Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Joseph (Wilcox) Willcocks


Generic War of 1812 Soldier 


One of the most prominent of  McClure's agents in this detestable work was one Wilcox, a British subject of Irish birth, who at the time of the war was a resident of York, editor of a newspaper and a member of the Legislature of Upper Canada. Wilcox took a strong ground in favor of the Americans and tried to persuade the Legislature and people of Upper Canada to refuse to resist the invaders.

Wilcox, finding the atmosphere of York too warm for him, fled soon after Hull's surrender and took refuge in New York State, and it was quite in keeping with his character that when he turned his back on Canada, he should have taken with him a horse which he had stolen from *Lieut. Ryerson of the Norfolk Militia. This dastardly thief, who afterwards served in the American army until he was killed at Fort Erie, was a fitting instrument in the hands of McClure to harry, rob and harass the people of Newark and its vicinity. [Source]

*George Ryerson was a member of the Norfolk Militia

The Loyalists of America by Egerton Ryerson, included the following:

Source




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