From Loyalist to Rebel

180 years ago Upper Canada was in turmoil. Years of control by the Family Compact had left reform minded citizens frustrated and angry. Average working men were inspired by William Lyon Mackenzie and became rebels. The Upper Canada Rebellion culminated with the battle at Montgomery's Tavern on December 7th 1837. One of my spouse's ancestors was involved in the battle and this is his story.

Ludwig Widmen was born in Northampton Pennsylvania on September 21st 1781. He was the third of twelve children born to Philip Wideman and Sarah Ann Long. Ludwig's grandparents had emigrated from Baden-Wuertemberg in Germany and the family had strong German ties. He was baptized in Christ Lutheran Church:

Historical Society of Pennsylvania, ancestry.ca

The family joined William Berczy's German Company settlement in Markham. No doubt they had heard of the availability of land in Upper Canada from other German families who had made the trek from Pennsylvania to Canada. This census shows the family settled in 1801 at lot 35, 8th Concession Markham. Philip received 200 acres to settle.

Library & Archives Canada MG 23 H II 6

Ludwig was only 20 when the family moved to Canada but he soon turned his mind to acquiring his own land. In 1806 he petitioned for 200 acres of land, advising that he had sworn the oath to the Crown. The majority of settlers in Upper Canada at this time were born in the United States and it was important to affirm their loyalty to Great Britain.

Library & Archives Canada, Upper Canada Land Petitions

Not long after the War of 1812 began. Ludwig showed his loyalty to Great Britain once again by serving under Peter Robinson in the Rifle Company of the First York Militia, first as a Sergeant, then as an Ensign. As a reward for his service he was granted land in 1821. It was thrilling to be able to review Ludwig's military file in Ottawa this summer (though not sure why the signature was torn off his certificate!).

Library & Archives Canada, Land Claim Certificates of Upper Canada Militiamen

The completion of Ludwig's War of 1812 service coincided with the birth of his first daughter Christiana and the unfortunate subsequent death of her mother, Ludwig's first wife Christiana Kribs. Ludwig subsequently remarried in 1817 - he and his second wife Elizabeth Macklem had seven children together.

The Widemans were fine upstanding citizens. They continued to farm their land in Markham. In 1818 Ludwig was appointed Lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of York Militia.

Library & Archives Canada, Wideman family collection

He and his brother Philip appeared on militia lists through the 1820s. But then things changed. The election of 1836 was hotly contested.

Toronto Public Library, election broadsheets

  

According to The Story of the Upper Canada Rebellion by John Charles Dent (published in 1885) "During that election he rode to Newmarket to exercise his franchise but as he was know to be a Reformer the strongest attempts were made to prevent him from voting. Notwithstanding that he was known to have resided on his farm for more than 30 years, and that he had spent two years fighting for his country at the time of her utmost need, a demand was made that he should take the oath of allegiance. He felt all the  just indignation which such treatment might be expected to arouse, and from that time forward was prepared to adopt any and every means to destroy the domination of the Compact..." (Volume 2, page 137)

Library & Archives Canada, voters driven from the polling station

Mackenzie was a popular figure in the Markham/Whitchurch area and apparently announced his rebellion plan in Stouffville on December 2nd 1837. Ludwig was said to have hosted the meeting.

 On December 7th 1837 the Militia marched up Yonge Street towards Montgomery's Tavern. A battle ensued, and when it was over Ludwig lay dead. He was the only rebel casualty.

Toronto Public Library collection

Apparently there was some dispute over whether Ludwig had been killed during the battle. John Charles Dent wrote how Mackenzie wrote in 1847 "that 'a ball struck my worthy friend Capt. Wideman, in the head, killing him on the spot"... There are three persons in Toronto at this moment who saw him fall. He was struck by a bullet which passed through the centre of his forehead and came out at the occiput... the body was conveyed to Whitchurch by a cousin of the deceased, and was there interred by his relatives..." (Volume 2, page 136).

Here is Ludwig's grave - he is buried in Dickson Hill Cemetery. 

From the writer's collection

The rebels were defeated. Many, including Mackenzie, fled to the US. Many others, including Ludwig's brother Philip were captured and imprisoned. Philip was imprisoned from December 12th 1837 until May 10th 1838 when he was pardoned and released. If Ludwig had lived perhaps he would have shared his brother's fate.

Ludwig wrote his Last Will and Testament on the 27th day of May 1837. Perhaps he had a premonition that he would die that year. His property was left to his wife and children. His eldest daughter was left £75, a substantial amount for the time. By the time of her father's death Christiana was married with three children, living in Bruce County. I wonder how long it took for the news of her father's death to reach her and what she thought of it all. Christiana was my spouse's great-great-great-grandmother.

A Soldier of the First World War

Frederick Alexander Moorecroft was born on the 10th of August 1893 in Buttonville, Markham Township. He was the fifth child and third son born to Arthur Davis Moorecroft and Agnes Jane White. Shortly after his birth the family moved into the east end of Toronto settling at 60 Galt Avenue near Jones and Gerrard. The family were to remain at this address for most of the next century. Here is what 60 Galt Avenue looks like today.

From the writer's personal collection

In 1911 the family was listed in the census. Fred was 17 years old and working as an electrician:

1911 Census of Canada, Library and Archives Canada

Everything would change with the start of the First World War. Within 8 months the four eldest Moorecroft boys would enlist in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Fred was the first to enlist, on August 13th 1915. His brothers would quickly follow. 

On his attestation papers Fred listed his trade or calling as Engineer. He had been employed at the Lancashire Dynamo & Motor Company at the time of his enlistment.

Canadian Machinery, Vol. VIII, Feb 1912, vintagemachinery.org

It was a source of pride to have enlisted men in your family or having attended your schools:

Toronto Star April 12th 1917

Toronto Star May 18th 1917

From Fred's military file I was able to track his experiences. He was assigned to the 92nd Overseas Battalion and sailed for Europe on May 20th 2016 on the Empress of Britain. In July 1916 he was transferred to the 15th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. He was part of the legendary 48th Highlanders. On July 31st 1916 he sailed for France on active duty. Unfortunately he was wounded twice in action. This card from his file tells the story:

Library and Archives Canada, Soldiers of the First World War

On 27 Sept 1916 he was admitted to hospital with a shrapnel wound to the right elbow. He was treated and returned to his unit on 24 Oct 1916 despite the fact that he was left with weakness and limitation of movement in the right arm.

The following year Fred was seriously injured. On February 26th 1917 at Vimy Ridge he was hit by shrapnel. This caused a severe compound fracture to his right knee and calf, as well as his right hand. He also sustained a gunshot wound to his left knee and  flesh wounds of his right arm. In the field his right leg was amputated above the knee.

The description of the original treatment was horrific – no attempt was made to suture the amputation and the femur was exposed. By the time Fred was transferred to England all his wounds had become septic. His leg had to be re-amputated. The injury to his hand was also severe.  Three fingers were lost and his index finger was deformed with limited mobility.

News of the injury was reached Canada:

Toronto Star, March 3rd 1917

Fred spent most of 1917 in hospital. He underwent five surgeries and experienced excruciating pain from the amputation. On December 29th 1917 he was finally well enough to head for home. He sailed on the JS Araguaya and landed in Halifax on January 10th 1918. His return was noted in the local news:

Toronto Star January 22nd 1918

1918 was filled with more treatment for his injuries. Fred was treated as an outpatient at Davisville Medical Hospital which was located at the corner of Davisville and Yonge Streets. This painting by Francis Stanley Turner captured the situation well. Fred could have been the soldier in the wheelchair.

From the collection of the Canadian War Museum

Fred complained of nervousness and insomnia since returning to Canada. He had been supplied with a government prosthetic leg with which he was not satisfied. Though he was treated as an outpatient he still was required to check in with the authorities. Between June and November 1918 he had several periods where he was noted as AWL (away without leave) and having deserted. When he was finally discharged as medically unfit on December 9th 1918 he was docked 59 days pay for being AWL. I like to think he had met his wife to be and just wanted to be left alone but we will never know why he didn't check in when required. Despite his unauthorized absences his conduct and character at the time of discharge were noted as good. 

Fred married Adeline Nichols on January 4th 1921. They had one son, Frederick Albert Moorecroft. Fred Sr. did not return to his former employment as an engineer. Voter lists note he was employed as a bookkeeper. No doubt he continued to experience problems from his war injuries - in 1935 he is listed as a resident at the Christie Street Military Hospital. He died on March 23rd 1956 and is buried in Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough.

From the writer's collection

Frederick Alexander Moorecroft was my spouse's grandfather. I wish I could have met him.