Author: John Willson
Date of birth: 5 August 1776
Date of death: 26 May 1860
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John Willson born in New Jersey, and came to the Niagara District at about age 13. His family settled in Saltfleet Township, and he became a farmer there in 1797. In 1809, he was elected to represent York County in the 5th Parliament of Upper Canada. He was a reformer, and voted against suspending *habeas corpus* in Ontario during the War of 1812. He supported the Common Schools Bill, which created the public support of elementary schools.
In 1811 he became a justice of the peace in the Gore District (now Hamilton, Ontario), and in 1838 he became a judge in the district court. In 1839 he became a member of the Legislative Council. He served as commissioner for the Burlington Bay and Welland Canals. He died in Saltfleet Township in 1860.
