Before 1790

Most of the area that became Upper Canada was inhabited by the Mississauga.

1783-86

Many loyalists arrived in Upper Canada, receiving large grants of land for the cost of swearing allegiance.

1790s

Ads ran in the USA inviting settlers to come to Canada.

1792

John Graves Simcoe, appointed Lt.Gov. of Upper Canada in 1791, moves from England to Niagara which he renames Newark. He is confirmed in office later that summer. Meanwhile he promotes immigration from the USA by offering free land.

The Queen's Rangers are revived to help build Upper Canada.

1793

An Act to limit slavery in the province in debated at Neward (Niagara-on-the-Lake) and passed into law on July 9. The law limits servitude and forbids new slaves being acquired. However, slave-holders are allowed to keep and sell the men and women they currently own.

July 30. Lt. Gov. Simcoe moves to Toronto, which he renames York on August 26.

The Militia Act exempted Quakers, Mennonites and Trunkers from military service. In the USA there had already been difficulties over the Mennonites refusal to serve in the militia during times of war. As pacifists, these groups found the Militia Act very appealing.

1794

Lord Dorchester officially declares York to be the capital of Upper Canada. A new town is laid out west of the smaller one planned the year earlier. The land between the new and old towns is reserved for public buildings.

late 1790s

Mennonites began to settle in Niagara, buying their farms from Loyalists and discharged soldiers who had received it for free. As land supplies fell, immigrants elected to tsettle north of York (Toronto) and along the Grand River when it became available for purchase.

1796

Desptie the number of years since the War of Independance, the British still occupy a number of posts in the wes. They agree to withdraw this summer. This leaves Newark exposed to attack and validates the decision to remove the province's capital to York.

1812 - 15

During the 1812 War, many Americans who purchased land in Upper Canada support the invading forces.

1818

John Beverly Robinson becomes attorney general. One of his first trials is a prosecution of Robert Gourlay who was agitating for the right of Americans to buy Canadian land.

1820s

Upper Canada is growing rapidly but many of the settlers are non-British immigrants, especially non-Loyalist Americans who proved disloyal to the Crown during the War of 1812. In the opinion of Attorney General J.B.Robinson, brought in a bill (1825) that gave them property rights without civil (voting) rights. Reformers in Upper Canada successfully petitioned the British government, which had changed in the interim, to overturn this ruling.

1822

Trade dispute with Lower Canada

1827

The Canada Company founds Guelph

1830s

Chief Justice J.B.Robinson, introduced the first penal code

1837

Rebellion in Upper and Lower Canada against the way power was held by a small clique of families (THe Family Compact

1839

Lord Durham is sent to Canada to find the reasons behind the rebellions and issues a report recommending more power to the people, including the formative change that the colonial executive be made responsible to the people, not to the Crown.

1841

Upper and Lower Canada are united as Canada West and Canada East with responsible government.

1953

The Canada Company closes for business