Thomas Scott (judge)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Scott was a judge and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born in the parish of Kingoldrum, Angus
, Scotland
and studied law at Lincoln's Inn
in London
. He was called to the bar in 1793. In 1800, he was appointed attorney general in Upper Canada. He was appointed to the Executive Council
for the province in 1805. The following year, he became Chief Justice for Upper Canada and was appointed to the Executive Council
.
In 1811, already suffering from ill health, Scott applied for a pension so that he could retire, but was refused. During the War of 1812
, the administration sought to ensure the loyalty of its subjects by imposing martial law
and, in 1814, by prosecuting those who had expressed sympathy for the enemy with treason
in a series of trials at Ancaster
known as the "Bloody Assize
". Fifteen men were condemned to death of which eight were executed. These actions increased Scott's workload.
In 1816, Scott was finally granted a pension and retired. He was succeeded by William Dummer Powell
as Chief Justice for the province. Scott died at York (Toronto
) in 1824.
Scott Township in York County
, now part of Uxbridge
, was named after Scott.
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 the parish of Kingoldrum, Angus
Angus
Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and studied law at Lincoln's Inn
Lincoln's Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. Although Lincoln's Inn is able to trace its official records beyond...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He was called to the bar in 1793. In 1800, he was appointed attorney general in Upper Canada. He was appointed to the Executive Council
Executive Council of Upper Canada
The Executive Council of Upper Canada had a similar function to the Cabinet in England but was not responsible to the Legislative Assembly. Members of the Executive Council were not necessarily members of the Legislative Assembly but were usually members of the Legislative Council. Members were...
for the province in 1805. The following year, he became Chief Justice for Upper Canada and was appointed to the Executive Council
Executive Council of Upper Canada
The Executive Council of Upper Canada had a similar function to the Cabinet in England but was not responsible to the Legislative Assembly. Members of the Executive Council were not necessarily members of the Legislative Assembly but were usually members of the Legislative Council. Members were...
.
In 1811, already suffering from ill health, Scott applied for a pension so that he could retire, but was refused. 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...
, the administration sought to ensure the loyalty of its subjects by imposing martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
and, in 1814, by prosecuting those who had expressed sympathy for the enemy 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...
in a series of trials at Ancaster
Ancaster, Ontario
Ancaster is a picturesque and historic community located on the Niagara escarpment, within the greater area of the city of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. This former town was founded officially in 1793 and was one of the oldest European communities established in present day Ontario along with Windsor...
known as the "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....
". Fifteen men were condemned to death of which eight were executed. These actions increased Scott's workload.
In 1816, Scott was finally granted a pension and retired. He was succeeded by William Dummer Powell
William Dummer Powell
William Dummer Powell was a Loyalist lawyer, judge and political figure in Upper Canada.-Early life and education:...
as Chief Justice for the province. Scott died at 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 1824.
Scott Township in 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...
, now part of Uxbridge
Uxbridge, Ontario
Uxbridge is a township in south-central Ontario, Canada, in the Regional Municipality of Durham, in the Greater Toronto Area.The main centre in the township is the namesake community of Uxbridge...
, was named after Scott.