Simcoe in Norfolk County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

M. W. Bro. William Mercer Wilson
⎯⎯⎯
Très Vénérable Frère William Mercer Wilson

1813-1875

M. W. Bro. William Mercer Wilson Marker<br>(<i>north side • English</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 25, 2022

1. M. W. Bro. William Mercer Wilson Marker
(north side • English)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[English] William Mercer Wilson was born in Scotland and immigrated to Upper Canada at the age of 19. He moved to Simcoe where he worked as a court clerk, lawyer, Crown attorney and finally judge for Norfolk County. During the Rebellions of 1837-38, he served in the Norfolk Cavalry and attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He introduced the first printing press in the district and for two years published the Norfolk Observer. In 1840, Wilson became a Freemason in Simcoe. His leadership and vision were instrumental in the creation of the Grand Lodge of Canada, independent of the authority of the Grand Lodge of England. The legacy of Ontario Freemasons can be traced to his unifying efforts. Most Worshipful Brother Wilson was elected the Grand Lodge's first Grand Master in 1855, a position that he held twice more before his death. His grave is located at the far eastern end of the cemetery.

[Français] William Mercer Wilson est né en Écosse et immigré dans le Haut-Canada à l'âge de 19 ans. Il a déménagé à Simcoe où il a travaillé comme greffier du tribunal, avocat, procureur de la Couronne et finalement juge du Comté

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Norfolk. Durant les rébellions de 1837-1838, il sert dans la cavalerie de Norfolk et atteint le rang de lieutenant-colonel. Il introduit la première presse à imprimer dans le district et il publié pendant deux ans le Norfolk Observer. En 1840, Wilson devient franc-maçon à Simcoe. Son leadership et sa vision ont contribuent à la création de la Grande Loge du Canada qui est indépendante de la Grande Loge d'Angleterre. Grâce à ses efforts d’unification, les francs-maçons de l'Ontario prospèrent. Le Très Vénérable Frère Wilson est élu premier Grand Maître de la Grande Loge en 1855, un poste qu'il occupé deux autres reprises avant sa mort. Sa tombe est située à l'extrémité est du cimetière.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Trust / Fiducie du patrimoine ontarien.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Communications • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.

Location. 42° 47.894′ N, 80° 17.373′ W. Marker is in Simcoe, Ontario, in Norfolk County.

M. W. Bro. William Mercer Wilson Marker<br>(<i>south side • Français</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 25, 2022

2. M. W. Bro. William Mercer Wilson Marker
(south side • Français)

It is on Norfolk Street South (Highway 24) just north of St. John's Road East (Highway 3), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located just inside the St John's Anglican Church front gate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 883 Norfolk Street South, Simcoe ON N3Y 2W1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Norfolk County Court-House and Gaol (approx. 4.4 kilometers away); Sergeant Frederick Hobson, V.C. (approx. 4.5 kilometers away); Lynnwood Park (approx. 4.7 kilometers away); Simcoe (approx. 4.8 kilometers away); Founding of Simcoe (approx. 4.8 kilometers away); United Empire Loyalists and the Long Point Settlement

M. W. Bro. William Mercer Wilson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 25, 2022

3. M. W. Bro. William Mercer Wilson Marker

(St. John's Anglican Church in left background)

(approx. 4.8 kilometers away); Christ Church, Anglican- 1844 (approx. 4.8 kilometers away); The District Capital (approx. 4.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Simcoe.

Also see . . .
1. Who was William Mercer Wilson?.

At the formation of the Grand Lodge of Canada, A.F. & A.M., William Mercer Wilson was selected as the first Grand Master, a post to which he was elected nine times. His fine personal qualities and oratorical skills helped Mercer Wilson to enable the Grand Lodge to grow in harmony and avoid the factionalism that beset other organizations at the time. His exemplary leadership and life of public service have provided a model for the concept of the William Mercer Wilson Centre.

(Submitted on March 6, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. William Mercer Wilson (Find A Grave).

Saint John's Anglican Church Cemetery, Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada

(Submitted on March 6, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

St. John's Anglican Church & Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 25, 2022

4. St. John's Anglican Church & Cemetery

(about 40 yards east of marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 345 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 6, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

M. W. Bro. William Mercer Wilson⎯⎯⎯Très Vénérable Frère William Mercer Wilson

1813-1875

M. W. Bro. William Mercer Wilson
⎯⎯⎯
Très Vénérable Frère William Mercer Wilson