The Confrontation at Montgomery's Tavern
It was not to be a rebellion at all. The proposed march down Yonge Street in the colonial capital of Toronto was planned as an armed protest march, at least that was the story according to William Lyon Mackenzie, organizer of the protest. Such marches had been held in Britain itself between 1830 and 1832. The protesters carried weapons for self defense. Since a crowd of peaceful and unarmed protesters had been attacked by army troops in 1819, self defense was considered a serious matter.
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On Monday December 4, 1837, rebels started gathering at Montgomery's Tavern, about 6 km north of the city (now near the corner of Eglinton and Yonge streets), where food and other supplies were to be organized. Men from outlying communities arrived in small and large groups, but others drifted off again. No precise numbers are known. During the week of the rebellion more than 700 men would arrive at the tavern, although it is estimated no more than 500 rebels were gathered together at any one time.
A certain Colonel Moodie with six other loyalists attempted to ride through the rebel roadblock to warn Governor Bond Head in Toronto. Moodie fired his pistol, apparently over the heads of the rebels, the opening shot in the rebellion in Upper Canada. A number of the rebels returned fire killing Moodie. But now Mackenzie hesitated rather than striking directly into the city. This gave Governor Bond Head a chance to organize. The lack of action also led to more desertions from the rebel side. On Thursday, Anthony van Egmond arrived. A veteran military commander--he had both fought for and against Napoleon--he was to be the military leader of the rebellion, but realized the forces on hand were hopelessly inadequate and advised an immediate retreat. Other notable rebel leaders were Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews.
Instead, Mackenzie remained and awaited the government counterattack. Matthews was given 60 riflemen and sent to the Don River Bridge as a diversion, but they were driven off. The move did not divert the main loyalist force, more than 1000 men divided into three columns, supported by two cannon. The main rebel force left at the tavern numbered just 400, with only 200 of those with firearms. Distant bagpipes heralded the oncoming government forces. Still the rebels held only the government forces moved to with range. A brief exchange fore fire occurred, but the heavily outnumbered rebels fled after a few minutes, suffering a number of dead and wounded.
Mackenzie escaped, but Lount, Van Egmond and Matthews were captured.
The Six Hundred Men of Simcoe by A.F. Hunter
Before passing to the subject of the County's Military affairs, a brief reference should be made to the part played in the Rebellion of 1837 by the inhabitants of Simcoe County. Some disaffection there undoubtedly was, especially in the older or southerly portions. But by far the greater part of the county's population remained loyal to the Crown throughout the whole of the unfortunate troubles of that period. So pronounced were they in their professions of loyalty that they mustered in strong force and pushed to the front. This circumstance is mentioned in his Reminiscences (p. 128) by Samuel Thompson, who was an eye witness of the scenes:
"The day after the battle (at Montgomery's) six hundred men of Simcoe, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Dewson, came marching down Yonge Street, headed by Highland pipers playing the national pibroch. . . . With this party were brought in sixty prisoners, tied to a long rope, most of whom were afterwards released on parole."
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Another writer, whose named does not appear quoted in the same volume, also relates the circumstance as it appeared to him:
"A few days after some fifty or sixty rebel prisoners from about Sharon and Lloydtown, were marched down to the city, roped together, two and two in a long string; and shortly afterwards a volunteer corps, commanded by Colonels Hill and Dewson, raised amongst the log-cabin settlers in the County of Simcoe, came down in sleighs to the city, where they did duty all winter. It was an extraordinary fact that these poor settlers, living in contentment in their log cabins, with their potato patches around, should turn out and put down a rebellion, originated among old settlers and wealthy farmers in the prosperous County of York."
Amongst those who, besides Colonel Hill and Major Dewson, were in charge of volunteers from this district, were Colonel Edward G. O'Brien, of Shanty Bay, and Col. Arthur Carthew of Hawkestone and Newmarket. Col. O'Brien marched for Toronto, but before arriving at the city he received instructions from Sir F. B. Head, the Lieutenant-Governor, to take charge of the settlement near the village of Bond Head, for there had been some disaffection in that district.
The men of Simcoe responded so promptly to the call that few able-bodied men were left in some of the settlements. May of the unprotected women and children who remained at home were seized with a dread that they would be massacred by the Indians from the Coldwater Reserve, as they were giving the Government some trouble over the cessions of their lands about that time. The fear was natural, but eventually proved groundless.
There were enough veterans among the militia to improve the raw recruits and turn them into good soldiers. The commanding officer of the main portion of the Simcoe Militia, Jeremiah Wilkes Dewson, was born at Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, Eng., Feb. 6, 1794. At the outbreak of the disturbances of 1837 he was gazetted a Major of an Incorporated Regiment, and afterward held the rank of Colonel in the Simcoe Militia. He died in West Gwillimbury, Aug. 29, 1852.
Under Major Dewson were the following Captains with their several companies: Hugh Stoddart, Rev. Wm. McKillican, and Thomas Parker with the three West Gwillimbury companies. Captains Armstrong, Thomas Duff (Essa), Edmund S. Lally (Vespra and Kempenfeldt Bay), Keeting, Slee (Orillia), Thomas Craig (Medonte), and James Darling (Penetanguishene).
James Evans (1), the son of George Evans (1) lived on the family farm, Lot 14 Con. 10 West Gwillimbury, Simcoe County. Military records show that on 4 December 1937, he was a member of the Simcoe County Volunteer Militia, 2nd Reg. under the command of Capt. E.S. Lally. The pay roll for 12 days' service of Capt. E. S. Lally's (7th) Company shows 38 men at 1s. 2d. a day, besides the officers.
This muster of men for putting down the Rebellion in 1837 laid the foundation for the military organization in this county and was the forerunner of the 35th Regiment of the present time. In most of the pioneer settlements they afterward kept up Training Day once a year for a long time, for all the able-bodied men, each township having a muster of its own. But this system was defective and produced no good results. (History of Simcoe County, Andrew F. Hunter)