john graves simcoe day

The Trent Severn Waterway Island will be the main attraction for Simcoe Day and will be the grounds for historical reenactments and live music, featuring an 1812-era scrimmage reenactment. In Upper Canada, Lieut.-Gov. Toronto's name for the August civic holiday not only celebrates Upper Canada's first lieutenant governor but also relates to one of the country's biggest cultural festivals and the abolishment of slavery. The act allowed slave owners to maintain the workforce they already had — who would remain enslaved until their death. John Graves Simcoe had been appointed to the high post of Major-General in the year 1794. The Simcoes left Upper Canada in 1796, never to return – but they left a lasting impact. Simcoe Day is still celebrated annually in Toronto on the first Monday in August, in honour of John Graves Simcoe, the father of the city. Sign in or register for your free account, Aug, 3 recognizes the contribution of the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe. "Simcoe Day" in Toronto. "How it's celebrated stems from the committee that was struck up in the 1960s, preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Canada," Henry said. Many members of the legislative assembly at the time owned slaves of their own and so resisted Simcoe's urge to abolish slavery in Canada. John Graves Simcoe : biography February 25, 1752 – October 26, 1806 John Graves Simcoe (February 25, 1752 – October 26, 1806) was a British army officer and the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1791–1796. The holiday was renamed "Simcoe Day" in Toronto in 1969, in honour of John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada and the leading proponent of the Act Against Slavery, but a motion at the Ontario Municipal Association to … Of course Upper Canada would later become the Province of Ontario.. Born in Cotterstock England in 1752, Simcoe would be educated at Eton and spent one year at Oxford. Quick info: Every year on the first Monday of August, Simcoe Day (In most parts of Canada known as Civic Holiday) takes place in Toronto.This day is named after the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe who founded York, which later became Toronto. Here are five reasons why the city of Toronto chooses to honour Lt.-Gov. Simcoe encouraged road-building – especially Yonge Street and the future Penetanguishene Road; promoted settlement; and scouted out possible sites for naval defence on the Great Lakes, like Penetanguishene. 25 Feb. 1752 in Cotterstock, England, son of Captain John Simcoe, a naval officer, and Katherine Stamford; m. 30 Dec. 1782 Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim*, and they had 11 children; d. 26 Oct. 1806 in Exeter, England. The Governor passed the Militia Act, which required all male inhabitants of Upper Canada between the ages of 16 and 60 to serve in time of war. Simcoe’s Christian faith led him to abolish slavery in Upper Canada in 1793 – well before it was abolished by Britain in 1833. Emancipation Day is celebrated across the former British colonies. John Graves Simcoe (25 February 1752 – 26 October 1806) was a British Army general and the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada from 1791 until 1796 in southern Ontario and the watersheds of Georgian Bay and Lake Superior. Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil. He joined the British army in 1770 at the age of 18, in time to fight against the rebels in the American revolutionary war. "The weekend is a way of getting to have a discussion about slavery and the growing abolition movement," she said. In Toronto, we celebrate Simcoe Day to honour Colonel John Graves Simcoe (1752-1806) who was the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. Although the name is still only cemented in Toronto, the entire province of Ontario has dedicated the civic holiday to Emancipation Day since 2008. Countries in the Caribbean as well as Canada and some parts of the United States mainly observe these days in August because of the Slavery Abolition Act. In Toronto, however, it's known as Simcoe Day in honour of John Graves Simcoe, Upper Canada's first lieutenant governor and the man who initiated the abolishment of slavery in Canada. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed ), memorial page for GEN John Graves Simcoe (25 Feb 1752–26 Oct 1806), Find a Grave Memorial no. Special guest Graham Greene as John Graves Simcoe negotiates land claims with Billy Two Willies and Susan Born-with-an-Attitude. It has been suggested that the holiday on the first Monday in August be named for John Graves Simcoe, first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, now the province of Ontario. The ferry to the Toronto Islands will be running on the Simcoe Day holiday on Monday. It was superseded by the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 that abolished slavery across the British Empire. The son of naval Captain John Simcoe, who helped to defeat the French and secure British North America, John Graves Simcoe had a distinguished military career of his own. Simcoe was a known supporter of abolition. The first Monday in August is Simcoe Day in Toronto (should be throughout Ontario) named after John Graves Simcoe of Queen's Rangers fame (American Revolution) who was the … This day aims to bring communities together for celebration. The goal was to help the new Colony prepare its defences, against an expected invasion by the Americans. An earlier version of this story said that Regatta Day was celebrated in Newfoundland on the first Monday in August. It was said that her screams were heard by many and the matter was brought to Simcoe's attention by Peter Martin, a former slave. In Toronto, however, it’s known as Simcoe Day in honour of John Graves Simcoe, Upper Canada’s first lieutenant governor and the man who initiated the abolition of slavery in Canada. In 1782, he met and married Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim, and with her support – both financial and otherwise – entered politics. 8878, citing Wolford Chapel, Honiton, East Devon District, Devon, England ; Maintained by Find A Grave . John Graves Simcoe was born 25 February 1752 in Cotterstock, England to Katherine and John Simcoe. Of course Upper Canada would later become the Province of Ontario.. Born in Cotterstock, England in 1752, Simcoe would be educated at Eton and spent one year at Oxford. In 1793, the Simcoes travelled through Ontario – leaving from York, and travelling up the Humber River. In Toronto, the day is also known as Simcoe Day, named in honour of Maj.-Gen. Dictionary Collections Quiz Community Contribute ... Word of the day - in your inbox every day January 10, 2021. One of them, named Great Sail took Francis (her son, then a toddler) in his arms and was much pleased to find the child not afraid, but delighted with the sound,” she wrote. SIMCOE, JOHN GRAVES, army officer and colonial administrator: b. The resulting law was a compromise that would gradually lead to the end of enslavement. He founded York (now Toronto) and was instrumental in introducing institutions such as courts of law, trial by jury, English common law, and freehold land tenure, and also in the abolition of slavery in Canada. The Early Years of John Graves Simcoe (1752-1806) John Graves Simcoe was born in 1752 in Northamptonshire, England, the only surviving child of John and Katherine Simcoe. See Article History. Simcoe received word of a slave owner violently abusing his slave, a girl by the name of Chloe Clooey, on his way across the Niagara River where he went to sell her into the United States. Governor Simcoe is credited for helping to end slavery in the colony. Cooley was a slave, brought to the Queenston area by a Loyalist fleeing the Revolution. But in Toronto, the city proudly gives it the name Simcoe Day, after Upper Canada’s first Lieutenant-Governor, John Graves Simcoe. portrait of john graves simcoe - 19th century - john graves simcoe stock illustrations As the cannon fires. From the Trent Severn Waterway Island to the Terrace Gardens, experience the world of the first Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, John Graves Simcoe. He had been much impressed by the story of Chloe Cooley. In some regions it is known as Simcoe Day. The legislation also made it illegal to import slaves into Upper Canada – but not to sell slaves within the province, or in the U.S. Get a Free Community Hub Program with any annual display package. Henry said the festival’s traditions are related to Emancipation Day celebrations that some Canadians brought from their former home countries. "His bill was brought about by an incident — the Chloe Clooey incident," said Natasha Henry, a curriculum consultant specializing in African Canadian history. The Lieut.-Gov. Ottawa celebrates Colonel By Day and it's Joseph Brant Day in Burlington. The son of naval Captain John Simcoe, who helped to defeat the French and secure British North America, John Graves Simcoe had a distinguished military career of his own. "[It was] a movement that later would also spark the flood of freedom seekers from the United States.". The John Simcoe Foundation requested in 1970 that Niagara Falls council change the name to Simcoe Day but the council at that time did not approve the name change. It was on this journey that Governor Simcoe renamed Lac La Claie “Lake Simcoe” after his father, and East and West Gwillimbury Townships after his wife, Elizabeth Gwillim. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. In Toronto, the holiday has been known as Simcoe Day since 1969 in honour of John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada who supported legislation to ban slavery. From the Trent Severn Waterway Island to the Terrace Gardens, experience the world of the first Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, John Graves Simcoe. It is observed annually on the first Monday in August. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Although now an almost nationwide affair, the August Civic Holiday began in Toronto in the late 1800s when the city council thought people could use another "day of relaxation" during the summer. It has been suggested that the holiday on the first Monday in August be named for John Graves Simcoe, first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, now the province of Ontario. Simcoe's anti-slavery act was the first to pass in a British colony and remained in effect until August 24, 1833, when Britain's Slavery Abolition Act put an end to slavery in most of the empire. The Trent Severn Waterway Island will be the main attraction for Simcoe Day and will be the grounds for historical reenactments and live music, featuring an 1812-era scrimmage reenactment. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Toronto City Council established the civic holiday in honour of Simcoe in 1869. In Toronto, the day is also known as Simcoe Day, named in honour of Maj.-Gen. John Graves Simcoe, the founder of York (later known as Toronto) and the first lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada. But it was the city council sitting in 1968 that decided to name the … The festival of food, costume, music and dance attracts more than one million people annually. Simcoe was a known supporter of abolition. It has been suggested that the holiday on the first Monday in August be named for John Graves Simcoe, first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, now the province of Ontario. Simcoe Day is named after the first lieutenant-governor of Canada, John Graves Simcoe. Since 1967, Toronto has been home to the annual Caribbean Carnival, or as it used to be known, Caribana. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Most of us in Canada celebrate the Civic Holiday on the first Monday in August. It's British Columbia Day in Canada's western-most province and Natal Day in Nova Scotia. It wasn’t until 1833 that An Act for the Abolition of Slavery throughout the British Colonies was passed by Great Britain – enacted into law on “Emancipation Day,” Aug. 1, 1834. "Happy Civic Holiday" just doesn’t have a ring to it. Act Against Slavery passed in 1793, leading to the abolition of slavery in Upper Canada by 1810. 26 charges laid against York Region retailers, customers for COVID-19 violations, Order 24 Fresh-Cut Roses OR Fresh Fruit Box. Toronto City Council designated the first Monday in August as Simcoe Day in 1968. On February 14, 1779, the first recorded Valentine’s Day letter in America was given by, then, British Lieutenant Colonel John Simcoe to Sarah “Sally” Townsend. Simcoe for this summer holiday: 1. However by the summer of 1796, he was overcome by disease and ill health and was forced to return to Britain. In 1791, he was appointed as Lieut.-Governor of the colony, although it wasn’t until the following year, accompanied by his wife, 2-year-old daughter Sophia, and infant son Francis, that he arrived to take up his post. It's quite significant that Toronto is where the holiday retains the original name. In September and October of 1793, the Simcoes – accompanied by guides and Queen’s Rangers - travelled north and west, from York to Matchedash Bay. Simcoe is most famous for his command of the Queen's Rangers during the American Revolutionary War, a posting that allowed him to entertain his inclination towards violence without many repercussions. He successfully negotiated a compromise: An Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada was passed on July 9, 1793. In Toronto, the day is also known as Simcoe Day, named in honour of Maj.-Gen. John Graves Simcoe, the founder of York (later known as Toronto) and the first lieutenant-governor of … John Graves Simcoe (25 February 1752 – 26 October 1806) was Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada under Great Britain from 1791 to 1796, preceding Peter Russell. Simcoe’s effort to abolish slavery in Upper Canada was opposed by the Council – 12 of whose 25 members either owned slaves or had family members who were slave-owners. John Graves Simcoe, (born February 25, 1752, Cotterstock, Northamptonshire, England—died October 26, 1806, Exeter, Devonshire), British soldier and statesman who became the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada (present-day Ontario ). When she became “unruly,” her owner had her bound, forced into a boat and taken across the Niagara River to the U.S., where she was sold. "People were asked to put on some various cultural events, so these committee members, a lot of whom were immigrants from the Caribbean, infused into this event some of the ways in which Emancipation Day was celebrated back home.". Simcoe Day History. Although many just see it as a day off, Henry thinks it's important for people — especially youth — to see where the name comes from, because the name in and of itself is at least a start at engaging in the topic. In Ontario, the largest Emancipation Day celebration takes place in Owen Sound. Quick info: Every year on the first Monday of August, Simcoe Day (In most parts of Canada known as Civic Holiday) takes place in Toronto.This day is named after the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe who founded York, which later became Toronto. Ottawa celebrates Colonel By Day and it's Joseph Brant Day in Burlington. Simcoe moved the capital of Upper Canada from Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake) to Toronto, which he named York in 1793. It's no coincidence that, in of all places, Simcoe's name still resonates in southern Ontario. was tasked with building alliances with the First Nations peoples he encountered as he travelled through Upper Canada – again, with a view towards defence in case of American invasion. He also moved the capital of the colony from Newark to York (now Toronto) because of its harbour, and its distance from the U.S. border, making it less vulnerable to raids. The son of naval Captain John Simcoe, who helped to defeat the French and secure British North America, John Graves Simcoe had a distinguished military career of his own. The holiday celebrated on the first Monday of August — giving many, but not all Canadians a mid-summer, long weekend — is known by many names. Simcoe Day seeks to remember the pioneers who built the province of Simcoe. Toronto City Council established the civic holiday in honour of Simcoe in 1869. The historical figure behind this holiday was John Graves Simcoe, a British Army general and the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1791 until 1796 in southern Ontario. He never fully recovered and retired from his position in the year 1798. Owners were not allowed to purchase new slaves from the United States and any children of female slaves that were born after the act was passed would become free at the age of 25. Then frontier, this was modern-day southern Ontario and the watersheds of Georgian Bay and Lake Superior. Her struggles and screams for help were observed by witnesses, who reported the incident to the new Lieut.-Governor and the Executive Council of Upper Canada. (With notes from the Archives of the Government of Ontario, Ontario Heritage Trust, the Diaries of Mrs. Simcoe, and other online sources). Simcoe Day was designated in 1968. John Graves Simcoe: The Man Behind Toronto's Simcoe Day "Portrait of Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe" by Anonymous (c. 1796) Today, Monday, August 4, 2014, is what is known across Canada as Civic Holiday. He was educated at Oxford and served as an officer with the British army in the American Revolutionary War. "Understanding the reason behind the name generates conversation, it also puts Toronto and Ontario at the centre of an international discussion on the practice of owning and selling people.". In St. John's, N.L., it is held on the first Wednesday in August, weather permitting. Elizabeth, a noted diarist and artist, described the journeys in detail – including her meetings with notable individuals, like Mohawk leader Joseph Brant, and Ojibway chief Great Sail, encountered during a military salute and firing of guns, in celebration of a British victory. As today is Sir John Graves Simcoe Day in Ontario, I would like to discuss the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1791 to 1796. “There were a party of Ojibway Indians here, who appeared much pleased with the firing. He led and trained the Loyalist Queen’s Rangers, and by the time he returned to England, had risen to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel. But in Ontario, the holiday Monday is known by more than one name. Simcoe’s law phased out slavery; children born into slavery after 1793 would be freed at the age of 25, and their children would be deemed freemen. "It was his impetus to introduce the bill, but it was then met by objection from a number of the members of his government," Henry said. He founded […] His father, a captain in the Royal Navy, died when John was just seven years in Quebec. Henry says understanding the reason behind the name is important because of the conversation it generates. 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