Background
He was born in Maugerville, New Brunswick in 1797 and grew up in Norfolk County in Upper Canada. He served with his father as a volunteer during the War of 1812.
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William Ryerson
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In 1823, he was assigned to the Niagara circuit, where he rode alongside Ezra Adams. The pair oversaw increase in church membership of seven, including Henry Wilkinson of Saint Catharines. He was ordained a deacon in 1825.
When this failed, in 1840, William became the first president of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada.
He was reelected in 1847, but gave up this position when the Canadian church reunited with the British church later that year. He was active in attempting to establish missions and schools for native people.
He served with the militia that put down the Upper Canada Rebellion, but also pleaded against the death penalty for the rebel leaders. In 1861, he was elected in West Brant but he was defeated in 1863 and retired from politics.
He died on his farm near Brantford in 1872.
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Born
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Died
September 15, 1872 (aged 75) -
Nationality
Canada -
Religion
Methodism