John Willson
Encyclopedia
John Willson was a judge and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born in New Jersey
in 1776. He arrived in the Niagara District around 1789 and settled in Saltfleet Township
, where he became a farmer, in 1797. In 1809, he was elected to the 5th Parliament of Upper Canada
in a by-election in the West riding of York County
. He supported reform and voted against the suspension of habeas corpus
in the province during the War of 1812
. He helped introduce the Common Schools Bill, which introduced public support of elementary school
s. In his later periods in office, he adopted more a more conservative position, although he continued to represent the interests of farmers. In 1832, he supported a bill to dispose of the clergy reserve
s, proposing that the proceeds go to education.
He became a justice of the peace in the Gore District (present day Hamilton, Ontario
) in 1811 and, in 1838, became a judge in the district court. In 1839, he became a member of the Legislative Council
. He served as commissioner for the Burlington Bay and Welland Canal
s.
He died in Saltfleet Township in 1860.
His great-great-granddaughter was one of Canada's preeminent portrait sculptors, Dr. Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook
(1913–2009 ).
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 New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
in 1776. He arrived in the Niagara District around 1789 and settled in Saltfleet Township
Saltfleet Township, Ontario
Saltfleet Township was a township in Upper Canada, later Ontario, on the south shore of Lake Ontario.In 1974, it was amalgamated with the village of Stoney Creek to form the town of Stoney Creek....
, where he became a farmer, in 1797. In 1809, he was elected to the 5th Parliament of Upper Canada
5th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 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...
in a by-election in the West riding of York County
York County, Ontario
York County is a historic county in Upper Canada, Canada West, and the Canadian province of Ontario.York County was created in 1792 and was part of the jurisdiction of Home District of Upper Canada...
. He supported reform and voted against the suspension of habeas corpus
Habeas corpus
is a writ, or legal action, through which a prisoner can be released from unlawful detention. The remedy can be sought by the prisoner or by another person coming to his aid. Habeas corpus originated in the English legal system, but it is now available in many nations...
in the province 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 helped introduce the Common Schools Bill, which introduced public support of elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
s. In his later periods in office, he adopted more a more conservative position, although he continued to represent the interests of farmers. In 1832, he supported a bill to dispose of the clergy reserve
Clergy reserve
Clergy Reserves were tracts of land in Upper Canada reserved for the support of "Protestant clergy" by the Constitutional Act of 1791 which also established Upper and Lower Canada as distinct regions each with an elected assembly. One-seventh of all Crown lands were set aside...
s, proposing that the proceeds go to education.
He became a justice of the peace in the Gore District (present day Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
) in 1811 and, in 1838, became a judge in the district court. In 1839, he became 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...
. He served as commissioner for the Burlington Bay and Welland Canal
Welland Canal
The Welland Canal is a ship canal in Canada that extends from Port Weller, Ontario, on Lake Ontario, to Port Colborne, Ontario, on Lake Erie. As a part of the St...
s.
He died in Saltfleet Township in 1860.
His great-great-granddaughter was one of Canada's preeminent portrait sculptors, Dr. Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook
Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook
Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook, CM, O.Ont was a Canadian portrait sculptor, medal designer and liturgical artist...
(1913–2009 ).