Joseph Willcocks (1773 – September 4, 1814) sometimes spelt Wilcox[1] was a publisher and political figure in Upper Canada.
[3] Henry Allcock hired Willcocks as a clerk[3] and William Jarvis employed him to engrave deeds.
Willcocks and Thorpe were concerned about changes in government policies regarding land grants, which were controlled by the Executive Council, an appointed body.
As a result of these criticisms, Lieutenant Governor Francis Gore removed Thorpe from office and withdrew Willcocks' appointment as sheriff in 1807, citing "general and notorious bad conduct".
[4] Willcocks moved to Niagara where he began to publish The Upper Canada Guardian; or Freeman's Journal.
During the last session of the 5th Parliament, Willcocks and his group successfully resisted efforts by Isaac Brock to pass a number of measures preparing for the expected war with the United States.
[6] In early June 1813 hardline loyalists were upset with Willcock's opposition to giving extended powers to the government.
[7] Willcocks was disturbed when military rule and harsh measures against people expressing disloyal opinions were introduced in the province.
[9] On July 22, 1814, Joseph Willcocks, with 200-300 men, who included American dragoons, made a surprise raid on Saint David’s, where there were four Canadian militiamen.
[10] In the spring of 1814 fifteen Upper Canadians, including Willcocks, were charged with high treason as part of the Ancaster Bloody Assize.
[11] His body was buried initially in "the circle or open square of that village (Buffalo, New York)" and reburied in Forest Lawn Cemetery in the 1830s.