David Willson 1778-1866

David Willson (1778-1866) Religious leader and mystic who was instrumental in founding the breakaway sect of Quakers, 'The Children of Peace' or 'Davidites' based at Sharon (formerly Hope) in York County, Upper Canada in 1812. A prolific writer and sympathizer with the movement for political reform in Upper Canada Willson and his followers became, at least, partially embroiled in the Rebellion of 1837.

Early Life Born in on his parents' rented farm on the Nine Partners' Grant in Dutchess County, New York, Willson was the son of Irish immigrant John Willson (died circa 1794) and his second wife Catherine (1754-1840). The senior Willson was a native of Carrickfergus, County Antrim, born into family of linen merchants whose fortunes suffered during the course of the Seven Years' War. David Willson would later describe his parents as having been 'poor by pious Presbyterians'. Following his father's death David Willson lived for a time in New York City and sailed on the "Farmer"a sloop in which his family had invested. He married to Phebe Titus (1777-1866), a member of the Society of Friends, for which she was initially disowned. Willson and his wife later joined the society together. In 1801 following the example of his elder half brother, Hugh (1768-1828), David Willson and other members of his family, including his widowed mother, younger brother, John (b.1781), and sisters Anne (1786-1824)and Mary (c.1792-1858), emigrated to Upper Canada and settled in East Gwillimbury Township in York County.

The Children of PeaceIncreasingly active in the Yonge Street Meeting Willson underwent a spiritual transformation that led to he and several of his sympathizers being expelled in 1812. Meeting at his farm he established the 'The Children of Peace' which espoused ideas and doctrines at odds with orthodox Quaker beliefs. The sect was centred upon the Willson farm and Willson increasingly became the main spiritual and community leader. Involvement in Reform politics brought Willson and his community into direct conflict with the political establishment of the province, in particular Bishop John Strachan of Toronto. In the early years, however, the presence of Willson's well-connected -- and unrelated -- stepfather John Willson (1739-1829)helped cushion the worst of the antipathy. However, as several members of Willson's sect, including two of his sons, participated in the armed rebellion in 1837, there was some discussion of destroying the community's meeting houses and its iconic Sharon Temple. Having weathered these storms the sect continued although changing demographics, the establishment of other religious denominations and other factors led to the sect's gradual decline. Following Willson's death in 1866 the sect continued until ceasing to function by the end of the 1880s.

Sources:

William John McIntyre "Children of Peace" (Montreal: McGill-Queen's Press, 1994).

Albert Schrauwers "Awaiting the millennium: the Children of Peace and the Village of Hope, 1812-1889" (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1993)

Dictionary of Canadian Biography