Rebel With A Cause by Carol Small – Middlesex Centre Archives
at its centre with a pile of wood nearby. Some of that wood pile was turned into delicately carved rebellion boxes. With no materials for hinges, the boxes had sliding lids and were carved from a single piece of wood to avoid fitting the corners. The boxes were often inscribed and dedicated to loved ones or rebellion leaders. While imprisoned, George made three boxes. One of the boxes he made is housed in the Lambton Heritage Museum. It was completed on June 25, 1838, as a gift to his daughter and had two inscriptions:
So often when looking at local history, we think nothing of historical significance has happened here. History always has wonderful paths to explore and treasures to discover. This article explores some not-so-quiet history and the role a Middlesex Centre settler had to play in it. Captain George Barclay was born on December 16, 1801, in Cupar, Fife, Scotland to Rev. George Barclay and Janet Tullis. Rev. Barclay, a Baptist minister, immigrated to a farm in Broughman in Pickering Township in 1816 with his wife and six children. With Rev. Barclay ministering to local communities, his wife and children took over the duties of the farm. Much of that work would fall on the shoulders of George Jr., the eldest son. In addition to his ministry, Rev. Barclay accumulated land for each of his five sons and was postmaster at Broughman. Rev. Barclay was critical of the Family Compact policies. The Family Compact was a group of wealthy families who were loyal to the British Crown, and who controlled the government and economy of Upper Canada (Ontario) in the early 1800s. Because of his criticism, Rev. Barclay lost his right to perform marriages and the postmaster’s job. Broughman became known as “Radical Corners”. By 1837, with the influx of new immigrants and the rebellion in Lower Canada, there was rising opposition to the arbitrary government of the Family Compact. After growing weary of the Family Compact tactics, reform leader in the Legislature and editor of the Colonial Advocate, William Lyon MacKenzie advocated for open rebellion. In Toronto in December 1837, at the Montgomery Tavern, on Yonge Street, north of Eglington Street, a group of about 1000 men marched south on Yonge Street. Included in MacKenzie’s followers were about 120 black soldiers. Most of the rebels fled when militia groups loyal to the Crown began firing upon them. Captain George Jr. was among 50 followers from Pickering led by his neighbour and friend, Peter Matthews. MacKenzie ordered the Matthews group to the Don River where they set the bridge and several homes on fire. MacKenzie escaped to the United States on a horse that George Barclay owned. It is also rumoured that loyalist soldiers fed their horses from the Barclay oat bin without finding the guns that were buried in the oats. Captain George Jr. was captured and served two and a half years in prison before being granted amnesty by Queen Victoria. The cells were about 25 feet square (7.2 metres) where 25 to 30 men were housed. Each cell had a wood stove
Beauty is a flowe[r] that fades, Soon it falls in time’s cold shade, Virtue is a flower more gay, That never dies nor fades away Tho’ I be doom’d in Tyrants chains, To loiter to the tomb My mind will still while life remains Be plac’d on you and home.
The second of Captain George’s wooden boxes was a tribute to the only two rebels to receive corporal punishment for their actions. This box is at the Fort York Museum.
Rebellion Box. Photo courtesy of Lambton County Museum.
Although the 1837 rebellion was quickly quelled, the British politician, Lord Durham was sent to investigate the causes of it. The resulting Durham Report recommended uniting Upper and Lower Canada with reforms for responsible government. The report, as a result of the rebellion, played an important role in Canada becoming independent from Britain, and thus developing the Canadian Confederation in 1867. George returned to his Broughdale farm, a teaching career and his family. In 1848, he sold his farm, and with his wife Jane Wilson (1809-1870) and children, made the wintry journey to a forested 200-acre lot at Lot 8 Concession 11 Lobo Township. The 1851 Census revealed that 24 acres had been cleared.
George and his wife, Jane, had ten child- ren, Jane, Nancy, Joshua, George, Will- iam, Catherine, John, David, Eli and Ar- thur. Eli was a clerk in Lobo Township for over 60 years. Their son Arthur op- erated a store in Duncrief. In 1874, Captain George married Janet McPherson Graham, widow of Alexander Graham. George Barclay died on April 25, 1882.
Middlesex Centre Archives ONLINE FUNDRAISING AUCTION
Page 16 KKD Villager Jan/Feb 2025 Page 14 Ilderton and Area Villager • January-February 2025 Donations from local businesses: local history books, china, gift certificates, baskets, toys, London Knights tickets, balloon ride and many more unique items. www.filsonauction.com www.middlesexcentrearchives.ca
To advertise here please contact Tami@villagerpublications.com To advertise here, please contact Tami@villagerpublications.com Above: Eli Barclay. Photo courtesy of the Heritage of Lobo Collection at MCA. The Barclay family left their mark on Canadian history and in Middlesex Centre. To find out more about the Barclay families or other families in Middlesex Centre, visit the Middlesex Centre Archives.
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