Artifact Gallery

Below are artifacts to explore from the Pickering Museum Village and partnering sites. Use the tabs to switch between items from each site.

Rebellion Box

Ashael Scott was a Pickering settler. He was cited as following Peter Matthews to Montgomery's Tavern on December 1837. He is also mentioned as assisting to burn down Don Bridge. On December 15, 1837, he was committed to Toronto Gaol (jail). In July 1838, Ashael was tried for treason and sentenced to 3 years in Kingston Penitentiary. Arriving in Kingston, Ashael was already sick with tuberculosis. Petitions were sent to have Ashael pardoned. A month after arriving in Kingston, he was pardoned. Three weeks after being discharged, Ashael died from his illness.

This box was made by Ashael Scott for his daughter Mahala. On the top of the box, he wrote: “A Present to Mahala Scott From her Father while confined in Toronto Gaol for High treason July 6th 1838”. On the sides of the box are the words “Liberty” and “Equal Rights”.

Surveyor's Chain

This surveyor’s chain belonged to Ebeneezer Birrell of Pickering, Ontario. Birrell was a surveyor and artist who moved to Pickering from Glasgow in 1834. During the 18th century, surveyor's chains were a common tool used to measure property lines. Surveyor's chains would be used in order to measure plots of lands during the 1800s. Many blacks settlers during this time period only gained a small plot of land.

Brand

This branding iron is an example of a tool used by farmers to identify their livestock – usually cattle. Farmers needed to brand their livestock in case they escaped the property, or were stolen. Farmers had to register their brand mark with the city council. Branding was so important that farmer's brands were recorded before a census was taken of the people in Pickering! This branding iron in particular has a “D” shaped symbol, which stands for the original owner’s initials.

Matthews Family Tableware

Peter Matthews led a group of Pickering men to Montgomery’s Tavern in December of 1837. For his role in the rebellion, he was found guilty and hanged for his crimes. The silver spoon belonged to his parents, Mary Ruttan and Thomas Matthews. They were gifts from Peter Ruttan to his daughter Mary and her husband. The cutlery is made from silver and are engraved with the letter ‘M’. The saucer and teacup were hand-painted by one of Peter’s descendants. Hand-painted china was a popular hobby for ladies in the late 1800s.

Mackenize House
Toronto History Museums

“The Constitution”

‘The Constitution’ was William Lyon Mackenzie’s second newspaper. His first newspaper, ‘The Colonial Advocate’ had begun regular publication in 1824 in Queenston, Ontario. By 1826, Mackenzie had relocated the newspaper, and his family, to York (later renamed Toronto).

Mackenzie began publishing ‘The Constitution’ on a significant date: July 4, 1836. The fourth of July commemorates American independence from British rule. This was a deliberate and symbolic choice.

Articles in ‘The Constitution’ covered the Reform party in Ontario, the abolitionist movement in the United States, and criticized the ruling elite, dubbed by Mackenzie as “The Family Compact.” By the spring of 1837, even as Mackenzie was addressing the need for constitutional reform in Canada, he hinted that revolution might be necessary. The final issue of ‘The Constitution’ was published in November of 1837, days before the rebellion would take place.

Proclamation

Printed by the order of Lieutenant-Governor Sir Francis Bond Head on December 7, 1837, the proclamation offers £1000 for the capture of William Lyon Mackenzie. It also offers £500 for the capture of David Gibson, Samuel Lount, Silas Fletcher, and Jesse Lloyd.

Lount and Peter Matthews were captured in December 1837. Despite pleading guilty at trial in the hope that their admission would grant them a lighter jail sentence, the two men were executed on April 12, 1838.

The Proclamation was printed by Robert Stanton, who held the role of “Queen’s Printer”, publishing official communications from the government. Copies of the Proclamation were printed as broadsides, and it was also reproduced in newspapers across North America.

Printing Press

Following the rebellion, Mackenzie’s print shop was raided, and his equipment was taken by merchants who claimed Mackenzie owed them money.

The printing press at Mackenzie House dates from 1845. It is a Washington rolling flatbed press, a very popular model. The leverage system of the press makes it easy for anyone to use. Earlier presses required a lot of upper body strength to make a good print. The Mackenzie House printing press was likely never used by Mackenzie himself, although he owned a similar model.

Sharon Temple
National Historic Site & Museum

Samuel Lount’s Axe

Lount was one of two individuals to be sentenced to death in the aftermath of the Rebellion of 1837. Before the rebellion, he was a member of the Legislative Assembly. Lount became frustrated as he worked along side the Family Compact. He noticed they didn’t push for fair practices in taxation, land grants, or creating laws. They would rather stick to methods that favoured their family and friends. These frustrations led Lount to become an organizer in the rebellion.

This broad axe is made from cast steel, and

the wear on its handle indicates that it saw

a great deal of use.

Rebellion Box

In the aftermath of the Rebellion, any rebel captured was imprisoned on the charge of high treason. Many prisoners, including members of the Children of Peace, had nothing to do in their cells while they waited for their trial. They started carving firewood. They used penknives to create inscribed boxes for family and loved ones at home. Through these inscriptions, we can understand some of the thoughts and feelings of the rebels while they were imprisoned.

Musket Flask

Musket flasks carried gunpowder supply during the nineteenth century. They were typically made from copper. A musket flask like this one was probably used by a British soldier or member of the militia. Most rebels would not have had access to such firearms. If they did, they likely would have used shotguns or hunting rifles, which used a different firing method. These guns were intended for home defense or hunting, not armed conflict. Many rebels were farmers, and they carried makeshift weapons such as farm tools.

Militia Musket

This is a replica musket from the Fort York National Historic site collection. It was the type of weapon used by government soldiers during the 1837 rebellion. Weapons like this would have been handed out to militiamen for battle. After the rebellion ended, the weapons were taken back and the militiamen became civilians again.

Militia Battalion Coatee

Relatively few militia uniforms exist from the Rebellion era. This is a rare private’s coat that has luckily survived. The coat is made from coarse red wool and white lace and belonged to the 1st Incorporated Militia Battalion. The buttons on the sleeve have the cypher of Queen Victoria (the letters “VR” in cursive and an image of St. Edward’s Crown above it).

Rebellion Banner

Sir Francis Bond Head reportedly found this banner in Montgomery’s Tavern on December 7, 1837. It reads "BIDWELL AND THE GLORIOUS MANORITY 1837 AND A GOOD BEGINNING." He had led his army up Yonge Street to the tavern in pursuit of the rebels. It was kept in his family until they donated it to the Archives of Ontario in the 1960s.

The banner has been the subject of some controversy. Originally, it was thought that an old banner from 1831 had been modified to suit the rebel cause. Further investigation has shown that this banner, while using an old slogan from Mackenzie’s victory march after he returned to parliament, was made specifically to support the rebellion of 1837.

Letter of former slave to his former owner

This one-page letter from 1854 was written by Tom Elice (Ellis), a runaway slave from Kentucky. In this letter, he writes to Mary Warner and talks about life in his new country. It is believed that Ellis was able to travel to Chatham, Ontario via the Underground Railroad.

To learn more about this letter, please visit: https://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/slavery_letter/index.aspx

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