Joseph Willcocks
Encyclopedia
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 (Toronto
) at the age of 27, staying initially with his second cousin once removed, William Willcocks. However, after acquiring a position as clerk to Peter Russell, an older distant cousin, he moved in with Russell and his half-sister, Elizabeth who was 19 years Willcocks' senior. This, however, did nothing to cool his apparent ardour. To quote him, "no Fair one has yet made any impression on me nor Do I think there shall in this country for I fear in General they are destitute of V(irtue). and Money" and to quote Riddell in his "Joseph Willcocks: Sheriff, Member of Parliament and Traitor", "if she was destitute of the Beauty which "does not make the pot Boil", she undoubtedly had V[irtue]. and expected to have money". This gives a good view into what propelled Willcocks. Through William Baldwin, Peter Russell ended his sister's dalliance with Willcocks and ejected him from his home. This would be a pivotal moment in Willcocks' life. From Russell's home, he almost immediately moved in with Chief Justice Henry Allcock, who argued with Russell on Willcocks’s behalf, to no avail. In Allcock, Willcocks found a worthy patron. Although he would write “mediocrity . . . is the summit of my ambition”, changes were afoot in the political dynamic of Upper and Lower Canada, changes that would result in the ill-fated Rebellions some 30 years later.
In 1804, he became sheriff for the Home District, largely through his association with Chief Justice Henry Allcock
. He was active in a 1806 by-election for Robert Thorpe
, a friend and neighbour. Willcocks and Thorpe were concerned about changes in government policies regarding land grants, which were controlled by the Executive Council, an appointed body. As a result of these criticisms, Lieutenant Governor Francis Gore
removed Thorpe from office and withdrew Willcocks' appointment as sheriff in 1807. Although Willcocks counted himself among Thorpe's contingent, he wasn't as close to the centre as he perceived himself to be. Thorpe described Willcocks as lacking "a sufficiency of brains to bait a mouse trap."
Nonetheless, Willcocks moved to Niagara
where he began to publish the Upper Canada Guardian; or, Freeman’s Journal, where he voiced his opinions on land laws and the arbitrary use of power. In 1807, he was elected in a by-election for West York
, 1st Lincoln
& Haldimand
after the death of Solomon Hill. During the 4th Parliament
, he was jailed for contempt of the house. However, he was re-elected in 1808 to 1st Lincoln and Haldimand and in 1812 to 1st Lincoln. In June 1812, he stopped publishing his journal, either apparently due to problems with his printing press or because he had sold it to a Richard Hatt
.
Willcocks was the face of the opposition within the house against those who they believed to be part of the aligned themselves with the colonial administration. During the last session of the 5th Parliament
, Willcocks and his group successfully resisted efforts by administrator Isaac Brock
to pass a number of measures preparing for the expected war with the United States
. It has been suggested that Brock maintained an alternate avenue of raprochement with Willcocks by way of a shared Masonic membership in Niagara Lodge (which Willcocks' fellow Canadian Volunteer Abraham Markle
was also a member of).
However, in 1812, Brock enlisted Willcocks to assist in ensuring the loyalty and participation of the Six Nations
peoples to Upper Canada and the Crown, a task he completed successfully despite illness on his part. For Willcocks, the death of Brock at Queenston Heights
on October 13th, 1812 marked the beginning of the end. Although fighting alongside the Six Nations warriors who were part of Sheaffe's ultimately successful retaking of the Redan Battery
, he must have realised that the political dynamic in the province would have been inevitably changed with the musket ball that felled Brock. Whereas Brock was not above playing upon human nature (as displayed by his handling of William Hull
in Detroit), subsequent provincial administrators were not so diplomatic. He also helped recruit men for the militia.
He was greatly disturbed when, after the invasion of the Niagara peninsula
in 1813, military rule and harsh measures against people expressing disloyal opinions were introduced in the province, which Willcocks saw as an abandonment of democratic principles. In July 1813, he committed treason by offering his services to the Americans while a sitting member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada. He was given the rank of Major in the American Army and raised a Company of Canadian Volunteers
consisting of expatriate Canadians (mostly recent immigrants from the States) fighting on the American side. He was replaced by Robert Nelles
in the Legislative Assembly. Despite offering assistance and intelligence to the American invaders, Willcocks was never again fully trusted. His associates, Abraham Markle
and Benajah Mallory
fought for control of the Volunteers. Probably the most notable contribution of Willcocks to the War of 1812 was the pressing for (and execution of) the burning of Newark (present-day Niagara-on-the-Lake
) on December 10th, 1813, leaving just 3 buildings standing. This act infuriated and (ironically) inflamed public opinion on the Canadian side of the border against the invasion, an apathetic opinion of which had previously been a source of continual concern for the Government. Barely a week later, Canadian and British forces launched an assault across the Niagara River, taking Fort Niagara
and burning almost everything along the States side of the river between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
In the spring of 1814 fifteen Upper Canadians, including Willcocks, were charged with high treason as part of the Ancaster Bloody Assize
and eight were captured and executed in July 1814. On September 4th, 1814 while leading a skirmish during the Siege of Fort Erie
, Willcocks was fatally shot in the chest. His body (as well as that of a Lieutenant Roosevelt) was buried initially in "the circle or open square of that village (Buffalo, NY)" and then reburied in the Forest Lawn Cemetery
in the 1830s. Willcocks lies in an unmarked grave, ignored by the country he fought against and forgotten by the country he fought for.
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 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...
in 1773. He came to York (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...
) at the age of 27, staying initially with his second cousin once removed, William Willcocks. However, after acquiring a position as clerk to Peter Russell, an older distant cousin, he moved in with Russell and his half-sister, Elizabeth who was 19 years Willcocks' senior. This, however, did nothing to cool his apparent ardour. To quote him, "no Fair one has yet made any impression on me nor Do I think there shall in this country for I fear in General they are destitute of V(irtue). and Money" and to quote Riddell in his "Joseph Willcocks: Sheriff, Member of Parliament and Traitor", "if she was destitute of the Beauty which "does not make the pot Boil", she undoubtedly had V[irtue]. and expected to have money". This gives a good view into what propelled Willcocks. Through William Baldwin, Peter Russell ended his sister's dalliance with Willcocks and ejected him from his home. This would be a pivotal moment in Willcocks' life. From Russell's home, he almost immediately moved in with Chief Justice Henry Allcock, who argued with Russell on Willcocks’s behalf, to no avail. In Allcock, Willcocks found a worthy patron. Although he would write “mediocrity . . . is the summit of my ambition”, changes were afoot in the political dynamic of Upper and Lower Canada, changes that would result in the ill-fated Rebellions some 30 years later.
In 1804, he became sheriff for the Home District, largely through his association with Chief Justice Henry Allcock
Henry Allcock
Henry Allcock was a judge and political figure in Upper and Lower Canada.His family was from Edgbaston and he was born in Birmingham, England in 1759 and studied law at Lincoln's Inn in London. He was called to the bar in 1791. In 1798, he was appointed judge in the Court of King's Bench of Upper...
. He was active in a 1806 by-election for 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....
, a friend and neighbour. Willcocks and Thorpe were concerned about changes in government policies regarding land grants, which were controlled by the Executive Council, an appointed body. As a result of these criticisms, Lieutenant Governor Francis Gore
Francis Gore
Francis Gore, was a British officer and British colonial administrator.Gore was commissioned into the 44th Foot in 1787, but transferred to the 54th Foot in 1794 and the 17th Light Dragoons in 1795. He retired with the rank of major and then became Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada from 1806 to...
removed Thorpe from office and withdrew Willcocks' appointment as sheriff in 1807. Although Willcocks counted himself among Thorpe's contingent, he wasn't as close to the centre as he perceived himself to be. Thorpe described Willcocks as lacking "a sufficiency of brains to bait a mouse trap."
Nonetheless, Willcocks moved to Niagara
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a Canadian town located in Southern Ontario where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario in the Niagara Region of the southern part of the province of Ontario. It is located across the Niagara river from Youngstown, New York, USA...
where he began to publish the Upper Canada Guardian; or, Freeman’s Journal, where he voiced his opinions on land laws and the arbitrary use of power. In 1807, he was elected in a by-election for West York
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...
, 1st 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....
& Haldimand
Haldimand County, Ontario
Haldimand is a rural city-status single-tier municipality on the Niagara Peninsula in Southern Ontario, Canada, on the north shore of Lake Erie, and on the Grand River. Municipal offices are located in Cayuga....
after the death of Solomon Hill. During the 4th Parliament
4th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 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...
, he was jailed for contempt of the house. However, he was re-elected in 1808 to 1st Lincoln and Haldimand and in 1812 to 1st Lincoln. In June 1812, he stopped publishing his journal, either apparently due to problems with his printing press or because he had sold it to a Richard Hatt
Richard Hatt
Richard Hatt was a businessman, judge and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in London, England, in 1769 and came to Upper Canada in 1792. He originally started business as a merchant at Niagara but later moved to Ancaster, where he opened a store and built a grist mill...
.
Willcocks was the face of the opposition within the house against those who they believed to be part of the aligned themselves with the colonial administration. During the last session of the 5th Parliament
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...
, Willcocks and his group successfully resisted efforts by administrator Isaac Brock
Isaac Brock
Major-General Sir Isaac Brock KB was a British Army officer and administrator. Brock was assigned to Canada in 1802. Despite facing desertions and near-mutinies, he commanded his regiment in Upper Canada successfully for many years...
to pass a number of measures preparing for the expected war with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It has been suggested that Brock maintained an alternate avenue of raprochement with Willcocks by way of a shared Masonic membership in Niagara Lodge (which Willcocks' fellow Canadian Volunteer 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...
was also a member of).
However, in 1812, Brock enlisted Willcocks to assist in ensuring the loyalty and participation of the Six Nations
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
peoples to Upper Canada and the Crown, a task he completed successfully despite illness on his part. For Willcocks, the death of Brock at Queenston Heights
Queenston Heights
thumb|Brock's Monument|250px|Brock's Monument at Queenston HeightsThe Queenston Heights is a geographical feature of the Niagara Escarpment immediately above the village of Queenston, Ontario, Canada. Its geography is a promontory formed where the escarpment is divided by the Niagara River...
on October 13th, 1812 marked the beginning of the end. Although fighting alongside the Six Nations warriors who were part of Sheaffe's ultimately successful retaking of the Redan Battery
, he must have realised that the political dynamic in the province would have been inevitably changed with the musket ball that felled Brock. Whereas Brock was not above playing upon human nature (as displayed by his handling of William Hull
William Hull
William Hull was an American soldier and politician. He fought in the American Revolution, was Governor of Michigan Territory, and was a general in the War of 1812, for which he is best remembered for surrendering Fort Detroit to the British.- Early life and Revolutionary War :He was born in...
in Detroit), subsequent provincial administrators were not so diplomatic. He also helped recruit men for the militia.
He was greatly disturbed when, after the invasion of the Niagara peninsula
Niagara Peninsula
The Niagara Peninsula is the portion of Southern Ontario, Canada lying between the south shore of Lake Ontario and the north shore of Lake Erie. It stretches from the Niagara River in the east to Hamilton, Ontario in the west. The population of the peninsula is roughly 1,000,000 people...
in 1813, military rule and harsh measures against people expressing disloyal opinions were introduced in the province, which Willcocks saw as an abandonment of democratic principles. In July 1813, he committed treason by offering his services to the Americans while a sitting member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada. He was given the rank of Major in the American Army and raised a Company of 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:...
consisting of expatriate Canadians (mostly recent immigrants from the States) fighting on the American side. He was replaced by Robert Nelles
Robert Nelles
Robert Nelles was a businessman and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Tryon County, New York in 1761. His father served in the Indian Department. Robert was made a lieutenant in the department in 1780 and served during the American Revolution, leading raids into the interior of New...
in the Legislative Assembly. Despite offering assistance and intelligence to the American invaders, Willcocks was never again fully trusted. His associates, 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...
and 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...
fought for control of the Volunteers. Probably the most notable contribution of Willcocks to the War of 1812 was the pressing for (and execution of) the burning of Newark (present-day Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a Canadian town located in Southern Ontario where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario in the Niagara Region of the southern part of the province of Ontario. It is located across the Niagara river from Youngstown, New York, USA...
) on December 10th, 1813, leaving just 3 buildings standing. This act infuriated and (ironically) inflamed public opinion on the Canadian side of the border against the invasion, an apathetic opinion of which had previously been a source of continual concern for the Government. Barely a week later, Canadian and British forces launched an assault across the Niagara River, taking Fort Niagara
Fort Niagara
Fort Niagara is a fortification originally built to protect the interests of New France in North America. It is located near Youngstown, New York, on the eastern bank of the Niagara River at its mouth, on Lake Ontario.-Origin:...
and burning almost everything along the States side of the river between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
In the spring of 1814 fifteen Upper Canadians, including Willcocks, were charged with high treason as part of the Ancaster 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....
and eight were captured and executed in July 1814. On September 4th, 1814 while leading a skirmish during the Siege of Fort Erie
Siege of Fort Erie
The Siege of Fort Erie was one of the last and most protracted engagements between British and American forces during the Niagara campaign of the American War of 1812...
, Willcocks was fatally shot in the chest. His body (as well as that of a Lieutenant Roosevelt) was buried initially in "the circle or open square of that village (Buffalo, NY)" and then reburied in the Forest Lawn Cemetery
Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo
Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York was founded in 1849 by Charles E. Clark. It covers over 250 acres and over 152,000 are buried there. Notable graves include U.S. President Millard Fillmore, singer Rick James, and inventor Lawrence Dale Bell...
in the 1830s. Willcocks lies in an unmarked grave, ignored by the country he fought against and forgotten by the country he fought for.