1 Founding of the Children of Peace

Established by David Willson (1778-1866), the Children of Peace was an offshoot of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), and included well-known musicians and political advocates. Willson immigrated to Canada from New York in 1801, and soon joined the Monthly Meeting at Upper Yonge Street (today, Newmarket). In 1812, Willson was expelled from the Friends for his interpretation of the Bible and desire to include music in religious services. He was joined by a number of followers, called Davidites, and established the Children of Peace in nearby Hope (today, Sharon in East Gwillimbury). The Children became well known for their instrumental band (the first civilian musical group organized in Canada) and their youthful singing chorus, who travelled with Willson to York (Toronto) and Philadelphia. A meeting house (1819), study (1819) and Temple (1825-31) were erected in Sharon, while the establishment of a credit union and shared-land system brought prosperity to the Davidite farmers. The Children were also active supporters of William Lyon Mackenzie (1795-1861), campaigning for his election as representative of their riding and later supporting the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837. After Willson’s death in 1866, the membership and activity of the Children began to diminish, with the last service held at the Sharon Temple in 1899.

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