Thomas David Morrison
Encyclopedia
Thomas David Morrison was a doctor and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born in Quebec City
around 1796. He served as a clerk in the medical department of the British
army during the War of 1812
. He studied medicine in the United States
and, on his return in 1824, was licensed to practice medicine in Upper Canada. In 1828, he ran unsuccessfully to represent the town of York (Toronto
) in the provincial assembly. In 1834, he was elected to the first city council for Toronto. He was elected to the 12th
and 13th Parliaments of Upper Canada
representing the 3rd riding of York County
. In 1836, he served a one year term as mayor of Toronto.
Although Morrison had been an early supporter of the reform position in Upper Canada and the actions taken by reformers in Lower Canada
, he did not support William Lyon Mackenzie
's revolt. However, in April 1838, he was charged with treason
, but found not guilty. At the end of the trial, he left for the United States
, concerned about being charged with a lesser offence. In 1843, when an amnesty
was granted, he returned to Toronto from Batavia, New York and resumed his medical practice. He worked at the Toronto School of Medicine upon his return.
He died of palsy
at Toronto in 1856.
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 Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
around 1796. He served as a clerk in the medical department of the British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
army 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 studied medicine in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and, on his return in 1824, was licensed to practice medicine in Upper Canada. In 1828, he ran unsuccessfully to represent the town of 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...
) in the provincial assembly. In 1834, he was elected to the first city council for Toronto. He was elected to the 12th
12th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 12th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 15 January 1835. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in October 1834. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada. This parliament was dissolved 28 May 1836 by the new Lieutenant Governor, Sir Francis Bond Head. Head ordered a new election...
and 13th Parliaments of Upper Canada
13th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 13th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 8 November 1836. Elections in Upper Canada had been held 20 June 1836. All sessions were held at Toronto.The House of Assembly had five sessions 8 November 1836 to 10 February 1840....
representing the 3rd 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...
. In 1836, he served a one year term as mayor of Toronto.
Although Morrison had been an early supporter of the reform position in Upper Canada and the actions taken by reformers in Lower Canada
Lower Canada
The Province of Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
, he did not support William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie was a Scottish born American and Canadian journalist, politician, and rebellion leader. He served as the first mayor of Toronto, Upper Canada and was an important leader during the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion.-Background and early years in Scotland, 1795–1820:Mackenzie was...
's revolt. However, in April 1838, he was charged with treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
, but found not guilty. At the end of the trial, he left for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, concerned about being charged with a lesser offence. In 1843, when an amnesty
Amnesty
Amnesty is a legislative or executive act by which a state restores those who may have been guilty of an offense against it to the positions of innocent people, without changing the laws defining the offense. It includes more than pardon, in as much as it obliterates all legal remembrance of the...
was granted, he returned to Toronto from Batavia, New York and resumed his medical practice. He worked at the Toronto School of Medicine upon his return.
He died of palsy
Palsy
In medicine, palsy is the paralysis of a body part, often accompanied by loss of sensation and by uncontrolled body movements, such as shaking. Medical conditions involving palsy include cerebral palsy , brachial palsy , and Bell's palsy ....
at Toronto in 1856.