Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews

Photos by Alan L Brown - September 2006

Did you know that, at the site of this building at 1 Toronto Street, at the corner with Court Street, the hanging of two of the participants in the Rebellion of 1837 took place? You didn't? Well, here's a plaque, a 2003 Bruce Bell History Project, that will give you the details:

'Be of good courage boys, I am not ashamed of anything I've done, I trust in God, and I'm going to die like a man.' - Samuel Lount. On April 24, 1824 the cornerstone of York's second jail was laid on this site. In the aftermath of the Rebellion of 1837 close to ten thousand people stood on this spot to bear witness as Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews, two of William Lyon Mackenzie's most loyal supporters, were hanged on April 12, 1838 on gallows adjacent to the jail. By 1840 a new prison, the Home District Gaol, was set to open on Berkeley Street and the old jail was to be incorporated into the York Chambers Building which stood until 1956. The last hangings in Toronto were at the Don Jail in 1962.

Related Toronto plaque pages
David Gibson
Montgomery's Tavern
William Lyon Mackenzie
Don Jail 1859-1864

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: 43.650027 -79.375963

More Conflict pages

Here are the comments for this page.

Posted June 6, 2010
why did sir george arthur put peter matthews and samuel lount to death

Here's where you can write a comment for this page.

Note: If you wish to ask me a question, please use the email link in the menu.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours
(usually much sooner).