathkeale Road) connecting with modern Eglitnon Avenue - as such we can firmly place Mackenzie passing by what is now Creditview Road and Eglinton Avenue.

Mackenzie knew he had to cross the Credit River, and while he does not indicate where he crossed exactly, there might have been an early crossings or fords in the vicinity of Barberton Road. We know that his second evening on his flight through historic Mississauga was spent in the shelter of the Comfort family home near what is now Barberton Road and Mississauga Road, south of Streetsville.

We will rejoin Mackenzie’s path through historic Mississauga, and his narrow escape from the Comfort house, in Part 2.