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In most localities of "old Ontario", it is generally assumed that the political disturbances, which began with Gourlay and ended many years later with the Rebellion of MacKenzie, were a quarrell of the upper classes with the masses. This does not apply to Pickering. The rebels of Pickering were undoubtedly its upper classes, many of them of United Empire Loyalist stock as were the Matthews, Majors, Hubbards, Phillips and Sharrads. Nor were they pro-American; the Matthews, Majors and Hubbards fought for the British in 1776 and again in 1812. While the prominent American-born Quakers of our area were pacifists, they too favoured the party reform. The question of absenteeism, school grants, clergy reserves, improper electioneering by the Governor, Sir Francis Bond-Head, in 1836, the impossible position of all non-conformist clergy, all led most of our pillars of society into the waiting arms of MacKenzie. The little "firebrand", who was so passionately interested in reform, and so entirely unfitted for military rebellion, consolidated the reform resentment until it flared openly after the elections of 1836. The rebels evidently felt that they were in the right, fighting to improve their government, not fighting the British Crown. They resented, almost hated the local representatives of the executive arm of the Crown. William Allan, owner of Lots 18, 19 and 20, B. F., had risen from a humble store-keeper in the early 19th century, to the highest positions in Upper Canada. In succession he became: 1796, Junior Clerk in the fur-trading Co. of Forsythe, Richardson & Co. in Montreal; moved to York and opened a store. From then on in rapid succession he became Collector of Customs for the Port of York, Inspector of Stills and Taverns, Treasurer of the Home District, Postmaster of York, Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of the Canada Land Company, President of the Bank of Upper Canada, Treasurer of St. James Cathedral. In 1825 he was appointed a Member of the Legislative Council and in 1836 a Member of the Executive Council. He was a very powerful man who represented all the injustices and privileges of the Family Compact; and his humble Scottish origin made his arrogance intolerable to the non-conformist farmers who felt they were his superior in breeding and background. Other absentee landowners, notably the Robinsons and Arch-deacon Strachan who controlled the King's College grants, also were involved in the name-calling and quarrelling which went on in the Parliament of Upper Canada. The local reformers felt, perhaps quite unnecessarily, that they were all dishonest and corrupt. This view was shared in a large measure by Lord Durham upon his arrival in Upper Canada. Note letter below: Private. LETTER FROM LORD DURHAM TO POULETT THOMSON Cowes, Sept. 1, 1839. My Dear Thomson, I certainly can, and will give you, with pleasure, some useful (nay almost essential) information as to things and men in Canada, if you really wish to have it. But if you, and your colleagues, have made up your minds to pursue the course which the 'Ames Damnees" of colonial jobbery, the Robinsons, Arthurs, John Neilsons, etc., suggest to you, it will be only giving yourself and me unnecessary trouble to allude to the subject at all. Be that as it may—you have personally my best wishes for your success—the attainment of which, believe me, depends on your relying on yourself and judging for yourself. With rare exceptions, and there are a few, all officials in both provinces are vitally interested in deceiving you and blinding you. If you once get within their slimy folds nothing can prevent your being swallowed, bones and all. I am coming to town, for some business, on Tuesday, and shall remain Wednesday—either on the evening of the former or the morning of the latter day I can see you if you wish it. I am, etc., DURHAM