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The Colborne Street Theatre
Photos and transcription by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted June, 2008
Inside a supermarket at 80 Front Street East, just east of Church Street, is this 2008 Bruce Bell History Project plaque which says:
Coordinates: 43.648994 -79.373474 |
 |
On this site once stood the Colborne Street Theatre a ramshackle former stable where, during the autumn of 1829 a murder took place that today is looked upon as one of the instigating moments that ultimately would lead to the Rebellion of 1837.
Charles French an apprentice of William Lyon Mackenzie the publisher of the anti-establishment newspaper the Colonial Advocate, after attending an evening of songs at the Colborne Street Theatre, approached the town bully a man named Nolan who had influential connections to the all powerful Family Compact.
Charles French in an attempt to show solidarity amongst the everyday citizens who were growing tired of the constant injustice wielded by the Family Compact drew his pistol and fired at Nolan hitting him on the right side.
Nolan collapsed and died on this very spot as French scurried back to his lodgings at the Black Bull Tavern (still standing at Queen and Peter Streets) where he was arrested and hanged two weeks later.
Related webpages
The Rebellion of 1837
Family Compact
Related Toronto plaque
William Lyon Mackenzie
More Bruce Bell plaques
132 Front Street East
First Theatrical Performance
The Great Fire of 1849
Keating Coffee House
Rebellion of 1837
Robert Baldwin 1804-1858
Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews
The War of 1812 & the Siege of York
West Market Street
York's First Jail
Related Ontario plaque
The Colonial Advocate
More
Conflict
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> Posted June 22, 2011
This marker was reported missing as of June 2011. -Wayne
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