William Weekes
Encyclopedia
William Weekes was a lawyer and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born in Ireland
and came to the United States
, later settling at York (Toronto
) in 1798. He campaigned on behalf of Henry Allcock
in 1800 and apparently arranged to have the poll closed early while Allcock was in the lead; this led to his candidate losing his seat on appeal.
In 1804, he was defeated by Angus Macdonell
in the riding of Durham
, Simcoe
, and 1st York
. In 1805, however, he was elected in a by-election as a result of the death of Macdonnell aboard the HMS Speedy
. In 1806, in court, he referred to the recently deceased Lieutenant Governor Peter Hunter
as a "gothic barbarian". After a dispute with William Dickson
on this remark, Weekes challenged him to a duel
. On October 10, Weekes was mortally wounded and died the next day.
His friend, Robert Thorpe
, was elected to his seat in a by-election.
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 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...
and came to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, later settling 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 1798. He campaigned on behalf of 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...
in 1800 and apparently arranged to have the poll closed early while Allcock was in the lead; this led to his candidate losing his seat on appeal.
In 1804, he was defeated by Angus Macdonell
Angus Macdonell
Angus Macdonell was a lawyer and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Inverness-shire, Scotland, the son of Allan McDonell and brother of Alexander Macdonell, and came to the estate of William Johnson in the Mohawk Valley of New York in 1773 as part of a large emigration by members of...
in the riding of Durham
Durham County, Ontario
Durham County is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario. It was named from the English County and city.Durham County was created in 1792. It was composed of the townships of Cartwright, Manvers, Cavan, Darlington, Clarke and Hope, and portions of what is now Peterborough County,...
, Simcoe
Simcoe County, Ontario
Simcoe County is located in central portion of Southern Ontario. The County is situated just north of the Greater Toronto Area stretching from the shores of Lake Simcoe in the east to Georgian Bay in the west...
, and 1st 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...
. In 1805, however, he was elected in a by-election as a result of the death of Macdonnell aboard the HMS Speedy
HMS Speedy (schooner)
The battle schooner or gunboat HMS Speedy sank in a blinding snowstorm in Lake Ontario south of Brighton, Ontario and west of Prince Edward County, on 8 October 1804, with the loss of all hands...
. In 1806, in court, he referred to the recently deceased Lieutenant Governor Peter Hunter
Peter Hunter
Lieutenant-General Peter Hunter was a British Army officer and colonial administrator. He was eldest son to John Hunter laird of Knapp and Euphemia Jack of Longforgan, Perthshire, Scotland....
as a "gothic barbarian". After a dispute with William Dickson
William Dickson (Upper Canada)
William Dickson was a businessman, lawyer and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Dumfries, Scotland in 1769. In 1785, he emigrated to the Niagara peninsula, where he managed mills and a store for Robert Hamilton, his cousin...
on this remark, Weekes challenged him to a duel
Duel
A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two individuals, with matched weapons in accordance with agreed-upon rules.Duels in this form were chiefly practised in Early Modern Europe, with precedents in the medieval code of chivalry, and continued into the modern period especially among...
. On October 10, Weekes was mortally wounded and died the next day.
His friend, 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....
, was elected to his seat in a by-election.