Who were the Loyalists?
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“Loyalists” were American colonists devoted to the British Empire during the late 1700s. They were involved in the American Revolutionary War from 1775-1783. During the American Revolution, they fought against the American Patriots.
They remained loyal to the Crown as opposed to their American counterparts. They had to leave the United States after the Revolutionary War if they wanted to stay loyal to the British.
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Canada was a British Colony at this time. Loyalists moved to Canada because they wanted to stay loyal to Britain.
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Many Loyalists were farmers, shopkeepers, and labourers. They came from all walks of life. Some were even part of minority groups.
Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Flag of the United Kingdom
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The design of the Union Jack dates back to the Act of the Union in 1801. This was the flag that the British government forces would have used during the rebellion of 1837.
Courtesy: Sharon Temple
National Historic Site & Museum
Where they landed
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Thousands of Loyalists migrated to Canada from the United States. The first Loyalists landed in New Brunswick in May 1783. Many settled in the Maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island), as well as in Upper Canada and Lower Canada, mainly in what would now be Ontario and Quebec.
Courtesy: Library and Archives Canada Acc. No. 1939-61-1
Militia Battalion Coatee
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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.
Courtesy: Fort York National Historic Site
Black Loyalists​
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The first settlements of Black Canadians started after the American Revolution. Many were promised "Freedom and a Farm" if they sided with the British. This is how many Black people gained their freedom. This was before the "Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada" in 1793. Around this time, approximately 500 to 700 Black people lived in Upper Canada. Some free, many still enslaved.
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Tensions between the Americans and British continued to rise. In 1812, many understood an American victory in the war would lead to re-enslavement. Richard Pierpoint, from Senegal, West Africa was sold into slavery as a teenager. He gained freedom through the American Revolution. He petitioned the government to create an all-Black militia. At first this idea was rejected.
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When more men were needed, the all-Black militia was given to Captain Robert Runchey. A white officer known for poor leadership. Runchey separated the Black men from other militiamen. He often hired out Black soldiers to work as domestic servants to other officers. By 1813, this group of men was renamed the "Coloured Corps" or "Black Corps". By the end of the war in 1815, the Coloured Corps was disbanded.
During the time of the Rebellion, The Coloured Corps was active once again.
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Courtesy: The Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on the Global Migration of African Peoples, Parks Canada.
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The Victoria Pioneer Rifle Company © public domain
Why would a Loyalist Rebel?
Peter Matthews was a militiaman and farmer turned rebel. Born to Loyalists parents circa 1790. Matthews joined the War of 1812. Fighting alongside the British, by the end of the war Matthews was a Sergeant. Like many men who participated, he received land for his efforts; Lot 18, Concession 6, in Pickering, Ontario.
Like many in the area, Matthews started to grow unhappy with the British government. He became politically active by 1837. He helped put pressure on the British government to grant reforms. By the end of the year he joined William Lyon Mackenzie’s uprising.
On December 6, 1837, Matthews led a group of men to Montgomery’s Tavern and the following day created a diversion on the bridge over the Don River. Matthews' group killed one man, set fire to the bridge and some near by houses. The rebellion failed that day. Matthews fled but was later captured in a farmhouse in York Township. Spending winter in prison, on April 12, 1838 Matthews was hanged in the courtyard of the new King Street Gaol.
Courtesy: Special Collections Toronto Public Library
Courtesy: Sharon Temple
National Historic Site & Museum
Cannon Balls
These cannon balls were found under the ruins of Montgomery's Tavern. These were two of many shots fired by British soldiers and militia into the building.
On December 7, 1837, one thousand British soldiers and militia met 300 rebels at Montgomery's Tavern. Within twenty minutes the rebels were overwhelmed, and they fled. The tavern itself was burned to the ground.
Courtesy: Legislative Assembly of Ontario
So why would someone like Peter Matthews rebel when he and his family had a history of being Loyalists?
Most rebels felt the government in Upper Canada was unfair.
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Land grants were being unequally divided. Favouring settlers from Britain over those with ties to the United States;
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Loyalists from the United States were also denied political rights;
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Heavy taxation occurred; and
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Lack of representation due to the Family Compact. Wanting more say in government decisions.
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About a month before, a rebellion broke out in Lower Canada, sending Upper Canada’s garrison there. With the garrison gone this provided an opportunity to march onward.
Rebellion Boxes
In the aftermath of the Rebellion, any rebel captured was imprisoned on the charge of high treason. Many prisoners 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.
Courtesy: Sharon Temple
National Historic Site & Museum