Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

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"Patriots of 1837"

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted April, 2011

Here in the western end of the Toronto Necropolis is this monument which was erected by the Matthews Family & Friends A.D. 1993, according to information on the plaque. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.66759 -79.36290

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This memorial is to honour the memory of Peter Matthews and Samuel Lount, who, without praise or glory died for political freedom and a system of responsible government.

Their minds were tranquil and serene. No terror in their looks were seen. Their steps upon the scaffold strong. A moment's pause...their lives were gone

Peter Matthews was the son of Capt. Thomas Elmes Matthews, a United Empire Loyalist, and Mary Ruttan Matthews. Peter was born in the Bay of Quinte region of Upper Canada, now Ontario. He grew up and lived in Pickering Township in the area now known as the Village of Brougham, on his family's farm.

Related Toronto plaque
Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews

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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted April 12, 2015
Today marks the 177th anniversary of the martyrdom of Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews, who so bravely fought for liberty against a British crown that sought to repress the People. Thousands petitioned the royal governor to spare their lives, even though signing it was an act of sedition. The foreman who was to supervise construction of the gallows refused to build it. But on the morning of April 12, 1838, Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews were hanged in public in downtown Toronto. Passing fellow prisoners on his way to the gallows, Lount is to have said, "We die in a good cause. Canada will yet be free."
In what has become an annual event to honour these patriots, a group will gather for an act of remembrance, this year at their final resting place at Toronto's Necropolis. Earlier, Mackenzie House museum will host a Rebellion walking tour. -Wayne

> Posted March 28, 2015
In Thornhill, Ontario, a plaque relates how the Rebellion of 1837 divided even leading citizens, and how bonds of friendship trumped even one's convictions. It was erected in 1981 by the Society for the Preservation of Historic Thornhill, and is located on John Street at Confederation Way (43.814825, -79.422320). Here's what the plaque says:
"Richard Sutton Frizzell 1817 - 1876
Richard Frizzell, a Tory Loyalist active during the Rebellion of 1837, was disdainful of the rebel's cause. On October 18, 1837 he removed a 'Liberty or Death' flag from Gibson House and wove it into the tails of the rebels' horses outside. On December 4, noticing rebel movement on Yonge Street, Frizzell approached Benjamin Thorne, Thornhill's founder, for assistance. Thorne was reluctant to lend a horse as his Mill workers were mostly rebels, but he offered encouragement. After warning Sir Francis Bond Head at York (Toronto), Frizzell took part in the ensuing skirmishes but he refused to betray the location of his rebel friend Samuel Lount who was captured and hanged for treason." -Wayne

> Posted August 6, 2012
They died for our freedom. May the memory of their sacrifice never perish.

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