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Caption: Battle of Montgomery's Tavern, 7 December 1837

On December 7, 1837, approximately 400 rebels gathered at Montgomery's Tavern, Yonge Street, Toronto, to protest the domination of the colonial government by a privileged few. Patronage grievances were compounded with economic decline. Leading the rebels was William Lyon Mackenzie. Armed with rifles, pitchforks, and staves, the rebels faced a larger and better-equipped militia. Amongst the soldiers was John A. Macdonald, future prime minister and Father of Confederation. After an English print.