{"id":3832,"date":"2025-01-04T11:28:41","date_gmt":"2025-01-04T16:28:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/?p=3832"},"modified":"2025-01-04T11:49:47","modified_gmt":"2025-01-04T16:49:47","slug":"thomas-morrison-former-toronto-mayor-and-trained-physician","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/eternal\/thomas-morrison-former-toronto-mayor-and-trained-physician","title":{"rendered":"Thomas Morrison \u2013 Former Toronto Mayor and Trained Physician"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Thomas David Morrison \u2013 an honest civil servant, talented doctor, distinguished diplomat, and the third <a href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/uk\/eternal\/allan-lemport-mer-toronto-yakomu-misto-zavdyachuye-metro-ta-aeroportamy\">mayor<\/a> of Toronto. This article explores his life, political role, arrest, trial, and more. Read more on <a href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/\">torontoyes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a4809f120162\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a4809f120162\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/eternal\/thomas-morrison-former-toronto-mayor-and-trained-physician\/#General_Information_About_Thomas_and_His_Medical_Career\" >General Information About Thomas and His Medical Career<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/eternal\/thomas-morrison-former-toronto-mayor-and-trained-physician\/#Thomas_Morrisons_Role_in_the_Dismissal_of_a_Judge\" >Thomas Morrison\u2019s Role in the Dismissal of a Judge<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/eternal\/thomas-morrison-former-toronto-mayor-and-trained-physician\/#Thomas_Morrison_as_Mayor\" >Thomas Morrison as Mayor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/eternal\/thomas-morrison-former-toronto-mayor-and-trained-physician\/#Imprisonment_Exile_and_Return_to_Toronto\" >Imprisonment, Exile, and Return to Toronto<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"General_Information_About_Thomas_and_His_Medical_Career\"><\/span>General Information About Thomas and His Medical Career<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Thomas David Morrison was born in Quebec, where his father served as a senior works clerk in the Royal Engineers Department. During the War of 1812, young Morrison worked as a clerk in the British Army\u2019s medical department. After downsizing, he became a draftsman in the Surveyor General\u2019s office in York. In 1818, he married the sister of William Poyntz Patrick, clerk of the House of Assembly and a prominent Methodist. That same year, Morrison helped organize York\u2019s first Methodist church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In June 1822, Surveyor General Thomas Ridout dismissed Morrison for expressing \u201copinions quite unbefitting a man employed in one of His Majesty\u2019s public offices.\u201d Afterward, Morrison is believed to have traveled to the United States to pursue medical education. Upon returning to York, he passed an examination by Christopher Widmer, Grant Powell, and Robert Charles Horne of the Upper Canada Medical Board on July 5, 1824, earning a license to practice \u201cphysic, surgery, and midwifery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.torontoyes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/2_ad_4nxcgiigcam1on-idcmmkqjqruox7vlsmw1o-hexexfokflhafwb0y1n0rhdgvwfjbk9oc6nespafus-ugramrmove2ssuifamfe7uew8jprqovflbhugmtrp4hhj-gcyig7cslyxxwkeytu3igeuzle1rbz5vvugjfjzv.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Morrison prospered as a physician. During the 1832 cholera outbreak, he served on York\u2019s special health board and played a courageous role in combating more dangerous epidemics in 1834. During this time, he joined physicians William Warren Baldwin and John E. Tims in managing the York Dispensary, which opened on August 22. There, Morrison prescribed and distributed free medicines to 746 patients at a cost of \u00a3118, 3 shillings, and 4 pence. In early 1836, he was appointed to the Medical Board, serving until the winter of 1837\u20131838. Concurrently, he acted as vice-president of the Bible Society, trustee of York General Burying Ground, and trustee of York\u2019s general school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Thomas_Morrisons_Role_in_the_Dismissal_of_a_Judge\"><\/span>Thomas Morrison\u2019s Role in the Dismissal of a Judge<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In politics, Morrison played a significant role in reform agitation during the 1820s. Although he lacked the drive of William Lyon Mackenzie or the intellectual contributions of Baldwin, John Rolph, or Marshall Spring Bidwell, Morrison\u2019s skills as an orator made him highly sought-after in a politically charged community with frequent public gatherings and demonstrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.torontoyes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/2_ad_4nxfck5j8tbwcnnxqd44idfc1i6c0eltm3ae-ct0jd6zqimifmebuwl7nvwl7l-75u6r_atm-bubgvjxauabdrdnifa3bj50a7ic2z6ufny7khyjy5-jofdq9-yt_inpek0s6pzeckqkeytu3igeuzle1rbz5vvugjfjzv.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Morrison first sought public office in York during the provincial elections of 1828, amid the uproar surrounding the dismissal of Judge John Walpole Willis by Sir Peregrine Maitland. A committee of radical reformers, including Mackenzie, Jesse Ketchum, and Francis Collins, convened in York to select a candidate to oppose Attorney General John Beverley Robinson, a key figure in Willis\u2019s dismissal. Despite some reformers supporting the more moderate Robert Baldwin, Morrison was chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>William Warren Baldwin, Robert\u2019s father and himself a candidate in Norfolk, nominated Morrison at the convention, signifying solidarity among reformers. Unfortunately, their efforts in York were unsuccessful: Robinson won (110 votes to 93). Morrison challenged the results, citing illegal voting and misconduct by returning officer William Botsford Jarvis. Although his case was compelling, Robinson\u2019s election stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.torontoyes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/2_ad_4nxf1utij4nsrb3xfuvlovi7wplojkumkbgup8hzvmy2xsck3-vxwt-eoc6f3vmulma6rc1-kc0mmz2g42rngnngf7h1wjfp1doafx6fcaxfbx_rxpih-ad7t-41oinet6opstkz1lwkeytu3igeuzle1rbz5vvugjfjzv.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Thomas_Morrison_as_Mayor\"><\/span>Thomas Morrison as Mayor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In Toronto\u2019s first municipal election in 1834, Morrison was elected alderman for the St. Andrew\u2019s Ward in a council dominated by reformers. During deliberations for the mayoral position, he supported Mackenzie\u2019s candidacy. However, acting as a mediator, he was asked to read John Rolph\u2019s resignation letter as alderman, as Rolph sought the mayoralty. In the 1834 provincial elections, where reformers won four York ridings, Morrison finally secured a seat in the third riding. In 1836, he was elected mayor for one year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As mayor, Morrison\u2019s council spent some time on municipal issues, such as constructing a waterworks system and introducing gas street lighting. However, like previous councils, it was preoccupied with provincial political conflicts. In February 1836, Morrison signed an optimistic address to the new Lieutenant Governor, Sir Francis Bond Head, expressing hope for reforms. Following the resignations of Rolph, John Henry Dunn, and Robert Baldwin from the Executive Council (March 1837) and Mackenzie\u2019s defeat in the provincial elections (July 1837), the council became a platform for reformers. That summer, Morrison was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly but left the city council after his mayoral term ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Imprisonment_Exile_and_Return_to_Toronto\"><\/span>Imprisonment, Exile, and Return to Toronto<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As reform demands intensified in 1837, Morrison continued to play a prominent public role, particularly in the assembly. In July, he attended a reformers\u2019 meeting at John Doyle\u2019s brewery, supporting Mackenzie\u2019s proposal to greet reformers in Lower Canada. Reluctantly, Morrison signed the declaration of reforms drafted at the meeting and joined the Central Supervisory Committee. He chaired a second meeting at Doyle\u2019s brewery but refused to support Mackenzie\u2019s insurrection plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.torontoyes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/2_ad_4nxfe73khnuwgi-f9m7ntgmuap9zeej1vsw6rmilrw9lvtzsuf9znra6aip59c1rz-a11te4v-6wgnkqv7ilzait7iqhqxe-ddq-xttr2nrosuyvkmazcmbocvr9sjeuvgfzr3ofdkeytu3igeuzle1rbz5vvugjfjzv.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Morrison, like leading city reformers such as Rolph, Bidwell, and William Warren Baldwin (with whom he likely consulted), was unwilling to participate openly in Mackenzie\u2019s plan to raise forces in the countryside and march on Toronto. According to Charles Lindsey, he \u201cremained at home\u201d during the failed rebellion. However, after its suppression, Morrison was arrested by the militia and jailed without bail. His treason trial began on April 24, 1838, where Morrison\u2019s life hung in the balance. His innocence, argued by Robert Baldwin, was bolstered by Mackenzie\u2019s statements from abroad and conflicting evidence of Morrison\u2019s signature on the July 1837 reform declaration. Ultimately acquitted, he fled Toronto to the United States on April 29, 1838, to avoid lesser charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exiled for five years, Morrison established a medical practice but resisted permanent settlement in Michigan. In 1843, after the Canadian government declared amnesty, Morrison returned to Toronto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Morrison\u2019s political career was closely tied to the reform movement in Upper Canada. At his career\u2019s peak in 1836\u20131837, he played an important, though not central, role in shaping events. He passed away from paralysis at his Adelaide Street home on March 19, 1856.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/canadacommons.ca\/artifacts\/11762209\/toronto-mayors\/12653501\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Toronto Mayors<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountpleasantgroup.com\/en-CA\/General-Information\/Our-Monthly-Story\/story-archives\/toronto-necropolis\/thomas-d-morrison.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mount Pleasant Group<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abebooks.com\/servlet\/BookDetailsPL?bi=31138364805\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AbeBooks<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thomas David Morrison \u2013 an honest civil servant, talented doctor, distinguished diplomat, and the third mayor of Toronto. This article explores his life, political role, arrest, trial, and more. Read more on torontoyes. General Information About Thomas and His Medical Career Thomas David Morrison was born in Quebec, where his father served as a senior [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":3178,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[497],"tags":[1848,1828,1857,1856,1849,1859,1847,1852,1853,1858,1851,1854,1850,1855,1860],"moimportance":[648,101,104],"motype":[491],"moformat":[93],"class_list":{"0":"post-3832","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-about-the-mayor","8":"tag-achievements-of-thomas-morrison","9":"tag-canadian-politicians","10":"tag-famous-mayors-of-toronto","11":"tag-former-mayor-of-toronto-thomas-morrison","12":"tag-history-of-thomas-morrison","13":"tag-medical-career-of-thomas-morrison","14":"tag-political-career-of-thomas-morrison","15":"tag-politics-and-medicine","16":"tag-thomas-morrison-and-medicine","17":"tag-thomas-morrison-biography","18":"tag-thomas-morrison-doctor","19":"tag-thomas-morrison-education","20":"tag-thomas-morrison-mayor-of-toronto","21":"tag-thomas-morrison-politician","22":"tag-toronto-history-of-mayors","23":"moimportance-vichna","24":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","25":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory","26":"motype-eternal","27":"moformat-longrid-korotka"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3832","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/419"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3832"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3832\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3872,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3832\/revisions\/3872"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3832"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3832"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3832"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3832"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3832"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3832"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}