Joseph Willcocks

Joseph Willcocks (1773 – September 4, 1814) sometimes spelt Wilcox During the Irish Rebellion of 1798 he was loyal to the British Empire.

He came to York on March 20, 1800. Henry Allcock hired Willcocks as a clerk

Niagara

Willcocks moved to Niagara where he began to publish The Upper Canada Guardian; or Freeman's Journal. He used the newspaper to criticise the government and voice his opposition to Upper Canada's land laws. In 1807, he was elected in a by-election for West York, 1st Lincoln & Haldimand after the death of Solomon Hill. During the 4th Parliament, he was jailed for contempt of the house. He was re-elected in 1808 to 1st Lincoln and Haldimand and became the leader of the parliamentary opposition. His political positions in this session included lower salaries for public servants, less regulations for loyalists and military personnel to obtain land and more regulation on election procedures. During the last session of the 5th Parliament, Willcocks and his group successfully resisted efforts by Isaac Brock to pass a number of measures preparing for the expected war with the United States.

Brock called an election in 1812 to obtain a legislature that would support his war preparations. Willcocks was reelected for the rising of 1st Lincoln and Haldimand. In June 1812 he sold his printing press to Richard Hatt. Brock enlisted Willcocks's help to secure the loyalty and participation of the Six Nations peoples to the British Crown in the upcoming war and Willcocks was successful despite his poor health.

In early June 1813 hardline loyalists were upset with Willcock's opposition to giving extended powers to the government. They spread a rumour that Willcocks was working with American forces in their invasion to Stoney Creek. There is evidence that he was actively involved in supporting American forces at Stoney Creek.

Defection to United States Disillusionment with British rule Willcocks was disturbed when military rule and harsh measures against people expressing disloyal opinions were introduced in the province. Willcocks saw this as an abandonment of democratic principles in the province.

Conducting Operations in Canada In the fall of 1813 George McClure appointed Willcocks as the police officer of Niagara. In this capacity, Willcocks regulated the movements of the city's citizens and interrogated prisoners.

Raid at Newark On December 10, 1813. Joseph Willcocks conducted a raid with 100 armed members of his militia and 70 U.S. Regulars. Joseph Willcocks marched on his horse while leading his column. Willcocks and his force burned more than 60 structures of public and private property. Willcocks recruited four Canadians, who joined him, and Willcocks withdrew to New York with 24 prisoners.

Marked for treason In the spring of 1814 fifteen Upper Canadians, including Willcocks, were charged with high treason as part of the Ancaster Bloody Assize. His body was buried initially in "the circle or open square of that village (Buffalo, New York)" and reburied in Forest Lawn Cemetery in the 1830s.