Records of Niagara

DUcit flrmor Patriae "

TRANSACTION NO. I

Niagara Historical Society.

UlTTIC flB

MI M

A PAPER K-EAD ON MARCH J-JTH, 1896, HY

CAPT. 44TH BATTALION.

NIAGARA :

WELL BUGS., BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS.
1896.

RRERACE.

The reproach has frequently been cast upon us that Canada has no his-
tory; it might be said of us with far more justice that we do not know our
own history. The various histoiical societies are, by their efforts, trying to
wipe away this reproach, and we feel proud of following in the wake of the
Lundy's Lane Historical Society in publishing a paper written by Capt.
Cruikshank, who has well earned the title of the historian of the Niagara
peninsula.

Of the towns of Ontario not one we are sure possesses a history so event-
ful, so ancient, so interesting as Niagara, having been at different times a
fislative, an educational, a military and a commercial centre, atone time
j occupied by the enemy and again a heap of smoking ruins, now a quiet
summer resort with many points of historical interest, with wide streets shad.
led by old elms and having unrivalled lake and river scenery. The members
lot' the youngest of these Historical Societies f.-el that they may congratulate
[themselves on being able to place in the hands of the public the story
Iwhich so far has not yet been told of the Tak-ing of Fort George, told too
lin a style so clear, so dispassionate, and shewing such deep research, a
story of troublesome times, which so told can not but be helpful to old and
foung of every nationality.

Asking for our first venture a kind reception we send it out to the pub-
lic, hoping that it may do its part in proving that we have a not ignoble
listory which should inspire us to yet nobler deeds.

BATTLE OF FORT GEORGE.

27TH MAY, 1813.

For about a quarter of a century Niagara was the principal town and
commercial capital of Western Canada, and for a brief period was actually
the seat of government for the Upper Province. The removal of the
provincial officers to York in 1796 struck the first blow at its supremacy,
but its material prosperity continued until the beginning of the war with
the United States when its exposed situation subjected it to a series of cala-
mities which culminated in its total destruction on the loth of December,

1813.

During that time many travellers of more or less note visited the place
at short intervals on their way to or from the Falls, and a considerable
number of them have recorded their observations. Patrick Campbell in
1791, D'Arcy Bolton in 1794, the Duke de Rochefoucauld Liancourt in 1795,
Isaac Weld and J. C. Ogden in 1796, John Maude in 1800, George Herioi in
1806, Christian Schultz in 1807, John Melish in 1810 and Michael Smith in
1812 have described the town and adjacent country at considerable length
from various points of view. Other accounts are to be found in the Nat-
ional Intelligencer newspaper published at Washington, D. C., in 1812, and in
Smith's Ga2etteer of Upper Canada for 1813. From these numerous sources
it would seem an easy task to form a fairly correct estimate of the appear-
ance of the town, its commercial importance and the character of the in-
habitants.

It is described as being nearly a mile square, sparsely built, with many
pasture fields, gardens, orchards and open spaces interspersed among the
houses. Smith, an American resident of the province now was expelled in
1812 for having declined to take oath of allegiance, states that there were
'several squares of ground in the village adorned with almost every kind
of precious fruit." According to the same authority it contained two
churches— one of them built of stone, a court house and jail, an Indian
council house, an academy in which Latin and Greek were taught by the
Rev. John Burns a Presbyterian minister, a printing house, six taverns,
twenty stores and about a hundred dwelling houses, many of them describ-
ed as "handsome buildings of brick or stone, the rest being of wood, neatly
painted." From the lake the town is said to have made an "imposing ap-
pearance" as most of the buildings fronted the water. Smith concludes his
account with the remark that it was "a beautiful and prospective place, in-
habited by civil and in lustrious people." Dr. John Mann, a surgeon in the

United States army who accompanied the invading forces and afterwards
wrote the "Medical History of the War," styles it "a delightful village."

"""The population was probably underestimated at five hundred exclusive of
the regular garrison of Fort George, usually numbering about two huudred
men. The names of John Symington, Andrew Heron, Joseph Edwards,
John Grier, John Baldwin and James Mtiirhead have been recorded as some

^pf the principal merchants.

An open plain or common of nearly a mile in width separated the town
from Fort George. This post was described by the Governor General in the
early summer of 1812, in official report on the defences of Upper Canada as
an irregular fieldwork consisting of six small bastions faced with framed
timber and plank, connected by a line of palisades twelve feet high, and
surrounded by a shallow dry ditch. Its situation and construction were

__alike condemned as extremely defective. Although it partially com-
manded Fort Niagara it was in turn overlooked and commanded by the
high ground on the opposite side of the river near Youngstown. The
troops were lodged in blockhouses inside affording quarters for 220 men,
besides which there was a spacious building for the officers. The magazine
was built of stone with an arched roof but was not considered bombproof.
All the works were very much out of repair and reported as scarcely capa-
ble of the least defence.

•"*• On the margin of the river immediately in front of the fort stood a large
log building known as Navy Hall, which had been constructed during the
American Revolution, to serve as winter-quarters for the officers and sea-
men of the Provincial vessels on Lake Ontaiio. Near this was a spacious
wharf with good-sized store houses, both public and private. The Ran-
ger's Barracks, also built of logs.and an Indian Council House were situated
on the further edge .of the common, just south of the town. A small stone
light house had been built upon Mississauga. Point, in 1805-6.

The road leading along the river to Queenstdn, was thickly studded with
farm buildings, and the latter village is said to have contained nearly a
hundred houses, many of them being large and well built structures of stone
or brick, with a population estimated at 300. Vessels of fifty tons and
upwards, loaded with goods for the upper country, sailed up the river to
this place, where they discharged their cargoes, and took in furs and grain
in return. Ever since its establishment, the ''Carrying Place1" on the Cana-
dian side of the river, had furnished much profitable employment to the
neighboring farmers, who were paid at the rate of twenty pence, New
York currency, a hundred weight for hauling goods between Queenston
and Chippawa ; Maude relates that during his visit in 1800, he passed many
carts and wagons on this road, taking up boxes and bales of
merchandise, or bringing down furs, each drawn by two horses or two yoke
of oxen. Three schooners were then moored at the wharf at Queenston,

and fourteen teams stood waiting to be loaded. Others had noticed as many
as fifty or sixty teams passing each other in a day. At this time the old
portage on the American bank was entirely dis-used, but in 1806 the ex-
clusive rights to the carrying place on that side were granted to Porter,
Barton & Co., and much of the traffic was consequently diverted.

Christian Schultz, tells us that in 1807, the Canadian side of the river was
"one settled street, from Lake Ontario to La'<e Erie," while the other was
still almost wholly "waste and uninhabitated," which he attributes chiefly
to the fact, that the land on the American bank was entirely held by spec-
ulators. The villages of Chippawa and Fort Erie contained about twenty
houses each. For upwards of twenty miles back, he states that the country
was pretty well settled from lake to lake. A stage coach made three
round trips weekly between Niagara and Fort Erie. A considerable sum
from the Provincial Treasury was annually spent in opening and improving
roads. Frenchman's, Miller's and Black creeks were bridged only on the
river road, but there was a bridge across Lyon's creek, at Cook's Mills, and
the Chippawa was bridged at its mouth, and at Brown's sixteen mile5
higher up. From the Portage Road near the Falls, a continuation of
Lundy's Lane led westerly through the Beechwo'ds and Beaver Dam
settlements, crossed the Twelve Mile creek at De Cew's, and following the
crest of the mountain to the Twenty, ascended that stream as far as a
small hamlet, known as "Asswago'' and finally united with the main road
from Niagara to York near Stoney Creek. Another well travelled road from
Queenston passed through St. Davids, and joined the Lake Road from
Niagara at Shipman's tavern, where they crossed the Twelve Mile Creek
on the present site of the city of St Catharines. A third leading from Ni-
agara through the dreaded "Black Swamp," of which all trace has long
since disappeared, united with the road from St. Davids before crossing
the Four Mile creek. Still another beginning near the mouth of the T\vo
Mile creek, ran nearly parallel with the river, till it intersected Lundy's
Lane. Besides these there were the main travelled roads along the river
from Queenston to Niagara, and along the lake from Niagara to Burlington.

In 1794, Lieutenant Governor Simcoe styled the Niagara settlement*
"the bulwark of Upper Canada," and affirmed that the militia weie loyal
to a man, and "very well calculated for offensive warfare," Since then the
charac er and feelings of the population had been essentially altered-
Many of the first settlers had died or removed with their families to other
parts of the Province, and their places had been taken by later immigrants
from the United States. The twenty townships extending from Ancaster
to Wainfleet, which then composed the County of Lincoln, were supposed
to contain 12,000 inhabitants in the spring of 1812. In the entire province
of Upper Canada, one-sixth of the population were believed to be natives
of the British Isles and their children; the original loyalist settlers and

their descendants were estimated to number a.* many more, while the
remainder, or about two-thirds of the whole, were recent arrivals from the
United States, chiefly attracted by the fertility of the soil and freedom from
taxation. Michael Smith states (1813), that within twelve years, the popu-
lation "had increased beyond conjecture, as the terms of obtaining land
have been extremely easy." The proportion of loyalists in the County of
Lincoln was perhaps greater than elsewhere, but it is probably a safe
estimate to say that one-third of the inhabitants were recent settlers from
the United States, who had removed to escape taxation or avoid militia
service. John Maude met several families in 1800 on their way to Canada
from those counties in Pennsylvania, where the 'Whiskey Insurrection' had
just been suppressed who informed him that "they had fought seven years
against taxation, and were then being taxed more than ever. Hundreds
of them "he remarked" have removed, are removing, and will remove into
Upper Canada, where they will form a nest of vipers in the bosom that
^fosters them.

In 1811, the Governor General estimated the number of militiamen in
Upper Canada fit for service at 11,000, of whom he significantly stated that
it would probably not be prudent to arm more than 4000. This was virt-
ually an admission, that more than half the population were suspected of
disaffection. The Lincoln Militia were organized in five regiments, num-
bering about 1,500 men, of whom perhaps two-thirds were determined
loyalists.

In many quarters before the war, the disaffection of the people was open
and undisguised. Schultz states that while at Presqu'le, on Lake Ontario,
in 1807, he strolled along the main road, and found six or seven farmers
assembled in a country tavern, who had just heard of the Chesapeake
affair. "They seemed disappointed," he observed "that I did not think it
would lead to war, when they expected to become part of the United
States.'' He also relates that he wa< subsequently in a public house in Niag-
ara, where eight or ten persons were gathered about a billiard table. The
attack upon the Chesapeake again became the topic of conversation, and
one man said, "If Congress will only send us a flag and a proclamation de-
claring that whoever is found in arms against the United States, shall
forfeit his lands, we will fight ourselves free without any expense to them."

John Melish declared his conviction from enquiries made during his
visit in 1810, "that if 5000 men were sent into Upper Canada with a procla-
mation of independence, the great mass of the people would join the
American Government." Barnabas Bidwell, formerly Attorney General of
Massachusetts, who had become a defaulter and fled to the Newcastle
District, near the Bay of Quinte, where he was engaged in teaching a pri-
vate school, wrote secretly to his political friends in a similar strain.

These statements were eagerly quoted, and no doubt believed by the

leaders of the war party in Congress. Henry Clay assured the people that
"the conquest of Canada is in your power. I trust I shall not be deemed pre-
sumptuous when I state that I verily believe that the Militia of Kentucky
are alone competent to place Montreal and Upper Canada at your feet."

On the 6th of March, 1812, Calhoun expressed equal confidence. "So
far from being unprepared, Sir,1' he exclaimed. "I believe that four weeks
from the time the declaration of war is heard on our frontier, the whole of
Upper Canada and a part of Lower Canada will be in our possession.

Jefferson wrote about the same time that ''The acquisition of Canada this
year as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, would be a mere matter of
marching, and would give us experience for the attack of Halifax, the next
and the final expul-ion of England from the American continent."

Mr. Eustis, the Secretary of War, was if possible, still more optimistic,
"We can take Canada without soldiers,'1 he declared, "we have only to send
officers into the Province and the people disaffected to their own Govern-
ment will rally round our standard.1' Gen. Widgery. a representative in
Congress, gained momentary notoriety by his statement. "I will engage
to take Canada by contract. I will raise a company and take it in six
weeks." Another speaker declared that "Niagara Falls could be resisted
with as much success as the American people when roused into action "
After the declaration of war had been promulgated, Clay, the speaker of the
House of Representatives, and the real leader of the war party solemnly
declared that he would never consent to any treaty of peace which did not
provide for the cession of Canada.

The correspondence of General Brock with the Governor General, shows
that in many respects these expectations were well founded, and that he
was far from being hopeful of offering a successful defence without strong
reinforcements.

"The late increase of ammunition and every species of stores,'1 he wrote
•on the 2nd December, 1811, "the substitution of a strong regiment and the
appointment of a military person to the government, have tended to infuse
other sentiments among the most reflecting part of the community, and
during my visit to Niagara last week I received most satisfactory profes-
sions of a determination on the part of the principal inhabitants to exert
every means in their power for the defence of their property and to support
.the government. They look with confidence to you for aid. Although per-
fectly aware of the number of improper characters who have obtained pos-
sessions and whose principles diffuse a spirit of insubordination very ad-
verse to all military institutions, I believe the majority will prove faithful.
It is best to act with the utmost liberality and as if no mistrust existed. Un-
less the inhabitants give a faithful aid it will be utterly impossible to pre-
serve the province, with the limited number of military."

On the 24»h of February, 1812, a proclamation was published announcing

9

that divers persons had recently come into the province with a seditious
intent and to endeavor to alienate the minds of His Majesty's subjects/'
and directing the officers appointed to enforce the act lately passed by the
*' Legislature for the better security of the province against all seditious at-
tempts" to be vigilant in the discharge of their duties. Joseph Edwards of
Niagara, Samuel Street of Willoughby, Thomas Dijckson of Queenston,
William Crooks of Grimsby and Samuel Hutt of Ancaster were among the
^persons commissioned to execute this law.

On the ryth of April, a boy at Queenston fired a shot across the river
which happily did no injury. He was promptly arrested and committed
for trial, and two resident magistrates, James Kirby and Robert Grant, ten-
dered an apology to the inhabitants of Lewiston for his offence. Five days
later General Brock reporUd that a body of three hundred men in plain
clothes had been seen patroling the American side of the river. On the
25th, it was announced that 170 citizens of Buffalo, had volunteered for
military service. A proclamation by President Madison calling -out one
hundred thousand was published about the same time, and the Governor of
New York was required to send 500 men to the Niagara which he hastened
to do, being a warm advocate of the war.

Meanwhile the flank companies of militia regiments of the counties of
Lincoln, Norfolk and York were embodied by General Brock, and drilled
six times a month. They numbered about 700 young men belonging to
"the best class of settlers." By the recent Militia Act, they were required
to arm and clothe themselves, and as many of them had far to travel,
Brock begged that they should at least receive an allowance for rations.

The Governor General suggested that the Government of the United
States entertained hopes that something mighthappen to provoke a quarrel
between its soldiers and the British troops on that frontier, and desired him
to take every precaution to prevent any such pretext for hostilities.
"Early in May, Brock made a rapid tour of inspection along the Niagara,
thence to the Mohawk village on the Grand river, returning to York by way
of Ancaster. He reported that the people generally seemed well disposed
and that the flank companies had mustered in full strength.

By the I7th of June six hundred American militia were stationed along
the river, and a complaint was made by three reputable inhabitants of Fort
Erie that their sentries were in the habit of wantonly firing across the stream.
On the 25th of the same month this period of suspense was terminated by
the arrival of a special messenger employed by Mr. Astor and other Amer-
ican citizens interested in the Northwest furtrade, to convey the earliest
possible information of war to Colonel Thomas Clark, of Queenston, who
immediately reported his intelligence to the commandant of Fort Erie.
The messenger, one Vosburg, of Albany, had travelled with relays of horses
at such speed that he outrode the official courier bearing despatches to Fort

Niagara by fully twenty-four hours. On his return he was arrested at
Canandaigua, and held to bail together with some of his employers, but it
does not appear that they were ever brought to trial.

Lieut. Gansevoort and a sergeant in the United States Artillery, who
happened to be on the Canadian side were made prisoners, and the ferry
boats plying across the river at Queenston and Fort Erie, were seized by
the British troops at thos» places. The people of Buffalo received their
first intimation of the declaration of war by witnessing the capture of a
merchant schooner off the harbor by boats from Fort Erie.

The flank companies of militia marched immediately to the frontier, and
were distributed along the river in taverns and farm houses. On the sec-
ond day, General Brock arrived from York, with the intention of making
an attack on Fort Niagara. He had then at his disposal, 400 of the 4ist
Regiment, and nearly 800 militia. Success was all but certain, as the gar-
rison was weak and inefficient. His instructions however, were to act
strictly on the defensive, and he abandoned this project in the conviction
that the garrison might be driven out at any time by a vigorous cannonade.
Rumors of his design seem to have reached General P. B. Porter, who
commanded the militia force on the other side, and he made an urgent de-
mand for reinforcements.

"The British on the opposite side are making the most active prepara-
tions for defence," Benjamin Barton wrote from Lewiston on the 24th of
June, "New troops are arriving from the Lower Province constantly, and
the quantity of military stores etc. that have arrived within these few
weeks is astonishing. Vast quantities of arms and ammunition are pass-
ing up the country, no doubt to arm the Indians around the Upper Lakes,
(for they have not white men enough to make use of such quantities as are
passing). One-third of the militia of the Upper Province are formed into
companies called flankers, and are well armed and equipped out of the
King's stores, and are regularly trained one day in a week by an officer of
the standing troops. A volunteer troop of horse has lately been raised and
have drawn their sabres and pistols. A company of militia artillery has
been raised this spring, and exercise two or three days in the week on the
plains near Fort George, and practice firing and have become very expert.
' The noted Isaac Sweazy, has within a few days received a captain's com-
mission for the flying artillery, of which they have a number of pieces. We
were yesterday informed by a respectable gentleman from that side of the
river, that he was actually purchasing horses for the purpose of exercising
his men. They are repairing Fort George, and building a new fort at York.
A number of boats are daily employed, manned by their soldiers, plying
between Fort George and Queenston, carrying stores, lime and pickets, for
necessary repairs, and to cap the whole, they are making and using every
argument and persuasion to induce the Indians to join them, and we are

informed the Mohawks have volunteered their service. In fact, nothing
appears to be left undone by their people that is necessary for their
defence."

However, the Governor General seized the first opportunity of again ad-
vising his enterprising lieutenant to refrain from any offensive movements.
"In the present state of politics in the United States" he said, •'! consider
it prudent to avoid any means which can have the least tendency to unite
their people. While dissension prevails among them, their attempts on
the Province will be feeble. It is therefore my wish to avoid committing
any act which may even from a strained construction tend to unite the
Eastern and Southern States, unless from its perpetration, we are to derive
an immediate, considerable, and important advantage."

Brock felt so confident at that moment of his ability to maintain his
ground on the Niagara, that he actually stripped Fort George of its heav-
iest guns for the defence of Amherstburg, which he anticipated would be
the first point of attack. But the militia who had turned out so cheerfully
on the first alarm, after the lapse of a couple of uneventful weeks, became
impatient to return to their homes and families. They had been employed
as much as possible in the construction of batteries at the most exposed
points, and as they weie without tents, blankets, hammocks, kettle.s, or
camp equipage of any kind, they had suffered serious discomfort even at
that season of the year, As their prolonged absence from their homes, in
some cases threatened the tjt;il destruction of their crops, many were al-
lowed to return on the 1 2th of July, and it was feared that the remainder
would disband in defiance of the law which only imposed a fine of £20 for
desertion. Hearty all of them were wretchedly clothed, and a consider-
able number were without shoes, which could not be obtained in the Prov-
" ince at any price. Many of the inhabitants Brock indignantly declared,
were ''indifferent or American in feeling."

However, the month of July passed away without developing any symp-
tom of an offensive movement on this frontier. On the 22nd, the session
of the Legislature began at York, with the knowledge that General Hull
had invaded the Province at Sandwich with a strong force, and in hourly
expectation of tidings that the garrison of Amherstburg had surrendered to
superior numbers. Yet amid these depressing circumstances, Brock con-
cluded his "speech from the throne" with these hopeful and inspiring
words. "We are engaged in an awful and eventful contest. By unanimity
and despatch in our councils, and by vigor in our operations, we may teach
the enemy this lesson, that a country defended by freemen who are enthus-
iastically devoted to their King and Constitution can never be conquered."

During the following week the most discouraging reports from Amherst-
burg continued to arrive almost daily. It seemed as if the Invading army
would be able to over run the whole of the Western District, with scarce-

12

ly a show of resistance on the part of the inhabitants. A majority of the
members of the Legislature were apathetic or despondent. They passed a
new militia act, and an act to provide for the defence of the Province, but
amended both in a highly unsatisfactory manner, after which the House
was hastily prorogued by the General who was eager to proceed to the
seat of war.

"The House of Assembly," he wrote on the 4th of August, ''have refused
to do anything they are required. Everybody considers the fate of the
country as settled, and is afraid to appear in the least conspicuous in the
promotion of measures to retard it, I have this instant been informed that
a motion was made in the House and only lost by two votes, that the mili-
tia should be at liberty to return home, if they did not receive their pay on
a fixed day every month."

On the succeeding day he began his march to the relief of Amherstburg.
Most of the regulars and some of the militia which had been hitherto
stationed along the Niagara, preceded or accompanied him on this expe-
dition, which they were fortunately enabled to do by the inactivity of the
enemy on the opposite bank, who actually do not seem to have become a-
ware of their absence until they had returned victorious. Lieut. Col.
Myers the Assistant Quartermaster General, was left in command. The
men belonging to the flank companies who had been allowed to return to
their homes to assist in the harvest were summoned to rejoin, and 5oomore
held in readiness to support them.

On the 2oth of August, the inhabitants were thrown into a frenzy of de-
light by the almost incredible intelligence that Detroit had been taken
with the entire American army. A few hours later, General \4an Renssel-
aer who was still in ignorance of this event, signed an armistice which put
an end to any further apprehension of an attack for several weeks.

The Americans did not remain idle during the interval. A body of five
or six thousand men was assembled and five detached batteries were com-
pleted on the bank of the river, between Fort Niagara and Youngstown*
two of which were armed with very heavy guns, and two with mortars.

Upon the termination of the armistice, the militia generally returned to
their posts with alacrity, accompanied by a number ot old loyalists unfit for
service in the field, but capable of performing garrison duty.

The Garrison Order-book of Fort George still exists to bear witness to the
ceaseless vigilance with which the movements of the enemy were watched.
On the 2nd of October an order was issued directing one-third of the
troopers to "sleep in their clothes, fully accoutred and ready to turn out at
a moment's notice." This was followed on the 6th by another, requiring
the whole of the regular troops and militia to be under arms by the first
break of day, and not to be dismissed until full daylight, and on the I2th
all communication with the enemy by flag of truce was forbidden, unless
expressly authorized by the commanding general.

On the morning of the 131*1 of October, as soon as General Brock was
convinced that the Americans were actually crossing the river at Queen-
ston, he directed Brigade Major Evans who remained in command at Fort
George, to open fire with every available gun upon Fort Niagara and the
adjacent batteries, and continue it until they were absolutely silenced.
This attack was forestalled by the enemy, who, as soon as they perceived
the columns of troops marching out on the road to Queenston, turned the
whole of their artillery upon Fort N-ragrrra and the neighbo. ing village, with <3
such a disastrous effect, that in a few minutes the Jail and Courthouse
and fifteen or sixteen other buildings were set in a blaze by their red hot
shot. Major Evans had at his command not more than twenty regular
soldiers who composed the main guard for the day. The whole of the
small detachment of Royal Artillery usually stationed in the fort, had ac-^.
companied the field guns to repel the attack upon Queenston. Colonel
Claus, with a few men of the ist Lincoln Regiment, and Capt. Powell and
Cameron with a small detachment of militia artillery, alone remained to
man the guns of the fort and batteries. The gravity of the situation was
greatly increased by the fact, that upwards of three hundred prisoners
were confined in the jail and guardhouse which was now menaced with
destruction. However, while the guards and the greater part of the militia
were vigorously engaged in fighting the flames, amid an incessant cannon-
ade, under the personal direction of Major Evans and Captain Vigoreux of
the Royal Engineers, the batteries were served by the militia artillery men,
assisted by two non-commissioned officers of the 4ist Regiment, with such
energy and success that in the course of an hour the American guns were
totally silenced. By that time the Courthouse and some other buildings
had been totally consumed, and the disheartening news arrived that Gen.
Brock and Colonel McDonell had been killed, and their men repulsed by
the enemy who were landing in great force at Queenston, and had obtained
possession of the heights. Evans rode off at once to seud forward every
man that could be spared from the stations along the river. He had just
marched off a small party from Young's battery, when the American bat-
teries resumed firing, and obliged him to return at full speed to his post. As
he reached the main gate at Fort George, he encountered a party of panic-
stricken soldiers flying from the place, who informed him that the roof of
the magazine which was known to contain eight hundred barrels of powder
was on fire. Captain Vigoreux climbed upon the burning building without
an instant's hesitation, and his gallant example being quickly followed by
several others, the metal covering was soon torn away and the flames ex-
tinguished in the wood beneath. The storehouses at Navy Hall were, how-
ever, next set in ablaze which could not be overcome owing to their ex-
posed situation, and they were totally destroyed. The artillery combat was
resumed, and continued till not only Fort Niagara, but all the other bat-

teries on that side of the river were absolutely silenced and deserted. One
of the largest guns in that fort had burst, completely wrecking the plat-
form, disabling several men and dismaying the remainder to such an ex-
tent that they deserted the place in a body, and could not be induced to re-
turn until the firing had ceased. For several hours the works were entirely
abandoned, and could net havel taken without the least resistance, had
Evans been able to spare men for the purpose.

On the next day, a cessation of hostilities was again agreed upon which
continued until the evening of the 2Oth of November. During this interval
the six battalion companies of the First Lincoln Regiment were consolid-
ated into three, under the command of Captains John Jones, Martin Mc-
_ Clellan, and George Ball, each containing about eighty rank and file.

At six o'clock on the morning of the 2ist November, the guns of Fort
George and five detached batteries began a second bombardment of the
American works chiefly with the object of diverting the attention of the
enemy to that part of the line, as General Smyth who had succeeded Vaa
Rensslaer was massing his troops in the vicinity of Buffalo, with the appar-
ent intention of forcing the passage of the river between Fort Erie and
Chippawa. The fire from the American batteries, which appear to have
been weakly manned, was ill-directed and occasionally ceased altogether
for long intervals, while flames could be seen rising from their works, ap-
parently caused by the explosion of shells. One of these missiles fell with-
in the north blockhouse in Fort Niagara, and dismounted the only gun
there. Another shot from a twenty-four pounder on the right of Fort George
dismounted a heavy gun near Youngstown, while a third silenced the piece
on the roof of the messhouse at Fort Niagara for nearly an hour. One of
the guns in that place also burst with disastrous results, killing two men
and disabling others. A large building under the walls which covered the
landing of troops was entirely destroyed. By five o'clock in the atternoon,
Fort Niagara was absolutely silenced, and only the Youngstown "Salt"
Battery continued to fire an occasional gun. At dark the British guns
ceased firing. But a single private of the 4Qth Regiment, and a gallant
old half-pay officer, Capt. Barent Frey, late of Butler's Rangers, had been
killed on the Canadian side of the river during the cannonade. The latter
had voluntarily occupied himself in gathering the enemy's shot as they
fell, for the purpose as he declared of having them sent back to them as
soon as possible. He is said to have b.en killed by the wind of a cannon
ball as it ricocheted along the ground. The messhouse at Navy Hall was
destroyed, and seventeen buildings in the town itself were set on fire by
heated shot, besides many others considerably damaged by the cannonade.
A small merchant schooner lying at the wharf was sunk.

The American commandant at Fort Niagara, Colonel McFecly of the
United States' Artillery, admitted the loss of only eleven men killed and

wounded, though he estimated that not less than 2000 round shot and 180
shells had been discharged against his works from the British batteries.
He reported an instance of remarkable courage displayed by a woman. A-
mong the prisoners taken at Queenston on the I3th October, was a priyate
in the United States Artillery, named Andrew Doyle, who was recognised
as a British subject, born in the village of St. Davids. He was accordingly
included among those who were sent to England to be brought to trial for
treason. His wife remained in Fort Niagara throughout the bombard-
ment, and actually took part in working one of the guns. "During the
most tremendous cannonading I have ever seen1' said Colonel McFeely in
his official letter, "she attended the six-pounder on the old messhouse with
the red hot shot and showed fortitude equal to the Maid of Orleans."

Cannon balls were much too scarce and valuable to be wasted, and Col-
Myers took pains to state in his report that the number of round shot pick-
ed up on the field exceeded the number hred from his guns on this
occasion.

This artillery duel put an end to actual hostilities in the vicinity of Niag-
ara for the remainder of the year. But the privations and sufferings of
the militia were not yet terminated. They were retained in service until
the middle of December, when winter set in with unusual severity, and all
danger of an invasion seemed at an end.

As early as the middle of November, Sir Roger Sheaffe had reported
that many of them were "in a very destitute state with respect to clothing,
and all that regards bedding and barrack comforts in general, these wants
cause discontent and desertion, but the conduct of a great majjri.y is
highly honorable to them, and I have not failed to encourage it by noticing
it in public orders." In the order to which reference is made he had said ;
"Major General Sheaffe has witnessed with the highest satisfaction, the
manly and cheerful spirit with which the militia on this frontier have
borne the privations which peculiar circumstances have imposed upon
them. He cannot but feel that their conduct entitles them to every atten-
t on he can bestow upon them. It has furnished examples of those best
characteristics of a soldier, manly constancy under fatigue and privation
and determined bravery in the face of the enemy."

On the 23rd of the same month he observed that the number of the
militia in service had constantly increased since the termination of the
armistice and that they seemed very alert and well disposed. Their duty
during the next three weeks was of the most wearisome and harassing kind
as none of them were permited to take off their clothes by night, and in
the day they were kept fully accoutred with arms in their hands. Strong
patrols constantly moved along the river, keeping up the communication
between the posts, and owing to the smallness of the force assembled to
watch such an extensive line, the same men were frequently placed on

i6

guard for several nights in succession. Their clothing was insufficient to
protect them from the cold, and numbers were actually confined to bar-

- racks from want of shoes. Disease carried off Lieut. Col. Butler, Captain
John Lottridge, Lieut. John May, Sergeant Jacob Balmer, and twenty priv-
ates of the Lincoln Regiments during the month of December, and there
was much sickness among those who survived. Many, distressed beyond
all endurance by the miserable condition of their families in their absence,
returned home without leave.

Late in November the Governor General issued a proclamation directing
all citizens of the United States residing in Upper Canada who still declined
to take an oath of allegiance, to leave the Province before the first day of

, January, 1813. Among those who were banished at this time, was Michael
Smith, already mentioned, who published a few months later a small vol-
ume, entitled ''A Geographical view of the Province of Upper Canada."
This book met with such a favorable reception that five other editions ap-
peared at short intervals during the next three years, several of them being
materially revised and enlarged. His description of the wretched state of
this part of the Province was the result of personal observation, and is cer-
tainly not overdrawn.

~" "In the course of the summer on the line between Fort George and Fort
Erie, there was not more than icoo Indians in arms at any one time. These
Indians went to and fro as they pleased to their country and back, and
were very troublesome to the women when their husbands were gone, as
they plundered and took what they pleased, and often beat them to force
them to give them whiskey, even when they were not in possession of any,
and when they saw any man that had not gone to the lines, they called him
a Yankee, and threatened to kill him for not going to fight, and ndeed in
some instances these threats have been put into execution. They acted
with great authority and rage when they had stained their hands with
human blood. .

"The inhabitants at large would have been extremely glad to have got
out of their miserable situation at almost any rate, but they dared not ven-

«- ture a rebellion without being sure of protection.

— " "From the commencement of the war there had been no collection of
debts by law iu the upper part of the Province and towards the fall in no
part, nor would anyone pay another. No person could get credit from any-
one to the amount of one dollar, nor could anyone sell any of their property
for any price except provisions or clothing, lor those who had money were
determined to keep it for the last resort. No business was carried on by
any person except what was necessary for the times.

"In the upper part of the Province all the schools were broken up and

no preaching was heard in all the land. ''All was gloom, war and misery.

"Upon the declaration of war the Governor laid an embargo on all the

17

flour destined for market, which was at a time when very little had left the
Province. The next harvest was truly bountiful as also the crops of corn,
buckwheat, and peas, the most of which were gathered except the buck-
wheat which was on the ground when all the people were called away after
the battle of Queenston. Being detained on duty in the fall not one half
of the farmers sowed any winter grain."

All supplies from Montreal were cut off by the American fleet being in
possession of Lake Ontario from the 8th November until the close of navi-
gation. Flour and salt were scarcely to be purchased at any price and the
condition of many families soon became almost too wretched to be endur-
ed. It is not surprising then that numbers of those who had no very strong
ties to retain them, seized the first opportunity of escape.

Lake Erie was frozen over as early as the I2th of January. A few days I
later two deserters and three civilians made their way from Point Abino to
Buffalo upon the ice. They stated that the British forces were greatly re-
duced by sickness and desertion and that they did not believe there were
more than thirty regulars stationed along the river between Fort Erie and
Niagara. In fact several companies of the 4ist had been recently des-
patched to strengthen the garrison of Amherstburg which was again threat-
ened with an attack, and a show of force was kept up by ostentatiously
sending out parties along the river in sleighs by day and bringing them
back to quarters after dark.

Stimulated by the information derived from these men the commandant
at Buffalo projected the surprise of Fort Erie by crossing on the ice, but
the desertion of a non-commissioned officer, Sergeant Major Macfarlane,
disconcerted his plans.

Late in March the arrival of three families of refugees at Buffalo by the
same route is recorded. They confirmed former accounts of want and dis-
tress and the weakness of the British garrisons on the Niagara. The
American officers were enabled, by information obtained from these and
other sources, to estimate with precision the actual force which might be
assembled to resist an invasion. But as they failed to make their attacks
simultaneously it happened in several instances that they encountered the
same troops successively at different places many miles apart. Soldiers
of the 4 ist, who had been present with Brock at the taking of Detroit
fought at Queenston on the I3th of October and returned in time to share
in the victory at the River Raisin on the 22nd January, 1813. Two com-
panies of the 8th that took part in the assault upon Ogdensburg on the 22nd
February, faced the invaders at York on the 27th April and again at Fort
George a month later. Finding themselves repeatedly confronted with
considerably larger forces than they had been led to expect, the American
generals soon ceased to put much confidence in the reports of their spies.

The cabinet, had at first designated Kingston, York, and Fort George

i8

points of attack in the order named. The attempt upon Kingston was
quickly abandoned owing to a false report that the garrison had been large-
ly increased and it was determined to limit the operations of the "Army of
the Centre" in the first instance to the reduction of the two latter places.

On the 1 7th of March, Major General Morgan Lewis, who had been ap-
pointed to the command of the division on the Niagara, arrived at Buffalo
attended by a numerous staff. At noon of the same day, the batteries at
Black Rock began firing across the river and continued the cannonade
with little intermission until the evening of the i8th. A few houses were
destroyed and seven soldiers killed or wounded near Fort Erie. Three of
the American guns were dismounted by the British batteries. A week
later the bombardment was resumed with even less result.

York was taken without much difficulty on the 2yth April, but it cost the
assailants their most promising general and between three and four hun-
dred of their best troops. They ascertained on that occasion that they
still had many warm sympathizers in that part of the Province. A letter
from an officer who accompanied this expedition, published in the Baltimore
Whig at the time, states that "our adherents and friends in Upper Canada
suffer greatly in apprehension or active misery. Eighteen or twenty of
them who refused to take the oath of allegiance lived last winter in a cave
or subterraneous hut near Lake Simcoe. Twenty-five Indians and whites
were sent to take them but they killed eighteen of the party and enjoyed
their liberty until lately when being worn out with cold and fatigue, t ey
were taken and put in York jail whence we liberated them." Michael
Smith corroborates this account in some respects. He relates that twelve
days after the battle of Queenston Colonel Graham, on Youge Street,
ordered his battalion to assemble that a number might be drafted to go to
Fort George. Forty of them did not come but went out to Whitchurch
township which was nearly a wilderness and joined thirty more fugitives
that were already there. Some men who were home for a few days from
Fort George offered to go and bring them in but as they were not permitted
to take arms they failed and the number of fugitives increased by the first
of December to 300. When on my way to Kingston to obtain a passport,
I saw about fifty of these people near Smith's Creek in the Newcastle
District on the main road with fife and drum beating for recruits and
huzzaing for Madison. Some of them remained in the woods all winter,
but the Indians went out in the spring of 1813 and drove them into their
caves where they were taken."

So pronounced was the disaffection among the inhabitants in the vicinity
of York, that Chief Justice Powell warned the Governor General that "in
the event of any serious disaster to His Majesty's arms little reliance is to
be had on the power of the well disposed to depress and keep down the
turbulence of the disaffected who are very numerous."

19

On the 2Qth of April, the capture of York became known at Fort George
and the boats and stores deposited at Burlington were removed to a place
of safety. On the 8th of May the American fleet came over to Fort Niag-
ara and lauded the brigade of troops that had been employed in reduction
of York. Although victorious they were described by Generul Dearborn
as being sickly and low spirited. Next day some of these troops were sent
in two schooners to Burlington Beach where they destroyed the King's
Head tavern, built by Lieut.-Governor Simcoe, which had served as quar-
ters for soldiers on their march to and from Niagara. These vessels
continued to cruise about the head of the lake, while the remaiuder of
their fleet .saildd away, as it proved to bring forward another division of
troops.

Brigadier General John Vincent, had lately assumed command of the
British forces on the line of the Niagara, consisting of the 4Qth Regiment,
five companies of the 8th, three of the Glengarry Light Infantry, two of the
Royal Newfoundland Regiment, and a captain's command of Royal Artill-
ery with five field guns, numbering in all 1925 officers and men, of whom
1841 were effectiver Besides these, Merritt's troops of Provincial cavalry,
Runchey's company of negroes, a company of militia artillery and an un-
certain and fluctuating number of militiamen belonging to the five Lincoln
Regiments were in service.

By a general order in March, about 1700 militia had been summoned to
the protection of the frontier, but when the alarm had subsided, most of
them had been allowed to return to their homes as it was felt that they
would be more usefully employed in cultivating their farms than in idly
waiting for an attack which the enemy appeared to be in no hurry to make.

The regular troops were in high spirits and confident of victory, but the
militia appeared gloomy and depressed. Vincent complained ruefully,
'itis with regret that I can neither report favorably of their numbers nor of
their willing co-operation. Every exertion has been used and every exped-
ient resorted to, to bring them forward and unite their efforts to those of
His Majesty's troops with but little effect, and desertion beyond all concep-
tion continues to mark their indifference to the important cause in which
we are now engaged. In considering it my duty to offer a fresh exposition
of my sentiments to Your Excellency respecting the militia of this Pro-
vince, I must at the same time express a belief that when the reinforce-
ments reach this frontier, many of the inhabitants who have been for some
time wavering and appalled by the specious show of the enemy's resourses
will instantly rally round the standard of their King and country."

Lieut-Colonel John Harvey, a very able and enterprising young officer,
who had lately joined General Vincent's division as Deputy Adjutant Gen-
eral, earnestly advised that accurate information of the enemy's numbers
and designs should be secured at any cost, and then "by a series of both

20

active and offensive movements, they should be thrown on the defensive)
no matter how superior their numbers might be." Had the whole of the
8th Regiment arrived in time this might have been accomplished, but two
of its companies had been nearly annihilated at York, and the march of the
remainder very much delayed by the attack on that place.

As late however, as the 2oth of May, we find Colonel Myers writing to the
Adjutant General in these terms . "It is not wise to hold an enemy too
cheap, but I cannot divest myself of the idea that the foe opposite is de-
spicable and that it would be no hard task to dislodge him from the entire
of his lines on the Niagara River. With some subordinate attacks upon
his flanks, I am of opinion that it would be an enterprise of little hazard
for us to get an establishment on the heights above Lewiston, opposite
Queenston. This ones affected, I cannot but feel the strongest confidence
that we would in a short time effect the object so much to be desired. It
would be giving such a turn to the war that I conceive it would strike ter-
ror to the enemy, which would produce the happiest effects."

The return of the American fleet with a numerous body of regular troops
on board put an end to these rather fantastic schemes of conquest. At
daybreak on the 2ist, no less than seventeen armed vessels, and upwards
of one hundred Durham boats and batteaux were seen assembled near the
mouth of the Four Mile Creek in rear of Fort Niagara, from which several
thousand men were speedily disembarked.

For several days these troops paraded ostentatiously in plain view prob-
ably in the hope of overawing their opponents by the display of numbers.
Many workmen were seen at the same time busily occupied in constructing
new batteries along the river and building boats. Reinforcements con-
tinued to arrive daily until it was supposed that about 7000 soldiers were
encamped between Lewiston and Fort Niagara. This force was composed
almost wholly of regular troops that had been in service for some time
and included nine of the best regiments of infantry in the United States
army. They were accompanied by a strong regiment of heavy artillery, a
well appointed field-train and a battalion of dragoons.

Major-General Henry Dearborn who was in command had distinguished
himself in the Revolutionary war during which he had commanded a
regiment in Arnold's expedition against Quebec and in Sullivan's cam.
paign against the Six Nations. But he was now past sixty years of age
and in ill health.

The Secretary of War had warned him to be careful to employ a suffic-
ient force to ensure success. Seven thousand men was the number deemed
requisite. ''If the first step in the campaign fails," he wrote plaintively,
•'our disgrace will be complete. The public will lose confidence in us.
The party who first opens a campaign has many advantages over his
antagonist, all of which, however, are the results of his being able to carry

21

his whole force against part of the enemy's. We are now in that state of
prostration Washington was in after he crossed the Deleware, but like him
we may soon get on our legs if we are able to give some hard blows at the
opening of the campaign. In this we cannot fail provided the force we
employ against his western posts be sufficiently heavy. They must stand
or tall by their own strength. They are perfectly isolated, send, then, a
force that shall overwhelm them. When the fleet and army are gone we
have nothing at Sackett's Harbor to guard. How would it read if we had
another brigade at Sackett's Harbor when we failed at Niagara? "

The undisturbed control of Lake Ontario by his fleet gave the American
general a still greater advantage than his numerical superiority. It was under-
stood that the British squadron would not be able to leave Kingston for at
least a week, but two small vessels were detached to watch that port while
the remainder assembled at Niagara to cover the landing.

Vincent was accordingly thrown entirely upon the defensive. Had he
only had Dearborn's army to contend with, superior as it was, he might
have entertained a reasonable hope of being able to maintain his position
but the presence of the fleet would enable his antagonist to select the point
of attack at will and even to land a force in his rear.

Nor were the fortifications along the river in a satisfactory state. The
chief engineer had examined them during the winter and reported that
Fort George was still in a "ruinous and unfinished condition," although the
parapet facing the river had been somewhat strengthened. He had rec-
ommended that it should be completed as a field work and that a splinter-
proof barracks capable of sheltering 400 men should be built within, and
the upper story of the blockhouses taken down to place them on a level
with the terre pleine. But these suggested improvements could not be
carried out for lack of materials and workmen. At this time the fort
mounted five guns; one twelve, two twenty four pounders, and two mortars.
On the left fronting Fort Niagara were no less than five detached batteries
armed with eleven guns, five of which were mortars. All of these works
were open in the rear, and could be enfiladed and some of them taken in
reverse by an enemy approaching on the lake. Six other batteries had
been constructed along the river between Fort George and Queenston, two
at Chippawa and three opposite Black Rock about two miles below Fdrt
Erie. All of these posts required men to occupy them and there were
besides thirty odd miles of frontier to be constantly patroled and guarded.
About one-third of his regular troops and two-thirds of the militia were
unavoidably stationed along the upper part of this line extending from
Queenston to Point Abino, under the command of Lieut. -Colonel Cecil Bis-
shop. Vincent retained for the defence of the eleven miles of front be-
tween Queenston and the mouth of the Four Mile Creek, thirty gunners of
the Royal Artillery with five field pieces, under Major Holcroft,

22

1050 regular infantry, 350 militia, and about fifty Indians. This force was
subdivided into three diminutive brigades of nearly equal numbers, the
right under Lieut. -Colonel Harvey being detailed to guard the river, and
the left under Lieut.-Colonel Myers, the lake front of this position, while
the third under his own command remained in readiness to support either
of these when attacked. Fort George was garrisoned by Ormond's com-
pany of the 4Qth, and a detatchment of militia artillery amounting in the
whole to about 130 men. The gunners serving with the field artillery being
not more than half the usual complement, additional men were attached
from the infantry. The batteries were entirely manned by volunteers from
the regulars and militia. The whole force was turned out every morning
at two o'clock, and remained under arms until daylight. The staff officers
set a conspicuous example of activity and watchfulness. Colonels Harvey
and Myers, accompanied by their aides patrolled the lines the whole night
through and slept only by day. As the enemy continued their prepara'
tions for nearly a week after the return of their fleet, the effects of the pro-
longed strain soon became apparent in the exhausted condition of both the
officers and men. At first, General Dearborn's movements seemed to in-
dicate that an attack would be made by crossing the river above Fort
George, and on the 24th of May the whole of the British troops were kept
under arms all night. About three o'clock in the morning the enemy was
distinctly heard launching boats at the Five Mile meadows nearly opposite
a station occupied by Lieut, (afterwards Major General) R. S. Armstrong,
R, A., who by command of the vigilant Harvey, immediately began to fire
in that direction with a six pounder field gun and the nine-pounder mount-
ed in a battery at Brown's Point. The Americans replied briskly with two
six-pounders and continued their eff ms until they had put ten boats in the
river. But if they had intended to cross at this place, they soon abandon-
ed the attempt, and when day dawned all of these boats were seen on their
way down the river with a few men in each. As they came within range
the guns of Fort George began firing, which instantly drew upon that work
the fire of no less than sixteen heavy guns and mortars mounted in Fort
Niagara and the adjacent batteries. The twelve pounder in Fort George
was soon dismounted by a shot which shattered 'jts carriage, and every
building inside was set on fire by the shower of shells and red-hot shot
which rained upon it. The gunners were driven by the flames from the
twenty-four pounder beside the flag-staff, but the unequal contest was still
gallantly maintained by a similar gun in the cavalier and a smaller piece
in the north-western bastion until Major Holcroft perceiving that the bar-
racks were totally consumed and shells bursting in every corner of the
place sent orders to this handful of undaunted men to cease firing and re.
tire under cover. The gun at Mississauga Point remained silent by order
of Colonel Myers who hoped by this means to deprive the enemy of any ex-

23

cuse tor turning their artillery upon the village, and the other detached
batteries seem to have taken little part in the contest. Having destroyed
all the buildings in Fort George and effectually silenced its fire, the Ameri-
cans discontinued the bombardment about two o'clock in the afternoon.

The lake front of the British position was then closely reconnoitred by
boats from the fleet, sounding the shore in every direction and occasionally
venturing within musket shot of some of the batteries which remained sil-
ent, partly from scarcity of ammunition and partly through fear of provok-
ing a renewal of the cannonade. Buoys were placed to mark the stations
the ships were to occupy next day when they engaged the batteries on the
left of Fort George and covered the landing.

On the part of the British some ineffectual efforts were made to repair
the damages of the morning. The tackle and carriage of the gun at the
flag-staff in Fort George had been totally destroyed by the flames, and
could not be replaced, while the ring-bolts of another gun at the light
house had been drawn by the recoil, and little service could be expected
from it. Only a small picquet was stationed in the fort during the night,
and the remainder of the garrison lay upon their arms on the common
about half a mile in the rear in hourly expectation of an alarm, with the
other brigades on either flank.

Shortly after reveille had sounded next morning, a rocket was seen to
rise into the air from Fort Niagara and a single gun was fired at Fort
George. This was the signal for all the American batteries to begin a can-
nonade which was not returned and ceased at the end of half an hour.
Long after the sun had risen a dense fog hung over the river and lake,
effectually concealing all objects on the opposite side except the dim out-
line of Fort Niagara. Nothing could be seen of their troops, most of whom
had been embarked soon after midnight, at the mouth of the Four Mile
Creek. At daybreak Generals Dearborn and Lewis went on board Commo-
dore Chauncey's flagship which immediately got under way, followed by
the remainder of the fleet and the immense flotilla of batteaux and other
boats filled with soldiers. Hours passed away and the entire armada re-
mained almost motionless waiting for the rising of the fog. Finally when
the fog banks rolled away 16 vessels of different sizes were descried stand-
ing across the mouth of the river at a distance of about two miles from land,
followed by no less than 134 boats and scows, each containing from thirty
to fifty men, formed in three compact divisions one behind the other. At a
signal from the flagship the entire fleet tacked and stood towards the
the Canadian shore, the small boats wheeling by brigades and carefully
preserving their alignment. Their approach was gradual and deliberate,
being favored by a gentle breeze, which, however, scarcely raised a ripple
on the glassy surface of the lake. The schooners Julia and Growler each
armed with a long 32-pounder and a long 12-pounder mounted on pivots,

by making use of their sweeps entered the mouth of the river and opened
fire on the crippled battery near the lighthouse while the schooner Ontario
of similar force took up a position near the shore to the northward so as to
enfilade the same work and cross the fire of the two first-named vessels.
Two guns and a mortar in Fort Niagara also concentrated their fire upon this
battery, which was occupied by a few men of the Lincoln artillery under
Capt. John Powell. Only a single shot was fired from the gun mounted there
when it again became unmanageable and the gunners were soon afterwards
driven out by the incessant fire directed against them from different quart-
ers. At the same time the Governor Tompkins of six guns engaged the one-gun
battery near the mouth of Two Mile Creek in flank while Conquest of three
guns anchored in such a position as to fire directly into it from the rear,
which was entirely open and unprotected. Resistance in this case was ob-
viously out of the question and it was immediately abandoned. The Ham-
ilton, Scourge and Asp anchored within short musket shot of the shore, a few
hundred yards further west, nearly opposite a group of farm houses called
Crookston, which was the place selected for landing the troops. The three
largest vessels, the Madison. Oneida and Lady of the Lake drew more water and
were in consequence obliged to remain at a greater distance, though still
well within effective range of every part of the level plain
beyond the landing place. The united broadside of the fleet amounted to
fifty-one guns, many of them being heavy long-range pieces mounted upon
pivots which could fire in any direction, and the weather was so calm that
they were afterwards able to increase the number by shifting guns from the
other side. The whole of the artillery in Fort Niagara and the batteries on
that bank of the river had also opened fire. Two sides of the British posi-
tion were thus simultaneously assailed by the fire of more than seventyguns
and mortars which swept the roads and fields in every direction with
scarcely a shot in reply. A. picquet of the Glengarry Light Infantry which
had been stationed with about 50 Indians of the Six Nations under Captain
John Norton among the thickets near the mouth of the Two Mile Creek
hastily retir d to avoid utter destruction by the storm of missies hurled
against their covert. Two Indians were killed and several wounded before
they could escape.

A heavy column of troops was then discovered marching from the Amer-
ican camp in rear of Fort Niagara near Youngstown. This consisted prin-
cipally of dismounted dragoons and heavy artiller / commanded by Colonel
Burn who had been instructed to cross the river there and intercept the re-
treat of the British garrison towards Queenston. Their appearance had the
effect of detaining a large part of Harvey's brigade on that flank to watch
their movements.

It was about nine o'clock when the landing began at Crookston in the
following order. The advanced guard in twenty boats was composed of

25

four hundred picked light infantry selected from several regiments,
Forsyth's battalion of riflemen, and the flank companies of the I5th Uni-
ted States Infantry, amounting in the whole to about 800 rank and file, with
a detachment of artillery in charge of a three-pounder field piece, under
the command of Lieut-Colonel Winfield Scott, an able and energetic young
officer who had been taken prisoner at Queenston the year before, and was
destined to be the future conqueror of Mexico. This force was strictly en-
joined not to advance more than three hundred paces from the water's
edge before it was supported by General Boyd's brigade of infantry, with
Eustis's battalion of artillery and McClure's rifle volunteers on its flanks.
This was succeeded by Winder's brigade with Towson's artillery, and
Chandler's brigade with Macomb's artillery, which were instructed to form
upon Boyd's right and left respectively. Each of these brigades must cer-
tainly have numbered not less than 1500 officers and men. The reserve
was composed of the marines of the fleet and a picked body of 400 seamen
which were landed but not brought into action.

The entire fleet continued to fire over the heads of the men in the boats
and effectually screened their advance until they reached the shore and
formed on the beach under shelter of the steep clay bank. Captain Hind-
man of the United States Artillery, a very gallant young officer who was in
command of the detachment with the gun attached to the advance guard,
is mentioned as the first man to reach the shore. So far they had not met
with the slightest opposition, but when they began to ascend the bank, the
artillery fire from the ships slackened and they were briskly attacked by
three c jmpanies of the Glengarry Light Infantry, two companies of Lin-
coln militia, and the Grenadiers of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who
had been partially sheltered during the cannonade in a ravine two or three
hundred yards distant. The effect of their musketry was sufficient to cause
the American advance guard to retire under cover of the bank once more
and the fleet recommenced its fire. Lieut-Colonel Myers then succeeded
in bringing forward the remainder of his brigade, increasing the force as-
sembled in the ravine to forty men of the Newfoundland Regiment, ninety
of the Glengarry Light Infantry, twenty-seven of Captain Runchey's negro
company, one hundred Lincoln militia and 310 of the 8th or King's regi-
ment. Several American authorities agree in the statement that they
twice attempted to ascend the bank and were twice driven back by this
determined handful of men. After they had succeeded in forming upon
the plain, General Boyd declared that for "fifteen minutes the two lines ex-
changed a rapid and destructive fire, at a distance of only six or ten yards.''
The official returns of casualties establish the fact the whole of his brigade
consisting of the 6th, 1 5th and i6th United States Infantry was brought
forward to the support of Colonel Scott's advance-guard, making a force of
about 2,300 men opposed to 567. Whenever practicable the ships continu-

26

ed to fire with destructive effect on the attenuated British line. Colonel
Myers fell desperately wounded in three pjans when leading the first
charge. Every field officer and most of the company of officers were soon
killed or disabled, and at the end of twenty minutes close fighting the survi-
vors gave way, leaving nearly three hundred dead audwounded on the field.
They were rallied at a second ravine some distance in the rear by Lieut. -
Colonel Harvey, who brought up with him several companies of the 4Qth,
and a six-pounder field gun under Lieut. Charlton, which had been station-
ed near Fort George.

Lieut. Armstrong with two other guus, had also been directed to proceed
to the support of Lieut. -Colonel Myers, but upon advancing along theroad
parallel with the lake near Secord's house, he was suddenly assailed from
both flanks by a body of riflemen, whose fire wounded his horse and one of
his men, and a belt of thick woods prevented him from joining the rem-
nant of that brigade, which was then in full retreat. While engaged in ex-
amining the road in front, Armstrong came unexpectedly upon one of the
enemy's riflemen whom he made prisoner, and discovering that he was in
danger of being surrounded, retired hurriedly to the Presbyterian church-
where the remainder of the field guns had been posted. From this posi-
tion they covered the retirement of Lieut -Colonel Harvey's force, which
took place about ten o'clock. By that time the Americans had succeeded
in landing the greater part of their field artillery, and began to advance
slowly in three dense columns, Scott's light troops skirting the woods on
the right, with the 6th, I5th and i6th United States Infantry and four guns
in th» centre and the i8th United States Infantry and four guns moving a-
long the margin of the lake. As they had brought no horses, they were
obliged to drag their guns by hand, and their advance was necessarily very
slow. While observing their movements, Colonel Harvey was almost cut
off by a party of riflemen who had stealthily made their way through the
woods with that object. He galloped off unhurt amid a shower of bullets
and formed his brigade in a fresh position behind a third ravine. Major
Holcroft opened fire from a six-pounder and a howitzer, but on perceiving
the advance of the enemy's light troops on the right, he placed these guns
in charge of Lieut. Armstrong, and moved in that direction with the two
other pieces. For nearly half an hour the artillery kept up a brisk fire and
succeeded in checking the enemy's infantry. Harvey then noticed that
their riflemen were again stealing forward through the woods, with the in-
tention of turning his left flank, and ordered a general retreat to the Com-
mon beyond the Council House. During the cannonade Holcroft had lost
but one gunner wounded and a single horse killed but the limber of his larg-
est gun, a twelve-pounder, was so badly damaged that it went to pieces on
the road.

An hour later when the Americans emerged from the village, an eigh-

27

teen pounder, in the battery next to Fort George was traversed, and fired
upon them until they made a vigorous charge and captured it with several
of the men engaged in working it.

Vincent joined Harvey with the reserve, and the whole force remained
in position on the Common for nearly half an hour. Commodore Chaun-
cey's flag-ship entered the river and anchored abreast of Fort George. The
troops at Youngstown began to enter their boats vrhile the enemy in front
were steadily prolonging their lines to the right with the evident purpose
of occupying the only possible avenue of retreat, and surrounding the Brit-
ish forces.

At noon, General Vincent despatched an order to Lieut.-Colonel Claus,
to evacuate Fort George and join him upon the Queenston road. He im-
mediately began his retreat upon St. Davids, the infantry retiring through
the woods, and the artillery and baggage by the road This movement was
so quietly accomplished that it seems to have almost escaped the attention
of the enemy who were busily engaged in reforming their line.

General Dearborn had become so much enfeebled by his exertions, and
the effects of his previous illness, that he had to be lifted from his horse
and supported to a boat which conveyed him on board the flagship, from
which he viewed the landing of his troops, although unable to keep his feet
for more than a few minutes at a time. The command accordingly devolv-
ed upon Major General Morgan Lewis, an officer of little experience and
less military knowledge, but an active and influential politician, who had
been in turn Chief Justice and Governor of the State of New York and was
a brother-in-law of the Secretary of War. He was absurdly fond of mili-
tary pomp, parade and display, and his opponents delighted to ridicule a
speech he had made to the militia when Governor in which he had remark-
ed that "the drum was all important in the day of battle." Having the fate
of Van Rensselaer and Winchester fresh in his memory, his movements
were cautious to the verge of timidity. An hour and a half elapsed after
Harvey retreated before he ventured to advance beyond the village. He
had then not less than 4,000 men in order of battle besides the reserve of
marines and seamen. His line extended without a break from the light-
house on Mississauga Point to the river above Fort George, That work
was approached with excessive caution as the sound of repeated explosions
within, caused them to dread a recurrence of their disastrous experience
at York, and even the lighthouse was avoided lest it should be hurled in
fragments on their heads. Colonel Scott was in fact unhorsed by a large
splinter which broke his collar bone, but there were no other casualties.
When the fort was entered, it was found that the garrison had disappeared
with the exception of a few soldiers of the 4Qth Regiment, who were still
engaged in dismantling the works. Some of the men were surprised in the
act of cutting down the flagstaff to obtain the garrison flag from which the

28 " •;-

halliards had been shot away, and others were taken prisoners as they at-
tempted to escape through the main gate. More than a hundred sick and
wounded were found in the hospital. The village of Niagara was entirely
deserted, and many of the houses had been much damaged by cannon shot.

During the afternoon the Second Regiment of United States Dragoons
was brought over from Youngstown, but scarcely any pursuit was attempt-
ed as the American army was described as much exhausted from being
under arms for eleven hours. No one seemed to know positively which way
the British had retreated. Colonel Scott with some of the riflemen seems
to have advanced a few miles along the Queenston road, but was perempt-
orily recalled by General Lewis who feared an ambush. Meanwhile Vin-
cent s column had retired in almost perfect order, leaving scarcely a strag-
gler behind and marched with such speed that the rear guard arrived that
night at DeCew's house, where a small magazine of provisions had been
formed a few days before in anticipation of a reverse.

About four o'clock in the afternoon a dragoon reached Fort Erie with in-
formation of the loss of Fort George, and Lieut.-Colonel Bishop imme-
diately began his retreat with the regular troops and field guns stationed
there, leaving Major John Warren with a few men of the Thirl Lincoln
Regiment of militia to occupy the works and engage the attention of the
enemy on the opposite bank. Soon after his departure, Warren opened fire
on Black Rock from all the batteries, and continued the cannonade all night.
At daybreak the destruction of the stores and fortifications began. The
barracks and public buildings were burnt, the magazines blown up, the
guns burst or otherwise rendered unserviceable along the whole line from
Point Abino to Chippawa. When this had been thoroughly accomplished,
Warren disbanded his men, and an American force crossed from Black
Rock and took possession of the dismantled works. A quantity of stores
which had been abandoned at Queenston, was destroyed on the same day,
by Lieut -Colonel Thomas Clark, at the head of a small party of the Third
Lincoln Regiment, who had returned from Beaver Dams for the purpose.

Scarcely had this been done, when a strong brigade of American troops
advanced from Foit George and occupied that village.

During these operations General Vincent had lost the whole of his gar-
rison ordnance and a considerable quantity of spare arms and military
stores. His regular force had been diminished by 350 officers and men,
nearly all of whom were killed or wounded, but he was joined during the
night of the 27th by two strong companies of the 8th Regiment which had
advanced that day as tar as the mouth of the Twelve Mile Creek on their
way to Fort George. The loss of the regulars in the battle was officially
stated at fifty-two killed, forty-four wounded, and 262 missing, nearly all of
those reported missing being either killed or left wounded on the field. The
small detachment of Lincoln militia engaged is stated to have lost five

29

officers and eighty men, killed or wounded, but no official return seems to
have been preserved. The names only of Captain Martin McClellan and
Privates Charles Wright and William Cameron, who were killed, have been
recorded. Two Mohawk Indians, Joseph Claus and Tsigotea, were also
among the slain. General Boyd stated that his men found 107 dead and
175 wounded of the British troops upon the field. The losses of some of
the detachments actually engaged were truly appalling. The five com-
panies of the 8th Regiment lost, Lieut. Drummie killed, Major Cotton,
Lieuts. Nicholson, McMahon, and Lloyd, and Ensign Nicholson wounded,
and 196 non-commissioned officers and privates killed, wounded, or missing
out of 310 of all ranks who went into action. The Glengarry Light Infantry
lost Captain Liddle and Ensign McLean killed, Captain Roxborough and
Lieut. Kerr wounded, and 73 non-commissioned officers and men out of
an aggregate of 108. The grenadier company of the Royal Newfoundland
Regiment lost Capt. Winter, Lieut. Stewart, and fourteen others out of
forty.

The total loss of the American army was officially stated at 150, of whom
thirty-nine were killed. The only officer killed was Lieut. Henry Hobart,
a grandson of General Dearborn. Covered as their lauding was by the fire
of so many cannon, it is, perhaps, remarkable that their loss was so great.
As a proof, however, of the severity of the short struggle on the plain. Dr.
Mann, the American army surgeon, who was present, remarked that he
found 27 dead and 87 severely wounded on the field when he landed and
that nearly 400 of both armies lay stretched on a plot of ground not more
than 200 yards in length and fifteen in breadth.

On the 28th, the whole of the militia except Merritt's troop of Provincial
Cavalry, Runchey's company of negroes, and about sixty picked men of
other corps who were determined to follow the fortunes of the army, were
disbanded, and Vincent continued his retreat to Grimsby and finally to
Burlington Heights where he arrived on the 2nd June with eleven field guns
and 1800 seasoned soldiers, who, in spite of their recent reverse were in
high spirits and eager to meet the enemy again on more equal terms. The
brilliant result of the action at Stoney Greek three days later amply atoned
for a defeat by which they had lost no credit.

The Americans were justly disappointed by the incompleteness of their
success. For nearly two days they appear to have absolutely lost all track
of their enemy. "When we marched for Queenston on the 28th," wrote an
officer in the United States army whose letter was published at the time in
the Baltimore Whig, " we found the British far advanced on their retreat by
the back road toward the lower part of the Province. They collected their
force very actively. Our friends hereabouts are greatly relieved by our
visit. They had been terribly persecuted by the Scotch myrmidons of
England. Their present joy is equal to their past misery. This is a

30

charming country but its uncertain destiny together with the vexations the
farmers endured by being dragged out in the militia left the fields in a great
degree uncultivated. The British Indians are not of much use to them.
They run as soon as the battle grows hot. I saw but one Indian and one
Negro with the Glengarry uniform on, dead on the field. Their Eighth
fought very resolutely and suffered severely."

Many American historians have condemned General Dearborn for not
having accomplished more with the means at his disposal but they have
made little or no allowance for the physical weakness which actually rend-
ered him unfit to command at all. General Armstrong, who, as Secretary
of War, was eager to justify his own conduct, declared that "if instead of
concentrating his whole force, naval and military, on the water side of the
enemy's defences he had divided the attack and crossed the Niagara below
Lewiston and advanced on Fort George by the Queenston road, the invest-
ment of that place would have been complete and a retreat of the garrison
rendered impracticable." This, however, was actually the movement
which Dearborn had planned but failed to execute in time. Ingersol, a
member of Congress and a leader of the war party, bitterly observed that
"the British General effected his retreat (probably without Dearborn know-
ing it for he stayed on shipboard) to the mountain passes where he employ-
ed his troops in attacking, defeating, and capturing ours during all the rest
of that year of discomfitures."

THE END.

N. B. — For the engraving, "The Taking of Fort George," we are indebted to the
kindness and courtesy of the Hon. P. A. Porter, Niagara Falls. It is from the port-
folio published in Philadelphia, 1817, and is particularly interesting to us as giving
the appearance of the churches St. Mark's and St. Andrew's before the town was
burnt down, as also the Lighthouse situated nearly where the Queen's Royal Hotel
stands new.

NIAGARA

NO. 2

DUCIT AMOR PATRIAE.

By MRS. CURZON, PRESIDENT WOMAN^S HISTORICAL
SOCIETY, TORONTO.

%/U. 1783=1796.

By REV. CANON BULL, PRESIDENT LUNDY'S LANE
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

i/n, 'MDt/a-aa/'i/a. SwctiA "<y 00/1/6- Gtao.
5 d1 fl

By Miss CARNOCHAN, PRESIDENT NIAGARA HISTOR-
ICAL SOCIETY.

NIAGARA, ONT. :
j TIMES BOOK AND JOB PRINT.
1897.

PREFACE.

In placing in the hands ot the public, their second pamphlet, the Niagara
Historical Society would express their gratification at the favor shown to
their first, "The Taking of Fort George," and rejoice to know that the
author, Major Cruikshank, will soon contribute another valuable paper
describing the " Seven Months' Occupation of Niagara by the Americans.'1
The present issue contains a poem by Mrs. Curzon, President of the Wo-
man's Historical Society, Toronto, the author of " Laura Secord " and other
poems ; a paper by Canon Bull, the President of the Lundy's Lane Historical
Society, both of whom have done so much to cause an interest in historical
research.

To show the aims and objects of our Society and what we have done, are
doing and hope to do, it may be well to make some extracts from the report
of the Society and the address of the President, read I3th October, 1896:

" It is much to be regretted that an Historical Society had not been formed
here a score of years ago. when pioneers and veterans were alive, who
could have told us so much that we have now no means of obtaining.

" Our thoughts to-night must be both retrospective and prospective. We
speak of what has been done and what we hope to do. In 1892, a small
Society was formed, chiefly with the view of giving assistance in the Cen-
tenary proceedings on July i6th. It is believed only two meetings were held,
and one open meeting, at which a paper was read. '' Niagara One Hundred
Years Ago,1' which was printed by ihe Lundy's Lane Historical Society.
The officers were, President, William Kirby ; Secretary, Daniel Servos ;
Treasurer, D. McDougall. In November, 1895, a meeting was called tor
all interested, as it was felt strongly by a few that in this historic spot such
a Society should exist. It was with feelings of great diffidence that we
engaged in the task, for we had been assured that it was useless to try to
break down the cold, dead wall of apathy and indifference that we every-
where encountered and as to collecting relics, everything valuable had
disappeared, was either destroyed or given away ; or, that if any remained,
they would not be given to us. But all these dark prognostications proved
false. What have we done ? Briefly, this : We have a list of over fifty
members, have adopted a constitution and by-laws, a motto too, "The Love
of Country Guides.'' We have had interesting meetings, three of them
being open to the public at which papers were read. One by Capt. Cruik-
shank has been printed in pamphlet form with an old engraving. We have
had a successful anniversary, on the platform representatives of five His-
torical Societies ; indeed the Presidents of four. A poem was read, dedi-
cated to our Society, by Mrs. Curzon. A paper was read by Canon Bull and
addresses were made by Miss Fitzgibbon, Capt. Cruikshank, Rev. J. C.
Garrett, Rev. P. Spencer, Col. Curne and Major Hiscott. You have heard
the satisfactory reports of the Secretary and Treasurer, showing a balance
in the treasury.

"A remarkable and valuable exhibit, for which we were indebted chiefly
to the zeal of Mr. John D. Servos, of documents, weapons, old silver, flags,

Indian relics, was universally commended. We also followed the example
of the L. L. Society, in decorating the graves of those who died to save
their country, the four to whom a tablet is placed in St. Mark's church on
May 27th, (the grand-daughter of one of them. Capt. McLelland is among us).

" Other encouragements, we have had. The Mayor kindly allowed the
use of his office for our first meetings. The town council granted the use
of the old library room. A large case was presented by Mr. Long, (since
then four c.ises for our collection by the Archaeological Museum, Toronto),
Contributions have come in rapidly ; such valuable historic relics as General
Brock's cocked hat, obtained from Mrs. Herbert Ball, through the kindness
of Mr. Alfred Ball ; and the sword surrendered at the Taking of Fort Ni-
agara by our troops in 1813, from Mr. Alexander Servos ; papers printed in
Niagara, 1794, presented by Mr. C. A. F. Ball ; the christening bowl u^ed by
Rev. R. Addison, kindly loaned by Mrs. Sxevenson ; and many other articles
form the nucleus of what we hope may become an extensive and valuable
collection. Our curator, Mr. Wilkinson, has nobly performed his task and
deserves our hearty thanks. The work of correctly and neatly labelling
and entering 250 articles is no slight one, (now over 400).

•' And now for what we hope to do The respected President of the L. L.
H. S., Canon Bull, has assured us that the greatest cause of its vitality is its
publications, and thus it has earned the right to receive grants from the
county and. the province, has thus disseminated usetul and valuable historic
information. Canon Bull, in his address a year ago, advocated the erection
in Niagara of a memorial of the landing of the U. E. Loyalists, with the
names of the refugees, at the spot on the beach where so many of them
landed, and this would be a legitimate work for us. The preservation of
our forts and historic spots is another worthy object of our ambition, and
we rejoice that already a step has been taken in that direction. We hope
to obtain from the County Council and the Provincial Government a small
grant for printing purposes, as \ve already have other historical documents
to pi int. It may thus be seen that we have much before us. We feel that
as a Society we have much reason for thankfulness for what we i>ave been
able to accomplish in less than a year, and should the same zealt the same
hearty support be given in the ensuing year as in the last we shall have no
reason to feel ashamed of our record.''

Since the above was written a grant has been given by the County Council
of Lincoln and the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario for
printing purposes. The Historical Pilgrimage to Niagara, May 24th, under
the charge of Mr. Frank Yeigh, and the meeting here of the Pioneer and
Historical Association of Ontario, June 2nd, have developed much interest
in the history of our neighborhood and much interest was expressed with
regard to the historical collection. There are now fifty picture frames
hanging on the walls of the room, containing deeds, commissions, pictures
of the town, valuable historical documents, and we would earnestly ask all
who have any papers, pamphlets, books printed in Niagara in early days,
or articles illustrative of the history of the country to contribute by loan or
otherwise. A record is carefully kept by Mr. Wilkinson, the curator, and
all articles contributed are acknowledged in the Niagara Times in the
" Historical Column." In the year 1800, a library was formed in Niagara,
the history of which is known for twenty years, and it is particularly wished
to obtain some of the books belonging to it ; several rare and curious vol-
umes have lately been given. The donors may be sure that great care will
be taken in the preservation. The room is open from three to five on
Saturdays and many visitors from different cities and countries have shown
great interest in the collection so that it is easily seen that all helping in
forming an historical museum are giving pleasure and conferring a real
benefit on their country, for such collections serve to develop patriotic
feeling.

CENTENNIAL POEM.

Written by Mrs. Curzon, President of the Woman's Historical Society,
Toronto ; dedicated to the Niagara Historical Society, and read by Rev. J.
C. Garrett, Rector of St. Mark's, at the first aaniversary of the Society, I7th
Sept. 1896.

That dark September for New France was past ;
Vandreuil had signed capitulation's bonds ;
Montcahn and Wolfe lay in their quiet graves.
St. George's Cross flaw o'er Canadian soil
From brave Quebec, to where the sea drives in
Among the reefs and keys of Florida :
Nothing remained to France but Britain's grace.
Courage had done its best— a splendid best--
Can grander name than Montcalm ever rise ?

Nothing remained to France but Britain's grace.

But what more shall we ask, save grace of God ?

Large-hearted, generous, noble, England gives

No grudging freedom, no false libertv :

With princely hand, and brow serene and kind

She dowers her subject peoples with the dower

Of children, bidding them forget old feuds

And live and prosper in her mother-love.

And so no hearts were wrung by servile tasks ;

No passions raged 'neath black oppression's foot :

The gallant French-Canadian found no foe,

But a sound friend in every British face.

And when hot words grew into hotter deeds

Between Great Britain and some hasty sons

In her colonial kingdom oversea,

Canadians all, one heart our people held

As lieges of the king, for Britain's rights,

And British subjects' rights maligned, forsworn.

Then when 'twas o'er and " seven red years of blood "
Brought thousands leal and true to monarchy

On to Canadian soil, the land grew strait —

Too narrow for so large a multitude :

A multitude of men, and women, too,

Whose hearts were warm with love and hot with wrongs

Whose principles of honour, duty, faith,

Of loyalty and truth, had been through fire

And come out sterling gold. Not theirs to fall

Lamenting of their losses, but to turn

Bold hearts and willing hands to win afresh

Homes — British homes — beneath the Union Jack.

Ah ! What a joy it was when Pitt— who knew

And trusted British instincts, had his \vay

And settled British laws on British ground !

Ontario, it was thine to be so blest !

The imperial circlet on thy regal brow

Was proudly set, with every gem ablaze :

And England's glorious throne enthroned thy king

Thou province of the west whose limits reached

The far Pacific, this was thy golden dower —

A freedom large and wide as righteousness.

Hail then thy splendid coronation !

Out of full hearts and grateful memories

We greet with shouts thy grand centenary ;

Gladly recalling that fond day and hour

When on the gracious soil beneath our feet

The noble Simcoe stepped, our Governor.

And oh ! how joyful the momentous day

That saw the lieges come from far and near

Obedient to the summons of the king.

To hold the Province's first Parliament.

O pregnant day and full of weal or woe

To millions yet unborn ! But there was that

Beneath it all would guarantee its worth —

The Word of God ! His law ! The inspired command

That Britain least of all can e'er gainsay

For that she owes it most. On this alone

Stands, and has ever stood her liberty.

O Britain ! Mother-land ! to thee we turn

With proud high hearts and eyes alight with love

Knowing thee ever true and ever great.

Our kindling souls to-day lind in thy name

Our richest boast. Canadians ! Britons !

We ask no more ; the rest is in our hands.

FORT NIAGARA, N. Y.

FORT NIAGARA, N.Y, 1183-1196;

V V.

OR

The Long Hold -over Period of That Fort.

(A paper read by the Rev. Canon Bull, President of Lundy's Lane H. S.,
before the Niagara Historical Society at Niagara. Ont., Sept. 17, 1896.)

The celebration across the river, of an event of one hundred years ago
August 17, 1796, namely : England's surrender of Fort Niagara to the new
Republic of the United States of America, was observed a few days ago by
a very large concourse ot people at the old Fort. Although the occasion
was memorable, and attracted considerable public attention, and jubilant
addresses were invited, yet according to the newspaper accounts of the day's
proceedings, it would seerri that nothing was said or no explanation given
as to the long delay intervening between the Treaty of Peace in 1783 and
1796, a period of thirteen years, before the Treaty was fulfilled so far as
concerned the restoration of Fort Niagara and certain other forts into the
hands of the United States authorities The long delay or hold-over period
caused considerable annoyance to the people of the Republic. It was held
to be an unsufferable grievance— enough, again, to provoke hostilities be-
tween the two Powers.

The able author of ': A Brief History of Old Fort Niagara," says, on pp.
61, 62 : — " At last, June i, 1796, the day set by treaty for the evacuation, ar-
" rived, but none of the five forts were evacuated. Why? Because the
".United States were not ready to occupy them, not even Fort Niagara, the
" most important of the five.

•' So badly, indeed, had the United States army been supplied with pro-
" visions that, when notice was sent to the Federal General by the British
" officers that they had received orders to deliver up their respective posts
" pursuant to the treaty, and that they were prepared to do so whenever he

" was ready to take possession of them, an answer was returned that unless
" the British officers could supply his army with a considerable quantity of
" provisions on arriving at the lakes, he could not attempt to march for
" many weeks."

(Quoted by Hon. Peter A. Portt r, from Weld's Travels, page 302.)

"A British statement," adds Mr. Porter, "but in general, substantiated
" by fact.

"On August nth. the order having been duly presented, the British
"evacuated Fort Niagara and transferred the garrison, consisting of fifty
"men, guns, ammunition, stores, etc., across the river. As the banner of
" St. George came down from the flag-pole at Fort Niagara on that dav, the
" British emblem floated over but one spot on American soil, Michilimacmac,
" which was not surrendered up to the United Scales until the following
' October.

" So Niagara was the next to the last post evacuated in America."

In the following paper it is proposed to show from official documents of
the period, what were the real reasons for the long1 delay or hold-over
period of i783-'g6.

It may seem extraordinary that we should at this time go back to events
that occurred at a period so distant : but, in doing so, it will be, perhaps,
interesting and useful to the student of history and of international politics,
in order to understand and fairly to judge between the two administrations
at that time,— the one as conciliating as possible, and the other as perverse
and hostile.

It must be observed that the confederation of the United States, which
was formed at the commencement, continued for some time after the
peace. The nature of this compact must also be observed. It was a pure
democracy. The government was not placed in the hands of even a few
individuals, but remained in the possession of the representatives of the
States.

Considerable difficulty existed in the objects prescribed by the treaty of
peace. These difficulties arose from the impediments which were placed
in the way of His Majesty's subjects, which operated so as to prevent their
recovery of debts which had been owing previous to the revolution. These
debts it was not possible to recover. This, and other circumstances,
sanctioned the British government in the retention of certain forts, posts,
etc., which, had the terms of the treaty been strictly complied with on the
part of the United States, ought to and would have been surrendered at
once.

In December, 1785, we find Mr. Adams at the British Court, " urging the
" complaints of America and pressing for a lull compliance with the treaty."
In reply the Marquis of Carmarthen (afterwards Duke of Leeds) said that
"the engagements entered into by a treaty ought to be mutual and equally
" binding on the respective contracting parties. It would be, therefore, the
" height of folly as well as injustice to suppose one party alone —the British

" —obliged to a strict observance of tke public faith while the other might
" remain free to deviate from its own engagements as often as convenience
" might seem to render such deviation necessary, though at the expense of
" its own credit and importance.'' And he assured Mr. Adams that as soon
as his government should evince on their part a disposition to fulfil the
treaty, Great Britain would co-operate with him. For the justice of the
Marquis' allegations we need only refer to a letter of Mr. Jay to General
Washington, in which he confesses, "it is too true, the treaty has been viola-
ted." In reply to Mr. Jay we find General Washington exclaiming : —
•' What a misfortune it is tliat the British should have so well grounded a pretext
" for their infraction ; and what a disgraceful part out of the choice of
' difficulties are we to act ! "

In no measure was the American system more evident than the predica-
ment in which the creditor was placed. Session after session in the state
legislatures were ''acts," called "instalment acts,'' passed, defining the
definite periods to which payment of instalments on debts were to be de-
ferred. This was done in actual defiance of the treaty. The conduct of
the popular party on this occasion is well described by the learned biogra-
pher of Washington — (Marshall) :

" These contests were the more animated, because in the state govern-
''ments, generally, no principle had been introduced which could resist the
" wild progress of the moment, or give the people an opportunity to reflect
"and allow the good sense of the nation time for reflection."

Such was the want of principle at that time existing that " it was impos-
" sible to negotiate bonds even where the creditors were unquestionably
" competent, but at a discount of 30, 40, or 50 per cent.''

From their legislatures they expected other acts favorable to the pro-
longation of payments, and made their election of such men as would pledge
themselves to vote for these measures. They even threatened " to suspend
" the administration of justice by private violence."

As to private debts, however, we are bound not to express much surprise
when we find, from the authority of Washington himself, that "requisi-
tions " (from the government) " are actually little better than a jest and a
"by-word throughout the land.'' Its authority, frorri Mr. Jay's description
of it, seems in general cases to be as weak as in that of requisition for
pecuniary advances. "Private rage for property," says that gentleman,
" suppresses public consideration, and personal rather than national inter-
" ests have become the great objects of attention. Representative bodies
" will ever be faithful copies of their originals, and generally exhibit a
*' chequered assemblage of virtue and vice, of ability and weakness."

It was under these circumstances that they were compelled to form a
stronger government. Such was the critical situation in which they were
placed, that we find Washington expressing his wish that " anything, nay,
" everything, should be essayed to prevent the effusion of blood and to

" avert the humiliating and contemptible figure \ve :xre about to make in the
" annals of mankind."

Here we see the great dauger they were in, not from British stamp acts
or Boston post-bills ; not from British armies or Bntbh navies, but from
American sedition, from American violence. We find that such was the
height to which not only opposition to order, but open violation of law,
reached as to compel a judge (who had been an officer) to declare at the
head of 300 men " that he would die as a general or sit as a judge."

Such was "the licentious spirit," the "desire of change," the *' wish to
annihilate all debts," to exert the force of the poor and the numerous to
bear away the property of the few and the more wealthy, that they com-
bined an organized body of 12,000 or 15,000 men.

To such a height did this spirit of insubordination reach thsit open civil
war was expected, and upon the best ground, for the insurrection was not
quelled without a recourse to arms, in which several rioters were killed.

It was under such circumstances that had not the magnanimity, the
honor and the fidelity of the British Government to engagements been so
firm and so exalted, held out the fairest opportunity of regaining the toot-
ing it had lost — it was, we say, under such circumstances— that these people
formed a government that could act and with effect.

From the British constitution it was avowedly modelled. One of its
framers (Dr. Franklin) was accustomed to express his opinion of the old
adage that it depended more on the administration than the mere letter of
a constitution whether it should produce evil or good. This, the work of
his and his compatriots' hands, will fully prove the truth of the sentiment.

Washington, as president, from this time, of the new republic, may well
be called, " The Father of his Country," its most faithful and honorable ad-
viser. One incident, from among many, to prove our high estimation of
hina, may be mentioned :

In June, 1793, an English ship was captured by the French and brought
into Philadelphia, where she was refitted and armed to cruise against
British commerce. The president was at his seat for a few days. Col.
Hamilton communicated the fact to Gen. Knox and Mr. Jefferson. Direc-
tions were then given to the municipal authorities to detain her until the
arrival of Gen. Washington. The French minister, Genet, insolently re-
fused to allow it. Facts proved afterwards he had tampered with a minis-
ter who was supported by the people in permitting the vessel to leave a
port of the United States, then at peace with England, to prey upon her
commerce. This act was applauded at civic fetes, but condemned by Wash-
ington, and at last Genet was recalled to France for his act of injustice and
violence in the matter. The fall of Robespierre also tended to remove
Genet from the United States. Washington determined upon a course of
truth and justice to all. His determination and firmness of character could
not be overcome by any popular tumult or violent expression. This firm-
ness seems, however, to have been a signal for attacks upon his character.

7

He was characterized as a tool of Great Britain, and was proclaimed :i pecu-
lator and thief of the treasury. Where is the gratitude of man to be met
with ? Posterity will, however, refuge to believe that such baseness ever
entered his mind.

No doubt, through Washington, efforts were made in 1796, three years
before his death, to transfer the forts of Niagara. Oswego and other places
held over by Britain for 13 years, to the authority of the United States, still,
in 1802, when the old claims of debts were renewed, it was agreed to give
.£600.000 as a compensation for £5,000,000 ! ! (This claim had been reduced
from .£10,000,000 ! !) This was one of the first acts under Jefferson's ad-
ministration.

This paper, thus far, has been limited to one subject of history immedi-
ately following the revolutionary period and secession of the thirteen states
from Great Britain. The Niagara Historical Society, before whom it was
read, is to be highly commended for the work and labour of love which it
has undertaken — the study and cultivation of Canadian history. The
Lundy's Lane Historical Society bids the President and members of the
Niagara Society a hearty welcome, as diligent and patriotic students of
their country's history.

Let all our efforts tend to promote truth, justice, unity, peace and con-
cord. Then will God bless us — our country, our constitution and our
gracious Sovereign. For the preservation of this portion of the British
Empire, and for the uprightness of her counsellors and administrators of a
century, we are thankful. Let our prayers be offered up to Him to whom
alone belongs " The weak to strengthen and confound the strong,"

SLAVE RESCUE IN NIAGARA
SIXTY YEARS AGO,

By JANET CARNOCHAN

(Read before Canadian Institute, Lundy's Lane Historical Society, and
Niagara Historical Society.)

Not all heroes are known to fame. Not all heroes are of the dominant
races, nor are they always ot the class trained by ages of culture to do
knightly deeds. An article in a late number of the " Canadian Magazine,"
relating to the deed ot John Brown in striking a blow even to the loss of his
own life, to free the slave, recalls the story told me not long ago, a brave
deed done by black men tor one of their race, and which, I am sure, has
never been fully chronicled. But you ask, what good is done by such reck-
less sacrifice of life ? Much every way. The lesion in heroism to onlookers
and listeners to the tale is one that could be taught so well in no other way.
The moral heroism shown, lifts us up on invisible wings and fits our souls
for lofty flights. And the object is often gained, although at the time no-
thing seems to have been accomplished, and the actor loses his life.
As in the case of the Hermit Alymachus, who denounced the gladi-
atorial conflicts and was torn to pieces by the mob, eager for the sick-
ening sight of brutes and brutalized men tearing each other to pieces in
sight of delighted thousands, who often refused even to turn up their
thumbs to save a life. Apparently the only result was the sacrifice of the
life of an almost unknown and nameless monk— but, mark, — that was the
last time that men looked down from the Colosseum scats to gaze upon
such brutalities. The gladiatorial contests were ended.

The event I shall endeavor to describe occurred about sixty years ago in
Niagara, in the vicinity of the jail, now Miss Rye's Western Home. Those
grounds, now beautiful with graceful trees and shrubs, as well as brilliant
flowers and luscious fruit, witnessed many sad and tragic scenes. The
imprisonment here, in 1818, of Robert Gourlay, described so graphically in
Dent's History of the Rebellion in his opening chapter nearly twenty years
before the date of our story, his cruel treatment, and the imprisonment with
heavy fine, and standing in the pillory of a Niagara editor for publishing a
letter, now seems to us such a perversion of justice that we can hardly
imagine that such a thing actually took place here sixty years ago.

The opening words of Dent's History of the Rebellion are these ; " In
''the afternoon of a warm and sultry day, towards the end of one of the
warmest and most sultry summers which Upper Canada has ever known,
an extraordinary trial took place in the Court house in the old town of
Niagara eighty years ago." A graphic description follows of the trial on
Friday, Aug. 2oth, 1819, of Robert Gourlay, something in the style of
Macauley's trial of Warren Hastings, describing the presiding judge, the
counsel on each side, the witnesses, the prisoner, the jurymen, the court
room itself, so that those taking part stand out in striking relief, and we can
almost hear the very tones of their voices, can see the play of their coun-
tenances. The room so portrayed can yet be seen, forming the dormitory
used for those waifs and strays from the mother land, who find homes in
our newer, freer, more far-extending country. Here may yet be seen,
above the wide staircase, the gallery for spectators, the arches showing good
workmanship, while the position occupied by the judges, prisoner's box,
judge, can all be pointed out, though, of course, many changes have been
made in the building. A picture is in existence of the building in its early
days of which, nothing can surpass the unmitigated ugliness, a reference in
he Niagara Gleaner, 1819, speaks of its being built in 1817 " in that swamp.''

This building, with its surroundings, was the scene of the slave rescue.
My hero was a black man, who gave his life to save a black man, or it may
rather be said there were heroes, and, though their lives were the forfeit,
they accomplished what they aimed at, arid struck a blow for freedom,
which went on resounding through the years. A quarter of a century be-
fore this, near this same spot, a blow had been struck for the slaves by our
early legislators, making provision for the gradual f reeiug of all slaves in
Canada, before Britain had freed her slaves, and still longer before our
Southern neighbors, at such a costly outlay of money and a still more costly
outlay of blood, did the same for their slaves. A noble deed this for this
wilderness, where our fathers met in dangers and difficulties ; a benificent
deed and worthy of being chronicled.

The story, as heard first, I have made many efforts to make more com-
plete, efforts at first signally ineffectual, but, finally, after following many
ignis fatui, at length a connected narrative has been gained. Sixty years
does not seem so long a period, but it is remarkable how few can give a

clear account, how many false clews one may follow. One :>gcd person
asked, could tell nothing at all ; one had come here the next year ; another
had only a confused recollection ; but the story as told by four independent
witnesses, and since confirmed by mauy others, seems so dramatic, so
unreal in this utilitarian age, that at first I almost hesitated '' to tell the
tale as 'twas told to me," but I believe it to be true in every particular.

In 1837 Niagara was an important place — St. Catharines and Hamilton
were comparatively insignificant. There were 4,000 inhabitants, of whom
400 were blacks who had nearly all escaped from slavery, following the
north star through devious dangerous ways, but now having purchased
little plots of land and built houses thereon, they formed an important part
of the population. They had two churches, Baptist and Methodist, a school,
generally taught by a black man, but at one time by a white woman. A
company of black men was enlisted during the rebellion, so that they did
their share to help the Government which had given them shelter, spread-
ing over them its flag as an aegis. Niagara was then also a military station,
nearly all the lake vessels were built here, it was the headquarters for the
fugitive slaves and other colored Canadians.

My informant, a large woman, somewhat portly, with good features, not
darker than many Caucasians, with a stately presence, and bearing well the
snows of seventy winters, told the story well in her soft voice : " Yes, I
could tell you about the old times I was born in Niagara in 1824 and my
father came here in 1802. He was a slave. No, he did not run away. He
came with his master all the way from Fredericsburg, Virginia, driving the
carriage with six horses, his master bringing his money in bags, enough to
last him ; he came all that way to see the Falls, and stayed at Black Rock
a while. My father was the coachman, and though his master was not
cruel like some masters, my father was always atraid he might be sold off
to work in the cotton fields, and a gentleman from Niagara, Mr. D., told
him he could easily escape and come to Niagara where there were many
colored people. So he hid in the corn fields. It was September, and oh,
the misery my father was in when September came ; he had his dark days
every year, for he remembered lying out at night, the cold, and the fright
of being taken, and little to e.it, and the rain, oh ! the children did not like
when that time of the year came, for he never forgot it, and he was down
down then. But I must go back to my story. At last his master had to go

,back without his coachman, although he waited a long rime, and then my
father came to Niagara where he bought a little piece of land here in Colored

t Village. That is a picture of the log house. No, it is not standing now.

Mrs. took a picture of it for me before it was pulled down, and I have

had it framed as you see. Far from here ? No, my father owned this piece
of land, too, and 1 built this little house. War ? Yes, my father used to
tell about driving some of the officers, and about the dances, and the old
Blue House and the Block House, and he remembered General Brock and

many officials. My mother, with many others, went to Burlington Bay dur-
ing the war ; my father was a teamster ; hard times they had then. Do you
know what our people used for hairpins then ; there were no stores — what,
perhaps they had stores, but people had no money — well, we used the thorns
from the hawthorn trees, and sometimes used them to pin our clothes to-
gether when they were torn, instead of buttons and hooks and pins.

My mother was a German woman and was brought up by a lady, and my
grandmother came from the States in the Revolutionary war, and went and
lived with the Indians at Chippawa, but tny mother came away to Niagara
and lived as servant with Parson Addison, and when she married my father
in 1818 he gave her a grand wedding out at Lake Lodge. There were fifty
people present, and Rev. John Burns helped to marry them. Where did I
go to school ? Oh, the first school I went to was to a yellow man called
Herbert Holmes— Hubbard Holmes our people called him. I will tell you
afterwards what became of him and how he died. Oh, he was severe, they
were then, you know, but he was a fine man, had been educated by a gen-
tleman in Nova Scotia, and then he went to England for a while, and I
went to school upstairs in the schoolhouse oi the Scotch church ; you know
the first church was burned down in the war and then they used the school-
house where the sexton lives now, and downstairs they had preaching and
Sunday school, and upstairs was a schoolroom for the colored children. It
was a black man taught it. How many ? Oh, it was full— full of children.
The benches were slabs with the flat side up and the bark down, with round
sticks put in slanting for legs. The children all studied aloud, and the one
that made the most noise was the best scholar in those days. Then I went
to a Miss Brooks, from Oberlin, in 1838-9. I remember just how she looked^
and how she dressed; She was delicate and died of consumption ; oh, she
had hard times with some of the boys — bad, rough ones. I remember how
Hubbard Holmes used to drill the boys, and then when holiday time came,
he would march us all in twos to a grocery kept by a black woman, and
treat us ;ill to bulls'-eyes and gingerbread. Holidays were not two months
as they are now, but two weeks. Oh, he was a fine man — but 1 must tell
you how he died.

There was a slave who escaped from Louisville, Kentucky, Solomon
Moseby by name. In those days they followed the north star and that
brought them to Canada. Now, this slave had stolen his master's horse, or
they said so, and so they tracked him and found him here at Niagara, and
he was arrested and put in jail. Yes, where Miss Rye's Western Home is. It
did not look like that then. So you know they could take him back, and
hang him for taking the horse, and so they brought papers, and the lawyers
and the judge said he must go back, and our people were worked up till
they said they would " live with him or die with him." Yes, do or die, that's what
they said, and they went up on that day, crowds and crowds, and the
sheriff, that was McLeod, and the constables and soldiers, and the people,
and children and the white people, crowds and crowds. Did I go? No,

mother took us up on the top of our house, and we could hear the shouting
and the screaming and the screeching and the firing. Ephraim Wheeler
was the jailer, and the theriff went up and down slashing with his sword and
keeping the people back. Many of our people had sword cuts on their
necks. They were armed with all kinds of weapons : pitchforks, rlavls,
sticks, stones. One woman had a large stone in a stocking, and many had
their aprons full of stones, and threw them, too The constables had
muskets, and when the waggon came out of the jail-yard with the prisoner.
Solomon Ivtoseby, sitting in it with handcuffs, to go back to slavery, or be
beaten to death or hanged after he had come all these miles, our people
were nearly frantic, and Hubbard Holmes sprang forward and caught one
horse by the head, and a black man called Green caught the other. Some
one must have sprung in the waggon and knocked off the prisoner's hand-
cuffs, the constables fired, and Hubbard Holmes and Green fell dead, but
Solomon Moseby jumped out and ran off in the direction of Mr. Hiscott's.
Oh, I can remember the screaming and the shouting— but Hubbard Holmes
was dead ! Tragedy ! Yes, he was a martyr, he gave his life to free his brother ;
they said they would live or die with the prisoner, and they did. Oh, what
a funeral that was. Nearly all the people in town coining up to see the dead
bodies when they were laid out, and to the funeral afterwards' Where is he
buried? In the graveyard of the colored church. Monument? No, but
he was a hero. Some of those who helped Hubbard Holmes were taken
up and kept in jail for a month and then they let them out. After some
years Solomon Moseby came back, and meanwhile his wife had come here.

They met in Mr. house, but at first they hardly knew one another, but

it was a sight to see the tears streaming down their faces with joy, but our
people did not give him any encouragement, so he did not stay long, for
they thought when they had suffered so much for him and lives had been
lost, he ought not to have come back. Sunday School ? Yes, some Metho-
dists used to have Sunday School round in the houses of our people, Mr.
Varey and Mrs. Judge Powell and Mis. Whitten went round teaching and
praying. They dressed different from the Methodists now, and Hubbard
Holmes was what they called an exhorter. And I remember when the white
Baptis' and the black Baptis' had the fight about the meeting house, but the
blacks got it. That was in 1839 There are some white people buried there :
a child of Mr. Oakley, who was a teacher and used to exhort, and I went to
another teacher who taught in the Methodist schoolhouse. They used to
baptize in the river ; sometimes there would be fifty immersed in the water
at one time down near where the Queen's hotel is now. And sometimes
they went to the creek near Mr. Burns' orchard, instead of going to the
river, to be baptized.''

And now, from a friend, comes the same story ; the same, and yet dif-
ferent, parts of it explaining what seemed strange in the other, one point
especially, how the handcuffs were so easily got rid of. This narration
gives dignity to the deed of the blacks. It was a well-organized plan, true

MISfe RYE'S HOME— AS IT IS TO-DAY.

THE OLD GAOL— AS IT WAS SIXTY YEARS AGO.
(Now Miss Rye's Home )

steady determination of hundreds to save a companion from the awful fate
which they knew only too well awaited him, a persistent effort on their part
involving self-denial, suffering and risk, which was as truly heroic as many
deeds of which we read in Greek, Scottish or Dutch history, or our own U.
E. Loyalists ; deeds immortalized in song or story.

The story, this time told to my friend by an old man, a full black, is that
the slave Moseby took his master's horse to help him escape, and after
using it some time, abandoned it, and made his way on foot the remaining
distance to Canada. Shortly after he was arrested, and after considerable
legal wrangling, the Canadian authorities consented to deliver him up to
the Americans as a criminal for horse-btealing. Of course, the colored peo-
ple on the Niagara frontier thought it was a shameful surrender. The blacks
then formed a numerous, if not wealthy, element of the Niagara popula-
tion. One of their preachers, Herbert Holmes, who was also a teacher
not like some temporisers, was also a man, although his skin was neither,
white nor black, but yellow. When it was decided that Moseby was to be
returned to slavery, Herbert Holmes, the teacher and preacher, said."Never
while I live," and he at once, with other leading colored citizens, gave the
alarm to all their comrades on the Niagara frontier, and called on them to
come to the rescue at once, and nobly they responded. Few of the blacks
then were better than hewers of wood and drawers of water to their white
brethren, but many instances can be given of self-sacrifice by those to whom
word was sent. Teamsters gave up their situations and lost their wages,
journeys were made to take word to friends, by boys and girls, journeys
difficult and dangerous, for besides those in authority who wanted to sur-
render Moseby, there were a number of black ruffians, as well as whites, who
made their living at times by kidnapping escaped slaves and other colored
people, getting them back over the Niagara river. To the physical hard-
ships endured, which were light, comparatively, add the mental sufferings,
for instance, while the superstitious darkies were passing the numerous

-burial places of the early settlers on their own farms, the runners who were
sent off to give the alarm, journeys often in the night, over nearly im-
passable roads to St. Davids, Drummondville, Chippawa, Fort Erie, Port

^Colborne, then called Granelly Bay, or the Twenty and Forty-Mile Creeks.
The Deputy Sheriff of the Niagara district at this time was McLeod, who
was anxious to have Moseby extradited, but, fortunately, there were some
formalities to be complied with, and before this was done Holmes recruits
had arrived and assembled around the Niagara jail, determined to die be-
fote Moseby was given up. The town was in a ferment, the majority of the
whites were opposed to the surrender but did not want to interfere, and
fortunately for Moseby he had friends even among his guards, and although
attempts were made to get him out secretly from the jail and down to the
ferry, the watchers always were alert, and time after time frustrated the
attempted night delivery of the prisoner. Capt. Eccles and Col. Adams, of
St. Catharines, interested themselves for Moseby, and got up a largely signed

14

petition, but without avail. McLcod wished Capt. Richardson of the Canada
to take Moseby to Lewiston in his vessel, and received for an answer a reply,
forcible and somewhat profane, but this certainly might be a case where the
recording angel might drop a tear to erase the word. It was the answer of
a humane man : that no vessel commanded by him would be used to convey
a man back to slavery. Moseby's owner and the Americans were clamoring

-, for him and at last, after a three weeks' siege of the jail by from 200 to 300
negroes, some say over 400, it was determined to deliver the prisoner on a

— certain day. Many of the white inhabitants of the town had given help in
the way of food and shelter to the blockading army, who had erected tem-
porary huts for shelter for some, as the weather was cold, while others ob-
tained shelter with their colored brethren. Although there were four taverns
in the vicinity of the jail there was not accommodation for all. Special
constables were engaged, a couple of bombardiers from Fort Mississagua
in their gorgeous uniforms, to inspire fear, were detailed to ride on the
waggon, one on each side of the prisoner as he was being conveyed
to the wharf. As there had been numerous false alarms, there were
not so many white spectators as might have been expected, but there
were some hundreds who were nearly all sympathizers. It was thought
during the first week that Moseby's fiiends would soon tire, and it was
given out at different times that the prisoner was to be givdn up, but
Holmes was not thus deceived. He and his were always on hand. Sen-
tinels had been posted on guard, night and day for those three weary weeks.
What a time of excitement this must have been tor all concerned ; it sounds
to us, in these prosaic days, almost beyond belief. The prisoner did not
lack friends inside the prison walls, and Holmes was always warned when
danger threatened.

At last the day came ; the Deputy Sheriff on horseback with a drawn
sword.the waggon with two spirited horses,constables in front on the waggon,
constables on the rear seat of waggon, prisoner handcuffed in the centre
with bombardiers on each side of him, constables with fixed bayonets on
foot, on each side of the waggon and the rear, white spectators on the roofs
of the neighboring houses. The prisoner was handcuffed in the jail yard and
bidden good-bye by Wheeler and helped into the waggon. Outside the
jail the Riot Act was read, and then the gates are thrown open and the spirited
team came out with a rush. Two hundred determined black men on each
side of the road and across in front of the bounding team were there as
well. Most of them, personally, had felt the lash of slavery ; and there also
was Holmes, who, however, had never been in bondage, but had made their
wrongs his own, and deserves all the more credit Alt this recalls the words
of the old rhyme while we survey this striking picture.

" And shall Trelawny die, and shall Trelawny die ?
Then forty thousand Cornishmen will know the reason why.'1

Holmes, although a heavy, corpulent man, was the first to reach the

horses' heads and bring them to a standstill : another man took hold of the
other horse, and a third black man by the name of Green, with a fence rail,
now that the waggon was stopped, ran the rail between the spokes of the
hind wheels and locked the waggon. The prisoner, whose handcuffs had
either not been locked or had been so weakened that they easily brokei
jumped from the waggon into the thickest ot the crowd and disappeared.
All this did not take over two minutes. McLeod on his charger, who, with
his drawn sword was m iking way for the team, had got into an altercation
with a large fat woman who would not make way for him, her ponderosity
happily offering an effectual bar, but on whom he hesitated to use his sword
on looking back and seeing the horses stopped, shouted " Fire ! " and
" Charge," the bombardiers fired, one of them into the air, the other at
Holmes, killing him instantly, and one of the special constables with his
bayonet charged at poor Green, who had just locked the waggon wheels and
had not had time to get away. The prisoner, who was an athletic man,
jumped a rail fence, and ran into a corn field where a man by the name of
Gibson was at work, who is credited with giving him assistance. At a farm
house near Virgil it ts told that he stopped to obtain a drink of water (and
in the same house is still shown an earthenware jar, called " the Holmes
jar," having belonged to our dusky hero atone time), Moseby finally reached
Montreal, and afterwards England, for he was safe neither in Canada nor
the United States, The authorities were enraged at his escape, and flirty
,pr forty of the blacks were immediately arrested and imprisoned in the jaih
the leader next to Holmes being a man named Sims. They were kept
prisoners for some time, and at the breaking out of the rebellion were re-
leased, and joined a colored company, marched to the Falls and afterwards
to Chippawa. Capt. Johnson Clench was their first captain. My informant
"could give no account of the funeral, there being a warrant out against him,
but he escaped and afterwards enlisted with the others, being then a lad of
sixteen.

It is strange how many stories are told of how the handcuffs were re-
moved, showing what a hold this had taken on the popular fancy, and also
how differently people see and narrate the same circumstance, but all show,
ing the sympathy felt for the prisoner. One tells that the blacksmith who
made the fetters, So constructed them as to be easily opened ; another that
a file was conveyed to Moseby in food sent in to him; another, that a friendly
turnkey helped him, and still another, that when he left the waggon, the
handcuffs were still on, and then he ran to a large stone in a field and struck
them off. One of the constables lost a finger in the contest as was welj
known to many in town.

Another vivid word picture ot the same scene was given by a gentleman
from Toronto, the story being told him by Father Henson, of Chatham, who
was either a witness or was told of it by a participator in the scene. A
touch of local color is given which will be appreciated by those who have
wandered over the common at Niagara, or as it is called in Kirby's Canadian

:6

Idylls, " Niagara Plain, '' ot late years given over to herds of cows wander-
ing at their sweet will, marching sometimes in procession once a day to the
riyer to drink ; at one time of the year dotted with the white tents of the
Canadian volunteers, the scarlet coats contrasting with the pleasing dark
blue of the cavalry, while a hundred years ago thousands of Indians assenv
bled to make a treaty with the whites, while again the booming of cannons
at the taking of Fort George, and still again the blaze from the burning
town, casting a glare on the inhabitants fleeing over the snow for shelten
while now the summer visitor, all unconscious of these sad memories, gath-
ers bunches of ox eyed daisies or fragrant sweet briar. This historic plain
forms part of the military reserve ; near by is Butler's barracks, then sur-
rounded by a high palisade, not far off the historic " thorn trees '' : midway
between the jail and the wharf a creek now dry in summer. Near by, the
Hospital formerly the Indian Council Chamber, the site now shown by somo
fine old trees. A wooden bridge crossed some low ground near the jail and
the idea of the blacks was to use no violence, but the women were instructed
to stand on the bridge forming a solid mass, so that there would be some
time taken up in dispersing them, which would cause a diversion and give
time and opportunity to the prisoner to escape in the confusion. The women
sang hymns Let us fancy we hear the sound, on that broad plain, of the
sweet African voices, singing, perhaps, some of those wondrously sweet and
plaintive melodies made iamiliar to us by the Jubilee singers, all around
the forest, over all the blue sky, and between the bridge and the jail, a line
of black men watching for their brother, whom they had determined to
rescue. The crowd sang till all were excited, then when the constables got
out of the waggon to clear the way, rails were taken down from the fence,
which proved to be effective weapons ; some were stuck in the waggon
wheels, and thus an opportunity for escape was given. A stone in a stock-
ing formed a formidable weapon for the women. Another informant tells
that the black women, worked up to a nigh pitch of fury, did "grievous
bodily harm" to some of the officials who never liked to have this episode
referred to afterwards. A lady from St. Catharines, prominent in good
works, told me she remembered as one of her earliest recollections, seeing
a waggon full of black men standing up driving wildly through St. David's
to the rescue, and that one of these men returned with a pike wound
through his cheek.

Singularly enough, after writing the above, comes another version of the
story which disputes my title of hero. Through the kindness of J. P. Mer-
ritt, Esq. of St. Catharines, access was obtained to a newspaper file of 1837,
bound volumes of the St. Catharines Journal. The thought had often ob-
truded itself that another side of the story might call this band of men, try-
ing to save a brother, a mob, or even by a harsher name, and what all who
had told the story had called heroism, might be called rebellion or treason.
How far it is right to resist constituted authority is a question yet unsettled.
The difference between a patriot and a rebel, perhaps, depends on his

measure of success. If successful a patriot and here, if unsuccessful a
rebel and traitor. In the issue of the Journal for Sept. 21, 1837, is an article
headed " Mobocracy in Canada.'' The articles give us another link in the
history of our country, for here is a reference to the Christian Guardian, pub-
lished sixty years ago, and another to William Lyon Mackenzie, certainly
using very vigorous language in regard to both. The article headed
" Mobocracy in Canada '' begins thus : " A most lamentable and exciting
occurrence took place a few days ago, in the town of Niagara, by which two
colored men lost their lives, and several others were seriously injured. A
runaway slave from Kentucky (here follows the story). Application was
made to the Lieutenant-Governor to remove said felon, which was granted.
An armed mob, principally of colored people of all sexes and conditions,
having collected about the jail, several magistrates, soldiers and constables
were called in, the Riot Act was read, the mob rushed on the officers with
clubs and knives, the military were ordered to fire ; but the grand object of
the mob was gained, as the prisoner escaped ; $100 is offered by the sheriff
as a reward for his capture. A coroner's inquest was held. The pretext
of the blacks for their violent conduct was the suspicion that the slave was
not to be punished as a horse thief, but to be returned to slavery, losing
sight of the enormity of the crime of resisting the law."

It seems by the issue of Sept. 28th. that the Christian Guardian had given
in Us columns a statement that a verdict of " wilful murder " against the
Deputy Sheriff had been given, and a very abusive article follows against
the Christian Guardian, which, the Journal says, waited a week to get the facts
of the case, and then accuses the Deputy Sheriff of wilful murder : " We
may search the records of human depravity in vain for a parallel of crime
for its appropriate title." The words quoted from the Christian Guardian
seem hardly to deserve this tirade : " That the Deputy Sheriff in ordering
the military to fire on an unarmed assemblage, who offered no violence,
several minutes after the escape of the prisoner, exceeded his authority.''
An extract from the Niagara Chronicle gives the account of the inquest ; "At
10 o'clock on Sunday morning, Sept. 24th, the jury having been confined
seventeen hours, returned their verdict unanimously in the case of Herbert
Holmes, 'justifiable homicide,' by twelve of the jurors ; in the case of Jacob
Green, " That the deceased was killed by a wound inflicted by a sharp cut-
ting instrument, but whether justifiably or unjustifiably there is not sufficient
evidence before the jury to decide." Between the verdict of the jury on
the 24th, and the article on the 27th, there were two mails and six steam-
boat arrivals from Niagara. Some very strong language is used against
those " who under the sacred garb of Christianity aim insidious and well-
directed blows against the foundations of social order. We are no more
fond of slavery than of mob law. We would rather prostitute our columns
to the service of the master who deals in flesh and blood, than to him who
was a murderer from the beginning." In the Journal of Oct. 4th, the editor
returns to the charge thus : l- In his paper of Oct. 4th, the editor of the

i8

Guardian apologizes for the falsehood respecting the verdict of the jury,
the regret is only for that one unttuth, and none for the encouragement of
mobocracy. Is it not enough that that vilest of all vile creatures, Macken-
zie, openly applauded those ' fine fellows who watched ten days and nights
at the jail door,' but that the Christian Guardian should throw in a sly wink
of approbation at their infatuated conduct." In the issue of Oct. iQth we
find that the Guardian Declines to exchange with the Journal, and speaks
slightingly of Mackenzie, comparing the editor of the Journal with him. In
the Niagara Reporter, Nov. Qth, Thomas Sewell shows that the Guardian
could not have had the news in time for correction, but in the next issue of
the Journal is another long article abusing the Guardian, and it is to be hoped
this newspaper war, continued for three months, was soon brought to a
close. All this, however, shows the interest taken in the slave.

Since writing the above, it has been discovered that there are several
persons living in Niagara who were present at the jail, when these thrilling
scenes took place, and whose account agrees almost word for word with
that related, In the Niagara Reporter, Sept. 14, 1837, lately found, is a long
description blaming Sir Francis Bond Head for his action, and describing
the excitement ; and in Mrs. Jameson's " Sketches of Canada " is mentioned
her meeting with Mrs. Carter, commonly called " Sally1' Carter, a strong
fine-looking black woman, who harangued the mob in the most eloquent
manner.

Many stories might be gathered up, if not so exciting as this, still very
interesting, and could this be collected and made public much light might
might be thrown on the past, and many missing links of Canadian history
supplied.

A O.

PREFACE.

T has long been desired that the history of the seven
months' occupation of Niagara, by the Americans, till
now an unwritten chapter in our history, might be
given to the public ; and we rejoice that the story is
now to be told by one who is at once so able and so well informed,
and who has made the history of this period and this locality the
study of his life. Major Cruikshank needs no introduction to those
interested in the history of Canada, and who are already familiar
witli the close research, patient investigation and judicial impar-
tiality which mark his historical papers. " The Blockade of Fort
George" is the sequel to pamphlet No. 1 of the Society, " The
Taking of Fort George," and brings the story down to the burning
of the town in December. 1813.

The Niagara Historical Society, in sending out this third
pamphlet, desires to do its share in proving the fact, so long denied,
that Canada has indeed a noble history, and would hope that the
same favor granted to its other publications may be accorded to this.

o:

H

g-i

•£ - BB^'S

£ fj If * 3 •s

a"S a 2 to «
I s. g "s 5. e

s*

u "2

DC *
£2 o
H £

5

DP

.
3 $ -2 "°

•C OJ-O p. g -w

S ^ — S-s 5

" g c3 g A 7;

" ~

THE BATTLE OF STONEY CREEK AND THE
BLOCKADE OF FORT GEORGE.

On the afternoon of the 27th of May, 1813, the left wing of
the weak division commanded by Brigadier-General Vincent was
driven from its position at Niagara with severe loss, both of men
and munitions of war, and began its retreat by way of St. Davids
and DeCew's Falls. Colonel Robert Nichol, the Quartermaster-
General of Militia, relates that General Vincent at first intended to
retire to Fort Erie, in the hope of maintaining himself there until
he could be joined by Colonel Procter's division from the Detroit
River, and that only his own strong objections, supported by Lieut. -
Colonel Harvey and Captain Milnes of the Governor-General's staff,
prevented him from adopting that very hazardous course and
induced him to retreat upon Burlington Heights instead.

The numerous small detachments posted at the batteries along
the river, between Queenston and Chippawa, dismantled their works
and joined the retreating column in the course of the afternoon,
and a halt was made for the night at the Beaver Dams, where a
small magazine of ammunition and provisions had been formed
several days before, in anticipation of this emergency. Before morn-
ing Lieut. -Colonel Cecil Bisshopp came in with the greater part of
the force which had been watching the river and lake shore between
Chippawa and Point Abino, and two companies of the 8th Regi-
ment, accompanied by a few officers and seamen of the Royal Navy
under Captain R. H. Barclay on the way to join the Lake Erie
squadron, marched across the country from Twenty-Mile Creek,
where they had arrived in boats from Burlington the preceding-
afternoon en route for Fort George.

All the heavy artillery mounted on the fortifications and a
great proportion of the bulkiest stores of the army were necessarily
destroyed or abandoned, and the militia residing on the south side
of the Chippawa were instructed to disband.

It soon appeared that there was little danger of molestation
from pursuit. The American army was too much exhausted by the
efforts of the day to follow far. General Dearborn and his second
in command, General Lewis, even seem to have been in some doubt
as to the direction of Vincent's retreat. A party of light infantry
had advanced cautiously along the Queenston road for two or three

miles when it was peremptorily recalled from fear of an ambuscade.
Several of their armed vessels then ascended the river to cover the
passage of Colonel Burn with a regiment of dragoons and a body
of heavy artillery from the Five Mile Meadows. These troops
crossed several hours too late to intercept Vincent's retreat as had
been projected. Yet on the whole the invading army was decidedly
elated by its partial success, gained with trifling loss, and it was
triumphantly announced that "the American flag now proudly
waves over the Pandora's box of the frontiers."

Before night came Dearborn was again quite prostrated by
illness and fatigue, and retired to his quarter's at Fort Niagara,
leaving orders for General Lewis to continue the pursuit at day-
break next morning in the direction of the Beaver Dams, where it
was then reported that the British intended to make a stand. The
village and neighboring farm houses were found to be almost entirely
^deserted. Many of the inhabitants had fled to the hamlet at the
mouth of the Twelve-Mile Creek, already sometimes known as St.
Catharines, whither several of the wounded militia men from the
battle-field were also conveyed by their sorrowing friends. Most of
-the houses near the fort had been riddled with cannon-shot during
the tremendous bombardment of the last two days, and were scarcely
habitable.

The invaders soon obtained from their sympathizers a very
accurate estimate of the force opposed to them, but remained in
uncertainty as to its movements. General Lewis, with the brigades
of Chandler and Winder, besides some dragoons and riflemen,
moved in pursuit as instructed, but failed to reach Queenston until
afternoon. He then ascertained that a party of the Lincoln Militia,
led by Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Clark, had re-occupied that place
during the morning and destroyed or concealed all the stores aban-
doned there the day before. Finding comfortable quarters for the
night at Queenston, easy-going General Lewis halted there for the
night with Winder's brigade, but directed Chandler to advance to
St. Davids. Chandler occupied St. Davids just before dark and
encamped there.

During the day considerable numbers of the Lincoln Militia
had joined General Vincent in expectation of a battle, but as he
feared that his opponent might re-embark his troops in the fleet and
cut his line of communication by taking possession of Burlington
before he could arrive, it was announced that all who desired were
at liberty to return to their homes. Every wagon that could be
found was instantly 'impressed to remove the stores, and the retreat
was continued to the Forty-Mile Creek, thirty-one miles from
Niagara. The remainder of the militia, with the exception of -sixty

picked men who were determined to follow the fortunes of the
army, were there disbanded and advised to remain quietly at their
homes until their services were again required.

Lieut.-Colonel J. P. Preston of the 12th United States Infantry
crossed the river during the day from Black Kock with about 600
men, and took possession of the dismantled works at Fort Erie with-
out opposition. Before night it was definitely ascertained that Vin-
cent was retiring towards the head of the lake, and Dearborn then
determined to recall Lewis and embark his division in the hope of
intercepting him at Burlington. Chauncey readily agreed to this
proposition, Lewis had returned to Fort George on the afternoon of
the 29th, and preparations for the movement were far advanced,
when a messenger arrived from Sackett's Harbor with the alarming
intelligence that the British squadron had appeared on the lake and
was menacing that port, where all their naval stores were collected
•and a large new ship of war lay on the stocks nearly ready for
launching. In fact the result of the disastrous bombardment of
Fort George had become known little more than twenty-four hours
later to the Governor-General of Canada at Kingston, and he
promptly determined to put the greater part of the garrison on
board such of the vessels in the harbor as had been pronounced
ready for service, and attempt a diversion in favor of the hardly
pressed Vincent by a sudden counter-stroke at the American base of
•operations. This well-planned movement was only partially suc-
cessful, but it actually put an end to the proposed expedition by
water against Burlington, gave Vincent time to refresh his wearied
men, and secured the command of the lake for two months to come.
Chauncey decided that he must return to the protection of Sackett's
Harbor without delay, yet the 30th was wholly consumed in the
•embarkation of Macomb's regiment of artillery, and he did not sail
until the afternoon of the next day.

Vincent halted for two days at the Forty-Mile Creek, during
which his scouts and spies seem to have kept him well informed of
the movements of the enemy, although they estimated his force at
ten thousand when it probably did not exceed seven. His appre-
hensions as to the disaffection of many of the inhabitants had cer-
tainly not abated, for in a letter of the 29th he wrote : —

" I cannot conceal from Your Excellency my conviction that,
unless some disaster attends their progress, that force will daily
increase. My sentiments regarding the militia are already known,
-and it will not be supposed that their attachment to our cause can
be very steady under the peculiar complexion of the present times."

On that day Captain Merritt, with a party of the Provincial
Dragoons, had patroled the lake road as far as St. Catharines with-

6

out meeting the enemy, but learned that some of their mounted
men had been seen near DeCew's. A wounded militia officer, who
had been paroled by them, informed him of their movement upon.
Queenston and affirmed his belief that they were preparing to pur-
sue in force. He was at once sent on to warn General Vincent,
while the dragoons were posted so as to observe all the approaches,
to the camp. At night Merritt retired to the Twenty, where he
was overtaken by Major Pinkney and two other American officers
bearing a flag of truce, ostensibly for the purpose of communicating
an unimportant message from General Dearborn that the families of
the officers and soldiers left behind at Niagara would be permitted
to go to York or Kingston if Vincent would send a vessel to
receive them. Their real mission was, of course, to obtain informa-
tion to facilitate the pursuit.

On the last day of May Vincent resumed his march, and at
night took up a very strong position on Beaseley's farm at Burling-
ton Heights, where he then proposed making a stand until he
received reinforcements or instructions to retire further. Flanked
on one side b}^ the lake and on the other by a broad and impassable
marsh, his encampment could only be approached in front by a nar-
row neck of land blocked by a h'eld work, behind which he planted
the whole of his artillery. So important did he consider the occu-
pation of this position that he declared " without it he could neither
retain possession of the peninsula nor make a safe exit from it."

His last outpost, a party of thirty men that had remained at
Fort Erie until the morning of the 28th to keep up a cannonade
and destroy the works, joined him before morning, and Vincent
then had at his command a compact and efficient body of eighteen
hundred officers and men, with eleven guns. A braver and better
disciplined force could not have been assembled on the continent.
Five companies of the 8th or King's Regiment under Major (after-
wards Major-General) James Ogilvie, in spite of appalling losses,
both at York and Fort George, still numbered 382 of all ranks. The
wing of the 41st mustered 400, but was notably deficient in officers,,
having only ten for five companies, and but two captains. The
battalion of the 49th had been reduced by casualties to 631 officers,
and men, while the detachment of Royal Artillery (four officers and
sixty men) was much too weak to work their guns without assist-
ance from the infantry. The 49th was commanded by Major C. A.
Plenderleath and the artillery by Major William Holcroft, well tried
and excellent officers. The small detachments of the Royal New-
foundland and Glengarry Regiments had behaved splendidly in the
recent action. The militia, including Runchey's colored corps and
Merritt's Dragoons, numbered only 131, but these were men of un-

doubted loyalty and courage, thoroughly acquainted with the
country and its inhabitants.

Vincent himself can scarcely be termed a brilliant soldier, but
his talents were respectable and he was certainly a man of energy,
resolution, and dauntless courage. These qualities had already so
strongly impressed the Governor-General that he remarked that
General Vincent had "displayed superior talents and ability and a
determination worthy of a British soldier." He was then forty-
eight years of age and had been thirty years in the army. Promo-
tion had been slow, and long service in the West Indies, followed
by a year in a French prison, had seriously injured his health. He
'had seen war in San Domingo, at the Helder and at Copenhagen in
Nelson's great battle.

Lieut.-Colonel John Harvey, Deputy Adjutant-General and prin-
cipal staff officer to this division, although thirteen years younger
than the General, had a far more varied experience of actual warfare.
As an ensign in the 80th he had carried the colors of his regiment
through the severe campaign of 1794 in Holland. Next year he
took part in the ill-starred expedition to Isle Dieu and Quiberon
Bay, and in 1796 served at the conquest of the Cape of Good Hope.
During the three following years he saw some hard bush-fighting
in the interior of Ceylon, and shared in the glory of Abercrombie's
expedition to Egypt. Returning to India, he served on the staff of
General Dowdeswell during the Mahratta war of 1803-5, under
Lord Lake, whose daughter he married. For the past three years
he had been Assistant Adjutant-General for the south-eastern dis-
trict of England. Arriving at Halifax in the winter, when the St.
Lawrence was blocked by ice, he determined, without hesitation, to
attempt the fatiguing march overland on snow shoes to Quebec, and,
being detailed for duty in Upper Canada, he went on at once to
Niagara. Great confidence was justly placed in his undoubted
ability and experience of war in all its phases.

Lieut.-Colonel Cecil Bisshopp, Inspecting Field Officer, was
another officer of more than ordinary talent and promise. The only
surviving son of Sir Cecil Bisshopp, Bart., of Parham, Sussex, he
had entered the guards at an early age, and as military attache had
accompanied Sir John Borlase Warren in his embassy to St. Peters-
burg. On his return he accompanied his regiment to Spain and
served during the entire campaign under Sir John Moore, ending
with the memorable battle of Corunna. He acted as a staff officer
during the siege of Flushing. Soon after this he was elected mem-
ber of Parliament for the borough of Newport in the Isle of Wight,
but in 1809 he volunteered for service in Portugal, where he acted
as aide-de-camp to Sir Arthur Wellesley until he obtained his

8

majority. After war was declared by the United States he received
his present appointment, and had commanded the right wing since
November, 1812, when he had frustrated General Smyth's attempt
at invasion near Fort Erie. " Though heir to an ancient title and a
very considerable fortune," says the Gentleman's Magazine of that
year, " nothing could damp his military ardor or lessen the zeal
which ever stimulated him to the discharge of the duties of his
profession. He was humane, generous, noble."

Ogilvie of the 8th, Plenderleath and Dennis of the 49th, the
latter of whom had barely recovered from wounds received at
Queenston, and Holcroft of the artillery, were all very capable offi-
cers. Captain H. B. O. Milnes, aide-de-camp to Sir George Prevost,
a very promising young soldier, who was destined to meet his death
in an unimportant skirmish a couple of months later, was tempo-
rarily attached to this division as a staff-officer.

In his new position Vincent felt tolerably secure for a few
days at least, and sent an urgent message for a detachment of the
8th, which he expected to be on its march from Kingston, to hurry
forward. At the same time he attempted to relieve the distress of
Colonel Procter's division for want of provisions by sending a few
trusty officers of the militia to purchase cattle and drive them to
Detroit. The military chest was empty, and he was forced to bor-
row five hundred guineas from Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Clark for
this purpose. The departure of the American fleet from Niagara
was made known to him the same night, but he supposed at first
that York was its destination and expressed the hope that the
British squadron would soon be upon the lake to meet it and give
him an opportunity of retaking Fort George. Yet at this moment,
when he was already calmly proposing to take the offensive, his
troops were suffering greatly for want of " shoes, stockings, blan-
kets, tents and shirts " — in fact nearly everything that could con-
tribute to their comfort in the field.

Upon the return of Major Pinkney's flag of truce to the
American camp, General Winder was directed to move in pursuit,
and on the morning of the 1st of June, he began his march with
two companies of artillery, a squadron of dragoons, a detachment
of riflemen and the 5th, 13th, 14th, and 16th regiments of United
States Infantry. Heavy rains had fallen during the last few daya
and the roads were deep with mud, but his advance guard, consisting
of 400 dragoons, riflemen and light infantry, moved forward that
day to the Fifteen Mile Creek, while the main body arrived at St.
Catharines. A second flag of truce was sent on to inform General
Vincent that twenty-three British prisoners had been placed in
close confinement as hostages for the safety of an equal number of

9

American soldiers of British birth taken at Queenston and sent to
England to be tried for treason.

A deserter from Winder's brigade came into Vincent's lines
next day and furnished a very accurate statement of his force and
its movements. At the time the British general entertained no fears
as to the probable result of an attack unless it was made by over-
whelming numbers, and described his own troops as being "in great
spirits" and " waiting most anxiously for an order to return to Fort
George." John Norton had come in with a few Mohawks and
declared his firm determination " to exert himself to annoy the
enemy, and should he be thwarted in this country in prevailing
upon a sufficient number of warriors to second his endeavors," that
he would appeal to the Western Indians for support. The remainder
of the Grand River Indians had returned to their settlements
immediately after the capture of Fort George, and, having driven
away their cattle and concealed their families in the woods, were
now said to be assembling at a place fourteen miles from Burlington,
but it was hinted that they were discreetly holding off through fear
of losing their lands if the Americans succeeded.

On the 2d, Winder's light troops drove Merritt's videttes back
from the Twenty, and on the following day advanced to the Forty
Mile Creek, taking three of his troopers and forcing the remainder
to retire behind Stoney Creek quite worn out by fatigue and loss of
sleep. General Chandler was then instructed to join Winder, with
a third company of artillery, another detachment of rifles and the
9th, 23d and 25th regiments of infantry, and assume command of
the whole force. On the evening of the 4th he overtook Winder at
the Forty, and advanced next morning with the intention of march-
ing across Burlington Beach and turning Vincent's left flank. At
three o'clock, Captain Hindman, who was leading the advance, con-
sisting of three companies of artillery acting as light infantry,
Lytle's company of riflemen and Selden's troop of dragoons, came
upon the British out-picket commanded by Captain Williams of the
49th. The picket retired through the woods, firing briskly as they
went, and finally made. a determined stand in and about a saw mill
where the main road crossed Stoney Creek. One of Hindman's
men having been killed and several wounded in an unsuccessful
attempt to dislodge them, General Chandler ordered up the 25th
Infantry to support the riflemen, when the British abandoned their
position and disappeared in the woods.

Colonel Harvey advanced to support Williams with the light
company of the 8th and a few dragoons, but found that the Ameri-
cans had already abandoned the pursuit and were preparing to
encamp. This gave him an excellent opportunity to reconnoitre

10

their position, of which he made good use. He picked up one or
two prisoners and was joined by a deserter, from whom he obtained
some valuable information. On his .return he reported that "the
enemy's camp guards were few and negligent ; that his line of
encampment was long and broken ; that his artillery was feebly
supported; and that several of his corps were placed too far to the
rear to aid in repelling a blow which might be rapidly struck in
front." A piece of woods extending close to the front of their
encampment would serve at once to mask the advance of an assail-
ing force and to cover its retreat. He warmly advised an attack
that night. Vincent was the more disposed to assent as he had be-
come convinced that his own position was scarcely tenable against
so large a force. " This position, though strong for a large body,"
he wrote, " is far too extensive for me to hope to make any success-
ful stand against the superior force understood to be advancing
against me in three separate points, viz., by the lake, by the centre
road, and by the mountain on my right. The attack, I knew, would
not be delayed ; I had neither time nor inclination precipitately
to retreat from my position." He had already for some time been
considering the advisability of an offensive movement if an oppor-
tunity offered, for on the 4th he had informed the Adjutant-Gen-
eral: "By a report I have just received from my outposts, an
attack cannot be far distant. As circumstances are at present, I am
determined, if possible, to be beforehand with them." Since writing
that, however, the enemy's force had been nearly doubled and the
chances of failure proportionately increased.

General Chandler, who now commanded the American troops
at Stoney Creek, had been a blacksmith in early life and " the
poorest man in the settlement " where he lived. He became a tavern
keeper and soon grew wealthy. In 1805 he was elected a repre-
sentative in Congress from Massachusetts and served two terms. As
a reward for political activity, he was appointed in the first place a
Major-General in the militia of his own State, and, on the increase
of the regular army at the declaration of war, a Brigadier-General
in the service of the United States. He was then fifty-three years
of age and had not the slightest military education or experience,
and as one of his associates remarked, " the march from the anvil
and the dram shop in the wane of life to the dearest actions of the
tented field is not to be achieved in a single campaign."

Winder, his second in command, had been an able and success-
ful lawyer in Baltimore. Once a warm Federalist, he had lately
changed sides and his defection was at once rewarded by a com-
mission as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 14th United States Infantry,
then being recruited in Maryland. In November, 1812, he had

11

directed the unsuccessful operations for the passage of the river be-
low Fort Erie and acquitted himself creditably. During the winter
he had been summoned to Washington to advise the Cabinet, and
was supposed to be intimately acquainted with the plan of cam-
paign. " Colonel Winder is here," says a contemporary letter, " a
kind of Secretary of War, and, like Bonaparte, has a room full of
maps, plans, &c., &c., enveloped in which you can just see his little
head, and of that little head much is expected." His aptitude and
ability so strongly impressed even a veteran like Harvey that he
declared that he possessed "more talent than all the rest of the
Yankee generals put together."

General Chandler asserted in his defence that he told Winder,,
" if the enemy intended to fight them, he would commence the
attack before morning, and with this expectation arrangements
were made." It was growing dark when the light troops were
recalled. None of his men had eaten during the march, and were
then ordered to build fires and cook some distance from the ground
it was intended to occupy for the night, the light infantry and
25th regiment in the meadow about 150 yards in front, and the
remainder on a high ridge in rear and to the left of the road.
About eight hundred men, consisting of the 13th and 14th regi-
ments of infantry and Archer's artillery company, were detached
under Colonel Christie to take up a position near the mouth of the
creek for the protection of a flotilla of boats conveying the baggage
and supplies for the division which was expected to arrive there
during the night. It was nearly midnight when the remainder of
the force received orders to form their encampment, those in front
being instructed to leave their line of tires burning, while the h'res
on the high ground in rear were to be extinguished. The ground
selected for the men to lie on was a piece of level upland, protected
in front by a steep descent, along the brow of which ran a stout
fence of logs and rails. On either side of this fence a number of
trees had been felled years before, but not cleared away, about
which thorns and briars had grown up to form an almost impene-
trable thicket in some places. The low, level meadows beneath
were spongy with long continued rain. "On the left the mountain
and woods shut down so close upon the meadow as to render that
flank quite secure, and the right was equally protected by a swamp,
which approached it in that quarter." Six field guns belonging to
Leonard's and Towson's companies were planted on the brow of the
upland, to command the main road to Burlington. The 25th regi-
ment was posted on the right of the artillery, the infantry in rear
was instructed to move obliquely forward towards the road and
fence, and in the event of an attack, the 23rd was to form in rear

12

of the guns with the 16th, 5th and light troops on its left. A
squadron of dragoons was encamped on the road behind. The 9th
Infantry, being the weakest regiment in the division, was detailed
to form the rearguard, nearly a mile away. A strong main guard
was mounted at a small church or meeting house, almost half a mile
in advance, with an outlying picket on the right of the meadow
near the edge of the swamp, and another on the left, close to the
base of the mountain. A chain of sentinels was then posted around
the entire camp. As these arrangements were made in the dark, it
is probable that they were very imperfectly executed. The soldiers
were ordered to ground arms, take off knapsacks and lie down
on their blankets as they stood in their companies and sections.
The artillery horses stood in their harness near the guns.

From a return prepared by Major Johnson, Assistant Adjutant
General, it appears that General Chandler's division mustered 2,643
rank and file that morning before marching from Forty Mile Creek.
Including the officers and other supernumeraries, its total strength
must have slightly exceeded 3000 of all ranks. One hundred and
eighty men remained behind on guard or sick, and, eight hundred
having been detached to the mouth of the creek, left about two
thousand in camp.

The two generals remained together for several hours in
Chandler's tent, which was pitched close beside Gage's house, and it
was nearly one o'clock when the 25th regiment moved into its
position for the night. The men, excited by the events of the day
and the near prospect of a battle, were noisy and wakeful. Several
times after that the fires on the ridge blazed up or were rekindled,
and the orders for their extinction were repeated.

Just before midnight the column detailed for the attack
marched out of the lines at Burlington, seven miles distant. It
consisted of 280 officers and men of the 8th, under Major Ogilvie,
and 424 of the 49th, commanded by Major Plenderleath. Colonel
Harvey conducted the force and appears to have directed its opera-
tions, but was accompanied by General Vincent and a small staff
of volunteers, eager to share in the perils of the enterprise, among
whom were Brigade Major J. B. Glegg, Captain P. L. Chambers
of the 41st, who had just arrived with despatches from Detroit, and
Captains McDouall and Milnes, both aides to the Governor General,
lately sent from Kingston on a similar service. Colonel Bisshopp,
with the remainder of the division, manned the works at Burling-
ton in readiness to cover the retreat in the event of disaster.

The weather was as favorable as could be well desired for an
attack with a small force. A cloudy sky and a light mist rising
from the wet ground made the darkness almost impenetrable. Al-

13

though the mud impeded the inarch it effectually muffled the sound
of their footsteps.

The light companies of the two regiments, led by Captain
Munday of the 8th and Lieut. Danford of the 49th, headed the
column, followed by the remainder of the 49th in the centre and
the 8th in rear. It was nearly three o'clock when the advance came
upon the first American outpost. The sentry on the road, being
half asleep and quite ignorant of his duties, was taken prisoner
without noise, and readily gave every information in his power.
Nothing could then be seen of the main guard, but it was soon dis-
covered that they had gone to sleep in the church, where they were
surrounded and captured to a man. The remaining sentries "were
approached and bayoneted in the quietest manner," and the eager
light companies dashed forward among the smouldering camp fires
in the meadow, which they supposed were still surrounded by
sleeping enemies. To their great surprise they found them abso-
lutely deserted, and halting within their glare hurriedly began to
fix flints. The groans of the dying and the rush of the advancing
column alarmed some of the surviving sentries, who discharged their
arms at random in the darkness, and in an instant the entire camp
was aroused.

General Chandler, who had not gone to sleep, instantly mounted
his horse and gave orders for the troops next his tent to form for
action, which was done in a moment, as they had only to rise to
their feet and seize their arms. He then sent an officer to direct
General Winder to advance to the fence on the brow of the height
with the infantry on the left. From this position the British
column could be seen by the light of the fires beneath in the act of
deploying to the left, while the American line of battle was quite
invisible to them. The American light infantry and 5th and 25th
regiments began firing, followed by the artillery. The 49th suffered
severely while deploying, and was thro wn into great confusion.
At this critical moment Major Plenderleath, with the assistance of
Sergeant-Major Alexander Fraser, hastily assembled fifteen or
twenty men and rushed at the guns, whose position was disclosed
by a vivid sheet of flame. Two discharges swept harmlessly over
their heads as they climbed the height, and before they could re-
load a third time the gunners were bayoneted or flying for their
lives. Without hesitation this gallant little band plunged into the
midst of the nearest body of infantry, which instantly dispersed,
leaving the artillery horses and ammunition waggons in their
possession. Plenderleath's timely onset was decisive. The remain-
der of the 49th came rapidly to his support. The American line
was cut in two, four of their guns taken, and the others silenced.

14

Ogilvie led the 8th against the 5th and 16th United States Infan-
try forming the left of their line. Lieut. Hooper, commanding one
of the companies, was killed in this charge, but the regiment
carried the heights, entirely dispersing the 16th and driving the
5th back upon the dragoons.

Meanwhile General Chandler, while riding to the right, had his
horse shot under him, and was much stunned and bruised by the
fall. Returning on foot towards the artillery, which he noticed had
ceased firing, he walked directly into the midst of the 49th. He
attempted to conceal himself under a gun carriage, but was igno-
miniously dragged out by the strong arm of gigantic Sergeant
Fraser, to whom he gave up his sword. A few minutes later
General Winder was dismounted, and taken prisoner in a very
similar manner.

The scattered and bewildered American infantry made several
creditable attempts to rally. Wherever they could be seen they
were immediately charged and dispersed. Their dragoons mounted
and attempted a charge, which ended in riding down some of their
own 16th Infantry. Desultory fighting continued in various parts
of the field until day began to break, when Harvey found himself
in possession of the enemy's camp it is true, but with his small
force much scattered and diminished. Officers had lost their com-
mands in the darkness, and wandered blindly about the field seek-
ing them. General Vincent himself had disappeared, and was
supposed to have been killed or taken prisoner. Companies had
become separated from their battalions, and sections from their
companies. His loss in killed and wounded had been severe, parti-
cularly among the officers. Major Dennis had received two gunshot
wounds and was sorely bruised by the fall of his horse, which had
been killed under him. Ensign Drury, who carried the King's
color of the 49th, was mortally wounded, but struggled forward
until he could give it into the keeping of another officer. Brevet-
Major Clerk, Captain Manners, Adjutant Stean of the 49th, Major
Ogilvie, Captains Munday and Goldrick, Lieutenants Boyd and
Weyland of the 8th, and Fort-Major Taylor, was also among the
injured. A large escort had been sent off with the prisoners. ;in<l
Harvey could not have had five hundred men left fit for duty at
this time. He was encumbered by many wounded men. and the
enemy, although driven from the field, was not routed, but seemed
to be assembling in force to renew the contest. They still had
several' field-guns, and their cavalry, and two or three infantry
regiments had taken little or no part in the action. Harvey
prudently determined to retreat before they had recovered from
their confusion and could discern the weakness of their assailants
and bring forward these fresh troops.

15

Most of the wounded were collected and removed, but several,
including Major Clerk and Captain Manners, were too badly hurt to
be taken away. Two of the captured guns, after being removed
some distance, were abandoned for want of horses to haul them.
A brass howitzer, with its limber and tumbril and one iron six-
pounder were brought off, with nine captured horses. Besides the
two Generals, Major VanDeVenter of their staff, Captain Steel com-
manding the 16th Regiment, Captain Mills of the 23d, five sub-
alterns and 116 non-commissioned officers and privates were taken
prisoners.

The British casualties on this occasion amounted to twenty-
three killed, one hundred and thirty-six wounded and fifty-five
missing, or rather more than a fourth of the whole number engaged.
The 8th lost eighty-three, and the 49th one hundred and thirty of
all ranks.

That of their opponents is more difficult to ascertain. No
official and detailed return was ever published. One account, which
has been frequently repeated, places it at seventeen killed, thirty-
eight wounded, and only ninety-nine missing, whereas, one hundred
and twenty-five prisoners were certainly brought off. Even this,
is greatly at variance with official statements. General Dearborn,
in a letter written from Fort George on the evening of the same
day, asserted the entire loss did not exceed thirty, and remarked
"that by some strange fatality both Generals Chandler and Winder
were taken prisoners." Probably he had not then learned the full
extent of the disaster. The command devolved upon Colonel Burn
of the 2d Dragoons. An extract from his official letter was pub-
lished, but it contains no statement of loss. Major Smith, who
commanded the 25th Infantry, reported that his regiment alone lost
forty-two in killed and wounded, and there is no reason to suppose
that it suffered more than several others. The 16th, for instance,
after losing its commander fell into irretrievable confusion, some of
its companies firing on each other. Unofficial accounts frankly
admitted a serious reverse.

One letter, printed in Paulson's American, published in
Philadelphia, dated at Fort George on the 9th of June, relates that
"at daybreak we could not muster more than sixty of our regiment,
the remainder being killed, wounded or prisoners. Of the fine
battalion of artillery not more than seventy were left. Captain
Biddle's company only mustered twenty men. The British carried
off two pieces of cannon and two or three hundred prisoners. We
took about sixty prisoners."

Another private letter from Buffalo, which found its way into

16

the columns of the Boston Messenger, gives this version of the
affair: "We were surprised at 2.30 a. m., and lost three captains,
one assistant quartermaster-general and three hundred and fifty
rank and tile. We took about fifty prisoners in the woods, after the
action. Two of the regiments kept up their fire until daylight,
when the 16th, under Captain McChesney, discovered the British
removing the cannon and re-captured two pieces."

Christie's detachment from the mouth of the creek arrived on
the field soon after Harvey retreated, and the camp was re-occupied.
Burn instantly sent a message to inform General Dearborn of the
capture of the two generals and convened a council of the principal
officers, which determined to retire to the Forty Mile Creek without
waiting for orders from headquarters. A quantity of baggage and
provisions was destroyed, and the retreat began shortly before noon.

On the other hand, General Vincent's mysterious disappearance
caused some confusion in the British camp. The command devolved
on Lieut.-Colonel Bisshopp. Captain McDouall produced a letter
from the Governor General to Vincent, authorizing him to retreat
to Kingston if he considered his position untenable, but instructing
him in that event to send the remainder of the 41st and detach-
ments of the Glengarry and Newfoundland regiments to reinforce
.jbhe Right Division at Detroit. As the full effect of the attack was
still unknown, Bisshopp determined to call a council of war to
decide what course to pursue, and Captain Merritt rode back to the
field of battle to look for their missing general. His search was
fruitless, but he made two prisoners, single-handed, and discovered
— that the enemy was panic-stricken and preparing to retreat. Before
the council could assemble, Vincent returned to the lines without
his horse and hat. Having been dismounted and separated from
his staff in the conflict, he was obliged to take shelter in the woods,
where he lay concealed for several hours until he found an oppor-
tunity to escape. Instead of retreating, a strong detachment was
pushed forward to Stoney Creek, and an hour or two later Captain
Milnes was on his way to Kingston with the prisoners and Colonel
Harvey's official account of the action.

When Colonel Burn's messenger arrived at Fort George, Gen-
eral Dearborn instantly instructed Major-General Morgan Lewis to
join the division at Stoney Creek with the (ith United States
Infantry, take command and bring the enemy to action at once.
Brigadier-Generals Boyd and Swartwout were ordered to accom-
pany him as brigade commanders. Before they were ready to
start, it began to rain and Lewis postponed his own departure until
morning. According to General Porter, " he could not go sixteen
miles to fight the enemy, not because his force was too small, but

17

because he had not wagons to carry tents and camp kettles for his
army. His own baggage moves in two stately wagons — one drawn
by two, the other by four horses, carrying the various furniture of
a Secretary of State's office, a lady's dressing chamber, an alder-
man's dining room and the contents of a grocer's shop." In fact,
Lewis appears to have been an American counterpart of the Austrian
General Mack.

Yet next day, when it was known that Burn had decided to
retreat, he advanced so rapidly that he arrived at the camp at Forty
Mile Creek at five o'clock in the afternoon. On the road he was
overtaken, first by a message from General Dearborn to announce
that several vessels had appeared off the mouth of the Niagara,
steering towards the head of the lake, which were supposed to
belong to the British squadron, directing him to return with his
entire division as soon as possible ; and then by a second, stating that
it was possible that the vessels in sight were part of the American
fleet, and that a few hours delay would enable him to ascertain the
fact and to act accordingly.

Lewis found Burn encamped on the narrow plain between the
lake and mountain. His men were still much dispirited. " I can
scarce believe," Colonel Miller of the 6th wrote to his wife, " that
you could have been more glad to see me than that army was!" An
hour later several British warships came in sight, and although
when night fell they had not approached the shore very closely,
the American General gave orders for his men to lie upon their arms
in expectation of another nocturnal visit.

On the 3d of June, Sir George Prevost having returned to
Kingston from his late expedition, received Vincent's despatch an-
nouncing the fall of Fort George and his retreat towards Burling-
ton. At the same time he knew that the American fleet had returned
to Sackett's Harbor the day before. Major Thomas Evans was
directed to embark at once with five companies of the 8th Regiment,
reduced by casualties to 200 rank and file. Two hundred and fifty
men of the Royal Newfoundland had been already sent on board to
act as marines, and before night Sir James Yeo left the harbor
with a squadron consisting of his flagship, the Wolfe, of 23 guns
and 200 men, the Royal George of 21 guns and 175 men, the brig
Melville of 14 guns and 100 men, the schooners Moira, 14 guns and
100 men, Sidney Smith, 12 guns and 80 men, and Beresford, of 8
guns and 70 men, besides several light gun-boats.

On the morning of the 7th he appeared off the mouth of the
Niagara and sent his light vessels close into the shore to reconnoitre.
To the interested spectators in the American lines the vessels seemed
at one time to be approaching the mouth of the river, and at another

18

to be standing towards the head of the lake. Before night they were
seen to stand away in a north-westerly direction. General Dear-
born's hopes that the vessels in sight might be some of his own were
dispelled by a letter from Chauncey, informing him that he did not
expect to leave Sackett's Harbor until the end of the month, and
he became much alarmed in consequence. A third message was
despatched in all haste, to inform General Lewis that he suspected
that an attack was contemplated on his camp, as two small schooners
had been engaged for three or four hours in the minute examination
of the shore, and he feared they might take on board additional
troops at the head of the lake and land them there before he could
return. He was instructed to send back the dragoons and about
eight hundred infantry " with all possible despatch," and follow
with the remainder of the division "as soon as practicable." He
was particularly cautioned to secure the boats conveying the bag-
gage against capture. The entire force at Fort George was kept
under arms all night. At two o'clock in the morning several shots
were fired by the picquets on the lake shore ; the alarm was beaten
and every preparation made to resist an assault, when it was ascer-
tained that the firing had been directed at some of their own boats
returning from the Forty Mile Creek with the wounded and some
prisoners taken at the Stoney Creek tight.

Yeo had received orders to land the troops as near York as
possible. Some time during the morning of the 7th, Major Evans
and Lieut. Finch of the 8th were put on shore by one of the smaller
vessels and walked to the town, where they learned the result of
the late action, and that General Vincent was said to be pursuing
the enemy. Evans returned on board at once to urge the Commo-
dore to menace the American encampment while he sent on Finch
by land to assure Vincent of the co-operation of the squadron.

At daybreak General Lewis discovered several of the British
vessels abreast of his camp and not more than a mile from shore.
He instantly began to strike his tents and prepare for a retreat.
There was a dead calm and the larger vessels were consequently
prevented from approaching closer, but the schooner Beresford,
Captain Francis Spilsbury, was towed by the boats of the squadron
within gun-shot and began tiring. She was soon joined by several
gun-boats commanded by Lieut. Charles Anthony of the Wolfe.
About the same time a small party of Indians appeared on the
brow of the heights overlooking the encampment, and by their
whoops and desultory musketry caused some confusion. The
artillery companies of Towson and Archer replied to the Beresford
from four field-guns, using shot heated in a field furnace hastily
constructed for the purpose. After a short and absolutely harmless

cannonade, the British vessels retired out of range and the whole
squadron bore away towards the head of the lake. ThK Indians
retreated on the approach of a party of light infantry, led by Lieut.
Eldridge, Adjutant of the 13th Regiment, who was destined to
meet his death at their hands a month later. Just at this moment,
about six o'clock a. m., General Dearborn's orders to return to Fort
George were delivered to General Lewis. Arrangements for the
retreat were conducted with much haste and confusion. Tents and
camp kettles were abandoned. Part of the baggage was loaded on
the boats, which were then allowed to put off without a sufficient
escort. At ten o'clock Lewis began his march, harassed on flank
and rear by the Indians and militia, which soon assembled in
considerable numbers.

Upon Yeo's arrival at Burlington, Vincent had already given
orders for the disembarkation of the 8th when a messenger arrived
with information that the enemy were retreating. These were
promptly countermanded, and the squadron sailed in pursuit, while
Major Dennis, with the grenadier company of the 49th, a strong
company of the 41st and two 3-pounder field-pieces, was directed
to advance by land. It was then four o'clock in the afternoon, and
as Lewis had easily six hours start the prospect of overtaking him
must have seemed slight at the time, but, favored by a steady though
moderate breeze which had just sprung up, the squadron made such
a rapid run that in three hours the troops were landed at the Forty-
Mile Creek and were in possession of the American camp. Many
tents had been left standing and there were undoubted signs of
panic in the arms and baggage abandoned along the line of retreat.
The Beresford and other light vessels went in chase of the flotilla of
boats which took the place of a baggage train to the retiring
column, and were rapidly overhauling them when they were run
ashore and abandoned by their crews. Twenty large bateaux con-
taining the hospital stores, provisions, and remaining baggage of
General Chandler's division were taken or destroyed. Major Dennis
was immediately directed to advance to the Twenty with his com-
mand and push forward the dragoons and Indians within sight of
the enemy's outposts at Fort George. Lewis, however, continued his
retreat with such rapidity that he arrived at Niagara next day and
Dennis was unable to overtake even the rear guard, although his
movement was not without some important results.

" Many prisoners were taken," wrote Major Evans, " the spirit
of the loyal part of the country aroused, the little remaining
baggage of the enemy destroyed, his panic increased and confirmed,
and, which is of the utmost consequence, certain information
obtained of all his movements. On the evening of the 9th the

20

enemy set fire to and abandoned Fort Erie, withdrew his force from
Chippawa and Queenston, concentrating them at Fort George, and
hastily began throwing up field-works, either there to defend him-
self or cross the river by means of boats, which he holds in a
constant state of readiness, according to circumstances."

During the three days occupied by this pursuit, the 8th, 9th
and 10th of June, eighty prisoners were captured, and 500 tents,
200 camp kettles, 150 stand of arms and a great quantity of bag-
gage taken or destroyed. The total loss of the American army in
the battle and the retreat must have been nearly five hundred men.
A contemporary newspaper, the Buffalo Gazette, estimated that half
of that number had been made prisoners.

Vincent then felt so certain of his ability to cope with the
invaders in the field that he determined to send the remainder of
the 41st Regiment to Procter, who was clamoring for reinforce-
ments, and on the 10th moved his headquarters to the Forty.

"The principal objects," said Harvey in a letter to Colonel
JBaynes, " General Vincent has had in making a forward movement
with the greatest part of the troops to this place, are to communi-
cate with and give every support and assistance in his power to Sir
James Yeo and the fleet ; to be at hand to take advantage of the
success which we sanguinely anticipate from his approaching
encounter with Commodore Chauncey ; to give encouragement to
the militia and yeomanry of the country, who are everywhere
rising upon the fugitive Americans and making them prisoners, and
withholding all supplies from them : and lastly, (and perhaps
chiefly,) for the purpose of sparing the resources of the country in
our rear and drawing the supplies of this army as long as possible
from the country immediately in the enemy's vicinity. Our
position here secures all these important objects, and so long as our
fleet is triumphant it is a secure one. Should any disaster (which
God forbid) befall that, we have no longer any business here, or in
this part of Canada."

Learning on the 14th that Major De Haren had marched from
Kingston five or six days before with a reinforcement of four hun-
dred regular infantry for his division, and nearly as many Indians
from Lower Canada, he resolved to wait for his arrival before
advancing further. He then intended to move his headquarters to
the Twenty and push forward the whole body of light troops to
annoy the enemy, " whose fears were said to be as strong as ever."
To accomplish this more effectually he requested General Procter to
send him a body of the Western Indians, and promised in return, on
their arrival, to detach the rest of the 41st Regiment to his assist-
ance.

21

On the same day the Governor General issued a proclamation
from Kingston in reply to Lieut.-Colonel Preston's singular mani-
festo of the 30th May, in which he called upon " all the loyal and
well-disposed in this Province, who are not under the immediate
control or within the power of the enemy, to use every possible
effort in repelling the foe and driving him from our soil, assuring
them that they will be powerfully aided by the reinforcements
daily arriving at this post arid pressing on to their support."

The evacuation and destruction of Fort Erie were actually
accomplished in compliance with instructions received by General
Dearborn from the Secretary of War, who wrote to him that in
event of the capture of both Fort Erie and Fort George he was to
select which of these was to be held as a military post, where he
would concentrate his whole force, while all other forts and redoubts
were to be dismantled and demolished and all " Indian establish-
ments " destroyed. The unforeseen appearance of the British
squadron, combined with Chandler's reverse, caused him to obey in
great haste, and abandon everything that lay outside of the picquet
line which he had drawn around Niagara and Fort George. Pres-
ton's promise of protection was ignored, and such of the inhabitants
as had shown a disposition to actively assist the invaders found
themselves compelled either to fly from the Province altogether or
take refuge in the American camp.

Up to this time General Dearborn had shown a marked inclina-
tion to treat all classes of the population with justice and lenity.
Several wounded officers and privates belonging to the militia who
had been taken prisoners were permitted to return to their homes
on parole. He called a meeting of the magistrates, twelve of
whom attended, and directed them to continue the exercise of their
powers, and several minor offences were punished by them during
the first days of the American occupation. Colonel Preston's pro-
clamation, distributed from Fort Erie on the 30th May, declared
that as he found the people in the vicinity "anxious to obtain
special protections" all who " would come forward and voluntarily
enroll their names with him and claim the protection of the United
States shall have their property and personal rights secured to them
inviolate." At the same time he " solemnly warned those who may
obstinately continue inimical that they are bringing on themselves
the most rigorous and disastrous consequences, as they will be
pursued and treated with that spirit of retaliation which the treat-
ment of the American prisoners in the hands of the British so
justly inspires."

The disaffected, the timorous, and apathetic, hastened to com-
ply with his demand, and avert danger of arrest. A letter from the

22

American camp, dated on the 5th of .Tune, relates that " many per-
sons have come in from distant parts since our arrival and been
paroled. Several of them reside on the banks of the Grand River,
to the middle and lower parts of which most of the Indians have
retired, dreading the reward of their cruelty."

In this way the names of 507 persons were obtained to a list of
paroled militiamen, which are generally represented as having been
made prisoners in the battle of the 27th May, although very few of
them had even borne arms at any time.

General Dearborn undoubtedly believed that he was carrying
out the instructions given to him by the Secretary of War in April,
just before the attack upon York, when he said, "As regards the
course of conduct to be pursued with regard to the inhabitants of
Canada the laws of war must govern. Persons behaving peaceably
may be protected, but all must be disarmed and the militia paroled.
Any persons made prisoners, either of regulars or militia actually
armed, must be sent within our limits."

On the 5th of May the small village of Havre de Grace, in
Maryland, a rather important station on the main post-road between
Philadelphia and the national capital, was partially destroyed in
an attack by the boats of a British squadron. This caused much
alarm and exasperation in that part of the country, and with this
event fresh in his mind the Secretarj7 wrote that : " If the enemy still
adheres to the barbarism of attacking arid burning defenceless
towns on our sea coast, and of employing savage auxiliaries to
butcher women and children on our land frontier, our better and
more humane principles will yield to the necessity of the case, and
instead of them a rigid and inflexible retaliation must be sub-
stituted."

Early in June this was followed by a letter, dated on the 26th
May, in which the Secretary announced that " owing to embarrass-
ments thrown in the way of exchange by Sir George Prevost and
Sir J. B. Warren, make these rules indispensable : 1st. All British
officers and men, whether regulars or militia, are to be removed to
some place of confinement in the United States. 2d. All male
inhabitants of Canada subject to the militia law are to be con-
sidered as prisoners and removed as such."

General Dearborn was so reluctant to enforce these harsh
instructions that he not only deferred doing so for several days,
but warmly remonstrated. " On taking possession of this place,"
he wrote to the Secretary of War on the 8th of June, " the inhabit-
ants came in in numbers and gave their paroles. I have promised
them protection. A large proportion are friendly to the United
States, and fixed in their hatred to the Government of Great

JBritain. .If they should be made prisoners of war and taken from
their families it would have a most unfavorable effect on our mili-
tary operations in the provinces. The whole country would be
driven to a state of desperation, and satisfy them beyond doubt
that we had no intention of holding the provinces. The same
effect would be produced on the Indians, who are now principally
quiet for fear of losing their valuable tract of land on Grand River.
I had authorized the civil magistrates to continue in the due exer-
cise of their functions, and cannot with propriety revoke this
authority, unless specially directed."

— The spontaneous rising of the militia against the invaders in
the next few days appears to have convinced Dearborn that he had
quite misjudged the feelings of the people and removed his scruples.
A number of militia officers and others living within reach were
seized and deported to Fort Niagara.

" The dragoons and riflemen," says a private letter dated at
Newark on the 13th, " are out every day in scouting parties, and
seldom return without prisoners. The day before yesterday they
brought in fourteen of the militia who had been paroled and were
caught with arms. One of these fellows confessed he had assisted
in taking twenty-three of our men when the army moved down
from the Forty-Mile Creek. With this fellow it will go hard, and

"I hope there will be a more vigorous course pursued with the
inhabitants who are opposed to our cause. This class are princi-
pally Scots and Orangemen, and many of them obtain all the infor-

.mation they can and forward it to the enemy."

A correspondent of the National Advocate gave this account
of the arrest of Captain Jacob A. Ball of the Lincoln Militia, who
is described as ''an active and cruel commander of Indians:"

" When the party arrived at Six-Mile Creek, Sergeant James
Rouse volunteered with two dragoons, and proceeding to the Short
Hills discovered the house where Ball was supposed to be, at nine
o'clock in the evening. In order to reach the place they were com-
pelled to pass within half a mile of a British picquet guard. On
entering the house, Rouse was told that Ball was not there, but he
fired his pistol through a door he could not break open, when Ball
opened it and surrendered himself with his guard, five in number.
They were all placed on horses and carried eighteen miles through
the enemy's country to Fort George."

A memorandum by Captain Ball states that he was taken
prisoner on the llth of June at the Ten-Mile Creek, while on com-
mand from Burlington to ascertain the position of the enemy at
Fort George and vicinity.

On the 19th and two following days, about one hundred per-

24

sons were suddenly arrested in and about Niagara, among whom
were nearly all the best known and most respected of the inhabit-
ants.

A letter dated at "Flamboro', U. C.," June 20th, published, in a
Montreal newspaper, observes that "plunder is the order of the day
among the Americans, and the personal liberty of the inhabitants
is taken away from them. Several disaffected persons have joined
the enemy — among them the late editor of the G'uardian. Many
of the inhabitants have been sent as prisoners to the United States.
Among them Messrs. Edwards, Muirhead, Dickson, Symington,
Rev.'d Mr. Addison, Powell, Heron, Baldwin, Clench, James Ball. De-
Cew, John Crooks, Lawe, two Kerrs, and McEwen — the last four suf-
fering from wounds received at Fort George." A list of some of the
prisoners made by William Dickson, one of their number, in the
following January, contains the names of Haggai Skinner, "a far-
mer 64 years of age"; Joseph Doan, "farmer;" John Ramsay, "a boy
of Stamford," and John McFarland, " boat builder," all of whom
were detained until December, 1813, in close confinement.*

A letter from Newark dated on the 22d June and published in
Paulson's American of Philadelphia relates that "the most con-
spicuous and violent of the British partisans are taken up and sent
over to the United States. At the solicitation of the inhabitants
who are friendly to our cause, the General has agreed to introduce a
a few Indians to combat those of the enemy. In desultory warfare
our men seldom gain much, as the enemy is best acquainted with
the paths, by-roads, and country in general."

Commenting on the impolicy of this line of conduct in the
light of subsequent events six months later, when the American
frontier had been laid waste by Druminond's avenging army, the
Manlis Times, a New York newspaper, remarked : " After Fort
George was taken by our troops a system of plunder and outrage
was adopted and commenced to an extent almost unequalled in the
annals of French warfare. Citizens, while peaceably attending to
their business, were seized and sent across the river, and almost at
the same time their property was destroyed. Those who were
paroled and promised protection, on suspicion of their possessing
moveable property were arrested and their property pillaged. The
notorious traitor, Willcocks, was commissioned to raise a body of
marauders expressly to plunder, burn, and destroy."
— The unwisdom of this system was soon made evident by the

* Capts. McEwen, DeCoe (born in New Jersey), Lonmier, Lieuts. Williams (born in Long Island),
Humberlin (born in Philadelphia), Stewart, Luke, Duval and Lament, Ensigns Myers and Kerr, Mid-
shipman Lawe, Sailing-Masters Campbell and Barwis, Seamen Rogers, Byles, and Wood escaped from
prison in Philadelphia on April 20th by sawing off the bars of their prison and letting themselves down
by blankets. Ensigns Myers and Kerr and five others have been taken.

Salem Gazette, April 29th, 1814.

25

increased activity of the militia, who seldom permitted a patrol or
foraging party to advance very far from the lines without being
attacked.

On the tenth of June the Americans scored the solitary advan-
tage to be derived from their temporary occupation of Fort
Erie. This was the release of five armed vessels which had been
detained at the navy yard at Black Rock by the batteries across
the river. Four hundred men and many yoke of oxen were
employed for six days in towing them up the rapids, and they set
sail for Erie, heavily laden with stores of all kinds necessary for
the equipment of the two ships building there. This was an object
of supreme importance, for by means of these vessels the Ameri-
cans gained control of Lake Erie and eventually drove Procter
from the Detroit frontier.

On the same day a cavalry patrol guided by Totman, a dis-
affected inhabitant, chased Captain Merritt away from the Ten and
captured four of his dragoons. They did not attempt to maintain
the position, and Merritt re-occupied it next morning and carefully
examined the roads leading to Fort George without meeting an
enemy. On the 12th, however, his party was surprised while rest-
ing during the heat of the day by a numerous body of dragoons,
and only escaped through the coolness and presence of mind of his
only sentry. This trooper, whose name is not recorded, after retir-
ing rapidly to the summit of a rise on the road, halted, wheeled
about, and shouted loudly to an imaginary party in their rear to
come on, which caused his pursuers to pause and enabled his com-
rades to assemble and mount. Merritt rode off barely in time to
elude a second detachment of the enemy, which had taken a circuit
by way of De Cew's Falls to cut off his retreat. One of their
scouts, misled by their blue uniforms, rode into the midst of his
men and gave them important information before he was unde-
ceived and made prisoner.

It was then made evident that if a small force of active light
infantry was detailed to act with the Provincial Dragoons they would
be enabled to maintain their ground and perform scouting duty with
more effect. James FitzGibbon, Adjutant of the 49th Regiment, an
officer of great enterprise and address as well as uncommon physical
strength, was selected to command a company of volunteers from
the regular troops for this purpose. In three days fifty picked
men were equipped, with whom he advanced on the 16th to De-
Cew's stone house on the crest of the mountain, at the junction of
two important roads, where he established his headquarters and
pushed forward his pickets beyond the Ten Mile Creek.

Nearly at the same time General Dearborn resorted to a si in-

— ilar expedient. Finding himself at a marked disadvantage for want
of a body of men intimately acquainted with the country and
qualified to act as scouts and guides, he authorized the formation
of a battalion of mounted riflemen from among the refugees that
were daily seeking shelter in his lines. Joseph Willcocks. the
former editor of a local newspaper, and even then a member of the
Assembly of the Province for one of the divisions of the County of
Lincoln, was nominated as Lieutenant Colonel and Benajah Mallory,
member of the Assembly for Middlesex, as major of this corps.
Markle, Totman and other noted refugees were also rewarded by
commissions. The services of another troop of volunteer mounted
infantry, organized by Dr. Cyrenius Chapin of Buffalo, then sheriff
of Niagara County, for the purpose, as it was stated, "of clearing
the frontier of persons inimical to the United States," were also
accepted and Chapin was ordered to join the army at Fort George.
On the 16th he crossed the river at Black Rock with about fifty
men. Two days were employed in scouring the country bet\veen
Fort Erie and Chippawa, and on the 19th he marched, into camp,
his men loaded with plunder and followed by the execrations of the
^utraged inhabitants.

Meanwhile Sir James Yeo had been actively engaged in inter-
cepting supplies destined for Dearborn's army, which was now
entirely dependent on transport by water from various magazines
along the south shore of the lake. He took on board sixty volun-
teers from the 8th to act as additional marines, and on the 12th
sailed from Forty Mile Creek in search of the enejiiy. Colonel
Harvey relates that he was " fully impressed with the necessity of
having a commanding breeze before he makes his attack. In a
light one or calm, the enemy's flotilla of small vessels would have
an incalculable advantage."

In the evening he chased two schooners loaded with hospital
stores and provisions into the Eighteen Mile Creek, out of which
they were brought by the boats of the squadron just as a body of
troops inarched up from Fort Niagara for their protection. Yeo
then continued his course eastward, looking into all the bays and
creeks along the American shore. Two other schooners and several
supply boats, bound from Oswego to Niagara, fell into his hands
during the next two days, and on the 15th a landing was effected
at the mouth of the Genesee, where a large boat loaded with 1200
bushels of corn was taken, and 450 barrels of provisions removed
from a public storehouse. On the 16th he anchored in Kingston
harbor, barely long enough to take on board the grenadiers and
one battalion company of the Royal Scots, which had arrived from
Montreal during his absence, and sailed at once for Oswego. Dis-

27

covering nothing at that place to justify a descent, he proceeded
westward along the south shore of the lake as far as Big Sodus Bay.
A village of about thirty houses, which had been named Troupville,
after an active politician of the day, but was more commonly
known as Sodus, stood on the high ridge of land which almost
surrounds that fine basin of water. The bar at the mouth
of the harbor prevented the passage of any of his vessels, but the
boats were sent in on the evening of the 19th and the storehouses
were found to contain about 800 barrels of provisions. These were
at once removed. Most of the inhabitants had deserted the place
without ottering any opposition. As the last boat was leaving the •
shore a party of men in plain clothes advanced and fired upon it,
wounding several men. It was fast growing dark, but a landing
was again effected and their assailants were quickly dispersed and
driven into the woods. In this skirmish three privates of the Royal
Scots were killed and a sergeant and four privates wounded. The
attack upon the boats was actually made by a body of New York
militia, consisting of detachments from Colonel Swift's regiment
and Granger's battalion of riflemen, belonging to General Burnet's
brigade, which had been assembled for the defence of the coast
immediately after the descent at the mouth of the Genesee on the
loth. The greater part of the stores deposited at Sodus had been
already removed into the interior by their assistance and they had
marched homewards that very day. When the British squadron
appeared they were hastily summoned to return, with the conse-
quences already described. One militia man was killed and three
wounded. By Sir James Yeo the attack was attributed entirely to
the unfortunate inhabitants, whom he determined to punish and
intimidate by the destruction of their village. Accordingly a party
was again landed next morning, (Sunday, 20th June,) for this pur-
pose. Long experience in similar operations on the coasts of France
and Spain had made officers and men thoroughly proficient in such
matters. The warehouses and six of the largest dwellings were
destroyed, among the latter the handsome residence of the agent of
Sir William Pulteney, who owned a large tract of land in the
vicinity. The village tavern alone was spared because it was found
to contain a wounded man, who was supposed to be dying. The
squadron then sailed directly to Forty Mile Creek, where the cap-
tured supplies were landed/much to the relief of General Vincent,
who had hitherto been prevented by the want of provisions and
camp equipage combined from moving any considerable part of his
division much in advance of that place, which he considered a very
defensible position. Most of his force was actually suffering ex-
treme distress from the want of such necessary articles as shirts,

28

shoes and stockings. Captain Fulton informed the Governor Gen-
eral at this time that the 41st were "in rags and without shoes" and
the 49th "literally naked." The arrival of the fleet relieved them
at least from immediate danger of starvation, and they were
strengthened at the same time by the arrival of two companies of
the 104th and 340 Indians, comprising nearly all the warriors of
the Seven Nations of Lower Canada. The latter force had been
organized in May at Montreal by Sir John Johnson and consisted
of 160 warriors from the Sault St. Louis, 120 from the Lake of Two
Mountains and sixty from the St. Regis Village. They were officered
by Captain Dominique Ducharne and Lieutenants J. B. DeLorimier,
Gideon Gaucher, Louis Laiiglade, Evangeliste St. Germain, and
Isaac LeClair, and embarked in canoes at Lachine on the 26th of
that month. Lieut. St. Germain with the advance arrived at
Kingston in time to take part in the expedition against Sackett's
Harbor, and his promptitude in leading the attack on some Ameri-
can boats conveying troops to that place contributed largely to the
success of the first day's operations on that occasion.

The cause of their subsequent detention is not stated, but they
failed to join Vincent until the 20th of June, when they were at
once sent forward to support Merritt and FitzGibbon. At the same
time Colonel Bisshopp with a small brigade of light troops was
thrown forward "to feel the pulse of the enemy." Bisshopp estab-
lished his headquarters on the heights at the Twenty and detached
Major P. V. DeHaren to occupy the bridge over the Twelve at St.
Catharines with the two companies of the 104th and the light com-
pany of the 8th. The Indians were pushed on beyond the Ten, and
a chain of outposts formed from the lake to Turney's cross roads,
within a mile of the present town of Thorold. This position had
a front of about seven miles, and every road by which a large body
of troops could advance was occupied in considerable force.

During the day some of FitzGibbon's scouts had taken one of
Chapin's men near Lundy's Lane, and learned that his whole troop
had passed southward a few hours before. In the night Merritt,
FitzGibbon and some other officers rode swiftly across the country
to Point Abino to seize a spy. They succeeded in taking him and
another of Chapin's troopers, and returned by daybreak. Fitz-
Gibbon then advanced along Lundy's Lane in hope of intercepting
Chapin on this return, but learned that he had been joined by Cap-
tain Myer, with 150 infantry from Fort George. Riding on alone to
reconnoitre he encountered two American soldiers, both of whom
he succeeded in capturing with the assistance of some of the loyal
inhabitants after a hard struggle, in which his agility and great

29

strength were taxed to the utmost. Another of the enemy was
killed by one of his'men.

On the 23rd Captain Ducharme with twenty-five of his
Indians passed quite around the enemy's position until he reached
the bank of the river, within sight of Fort George. While there
they discovered a barge filled with American soldiers on its way
down from Lewiston, which they captured, killing four men and
taking seven prisoners. They were hotly pursued by a party of
dragoons but escaped by taking to the woods, with the exception of
a single Iroquois warrior who rashly lagged behind in the hope of
capturing a horse from the enemy.

General Dearborn felt that his situation was daily becoming
less endurable. Ever since he had arrived on this frontier he had
been in feeble health and scarcely fit for command. On the 8th
of June, while yet smarting from the disaster of Stoney Creek, he
had written the Secretary of War : "My ill state of health renders
it extremely painful to attend to current duties, and unless it im-
proves soon I fear I shall be compelled to retire to some place where
my mind may be more at ease."

On the 20th he described his position in these despondent terms :

"From resignations, sickness and other causes, the number of regi-
mental officers present and fit for duty is far below what the service
requires. A considerable portion of the army being new recruits
and the weather being unfavorable to health, the sick have become
so numerous, in addition to the wounded, as to reduce the effective
force far below what could have been contemplated. The enemy
have been reinforced with about five hundred men of the 104th
Regiment, whence I conclude he will endeavor to keep up such a
plan at and near the head of the lake as will prevent any part of
this army from joining or proceeding to Sackett's Harbor to attack
Kingston, and such is the state of the roads in this flat conntry in
consequence of continued rain as to render any operations against
the enemy extremely difficult without the aid of a fleet for the
transportation of provisions, ammunition and other necessary
supplies. The enemy would probably retreat on our approach and
keep out of our reach, being covered by one or more armed vessels.
The whole of these embarrassments have resulted from a temporary
loss of the command of the lake."

The audacity and success of the British scouting parties caused
him so much annoyance that he consented to the wholesale deport-
ation of the inhabitants, and applied to Erastus Granger, the
Indian agent at Buffalo, for the assistance of 150 warriors of the
Six Nations to be employed at the outposts.

Granger instantly sent a messenger to the chiefs of the villages

at Allegheny requiring their services, but the Indians were omin-
ously slow in obeying the summons, and two weeks elapsed before
they actually appeared at Buffalo.

On returning from his latest foray Major Chapiri warmly
advocated an immediate attack on FitzGibbon's advanced post at
DeCew's house, which he represented that he had closely examined,
although it subsequently appeared that he had not been within four
or five miles of that place, and did not even know the road to it
after he had offered to act as guide to the expedition. FitzGibbon's
force was described with more accuracy to consist of a single com-
pany of regular infantry and from sixty to one hundred Indiana
The presence of a British outpost at St. Catharines had also been
ascertained, but nothing was known of the presence of the Indians
led by Ducharme encamped between these posts.

It was determined to make a simultaneous movement against
both FitzGibbon and DeHaren, and on the afternoon of the 23d June
the column designed to attack the former, having nearly twice the
distance to travel, marched to Queenston. It consisted of nearly six
hundred men, writh two guns, under Lieut. Colonel Boerstler. who was
considered a very efficient officer. For some reason, which is not stated,
the movement against St. Catharines was then abandoned and De-
Haren was permitted to carry his force to FitzGibbon's assistance,
but not before the latter had succeeded in compelling Boerstler to
surrender with his entire command, including Chapin's detested
troop of marauders. General Dearborn's official letter states that
only one man escaped, but Captain Merritt relates in his journal
that six were believed to have got off, among whom was the noto-
rious Totmaii.

General Dearborn was quite stunned by this amazing disaster.
He had described the check at Stoney Creek as "a strange fatality,"
and he now referred to this affair as <-an unfortunate and unaccount-
able event." In the panic in his camp which followed, many officers
of rank urged that the army should at once retire across the river,
but a council of war finally decided to maintain their position. The
boats, which had been held in readiness for a movement of some
kind, were moored under the guns of Fort Niagara, and an en-
trenched camp large enough to cover the entire force was formed
on the right of Fort George.

These repeated checks caused unbounded disappointment at
Washington, where Congress was then sitting, and there was an
immediate outcry for Dearborn's removal from a command in
which he had been so unsuccessful. "Dearborn's blunders," John
Lovett, a Federalist, wrote from the capital on the 22d June, "espe-
cially in suffering the little army at Fort George to escape and

31

preparing the way J:'or the capture of Generals Chandler and Winder
on the 6th of June, and leaving the way open for Procter's retreat
and junction with the army at the head of the lake, create great
heartburnings. It is probable Wilkinson will supersede Dearborn."

General Armstrong, the Secretary of War, frankly expressed
his indignation. "Your letters of the 6th and 8th received," he
wrote to the unhappy Dearborn on the 19th of June. " There is
indeed some strange fatality attending our efforts. I cannot con-
ceal from you the surprise occasioned by the two escapes of a beaten
enemy, first on the 27th ult. and again on the 6th inst. Battles are
not gained when an inferior and broken enemy is not destroyed.
Should Procter have retired from Maiden and effected a junction
with Vincent, it has been done either to dispute possession of the
peninsula or to effect their general retreat to Kingston. The latter,
more probable." Harrison, he assured him, would effect a diversion
in his favor with 3,500 regulars, by way of Detroit, while General
Hampton would assemble a division of 4,000 more on Lake
Champlain.

" If Yeo should defeat Chauncey," he added, "you should hold
both Forts George and Erie. If otherwise, York is the best point
to control the Canadian population and to prevent all intercourse
between the enemy and the Indians."

The opponents of the administration exulted loudly over its
failures. It was remarked that a year before General Chandler had
proposed this toast at a public dinner : "The fourth of July, 1813
—May we drink wine on that day within the walls of Quebec,"
and that he would now have an opportunity of gratifying his wish
as a prisoner of war. They made up the "Canadian Account Cur-
rent" in these terms :

Debtor. Creditor.

One territory. One speaker's mace.

Seven generals. One well cured scalp.

Two armies. One log house:

Six millions per month. One dead Indian more or less.

When information of the disaster at Beaver Dams arrived Mr.
Ingersoll, a leader of the war party in Congress, relates that it was
regarded as "the climax to continued tidings of mismanagement
and misfortune. On the 6th of July, therefore, after a short acci-
dental communion of regret and impatience in the lobby with the
speaker, (Henry Clay), and General Ringgold of Maryland^ I was
deputed a volunteer to wait on the President and request General
Dearborn's removal from a command which so far had proved so
unfortunate."

32

A despatch from the Secretary of War was accordingly written
the same day to General Dearborn, directing him to retire " until
his health should be re-established," and instructing General Boyd.
upon whom the command of the division devolved, " not to prose-
cute any offensive operation until our ascendency on the lake is
re-established."

These orders did not reach Fort George until the 14th of July,
but during the interval of twenty days which elapsed the Ameri-
can commander did not make the slightest attempt to resume the
offensive.

The misfortunes of the invading army may be attributed
partly, it is true, to the incompetence of the principal officers and
the loss of the command of the lake, but still more to the astonish-
ing lack of discipline and all soldierly attributes in the great mass
of the men. Many had been enlisted during the winter in the sea-
board towns and were almost immediately marched or transported
rapidly about four hundred miles, in the months of March and April
amid fierce storms of snow and rain, to the Canadian frontier. The
last half of the journey was performed through a scantily inhabited
country, where they had little opportunity to rest or cook their
food. The hurried movement of two brigades from Lake Cham-
plain to Sackett's Harbor was made in the face of a furious snow-
storm, by which many soldiers were severely frost-bitten. During
the voyage to York, they were crowded into vessels on which they
had scarcely room to lie down, and were unavoidably exposed to
the weather. After re-embarking, the fleet had been wind-bound
in the harbor for four days, during which the men were constantly
drenched with rain. Other detachments proceeding in open boats
from Sackett's Harbor to Niagara suffered nearly as much discom-
fort. It is not surprising to learn that numbers on landing went
directly into the hospital. The physique of the private soldiers was
generally inferior. There was a total want of enthusiasm and
esprit de corps among them.

General Dearborn seems to have been fully aware of these
defects and made resolute efforts to remedy them. Fort George
was strengthened by a deep ditch and line of palisades. The camp
was surrounded by a ditch and earthworks, upon which about
twenty pieces of cannon were mounted. When not employed on
the fortifications the troops were diligently exercised. It was
observed that for several days after Colonel Boerstler's defeat they
did not venture to send even so much as a foraging or scouting
party more than a mile beyond their lines.

The Canadian Indians at once retired to the Forty Mile Creek
to celebrate their success by the usual festivities. They expected

that the arms and stores taken at Beaver Dams would be divided
among them and that they would receive head-money for the
prisoners. They were therefore much discontented when they found
that these expectations were not likely to be gratified, and threatened
to return home. They complained that they had no shoes and could
not go into the woods without them. A council was held to pacify
them, and after receiving an assurance that their services would be
suitably rewarded, and that the wounded and the families of any
that might be killed would be taken care of, they consented to
advance again.

Without waiting for their decision, Vincent moved forward his
headquarters to St. Catharines and pushed on his outposts to the
Four Mile Creek, with the intention of confining the enemy within
their works as closely as possible.

Soon after his arrival at Kingston the Governor-General became
convinced that Sir Roger Sheafie had "absolutely lost the confidence
of the inhabitants," and resolved to relieve him at once of the civil
and military administration of the affairs of the Province. Major-
General Francis De Rottenburg, then commanding the Montreal
District, was selected to replace him. On the 29th of June General
De Rottenburg arrived at Vincent's headquarters and assumed com-
mand. He was a Swiss by birth and had received his early military
training in the Dutch army. In 1795 he entered the British service
as major in Hompescli's Hussars. He served in the suppression of
the rebellion in Ireland in 1798, and in the expeditions against
Surinam and Walcheren and at the siege of Flushing. Sixty -four
years of age, phlegmatic and unenterprising, his past career had not
been distinguished and he was decidedly inferior to Vincent in vigor
and capacity.

Almost his first official act was to direct the trial by court-
marshal of two deserters taken in arms at Stoney Creek, who were
found guilty and sentenced to death. Skirmishes at the outposts
became a matter of daily and almost hourly occurrence. A letter
from the American camp, dated on the last day of June, gives this
gloomy picture of their situation :

"Our army, numbering about 2,000, is intrenched on the right

_of the fort. Fort Niagara is garrisoned by about 400 men. Our
pickets and foraging parties are constantly harassed by loyal

.militia and Indians. Every night there is a skirmish. They keep
our troops under arms, which exhausts and wears them away very
fast. Our force has diminished very much. The enemy's fleet
plagues our troops very much. It has been making demonstrations
off Niagara for near two weeks. The weather is very wet. It
rains at least one-half the time."

34

On the first of July the British outposts were extended to St.
Davids, entirely cutting off all intercourse between the enemy's
camp and the surrounding country and restricting their foragers to
the narrow space between the lines. The road along the western
bank of the Four Mile Creek afforded a very good and easy means
of communicating between these outposts, a decided advantage
over the American piquets, which were separated from each other
by enclosures and woods. Of the latter there were six, usually
numbered from the right, covering the front of their position from
lake to river about a mile in advance of their intrenchments and
nearly half a mile apart.

Yeo's squadron continued to blockade the mouth of the river
for a week after its return, occasionally cruising eastward along the
American shore of the lake to intercept any small craft that might
attempt to steal along the coast from the Genesee. During this time
four small vessels and several Durham boats loaded with provisions
for the American army were taken on their way to Fort Niagara.
A captured sailor, one William Howells, was induced to act as a
pilot, and the boats of the squadron under his guidance searched
every bay and creek where a boat could lie hidden as far as the
mouth of the Genesee, and much alarm was excited in the American
commissariat lest they should ascend the river and destroy a maga-
zine and the bridge on the main highway for supplies from the east,
known as the Ridge Road, by which all communication with their
base of supplies would be effectively interrupted for some time. On
the 29th, however, Yeo was forced to return to Kingston for
provisions.

But, on the other hand, a small schooner, the Lady Murray,
bringing from Kingston a much needed supply of ammunition and
a "choice collection of every kind of stores," was taken by the Am-
erican despatch boat, the Lady of the Lake. At the time, this was
felt to be an almost irreparable loss, and strict orders were given to
limit the wasteful expenditure of powder by the Indians. They
were informed that "pigeon shooting and such idle sport must be
given up." Colonel Claus, their superintendent, complained bitterly
that the Indians of the Grand River did not set a good example to
those that had come from a distance. Only about half of them had
joined the army. The others roamed lawlessly about the country
committing outrages. "They plunder the settlers and return home
to deposit what they take from the inhabitants. They destroy
every hog and sheep they can meet with."

The effectiveness of the blockade of his position on three sides
was such that General Dearborn was then forced to draw his sup-
plies from Buffalo, by the road leading along the American side of

35

the river from Schlosser at the upper end of the portage around the
falls, where they were landed from boats plying above. Ensign
Winder of FitzGibbon's company took possession of Chippavva with
a small detachment, and soon ascertained that the American block-
house nearly opposite was weakly guarded and might be easily
surprised. On the afternoon of the 4th July, FitzGibbon invited
Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Clark of the 2d Lincoln Militia to co-
operate with Winder in an attempt upon it that night, when it was
anticipated that the guard would be more than usually negligent
from the effects of the festivities of the day. Clark assembled
thirty-four officers and men of his regiment, and being joined by
Winder with Volunteer Thompson and six privates of the 49th, em-
barked in three boats. They landed at daybreak, and took the block-
house with its entire guard, consisting of two officers, nine privates,
three civilians, and three Canadian refugees, without the least resis-
tance. A small gunboat, two bateaux, a brass six-pounder, fifty-seven
stand of arms and a considerable quantity of ammunition and pro-
,visions were brought away. Sixteen tons of cannon-shot were thrown
into the river, and six scows and the same number of large boats were
partially destroyed. The removal and destruction of these stores
occupied about an hour, during which they were not molested, but
after entering their boats to re-cross the river a party of a dozen
men, supposed to be workmen from Porter's Mills at the Falls,
appeared on the bank and commenced an ineffective fire upon them.

This successful descent excited quite a disproportionate alarm
all along the American side of the river and caused the inhabitants
of Black Rock and Buffalo to clamor for military protection. At
the former place General Peter B. Porter had already assembled a
volunteer force with the intention of crossing the river and forming
an intrenched camp nearly opposite, where a site had been selected.
He had even proposed to march down the Canadian side and attack
the British post at St. Davids. These projects were now abandoned,
and he began preparations for the defence of his own position. A
party which he had sent over on the morning of the 5th to remove
the family of a refugee, hastily retired on the approach of a detach-
ment of Canadian militia which took post near the ferry landing,
and a brisk cannonade was opened across the river by the American
batteries.

On the same day, 150 Western Indians, conducted by Captain
Matthew Elliott and Blackbird, the Ottawa chief who had
commanded at the slaughter of the Chicago garrison the year before,
arrived at De Rottenburg's headquarters. These were chiefly
Ottawas and Chippewas from the wilds north of Lake Huron, and
Procter wrote that there were "some very fine fellows" among them

36

Whom he might miss. De Rottenburg, probably with equal truth,
described them as "a most ferocious and savage set." They were at
once sent forward to join the remainder in their encampment near
the Four Mile Creek, where they were joyfully welcomed.

Some days previous to their arrival several of the American
Tuscaroras had appeared on the opposite bank of the river near
Lewiston and signified their wish to speak with the principal chiefs
of the Six Nations living in Canada. Accordingly, that same after-
noon, the chiefs of the sixteen nations then represented in the
Indian camp, accompanied by Interpreters Brant and Fairchild,
went to the appointed place on the river, when a party of ten Tus-
caroras approached on the other side and they shouted to each other
across the roaring torrent. The Tuscaroras began the conversation
by affirming their friendship and inquiring whether the others were
still friends to them. Katvirota, speaker of the Oriondagas, eldest
of the Six Nations, replied haughtily that although it had been said
that the British were weak, yet "the Great Spirit is with us and we
are enabled to take possession again. As the King has been obliged
to give ground at Niagara, we want to understand from you
whether you are induced to take part with the Americans or not."
The Tuscaroras rejoined, " These times have been very hard, under
difficulties, being so near the lines, and we wish to know whether
your sentiments are still friendly toward us, and if you cross the
river whether you will hurt us." Katvirota retorted in the same
arrogant tone as before : "This will depend on yourselves. If you
take no part with the Americans we shall meet you with the same
friendship wre ever did, and we look for the day when you will see
our faces on your side of the water. We have no contention with
you ; it is King and the Americans, and we have taken part with
the King. We will contend for his right." The Tuscarora stated
in reply that they had determined to "sit quiet and take no part,"
but that a great council would be held at Buffalo in five days, and
the conference then ended.

After the evacuation of Fort George a quantity of medicines
and hospital stores had been buried near the house of a faithful
old loyalist at the Two Mile Creek, Castell Chorus, once a soldier in
a German regiment in Burgoyne's army, and after his escape from
captivity, in Butler's Rangers. This house stood close to one of the
American outposts, but the necessities of the division had made it
highly important to recover the stores even at the risk of provoking
an engagement. Accordingly, the light company of the King's Regi-
ment under Lieut. Collis was detailed for the purpose, with Captain
Merritt as guide, and late on the evening of the 7th Colonel Claus
was instructed to assemble a body of Indians to act as a covering

37

4>arty for the waggons. The Indians were directed to occupy a
position in front of Chorus's house by two o'clock in the morning,
but failed to leave their camp until broad daylight, when about a
hundred went forward under Norton and Blackbird and the Inter-
preters Brisbois, Langlade and Lyons. The stores were recovered
without molestation, and the soldiers retired with the waggons, while
the two officers remained to breakfast at Peter Ball's house. The
Indians loitered behind and began a brisk skirmish with the enemy's
picket, which they finally drove from its post. They continued in
this way to annoy the American outposts until the middle of the
afternoon, when several hundred infantry came out from their
intrenchments and they instantly retired with the hope of drawing
the whole party forward into the wood and ravines near the Cross
Roads, where the remainder of their warriors lay concealed. These
well-worn tactics were partially successful. Lieut. Eldridge, Adju-
tant of the 13th United States Infantry, who had already dis-
tinguished himself on the retreat from Stoney Creek, being far in
advance, rushed blindly in pursuit at the head of about forty men.
A single volley from the ambush struck down eighteen of his fol-
lowers. The remainder instantly turned and ran back, while the
Indians rushed forward from their coverts to cut off their retreat.
Eldridge wounded one of his pursuers with a pistol shot and was
promptly shot down and tomahawked by another. Twelve were
taken prisoners, and of the whole party only five escaped. Besides
the three officers of the Indian department and Captain Merritt and
John Ball, both of whom were unarmed, the only white person pre-
sent on this occasion was John Lawe, a boy of thirteen years, who
lived close by. His father, Captain George Lawe of the 1st Lincoln
Militia, had been badly wounded and an elder brother killed in the
battle of Fort George. After being allowed to return home on
parole, his father had been arrested and carried off as a prisoner.
Animated by a fierce passion for revenge, this boy seized a musket
when the firing began and joined the Indians. He continued to
load and fire in the most fearless manner until the skirmish had
nearly ended, when his mother appeared and forcibly removed him.
Of the prisoners, three were surrendered to Colonel Claus that
night, the remainder were maliciously retained by the Indians until
next morning for the purpose of thoroughly frightening them. Al-
though these barbarous practices had been strictly prohibited by
the officers in charge of them, the wild Western Indians not only
scalped but savagely mutilated the bodies of the dead before leaving
the field. When tasked with this misconduct, Blackbird alleged
that the Americans had mangled the dead Indians at the Miami
Rapids a few months before. "They were not satisfied with having

38

killed them," he said, "but cut them into small pieces. This made
us very angry. My words to my people were as long as the powder
burnt to kill and scalp. * * * * If the Big Knives after they kill
people of our color leave them without hacking them to pieces, we
will follow their example. They have themselves to blarne. The
way they treat our killed and the remains of those that are in their
graves to the west makes our people mad when they meet the Big
Knives. Whenever they can get any of our people into their hands
they cut them like meat into small pieces." Only the Interpreter
Langlade and two of the Indians were wounded in this affair, in
which Glaus estimated, probably with considerable exaggeration, that
the Americans had lost upwards of one hundred men.

While this skirmish was in progress at Butler's farm, the Seven
Nations of Lower Canada were holding a council at the Ten Mile
Creek, at which they told Glaus that they intended to return home.
"Our patience is at an end," they said. "The King has enemies
below as well as here. This is the day our people begin to cut
grass for their cattle and we must prepare not to let our people and
cattle starve. * * * We took a good many things the other day (at
Beaver Dams.) What are we to get ?"

Glaus assured them that their families would receive assistance
in harvesting, and that they would be paid for the " things " they
had taken, and after some deliberation they seemed perfectly satis-
fied and agreed to remain for some time longer.

The discovery of the mangled bodies at the scene of Eldridge's
disaster thrilled the American camp with horror and indignation,
and occasioned a renewed demand for the employment of Indians
on their own behalf. The inhabitants of the vicinity were accused
not without reason of hostility and ordered to leave their homes
under penalty of the severest punishment.

One of De Rottenburg's first measures was to secure Burlington
against a sudden attack by throwing up intrenchments and mount-
ing cannon, as he regarded that position as a stronghold to which he
might eventually be forced to retire in the hope of maintaining it
until Yeo would be able to co-operate in an attack on the forts at
the mouth of the Niagara. The latter had just been thwarted in
the execution of a bold and well-planned attempt to destroy the
American fleet at its anchorage in Sackett's Harbor, which, if suc-
cessful, would have given him absolute control of the lake. Em-
barking 400 picked seamen and 250 soldiers in row boats the very
next day after his return to Kingston, he crossed the lake and landed
his men on the uninhabited shore of Point Peninsula in full view
and only about ten miles from the harbor, where boats and men
remained concealed in the dense woods for twenty-four hours,

39

intending to make the attack on the following night. But two
men of the Newfoundland Regiment deserted from the garrison at
Kingston immediately after Yeo's departure, and, dogging his boats
until they landed, made their way to the American lines with this
important intelligence. The hurry and bustle with which the ships
were manned and put in a posture of defence next day convinced
Yeo, who was intently observing them with a glass from his hiding
place, that the alarm had been given, and he returned empty-handed
to Kingston on the morning of the 2d July. The fine new ship
General Pike, for which Chauncey had been waiting in port for the
last month, was seen to be nearly ready for sea. She was known
to carry 28 heavy guns, with a crew of 400 men, and believed to be
almost a match for the entire British squadron. Yeo was obliged
to content himself with watching the harbor's mouth and cutting
off supplies. A few days later his gunboats destroyed the barracks
at Gravelly Point and brought off a boat with 100 barrels of pro-
visions and a large quantity of oars.

On learning of Yeo's failure, De Rottenburg good-humored \y
remarked, " A mauvais jew, il faut faire bonne mine," and made
vigorous efforts to repair the roads in his rear, which he described
as the worst he ever saw, to facilitate a retreat when it became
unavoidable. He complained that with the exception of Harvey,
whom he characterized as "most active, zealous, and intelligent," the
heads of the departments were "deficient in activity and cleverness,"
and that the militia staff in particular was "miserable."

On the 6th of July he detached 120 men of the 41st to assist
Procter, who was bitterly complaining that the reinforcement had
been so long withheld, and promised to send him one hundred more
as soon as the remainder of 104th and the 1st battalion of the
Royal Scots arrived.

In the hope of making a slight diversion in Procter's favor and
destroying the naval stores at Black Rock, he authorized Lieutenant-
Colonel Bisshopp, on the 9th, to attempt the surprise of that place.
A couple of nights before this, some of Bisshapp's scouts had
crossed the river near the head of Grand Island, captured some
provision waggons and ascertained that Black Rock was then only
garrisoned by militia. On the 10th, however, Colonel Brady
arrived from Erie with 300 regulars, and by direction of General
Dearborn, left half of them to assist Porter in its defence. Five
hundred militia had been called out ten days before, but not more
than half that number had mustered. In addition to these, the
inhabitants had been embodied and armed for service. About one
hundred Indians had assembled in response to Granger's appeal.
But this force, though respectable in point of numbers, was too

40

widely scattered to be very formidable even for defence. One hun-
dred of the regulars and a party of militia were stationed at
Buffalo. Another detachment of 150 militia occupied a battery
called Fort Gibson, half a mile above the village of Black Rock,
which was armed with three guns. The remainder were distributed
in the village, the main body being quartered in a log blockhouse
surrounded by earthworks, also mounting three guns, with strong
outposts in the Marine Barracks at the navy yard, and a redoubt
commanding the bridge over Shogeoquady Creek, on the road to
Tonawanda, each being defended by an additional gun.

The force selected for the attack by Bisshopp was small but
efficient, consisting of twenty men of the Royal Artillery under
Lieutenant (afterwards Major-General ) R. 8. Armstrong, forty of
,the 8th, Lieutenant Barstow; 100 of the 41st, Captain Saunders;
forty of the 49th, Lieut. FitzGibbon, and forty of the 2d and 3d
Lincoln Militia, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Clark. Bisshopp deter-
mined to command in person, and it was intended that the detach-
ment of the 41st should proceed to join General Procter immedi-
ately after.

The expedition left Chippawa about two o'clock in the morning
of the llth and landed three miles below Black Rock half an hour
before daylight. The militia guard in the redoubt at the bridge-
head abandoned their post in such haste and confusion that they
did not even give the alarm to the party in the Marine Barracks
near by, most of whom were surprised and taken by FitzGibbon,
who led the advance with the 49th. Bisshopp pressed swiftly for-
ward, took possession of Fort Tompkins almost without resistance,
and advanced within two hundred yards of Fort Gibson before his
approach was discovered. General Porter had been on the alert
nearly all night in expectation of an attack, but had gone to bed in
his own house and fallen asleep shortly before daybreak. When he
awoke the British were in full possession of the batteries, and he
barely effected his escape through the window, passing between their
advance and main body, and made his way to Buffalo by a circuitous
route, on foot and alone. The militia in Fort Gibson abandoned
their artillery and stores and retreated in the same direction, fol-
lowing the beach. On the way they met the regulars moving to
their support, and the whole body then retired together. Bisshopp
remained in undisturbed possession of Black Rock for two hours,
which he occupied in burning the block-houses, barracks and navy
yard, with a large schooner moored there, in dismantling the batteries
and destroying the stores that he had no means of removing, arid in
loading the remainder on a captured scow and seven large bateaux.
So far his success had been cheap and complete.

41

Perceiving that there was no pursuit, General Porter rallied his
scattered forces, and being joined by the regulars, Buffalo militia,
and Indians, with a field-gun, advanced by a round-about course
through the fields and roads until he gained the skirts of the
village. Then, as the British were embarking in some confusion, he
briskly attacked their rear. Bisshopp re-landed without an instant's
hesitation and drove the assailants into the woods. But in retiring
to the boats again, Captain Saunders of the 41st fell mortally
wounded and several men of the same regiment were disabled and
left behind. Then one of the boats grounded on the bar as it was
leaving the harbor in such a position that it was exposed for several
minutes to the fire of nearly three hundred men. Two others
gallantly returned to the rescue, assisted the crew of the stranded
boat to get afloat and towed it off. But this was not accomplished
without severe loss. In all thirteen were killed, twenty-seven
wounded' and six reported missing. Bisshopp and Clark, who
were conspicuous alike by their uniform and exertions, were both
hit. Clark's injury was slight, but Bisshopp was badly wounded
in both arms and the thigh. Although not at first supposed to be
vdangerous, these wounds proved mortal, and that distinguished
officer died on the fifth day after.* Of the detachment of the 41st,
Capt. Saunders and six men were killed, Ensign Mompesson, a
sergeant and ten men were wounded, and four privates missing.
Having thus lost nearly a fourth of its numbers, it was prevented
from continuing its march to Detroit. Exclusive of fifteen or
twenty prisoners taken in the batteries, who were chiefiV sailors
and regular artillery men detailed to serve the guns, General Porter
reported vaguely that he had lost two or three men killed and
eight or ten wounded — two of the latter being Indians.

The aims of the expedition had been fully accomplished before
the retreat was begun, and had Bisshopp adhered strictly to the
letter of his instructions he might have corne off without the loss of
a man. Four field guns and great quantities of provisions and
naval and military stores were brought away in a captured scow
and seven large boats, which were loaded to the water's edge. Four
heavier guns with their carriages were destroyed, and the remainder
of the stores thrown into the river. The acquisition of these
supplies was a distinct relief to De Rottenburg, and their loss on

* Lieut -Colonel Bisshopp was barely thirty at the time of his death. He lies buried in the grave-
yard on Lundy Lane's battlefield. In Parham village church in Sussex, near the stately Elizabethan
mansion where he was born, there is a memorial tablet with these lines :
" His pillow— knot of sturdy oak !
His shroud — a eo'dier's simple cloak !
His dirge— will sound till Time's no more-
Niagara's loud and solemn roar.
There Cecil lies— say where the grave
More worthy of a Briton brave !"

42

the other hand greatly delayed the equipment of the American
squadron on Lake Erie.

These events also strongly tended to aggravate the depression
of the American cabinet, which had so confidently undertaken to
direct the campaign from Washington.

John Lovett, a Federalist member of Congress, wrote to a
friend on the 17th of July, immediately after the news had been
received there :

" The British back of Fort George have lately driven in the
picket guard, killed some and took forty or fifty attempting to
reinforce the guard. They have also crossed to Black Rock and
destroyed stores there. The Postmaster-General this morning,
relating these things, exclaimed, 'It does seem as if the very Devil
is in our luck.' "

The effect upon the blockaded army was of course not less dis-
couraging. "The enemy," De Rotten burg wrote, "is in much fear
of being attacked and harass their men by continual nightly duties."

Although General Dearborn absolutely refrained from any for-
ward movement and had declined to sanction the attempt proposed
by General Porter upon St. Davids on the ground that the British
force above that place would render the enterprise "more hazardous
than present circumstances will permit," his patrols and pickets
were constantly attacked almost in sight of his lines. On the llth,
a party of Algonquin and Nippissing Indians, led by the interpreter
Langlade, waylaid eight American dragoons near Ball's house —
killed two and captured the quartermaster's sergeant, a Frenchman.
Late in the afternoon of the same day, ten of the St. Joseph's band
had a prolonged skirmish with a much superior number of infantry,
in which they lost one warrior mortally wounded.

Three days later General Dearborn retired from command of
the American army and was succeeded by Brigadier-General John
P. Boyd, as Major-General Lewis had been recently removed to
Sackett's Harbor, where a division of troops was being assembled
for the protection of the fleet. Boyd had entered the United States
army as a subaltern at an early age, but soon resigned his commis-
sion and went to India where he remained for many years and rose
to high rank in the service of the Nizam of Hyderabad. When the
attack upon the Chesapeake seemed likely to cause a war, General
Armstrong, the present Secretary of War, then American Minister
in France, found him in Paris and had him appointed a colonel of
infantry in the re-organized army. He had commanded the regulars
in the battle of Tippecanoe and was nominated as a brigadier-
general in recognition of his services on that occasion.

He was now " forbidden £o engage in any affair with the enemy

43

that could be avoided," and subjected to the orders of Major-Generals
Hampton and Lewis, one of whom was at Burlington, Vt., and the
other at Sackett's Harbor. One of the Secretary's latest letters to
his predecessor, written, too, before the recent disasters were known,
had strictly enjoined caution. "The leisure you now have," he said,
"affords a tine opportunity for the adjutants and inspectors-general
to attend to their particular duties. Some of the parties of which
you speak from the ememy may practice .a trick on those who fol-
low them. These last ought to be very circumspect." The fate of
Boerstler and Eldridge had since given emphasis to the warning.
Boyd was only regarded as a stop-gap until a leader of more reputa-
tion could be secured. Armstrong had already offered the post to
Major-General James Wilkinson, with whom he had served on the
staff of General Gates in the revolution. " Why should you remain
in your land of cypress" he wrote, " when patriotism and ambition

invite you to one where grows the laurel? If our cards be

well played we may renew the scenes of Saratoga." The latter,
however, displayed an apparent if not a real reluctance to accept.
Lovett wrote that "Wilkinson is making up his mind to take com-
mand of the northern army, considers the responsibility infinite,
that he must conquer or die; lose all his fame or acquire more; that
he will not undertake it unless he can be assured of the means to
be put into his hands." Accordingly, more than a month elapsed
before his objections could be overcome and he actually set out for
the seat of war.

Even if he had not been restrained by his instructions, there
was now little inclination in Boyd's command to attempt any
offensive movement. Officers and men alike were profoundly
depressed if not absolutely panic-stricken by an unbroken series of
petty checks and reverses. Letters written from the camp complain
bitterly of the constant annoyance to which they were exposed,
but confess their inability to resent it. One of these written as
early as the 29th of June says: "I. am informed our army daily
expects the arrival of 400 or 500 Tuscaroras and Senecas. The
general intends, I understand, to accept of them, which I think
would be important against the enemy now, for the}'- are continually
harassing our piquet and guards and detachments sent out into the
country by parties composed of loyal militia and Indians and a few
British regulars. Every night our troops have a skirmish with the
marauders. They are very troublesome. They keep our troops

under arms which exhausts them very much Our men are in

a wretched condition for clothing, many barefooted and half-naked.
The supplies of the army from the quartermaster-general's depart-
ment are irregular The weather is very wet. It rains at least

44

one-half the time. The atmosphere is very changeable from very
warm to very cool days and nights. This produces sickness in the
troops." Another, on the llth July, after relating the destruction of
Eldridge's command, states that "the enemy has advanced within a
few miles of us. The Indians are continually attacking our picket
guard. They are far too strong for us to attack them in the woods."
A third, dated the 16th, relates that "the enemy are reinforcing
every day. We are encircled, they are in our front, the lake in our
rear and flanks, and we do not hold any more ground than that on
which we stand." Still another, on the 17th, observes, "I think our
situation very critical. The enemy are nearly in sight of our pickets.
Their force is gaining every day : ours diminishing. We are attacked

and harassed every night I have not had my clothes off for

two months." On the same day, General Porter informed the
Governor of New York that "the army are panic-stricken and the
affairs of this frontier most critical."

In fact, the arrival of several companies of the Royal Scots,
104th, had enabled General De Rottenburg to move his headquarters
to St. Davids and advance his outposts still closer to the American
camp. This, he said, "reduces the enemy to the ground he stands
upon, and prevents his getting any supplies from our territory.
Independently of these advantages, the more forward movement
became necessary on account of the Indian warriors. They must
be actively employed, and are now daily engaged with the enemy's

outposts, harassing and teasing them the whole day long It is

surprising that with such a superiority of numbers he does not
attempt to drive me from my position, but keeps perfectly quiet
and passive within his lines."

The left of the new position rested on Servos's Mills, near the
mouth of the Four Mile Creek, where there was a secure shelter for
their supply boats, with piquets nearly a mile in advance on the Lake
Road. The centre occupied the Swamp Road at the crossing of the
creek, with piquets at Ball's farm. The bridges over the creek on
both these roads were protected by field-works. The artillery was
posted on the left and supported by the 104th. The battalion of
the King's, or 8th regiment, and a detachment of the 100th, with
the entire body of Indians, formed the centre, while the Royal Scots
and Glengarry Light Infantry held the ground in front of St. Davids
and Queenston, with their piquets thrown well forward. A strong
post of observation was established on Queenston Heights. The
outposts of the enemy were stationed at or near the houses of
Crooks, Secord, John Butler, Thomas Butler, McLellan, and Fields,
beyond the Two Mile Creek. Boyd's division was known to consist
of a battalion of light artillery, detachments of the 2d and 3d

45

United States artillery, the 2d dragoons, the 5th, 6th 8th 12th
13th, 16th, 21st, 22d, 23d and 29th United States Infantry, 'and a
battalion of volunteer riflemen, estimated at upwards of 5000
effective men.

A brisk encounter occurred while this movement was beino-
made, of which there is this vivid narrative in the Ridout corres-
pondence :

"On Saturday, 17th," says Mr. T. G. Ridout, "Henry Nelles
and I rode down to the Cross Roads, three miles from Niagara,
where the Royals, King's and 600 or 700 Indians are posted. I
understood the Americans were advancing into Ball's fields. Im-
mediately the yell was given and Blackbird and Norton set out with
their followers to meet them. Nelles and I rode along, and in
a few minutes the skirmish begun by the Western Indians getting
upon the left flank and the Five Nations upon the other. The
enemy consisted of 500 men. They soon retired, firing heavy
volleys upon Blackbird's party, which was the nearest. The road
is so straight I could see into town, and Nelles and I rode on with
the Indians to within one and-a-quarter miles of Niagara, when we
perceived a large reinforcement from them, with apiece of artillery,
and they advanced with a large front, firing grape shot. The In-
dians scattered in the woods, but we were obliged to keep the road.
By this time three companies of the Royals and a brass six-pounder
came up and were posted on this side of Ball's field — the Yankees
on the other side. We fired for some time, when the Americans
thought fit to retreat. At one time, from the farther end of Ball's
field a mile and a half this way the road was covered with Indians,
officers, soldiers, and horses, and from the Presbyterian church they
must have judged our force at 3000 men. We had about 1000. A
good many Yankees were killed. One Indian took two scalps. A
young Cayuga had his arm and side carried away with a cannon
ball, and another had a ball through his arm."*

The force engaged on the part of the Americans consisted of a
battalion of volunteers (the Irish Greens), a company of mounted
infantry, four companies of riflemen, and four troops of dragoons,
or about 1100 men, under Colonel Winfield Scott, and they admitted
the loss of four killed and nine wounded, among the latter Major
Armstrong, son of the Secretary of War, and Captain Towson.

The movement of troops and seamen from Fort Niagara towards
Buffalo, although only designed for the defence of that place and
manning the Lake Erie squadron, forced De Rottenburg to detach
a strong party to Chippawa to protect the rear of his position, and

* Mrs. Edgar, Ten Years of Upper Canada, p. 204.

46

this in turn renewed the alarm on the opposite shore arid occasioned
the prolonged detention of the Indians assembled at Black Rock,
much to the disappointment of General Boyd, who declared that
their presence with his army would be "incalculably important,"
and that they were "certainly the most efficient troops for such a
wood country as this."

Finally, in compliance with his insistent demands, General
Porter and Mr. Granger invited these Indians, numbering between
three or four hundred men, to proceed to Fort George, "not to
invade the enemy's country, but to act as a piquet guard for his
army." After the usual period of deliberation on this proposal,
Porter reported that their spokesman, the celebrated Red Jacket,
stated that they "had unanimously agreed to reject it for reasons
assigned by them at large (and intermixed with no small share of
sarcasm) which could not be but satisfactory, and which would do
no credit to the army of the centre to repeat." He declared that
they were ready to remain there with the volunteer militia and "to
penetrate the enemy's country with them."

Porter then seized this opportunity of reviving his proposition
to lead a force from Black Rock against the rear of the blockading
army, to consist of about 1200 men, regulars, militia and Indians in
equal numbers, with three or four field guns, to land at Chippawa
at daybreak, "dispose of the British forces stationed there, and
proceed immediately to St. Davids to join and co-operate with such
part of your army as you might think prudent to send out." With
such a body he confidently assured the Secretary of War, "I pledge
myself to enter Canada and relieve his army from their distress."

"The truth is (and it is known to every man of common sense
in this part of the country)," he continued, "that we have had an
army at Fort George for two months past, which at any moment of
this period might by a vigorous and well-directed expedition of
three or four days have prostrated the whole of the enemy's force
in this division of the country, and yet this army lies panic-stricken,
shut up, and whipped in by a few hundred miserable savages, leav-
ing the whole of this frontier, except the mile in extent which they
occupy, exposed to the inroads and depredations of the enemy."

Major Chapin, who had escaped from captivity with most of his
troop by overpowering a militia guard when on his way to Kings-
ton, crossed the river with sixty volunteers to reconnoitre on the
21st July, and advanced as far as Frenchman's Creek without
opposition.

Boyd's instructions, however, left him no discretion until the
arrival of Chauncey's fleet should set him free to act.

Both parties felt that ultimate success was dependent on the

47

mastery of the lake. In the absence of Yeo's squadron, now pro-
longed far beyond expectation, De Rottenburg's embarrassments
hourly increased. Supplies dwindled away. Desertions, hitherto
almost unknown, became alarmingly frequent as his outposts
approached the enemy's works. Not less than fifteen men deserted
within a few days from the 104th, ten alone from the two flank
companies. Five grenadiers were taken in the attempt. In conse-
quence of these disgraceful defections, the Royal Scots were ordered
to relieve a regiment which until then had been distinguished for
gallantry and good conduct. On the 9th July, James Grady, late a
a private in the King's regiment but taken in arms at Stoney Creek,
was shot, and ten days later two men of the 104th and one of the
Royal Scots suffered the same fate for "example's sake." The In-
dians were then thrown forward into the woods beyond the out-
posts with instructions to shoot at sight any men attempting to pass
over to the enemy, and desertions ceased at once. But these unstable
auxiliaries soon again began to show signs of discontent. Blackbird
was annoyed because Colonel Young had insisted that he should
surrender the prisoners he had taken on the 8th of July, although
a ransom was subsequently paid him. At any time it was scarcely
possible to prevail upon them to act at night, the best time for
beating up the enemy's outposts, as it was contrary to their usual
custom. The prolonged absence of the squadron dismayed and
alarmed them, and already the Western Indians began to talk of
returning homewards and to wrangle over the distribution of the
annual allowance of presents, which had not yet arrived. Colonel
Glaus held a council with them at the Cross Roads on the 21st July
in the hope of appeasing their dissatisfaction, at which he assured
them that the squadron was expected to sail from Kingston the
day before, and that an attack upon the enemy's position would be
made as soon as it arrived. These Indians then agreed to remain a
few days longer. Four days later the Seven Nations of Lower
Canada announced that they would only remain for ten days. At
the latter meeting Glaus remonstrated against the constant plunder-
ing of the wretched inhabitants.

" The General," he said, " wishes me to speak to you on behalf
of the poor people about us, who have complained that they lose
everything about their places, and he requests that you will exert
yourselves to prevent these acts of cruelty. It is very hard upon
these poor people, for on the one hand they are injured by the
enemy, and on the other by us."

To this, a chief known as "The Echo" replied, " we are wrong,
and confess our faults. It seemed as if these men wished to side

48

with the strongest. We have taken many things, but any that are
pointed out we will give up."

Norton and Glaus had quarreled beyond hope of reconciliation,
and as the Mohawk Chief bore the reputation of a brave and skil-
ful leader and was, besides, a persuasive and forcible speaker, the
influence of the latter gradually declined both with the General
and the Indians.

About the end of July Norton was married by Mr. Addison to
a girl belonging to the Delaware tribe, whom Glaus spitefully
described as the " daughter of a deserter from the Queen's Rangers
and a common woman," and asserted that thenceforward, "he did
nothing but ride about the country with madam and a posse of his
connections."

In consequence of the persistent demands of the Indians for
compensation for wounds and the death of relatives, a board of
inquiry had been assembled at headquarters, which recommended
that " with a view to soften and restrain the Indian warriors in
their conduct to such Americans as may be made by them prisoners,"
they should receive :

"For every prisoner brought in alive, $5, to be paid immedi-
ately by the commissary on the certificate of the general officer
commanding the division.

" To a chief for the loss of an eye or limb, $100 per annum,
payable in money or goods.

" To a wrarrior for the loss of an eye or limb, or a wound held
equivalent to the loss of an eye or limb, $70 per annum, payable in
money or goods.

" To the widow of a chief killed in action, a present of $200.

" To the widow of a warrior killed in action, a present of $170."

On the 20th July, the first squadron of the 19th Light Dra-
goons arrived and relieved Captain Merritt's troop, which from
constant and arduous service had become almost unfit for duty. "I
found the horses battered and worn out," said Captain Hall, the
inspector of cavalry, " with scarcely a shoe to their feet, many
lamed for want of shoeing, and some of the horses unfit for light
dragoon service in point of size, &c., and with the exception of a
few and half-equipped saddles and a few swords and pistols, the
men and horses are totally destitute of appointments."

Captain Coleman's troop of provincial cavalry, lately enlisted
in Montreal, arrived about the same time, but half of it was at once
sent forward to the Detroit.

The numerical superiority of the blockaded army alone was
sufficient to render any serious movement upon its defences
extremely hazardous, and the American fleet now seemed to be in a

49

fair way to regain control of the lake, by which the very existence
of De Rottenburg's division would be imperilled. As the Governor-
General justly remarked, it was "not expedient to carry on decisive
operations against Fort Niagara while the enemy are in a pre-
ponderating force on Lake Ontario, because, in my estimation, the
first object to be attained is ascendency on the lake.

But Commodore Chauncey was straining every resource at his
command with the same object, and he possessed an inestimable
advantage in being much nearer his base of supplies and having an
abundance of workmen. Guns, shot, cordage, iron-work, in fact
everything required for the equipment of the British squadron, had
to be brought from England.

The ship General Pike was launched by Chauncey on the 12th
of June, and rapidly pushed to completion. She measured 140 feet
in length by 37 feet beam, 900 tons, and mounted thirty-four 24-
pounders, fourteen on a side on a flush deck, four on the top-gallant
forecastle, one on a traversing carriage on the forecastle, and another
mounted in the same way on the poop, giving her an effective
broadside of eighteen guns. Her crew was said to number 420.
The Madison was re-armed with twenty-two 32-pounders and
manned with 340 men. A fast-sailing brig to carry twenty guns,
the Sylph, was laid down as soon as the Pike was launched. After
the failure of Yeo's attempt to surprise the place, a division of 3000
men, principally regular troops, was hurriedly assembled for the
defence of Sackett's Harbor, where they remained idle all summer.
A large floating battery for the protection of the harbor was built
at Oswego, but went to pieces in a storrn while on its way thither.
Two detachments of veteran seamen, numbering 130, arrived from
Boston about the end of June, followed on the 8th of July by the
entire crew of the frigate John Adams. While thus engaged,
Chauncey made no appearance upon the lake except by detaching
three of his swiftest schooners to Niagara with seamen for the Lake
Erie squadron, about the middle of July, but on the 23d he put
out with two ships, a brig, and eleven schooners, having a tonnage
of 2721, carrying 114 guns, throwing a broadside of 1629 pounds
of shot, and manned by 1193 men. Nearly a quarter of these guns
were mounted on pivot or traversing carriages and could fire in
any direction, and were consequently as effective as twice the
number mounted in broadside.

Meanwhile Yeo had been unable to augment the force of his
squadron in any way except by a slight increase in its armament,
and had actually been obliged to weaken the crews by detailing
men for the inestimably important duty of patroling the St.
Lawrence and keeping open the communication with Montreal.

50

With this object a squadron of nine small gunboats was equipped,
each carrying two guns and from 27 to 40 men, organized in three
divisions, one stationed at Kingston, one at Prescott and one at
Gananoqui, to cruise among the Thousand Islands. Eight days
elapsed after Chauncey's departure from Sackett's Harbor before
the British commodore was able to sail in pursuit with six vessels
of 1385 tons, mounting 92 guns throwing a broadside of 1374
pounds, and manned by 632 men exclusive of 200 soldiers of the
Royal Newfoundland and 100th regiments as marines. The arma-
ment of his squadron was most formidable in close action, and Yeo
declared his intention to seek this at all hazards. Prevost described
the squadron as being "powerfully armed, well equipped, completely
manned and ably commanded," and added, "it is scarcely possible a
decisive action can be avoided, and I therefore humbly hope H. R.
H. the Prince Regent will approve of its being courted by us as a
necessary measure for the preservation of the advanced positions of
this army, which I have determined to maintain until the naval
ascendency on Lake Ontario is decided, convinced that a retrograde
movement would eventually endanger the safety of a large propor-
tion of the troops in Upper Canada and convert the heart of the
province into the seat of war."

Before sailing, General Boyd had informed Chauncey that from
information received from Major Chapin and other escaped prisoners
as well as deserters, he had ascertained that a valuable magazine of
supplies and captured ordnance had been formed at Burlington,
which was reported to be guarded only by about 150 men, and sug-
gested that this post might be surprised by a small land force
embarked from Niagara on his fleet. On the 26th July the Lady
of the Lake arrived with a message from the latter that he entirely
approved, and that he would proceed at once to Burlington with his
whole fleet, but needed information and guides. Colonel Winfield
Scott with a company of artillery, accompanied by Major Chapin
and several refugees and deserters as guides, embarked on this
vessel, which rejoined the fleet on the evening of the same day. On
consultation, it was then decided to put into Niagara and take on
board 250 infantry, which was accomplished early next morning.
But the fleet after sailing some distance remained weather-bound
within sight of both shores for the rest of that day and a great part
of the next, so that it was late on the evening of the 29th before it
anchored off' Burlington. The embarkation of troops and the
course of the fleet had been observed by De Rottenburg, and the
delay of nearly forty-eight hours enabled Major Maule to reinforce
the garrison by a forced march from St. Catharines with 200 men
of the 104th. Two parties were landed that night, who took some

51

of the inhabitants by whom they were informed of Maule's arrival.
In the morning Scott's whole command, with 250 soldiers and
marines, landed under Chapin's guidance near Brant's house, and
approached the British position with the apparent intention of
making an attack. But as they found it protected by an intrench-
ment armed with several guns, and a small gunboat cruising in the
bay, they abandoned this design and re-embarked before dark,
carrying off a few of the inhabitants and some cattle. After mid-
night, Lieut.-Col. Battersby, who had marched from York the day
before upon discovering their destination, arrived with the advance

* of his "moveable column," and at daybreak Chauncey set sail for
that place, which was then left absolutely defenceless. Besides this,
the militia had been paroled during the former American occupa-
tion, and many of the inhabitants of the vicinity were undeniably
disloyal and may have been in communication with the enemv. A
month before, Chief Justice Powell had warned the Governor-
General that "in the event of any serious disaster to His Majesty's
arms, little reliance is to be had on the power of the well disposed
to repress and keep down the turbulence of the disaffected, who are

t very numerous."

Chauncey's schooners entered the bay and landed the troops,
who paroled the sick and wounded men in the hospital and broke
open the gaol, liberating all the prisoners except three soldiers con-
fined for felony, whom they took away with them. Several hun-
dred barrels of flour were removed from private storehouses to
their vessels. While this took place, Commodore Chauncey informed
Mr. Strachan and Dr. Powell, who met him as a deputation from
the inhabitants, that his visit was intended as a retaliation for the
descents of the British squadron on the American coast of the
lake, but assured them that none of their houses would be burned.
He even apologized for the destruction of the public library at the
time of his previous invasion, and stated that he had caused a
search-to be made throughout his fleet, and that many of the books
had been found and would be returned. On the morning of Sun-
day, August 1st, having been informed by some of the disaffected
that military stores had been removed up the Don, they sent a
number of boats to ascend that stream. This expedition proved
unsuccessful, as the stores had been already taken away by a few
of the inhabitants headed by the brothers Playter. At sunset the
barracks, woodyard and storehouses on Gibraltar Point were burned,
making a flame that was distinctly seen in the British lines about
Niagara. On the whole, the invaders behaved well and scarcely
molested private property. Elsewhere they do not appear to have
exhibited equal moderation, as De Rottenburg wrote from St. Davids

52

(August 1), "we all day yesterday could perceive smoke from burn-
ing houses around the coast."

Battersby's column marched back to York in all haste, but
arrived several hours after the enemy's fleet had left the bay. On
the 3d Chauncey returned to Niagara and anchored off the mouth
of the river, whence he despatched another party of 111 officers
and seamen to Lake Erie.

With the exception of a feeble reconnaissance on the 21st
July, in which two British dragoons were surprised and taken,
Boyd had remained absolutely quiescent within his lines. By
throwing the whole body of his Indians into the woods in front of
his position De Rottenburg had put an end to all desertion, and the
American general complained that it was nearly impossible to obtain
any information as to his movements or intentions. On the last
day of July, while Chauncey 's fleet was entering Toronto Bay, all
of the American piquets in front of Niagara were driven in by a
general advance and their camp closely reconnoitred, when it was
discovered to be strongly fortified, with many cannon mounted and
apparently occupied by at least 3000 men under arms. As a matter
of fact, Boyd had been recently reinforced by several small detach-
ments, and according to an official return of the 2d of August his
division on both sides of the river actually mustered 6635 officers
and men of the regular army, exclusive of McClure's battalion of
volunteers and Willcocks's command.* But, as the Secretary of
War bitterly remarked, "our armies are very great when estimated
for pay, but very small in the field." Brigadier-General D. R. Wil-
liams, not long since a congressman from South Carolina, and chair-
man of the Committee on Military Affairs, irreverently known
among his colleagues as "Thunder and Lightning Williams," had
also arrived as second in command.

On the 24th July, De Rottenburg had issued a district genera"
order referring to the fact that "many farms in the District o
Niagara are abandoned by their proprietors or tenants who hav
joined the enemy," and appointing commissioners " to husband th
same and gather in the grain" for the use of the army.f The situ
ation of his division was felt to be one of great peril and entirely
dependent on the doubtful result of the struggle for the supremac}
of the lake daily expected to begin.

* Light Artillery, 481

' 277 f Effectivea P«**nt. 3835 rank and file.

Infantry,. . . 5636

f The Commissioners named were Richard Halt, Samuel Halt, Richard Beaseley, Robert Nelles,
Abraham Nelles, Wm. Crooks, Samuel Street, Sr., Thomas Clark, Thomas Dickson, John Warren,
Crowell Willson, and Thomas Cunmiings.

" The fate of this army," wrote Mr. Ridout on the 2d of August,
"depends on the fleet. Its positions are so advanced that a retreat
will be impossible without losing half the men. The enemy remain
cooped up in Fort George, not daring to stir beyond the common.
Everything goes on steadily and regularly. Ten thousand of the
enemy will not be able to start John Bull out of the Black Swamp

A large fire seen in the direction of York, supposed to be

burnt by the Americans."*

The military chest was empty, and provisions were becoming
scarce. The return of Chauncey's fleet with no news of the British
squadron so long promised for their relief, had discouraged and
intimidated the Indians so much that they could scarcely be kept
together. Glaus reported, "they are getting tired and impatient.
They are dropping off daily, and I fear that in a few days we shall
not have many. General De Rottenburg has directed me to pur-
chase everything to be had within fifty miles, but that was not
sufficient for fifty men. Tobacco in particular is an article we can-
not get." They were given a great "war feast" by the general in
person, who states that he had "spared no pains to keep them in
good humor."

On the 5th of August his anxiety was much relieved by the
arrival of Mr. Hagerman with a message from Yeo, stating that his
squadron had been becalmed between the Bay of Quinte and
Toronto, and bringing with him a code of signals to distinguish the
British positions around Niagara.

On the day that Chauncey returned from his expedition
Boyd received letters from the Secretary of War, relieving
him from all previous restrictions as to his action. "So long as
they had wings and you had only feet, so long as they could be
transported, supplied, and reinforced by water and at will," he said,
"common-sense as well as military principles put you on the
defensive. These circumstances changed, the reason of the rule
changes with them, and it now becomes your business in concert with
the fleet to harass and destroy the enemy wherever you can find
them." In a second letter he informed General Boyd that he had
just learned that Fort Meigs on the Miami had been lately attacked
by a "considerable regular force. This," he added, "must have been
drawn from De Rottenburg's corps. His late insolence in pushing
his small attacks to the very outline of our works has been in-
tended to mask his weakness produced by this detachment. If, as
you say, you can beat him, do it without delay, and if you beat, you
must destroy him. There is no excuse for a general who permits a
broken enemy to escape and to rally."

* Mrs. Edgar, Ten Years of Upper Canada, p. 206.

54

The next three days were accordingly spent by Boyd and
Chauncey in forming plans and making elaborate preparations for
a combined attack. It was intended that the movement should
begin on the morning of Sunday, the 8th of August. General
Williams was directed to embark on the fleet with one thousand
men and land at some favorable point in De Rottenburg's rear to
cut off his retreat from the peninsula, while the remainder of the
division, advancing simultaneously in two columns by the Queenston
and the Lake roads, should assail him in front. General Porter's
assistance with the troops stationed at Black Rock and Buffalo was
earnestly desired. "The principal force of the enemy being at St.
David's," Boyd remarked, '"it is thought not advisable for you to
descend on this side, but you will please to join us by the other
with as great a force of Indians as you can assemble."

Despite this warning, finding that the Indians collected at
Black Rock for the last month, where they had been paid and fed
at the public expense, were preparing to abandon him, Porter per-
suaded them to take part in an inroad into Canada on their own
account, which he at first proposed to extend as far as Chippawa, in
the hope of effecting a diversion in Boyd's favor. Crossing the river
on the morning of the 7th before daylight with 200 regulars and
militia and an equal number of Indians, he moved down the
Canadian bank until about four miles below Fort Erie, collecting as
they went a large herd of cattle and horses found grazing on the
commons near the water, and making prisoners of about twenty
unarmed inhabitants, among whom were Messrs. Wintemute and
Overholt, described as "two noted characters of the revolution."
Porter stated that the conduct of his troops in general was excellent,
but that "a few unprincipled rascals from our shore with a few
Indians strayed off unknown to the officers and plundered several
private houses." The Indians were permitted to carry off all the
captured cattle, but Porter recommended that the owners should be
fully compensated.

At daybreak of the same day, when the arrangements for the
proposed attack were nearly complete, Yeo's squadron was descried
from Fort George at a distance of about six miles, apparently
standing for the head of the lake. Chauncey soon got under way
and formed his fourteen ships of war in line of battle. Yeo had
but twenty long guns on all his vessels, throwing a broadside of
180 pounds, to oppose sixty -four, throwing 69 1 pounds at a broad-
side. But on the other hand he had seventy-two carronades, six
of which were sixty-eight pounders, throwing 1194 pounds of shot
at a broadside, against Chauncey 's fifty, throwing a broadside of
935 pounds. In calm weather or on a light breeze Chauncey had

55

an enormous advantage, as his long- guns could wreck the British
vessels at a distance which would make their carronades entirely
useless. Each of the commanders appears to have known the
character of his adversary's armament within a gun or two, and
formed his plans accordingly. It was Chauncey's object to engage
at a safe distance, while Yeo hoped to force a close action, "though
under the guns of their forts." In point of sailing, too, Chauncey's
square-rigged vessels were much superior, and were frequently able
to take the schooners in tow and bring them into action long before
they would have been able to gain a position by their unassisted
efforts. But the latter, although fairly good lake vessels, could not
manoeuvre handily in a gale, and being without bulwarks could
scarcely have been fought at all within range of canister, as the
men working the guns would have been wholly exposed.

After approaching within four miles, the wind showed signs of
shifting into a quarter which might give the British squadron the
weather gage, when Chauncey fired a broadside "which did not reach
half-way" and returned to his anchorage. On Sunday it was nearly
calm, and Yeo directed one of his schooners to approach the
enemy's position in the hope of tempting him out into the lake in
pursuit. Chauncey sent some of his schooners to sweep out in an
effort to cut this vessel off. At two o'clock in the afternoon, a light
breeze sprung up and Yeo's squadron stood in to engage, when the
schooners again retired. The rest of the day was occupied in
similar manoeuvres in plain view of the American works, thronged
with thousands of eager spectators, and of the British posts of
observation along the heights and on the lake shore. During the
night the breeze became a gale, and about one o'clock a sudden
squall struck two of the largest American schooners — the Hamilton
of ten and the Scourge of nine guns. They careened over, and as
they were cleai-ed for action at the time and their guns working on
slides, it is supposed that they went to leeward with the shot piled
on deck ready for use, and overset these ill-fated vessels within hail
of the schooner Asp. Their united crews, numbering 118 persons,
perished with the exception of sixteen or seventeen, who are said to
have been picked up by some of the British vessels then close in
pursuit. In the morning Chauncey had regained his anchorage and
was seen to receive on board nine boat loads of soldiers, afterwards
admitted to amount to 150 men. That day and the next were
spent like the two preceding in ineffectual manoeuvres. The wea-
ther was all that Chauncey could desire for an engagement at long
range. Four times he had the wind and bore down to commence
the battle, when it suddenly shifted and he declined to allow his
adversary the advantage of the weather gage. In the afternoon of

56

the second day the American fleet stood towards the British line
favored by a tine breeze, but was becalmed off the British post near
the mouth of Twelve Mile Creek. At sunset a south-west breeze
blew fresh from the land, giving Yeo the weather gage, and he
bore down under press of sail, hoping to pass as rapidly as possible
through the zone of lire from their long guns and bring his own
carronades to bear before his own ships were disabled. Chauncey
stood away and formed his vessels in two parallel lines about 600
yards apart, each line being composed of six vessels, a cable's length
distance from each other, the light schooners being to windward
and the larger ones with the three square-rigged vessels to leeward.
As the British squadron came down in a single line on their larboard
quarter the schooners in the weather line wrere instructed to begin
firing as soon as their long 32 and 24 pounders would reach, and
gradually bear away and pass through the intervals of the line, still
keeping out of range of the British carronades. About eleven
Yeo's flagship, the Wolfe, leading his squadron and a long distance
ahead of all the other vessels, came within range of the hindmost
schooners, which opened a brisk but ineffective fire and bore away.
They sailed so fast that more than an hour elapsed before the Wolfe
succeeded in passing them with the intention of engaging the two
ships General Pike and Madison, which led the windwrard line.
During all this time most of the long guns in their squadron had
been firing at her with singularly little effect, and all of the
schooners in the weather line had passed through or into the
second line with exception of the two foremost, the Julia and
Groivler, which hauled their wind in succession and shot to wind-
ward, either mistaking or disobeying their orders with the intention,
as Yeo supposed, of raking his ship while engaged with the rest of
the squadron. Yeo's next ship, the Royal George, was still two or
three miles astern, and the Wolfe might have been battered to
pieces before she came up. "On coming up with the Pike and
Madison," Yeo wrote, "they put before the wind, firing their stern
chase guns. I found it impossible for the remainder of the squad-
ron to get up with them and made between them and two schooners,
which I captured." Both of these vessels made a creditable resist-
ance in the chase which followed. The Growler was soon disabled
by the loss of her bowsprit, but the Julia, commanded by Trant,
an Irishman, made a desperate attempt to get away and did not
surrender until the Wolfe almost ran her under. The prizes were
stout schooners of about ninety tons — one carrying three, the other
two heavy long guns, with crews of forty men each. They were
immediately added to the British squadron as the Hamilton and
Conjiance. The Wolfe, which was the only British vessel that

came within range or fired a gun, received no material injury and
had not a man hurt.

An officer of the Pike has described the action in a letter
which was printed about a month afterwards in the United States
Gazette. "On the 10th at midnight we came within gunshot,
everyone in high spirits. The schooners commenced the action
with their long guns, which did great execution. At half-past 12
the Commodore fired his broadside and gave three cheers, which
was returned from the other ships, the enemy closing fast. We
lay by for our opponent, the orders having been given not to fire
until she came within pistol shot, though the enemy kept up a
constant fire. Every gun was pointed, every match ready in hand,
and the red British ensign plainly to be descried by the light of the
moon, when, to our utter astonishment, the Commodore wore and
stood S. E., leaving Sir James Lucas Yeo to exult in the capture of
two schooners and in our retreat, which was certainly a very
fortunate one for him."

Chauncey excused his movement, which he described as "edging
away two points," by the singular plea that he expected to draw the
enemy away from the two schooners he had abandoned and desired
to rescue. Cooper considers that his line of battle was well adapted
to "draw the enemy down" and ''admirable for its advantages and
ingenuity." Roosevelt agrees with the British historian James in
the judgment that Yeo's conduct was faultless, and admits that he
"had attacked a superior force in weather that just suited it and yet
had captured two of its vessels without suffering any injury beyond
a few shot holes in the sails."

Finding that he was outsailed, Yeo ran into Toronto Bay to
refit and man his prizes. "In this narrow water I shall never be
able to bring their ships to action," he wrote to the Governor-
General, "as I have no vessel which sails sufficiently well to second
me .... It concerns me much to find I have such a wary opponent,
as it harasses me beyond my strength. I am very unwell, and I
believe nothing but the nature of the service keeps me up. I have
not closed my eyes for forty-eight hours." Chauncey 's vessels were
again seen in the lake that day, but it blew hard during the night,
and the next morning they had disappeared.

On the 18th Yeo crossed the lake with his squadron increased
to eight sail, and anchored at the mouth of the Four-Mile Creek,
where he landed some stores and communicated with De Rotten-
burg. His appearance taken in conjunction with Chauncey 's de-
parture alarmed General Boyd so much that he hurriedly summoned
the force stationed at Black Rock to come to his assistance, that
night if possible. Before it could obey, Yeo had gone down the

58

lake in search of Chauncey. who, after sending two of his schooners
in^o the river, had returned with the remainder of his fleet to
Sackett's Harbor, where he arrived on the 13th. He took on board
provisions for a tive weeks' cruise, sailed the same night or next
day, sighted Yeo's squadron off the mouth of the Genesee on its
way down the lake, and eventually returned to port after being out
only tive days.

"We proceeded directly for Sackett's Harbor," said the Ameri-
can officer already quoted, "where we victualled and put to sea
the day after our arrival, August 14th. On the 16th we discovered
the enemy again, again hurried to quarters, again got clear of the
enemy by dint of carrying sail, and returned to Sackett's Harbor. On
the 18th we again fell in with the enemy steering for Kingston,
and we reached the Harbor on the 19th. This is the result of two
cruises, the first of which might by proper guidance have decided
in our favor the superiority on the lake and consequently in Canada."
For the next nine days Chauncey remained in port, equipping his
new schooner and refitting the rest of his vessels. After observing
his adversary's retreat into Sackett's Harbor, Yeo returned to King-
ston, where he refitted and took in provisions for six or seven weeks
with the intention of remaining at the head of the lake. He delayed
sailing until the 23rd in order to receive on board fifty men from a
troopship laid up at Montreal, who were ordered to join the Lake
Erie squadron.

Meanwhile the defection of the Indians had become so alarming
that De Rottenburg seized the opportunity afforded by the accidental
death of a warrior to visit their camp on the morning of the 7th,
and assured them that only the want of wind had detained the
squadron. Its appearance an hour or two later quite revived their
spirits, and on the 9th Mr. Robert Livingston carne in with a body
of warriors he had . recruited on the north shore of Lake Huron.
Livingston was at once sent to the front and "kept the Indians who
came with him in constant motion by every day annoying the
enemy's piquets, and frequently brought in prisoners and scalps."

A letter from the American camp of August 15th states "that
our picket guards during the week have been almost constantly in
alarm. On the night of the 13th an attack was made by a pretty
formidable force, but flying artillery was sent out and they dis-
persed. The attacks have been principally made by Indians. The
British are supposed to number 2,000 regulars, 500 or 600 Indians,
and 300 or 400 Indians. There is no doubt they are short of
provisions."

Very early on the morning of the 13th Boyd made an ineffectual
attempt to surprise the British outposts on the left. "Our pickets

59

retired this morning," Glaus reported to Harvey. "The one in front
of Ball's was fired upon by twenty rifles at upwards of 100 yards.
They must have been in the bush all night. Some shots were
exchanged, but the distance was too great to do any hurt. The one
by Secord's did not perceive anything."

The enemy evidently still received information from some dis-
aifected inhabitants. On the llth August General De Rottenburg
acknowledges a letter from Mr. Brenton, the Governor-General's
secretary, referring to "traitorous characters who are in league with
and give information to the enemy." He recommended the procla-
mation of martial law as a remedy, and declared that if he could
obtain sufficient evidence against "one Peters," an ensign on half-
pay, he would try him by court-martial.

On the morning of the 14th General Porter and Major Chapin
arrived at Fort Niagara from Black Rock, having made a forced
march and crossed the river at the head of 144 Indians and 220
volunteers. Other detachments followed next day, which nearly
doubled their number. An agreement had been made with these
Indians that they should receive $5 for every private taken
prisoner, £30 for a captain, and a proportionate sum for officers of
higher rank. They had agreed to abstain from scalping, but seem
to have broken this promise at the first opportunity. Chauncey had
not returned as General Hoyd expected, which in his opinion ren-
dered any important offensive movement impracticable, but he
determined to employ these auxiliaries in another attempt to
surprise the piquet near Ball's. The force detailed for this enter-
prise consisted of 300 Indians and volunteers, led by Porter and
Chapin, supported by 200 regulars under Major Cummings. A
brisk shower of rain caused them to abandon all hope of surprising
the piquet, but their approach brought on a hot skirmish, in which,
for the first time since the blockade began, they obtained a decided
advantage, owing chiefly to the heedlessness of their adversaries.

Colonel Glaus described the affair with more than usual detail :
"When we got to the advanced piquets more parties were required
to be sent out, and our number reduced from upwards of 300 to not
more than 50. We had not been here long (advanced piquet) when
firing commenced in Ball's fields, to which place I went as quick as
possible with the few Indians I had remaining, not supported with
or by the troops, and met the Senecas, who, after exchanging some
shots, led us into a trap, for in the skirts of the woods there were
laying the riflemen and a number of troops. We retired to the
first field we engaged them in, and, after some firing, Captain Norton
observed that 'it would not do, that we must retire and collect.'
That was enough. The word was hardly given when all set from

60

the field, and Major Givins observed to me that we might as well
follow. We were then alone in the tield at the skirt of the wood.
I endeavored to halt them, but all in vain. Our loss was severe
this day. I attributed it to dividing us, for our Indians that were
detached ran to the spot and met the Senecas, whom they took for
our own people. Five were killed, three wounded and ten taken
prisoners, besides Captain Lorimier and Livingston the interpreter,
who was severely wounded. It was nearly attended with serious
consequences. The Western Indians had four of their people killed,
and said the Six Nations were the cause of it. Every Indian
moved off from their camp some eight or ten miles."

An American eye-witness, whose account appeared in Pcrulsoris
American, gives some further particulars. "Our force here is
about 5,000. We had to-day a brush with the British. Our force
was composed of Indians and militia. Two of our allies were
brought in dead, and buried with much pomp. Twelve or fifteen
white men were brought in prisoners, bound with ropes as if they
had been wild beasts. Sundry scalps were exhibited fresh from the
heads of the victims. One valuable farm house, with a barn and
outhouses, was burnt by our people, and a field of grain set on fire
which would not burn. Deserters come in daily."

Livingston was surrounded by the hostile Indians and over-
powered after a desperate struggle, in which he received four painful
wounds. A blow from a tomahawk destroyed the sight of his right
eye, a musket ball lodged in his thigh, where it remained for many
months, and he was stabbed in the shoulder and head with a spear.
He complained that after being taken he was "refused the least
medical aid until his wounds were swarming with worms."

The severity with which the prisoners taken on this occasion
were undeniably treated, became the subject of a vigorous protest
from De Rottenburg. General Boyd admitted the fact, but care-
fully disclaimed all personal responsibility. "When the Indians
taken prisoners the other day," he replied, "were brought in with
ropes around them. I immediately ordered this disgraceful badge
to be taken off. and administered to their famished state from my
own table. I observed a white man among them, but being told by
himself that he was 'un sauvage,' I conceived his treatment should
be similar to the others. The particular rigor he has since
experienced was unauthorized by me, and prohibited when the fact
came to my knowledge. Since he is acknowledged a British captain,
his treatment will be accordingly."

The British Indians took a partial revenge for their losses next
day. Another skirmish took place on the Ball farm, which con-
tinued with the usual amount of firing and whooping for three

61

hours. They were well supported by a party of light infantry, and
finally drove the American Indians within their lines, leaving two
Senecas dead on the field and one prisoner. "The prisoner was
much in liquor," Glaus wrote. "He told me it was the case the day
before, that they were made drunk and not supported." His own
Indians had only lost a Cayuga chief killed. The Americans
subsequently admitted a loss on both days of one volunteer and
four Indians killed, and two or three volunteers and several Indians
wounded. The result of the last skirmish seems to have had a
dispiriting effect, and both volunteers and Indians soon began to
leave the camp in small parties and straggle homewards.

A British officer, whose name is not mentioned, briefly noted
the events of a week as they fell under his observation, in the form
of a journal which was soon afterwards published in the Montreal
Gazette :

"August 16th. I was sent with my company in the night to
within three-quarters of a league of Fort George. We surprised a
picket, killed two sentries and a dragoon ; their cavalry coming
out, we retired to Queenston without loss.

" August 17th. Captain Charles De Lorimier and fourteen In-
dians were surprised and made prisoners by the American Indians;
two men of the 104th and one of the Royals killed, four Indians
killed, Lieut. Gladwin of the dragoons wounded. We killed four
American Indians and captured one.

"20th. An American deserter arrived and said the Americans
were to attack us in four hours with 4000 men.

"21st. Sir George Prevost arrived. The arrival of the fleet
with DeWatteville's regiment from Kingston is daily expected."

On the morning of the latter day, a party of Indians came out
from the American lines bringing with them two of their prisoners,
whom they released as an evidence of their good-will, and secretly
proposed to the British Indians that they should retire from the
contest on both sides and leave the white men to fight it out. This
was resolutely rejected by the latter, who replied once more that
they "were determined to share the fate of the King."

Three days after his arrival, Sir George Prevost directed a
"general demonstration" against Boyd's position. The right wing,
consisting of two columns, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonels
Battersby and Plenderleath, moved from St. Davids against the four
piquets stationed between the Cross Roads and the river, while the
left, under Colonel Young, also in two columns, advanced at the
same time from their camp at Four-Mile Creek, one under Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Ogilvie, by the road from Lewis Niles' to Ball's, and
the other, commanded by Major Moodie of the 104th, (afterwards

62

killed in '37 at Montgomery's Tavern.) by the lake road to surprise
piquets one and two. Packs and all other encumbrances were left
in camp. Lieutenant-Colonel O'Neil of the 19th Light Dragoons,
with thirty troopers of his regiment, followed, and, supported by
the whole body of Indians, covered the advance on the village.
The attack began shortly after daybreak, while the fog hung heavy
on the plain. All the piquets were surprised by a sudden rush
nearly at the same instant, and a considerable number of prisoners
taken. Captain FitzGerald of the 49th, in leading the attack on
the piquet upon the Queenston Road, fell with a gunshot wound,
which subsequently caused the amputation of his leg. In the con-
fusion which followed, Captain Davenport of the 16th U. S. I., who
commanded this post, escaped with most of his men, even carrying
off some of his assailants as prisoners. Captain Delano of the 23rd
U. S. I., retiring with the remnant of another piquet, stumbled
upon FitzGerald as he was being removed from the field, and carried
him into his own lines. Captain Vandalsen of the 15th U. S. I., in
charge of the piquet near Butler's house, also succeeded in effecting
his retreat with slight loss. Lieutenant-Colonel Harvey, who had
been detailed to reconnoitre the works, dashed gallantly into the
village at the head of the dragoons, scouring the streets as far as
the Presbyterian Church, from the steeple of which he secured a
complete view of all their intrenchments, which bristled with cannon
and were crowded with men. As soon as the firing was heard and
their outposts were seen flying for shelter across the commons, two
columns, led by General Williams and Colonel James Miller, with
two field-pieces, advanced to their relief, and their light troops
began a brisk fire out of the windows of houses and from behind
fences and garden walls, while the batteries of the camp were
turned upon the village. Eventually these troops, which had been
instructed to act strictly on the defensive, retired into their intrench-
ments, which were then closely reconnoitred. "No provocation
could induce the American army t& leave their places of shelter,"
Prevost wrote to Lord Bathurst, "and venture into the field, where
alone I could hope to contend with it successfully. Having made a
display of my force in vain, a deliberate retreat ensued, without a
casualty. I am now satisfied that Fort George is not to be reduced,
strengthened and supported as it is by Fort Niagara, without more
troops, the co-operation of the fleet, and a battering train. To
accomplish this object a double operation becomes necessary. Fort
Niagara must be invested, and both places be attacked at the same
moment."

A letter in the New York Evening Post relates that "on the
24th of August the enemy made their appearance at our advanced

63

post No. 6, and on being challenged, replied ' deserters.' The centinel
replied 'pass deserters,' and was taken. The other centinel ran in
and warned the guard, who fired and dispersed. The arms of the
British were unloaded, wishing to take them by surprise, and only
17 out of 47 of whom the guard consisted were taken. In this
skirmish Captain FitzGerald of the 49th was wounded. A party
afterwards went out and captured him with two men, who were
carrying him away. Before we had time to support our other
posts, they were driven in (Nos. 1 to 5) with equal loss, and the
enemy penetrated to the very centre of the town of Newark, and
skirting the woods in our front rested his right on the Niagara,
occup}nng our post No. 6, his left on the lake, and his centre within
view and gunshot of our works."

Lieutenant Jones and a private of the 49th were wounded,
two men of the 104th were killed and three wounded, in the course
of the day's operations. The number of prisoners taken is variously
stated by British authorities from fifty to seventy, and belonged to
at least five different regular regiments.* General Boyd at first
reported that his loss was trifling, but five days later admitted that
it was much greater than he had supposed, having learned that
there were five men killed and twenty-seven missing. Besides
Captain FitzGerald, he stated that six privates were taken prisoners
by his troops, and concluded his despatch with the absurd remark,
"his force is withdrawn out of our reach into his stronghold."

An attack upon Boyd's formidable entrenchments with the
very inferior force at his command would have been little less than
madness, yet the spirits of the loyal inhabitants had been so much
elated by a series of remarkable and unhoped-for successes that many
were ready to censure the Governor-General for having declined to
undertake it. A writer of the present day heedlessly condemns
the reconnoissance on the assumption that "at the time no expla-
nation of its design was offered, and it has remained to this day
unexplained and inexplicable."

General Boyd's determination not to be drawn from the de-
fensive seemed to have caused similar dissatisfaction and criticism
among his troops, which as usual was readily repeated by the news-
papers.

" General Boyd and Major Chapin have quarreled," says a
letter from Geneva of September 3d, in the New York Commercial
Advertiser. "Major Chapin has discharged the Indians who were
under him. The cause of this disagreement was the general not
supporting the major when the British made an attack and drove
in the American piquets stationed at Newark. The major finding

* 2nd Dragoons, 6th, 13th, 16th and 23rd U. S. Infantry.

64

the British too strong for him, sent for a reinforcement of 700 men
with two field-pieces. No answer being returned, Major Chapin
sent for half the number and one field-piece. This was riot granted.
The consequence was that the British out-flanked our men, killing
and wounding many, and obtained possession of the town, and from
the Presbyterian church steeple they had a fine view of our encamp-
ment. The British kept possession of the town a very short time —
long enough, however, for those who had been refused permission
to depart from thence to leave it, which they did with shouts of joy."

" The agreement with the Indians allows them $5 for each
private taken and $30 for a captain, and so on in proportion to
their rank. They are not allowed any sum for scalps, nor are they
permitted to scalp any white person, but they have taken the
liberty to scalp the British Indians.

" A few days since a private dwelling house was set on fire by
our troops in Newark. The next night the Presbyterian Church
was destroyed the same way. General Boyd says it was by Major
Chapin's troops, and Major Chapin declares it to have been done by
the regulars."

After the demonstration of the 24th of August, several days
seem to have passed without noteworthy incident, except that Cap-
tain Gordon of the Royal Scots, in moving along the line of out-
posts lost his way in a fog and entered the American lines, where
he was taken prisoner by Thomas Gray, a private of the 15th U. S.
infantry, who was rewarded by the gift of a silver cup " with a suit-
able inscription," from General Boyd.

After being becalmed for two days near the Ducks, Yeo sailed
up the lake without seeing anything of the enemy's fleet. He sent
a transport loaded with provisions into York and two others con-
veying men, guns and naval stores for the Lake Erie squadron to
Burlington, and on the 27th appeared off Niagara with eight sail.
One of his schooners ran in so ctose to the mouth of the river as to
exchange shots with the American batteries. Next day he captured
the schooner Mary, of Oswego, on its way to Fort Niagara with
flour and lumber for the army, and crossed the lake to York. On
the 29th he returned, and after landing Lieut.-Colonel Bruyeres, of
the Royal Engineers, who was sent to conduct the siege operations,
and a party of artillerymen, at the mouth of the Four Mile Creek,
sailed for a cruise along the American shore in search of their con-
voys of provisions.

By this time the heat had become almost unendurable,
and sickness had vastly increased. " The weather is intensely
warm." De Rottenburg wrote on the 30th, "and everybody is more
or less affected by it. Colonel Stewai^t, Major Plenderleath, Major

65

Williams, FitzGibbon and a great number of others are laid up with
the lake fever. We are in great need of medicines."

" Last evening our fleet came over," says Mr. Ridout, "and pro-
ceeded to the Twelve-Mile Creek on the American side to intercept
supplies by water, which the Yankees have daily received. Great-
victory in Spain (Vittoria). De Watteville's regiment is very much
wanted here. The 49th are reduced to about 370 men. This morn-
ing three companies, amounting to about 75, have arrived from
Burlington ; 50 Royal Artillery have joined by the fleet.

" By what I can learn, Sir George's presence here is very little
sought for ; he has no idea of attacking the Americans on their own
ground. The summit of his wishes is to recover Fort George and
remain there. The great officers say this army will be ruined by
petty affairs. Some heavy cannon have arrived at Burlington. The
army have been these two days out of whiskey. There is a good
deal of ague among the men. The 8th have neither blankets nor
great coats, but a large supply have arrived."*

It was then seriously proposed to bring a division of 2000 men
under Major-General Stovin with a siege train of fourteen guns in
the squadron from Kingston, land them at the Four-Mile Creek on
the American side, invest Fort Niagara and begin a regular siege
on both sides of the river. But this could not be done with safety
so long as the American fleet was able to contest the command of
the lake.

Having equipped and manned the new schooner Sylph and
taken on board two regiments of infantry, Chauncey had sailed
from Sackett's Harbor on the 28th of August. On the 3rd Sep-
tember he appeared off Niagara and ran into the river during the
night. Yeo, being then off York, left a number of empty transports
which he was conveying to Kingston for the conveyance of the
siege-train to pursue their voyage alone, crossed the lake and
anchored off the mouth of the Four Mile Creek on the evening of
the 4th.

De Rottenburg had already removed his headquarters to the
left in hope of beginning the siege as soon as Yeo returned, but his
chief engineer then declared that it would be impossible to drive the
American fleet out of the river and commence operations without
mortars. Two ten-inch guns mounted on Brown's Point, he said,
would be sufficient. "If the fleet should leave me," De Rottenburg
wrote, "I cannot hold my position with so powerful a fleet in the
river. If I cannot get heavy artillery I cannot attempt anything
with only six field-pieces and howitzers. I have now at the Twelve-
Mile Creek and at York over 500 sick." By this time nearty the

« Ed^ar, Ten Years of Upper Canada, p. 210.

66

whole of his Indians, except those from the Grand River, had
returned to their homes, and desertion had again become alarmingly
frequent among the regular troops. Two men of the 8th, four of
the Canadian Voltigeurs and three of the 49th had deserted in a
single day.

"We have changed our headquarters to the lake side," writes
Mr. Ridout. " The encampment here is very beautiful, and is
formed of the 8th and 104th and part of the 89th and 100th Regi-
ments, consisting of 2000 men. They lie upon the edge of the
woods, having large clearings in front, and the main road crossing
the camp by Mr. Addison's, where the general stays. Very few

troops are left in St. Davids The army is getting very sickly.

There are more than 400 sick, and a great number of officers. York
is considered the healthiest place for the hospitals. We cannot
stand this daily diminution of strength ten days longer. Our fleet
is just coming over from York — I suppose with De Watteville's
regiment. Four of the Glengarrys deserted yesterday, and four
American dragoons deserted to us."

But great as the amount of sickness in the blockading force
may appear, the ravages of disease were vastly more serious in the
American camp. A large body of men had been practically shut
up within it for three months. Their encampment was badly
policed, heaps of rubbish and refuse were allowed to accumulate
everywhere and a horrible stench rose from the sinks, to the neglect
of which the surgeons ascribed much of the ill health of the
troops. With the exception of a few hot days in the beginning of
June, the whole of that month and the first ten days in July had
been unusually wet and cool. Then a "severe and unrelenting
drought" set in, which lasted for almost two months. The village
of Niagara intercepted the breeze from the lake, while the unbroken
forest stretching for many miles southward along the eastern bank
kept the wind away from those quarters. The pitiless midsummer
sun beat down upon their camp until it glowed like a furnace.
"Thus having been wet for nearly a month," says Dr. Lovell, "our
troops were exposed for six or seven weeks to intense heat during
the day and at night to a cold and chilly atmosphere, in consequence
of the fog arising from the lake and river. The enemy's advance
being within a short distance of the camp, the details for duty
were large, and skirmishes taking place at the piquets every morn-
ing the soldiers were for a length of time stationed at the several
works for several hours before daylight, and thus exposed to the
effects of a cold, damp atmosphere at the time when the system is
most susceptible to morbid impressions."

The detestable quality of the provisions furnished by the con-

67

tractors was another fruitful source of disease. Much of the bread
was unfit to be eaten. In some cases the flour had become mouldy,
in others it had been so largely adulterated with ground plaster of
paris that it could be detected by the eye as well as by its excessive
weight.

From less than seven hundred at the beginning of August the
number of sick regularly increased to 1165 rank and file out of
4587 three weeks later. Nor did this return represent the true
extent of their losses by disease. "From an estimation of numbers
sick in the general and regimental hospitals," said Dr. Mann, their
surgeon-in -chief, "it was my persuasion that but little more than
one-half of the army were capable of duty at one period during the
summer months. The officers suffered equally with the rank and

file There was one regiment on the frontiers which at one

time counted 900 strong, but was reduced by a total want of good
police to less than 200 fit for duty in the course of two months.

At one time 340 of this regiment were in hospitals, besides a

large number reported sick in camp Half of the medical staff

attached to the regiments were also unable to perform their duty.
Of seven surgeon's mates attached to the hospital department, one
died and three had leave of absence by reason of indisposition, the
other three were for a short period sick. So general was the sick-
ness that the few remaining surgeons could not do full justice to

their patients Deserters from the British army, of whom some

hundrexls came to our posts, exhibited marks of high health, while
our soldiers were pallid and emaciated."

The number of deaths was not great, the only one of note
among them being Colonel John Chrystie, the senior officer of that
rank in the division.

Although great efforts had been made during the whole year to
increase the American regular army by offering bounties and other
inducements to enlist, private information received by the British
commanders indicated that recruiting scarcely kept pace with their
losses.

Porter and Chapin appear to have retired from the American
camp with the greater part of their force about the 27th August,
and after remaining a few days at Lewiston, returned to Black
Rock, where they began recruiting for another "excursion." A
number of their Indians still continued with General Boyd.

Wilkinson, the new commander of the "Army of the Centre,"
arrived at Sackett's Harbor on the 20th August with the intention
of making Kingston the first point of attack, and with this object
of bringing down the greater part of Boyd's division in the fleet, at
the time when Yeo and De Rottenburg were actually contemplating

68

a similar movement of its garrison up the lake to assist in the
reduction of the forts at the mouth of the Niagara. Wilkinson be-
came alarmed when he learned about a week later that Prevost had
gone westward, and sent a warning message to "prevent his playing
tricks with Boyd." Then, in a highly characteristic vein, he began
to cast up his chances of success. "What an awful crisis have I
reached ! If Sir Geoi-ge beats Boyd, and Sir James, Chauncey, my
prospects are blasted and the campaign wTill, I fear, be lost. If Sir
George beats Boyd, and Chauncey, Sir James, Kingston may
yet be ours, but should both knights be beaten, and our quartermaster
find transports in season (of which I have fears, as I have found
next to none here,) then we shall certainly winter in Montreal if not
discomfited by some act of God."

On the 4th of September he arrived at Fort Niagara to find
Chauncey 's fleet blockaded in the river and "Sir James Yeo with
the British squadron vaporing in front of it." This state of affairs
continued until the evening of the 7th, when a light land breeze
enabled the American vessels to enter the lake again. For three
days both fleets remained in sight without firing a gun, arid each
maneuvering in the hope of securing the weather gage, at a distance
varying from four to eight miles. On the llth they had disappeared,
and on the afternoon of that day the British squadron was becalmed
near the mouth of the Genesee. Chauncey, with a light wrind, suc-
ceeded in getting within range of his numerous long guns in weather
that just suited his vessels. Before sailing, the Sylph had been
armed with four long thirty-two pounders mounted on circles be-
tween the masts, avowedly in the hope of "bringing down some of
the enemy's spars." She carried besides, six long sixes in broadside
and is said to have taken on board some other long guns while at
Niagara. Consequently Chauncey 's superiority at long range was
even greater than before. But his crews had been much weakened
by sickness, and deserters reported that his vessels were decidedly
short-handed when they entered the river. He endeavored to make
up for this by taking on board a body of riflemen to act as marines.
He judiciously made the most of his opportunity by keeping out of
range of his adversary's carronades and tiring deliberately in per-
fect security. "We remained in this mortifying situation five
hours," said Yeo, " having only six guns in all the squadron that
would reach the enemy (not a carronade being fired.)" Mr. Roose-
velt considers it a "proof of culpable incompetency" that he did not
substitute some of his long guns for his carronades, but as Yeo's
whole career proves him ready-witted and resourceful, there were
probably excellent reasons for not adopting so obvious an expedient
as this may seem to a landsman. At sunset a breeze sprung up

69

from the westward and Yeo made for the False Duck Islands, under
which he believed that his antagonist would be unable to retain the
weather gage. Chauncey declined to follow him, alleging that
Amherst Bay is "so little known to our pilots and said to be so full
of shoals that they are unwilling to take me there." It must have
required no little audacity to write, "I am much disappointed that
Sir James refused to fight me as he was so much superior in point
of force, both in guns and men, having upwards of twenty guns
more than we have and heaves a greater weight of shot."

The fire of his heavy guns had been attended with surprisingly
little result, Midshipman Ellery and three seamen were killed and
seven seamen wounded on Yeo's ship, and the brig Melville received
a shot so far below the water line that in order to plug it all her
guns had to be run in on one side and out on the other, but not a
spar was lost or scarcely even injured Having thus "exhausted his
naval tactics in endeavouring to obtain the weather gage," Yeo
returned to Kingston on the 15th, "almost chased" into port, to the
keen disappointment of the Governor-General, who had hoped for a
"decided advantage."

The booming of the cannonade had been heard far inland
by the New York militia gathering to march to Niagara, and
rumors of a great battle spread fast. They soon came to Wilkin-
son's ears, and being as "wild and extravagant as they are incon-
sistent and contradictory," made him sigh for "an end of this
uncertainty, which damps our exertions and retards our measures."

On the 6th of September a British foraging party engaged in
cutting a field of oats on Ball's farm was attacked by American
Indians, and Glaus and Captain Wm. J. Kerr went to their rescue
with some of the Six Nations. A party of the Glengarry Light
Infantry also advanced, and American riflemen came out to cover
the retreat of their Indians. Firing continued for nearly three
hours, before the latter were finally driven in. Two of the American
Oneidas were killed and the same number wounded, while Glaus
had two Mohawks wounded and a drunken Cayuga warrior ran into
the hands of the enemy. One of his Tuscaroras, who was very
drunk, ran forward in pursuit near the close of the skirmish and
drew their tire upon him, by which he was killed, and a young
Delaware, who attempted to go to his relief and shot a white man
in the act of scalping him, received two wounds. The Six Nations
and their leaders were thanked in general orders for their good con-
duct in this encounter, which was the only one that took place for
several days.

One of General Wilkinson's first measures was to issue an
address to the Six Nations residing within the United States, calling

70

upon them to "organize, embody, and assemble as speedily as pos-
sible at the most convenient place" and send a deputation of chiefs
to confer with him. Three hundred and fifty eventually responded
to this summons and were joined by two hundred of the Oneida
and Stockbridge tribes from near the centre of the State.* A bri-
gade of 2,650 New York militia had been ordered to assemble at
Lewiston on the 7th September, but it was nearly three weeks later
before it actually arrived, and did not then muster quite 2000 men.

Two unimportant incursions were in the meantime undertaken
by the volunteer force assembled near Buffalo. On the 14th Septem-
ber Chapin crossed the lake with fifty men in the hope of surprising
a militia guard stationed at Zavitz's mills near the Sugar Loaf, but
found that Colonel Warren had been warned of their approach. and
withdrawn it into the interior. Three days later General Porter
landed eight miles below Fort Erie and moved up the Canadian
bank to the ferry without opposition.

During all this time De Rotteuburg continued to lose heavily
by desertion. Every account from the American camp refers to the
constant stream of deserters that were coming in, sometimes as
many as seven or eight in a day and never less than two. General
Wilkinson himself states sixty-five arrived in the first sixteen days
of September, and that he had lost barely six. Yet he found it
necessary to hang one of his own men as an example. Another
officer, writing on" the 13th, estimates that nearly 300 men had
deserted from the British since the American army had entered
Canada.

~ Many of the inhabitants had become so much intimidated by
the severity of the enemy in the deportation of numbers of the
loyalists and destruction of their buildings, that they were un-
willing to take employment even as teamsters or mechanics, and the
Governor-General eventually found it necessary to publish a special
order protesting against " the unjustifiable practice of the United
States in paroling unarmed and peaceable citizens," and stating that
" several subjects had been deterred from accepting employment in
their several callings as mechanics, and otherwise, for fear of being
punished for violating their parole." He asserted that paroles could
only be considered binding on persons actually engaged in military
services or found with arms in their hands, and that a parole when
lawfully taken could only extend to military service in the garrison
or the field and would not preclude them from performing their ordi-
nary duties as subjects or from the exercise of their civil occupations,

* The number of Indians in the employment of the United States on this frontier must have been
considerable. As late as 1862, the claims for pensions were allowed of S3 Indians of the Alleghany Reser-
vation, 218 of the Cattaraugus Reservation, two of Cornplanter's, 86 of the Onondaga Nation, 11 of the
Oneida Nation, 17 of the Tuscarora Nation, or 415 in all.

71

and that in the event of any such persons being treated with undue
severity, he would retaliate in like manner. It was added that
there was strong reason to believe that in several instances the
paroles so given had been sought by the persons themselves as
affording a means of evading their military and other duties, and
that all "such useless and disaffected characters" would be sent out
of the country to the enemy as prisoners of war to remain until
exchanged."

On the 19th of September, having remained in port four days,
Sir James Yeo again sailed from Kingston, having under convoy
seven small vessels loaded with supplies and siege guns for De
Rottenburg. "The centre division of the army in Upper Canada,",
the Governor-General said in his instructions, "has long been in the
singular position of investing a superior force ; it is much weakened
by disease and desertion, and its position rendered critical by the
temporary naval ascendency of the enemy. The policy of the
American commanders is to protract the final decision, in the expect-
ation of depriving me of the means of forwarding supplies, as it is
well known the state of the country will only admit of their being

transported by water This position was adopted and has been

maintained in the expectation that with the co-operation of your
squadron a combined attack could be made upon Fort George. You
are to proceed to the head of the lake, affording a sufficient convoy
to the small vessels containing those stores and supplies of which
the army is in most pressing want. On your arrival at the head-
quarters of the centre division, you are to consult with General De
Rottenburg upon the eligibility of a rapid forward movement upon
Fort George, bringing up in battery at the same time the heavy
ordnance, mortars, and howitzers now embarked. The attack to be
supported by your squadron. If this proves too hazardous for the
squadron in case of the the enemy appearing upon the lake, to state
it to General De Rottenburg, who will evacuate the position he now
occupies, and, having assisted him in this, to do what is possible to
ensure ascendency on the lake. The flotilla of transports to be kept
employed as long as the weather will admit, in the conveying of
stores from Kingston for the right and centre divisions of the
army."

Instructions had already been forwarded to De Rottenburg,
authorizing him to retire as far as Burlington if he thought proper,
but he had replied that he would only do this in case of absolute
necessity, as he must then sacrifice the resources of the country in
his rear. He was now directed to maintain his position as long as
it was prudent, " although exposed to a lamentable prevalence of
disease and desertion and the increasing numbers and resources of

72

the enemy. The land operations depend almost entirely on suc-
cesses of the fleet, but to have relinquished one foot of ground on
which we so proudly stand would have lost all our wavering friends
and have proved destructive of our Indian allies."

When these orders reached him, De Rottenburg was reduced
to the verge of despair. " What with sickness and desertion," he
wrote on the 17th of September, " I am now almost au bout de mon
latin, and my situation daily becomes more desperate. More than
1,000 men are laid up with disease, and officers in still greater pro-
portion. Daily five or six villains go off. There is no thoroughly
healthy spot to retire to as far as York. Burlington is as bad as
here. The fever and ague rages, and the inhabitants are as sickly
as the soldiers. If you cannot send me fresh troops the country
will be lost for want of hands to defend it. If I am attacked and
forced back the sick will be lost for want of conveyance."

About the same time, Mr. Ridout states that " desertion has
come to such a pass that eight or ten men go off daily .... Their de-
serters come in every day. They say that 4,000 men are at Fort
George. The other day a Yankee picket shot two of our deserters
dead. One of the 49th attempted to swim over by Queenston, but
was killed by the sentry."

There can be no doubt that the distressed state of the block-
ading army was perfectly well-known to the enemy, and it is
astonishing that he should have abstained from an attack, when
success must have seemed all but certain. "If the enemy's sick list
amounts to one thousand four hundred out of three thousand," the
Secretary of War said to Wilkinson, "the enemy can undertake
nothing with effect." When this was written, a return of the
division at Fort George showed that it numbered 4587 rank and
file, of whom 3422 were fit for duty.

Yet De Rottenburg gallantly prepared for the continuance of
the blockade. When the autumnal rains fairly set in his position in
and about the Black Swamp would no longer be tenable, and he
proposed to remove his quarters to the high ground extending from
Queenston to Chippawa.

For about ten days after General Wilkinson's arrival at Fort
George he was confined to his bed, accqrding to his own statement,
by a "severe and unremitting malady," which caused "much
depression of the head and stomach." Others roundly asserted that
he was suffering from the effects of drink. On the 16th he
announced that he had "escaped from his pallet with a giddy head
and trembling hand," but nothing had been heard from Chauncey
since his departure, and the result of the naval action was still
unknown. The militia had not yet arrived, but "the Indians," he

73

said, "enter into our views with zeal, and I expect a corps of at least
five hundred in eight days." Estimating his own effective force at
3400 and that of the British blockading him at 1600, he inquired :
"Shall I make a sweep of them or not, at the hazard of the main
object ?"

On the 19th, a number of schooners and large boats arrived
from Oswego for the conveyance of Boyd's division. Chauncey had
sailed from Sackett's Harbor on the 17th, but was driven back by a
storm. Next day he sailed again, and sighted the British squadron
with its convoy on its way up the lake. But he made no attempt to
intercept it, for the Secretary of War had come to Sackett's Harbor
on purpose to supervise the operations of the army, and had said :
"Let not the great objects of the campaign be hazarded by running
after Yeo. These accomplished, his race is run. Kingston or the point
below seized, all above perishes, because the tree is then girdled."

Yeo for his part, encumbered with transports and siege guns,
was only too glad to pursue his course unmolested. The
American fleet arrived at Niagara on the 23rd, and two days later
1,500 men were embarked, but a strong easterly gale prevented
them from sailing. On the 26th the weather again became fair and
the troops were in readiness, but Wilkinson had learned by that
time that " the tantalizing Sir James Yeo was in shore with his fleet
on the evening of the 24th about twenty-eight miles east of York."
Chauncey sent two light vessels to reconnoitre, which reported
seeing the British squadron in Toronto Bay. The American fleet
of eleven ships of war sailed out of the river early on the morning
of the 28th, and shortly afterwards the British squadron was des-
cried beating across the lake. Any movement of troops down
the lake in the face of a hostile squadron was out of the question,
and Chauncey went out to meet it. Yeo lay to about twelve miles
away and awaited the attack. Again Chauncey had the wind in
his favor and was able to choose his distance. Firing began about
noon, and within a quarter of an hour a lucky shot from one of the
Pike's long guns carried away the main topmast of the Wolfe, which
in its fall brought down the mizzen topmast and main yard. The
flag-ship became quite unmanageable on a wind, and to save her
Yeo was obliged to put before a strong gale, which had begun to
blow, towards Burlington Bay. His flight was nobly covered by the
Royal George, commanded by Captain (afterwards Sir W. H.)
Mulcaster. ' " This vessel," says Mr. Cooper, " kept yawing
athwart the English Commodore's stern and delivering her broad-
sides in a manner to extort exclamations of delight from the Ameri-
can fleet."* A running fight was continued in this manner for up-

* History of the U. S. Navy, vol. II, p. 374

74

wards of two hours, until within about ten miles of the head of the
lake, when Chauncey abandoned the pursuit. One of the bow
guns on his flag ship had burst, tearing up the top-gallant forecastle,
dismounting a pivot gun mounted there and killing or wounding
no less than twenty-two men. Five others had been injured by
shot. The confusion incident upon such an accident was no doubt
sufficient to justify hauling off, but in addition to this the Pike had
lost her main topmast, her bowsprit, fore and main masts were
badly wounded, her rigging and sails cut up, and several round shot
had pierced her hull below the water line, which kept all her
pumps going. The Governor Tompkins was disabled by the loss of
her foremast, and both the Madison and Oneida had their spars cut
up by round shot.

The foretopmast of the Royal George fell just as she came to an-
chor, but the British squadron does not seem to have lost a man. Two
days were occupied in refitting, during which Chauncey kept the
lake, being in sight much of the time. Yeo was intensely annoyed
at the unusual experience of having to run from an enemy before a
man was hurt, and was overheard by his pilot to say to Mulcaster :
" If we were on the high seas I would risk an action at all hazards,
because if I were beaten I could only lose the squadron, but to lose
it on this lake would involve the loss of the country. The salvation
of the western army depends on our keeping open their communi-
cations."* This affair was ever after known in his squadron as the
" Burlington Races."

About two hours after the American fleet had sailed to meet
Yeo, a numerous flotilla of Durham boats was observed to come out
of the river and anchor at the mouth of a creek beyond Fort
Niagara. The movements of the contending ships of war were
watched with the deepest anxiety by the officers of both armies
until they went out of sight. The Americans were able to "dis-
tinguish the Pike firing both her batteries, and frequently enveloped
in smoke." Captain O'Conor, one of Yeo's officers who was ashore
with De Rottenburg, took a station on Queenston Heights, whence
he saw the Wolfe lose her topmasts and the entire squadron run
into Burlington Bay. Before dark all the American boats re-entered
the river, as General Wilkinson feared to attempt the voyage without
a convoy. He peevishly complained that he "had difficulties, per-
plexities and anxieties sufficient to discompose a saint."

The movement of troops and artillery across the river could
not fail to be observed by De Rottenburg, and deserters assured him
that Sackett's Harbor was their destination. This information
seems to have prompted him to undertake a counter demonstration

* Coffin, The War and ite Moral, p. 167.

75

on the morning of the following day. An order was issued for all
the troops to be in readiness to move at an instant's notice, tents
were struck, and wagons loaded. A deserter then made his escape
to Fort George, bearing this note addressed to Major V. Huyck,
13th U. S. Infantry : "Every movement of the army is either an
advance or retreat; about 2270 strong." This opportune bit of
information was written by Noah Hopkins, a saddler at Queenston,
who was the son-in-law of an American colonel, and seems to have
been constantly employed as a spy. He was afterwards detected
and hung for treasonable practices, on the 20th July, 1814. The
intelligence brought by this man caused something like a panic in
Wilkinson's camp, but finally two strong columns marched out to
oppose the attack if one was intended, or profit by the retreat. As
neither took place, they returned to their quarters without doing
anything.

On the 1st of October Chauncey returned to Niagara, still
watched by Yeo, who anchored at the mouth of the Twelve Mile
Creek. Leaving about 1,800 regulars, militia and Indians to occupy
the forts and camp, Wilkinson finally embarked the remainder of
his force's and set off on his long projected expedition. Yeo's oppor-
tune appearance on the 7th of September had caused a delay of
eighteen days ; his return on the 20th had been responsible for the
loss of another week, when time and fair weather was of the utmost
importance. Although he had gained no brilliant success and had
finally been compelled to seek safety in flight, his services to the
army had been most meritorious and effective. " In executing his
orders," even Mr. Cooper is constrained to admit, " the English
Commodore, who was an officer of rare merit, manifested great
steadiness, self-denial and address, and the skill and boldness with
which he manoeuvred received the applause of his enemies."*

The long beleaguerrnent of the American camp was now about
to close abruptly. As soon as General Wilkinson's purpose was
placed beyond doubt De Rottenburg despatched to the defence of
Kingston three of his strongest regiments and prepared to follow
himself, leaving Vincent to maintain the blockade as long as
possible. The defeat of the British squadron on Lake Erie was
followed by General Procter's retreat from Detroit and his total
rout on the Thames. Parties of New York militia raided the
frontier between Fort Erie and the Falls, and large bodies of these
troops were seen assembling at Lewiston and Fort Niagara.

" The Americans have possession of our side as far down as
Samuel Street's, and have plundered all the loyal inhabitants of
their property, " writes Mr. Ridout on the 2nd October. "The

* Naval Hist, of U. S., II, 381.

76

greater part of the settlement being Dutch Mennonites, are friendly
to the enemy and assist them in everything. We have lately taken
a number of their waggons.

" We expect some serious movement every hour, as the enemy
are in great force at Fort George .... We are driving all the cattle
from this part of the district towards the head of the lake. The
Chippawa and Short Hills country is stript of cattle, and to-day
they are driving them from the vicinity of the camps. The
waggons stand ready loaded with the baggage which moves in the
rear."*

On the 6th there was a lively skirmish, in which the light com-
pany of the Royal Scots drove Chapin's volunteers through the
streets of the village and entered it in pursuit. Colonel Scott, who
was in command at Fort George, turned his artillery on the houses,
when the Scots hastily retreated. They lost one prisoner and live
wounded, while Chapin admitted losing six men killed and ten
wounded, besides some prisoners.

Three days afterwards, when De Rottenburg had gone as far
as the Twelve Mile Creek on his way to Kingston, he met the panic-
stricken adjutant of General Procter's staff', who falsely reported
that the whole of his division had been captured, and that the Am-
erican mounted riflemen were rapidly advancing upon Burlington
from the scene of the disaster. This story caused an immediate
retreat in much hurry and confusion, although, fortunately for them,
there was no attempt at pursuit. As it was, a considerable quantity
of stores were destroyed and the sick and wounded suffered dread-
fully. " Upwards of 300 men upon the road," says an eyewitness,
" and waggons loaded with miserable objects stuck fast in mudholes,
broken down and unable to ascend the hills, and the men too ill to
stir hand or foot."

The audacity and success with which a protracted blockade had
been maintained by a greatly inferior force is indisputable. From
the 14th of July until the beginning of October the main army of
invasion from which so much had been expected had not only been
hemmed in and held in check, but kept in constant terror of attack,
while it wasted away with desertion and disease.

"The army at Fort George," says Dr. Mann, who was with it
all the time, "consumed the most eligible season of the summer and
autumn for effective service cooped within the narrow limits of a
few acres of land by a force of the enemy not exceeding one-half
of its strength, and, under a constant apprehension of an attack,
placed itself wholly in a state of defence. This apparent pusillani-
mity or want of confidence on the part of the army emboldened the

* Edgar, Ten Years of Upper Canada.

77

enemy to insult by repeated attacks upon its advanced piquets night

after night This petit guerre kept the army in constant alarm

and subjected the troops to vexatious fatigues, unremitted duty,
and multiplied exposures, which prevented them from taking their

necessary repose When an enemy exhibits great military

talents, we are disposed to allow him all the credit due in a martial
point of view, even when by artful deceptions and judicious man-
agement with a force inferior he was enabled to apparently check
the offensive operations of our army and compel it to place itself in
a position entirely defensive."*

* Medical History of the War, pp. 91-6.

CHRONOLOGY.

1813.
May 27 The British evacuate Fort George and retreat to Beaver Dams.

" 28 The Americans advance to Queenston and St. Davids. Colonel Preston occupies

Fort Erie. Vincent retires to the Forty.

" 29 General Chandler returns to Niagara to embark on the fleet.
" 30 Colonel Preston issues his proclamation.
" 31 Vincent retires to Burlington.
June 1 General Winder advances to the Fifteen.
" 2 He advances to the Thirty.

" 3 He advances to the Forty. General Chandler marches to his support.
" 4 Chandler arrives at the Forty.

" 5 The Americans advance to Stoney Creek and drive in the British piquets.
" 6 Action at Stoney Creek. The Americans retreat to the Forty. General Lewis

is instructed to assume command of the division.
" 7 Lewis arrives at the Forty. The British fleet is seen from Fort George, and

General Dearborn send orders to Lewis to retreat. The British squadron

arrives at the Forty.
" 8 Sir J. Yeo cannonades the American camp at the Forty, sails to Burlington, and

returns. He pursues and captures the American boats. The Americans

retreat and Major Evans occupies their camp.
" 9 Major Dennis advances to the Twenty. The Americans evacuate Fort Erie and

Queenston. The Lincoln militia take possession of Queenston.
" 10 Vincent advances to the Forty. Skirmish at the Ten. The Americans remove

their armed vessels from Black Rock.
" 12 Yeo sails from the Forty, and takes two American vessels at Eighteen-Mile

Creek. British piquets advance again to St. Catharines.
" 14 Sir George Prevost publishes his counter-proclamation.
" 15 Yeo lands at the Genesee.

" 1C He arrives at Kingston and sails again. The Lady Murray taken by the Ameri-
cans. FitzGibbon occupies DeCew's house. Chapin enters Canada.
" 17 Yeo menaces Oswego.
" 19 Yeo lands at Sodus. Chapin arrives at Fort George. Dearborn orders arrest

of the loyal inhabitants.
" 20 Yeo returns to the Forty. DeHaren and Ducharme arrive with reinforcements.

Bisshopp advances to the Twenty. Dearborn writes for Indians.
" 22 Skirmish at Lundy's Lane.
" 23 Colonel Boerstler advances to Queenston.
" 24 Action at Beaver Dams.
" 25 British Indians retire to the Forty.
" 28 Vincent advances to St. Catharines.
" 29 British outposts advanced to the Four-Mile Creek. Yeo returns to Kingston.

De Rottenburg assumes command.
July 1 The British occupy St. Davids.
" 4 Fort Schlosser taken.
" 5 Skirmish near Fort Erie. Western Indians arrive. The Six Nations have a

"talk" at Queenston.
" 7 The British occupy Fort Erie.
" 8 Skirmish at Butler's Farm. Indian council at the Twelve. British scouts cross

the river near Black Rock.

" 11 Attack on Black Rock. Skirmish at Ball's farm.
" 14 General Dearborn retires from the command.
" 15 Arrival of the remainder of the Royals and 104th.

' ' 17 De Rottenburg removes his headquarters to St. Davids. Skirmish in Ball's fields.
" 20 A squadron of the 19th Dragoons arrives.
" 21 Indian Council at the Cross Roads.
" 23 American fleet sails from Sackett's Harbor.
" 25 Indian Council at the Cross Roads.

•" 27 American fleet arrives at Fort George and embark troops.
" 30 Americans land at Burlington.

79

• 1813.

July 31 Americans land at York. Yeo sails from Kingston. De Rottenburg reconnoitres

Port George.

Aug. 1 Americans burn barracks at York.

3 American squadron returns to Niagara.

7 British squadron appears off Niagara. General Porter crosses below Fort Erie.

8 Two American schooners upset in a squall.
10 Yeo captures the Julia and Growler.

13 Yeo lands stores at the Four-Mile Creek. Skirmish near the Cross Roads.

14 General Porter and Major Chapin arrive at Fort George with 364 volunteers and

Indians.

1C Skirmish at Ball's farm. British Indians defeated.

17 American Indians defeated at the same place.

21 Sir George Prevost arrives in the British camp.

24 Reconnoissance in force of the American works.

27 British squadron appears off Niagara.

29 Yeo lands reinforcements at Four-Mile Creek.

Sept. 3 American fleet enters the river.

4 General Wilkinson takes command of the American army.
6 Skirmish at Ball's farm.

7-9 The fleets manoeuvre off the mouth of the river.

10 Wilkinson issues an address to the Indians.

11 Naval action off the Genesee.
14 Chapin lands at Sugar Loaf.
17 Porter lands near Fort Erie.

19 A fleet of American transports arrives at Niagara.

23 Chauncey's fleet arrives at Niagara.

28 Naval engagement. The British squadron driven to Burlington.
Oc . 1 Chauncey returns.

2 Wilkinson sails for Sackett's Harbor with 4000 men.

6 Skirmish. Chapin's volunteers driven in by the Royal Scots.

9 The British army begins its retreat to Burlington. End of the blockade.

NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

\

Its objects are : The encouragement of the study of Canadian
history and literature, the collection and preservation of Canadian
historical relics, the building up of Canadian loyalty and patriotism,
and the preservation of all historical landmarks in this vicinity.

Each member shall pay an annual fee of fifty cents.

The annual celebration shall be held on the 17th of September
in each year.

The society shall hold eight regular meetings during the year.
These meetings shall be held on the second Thursday of the month.

The annual meeting to be held on October 13th.

OFFICERS-1897-8.

Patron— WM. KIRBY, F. R. C. S.
President^MISS CARNOCHAN.
Vice-President^HENRY PAFFARD.
Secretary— ALFRED BALL.
Treasurer— MRS. A. SERVOS.
Curator— CAPT. WILKINSON.

Committee. Hon. Vice-Presidents.

REV. J. C. GARRETT, PETER WHITMORE,

W. F. SEYMOUR, B. A., MRS. ROE,

JNO. D. SERVOS, CHAS. A. F. BALL.

MRS. ASCHER,

MISS CLEMENT.

Honorary Members.

DR. SCADDING, MAJOR CRUIKSHANK,

REV. CANON BULL, CAPT. M. KONKLE,
WM. GIBSON, M. P., R. O. KONKLE,
MAJOR HISCOTT, M. P. P.

teat

NIAGARA

Historical Society.

NO. 4.

£ MEHORIAL TO u. E. LOYALISTS,

/% By Jas. Coyne, B. A., Pres. Ontario Historical Society. KM

HISTORY TAUGHT BY HUSEUMS,

By David Boyle, Curator Ontario Archaeological Museum.

BATTLE OF QUEENSTON HEIGHTS.

WN By the Hon. J. Q. Currie.

m

* flONUMENTS,

By Janet Carnochan, President Niagara Historical Society.

THE TIMES .

BOOK AND JOB PRESSES

N/AGARA-ON-THE-L.AKE.

1898.

SOCIETY.

H TS objects are the encouragement of the study of

•*• Canadian History and Literature, the collection and
preservation of Canadian historical relics, the building up of
Canadian loyalty and patriotism, and the preservation of
all historical landmarks in in this vicinity.

Each member shall pay an annual fee of fifty cents.

The annual celebration shall be held on the iyth of Sep-
tember.

The Society shall hold eight regular meetings during the
year. These meeting's shall be held on the second Thursday of
the month.

The annual meeting shall be held on October i3th.

OFFICERS, 1898-9.

Patron— WM. KIRBY, F. R. S. C.
President— MISS CARNOCHAN.
Vice-President-— HENRY PAFFARD.
Secretary— ALFRED BALL.
Treasurer— MRS. A. SERVOS.
Curator— RUSSEL WILKINSON.

COMMITTEE. HON. VICE-FRESIDENTS.

REV. J. C. GARRETT, MRS. ROE,

MRS. ASCHER, CHAS. A. F. BALL,

MISS CLEMENT.

W. W. IRELAND, B.A.

MRS. T. F. BEST.

HONORARY MEMBERS.

DR. SCADDING, REV. CANON BULL,

WM. GIBSON. M.P., MAJOR CRUIKSHANK,

CAPT. R. O. KONKLE, MAJOR HISCOTT,
DR. JESSOP.

dium of their liberties, Simcoe could not have brought a more
welcome message than when he described the system he was called
upon to administer among them as "the very imag'e and trans-
script of the British constitution." This was their ample reward
for defeat, confiscation and banishment. With joy and confidence
they set themselves to the arduous and glorious task to which
Providence had assigned them. Extending their clearings in the
trackless and illimitable forest, they were to transplant in this new
soil British laws and British institutions, and to guard and trans-
mit to their successors the germ of a great idea — the solidarity of
the British race and empire

This may be said of the U. E. Loyalists. They had,
it is true, the defects of their qualities — a certain intol-'
erance and hauteur, an undisguised contempt and hatred of
opinions at variance with their own, were perhaps not uncommon.
But they kept alive the idea of loyalty, of respect for law and order,
of liberty as opposed to license, and above all of the unity of the
race.

Admired and esteemed by all, Simcoe may be fairly regarded as
the type of many of the best of the Loyalists. The epitaph upon
his monument in Exeter Cathedral describes him as one "in whose
life and character the virtues of the hero, the patriot and the
Christian were so conspicuous that it may be justly said : "He
served his King and country with a zeal exceeded only by his piety
towards God." It was eminently fitting that both classes of Loy-
alists should be equally honored in his monument. The figures of
a Queen's Ranger and an Indian support his sculptured bust.
Through the ages, Simcoe's name will be cherished by Canadians
of whatever origin for the great work he accomplished as the
official head of the pioneers of Upper Canada, and for the lofty
ideal he steadily kept before himself and them.

For nearly five years the Parliament of Upper Canada met at
Niagara. In the life of a nation this is a brief period, but it was
an era of the greatest importance in our history. For, during
those five years, in your little town, the fundamental laws of the
Province were passed. The law of England was introduced,
together with trial by jury ; slavery was abolished ; the due admin-
istration of justice was provided for by the establishment of courts

— 6 —

and the construction of courthouses and gaols ; for the security of
land titles a registry system was established; standard weights
and measures were enacted, and the first militia, assessment and
road acts were placed on the statute books of Upper Canada.

Those were the flourishing- days of Niagara. The present
year is the centennial of its fall. In 1797 the seat of Parliament
was transferred to Toronto. That was the beginning of the end
of your ancient glories. Formerly a great emporium of the fur
traffic, and at a later period a centre of the wholesale trade and of
shipbuilding, Niagara has seen its trade destroyed by the pro-
gress of settlement, the rise of other commercial and manufac-
turing centres, and the construction of canals and railroads. For
a century or more it had been regarded as the chief military defence
of the country of the upper lakes. Across the river, Fort Niagara
still flings its flag to the breeze. On this side, Fort Mississaga,^
the ruins of Fort George, Butler's Barracks, and the annual
summer camp remain to remind us of a military history
"of old and just renown." The ancient capital must always
continue, however, to be not merely what nature has made it, one
of the loveliest spots in America, but also from its historical asso-
ciations, one of the most interesting.

To its more ancient memories of the old regime, are added
those which cluster round the names of Sir Wm. Johnson, Sim-
coe, Molly and Joseph Brant, Rogers, Talbot, Butler, Littlehales,
De Peyster, Guy Johnson, General Brock, Laura Sejord, Fitz-
Gibbon, Sir Allan M'Nab, Sir John Beverley Robinson, and many
others, which Canada will not willingly let die.

Your own society has done good service in preserving the
history of Niagara and the Niagara district. The work of Mr.
Kirby, Miss Carnochan, and Major Ernest Cruikshank is of
lasting importance. May they live long to continue their re-
searches and to hand down the results to future ages.

The first of the colonies to receive from the Imperial Parlia-
ment the boon of representative institutions, Canada was the
first to combine a number of provinces into a federal union. It
was natural and proper, therefore, that in the Jubilee celebration
which has recently taken place in London, the position of pre-

— 7 —

cedence should have been given to Canada amongst all the self-
governing colonies. It is a source of satisfaction to all Canadians
that the Dominion should on so important an occasion have been
represented by a statesman possessing the grace and tact and win-
ning speech and presence of Sir Wilfred Laurier. He easily took
the foremost place among colonial premiers, by virtue of his per-
sonal qualities as well as the etiquette of colonial precedence.

In the history of the empire the Jubilee must always be con-
sidered an event of the first importance. It was the occasion of
the first council of representatives of the whole Empire of Britain
which was ever called. It was the occasion of a free-will offering
by the Dominion of Canada to the mother country, of a trade
concession, considered by Imperial authorities to be of supreme
significance.

" 'The gates are mine to open
' As the gates are mine to close,
' And I abide by my mother's house,"
Said Our Lady of the Snows."

The commercial value of the concession may be great, but its
sentimental value is incalculable. The export trade of Canada
has as a result increased by leaps and bounds. But above all, the
Imperial bond of union has been strengthened as never before.

The Jubilee is further signalized by the reversal of the foreign
commercial policy of the Imperial Government at the instance of
a colony — the first case on record of such a change. The de-
nunciation of the treaties therefore marks an epoch in the com-
mercial history of the Empire.

The unity of the Empire has further been recognized in a
practical manner by the great learned societies. For the second
time the British Association for the Advancement of Science has
met in Canada, and its meeting is said to have been the most
successful ever held. For the first time the British Medical Asso-
ciation has met in Canada and under highly favorable conditions.

In the Olympic games of the Empire, held at Bisley Common
and elsewhere, Canada has carried off some of the highest
honors.

In many ways our Dominion has attracted the approving at-

— 8 —

tention of the Empire and the world during this Jubilee year,
which must always be a year of vast historical importance.

With our population of six millions, our trade of two hundred
millions, our vast commercial interests in shipping-, railways,
canals, elevators, our free Parliaments, our universities, colleges,

and unrivalled system of primary schools ; our territory^ larger

than that of the United States, and nearly as Targe as alLEuxQpe ;
our agricultural and timber wealth ; our limitless harvest of tl e
seas, and our undreamed of mineral resources in Ontario, Kool-
enay and the Klondyke, what prophet can foretell the achieve-
ments of the next century ?

But for what we have achieved and what we shall perform in
future years, let us acknowledge our debt to the beginners of the
Canadian nation. The seed sown by them has yielded an abun-
dent harvest. "God hath sifted three kingdoms to find the corn
for this planting," said the old Puritan divine. Doubly, trebly
winnowed, was the golden grain for the planting of British
North America.

Reaping now the full fruition of their labors, we should not in
this Jubilee year forget the noble men and women who, guarding
a great idea, gave up home and property, the familiar scenes of
youth and the associations of a lifetime, to brave the perils of the
pathless wilderness, to seek new homes for themselves and their
children in the vast northern forest, and to establish British laws
and institutions securely once more under the red-cross flag.
Although the makers of British Canada came from many lands,
and in later years chiefly from the triple kingdom across the
seas, yet the pioneers among the pioneers were undoubtedly the
United Empire Loyalists.

I am afraid we are apt to forget that the Loyalists, to a con-
siderable extent, were the very cream of the population of the
Thirteen Colonies. They represented in very large measure the
learning, the piety, the gentle birth, the wealth and good
citizenship of the British race in America, as well as its devotion to
law and order, British institutions, and the unity of the Empire.
This was the leaven they brought to Canada, which has leavened
the entire Dominion to this day. "Just as the twig is bent the
tree inclines," and Canada will bear to its latest age the impress

— 9 —

of the United Empire Loyalist.

From such an ancestry the principles of religion, patriotism,
law and order, have been inherited by the people of Canada.
"Yea, though we sinned and our rulers went from righteousness,
Deep in all dishonor though we stained our garment's hem,"

Still the native instinct of British respect for law and order and
righteousness never died out, but at the lasthas saved the nation. In
many things relating to material progress, no doubt we have fallen
short of the great Republic across the river, but we can justly and
proudly claim that if life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are
objects worthy of the care and protection of government, our own
constitution guards these more successfully than does that of our
neighbors. With their annual harvest of 10,000 murders and 200
lynchings Canada does not desire to compete. Since the Conquest
it can probably bev affirmed with truth that there has never been a
case of lynching in the history of British North America. Beyond
all question, life and liberty are more secure in Canada than in the
United States; safer in the Kootenay than in Colorado, in the
Klondyke than in California, in Manitoba than in Missouri, in
Ontario than in Ohio. Our churches are well filled. Our legisla-
tion keeps pace with the requirements of advancing civilization.
Our Legislatures and Municipal Councils are fairly representative,
and largely free from corruption. Our laws are based upon the
principle of equal justice to all. In all these particulars the influ-
ence of the U. E. Loyalists is to be seen. Their motto was :
"Love the Brotherhood, Fear God, Honor the King."

In all ages and countries the beginners have been deemed
worthy of especial honor by succeeding ages. The Romans pre-
served for centuries the wild fig tree of Romulus and Remus as an
honored relic; the Englishman proudly records his descent from the
Normans who conquered at Hastings; the landing places of Cartier
and Champlain at Quebec and Montreal are carefully identified
and commemorated; Plymouth Rock records the landing of the
Pilgrim Fathers.

It is eminently fitting that the landing-place of the pioneers of
Upper Canada should be distinguished by some conspicuous and
lasting memorial.

— 10-

It is true that in a general sense their monuments are the
cleared forest and the fruitful field, the tall factory, the throng-
ed wharf and market, the great institutions of religion and learn-
ing, of art and benevolence, the reign of law and order, the love
of liberty conjoined with loyalty, and the breed of men who carry
on the work begun and hold high the banner borne by the pioneers
of a century ago.

But a just respect for their memory demands some formal and
permanent token, by which posterity may be constantly and direct-
ly reminded of the debt of honor and gratitude they owe, and
stimulated to pay it by effort and achievement worthy of their
blood — "that their days may be long in the land." The tombs of
pioneers may become neglected and dilapidated. The rude railing
in the midst of the field enclosing their sunken graves may crum-
ble to decay. The fading inscription on the wooden slab, record-
ing the dates of birth and death of the stout hearted Ranger or his
brave wife, is at last obliterated by the hand of time. Historical
societies such as yours will, it is true, gather up written
records of the past and reminiscences of aged citizens, thus
saving from oblivion the names and deeds of individuals. But the
entire community should combine to perpetuate the memory of
great national events. Therefore let the pillar or cairn be placed
near the Loyalists' landing, "plain for all folk to see." Every
Canadian who reads its inscription will, we would fain hope, feel
his heart swell with commendable pride, and be inspired to emu-
lation of those brave men and women who sacrificed all to
duty, and who, while strenuously maintaining their liberties, es-
tablished upon a lasting foundation British laws and loyalty and
religion and order, and the principle of a united empire, in the
northern land, which it is our fortune to have inherited from them.

History Taught by Museums.

By DA VID BO YLE, Curator of Archaeological Museum, Toronto.

We are all history makers — each of us is a small lump of
history.

Mentally, as well as physically, we represent the development
of our race.

If we trace our genealogy for not more than ten generations
we find that we represent more than 2,000 families, and if we
double the number of generations we shall discover that we are
connected with 1,937,152 men and women of separate families.

We cannot get away from this fact.

History can deal only with the past — the present itself be-
comes the past before we can formulate a notion of the present,

The past alone is ours, with the exception of one instant we
call the present.

As the. product of the past we are all interested in it, actively or
passively. If actively, we become instructors, educators, mould-
ers of men.

History lies at the foundation of every other science.

An ancient aphorism is "Man know thyself," and a modern
poet tells us that the "Proper study of mankind is man."

History has always been the same in its essence as it is to-day,
but its treatment in literary form is not now what it was only a
few years ago.

Recent historians recognize the part quietly played by human
nature wholly apart from plots, murders, and bloody battles, im-
portant as such events were, are, and for a time at least, must con-
tinue to be.

Account is now taken of what were once thought beneath the
dignified notice of the historian — no habit, no mode of life, no
funeral custom, no method of catching or preparing food, no fash-

ion in clothing, no system of government, no mode of selecting
rulers, no notions of justice however crude any or all of them may
be, or may have been, are now regarded as too trivial for observ-
ation, because it is from simple beginnings that everything origin-
ates.

In this country recorded history begins only a few hundred
years ago, and in some localities it is but a lifetime since.

Now is the time to catch for ourselves what has escaped so
many elsewhere.

If we do our duty now we shall provide material for future
study such as no other country in the world can supply — for not-
withstanding the statement that we have no history, we have one
of the most brilliant and instructive histories any country could
desire.

It has been said that the country is happy that has no history.

This is sheer nonsense. It is as if one should say, happy is t«e
man who never had any experience.

The history of our Empire is the most glorious history pertain-
ing to any empire or republic that has ever existed.

We as Britons, have done more than our share in the advance-
ment, in the civilization, in the humanizing of our race, and those
of us who find ourselves in this country have no reason to be
ashamed of what our people have achieved here.

Let us in no braggart or vain-glorious spirit hand down our
record to the ages.

To accomplish this, literary effort should be supplemented by
that which is more material in its character.

In matters archaeological it is found necessary to shoiv the
ancient tools and ornaments, and this method of illustration is no
less a sine qiia non in matters historical.

The Tower of London contains the materialized history of Eng-
land since the days of King Alfred, and a thousand museums
throughout Great Britain and Ireland possess that which alone
renders many portions of history probable, while in numerous in-
stances literary records would prove incomplete, fallacious or con-
fusing without the work of the antiquarian.

Object-teaching is the oldest kind of teaching we know about.

It has been recently revived in our schools. Other things being-
equal, the most successful teacher is he who makes the best use
of the blackboard even with advanced pupils.

The desire to see thing's is one of the strongest of human de-
sires. Hence "shopping-;" hence our shows and fairs; hence
theatricals; hence travel, adventure and discovery; hence our im-
mense national and international exhibitions.

For local history purposes there is nothing- superior to the local
museum, always made and provided that said museum shall be
true to itself. It must not become a mere heterogeneous collec-
tion— a mass of bric-a-brac, or a heap of curiosities.

Every object should illustrate a point, enforce some statement
or elucidate something obscure, and should be provided with a
clear and copious label.

We all require to be reminded of what we were, and it is good
for us to see how our forefathers accomplished their tasks in the
face of what we consider disadvantages.

Many young Canadians to-day would go about the chopping of
a tree with considerable awkwardness; it seems incredible to them
that there ever was a time when it was difficult to procure a light, and
they can realize only with difficulty that not very long ago there
were no post office facilities, no telegraphs or even no telephones.

The local museum should be the place to teach us all how
much we now have to be thankful for, besides giving us clear
ideas as to the origin and development of present day comforts,
and it is the bounden duty of every well-wisher to his community
to aid in building up such a collection as will be highly
creditable to the people themselves. Wherever there is a good
library there should be an equally good museum. One without
the other is incomplete.

The Battle of Queenston Heights.

By HON. J. G. CURRIE, of St. Catharines.

Notes of an address delivered on May 24, 1898, at Queenston
Heights, before the Canadian Historical Pilgrimage.

It was fortunate for Upper Canada and the Empire that in 1812,
when war broke out between the United States and Great Britain,
the civil and military government was in the hands of a man like
General Brock. He was a brave, fearless soldier who never
thought of danger in the face of an enemy. Brock captured
Detroit with a handful of British troops and a few militia support-
ed by the Indians under Tecumseh. Following this event, the
Americans began to organize a large force on the Niagara frontier
with a view to making a second attack on Canada. Their force
probably numbered seven thousand, scattered between Buffalo and
Fort Niagara. Brock, on the other hand, had not more than 1,500
or i, 600 to oppose them on the Canadian side of the river He
was perfectly satisfied that an attack would be made early in the
month of October. On the night of the twelfth of October, the
light company of the 49th regiment, under the command of Cap-
tain Williams, was stationed in the redan battery, which was situ-
ated half way down the hill and toward the river bank. Down in
the village of Queenston was the other flank company of the 49th —
the Grenadiers, numbering only 46 men under the command of
Major Dennis. In addition to those two companies, there was
.Captain Chisholm's company from York, and Captain Hatt's com-
fpany from the 5th Lincoln Battalion. A small detachment of
artillery had two guns — called "grasshoppers." They were well
named, for they only carried a ball weighing 3 Ibs. These guns
were under the command of Lieut. Crowther, assisted by the late

- 16-

. Captain Ball, who lived at the Four-Mile Creek.

The morning- of the i3th of October was very stormy and
blustering. It rained and blew heavily, and under cover of the
darkness, and before daylight — probably between two and three
o'clock a.m. — the Americans commenced crossing the river, their
first landing being near where I am pointing. There was quite a
bank then which protected them. They were seen, however, by
the militia sentinel who ran to the guardhouse instead of firing- his
musket, and giving an alarm. When the Grenadier company of
the 49th (Brock's own regiment) and the militia companies saw the
invading force, they commenced firing upon them, using the two
little "grasshoppers" which did capital execution. The officer in
charge of the Americans was severely wounded, as well as a great
many of the rank and file before they got far from the river bank,
in fact, they were driven back. There was a gun planted at Vroo-
man's Point which commanded the river, and several American
boats were injured by its fire in their attempts to land early in the
engagement. Some of the battered boats drifted down to a point
in the shore known as "the deep hollow," where they ran ashore and
between seventy and eighty of their occupants were made prisoners.

In the meantime, Captain Wool, of the American service, took
some ot his men up the river and in shore until they came to the
fisherman's path, traces of which can still be seen under and near
the old ruined bridge. They succeeded in reaching the heights by
means of this steep and narrow pathway without being discovered.

When this early morning invasion was commenced, General
Brock was in the barracks of Fort George in Niagara, seven miles
away. He was an early riser, but the night previous he sat up
until after midnight writing despatches, and wrote also what was
to be his last letter to a brother in England. By daybreak he was
aroused by the sound of distant firing, immediately ordered his
horse and galloped up the road leading from Fort George.

On that morning the battery at the first point (Vrooman's) was
guarded by Captain Heward's volunteer company from Little York.
A battery at Brown's Point was in charge of a company of Toronto
volunteers under the command of Captain Cameron. When these
companies heard the firing and saw the flashing of the artillery and

— M —

musketry, Captain Cameron proceeded without orders toward the
heights to a point near the pine grove that now stands.

Brock had travelled so fast, that he overtook and passed this
company. He was alone, not even an aide-de-camp being with
him. As he galloped by he signalled to the troops to hurry on.
In a few moments he reached and passed Vrooman's battery. By
this time the General was overtaken by his two splendid aides,
Captain Glegg and Colonel McDonnell, then Attorney General of
Upper Canada. A student under McDonnell was one of the par-
ticipators in the battle of Queenston Heights — John Beverley Rob-
inson, afterwards Chief Justice of Upper Canada.

Brock speedily reached the redan battery, on the side of the
heights, with one i8-lb gun (which commanded a portion of the
river) and entering the enclosure, found only eight men in charge.
No sooner had the commander entered the battery. than shots were
fired upon it from the men who had gained the top of the hill. This
revealed the fact to him that the foe had gained the heights.
While in this dangerous and exposed position, Brock and his gun-
ners narrowly escaped being captured. It was now about seven
o'clock in the morning. The battery was evacuated, but not until
the artillerymen had taken the precaution to spike the i8-pounder.
Brock had not time to mount his horse, but led it down the hill-
side and entered the village to reform his troops. All he had at
that time was less than 200 men, viz. : 46 of the Grenadier com-
pany, between 46 and 50 of the light company and two companies
of militia. With that small force Brock, as I think injudiciously,
undertook what 2,000 men could hardly with prudence attempt,
viz. : to storm this height with such a handful of men. Brock
was mounted when he led his men, but it is stated in history, and
I doubt not truly, that when he came to the stone wall near the
base of the hill, he dismounted and thereafter led his men on foot.
The only stone walls existing at that time in Queenston were one
around Judge Hamilton's house and one this side of Mr. Thomas
Dickson's house — the first low house I am pointing to, which was
built by him some time before the war. It was at this latter wall
that Brock dismounted. He was on the left of his men, leading
them up, and had not proceeded very far when he received the

— J8 —

fatal bullet. He muttered but a few words when he died. His
men retreated to the far end of the village. For the first time the
49th showed their back to the enemy. Brock's remains were car-
ried off by his men and were taken to a house then occupied by
Laura Secord — the house from which she went to milk her cow,
the time she gave warning to the British, and Boerstler's corps
was captured by a handful of men under Lieut. Fitzgibbon.

Our troops retreated, as I have said, to the far end of the vil-
lage. The two companies of York volunteers from Brown's and
Vrooman's batteries joined them there and increased the combined
force by that number. About half past nine, Colonel McDonnell
attempted to do what Brock had failed to accomplish two hours
before. He repeated the movements but was defeated and receiv-
ed a wound from which he died the next day. Again our men fell
back, but further than the end of the village, to Vrooman's Point,
where they waited until reinforcements should come from Fort
George, comprising three er four companies of the 4ist, with some
militia, but in the meantime young Brant with 120 Indians, came
up from the lake shore near Niagara, ascended the mountains near
St. Davids and moved east until they hemmed the Americans in.
They kept them pretty well in their place for several hours and
until reinforcements arrived.

By two o'clock in the afternoon, if we had been here and look-
ed down that road below Queenston, we would have seen horses
and men splashing through the mud. Captain Merritt, the orig-
inator of the Welland canal, and the first suspension bridge across
the Niagara, near the Falls, had arrived with his troop of yeo-
manry. Following him, came Captain Halcroft with two cannons
and one howitzer, a company of regulars and two companies of
militia. They no doubt made quite a show and were anxiously
watched by the foe from this summit who were expecting another
attack. Instead of that, General Sheaffe pursued a prudent
course. This beautiful stretch of country, now covered with fruit
trees, was then covered with a dense forest. None of the clear-
ings extended back more than twenty or twenty-five chains from
the river, for the people had not been long settied. General
Sheaffe took a road leading west and then went south and ascend-

ed the mountain without being- seen by the enemy. The first
thing- the Americans knew of Sheaffe being- on the summit was
when they were about a mile above here. He advanced his men
as far as the old Chisholm place, when the force formed a line
coming down this way. As a result, the Americans had to change
their front. The Indians had occupied the woods along the brow
jof the mountain. Next to them on the left was a company of
colored troops from Niagara, for in those days we had a great
many negros here. Slavery had been abolished in Upper Canada,
but not in the United States, and therefore many a colored runa-
way found a refuge on this side of the river.

The two little grasshopper guns were hauled up by ropes and
the Canadian line was formed facing- the Americans. The In-
dians commenced the action, followed by the whole force. The
Americans numbered 800 or 900, in command of Col. Winfield
Scott, one of the best officers in their service, and afterwards the
conqueror of Mexico. He was then in the prime of life. Brock
stood six feet two in his stocking- feet, but Scott was six feet four.
He was a splendid officer, and he must be given the credit that is
his due. His services along- the frontier were the most valuable
of the American officers. He made a stump speech to his men,
calling on them to redeem and capture the cannon taken at De-
troit, and telling them they were in a tight place and must fight
to the death as the river was between them and their country.
Capt. Holcraft's artillery, being out of range, limbered up and
reached the burning ruins of Judge Hamilton's house. From this
point he commanded the river and silenced the field battery across
the stream and prevented any further force from coming to the
Americans.

In a few minutes the real battle of Queenston Heights was
raging, but :t did not last long. The red men uttered a series of
war whoops which added to the terror and confusion. Our two
little guns were again put to work and soon every musket and can-
non was in use. It was soon all over — a cheer and a dash, and
the old Union Jack brought down the Stars and Stripes.

The loss on the Canadian side was not heavy — not more than
19 killed and 50 or 60 wounded. Of course we lost two grand

— 20 —

men — Brock, the hero and idol of the people of Upper Canada,
and his aide, Col. McDonnell. Both were brave men, and both
fell in defence of King and country. Thus ended the battle of
Queenston Heights.

Brock's remains • were afterward taken to Fort George and
buried in the bastion he himself had built a few months
before. In 1815, after peace had been secured by treaty, the
Legislature of Upper Canada voted ;£i,ooo to build a monument
to Brock, but that was not enough to finish it. In 1820 £600
additional was granted. £i, 600 was a large sum for the poor
settlers of that day. In due time the monument was built. On
the 1 3th October, 1824, Brock's remains were taken from Fort
George to the Heights where he had fallen. It was a great day,
with an immense gathering,of people from all parts of the Province.
The procession was two miles long and it took four hours to tra-
verse the seven miles. Minute guns were fired from Fort George
and. also from the American Fort Niagara, and I might say that on
the day he was taken to Fort George the American fort also fired
their minute guns as a token of respect for a brave enemy. Near
the end of the eventful day the body of the dead hero was depos-
ited in vyhat is now known as the first monument, which stood a
few yards to the south of the brow and east of the present monu-
ment, the foundation still being visible.

On the 1 3th of April, 1840 — a Good Friday. I will not say
how old I then was, I well remember — I heard a loud report
which startled the whole village and country. Some base
wretches from the other side, having an ill-feeling against our
country, came over, placed powder in the monument and destroy-
ed it, shivering it from top to bottom. It was not quite so high
as the present structure, but was perhaps better placed for view.
You could ascend to its top and walk on a balcony, whereas in
the present monument, the only view one has is through small
round holes in the walls. The deed was execrated in both ceun-
tries, and if the amiable feeling now prevailing between us had ex-
isted then, they would have sent the miscreants back to us for
trial and execution.

The people of Upper Canada felt that their hero's grave was

— 21 -

desecrated. The monument that cost so much was gone, and it
was resolved to erect another. Sir George Arthur, then Governor
of this Province, called upon all the militia of Upper Canada to as-
semble on these heights on the 3Oth of June, 1840. I took part
in that great meeting. It was a beautiful day. Just such a day
as this. I secured a good position right on the edge of the top,
and had a panoramic view of the thrilling sight. Ten steamers
came slowly up the Niagara in line, from Toronto, Cobourg,
Hamilton and Kingston, with H. M. S. Traveller bringing up the
rear, with the Governor and his suite and many leading people on
board. The ships landed their passengers at a wharf that stood
at "the deep hollow," and everybody climbed the hill to the height.
The militia officers were all in uniform, and a good, plain service-
able uniform it was, blue suit, with epaulettes and silver or tinsel
on the top, sash and sword. The officers formed into two lines,
between which passed the Governor and the other notables.
People came from all parts of the Province, the day being declar-
ed a holiday. The Height was crowded. The Royal Artillery
fired a salute. It was a grand military and civil display. Among
the military were the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders, with a piper's
band; and a squadron of the ist King's Dragoon Guards in burn-
ished helmets. The meeting being called to order, several
speeches were made by Governor Arthur,. John Beverley Robinson,
Chief justice McLean, altogether the best by Judge Sullivan,
among others Sir Allan McNab, and Judge Hagarman. A resolu-
tion' was unanimously passed that the people of Upper Canada
should build a new monument, finer and better than that destroy-
ed. Parliament was not asked for a copper, and the regulars and
militiamen, both officers and men, were asked to give one day's
pay to the object. In due time the contributions came in until
over $50,000 was gathered. The monument (and the keeper's
lodge at the gateway) cost $47,000.

Between the destruction of the old and the completion of the
new monument, Brock's remains were buried in the private burial
ground of the Hamilton family. In 1853, his dust, and that of
McDonnell, were placed in the sacrcophagus in this monument,
where it is to be hoped they will remain in peace.

— 22 —

Perhaps I might mention in conclusion an interesting- incident
on the day of the great procession and meeting already referred
to. When the speeches were being made, a young British tar
from "The Traveller" started to climb hand over hand up the
lightning rod that stretched from bottom to top of the wrecked
monument. It was a perilous undertaking, for one did not know
at what moment the shattered and cracked structure might give
way, nor could one tell how much weight the rod would bear, but
the brave lad reached the topmost gallery and swinging himself
over the projecting coping, climbed on top. The ten or fifteen
thousand people below held their breath in anxious suspense as
the boy began to feel for his pocket and to pull therefrom a ball
of twine and let it down, with which he drew up a heavier one
with a Union Jack, and at last, the flag was attached and filled
out grandly in the breeze. Then a tremendous cheer rent the
air, and before the daring fellow reached the ground safely, a hat
was passed around, and he received substantial reward for his
bravery.

[The address of Mr. Currie was kindly taken in shorthand by Mr. Frank

Yeigh, the leader of the pilgrimage party, at the request of the President of the
Niagara Historical Society.]

* * *

After his address, Mr. Currie was requested to accompany the
pilgrims to the earthworks to the south of the present monument,
where he pointed ou't the portage road down which Gen. Sheaffe
marched on his way to attack the Americans, and the formation
of the forces when they engaged in battle about four o'clock in
the afternoon. In speaking of the earth works he said it used to
be questioned very much by whom and when they were erected.
Some said they were built by the French before the conquest,
others by the Americans on i3th October, 1812, and many thought
they were built in 1814 by the force under Brown of the American
army which encamped on the heights for several days. He was
pleased to be in a position to settle the dispute, as he had in his
possession a letter, which had lately come into his hands,
dated the 4th September, 1814, written at Hope Cottage, Fort
George, by the wife of the officer under whose direction they were

— 23 —

built — Lieutenant jeno way of the i st Scots Royals. This letter
states that after the erection of Fort Mississauga at the mouth of
the river, Lieut. Jenoway was ordered up to Queenston to erect
the earth works. This would be in the early summer of 1814.
He completed the works and mounted the guns, but soon after
when Gen. Brown crossed at Fort Erie on 3rd July, 1814, before
the battle of Lundy's Lane, the lieutenant was ordered to destroy
them as much as possible and remove the guns to Fort George.
He partially destroyed the works and got the guns to Fort George.
It may safely be said that in the last hundred years we have
made a good deal of history, of most of which we may be proud,
and of little of which we have any reason to be ashamed.

MONUMENTS.

A paper read before the Ontario* Historical Society, at Oshvveken. at the Annual
Meeting, June 1st, 1898, by Janet Carnochan, President Niagara Historical Society.

UNITED EMPIRE LOYALIST MEMORIAL.

A stately monumental pile build high,
Where landed on our sloping", smiling shores
Those loyal souls, who suffering" nobly bore,
That they and theirs, "God save the King-, " might cry
With steadfast heart, and voice heard far and nigh —
Matron and maid, and son and sire, who tore
Themselves from pleasant hearths and homes, nay more —
From silent graves, where loved ones peaceful lie.

Build then a shaft, "plain for all folk to- see"
To tell that every spot is hallowed ground
Veined by the blood of those who fain would be
Still Britain's sons, as witness many a. mound.
Forget not we the red man, our ally,
For faith his like, nor gold nor land can buy.

Why are monuments erected ? Where ? What, and how ? are
questions which may be asked and which should be answered sat-
isfactorily, in any discussion on the subject. In all ages and na-
tions it has been the custom for civilized man to erect some
memorial of great men, great deeds or great deliverances, to stand
in gratitude, or warning, or remembrance. In Bible history, when
the children of Israel miraculously crossed the Jordan, they were
instructed to take twelve stones from the river, in commemoration
of the deliverance. In Egypt, the pyramids and sphinx, monoliths
and columns, stand to this day, riddles which modern ingenuity has
not yet solved, shewing the mechanical skill, mathemat-

— 25 —

ical knowledge, perseverance and dogged industry of
the Egyptians. The Rosettoa stone and Moabite stone proclaim
victories. In India the Taj Mahal in the city of Agra, that dream of
beauty to the memory of a beautiful woman by her loving husband,
costing millions of money and years of work ; in London the great
fire is commemorated, and holy men and women have erected
costly fanes, in gratitude to God for some signal deliverance ;
triumphal arches have been erected ; our great men have been
honored, as that triumph of carved stone, the most remarkable to
any literary man, Sir Walter Scott's monument, and the Albert
Memorial to him whom Tennyson called Albert the Good, who
" wore the white flower of a blameless life."

And of late years the expatriation of the United Empire Loyal-
ists is coming to take its proper place in history, is seen in its true
perspective, an event that has scarcely any parallel in history ex-
cept the Acadian Expulsion, or that of the Hugenots from France
after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. For the first public
expression of the necessity of a monument on our shores to mark
the landing place of the U. E. Loyalists, we are indebted, as far as
I am aware, to Rev. Canon Bull, the respected President of Lundy's
Lane Historical Society, in his report when President of the Pro-
vincial Association, his suggestion being to place a cairn with the
names of the families who landed here. Surely the landing on our
shores of a people coming through dangers multiform, by devious,
dangerous ways to an almost wilderness is an event to be com-
memorated, an event which has had results far reaching and im-
portant, for it may truly.be said that had not the great majority
of people in Canada be'en U. E. Loyalists the results of the war of
1812 might have been far different, for the strong determination
of Canadians to defend their territory was intensified in the case
of those who had suffered so much to maintain the unity of the
Empire.

It has been said that three nations were sifted to produce the
Puritans, and again were they sifted to form the U. E. Loyalists.
Canada has at last awaked to the fact that she has a history, and
she has also Awaked to the need of commemorating her sons. Mon-
uments to Wolfe and Montcalm, to De Salaberry and Ryerson, to

-26-

Macdonald and Brown, that at Lundy's Lane to the heroes of that
burning- July day, and crowning the mount from which we behold
so wonderful a panorama of river, lake and plain, the martial
figure of the Hero of Upper Canada.

Could the stories be gathered up of the journeys throug-h the
wilderness, in the canoe, skirling lakes, swimming rivers, bring-
ing" with them pathetic reminders of their homes, now treasured
relics, volumes might be written. The romantic story of Mrs.
Land almost equals that of Evangeline in its interest. The home
of the Loyalist burnt in his absence, he fiies for his life, thinking
his wife and children had perished" in the flames, and reaches Can-
ada, living the life ot a misanthrope, while the wife and children
reach Nova Scotia, thinking the husband and father slain, but the
wife, grown restless and wearying, hoping she might yet hear of
her husband, comes by slow journeyings to Niagara and hears of
• a solitary settler named Land forty miles away, and again takes
up the weary march, finds a log house, and her long lost husband,
who, after thirteen years, scarcely knows his wife and children.
The story might make a thrilling Canadian romance. Then tne
story of Magdalene Whitmore, nee Servos, who as a child saw the
murder of her Loyalist grandfather, and after many years is brought
to Canada to her father's new home and there becomes the mother
of the wife of our great novelist, Mr. Kirby. Well may he tell
the story so feelingly, and no wonder, having heard it in luese U.
E. homes so often.

"And they who loved

The cause that had been lost, and kept their faith •
To England's crown and scorned an alien name
Passed into exile, leaving all behind
Except their honor, and the conscious pride
Of duty done to country and to King-.
Broad lands, ancestral homes, the gathered wealth
Of patient toil and self-denying years
Were confiscate and lost
Not drooping like poor fugitives they came
In exodus to our Canadian wilds,

— 27 —

But full of heart and hope, with heads erect

And fearless eye, victorious in defeat,

With thousand toils they forced their devious way

Through the great wilderness of silent woods,

That g-leamed o'er lake aud stream, till higher rose

The northern star above the broad domain

Of half a continent, still theirs to hold,

Defend and keep, forever as their o\vn.

Their own and England's to the end of time."

Let us not forget the part borne by our red brethren who may
also be called United Empire Loyalists, and let us not forget their
losses and sufferings, the deprivation of their land in the first place
when they saw their hunting grounds moved back and ever back-
ward, at the resistless march of settlement, and next the loss of
the protection of their Great Father and the almost impossibility
to them of believing that even the lands of which they felt secure
were again lost, that they too must seek other hunting grounds if
they wished to be the allies of Britain, seeing their fields laid
desolate, their crops destroyed, and let us not forget that much
material help was given by them. Was not the vi'ctory of our im-
mortal Brock at Detroit assisted by the presence of our Indian
friends ? And with Sheafifa at Queenston their presence helped to
gain the day, and at Beaver Dams and Moravian Town they well
and nobly played their part. We rejoice that so noble a monument
has been erected to the great chief Brant, and much would we be
delighted were there one also to Tecumseh, who was so able, so
eloquent, so wise, so braVe. May the day soon dawn, as at Buffa-
lo to Red Jacket, may a noble statute to Tecumseh be erected

And now we ask that some memorial should mark the spot
where landed these men and women, nay children too, who were
so soon to do their part in making every spot in this Niagara pen-
insula historic, nay holy ground. Let this monument be a cairn
or a building, a shaft or a tower. Let it tell to all that Canada
cherishes the memory of all that is true and noble, self-sacrificing
and patriotic. From this spot may be seen Fort Niagara with its
memories of La Salle, that man of iron frame and iron will, from

— 28 —

whose walls has waved twice the Union Jack (each time by con-
quest), the Fleur de Lis and the Stars and Stripes. Not far off is the
scene of the battle of Fort George, where stood a lighthouse on
our shores. Here too a century ago arose the spires of two churches
soon to fall in conflagration, here too were Navy Hall and King's
wharf and not far off the monument-crowned mountain. Where
can you find a spot so fair or so historic ? *

* It has been suggested that in view of the collection in the rooms of the Histori-
cal Society having now become so large, the memorial take the shape ol a building
with tower attached, Hie building to be lire-proof, as so many precious historic relics
are here gathered It is intended to ask help from the Dominion and Provincial
Governments, and circulars have been sent out to members of U. E. families asking
advice and assistance.

w

<>
<>
<>

< >

< >

< >
<\
<>

A

< >

i. S

$

«>

<>
< >
II
II
O
<>
<>
II
<>
<>
j I
<tt

!|mor atriat."

NIAGARA

i '
( '

Historical Society, i

No. 5.

SERHON Dy Rev. Robert Addisor\.
• HISTORY of Mrs. Jean Baptists Rousseaux.

HISTORIC Houses. -=»

EVOLUTION of an Historical Room.

BOOK AND JOB PRESES-
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONT.

1899.

\ 'i

i >

< f

< >
i 'i
i i

^ j

i i

< »

« »

HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

I TS objects are the encouragement of the study of Canadian

History and Literature, the collection and preservation of

Canadian historical relics, the building up of Canadian loyalty

and patriotism, and the preservation of all historical landmarks

•in this vicinity.

Each member shall pay an annual fee of fifty cents.

The annual celebration shall be held on the iyth of Septem-
ber.

The Society shall hold eight regular meetings during the [year.
These meetings shall be held on the second Thursday of the
month.

The annual meeting shall be held on October i3th.

OFFICERS, 1898-9.

Patron— WM. K1RBY, F. R. S. C.
President— MISS CARNOCHAN.
Vice-president— HENRY PAFFARD
Secretary— ALFRED BALL.
Treasurer— MRS. A. SERVOS.
Curator— RUSSEL WILKINSON.

COMMITTEE. HON. VICE-PRESIT^ENTS.

REV. J. C. GARRETT, MRS. ROE.

MRS. ASCHER, CHAS. A. F. BALL.

MISS CLEMENT,

W W. IRELAND, B. A.

MRS. T. F. BEST.

HONORARY MEMBERS.

DR. SCADDING, REV. CANON BULL,

WM. GIBSON, M.P. MAJOR CRUIKSHANK,
CAPT. R. O. KONKLE, MAJOR HISCOTT,
DR. JESSOP, M.P.P.

PREFACE.

THE fifth pamphlet of the Niagara Historical Society, will, it
is hoped, be received as favorably as the preceding num-
bers. The sermon by Rev. Robert Addison will be a
pleasing surprise and will form a worthy companion to those of
the other early ministers of Niagara which have been preserved.
Found almost by accident, its leaves yellow with age, it has been
a pleasing task to prepare it for the printer. For some time it
has been desired that there should be some description of several
historic houses, built before the war whose history is closely
interwoven with the story of those heroic days, and we hope
that the history of many others may be told before these deeds
are forgotten, ere

The race of yore

Who told our marvelling boyhood legions store,
Of their strange ventures, happed by land or sea,
Are blotted from the things that be.

So many of the early homes of the Niagara region were destroyed
by fire in the War of 1812, and so many precious relics and valu-
able records thus perished that it is all the more incumbent on us
to gather up all that can now be gained of the stories of pioneer
life. Any who can assist in this way will confer a benefit on
the Societies which are now endeavoring to make up for the long
indifference of the past

THE Historical Room is open every Saturday afternoon
from 3 to 5.

The pamphlets issued by our Society are :

No. i. Taking of Fort George, with illustration of Niagara
River, 27th May, 1813, by Major Cruikshank. 20 cts.

No. 2. (With three illustrations.) Centennial poem by Mrs.
Curzon ; Fort Niagara, by Canon Bull ; Slave rescue in
Niagara, 1837, by Miss Carnochan. 20 cts.

No. 3. Blockade of Fort George, with illustration of Niagara
1806, by Major Cruikshank. 25 cts

No. 4. Memorial to United Empire Loyalists, by Jas. H.
Coyne, President of the Provincial Historical Society ; History
taught by Museums, by David Boyle, Curator of Arch-
aeological Museum, Toronto ; Battle of Queenston Heights,
by Hon. J. G. Currie; Monuments, by Janet Carnochan. 20 cts.

No. 5. The present issue. 20 cts.

The residence of Jas. McFarland, Esq., built in

1800. Used as a hospital during- war

of 1812-14.

Residence of Geo. Field Esq. Used as
pital during war of 1812-14.

Hos-

An Old Time Sermon.

Sermon preached hy the Rev. Robert Addison, the first minister of St.
Mark's, Niagara. The first pajre was torn and somewhat defaced, so that
, there is a slight break. The time must have been shortly after the close
of the war of 1812-14.

i Peter, 4th, 8th. "And above all things have fervent chanty
among- yourselves, for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

The heavenly report of these words can be construed in no
other light than x x x on the minds of the benevolent a due
and laudable impression. The object I wish to present to you
my friends in my discourse is to x x x x

but this

is not applicable in the present instance and though I would not
wish to throw out any observations to give even a coloring of en-
couragement to idlenes, still I would not wish on the contrary by
any cold remarks to hold back the hand already stretched forth,
and I may say participating in the Christian like feeling of the
heart to relieve the necessitous, though the object should be un-
worthy of bounty. This would not detract from our virtue. If
we err let us err on the side of mercy and leave the justice and
judgment to Heaven. Allow me then my friends to present to
your view the objects I advocate and such objects as are advocat-
ed by our blessed Lord, the Fatherless and the Widow, such is
the plain pitiable tale, it requires not the power or force of elo-
quence to lighten its misery, on you whose hearts are sensibly
alive to the distress of your fellow creatures, who know best how
to believe and administer to their comforts. These poor people
have a strong claim; I thought they were strangers, far from their
country and home, when I say strangers I mean not immediate-

—2-

ly known to us except by their misery; I had been misinformed.
They are British subjects, however with ourselves and came here
in the late war with the U.S. The head of the family bravely
stood forward in defence of the country, but was unhappily taken
prisoner. In this situation of difficulty and distress he fully prov-
ed his loyalty by contriving and procuring' at his peril the means
of escape for two useful and respectable militia officers, one of
whom is dead, and the other lives in this place. He did not, he
could not escape himself. His young and numerous family joined
him in the States and as soon as he could arrange his hum ^le af-
fairs, he returned to the country of his affection and came in hopes
of bettering his circumstances by honest and laborious inc ustry.
But alas, such is the uncertainty of human life and everythir ;• con-
nected with it, so thin the partition between happiness and i isery,
life and death, that in one short moment the whole scene :an be
changed and sadly reversed, to-day all joy and sunshine, t i-mor-
row afflictions and clouds, and which of us can say even the most
affluent that such reverse of fate is not impending over and ready
to burst upon our head.

Is it in the power of man to avoid or avert the wise dis-
pensations of Providence, I trust there is none so mad as to think
so, tho' 'tis too evident that poor, blind unthinking creatures there
are who act as if they did. May the Almighty illuminate their
minds with His Heavenly knowledge, that they may turn from
their evil ways and flee from the wrath to come. Believe me, the
best way to avoid the just and deserved punishment of our sins
both here and hereafter by the Almighty disposer of all events is
to humble ourselves before Him, to implore in fervent prayer with
minds abstracted from every earthly consideration, his pardon,
grace and mercy, and to copy the example and precepts of His
Blessed Son, our Lord and Redeemer, and although we cannot at-
tain to His spotless, pure and holy life, yet our endeavors in the
trial shall not lose their labour nor reward.

In my present discourse I will inquire how
this ^reat duty of charity is recommended to us
in the Holy Scriptures. There was nothing our Saviour
inculcated more strongly into the minds of His disciples for the

— 3—

instruction and blessing of all generations than that brethren
should love one another and have charity, and here I beg to re-
mind you of the following passage in the igth chapter of Mat-
thew, 16, 17, 20 and 2ist verse, "And behold one came and said
to him, Good Master what good thing shall I do that I may have
eternal life, and He said unto Him, why callest thou me good ?
There is none good but one. that is God, but if thou wilt enter into
life, keep the commandments. The young man said unto him, all
these thing's have I kept fro n my youth up, what lack I yet ? Jesus
said unto Htm, It thou will be perfect go and sell that thou hast
and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven, and
come and follow me," We find the young man went away on
hearing the conditions of his salvation, exceedingly sorrowful, for
he had great possessions. The question asked of our Lord at
first might seem equivalent to the enquiry, what mnst I do to be
saved. But our Lord saw that His judgment was erroneous and
his heart unhumbled and carnal, He therefore first objected to his
giving him whom he supposed to be a mere man, the title of good
as all men are evil in themselves, and none is strictly and abso-
lutely good but the one living and true God, the fountain and per-
fection of goodness and excellency. The remark was the more
needful as the Rabbis affected this title and it intimated that the'
inquirer was not properly sensible of the depravity of his heart or
the dignity of the person whom he here addressed, to whom the
title of good belonged in a far higher sense than he supposed.
He then directed him to keep the commandments of God if he
meant to enter life by the good things he should do. He ignor-
antly replied by inquiring which of the commandments he was to
keep. Whereas a perfect obedience to all of them is the indis-
pensable condition of life according to the covenant of works, and
cursed is averyone that continueth not in all things written in the
book of the law to do them. The young man, regardless of the
first table and ignorant of the spiritual precepts adduced, answered,
he had kept them all from his youth, He could only mean the
letter and that he was free from the grosser violations ot it, for
doubtless he had infringed several ot them and he certainly was
very far from loving his neighbor as himself. To this he added an

enquiry, what was yet wanting" to complete his righteousness, but
our Lord, to discover to him and others the evil that lurked under
these false appearances, told him he yet lacked one thing- and
that if he would be perfect he must g~o and sell his estate, dis-
tribute the money to the poor and follow Him, and then he should
have everlasting treasure in Heaven. The reward offered for the
sacrifice of this man's riches when he found it was indeed his
wealth that should purchase it by bestowing' it as our Lord desir-
ed and his sorrowing at the terms and of course refusal of them
showed that ths traa spirit of Christianity was not in him, nay,
that the devil indeed had yet power over his heart, for if he had
faith in Christ he never would have declined an immortal crown of
glorv for any earthly riches whatever.

In the gth and loth verses of the chapter
I have taken my text from are also these words,
"use hospitality, one to another without grudging as every man
hath received the gift, even so minister one to another as g-ood
stewards of the manifold grace of God." Whatever be our cir-
cumstances in this world, whether wealthy or poor, we are un-
doubtedly stewards of the Great Lord of all, and as undoubtedly
will have to render an account of our stewardship at the dreadful
day of reckoning and judgment, everyone according' as hath been
given unto him. Yet alas, how few think of this moral certainty
and are still more criminal in the eyes of God, if knowing' it they
neglect it, if they know it not they are ignorant of the great word
of truth, the Bible, but let them I pray take heed ere too late lest
they should be called to render an account that would doom them
to eternal misery.

There are few of r.s so blind but we must per-
ceive the superfluous expenses mankind enter into to gratify their
pride and their passions. The very expense of superfluities that
are unnecessary to their comfort or happiness would be sufficient
to support many poor, honest and industrious families. But there
are many men such gross and brutish sensualists as disgrace the
beautiful order of our creation, that it seems nothing would rouse
them to either a sense of their own infamy or induce them to per-
form one heavenly act of charity, to mitigate one crime of their

iniquitous and useless lives, or hide one of the multitude of their
sins. May the Almighty in His great mercy open their ears to
wisdom and their hearts to understanding ere He calls them from
this life of evil and temptation. The more we think on the pro-
digality of those stores entrusted more or less to man for the pru-
dent aud useful benefit of all, the more must we ever censure such
lavishers of them. If they have a spark of that grateful and de-
lightful feeling in their hearts that good men have when they per-
form a good and generous action, an approving conscience, they
would acknowledge 'twas beyond all the satiating luxury and
empty pomp this world could bestow. There is an inward satis-
faction in doing a benevolent act without ostentation that a good
man would not barter if he could for wealth. Innumerable are
the opportunities my friends of thus indulging such gratifications.
If we do not meet them immediately under our own eyes or even
in our daily walks, still if we have the will to learn we too truly
shall find out the abodes of penury and disease,

The lowly, glorious and blessed Jesus, the Redeemer of us
miserable sinners, condescended to minister consolation to the
afflicted of every description, Will men then that were lost and
condemned but for the sufferings of their Saviour refuse to follow
His Heavenly example or think it a shame or reproach to them
and beneath their dignity to be found alleviating the distresses of
the poor and needy. If of such we are ashamed, I fear our Lord
will pronounce at the dreadful Day of Trial an irrevocable sen-
tence, the awful and condemning words, when we would vainly ex-
cuse ourselves, "Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire,
I know you not, ye are none of mine." Awful, truly awful indeed,
will be such a declaration.

Let us then my friends in time bring forth fruits meet for re-
pentance, for every sin we may have thoughtlessly or wilfully com-
mitted. Hear the declaration of the most patient man in the
depth of his affliction : "When the ear heard me then it blessed
me." The heart I would wish cheered by your present bounty is
that of a widow, and a helpless, young and numerous family. She
lost her husband soon after her arrival, she still had a son, he also

fell, she has a daughter x x x x As the subject of my
discourse is one I have peculiar pleasure in ever bringing- to your
notice, I wish to shew further the blessing to be derived
from it and how far your contributions this day may rescue an
afflicted family from present and future poverty, and yet more and
of greater and happier consequences, possibly miserable lives and
untimely ends, I do not apprehend this would be the case with
these poor people in particular, I trust in God it would not, nor
ever will be. But too frequently do we hear of men driven by the
desperation of their circumstances to desperate means with the
destructive view of bettering them, and even wretched unhappy
misguided females lost to virtue and respectability by the bribe of
money to overcome momentary want, and in either case what is
their inexpressibly miserable end — remorse and ignominy. And
what does a cold and regardless world say of such victims ?
Vagabonds, they deserved their fate ! True, their lives deserved
to become a sacrifice for their crimes. The laws of Justice de-
manded it. But here let us pause and dispassionately reflect,
might not the kind assistance of some generous soul to have
stretched out their hand with relief at the critical moment of need
severed destruction from them and saved them to the community
as good and honest members of society ? Now my friends may
not Providence in His all wise dispensations make us this day by
our exertions in behalf of this family, instruments for their welfare
here, and glorious immortality hereafter. Can we have a strong-
er inducement to excite us ? Let us be this day at least, to those
poor helpless infants a kind indulgent father, and to the disconso-
late widow'd mother as it were, a tender and affectionate husband,
providing for her and her family's necessities. Let her grief if
possible be soothed thro' your protection of herself and infants.
Let their cry for bread (by your bounty) be no more heard, and if
anything in the world can repay your heart with satisfaction and
sacred joy, it would be to behold these little helpless innocents
kneeling round and with their yet almost desponding mother with
hearts and hands gratefully lifted to Heaven imploring the God
of Mercies to shower blessings on you and yours, and whatever

7

you do, do it heartily to the Lord and not unto men, "knowing
that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for
ye serve the Lord Christ." Now to God the Father, etc.

[At the North end of St. Mark's Church is a tablet with this
inscription : —

"In memory of the Rev. Robert Addison, first missionary of
this district, of the Venerable the Society for the Propagation of
the Gospel in Foreign parts. He commenced his labors in 1792,
which by the blessing of Divine Providence he was enabled to
continue for 37 years. Besides his stated services as minister of
St. Mark's in the town, he visited and officiated in different parts of
this and adjoining districts until other missionaries arrived. He
was born in Westmoreland, England, and died Oct. 6th, 1829, in
the 75th year of his age. 'Remember them which have the rule
over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose
faith follow, considering- the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ
the same yesterday and to-day and forever.' Heb. 13, 7,8."

This tablet was erected as a testimony of respect and affec-
tion by friends of the deceased.]

HISTORY OK

Mrs. Jean Baptisle Rousseaux.

BY ALEXANDER SERVOS.

Margaret Kleine was born of German parentage in the year
17^9, in the Mohawk Valley, now the State of New York, then
a British colony. She was taken by the Indians, when a child
about one year old, during the war with the Indians. The
Indians killed her father by tying him to a tree and whipping
him to death with the ramrods of their rifles. From the. shock
of witnessing such an awful death his wife fell dead. The young
child was then taken, along with her sister who was then fourteen
years old, by the Indians. On the loss of her mother she cried
and was threatened with death by the exasperated Indians, and,
in order to keep the child quiet Elizabeth filled her mouth with
leaves so she could not make a noise. A short time after that Chief
Joseph Brant seeing these two white children with the Indians,
took them himself and brought them along with him to Niagara,
and from there in due course of time they were taken to Brantford on
the Grand River, where they lived with the Brant family until
Margaret was fourteen years old. During this time Brant had
discovered some of her near relatives, at or near Kingston. Mrs.
Brant being unwilling to give up the young girl, Chief Brant
arranged to let her go to her relatives. He fitted out a bark
canoe with blankets and provisions, and the girl, canoe and out-
fit were conveyed across the country from Brantford to Burlington
Bay at night by the Indians, and he directed her how to proceed
by keeping along the shore ot the lake, she being alone during all
the voyage. At night she pulled the canoe on shore, made a fire
and slept in her blankets. The time occupied in going that dis-

— 9—

tance was sixteen or eighteen days. On reaching Kingston she
had no difficulty in finding her relatives, Chief Brant having- given
her full particulars how to find them. She was well qualified
to paddle a canoe, having been taught that art by the Indians
through living so long with the Brant family.

On arriving at Kingston she found her relatives and lived with
them until she married Jean Baptiste Rousseaux in 1780, who was
a Frenchman, born and educated in Paris. He had gone to England
and from there came to America with General Wolfe, and was
with him at the taking of Quebec. After a short time he became
intimately acquainted with Chief Joseph Brant and very quickly
learned the Indian language and became proficient in speaking it,
so much so that through the influence of Chief Brant he was
appointed interpreter to the Indians, and held that position until
his death in 1813. He died in the town of Niagara and was
buried in St. Mark's cemetery.

After marriage Rousseaux and wife went to the village of
Ancaster, a small village in the then Gore District, now the
county of Wentworth, and kept a general .store. About the year
1793 he built a grist mill in the village for grinding wheat for the
farmers, and, for chose days, did a large and thriving business,
and acquired a good deal of wealth, besides large tracts of land
throughout the country. Their family consisted of four
daughters and two sons, namely : Elizabeth, who married

House of the county of Norfolk. Rainet married

Elijah Secord, who afterwards kept a store in Ancaster, and
finally settled in the township of Barton, where he and his
brothei , John, built the Albion mills. A number of their descend-
ants are still living. Margaret married Thomas Davis, who
settled in the township of Saltfleet, and left a large family, many
of them still living. Catharine, or as she was called, Kate, the
youngest daughter, married Daniel Kerr Servos of Niagara in
1816, who at that time belonged to the barrack department at
Niagara, where he was employed from the close of the War of
1812-14 to 1818, in which war he served as private, corporal,
sergeant and lieutenant, after which he removed to the head of the
lake and purchased a farm, lots 3 and 4 in the township of Barton

— JO—

county of Wentworth, where he resided until his death in 1857.
His widow died in 1882. They raised a family of four daughters
and three sons, besides two sons who died when quite young.
The daughters were Margaret Ann, who married Matthew Brock
Secord, both living to an old age, leaving many descendants.
Elizabeth Gertrude, who married Alexander Rennie of Toronto,
who had a large family, and died several years ago in Hamilton,
where his widow now resides. Mary Euretta, who married
Andrew M. Crooks, is now a widow living in Plainsville, New Jersey,
Amelia Jane married Philip Perry, both dying in Buffalo,
N.Y. , William, the eldest son, married Margaret Crooks,
Alexander, the writer of this short sketch, has been
living at Niagara for the past forty-four years, and Ethelbert,
who died three years ago in Hamilton. George Rousseaux,
the eldest son, married Mary Rogers of Niagara and left a family
of one son and five daughters, some of whom reside in Hamilton
and others in Toronto,. Joseph Brant, the youngest son, married
Margaret Davis of the township of Barton.

Now we return to say what became of Elizabeth Kleine, the
sister of Margaret. She lived with the Brant family for several
years. Mrs. Brant, being a very passionate woman, Elizabeth ran
away from them, assisted by Chief Brant in getting away. Meet-
ing Daniel McCrimmon, a young Scotchman who lived near where
the town of Cayuga is now situated, she married him and after a
few years they settled on a farm in the township of Binbrook,
county of Wentworth, where she lived to a very great age.

Daniel McCrimmon, about the year 1815 while on a hunting
expedition got lost in the woods, and his remains were found
along with his rifle, two years afterwards in a hollow tree, where
he had climbed to protect himself from the wild animals. The
remains were found there by some men who were hunting in the
bush. It was proven by the rifle and knife that he carried and
the steel and tinder box.

Historic Houses.

BY ALEXANDER SERVOS.

History of the George Field's Farm, on the River Road, Lot 15,
Niagam Ton nship.

In the year 1785 George Field, a U.K. Loyalist, came from the
state of New Jersey, then a British colony, and settled on Lot 15,
River Road, township of Niagara. He built a house in the village
of Queenston, where he lived and carried on a blacksmith shop
and wagon making business. He did not work himself at the
trade but employed men to do the work while he would oversee
the business. He placed his sons Gilbert, Nathan and Daniel on
the farm which they succeeded in clearing up and cultivated suc-
cessfully, earning a livelihood for the large family. About the
year 1795 the father and sons built the brick house now standing
on the said farm, opposite Mrs. George Durand's residence, River
Road, which is part of the original Field farm.

During the War of 1812-14 there was a battery placed on
wha\ was then called Field's Point, just about where the Durand
house now stands, and on the morning of the day of the Battle
of Queenston, the Americans placed a battery on the opposite
side of the river, opened fire and tried to silence the battery on
Field's Point. While doing so they sent a cannon-ball through
the roof of the brick house, (the Field house) which had at that
time a very steep roof. When they repaired the house some years
afterwards, they made the roof very much lower, as it is at the
present time. While the Field family were taking breakfast on
that morning, the Americans sent two more shots through the
brick work of the house which caused the family to beat a hasty
_ retreat and find shelter in some other quarter. The present
owner and occupant of the house and farm, Mr. George Field,

HOW an old gentleman, is a grandson of George Field, who settled
the property. His father was also named George Field.

George Field died in Queenston and was buried in the plot of
ground now owned by Mr. - - of Buffalo, N.Y. , where

there are a number of persons buried who were residents of the
village and surrounding country. He had a large family, Hiram,
Nathan, George, Daniel, James, Crysler, David, John, Ralph and
one daughter, Rebecca, who married John Middaugh of the Ridge
Road west of St. Davids, township of Niagara. The name was
originally De la Filday, they being of Norman descent. George
Field's father's name was Gilbert.

[In addition to the above it may be mentioned that in the pos-
session of Mr. Geo. Field is a silver medal, which, from the following
letter, must have been obtained through the intervention of Hon.
Wm. Hamilton Merritt. On one side are the words "To the
British Army 1793-1814" and on the other the Queen's head and
the words <( Victoria Regina 1848." The letter is as follows :

QUEBEC, 23rd AUG., 1852.
MR. GEO. FIELD,

Sir : It. gives me much pleasure to be the means of present-
ing you with the enclosed medal as a reward for your gallant
conduct in defending our common country, and I hope the day is
not far distant when the same mark of distinction will be extended
to your companions in arms, who, in other engagements were
instrumental in successfully repelling the numerous invasions on
the Niagara frontier as well as other parts of Canada during the
campaign of 1812-14. ^ is mv intention to present an address
in a few days to attain that object. In the mean time I will
thank you to acknowledge the receipt of this, hoping you may
long live to wear it. I have the honor to remain your friend and
servant,

WM. HAMILTON MERRITT.

In the grave yard now used by the Brown and Field families
are many head-stones, one marking the grave of Daniel Field, who
died 1873 aged 82 years,and Gilbert Field, who died 1815, aged 50.
The dwelling is a large, dark-red brick house, originally three
stories, with a high, pointed roof, but when partially burnt down

— J3—

it became a two-story house with a much flatter roof. The family
came from New Jersey in canoes and landed near this spot. It
was the first brick house on the River Road and shows the solid
work of those days, its walls being mostly six bricks thick. It
was built by Gilbert Field. Mr. Murray Field, living' in Niagara
was born in this house, which was at one time used as a hospital.
The spot is still pointed out where a soldier died at the head of
the stair. The British officers were at one time quartered here
and Mr. Murray Field is named from Col Murray. Jas. Mc-
Farland and Daniel Field piloted the force over to Fort Niagara in
December 1813. In the Niagara Historical Room is a copy of a
paper read at a family gathering by Mr. Daniel Field on his Both
birthday, in which he mentions having fought at Queenston
Heights, Luncly's Lane and at the capture of Fort Niagara, having
been a prisoner there previously. The wife of Mr. Murray Field
is the daughter of the late John McCarthy and their children can
say that their grand parents fought on opposite sides at Queenston
Heights, and at Chippewa they were prisoners on opposite sides.]

J. C.

Ilisioiy lit' ihc <»ltl vluie Gri.->t Mill on_tli^ Four Mile Creek on lot ]gl
'I ownsinp of NuigMi ;i,

In the year 1800, Benjamin Pickard of the Township of
Niagara, in the County of Lincoln, built a grist mill on lot 193 on
the Four Mile Creek, military reserve of the township ot Niagara,
said mill contained one run of stone which was brought from
Eusopas, in the State of New York.

The ground wheat was carried to the top of the mill by the
miller in a sack, and was poured in a cooler and from thence it
ran down into the bolt for separating the flour, bran and shorts,
there teing in those days no elevators for carrying the meal to
the top of the mill.

The machinery was all made of wood, the wheels and shaft-
ns, there was not an iron wheel in the whole mill. The mill is

fy '

built of very heavy timber, all of the posts and beams are four-
teen inches square as well as the sills. The girths, studding and

— J4—

braces are all hewn out, not one piece of timber in the frame is
sawn, the sills and posts are of white oak, and all the other tim-
ber is white wood.

During- the war of 1812-14, when the Americans had posses-
sion of Fort George and Niagara, there were several skirmishes
in or near the town, out at the Ball Farm and the Cross Roads,
(now Virgil), the wounded all being taken to the mill which was
used for a hospital for some length of time.

At this time the Americans went out from Fort George and
were met by the militia who were lying in wait for them, but were
too tew in number to hold their own, and had to retreat farther
into the country, and in order to do so quickly they threw over
one hundred American muskets and bayonets which they had
captured, into the mil! pond, to prevent them from again falling
into the hands of the Americans. The arms all sank into the mud
and remain there until the present day.

In 1810 the mill became the property of Abraham Secord, and
.in 1815 the late Samuel Street became owner, who in 1818 sold
it to the late Wm. S. Servos, and in 1859 it became the property
of Alexander Servos, the writer of this short sketch. In 1893 he
sold the property to Wm. Chaplin. The original owner Ben-
jamin Pickard, was buried in the graveyard on the farm where
there were a great many of the first settlers buried. After it be-
came the property of Mr. Chaplin he caused all the old tombstones
to be removed and ploughed the graveyard, levelling down the
graves and cultivated it ac the other land, many of the bodies had,
however, been previously removed to St. Catharines cemetery.
The mill still remains standing and is in a good state of repair.

An Historic House.

The Residence of Mr. James McRarland.

BY JESSIE McKENZIE.

The following appeared in the Montreal Witness :'n 1893. being one of
tl,e stories written by the Schoolchilden of Canada in the prize competition
instituted by that paper.

\

The house in which I live is situated on the banks of the
beautiful Niag-ara River. It was built in 1800 and has witnessed
many strange scenes, especially during- the stirring times of 1812-14.
As it was one of the largest and most comfortable houses of those
times it was used as a hospital by both British and Americans, as
teach had possession of it. The hall was sometimes so filled with
the dead and wounded that it was almost impossible to reach the
upper story without treading on their bodies. A few yards to the
north of the house is a ravine which was no doubt at that time
covered with shrubbery, in which the boats were concealed which
were intended to be used in the capture of Fort Niagara.

The fort was captured without the firing of a gun on Dec.
igth, 1813. Col. Murray came from Burlington to Niagara with
portions of the looth and 41 st regiments, they did not cross at
Niagara but about two miles up the river. My uncle who had
been taken prisoner by the Americans, made his escape out of the
fort early one morning, and walked up the river along the shore
until he came to a house where he was well known. There, kind
friends hid him in the cellar until nightfall when he crossed to his
own country. Col. Murray hearing of his return, sent for him
and he was appointed pilot of the expedition to take the fort.
They embarked a little below the house, then went up the river
for a short distance and landed on the opposite shore where two

-J6—

pine trees now stand. It was ten at night when they started off,
they walked down on the other side, killing the sentries with their
bayonets as they went along so as not to alarm the garrison at
the fort.

It was at the top of this same ravine in which the boats had
been concealed that General Brock on his way from Fort George
on the morning of Oct. i3th, 1812 to command at the battle of
Queenston Heights spoke to my grandfather.

One day as my grandfather and great grandfather were at
work in the field each with a pair of horses, three American dra-
goons rode up and tried to capture both men and horses ; but
my two grandfathers each seizing a rail from the fence near at
hand, soon put them to flight. However it was not long before
they came back considerably reinforced. This time they seized
the horses, took my great grandfather prisoner and carried him
away to jreenbush, New York State, but my grandfather fortu-
nately made his escape.

It has been reported that money was buried in the cellar, and
it seems there was some foundation for the rumor, for my grand-
father being in the cellar one day, noticed something bright where
the rats had been scratching up some earth on the floor, and on
picking it up it proved to be a gold Spanish coin, nearly twice as
large as an English guinea. We have an old clock in the house
now which tradition says was buried during the time of the war,
but as this is a true story I cannot vouch for the truth of the
"clock" story.

Another Description of the Same House.

BY CHARLES V. T AGO ART.

The farm and homestead situated on the banks of the
Niagara River about two miles south of the town of that name
was purchased by my great great great grandfather from the
crown and has remained in the family to the present day. The
dwelling- house was built in 1800 by my great great grandfather

— J7—

and was used as a hospital during- the war of 1812-14 by both
British an d Americans, as each had possession of the place. A
little to the north is the ravine in which were concealed the boats
which were used in the taking- of Fort Niagara. On the bank
behind the house a battery was built where three British soldiers
were buried, During the war of 1812-14 the cellar was used to
store the grain and my great grandfather on going down one day
saw an officer helping himself without permission to the oats.
He unceremoniously kicked him out, said officer was afterwards
high in rank, who, I suppose, kept to the old adage, "Everything
is fair in love and war." It was my great grand uncle who gave
information which led to "the taking of Fort Niagara, and who
crossed Niagara River after being- a prisoner in the American Fort,
crossing on a raft, and led the British soldiers to the capture of
the fort. My great great grandfather and his son were one day
busy working in the fields when three soldiers tried to seize the
horses, but my great great grandfather and son each seized a rail
and put the soldiers to flight. They soon returned with a larger
number and took them prisoners to Greenbush, N.Y. After his
release he died from the exposure. After the war, when the
family returned to their home they found the house greatly dam-
aged, as neither doors, windows nor mantles were left remaining,
also from the farm twenty one horses had been carried off.

[On a tombstone in St. Mark's graveyard is the following in-
scription which must refer to that member of the McFarland fam-
ily who was taken a prisoner to Greenbush and is said to have
died from the effects of the exposure.

"Sacred to the memory of John McFarland, a native of
Paisley, Scotland, he was taken prisoner at the capture of Fort
George and escaped from Greenbush near the close of the war. He
returned to his place, Niagara, and finding his property burnt up
and destroyed by the enemy, it enervated him so much that he died
in a few months after, in the 64th year of his age."

In the Historical Room, Niagara, are several documents
framed, grants of land to or from J no. McFarland, showing him
to have been the possessor of many hundreds of acres in different
parts of Upper Canada. The earliest document is one dated 1794.

Several of the grants are from Peter Russell, one for 600 acres ;
another for 500 acres, one in 1799. The document of 1794 is
made at Newark and is from Peter McFarland and Benaiah Gibb
of Montreal, making John McFarland of Niagara their attorney
for the Home District to collect all sums of money due. Another
document shows the kindness of the eldest brother (and of course
in those days the heir,) in giving his brother, from brotherly affec-
tion, a deed for 200 acres of land. Major Duncan McFarland
who as a boy took part in the war of 1812, was an uncle of the
present proprietor, who is a genial, hale and hearty octogenarian.]

J. C.

Palatine Hill.

BY JANET OARNOCHAN

. Perhaps the oldest house in Niagara Township is that owned
by Mrs. Mary Servos, widow of Col. Peter Servos. A beautiful
situation truly, the house built on an eminence commanding1 a view
of the meandering Four Mile Creek running through an old beaver
meadow, beautiful forest trees, immense pines, elms and maples
having been left to add to the beauty ot the scene. The house
has had many additions but the large room with its heavy rafters
— of the olden time dates back to 1783 and was at one time a
Government store. Two old account books from 178410 1779
give ' many curious particulars of the sale of flour, wheat, elk
skins, bear skins, etc. A saw and grist mill did good service
here. In different Goverment records we find that the Home Gov-
ernment sent machinery to help, and from many miles distant
came early settlers to have their grain ground. A few submerged
timbers show the spot still.

The Servos family were of Prussian origin, a parchment pre-
served by some members of the family, and signed by Prince
William, of Weid, dated 1726, witnesses that Christopher Servos
entered military service in 1687, serving honorably for forty years,
and recommending him to the Governor of New York. Some of the
sons were present at the siege of Fort Niagara, in 1759, under
Sir Wm. Johnson, and the grandsons served in Butler's Rangers.

The old account books are exceedingly interesting, for the
names, prices, articles sold. On the first page is an index very
neatly done, giving names and pages. It must have been an ex-
tensive business involving large interests, as the sums of money
mentioned are very large, all in L.S.D. The oldest book is a little
private account of Daniel Servos from 1779 to Dec. i2th, 1804*

— 2o—

The prices are interesting, as 43 panes of glass 3^, 55, 6d, one
bottle of rum 4/, 9 logs, sawing, at 5s — z£ 58 ; 30 Ibs. flour,
l£> J3S- In the year 1784, Messrs. Street and Butler are charg-
ed with flour and grain bags, the lumber at 8£ per thousand, 100
Ibs flour to Mrs. Frey, ^3 ; Captain Bernard Prey, a bushel of
bran 4s ; Mr. Jno Clement in 1785 paid £i os 7d for three
pecks of salt ; Mr. Jesse Pawling bought tea at i2s per Ib. Capt.
Peter Ten Brock boiig-ht deer skins at 5$ each ; Mr. Isaac Vroo-
man bought wheat at 8s per bushel ; Mr. Sam Street is charged
with elk skins at 148 each, 6 bear skins 2os each, 3 martin 5 s
each. Capt. Ralph Clench has a large blacksmith bill in 1790.
In 1784 a mare is charged £,12. A record on one page of 2494
barrels of potash in Oct. 1799. In 1800 one quart rum 55 ; half
bushel salt 8s ; half pound tobacco, 2s 6d : sawing 40 logs ^4 ;
two yards striped cotton 8s.

Many old deeds, commissions on parchments are preserved,
four generations of the name having served in different capacities
as ensign, lieutenant, captain, colonel, the oldest dated 24th Dec.
1779, from Haldimand to Daniel Servos, gentleman, to be Lieut-
enant in Col. Johnson's corps of North American Indians. In
1788 from Guy Lord Dorchester, to be Captain of first regiment
of Militia in District of Nassau. The pay roll of Capt. Dan. Ser-
vos has 31 names in 1794 and others are dated 1802, 1809, 1815 ;
in 1827, John D. Servos was Lieut. -Col. Another paper ^'ives
the names of those who went to York commanded by J. D. Ser-
vos, 1813, from 6th July to loth July.

Near the house is an old barn built in 1803, in which Ameri-
can dragoons were quartered for a time. In the old mill is an
ammunition box left by Americans at the retreat from Stoney
Creek, with letters U.S. No. i, 6 Ib. It is about eight feet long
and two feet wide. All sorts of articles have been banished to
this place : An old saddle used by the grandmother Frey, (wife of
Capt. Barnard Frey (who was killed in 1813 by a cannon ball from
Fort Niagara) when she swam across the Susquehanna River,
when chased by Indians while carrying despatches. The timbers
are of white oak 14 and 16 inches square. There have been three
mills, the second was burnt in 1822, a few of the timbers were

— 2J—

used in the present building- and are blackened with smoke.

In the house are all sorts of relics : A tea caddy brought from
Switzerland with date 1778 belonged to Philip Frey, Surveyor, is
now a receptacle for buttons of Butler's Rangers, King's 8th, etc.,
so dear to the heart of the collector. A shell snuff box with sil-
ver cover has the inscription "Token of Gratitude from Wm,
Glaus to Mrs. Eliz. Servos, Niagara, 1801." One room is quite
full of such historic relics, swords, sashes, immense seals, wal-
lets, etc. , enough to stock an ordinary museum. Various articles of
value, as silver spoons, a silver teapot, were buried for safety,
some of them three times. A document dated Newark 1794, of
survey made for Col. John Butler, has the names Ball, Secord and
others: the Servos farm had then 394 acres.

In the Servos graveyard on the farm are buried four genera-
tions. One inscription reads "Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth
Johnson, who died 8th Nov., 1811, aged 104 and recalls the fact
that her husband Col. Johnson was buried in the chapel ot Fort
Niagara 1759, with Gen. Prideaux, and that, though many at-
tempts have been made to discover the site of this chapel where
two British officers were buried, hitherto they have been without
avail. Elizabeth Servos, her daughter, died 1821, aged 72, and
Daniel Servos, husband to above, died March 1808, aged 65.
There are tombstones to six of the name of Whitmore : Mag-
dalene, in 1854, must have been the little Magdalene Servos, who
saw the murder of her grandfather in 1777 in his own house ty
Revolutionary soldiers, the little'child of three was left with rela-
tives till her father, Captain Daniel Servos, went from Niagara on
horseback and brought her home. The late wife of our poet,
Wm. Kirby, F.R.S-C., Eliza Whitmore, was her daughter.

One grave is that of an Indian. A black man who had been
an old slave, was in the family tor many years, called Bob Jupiter.
In St. Mark's record book is an item which relates to this
burying ground, running thus, "On the day on which the en-
gagement between Sir Jas. Yeo and Commodore Chauncey took
place on the lake, our dear friend Mrs. McNabb was buried in
Mr. Servos's burying place, supposed to be the agth Sept, 1813."
(Should be a8th Sept.)

The information on which these imperfect notes is dated was
gleaned from various sources, Mrs. Mary Servos having- cour-
teously shewn many articles of interest in this historic home.
Her father was Capt, John C. Ball, who fought at Queenston
Heights, having in charge the cannon there, and in the family
record are the names of Frey and Showers, all found in the fir-t
census taken in Niagara by Col John Butler in 1782, and again in
1783. In many other houses in the town and township where
descendants of the Christopher Servos who came in 1726 reside,
may be found precious heir looms from which, if the history were
told, ample material could be obtained for several interesting
pamphlets. Stories of pioneer life, of valuable relics, of adven-
tures among the Indians, of escaped slaves, of assemblies at Navy
Hall, stories, which if not soon gathered up will soon be only a
memory ever growing fainter and fainter. It is hoped that there
may not be lacking those who have sufficient love for their coun-
try to make continuous efforts to glean while it may yet be done,
the tales of our not ignoble past.

The Evolution of an Historic Room.

llY JANET CARNOCHAN.

Numerous requests having- been made for some account
of the evolution of what may, for lack of a better name, be called
our Historical Room, an attempt is now made to satisfy these de-
mands. In Dectmber 1895, *n answer to a notice in our local
paper, a few persons met in the Public Library room and an His-
torical Society was formed. In March 1896 the library having- ob-
tained a new and more accessible building-, the town council kindly
allowed us the use of this room, which had already some preten-
sions to being called historic, as it had been in past time
the grand-jury room for the court house for the united counties
of Lincoln, Welland and Haldimand and has no doubt witnessed
many sad and stirring scenes since 1848.

Locus, then a long- narrow room, 12x40, empty, except for a
larg-e box stove and chandeliers left as a legacy by the library.
Much cold water had metaphorically been thrown upon the pro-
ject of collecting" articles relating to the history of the town and
neighborhood. It was said nothing had been left, everything had
been given away or destroyed, or did any such articles exist, no
one would either give or lend anything for such purpose. All
such prognostications have proved false. With very little outlay,
for we began with an empty treasury, (cases have been given,
picture frames, chairs, tables, etc.), a collection of about one
thousand articles, some of them very valuable, has been brought
together and entered on the books of our curator. Visitors have
enrolled their names from different cities, — from Winnipeg- to
New York, from Ottawa to Wellington, New Zealand.

Many of the articles have a story attached and it is the object
of this paper to give some slight account of the most remark-

—24—

able of these. Perhaps the most interesting- feature in the room
is the collection of pictures of the town hang-ing- on the walls dat-
ing-from 1794, 1806, 1813, 1836, 1846; also documents, commis-
sions in old fashioned frames, the latter all contributed from
garrets and lumber rooms, and, white not appropriate to the par-
lor, are quile suitable for these ancient documents. There are
now almost one hundred of these hanging- on the walls of our
room. The first article put into our hands was a large medal,
rather battered and discolored but still in good preservation, par-
ticularly interesting at this jubilee time, the inscription being "In
commemoration of the visit of Queen Victoria to the city of Lon-
don, gth November 1837", on the other side the Queen's youthful
profile of sixty years ago. To a Londoner the date would ex-
plain the raison d'etre, but to us the recent reading of Hall Caine's
Christian with ifs reference to gth November, Lord Mayor's day
afforded an explanation. The medal was found near Fort Missis-
sagua and presented by Master Hamilton Garrett. A large
heavy key with brass tag attached with words stamped "Tower
Magazine", in being shown to visitors is always said to represent
the "power of the press," a well deserved name. When in begin-
ning" our collection a large case was kindly presented, a notice
was inserted in our local paper that now articles presented could
be safely preserved. In a few days this key was sent by post all the
way from Wisconsin, the owner having- picked it up when the
the fort was deserted and lying open ; taken to Wisconsin and
now restored by mail in answer to our appeal, by this loyal son
of the old borough. Our local paper travels to many distant spots
and this has been truly shown to represent the "power of the
press."

A sword hints a tale of the "cold steel" encounter when the
legend tells us the cry was "What is trumps" and the answer "Bri-
tish bayonets." W7hen Fort Niagara was taken igth December
1813, while Niagara town was a smoking ruin, this sword was
handed to Col. Murray by the American officer in charge. The
christening bowl used by Rev. Robert Addisoi-i who came here in
1792 shows long use, but still the bunch of pink flowers on each
side may be plainly seen and this brings to mind St Mark's

—25-

register with the quaint remarks inserted at baptism, wedding or
funeral by its first rector, who sometimes, from that vast parish
reaching from Niagara to Long Point, baptized dozens, nay scores,
using this simple china bowl.

A pocket book gives us a pathetic reminder of the day Niagara
wa.-i taken, 2yth May, 1813. On a tablet at the north door of.
St. Mark's is an inscription to the memory of four heroes who
were killed while defending the town, the first name being Capt.
Martin McClelland, and here is the name in his own hand in this
pocket book, Dec. 1812. It was thought at first that the purse
was found on the dead body, but a different explanation is now
given, no less pathetic and striking : the captain went to Virgil
where his wife then was, to bid her good-bye, having a presenti-
ment that the morrow would be his last day on earth, an engage-
ment being expected, the American force having anchored in sight
of the town. To the wife were given the pocket-book and watch
and the presentiment proved true, for in spiking the guns while
retreating the fog lifted and he was slain.

But perhaps the article which attracts the most attention is the
cocked hat of General Brock with white ostrich plumes, red and
white cockade and gold plated chain. Since like George Wash-
ington, we cannot tell a lie, it must be confessed that Gen-
eral Brock never wore the hat as when it arrived for
him from England he lay in a hero's grave in Fort
George. A letter is in existence written by him to his brother "All
the articles I ordered have arrived except the cocked hat for
which I am sorry, as on account of the enormous size of my head
I find it difficult to obtain a hat to suit me." The ladies of the
Historical Society, Toronto, wrote to have it measured inside, and
the result quite justified the use of the descriptive adjective as the
measurement was twenty-five inches. A military order of 1811
that the ostrich plumes be inside the flaps, and* another in 1814
repealing this order justify the position of the trimming. The hat
was used at the different funerals, being placed on the coffin in
1824 and again in 1855 when many old soldiers asked permission
to try it on.

Here is the Upper Canada Gazette 1794, Newark, published

-26—

by Roy and a later one by Sylvester Tiffany with curious advertise-
ments and vistas opened up into the life of a hundred years ago
when gay assemblies, and French Counts, and American Com-
missioners, Governor Simcoe himself, and his secretary, that re-
markable and inexplicable man, Col. Talbot, danced with Niagara
belles.

Two documents show the heads of families and number in
the family of the congregations of St. Andrew's and St. Mark's,
the first being a parchment petition to the Queen in 1842 com-
plaining that they had not received their share of the Clergy
Reserve Fund. Of all the autographs found here not one is that
of a living person. The Census Enumerator's report of the
families of St. Mark's in 1848 gives a total ol 1060 people exclu-
sive of the military in barracks, or the country people.

The commissions of Robert Nelles, an officer in the Lincoln
Militia, from 1788 to 1813 as successively lieutenant, captain,
lieutenant-colonel, colonel, show the signatures of Lord Dorches-
ter, Gore, Sir Peregrine Maitland, Lord Colborne and Col. Butler.

What story is hmted at in the coat of arms and parchment
containing the freedom of the burgh of Dumbarton and another
that of Paisley to John Hamilton for good deeds done and to be
done, dated 1748- How little thought the giver or the receiver
that we in this distant land should now be wondering what those
good deeds could have been and what mean those mysterious
words to be done. Could those canny Scots have thus been stipu-
lating that no future reward was to be given for any further devo-
tion to duty ?

Here is a "tump line" one hundred years old, skilfully decorated
with porcupine quill work, which had been used by some Indian
woman to fasten her silent, solemn-eyed papoose and carry it
on her back or perchance to carry a heavier load of food or game.
And here are articles which show how our grandmothers followed
the description in Proverbs, "She seeketh wool and flax and
worketh willingly with her hands, she layeth her hand to the
spindle and her hands hold the distaff," a large wheel, a small
wheel, reel, carders, hackles. A number of these last show that
raising flax must have been an industry here, as in one barn were

27

found five. One hackle is old, having- been brought in 1784 by
the family of one of Butler's Rangers.

Numerous documents, now framed, recall stirring times as the
proclamation of Wm. Lyon McKenzie from Navy Island 1837.
Among other names may be seen that of Samuel Lount, so ruth-
lessly executed. Another proclamation of a reward of $500 for
the capture of James Morreau, a rebel, evidently a Frenchman,
and on inquiry we learn that he was actually hanged at Niagara
jail and a record in the Roman Catholic register gives the fact
that he was baptized provisionally, he not knowing whether this
had been done before.

Some curious old books and pamphlets give interesting
glimpses of early life in Canada. A book containing letters to
Archdeacon McGrath, Dublin, has engravings by the novelist
Samuel Lover, showing the log house of 1832, the bear hunts
and fishing expeditions. One item referring to the scarcity of
drug stores says that "one woman in Niagara compounds medicines
and puddings with equal confidence, but not with equal skill."
The formidable speech of Bishop Strachan on the Clergy Reserve
question recalls the memory of that vigorous ecclesiastical states-
man who gave and received such mighty blows, and who was
so vigorously denounced by Robert Gourlay, who lay at one time
a prisoner in Niagara jail, a picture of which now hangs on the
wall, a contrast to its present appearance as "Our Western
Home." A scrip ot Pennsylvania in 1773 for four shillings, re-
calls the time when that state was a British colony, and a curious
deed of land has on it the coat of arms of the Canada Company in
the Huron tract. A Mavor's spelling book printed in Niagara in
1824 gives some astonishing statements, but this is far eclipsed
as a school book by the Agricultural Reader by a vice-president
of the Agricultural society, since learned to have been Bishop
Fuller. Whether the pupils of any school were ever condemned
to use this book is not known, but in the interest of humanity it
is hoped not, as the book consists of disquisitions on mangel
wurzel, manures, sheep-raising, soils, etc., actually, however,
enlivened by two lessons in verse, one stanza of which we cannot
refrain from quoting, called "The Farmers' Fair."

—28—

"Bring heifers, steers and stately calves,

Let bulls and goats be there,
Bring natives, long horns, short horns, no horns,

All to the The Farmers' Fair."

Three sermons preached by ministers of the town in war
time, will compare favorably with sermons of the present day, one
during the War of 1812 by Rev. John Burns, the others in the
Rebellion of 1837 by Rev R. McGill and Rev. T. Creen, The
manuscript of a fourth is now in the possession of the Society
and appears in this pamphlet, that of the first minister of St. Mark's
sent-out in 1792, byS.P.G. Rev. R. Addison. "Brothers of the
craft" are all interested in the old Masonic apron, hand-painted on
silk. It is not known how old or whether done here or in Scot-
land.

A heavy, leather-covered book, the inside pages yellow and
water-stained, tells the story of the Niagara Library from 1800 to
1820. As the library fell into the hands of Mr. Heron, t* book-
seller, and who kept a lending library, the books must be scatter-
ed over the country, but for a long time no glimpse could be
obtained of any of those books, though the library numbered 1000
volumes. But another strange coincidence throws a ray of light.
In asking information from an old lady, who as a child was at
the second funeral of Brock in 1824, she had the previous day
received a card inquiring about the Niagara library of 1800, as
the writer had a book snatched from the flames in 1813. Since
then a book has been sent to the collection with the label "Niagara
Library 1801, Number 81" and corresponding with the catalogue
number 81.

Here are pictures of a few who have been connected with
the history of the town, General Sir Isaac Brock, Col. Butler,
Laura Secord, Sir Wm. Johnson, Capt. Thos. Dick, Samuel
Zimmerman and here is a sweet faced old lady, the daughter of a
heroine who on the day when 6000 men menaced our town, en-
couraged the soldiers by serving out coffee and refreshments. The
wife of the lighthouse keeper, Dominick Henry, it is mentioned in
a pamphlet of the Loyal and Patriotic Society, was voted ^25 as

—29—

an acknowledgment of her services. The delight of her grand-
daughter in being sent the extract relating to her grandmother,
Mrs. Quade, is one of the compensations for the labor of these
investigations. A picture of a log house built in 1814, is a con.
trast to the modern dwellings.

A friend in presenting some articles said, "I give you this as
seed, some one will see it and say 'I have something like that at
home which I will bring you'," and within a week this was twice
verified. On seeing a few wampum beads from an ossuary, a
visitor said, "My wife has a wampum necklace, given when her
grandfather was made a chief, which she may lend you," and so
another contribution came. On seeing an iron tomahawk, a
gentleman said, " Yesterday something exactly similar was
ploughed up, which I will bring, as I now know what it is," and
so one contribution leads to another.

A late contribution is a collection in a large picture frame,
which may be said to be a complete history of the military occu-
pation of the Niagara Peninsula, being about two hundred mili-
tary buttons of different regiments, British, United States, Canadian,
picked up at Fort George, all neatly labelled. In the centre a
belt buckle, 49, recalls the regiment of the noble Brock, "The
Green Tigers."

Nor is the list still exhausted, a Labrador seal skin coat
from the Northwest Rebellion and the scarlet coat of a captain in
the War of 1812 form a striking contrast. Indian pipes with
beautifully worked stems, hammer stones, household utensils of
other days, waffle irons, warming pans, snuffers, tell a page of
forgotten history to the children of the present day. A battle-axe
from an Ayrshire bog, and a perfect trilobite from England, with
some beautifully polished flint arrow heads of early British work-
manship show that not alone is this continent under tribute.
Gleaner newspapers, old letters, seals, all speak to us of the past.

Among the strange coincidences in life which give color to the
saying that truth is stranger than fiction the following may be re-
corded : A letter received from Mr. Eakin, the librarian of Os-
goode Hall, asked information about the ten members of the law
society founded in 1797, of one particularly could nothing be

—30—

gleaned, W. D. Powell, jr., of Queenston. Just that day our
secretary, Mr. Altred Ball, brought in a letter belonging to his wife,
a granddaughter of Robert Nelles of Grimsby, and which proved
to be a letter from W. D. Powell himself, and gives a glimpse of
a romantic runaway match. The letter is -addressed to Robert
Nelles, 40 Mile Creek.

QUEENSTON, 28th JULY, 1802.

DEAR SIR : — I should be unpardonable if I lost any time re-
turning the hearty thanks which are so justly due from me to you
for your kind and friendly assistance in rendering me one of the most
happy of men. After leaving your house on Friday night we
had an uncommonly fatiguing ride to Runchey's and arrived at
Niagara on the following morning, where, by Mr. Addison's as-
sistance, we were soon out of the fear of pursuit. Mrs. Powell
joins with me in her professions of gratitude to yourself and Mrs.
Nelles, and requests that you will take the trouble of apprising her
sister, Ellen, of her love and obligations to her for the part she
tooK in forwarding our escape.

Believe me dear sir, your obliged and obedient servant,

W. D. POWELL, JR.

Another interesting document is the subscription list of the
children of St. Mark's to procure a chair for the old clerk, to
whom we find an inscription in the graveyard, John Wray, who
had been clerk of the church for fifty years and died in 1846. This
is the quaint heading to the list : "Whereas the old clerk has re-
turned to town and expects to occupy his place in the church, so
long as he lives and is able to attend Divine service, it has been
observed that his seat on a stool is not easy nor suitable for him,
and an easy chair has been thought of. This has been made
to order and w'.ll be an appropriate present to honorable age from
the young as a mark of respect for his grey hairs and long ser-
vices." The list of youthful contributors will be carefully preserv-
ed among the records of St. Mark's Church. Niagara, Sept. 2oth
1844, The cost is £i I5s currency. The surplus for Sunday
School books." > Of the thirty-seven names signed here there are
now, after fifty-five years, only eight living. The sums signed are
from 7)^d to 2s 6d, the whole sum contributed being ^3 58. The

receipt ot the maker of the chair, John Andrews, is on the back
of the paper. Such well known names as Boulton, Dickson, Ball
Creen, Melville, Campbell, McCormick, Hall, Willson occur.
Mr. Wray is described by an old lady, an octogenarian, as a little
old man. The chair is low, and may be seen in the choir, having
been lately freshly upholstered.

An oil painting of Col. Jno. Butler has a curious history :
painted in Niagara in 1834 from the original oil painting (which is
now in Ottawa) by Henry Oakley, the son of the Baptist minister,
it has after being in Bronte for sixty year? now come back to Nia-
gara. The vane on the steeple of St. Andrew's Church, put on
in 1831, and bent in the tornado of 1855, the figure of an angel
blowing a trumpet, called often the "Angel Gabriel," after lying
in a barn for over forty years has here a resting place.

The collecting and arranging of so large a number of articles
in so short a time has not been accomplished without much labor
and we have to acknowledge the liberal contributions of Messrs.
Charles Ball, Alexander Servos. Alfred Ball, Miss Creen, Miss
Crouch and many others. A short historical article has appeared
in the Niagara "Times ' each week and the acknowledgment of
all articles contributed, and this perhaps has helped somewhat.
The distribution of the yearly reports with partial catalogue, and
now a complete to-date catalogue ot twelve pages, has been print-
ed for us by the kindness of Mr. John Ross Robertson, who has
taken much kindly interest in our work, the publication of our
pamphlets Nos. 1,2, 3, 4, all these have no doubt helped in the
evolution of our room. We should not have been able to print
so many pamphlets had it not been for a grant for printing pur-
( poses from the Ontario Government.

The tea caddy of Laura Secord, a curiosity in itself, even
had it not been the property of such a heroine, came by post
from Winnipeg, loaned by the grand daughter of Laura Secord
herself. Copies of the Canadian Punch, 1348-9, give curious
glimpses of the feeling to Lord Elgin. The Gleaner for 1832-3
and six months of the first year 1817-18, Gidding's Almanac for
1831 giving all the evidence of the trial at Lockport of those con-
cerned in the abduction of Morgan, give us curious reading now.

32

A pencil outline by General Seaton Gordon, with watermark 1822,
of building's then, 1824, at Fort Mississagua was found by the
son while examining- his father's papers, and was sent to Mr. Win-
nett of Queen's Hotel, and thus our collection increases.

A powder horn with Indian hieroglyphics, formerly the property
of Chief Brant, Thayendanegea, having been presented to Jean
Baptiste Rousseaux, Indian interpreter, isnow the property of Mr.
Alexander Servos, the writer of the life of Mrs. Jean Baptiste
Rousseaux in this pamphlet. Two silhouettes framed give us the
faces of two U.E. Loyalists, Hannah Ball and John Secord. A
plate with bright scarlet flowers, was formerly owned by Mrs.
Law, whose husband was killed at Queenston. She is described
by a lady who remembers her, becoming- excited when talking of
the war as taking snuff and sneezing and crying in succession.
A buckle with Scotch thistles and the figures 93 tells of the time
when that famous regiment marched proudly through the streets,
with philabegs and tartans and the bagpipes followed by the
ubiquitous small boy.

The value of such a room has already been shewn as numer-
ous letters have been received asking information to be fonnd in
our old newspaper files. One great want is an isolated building
fire proof, on the ground floor, but whether this great object of
our ambition will be attained is an unknown quantity. We have
petitioned the Ontario Government to give a grant to erect a
monument at the landing place of the United Empire Loyalists
here, and have suggested that this memorial should take the form
of a building to contain the collection of our society, the names of
the Loyalists to be placed on the walls. A circular has also been
sent out to descendants of U.E. Loyalists asking advice and as-
sistance in this direction.

Some may be disposed to smile at a collection of this kind
and underrate its value, but Mr. David Boyle our Provincial Arch-
aeologist who has given us much valuable advice and assistance,
who has done such noble service in the evolution of the Archaeol-
ogical Museum, Toronto, who has devoted days and nights, nay,
years of his life to this object, whose influence has brought flowing
into his collection from all parts of the world such valuable addi-

—33—

tions, whose admirable reports, appreciated first in Britain and the
United States have now at last convinced Canadians of the value of
their archaeologist, Mr. Boyle in a paper read on lythSept. at the
anniversary of the Society used these words, "For local history
purposes there is nothing superior to the local museum. Wherever
there is a good library there should be a good museum ; one with-
out the other is incomplete, it should supplement the library and
be supported by the country as well as the library. Object teach-
ing is the oldest kind of teaching, and every object should illus-
trate a point, enforce some statement, or elucidate something
otherwise obsecure."

34

Since writing the above, the old account book of a family
living on the banks of the Niagara River has been presented,
dating from 1806, one page of which may be reproduced here.
In reading of the War we often meet with accounts ot property
destroyed, sometimes by the enemy, sometimes by our own troops
to prevent it falling into the hands ot the invaders. Claims were
afterwards made of war losses, some of which were paid, in part,
after tedious delay, for some no compensation was received. In
many cases claims were bought up for a small sum from those
in dire need. The amounts claimed as damages seem large but
we must remember that prices in war time ran enormously high.
The following is the list :

Statement of property lost and destroyed by the army since
the commencement of the war from 1812 to 181^ : —

One piece of broadcloth, 30 yds. at 405 ;£ 60

12 blankets, at 2^ 5s per blanket, 27

Clothing, three fine coats, one Surtoul coat 20

Family clothing 50

Seventeen hogs 34

Two day books, containing accounts, 150

Taken out ot the shop in 1813 40

One house burned, estimated at 800

One kitchen, estimated at 200

Furniture of the house 500

One barn with hay and forage 150

One sleigh, plough, horse and two barrels of salt.. . . 40

Eight acres of wheat, estimated at 150 bushels 93 15

Garden and orchard and other damage in the place. . 100

In the blacksmithshop, part of two sets of tools with

one and a half tons of steel and iron

400 barrels of coke coal, at 55 per barrel

Lost on unper farm in hay and grain

One set of books supposed to contain accounts to

amount of. 800

One set of harness for two horses, one saddle and

two bridles 20

52 days of captain's pay and other acc'ts. passed"the

Board of Claims and burned in Mr. Crook's office 33

The total amount reached almost ^4,000, and the old leather
bound book with its contents brings up the names of many of
th.xse early pioneers who did and daied and suffered so much to
keep their heritage as British soil, a heritage which we now enjoy.

FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT

-- OF THE --

J^istorical

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS READ OCT. ZO, 19OO.

THE day of our Annual Meeting- in the last year ot the
century has dawned upon us and we meet again to re-
view the work of the year. If we have not gained all
that we hoped, still we feel that something- has been accomplished
since we last met. Our numbers, though still far from numerous,
have been increased by several resident and several non-resident
members. A delegate attended the meeting of the Ontario. His-
torical Society, at Hamilton, in June and again in Toronto a
paper being contributed, "Graves of the Niagara Peninsula," by
your President. A delegate was appointed to attend the meeting
of the Royal Society in Ottawa and another year we hope that our
Society may be there rtpresented.

As regards both printing and our Historical collection we feel
that progress has been made. Another pamphlet has been sent
out, No. 6, being a reprint of articles asked for, "The Niagara
Library ot 1800, and Early Schools of Niagara," the object being
to put in an accessible form e\erything pertaining to the history
of tne town. Another pamphlet. No. 7, a continuation of His-
toric houses begun in No. 5, is now almost ready for distribution.
I have to report that 245 copies of our pamphlets have this year
been distributed to Members, Historical Societies, and others in-
tere^ted ; of these, copies were sold to the value of $11.85. We
exchange publications with twelve societies. Three hundred ar-
ticles have been added during the year making nearly fifteen
hundred articles. Over three hundred visitors have enrolled their
names, many of them from distant cities. Visits have been paid
by different Societies, Schools, Clubs and Pilgrimage parties.

But our chief work this year has been the collecting of pictures
of early settlers, whether U. E. Loyalists, Military heroes or
those who either as men or women in anyway helped to make our
town or country. So far, from miniatures, oil paintings, water
colors, arnbrotypes, silhouettes, we have had copies photographed
to the number of over thirty during che year which will form a
valuable addition to our collection. In the list are found the well-
known names of Secord, Servos, Ball, Clement, Field. Clench,
Whitmore, Ten Broek Cooper and many others.

We have applied for cannon to be placed in this Historic
town. These have been promised and we hope that in the not
distant future our endeavors in this direction will be crowned^
with success. The Historical column in THE TIMES has been
continued with more or less regularity. The Provincial Grant has
been received as also that from the County.

Eight regular meetings were held, one of these being open to
tnt; public, when an interesting paper was read, contributed by
Rev. Canon Bull, the President of the Lundy's Lane Historical
Society, on the Pioneer Missionaries of the Niagara Peninsula.

But there is a duty to be performed which wie acknowledge

CATALOGUE.

should have been undertaken long ere this — to mark Historic
spots which are ta^t fading from recollection'; such spots as the
fir>t burial place of Gen. Brock at Fort George, the site of Navy
Hall, THE GLEANER printing office, Masonic Hall, Military Hos-
pital and Indian Council House, the spot where many fell on the
271)1 of May, 1813 in defence of their country, Count de Puisaye's
house, and this we hope to do this year. No further steps have
been taken with regard to a monument to the landing of the. U.E.
Loyalists here, or to the erection of a suitable roo'm for our col-
lection, which we feel to be an imperative duty as if a better room
were provided many valuable articles would be contributed.

VVe have material tor another pamphlet and feel that there is
much unexplored territory still to be investigated and would call
upon all to help with information, documents, relics etc. We
desire to place on record our gratitude to those who have so gen-
erously helped us by contributions to our room, by giving informa-
tion, or by kind and encouraging words. We are fortunate in
having a faithful Secretary and a careful Treasurer, and to all who
have helped in any way we return our grateful thanks. When we
remember that less than five years ago we began work
amidst many discouraging words, we feel that we have every
reason to be encouraged and to hope for greater results in the
future.

NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Sbior

OFFICERS 1900-1901.

Patron— WM. KIRBY, F. R. S. C.
President— MISS CARNOCHAN.
Vice-President— HENRY PAFFARD.
Secretary— ALFRED BALL.
Treasurer— MRS. A. SERVOS.
Curator— RUSSELL WILKINSON.

COMMITTEE. HON. VICE PRESIDENTS

REV. J. C. GARRETF, MRS. ROE,

REV. N. SMITH. CHAS. F. BALL.

W. W. IRELAND B.A. MRS. CLEMENT.

CHAS, HUNTER.
MRS. T. F. BEST.

HONORARY MEMBERS.

DR. SCADDING, REV. CANON BULL,

L'T. COL CRUIKSHANK, JOHN ROSS ROBERTSON,

WM. GIBSON, DAVID BOYLE,

SIR JAS. LEMOINE, MAJOR HTSCOTT,

DR. JESSOP, M.P.P., E.A.LANCASTER, M. P.

CATALOGUE CONTINUED FROM 1399.

Framed portrait of Hon. John Hamilton, 1800 — 1882 ; Phot-
ograph copied from miniature of Hon. Robt. Hamilton, who died
at Queenston, 1809, given by Judge Hamilton, Milton ; photo-
graph of sampler worked in 1813 by Mrs. 3. F. Denison, with

CATALOGUE.

3

words, "Push On, York Volunteers, R. E. Denison ; Original
letter from Bishop of Quebec to Archbishop of York, U. C., dated
1829, by Rev. Robt, Ker, Rector of St. George's, St. Catharines;
White kid gloves given to His Honor, Judge Campbell, Nov,
1850, "No criminal cases", Full dress spurs worn b) Fort Major
Campbell, Original letters relating to war losses at Niagara,
1814 — 1825, Fragment of mirror steamer Arabian, Miss Camp-
bell, Toronto ; Candle stick and oil painting loaned by Mrs. Jos.
Clement ; Large photograph of Col. John Butler copied from oil
painting in possession ot his grandson, Photograph of Mrs.
Stevenson, a resident of Niagara since 1816 by Mrs. Richards,
Pembroke ; Printed bill with order of funeral procession at laying
foundation stone of Brock's monument, i3th Oct. 1853 by Mrs.
E. Secord ; Curious old pipe owned by Indian Chief, Big Bear,
1885, by Robt Allen ; Tinder box with flints, ewer of Daven-
port delf, old bonnet, pan rest, tin for making sausages, pan
for hot coals, veil by C. F. Ball ; Iron grating of condemned
cell of late Jail and Courthouse built 1817 by Alphaeus Cox;
Description of remarkable Indian pipe, by W. J. Wintemburg;
Poster issued in 1858 when forming looth (Canadian) Regt , copy
ot petition sent in 1897 asking for re-patriation ot rooth Reg't.,
Two magazines published bv rooth Reg't, Halifax, Capt. Dickin-
son, Halifax ; Quadrant used on steamer "J. L. Colby" the
first vvhaleback on the Atlantic Ocean by Mr. C. D. Secord, Buffalo;
Photo of in. criplion on tablet to Mrs. McMurray, Mrs. J. C.
Garrett ; Framed portrait of Hon. Win. Hamilton Merritt, 1793-
1862, J. P. Merritt, St. Catharines ; Indian stone hatchet,
two flint arrowheads from Stoney Creek by jas. Robinson, jr. ;
Parchment deed ot land in Kent, England 1649, Conversation
cards 1818, French Grammar, 1809, Cook book 1830 by Mrs.
Keating, St. Catharines ; Atlas maps dated 1805 — 1811 by Alfred
Ball ; Bead trimming from coat of Louis Reil 1885 by Pirie Blain
St. Catharines ; Annual Register 1759 with signature of Ralph
Clench, Fragment of shell of 1812 by Hugh Watt ; Paper issued
at Caledonia Springs 1846, Standing orders for 2nd York Reg't.
Portsea Barracks, 1799,1813. View of Fort Garry, Letter in Choc-
taw 1855 bv R. Wilkinson ; New York Albion, bound volume
1841, Edward VVooten ; Small framed picture of Father Matthew,
by Mrs. Hartley ; Two one dollar bills, Colonial bank 1858 by
Leeming Servos ; MS sermon of Rev. Thos. Creen, Niagara by
Miss Creen ; MS sermon of Rev Chas. Campbell, Niagara by
Chas. Campbell. Toronto ; Crayon drawing of Duke of Welling-
ton done by Miss Mar} Servos, Photos of Tecumseh,and old resi-
dents of town by Mrs. Clement ; Pay list 1841, Erie & Ontario Ry.
Co. (horse railway), By-law of Niagara Town Council 1851 by
Mrs. D. Servos ; Reminiscences of Mrs. Quade, daughter of
Dominick Henry, Wooden peg from French Barracks, Fort Niag-
,-ira, built 1758, Original letter to Mrs. Mary Henry, care of Mr.
Crooks, Fort George, U.C. 1820, Miss Quade, Ramsonville ; Phot-
ograph of Abigail Becker, the Long Point heroine with signature.
Photograph taken at Queenston Heights at meeting of Patriotic

1 society by Miss W.B. Servos ; Photograph ot Mrs. Hewgill, aunt
of Lord Roberts by Mrs. H. Watt ; Moodie's Emigrant's Com-
panion 183-', Commuted pension 1838, Child's Christian Educator
1832 by Mrs. Campbell ; Copies ot Niagara Mail, Toronto Empire
Telegraph. Leade",N, Y.Albion, book with names of 201 children

CATALOGUE.

contributions to Otter Fund, Japanese tea pot which contained
the $12 for use of ist Canadian Contingent in South Africa by
Mrs. W. H. Lewis ; Copy of picture of steamer Chief Justice
Robinson ; Two buttons of looth Regt, by John Boulton ; Four
buttons of looth Regt. Fort George by Albert Davey ; Fragment
of shell from War ot 1812 by James Bishop; Ancient spectacle
case by Mrs. Mills, Toronto ; Belt ribbon of early days by Miss
Crouch; Shanghai Daily Press, Aug. 1899 ^Y Miss Purkes;
Works of ]as. Harvey 1779 by Mr. H. Mills Toronto ; News-
paper. "The Friend" Bloemfontein, Mar. 30, 1900. Call to arms
appeal to Burghers, T. Steyne, Oct. nth, 1899 by James
Bain, Toronto; Card of Niagara Fire Brigade 1856 by John
Clockenburg; Candlestick once used in the Virgil Methodist Church
by Wm. Crouch ; Newspaper cutting re Battle of Queenstcn
Heights by Mrs. F. B. Curtis , Article in Buffalo Express by P,
A. Porter re Prideaux's grave with map showing position of
Chapel ; Annual Report of Women's Canadian Historical Society,
Toronto, 1899, 1900; Pamphlets i, 2, 3, State Library, Albany,
N. Y. ; Report of ist Canadian Historical exhibit ; Repor: of
Ontario Historical Society 1899,1900; Report of Wisconsin His-
torical Society 1899, Vol. 15 State Historical Society, Wis. ;
Archaeological report by D. Beyle; Catalcgue of Loan portrait ex-
hibit by Mrs. Thompson. Toronto; Sites of Huron villages in
township of Tiny by A. Hunter, Barrie ; Canadian Historical
Quarterly by Miss Carnochan ; Review of Historical (Canadian)
publications 1899, Prof. Wrong ; Transactions Canadian Institute
No. 9, Vol. 2, semi-centennial volume ; Lines of Demarcation,
Dr. S. E. Dawson, Ottawa ; Proceedings of Royal Society 1899,
Sir John Bourinot ; State Library Bulletin. N. Y. University ;
Seven pamphlets from Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston ;
Women of Canada by National Council, WTomen of Canada ; Pro-
ceedings of Hamilton Scientific Association 1900 ;Original pictures
h ive been been phofographed and plajed in two large frames ; An
alphabetical list is given below : — Geo. Ball, son of Jacob Ball
born 1765, came in 1784, Mrs. Geo. Ball, Mrs. Jacob Ball (Eliza
Hostetter); Mrs. Bullock, daughter of Ralph Clench ; John C.
•Ball fought at Queenston Heights ; Mrs. John C. Ball (Margt.
Frey); Judge Thos. Butler, Judge Ralph Clench 1762 — 1828.
Mrs. Ralph Clench; Col. Lewis Clement fought at Lundy s Lane
etc. ; Mrs. Clement (Mary Ball). Mrs. Crooks (Mary Butler), Jos.
Cltment, Mrs. Jos. Clement (Ann Cockell), Mrs. Cook (Mary
Secord), Rev. Thos. Creen, James Cooper 1770 — 1856; Mrs.
Cooper (Eliza Hixon). Daniel Field 1792-1878 fought at Detroit
etc. ; Esther Hixon, Alexander McKee Mrs. McKee, both taught
in Niagara after War of 1812 ; Daniel McDougall fought at Lun-
dy's Lane etc., John McCarthy, Mrs. Quade, daughter of Domin-
ic Henry; Mrs, Pawling, Catharine Butler, Thos, Powis,
Mrs. Thos. Powis, Mrs. Electy Secord, Daniel Kerr Servos,
Catharine Rousseaux his wife, Mrs. Stevenson, Philip Van Court-
land Secord, Mrs. Jas. Secord (Laura Ingersoll), Jno. Ten
Broek and sister, John Whitmore 1775 — 1853, Mrs. Agnes Mc-
Ewan. It is hoped that all who have pictures of the early settlers
will loan them to be copied and thus increase
gallery.

Ducit Amor IPatriae.

NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY,

No. 6.

N

IAGARA LIBRARY,

pARLY SCHOOLS
*^/^^ of Niagara,

BY

Janet Carnochan.

NIAGARA TIMES PRESSES,
NIAGARA 1900.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

JTS objects are the encouragement of the study ot Canadian
' History and Literature, the collection and preservation of
Canadian historical relics, the building- up of Canadian loyalty
and patriotism, and the preservation ot all historical landmarks in
this vicinity.

The annual fee is fifty cents

The Society holds eight regular meeting's during the year.

The annual celebration is held on the lyth September and the
annual meeting on October 13111.

The Society was formed in December 1895, and since May
1896 about twelve hundred articles have been gathered in the
Historical Room.

OFFICERS 1899 - 1900.

Patron— WM. KIRBY, F. R S. C.
President— MISS CARNOCHAN.
Vice-President— HENRY PAFFARD.
Secretarv— ALFED BALL.
Treasurer— MRS. A. SERVOS.
Curator— RUSSELL WILKINSON.

HOX. VICE-PRESIDENTS

MRS. ROE.
CHAS. F. BALL

COMMITTEE.

REV. J. C. GARRETT,
REV. N. SMITH,
W. W. IRELAND, B.A.,
CHAS. HUNTER,
MRS. T. F. BEST.

HOXORARY MEMBERS.

DR. SCADDING, MAJOR HISCOTT,

REV. CANON BULL, DR. JESSOP, M.P.P.,

COL. CRUIKSHANK, CAPT. R. O. KONKLE.

WM. GIBSON, M.P., DAVID BOYLE, Ph. D.

JOHN ROSS ROBERTSON, M.P.

PREFACE,

THE only apology made for the re-printing of the two papers
read before different societies, which form the sixth issue
of our Society is that many requests have been made that
these papers found in the bound volumes of the Canadian Institute
and the Educational Association, and therefore seen by compara-
tively few may be put in a form more accessible to the general
public, particularly as they are in keeping- with our work. The ac-
count of historic houses in number five has been received with cuch
favor, ihat it has been resolved that the next issue of our Society
shall be in the same line, and form indeed a continuation of that
number. Our thanks are due to Mr. St. John for his kindness in
taking kodak views of the houses of Mrs. M. Servos and Mf. Geo.
Field for number five, and to Mr. W. H. Wylie for views for the
present number and that to follow. It is to be regretted that no
views can be found of many of the earliest buildings of this neigh-
borhood, buildings which now, alas, no longer exist, but efforts
are being- made to bring to light any such sketches, and it is
earnestly hoped that much may yet be discovered to re-vivify the
past and explain many points that to us seems dark and uncertain.

HE Historical Room is open every Saturday afternoon from

3 to 5.
The pamphlets issued by our society are :

No. i. Taking of Fort George, with illustration of Niagara River,
27th May, 1813 by Col. Cruikshank, 20 cts. (The edition
is now exhausted.)

No. 2, (With three illustrations.) Centennial poem by Mrs.
Curzon, Fort Niagara by Canon Bull, Slave Rescue in
Niagara, 1837, by Miss Carnochan. 20 cts.

No. 3. Blockade of Fort George, with illustration of Niagara,
1806, by Col. Cruikshank. 25 cts.

No. 4. Memorial to United Empire Loyalists, by Jas. H. Coyne,
President of Provincial Historical Society ; History taught
by Museums, David Boyle, Curator ot Archaeological
Museum, Toronto; Battle of Queenston Heights by Hon. J.
G. Cunie ; Monuments by Janet Carnochan. 20 cts.

No. 5. Sermon by Rev. Robert. Addison ; History of Mrs. Jean
Baptiste Rousseaux by Alexander Servos ; Historic Houses
by Alexander Servos, Charles Taggart, Jessie McKenzie ;
Palatine Hill and Evolution of an Historical Room by Janet
Carnochan. 20 cts.

No. 6. The present issue. 20 cts.

0

a. '"

5 *'!.S

3 x rt ~ <*-
0 <" u O

• £ o o - *>

1 <J3i- § -

c -r 8 1 o

P 2 c -TV tc *S

>- o o/; ~ y

jE J= tr? * -5 «

'-5 cX J« 7 u -E,

3 C V Qfl

T5 g ^ ~ > c u
<U -, ^> — •"

^ E £ JT ° 5

= cS ~ C «

_' U °° Ti "°

_. C3 ^ *^ ir\ rti

— o ^^. d) ^

B -W

^— !ft C O

•• O T* ^- *^

2 o g ^

"§"5 S ^ 5

2 en w 3 2

CC x C

0) .- w

Niagara Library, 1500-1520.

BY JANET CARNOCHAN.

Read Before Canadian Institute (ith January 1894,

It says much for the 'members of any community when we
find them providing- reading of a high literary order, and especial-
ly would this be the case, at the beginning of this century, among
a band of refugees just emerged from a great struggle, with the
forest around them and everything speaking of a new country and
all that is implied in this.

When by the merest chance, some months ago, I laid my
hands upon an old, brown, leather-covered Record Book, I had no
idea of the rich treat it was to prove. To my astonishment, by
dint of much patient study of its thick, yellow pages covered with
writing, though large yet very difficult to read, it was shown that
in this old town of Niagara in those early days there was a most
valuable public library well supported, the accounts showing regu-
lar payments and much interest, as evidenced by the money con-
tributed and the regular records. To the boast made by Niaga-
rians that h^re was held the first parliament for Upper Canada,
that here was published the first newspaper, that it contains al-
most the oldest church records in Ontario, must now be added
the honour of having had the first public library, and the first ag-
ricultural society. The varied information to be gleaned from* this
book may be thus classified : ist, a list of proprietors through
the years from 1800 to 1820 ; 2nd. list of their payments and
those of non-subscribers ; 3rd, catalogue of library xvith prices of
books ; 4th, money- expended ; 5th, rules and regulations ; 6th,
account of annual meetings, contingent meetings, etc ; yth, list
of books taken out and date of return ; 8lh, alphabetical list of

subscribers with separate page for entries for each during these
years. When \ve think of the vicissitudes of the years 1812, 1813,
1814, and of the stining events which took place here, military
occupation by friend and foe, of fire and sword alternately doing
their cruel work, we wonder how this library WMX preserved, for
preserved in part at least it was, for the issue of books goes on, a
new catalogue with spaces left perhaps for books missing, and in
the accounts sums are paid to replace particular books. It is in-
teresting- to follow up the period of the war and in all these divis-
sions note the latest entry, and then following an interval of two
years without the break ot a line even left as space between such
deeds as the glorious death of the Hero of Upper Canada, the
rattle of guns and roar of cannons, the flight over frozen plains,
watching- the smoking" ruins of once happy homes, still go on in the
same handwriting, the payment of money the purchase of books,
the annual meetings, etc It may be doubted if in this day of
boasted enlightenment we are willing to pay so much for our
reading-. One thing at least is certain, against the proprietors of
this library cannot be made the charge ot light reading- now
brougtit so justly against the frequenters of modern libraries.
Nothing light or trashy can be found on the list. Theology, his-
tory, travel, biography, agriculture, a little poetry, and later, a
small amount of fiction. We in these days can almost envy the
people of that time for the delight they must have experienced
when "Guy Mannering" and "Waverly" appeared, for they knew
that the Great Magician of the North was still alive and was
sending out regularly those delightful stories, while we can never
again hope for such pleasure as the first reading of these books
evoked.

In glancing over the list of subscribers we meet with names
of rrrany who played no insignificant part — the church, the army,
the civil service, the yeomanry, are all represented. We find sev-
eral names from Fort Niagara, U.S., and also several names of
women. WTere there nothing in this book but the list of names,
this alone would be valuable. It seems strange to think that after
all these years we can now take the name of a noted man of those
days and follow it up through these pages, tell what style of read-

— 7—

ing' he preferred, when a particular book was taken out, when re-
turned, how he paid his fees, when he attended the meetings of
managers, and many other particulars. How little did they think
that thev were thus providing for us a very interesting page of
history now !

The first entry is : "Niagara Library, 8th June, 1800. Sens-
ible how much we are at a loss. in this new and remote country
for every kind of useful knowledge, and convinced that nothing
\vould be of more use to diffuse knowledge amongst us and our
offspring than a library, supported by subscription in this town,
we, whose names are hereunto subscribed hereby associate our-
selves together for that purpose, and promise to pay annually a
sum not exceeding four dollars to be laid out on books as agreed
upon by a majority of votes at a yearly meeting to be held by us
at this town on the 1 5th August annually, when everything re-
specting the library will be regulated by the majority of votes.

Andrew Heron. Win. Musgrove. G. Drake.

John Kemp. Silvester Tiffany. Win. Hodgkinson.

John Boyd. Burgoyne Kemp. John Jones.

John Young. John Harrold. Alex. Stuart,

John McClcllan. John Chisholm. Peter Ten Brock.

John Burtch. John Hardy. Transferred to J.T.B.

Hugh McLaren. John Reilley. J. McFarland.

Win. Dorman. Ebenezer Cavers. John Hill, jr.

Martin McLcllan. Peter Thomson. Robert Addison.

Thomas Kerr. John Willson. Benjamin Pawling.

John Young. Peter McMicking. Robert Nelles,.

Arch. Thomson. George Keefer. Daniel Servos.

Thos. Otway Page. George Young. John Decow.

Win. Drake. John Smith. J. Murray. —

41 subscribers at 245. each ^49 4*. , carried to account cur-
rent page B. 15 August, 1801."

Of the original forty-one the names of only four can now be
found in the vicinity, though descendants of several others may
be found under other names.

The first on the list, Andrew Heion, was the secretary and
treasurer ot nearly ah the period of twenty years. Robert Addi-
son was the first minister of St Mark's. Silvester Tiffany was the

. Q

printer of the "Constellation," which followed the "Upper Can-
ada Gaxe tie." Then follows another list, continued down to 1820,
of thirty-tour names making1 altogether seventy-five, in which we
recognize other names.

(u'urijv Fnr>yth. .John Powell. John McNabb,

KnbiTt Kerr. Robert .Weir. John Robertson.

John Wales. R. Hamilton. George Read.

Charles Selick. Wm. Dickson, A.C. Robert Mat he \vs.

Colin McNabb. Jas. Muirhead, A.C. Dr. West,

Win. Ward. Thomas Powis. J.P.Clement..

T. Butler. Thomas Butler, A.C. James Secord.

Win. McClellan. Isaac SVayzie. \Vm. Musgruve.

Alex. McKie. Jno. Symington, A.C. R. C. Cockrell.

Win. Mann. Israel Burtch. Tubal Parr,

(ieorge Havens, John Ten Broek. Ensign Barnard.

John McEwan. John Silverthorn. Wm. Claus.

In this list we find the familiar names of Butler, Claus, Dick-
son, McNabb. That of Swayzie has been made familiar in the
rame of a delicious russet apple only found in this vicinity and
probably first grown on the farm ot this patron ot our library.
Dr. West was from Fort Niagara, and ten names on this list are
quite familiar to us yet. »

Now follows the account of the first annual meeting held on
1 5th August, 1800, when it was

"Resolved, that Andrew Heron and Martin McClellan be
made commissioners to arrange the business of the society till the
annual meeting to collect the subscriptions and lay it out in
books to the best advantage, and that they act by the following
rules :

RULE I.

To receive from every subscriber three dollars and no more.

RULE II.

As soon as thirty dollars is collected to lay it out on books, none of
which shall be irreligious or immoral.

Every subscriber may, it' he chooses, when he pays his subscription,
make the choice of a book not exceeding his subscription, which shall be

o

procured for him with all convenient speed, providing nothing irreligious or
immoral is contained in the same.

As soon as a number of books can be procured, not less than fifty
volumes, every subscriber shall be entitled to receive any book that remains
in the library that he chooses, which he shall return in one month in good
order.

No book shall be allowed to any of the subscribers unless they have
first paid their subscription,"

Here follows a catalogue of books received into the library
2nd March, 1801, No. i to 80.

It is remarkable that the first thirty volumes are all of a relig-
ious nature, volumes i, 2 and 3 being Blair's Sermons, and 4 and
5 Walker's Sermons, 9 and 10 Fordyce's Sermons to Young
Women ; the names of Watts, Bunyan, Boston, Newton, Dodd-
ridge, Wilberforce, Watson, Owen and Willison are seen. An
attempt is even made to give proper guidance to young people in
an important crisis of life — as No. 28 on the list is Religious
Courtship. It is not till we reach No. 34 that we see any history,
travel or poetry. This first purchase of eighty volumes, costing
^31 17^., furnished the young people in these forty homes in
poetry only Ossian, Cowper's Task, Campbell's Pleasures of
Hope, but they might revel in the Citizen of the World and the
Rambler, Bruce's Travels or Robertson's History of Charles V.,
and it Religious Courtship pleased them no,t as No. 28, No. 70
is simply Letters on Courtship. The only work of a less specific
gravity is No. 73, The Story Teller, which no doubt w?s popular
with the children of those households. The catalogue goes on
during the years, up to 937, and contains many expensive
works ; then follows a list of payments for books, and money
received for dues, and several pages are then occupied with the
account of the annual, always spelled Annual!, meetings. These
always took place on the 151)1 August, and the record goes on
without any break, except the year 1813, when the town was in
the hands of the Americans, and 1814, when heaps of ruins replpc-

10—

ed happy homes ; also 1819 no meeting was held The question
as to how many of the books were preserved and ho\v they were
saved is yet to me an unsolved problem. Of course a large num-
ber were in circulation in the houses of the town and township ;
while some would be burnt others would be saved ; but it is cer-
tain that a great many of the books in the library were not burnt,
as afterwards, from the issue of books, from the numbers given as
taken out and returned day after day, it may be seen what books
were not destroyed. That many were destroyed or -lost is certain,
as in the accounts for next year the names of many books are
given as to replace those lost. There is a new catalogue with
spaces left.

To resume the account of meetings.

"Niagara Library Annuall Meeting, No. 2 held this i5th day
of August, 1801. Resolved, that in addition to the two trustees
who have acted last year two others shall be chosen, to act joint-
ly with them for the year ensuing, and in the nextannuall meeting
two others shall be chocen to act with these lour, and afterwards
yearly two fresh ones shall be chosen, and the two o'dest shall go
out in such a manner as to have always six acting trustees, and
at all meetings for transacting business the trustee present who
shall be oldest on the list shall take the chair."

Rev. R. Addison and Mr. John Young were the additional
trustees this year. "Old members to pay $2, and new members
$4." Members who lived out of town were allowed to take two
books at once, the time of returning to be extended to six weeks
to those in the township, and to those out of the township two
months. "Members neglecting to return a book at the proper
time to pay a fine of sixpence currency for every week of detention,
also it any book be lost, the member to whom it was given shall
pay for it at the original cost, if it belongs to a set the whole set
to be paid for by the member who lost it, he being entitled to the.
remaining volumes.

"Resolved, that all members who shall not pay the two dol-
lars above mentioned within six months from this day shall be

— n—

suspended. Resolved, that every member who shall withdraw
from the Society shall have a power of giving his right to any
other person approved of by the trustees. Resolved, that the
trustees shall meet quarterly, viz., on the second day ot every
Quarter Sessions of the Peace, and contingent meetings shall be
called by the chairman at the request of any two of the the trus-
tees.'1

"Quarterly meeting held at Niagara, I4th October 1801.
Present, Martin McLellan, Rev. R. Addison, Jno. Young. Ad-
journed till the next quarterly meeting, held at Niagara. i3th
January 1802. Present, Andrew Heron, Martin McLellan, Rev.
R, Addison, Jno. Young. Books in catalogue from 118 to 150
received at prices annexed, and that George Young shall make a
case for the book?, for which he shall be paid a reasonable price."
This we find in the accounts to be ^5 2s.

At the quarterly meeting, April I4th, 1802, "Ordered that
Mr. Tiffany print the laws of the Society, and be allowed three
dollars for the same, and deliver not less than seventy copies to
the trustees, one to be given to each subscriber, and that Mr.
Murray be allowed one dollar more for Robertson's History ot
Charles V."

At the annuall meeting, August i4th, 1802, No. 3, "Robt.
Kerr, Esq., and Mr. Jno. Hill, trustees added." A stringent law is
passed that "that part of the fifth resolution of the second meeting
of the Society which directs that every member who shall neglect
to return tha books shall pay into the hands of some one of the
trustees sixpence currency for every week he continues to hold
the same after the time limited is expired, be enforced by the
librarian, he not being at liberty to let him have another book un-
til that sum is paid, and that that be extended to every person,
whether member or not."

New members were this year to pay $5, and next year this
was raised to $6. In 1804 comes the first payment to the librar-
ian, and this is certainly a modest allowance. This library seems
to have solved the. difficulty of keeping down the expenses, as

— J2-

through all these years there is no outlay for firev.'uod, for rent,
tor light — the allowance to the librarian being a percentage on
money paid by what are called non-subscribers. The original
members are called sometimes proprietors and sometimes sub-
scribers.''

"Resolved, that Andrew Heron be librarian for the ensuing
year, and be allowed 12)^ per cent, of all the moneys collected for
the last twelve months from non-subscribers, and the same for the
year to , come, and shall be obliged to make good all the books
that may be lost by non-subscribers."

This seems very hard on the librarian, but he must have been
a book-lover, for through all these years he remained faithful to
his trust — the emolument sometimes being £i js. 6d. , sometimes
£2 I2S. 6d. For the year 1817 jt was only 55. 7^., and the larg-
est amount was £6, which for those days must have been muni-
ficent. In 1804, books admitted from 316 to 344, and in Jan-
uary, 1805, quite an addition was made to the library as well as
to the members of the society, which item tells us what we had
seen mentioned elsewhere of the existence of an Agricultural So-
ciety with a number of valuable books.

"Resolved, that the books mentioned in the catalogue from
348 to 397 be received from the Agricultural Society at the annex-
ed prices, and 'that in lieu of them the arrears of Robert Kerr,
Robert Addison, George Forsyth, Colin McNabb, and Robert
Hamilton be remitted to them, and that a share in the library be
given to Wm Dickson, James Muirhead, Thomas Butler, John
Symington and Joseph Edwards at £2 8s. each, all these sums
amounting to £16 8s.

In 1805. the trustees are John Kemp, Martin McLellan, John
Young, John Waterhouse, Alex. McKie, Wm. Mann, and evident-
ly it is found difficult to enforce the rules, for it is "Resolved, that
each and every of the laws and regulations made at the last an-
nual meeting shall continue for the year ensuing the same as they
were made." At a contingent meeting, i2th November, 1805,
•'John McNabb be admitted as member as one of the Agricultural

Gentlemen, and Ralph Clench."

At annual meeting, No. 7, August I5th, 1806, Geo. Reid and
John Grier, the two new trustees ; each proprietor to pay $i a
year ; a share, always spelled shear, to be sold at $6.50. Resolv-
ed, that Jacob A. Ball and Lewis Clement be admitted to a share
in right of their fathers as members ot the Agricultural Society,
those gentlemen already having purchased shares, and that Jane
Crooks, eldest daughter of the late Francis Crooks, be admitted to
a share in right of her father as a member of the Agricultural So-
ciety."

Thus history repeats itself. As the daughters of Zelophehad
demanded that the inheritance of their father should pass to them,
Miss Crooks, over three thousand years afterwards, makes the
same claim and is as successful in obtaining her share of current
literature as they in obtaining their share of land. This is not
the only woman's name on the list, as we find in 1815 list the
name of Miss Hill in place of her father. Also in list of payments
the names of Mrs. Sluny, Fort Niagara, N.Y., 6^., Mrs. Stuart,
one year i$s.

Members in town were now allowed to take out two books
at once, 500 tickets were to be procured with all convenient speed
to continue the number to be pasted on each book as entered.

"At annual meeting., No. 8, 1807, shares to be sold at $7.00
each. Resolved, that one hundred copies of the catalogue be
printed, and one copy to be given to each proprietor, and also one
hundred copies of an abridgement of the laws, if it can be got

done on reasonable terms."

(
"A contingent meeting, 24th Oct. 1807. Present, Alex. Mc-

Kie, Wm. Mann, Robert Kerr, Jas. Muirhead, Geo. Reid, John
Grier. Ralfe Church, Esq., offers to take charge of the library
on being allowed His proportion of the annual payment. Resolv-
ed, that his proposal be accepted if he keep the Library open from
10 to 12 o'clock every day, Sundays excepted. Ordered, that Mr.
Jas. Turlin's proposal to make a book case, the same as we have,

lor $12 be accepted." The first hook case was ^5 2s., so that
prices must have decreased.

"A contingent meeting", August ist, 1808 Andrew Heron
having prepared a room for the library and offers to perform the
duties of librarian, and be answerable for the books that may be
missing as usual. Ordered, that his offer be cheerfully accepted.
N.B. — Mr. Clench refusing to give up a kay to the library, A.
Heron will not become responsible for the books that may be mis-
sing."

From October, 1807, the entries of books are in an entirely
different hand, but Mr. Heron still visited the loved books, for the
name frequently occurs, and the next year the entries go on in the
same large hand. The little difficulty of the key must have been
settled. In the catalogue, books 568 to 611 are entered in a dif-
ferent hand, which is the period of Mr. Clench being in office.

Annual meeting, No. 9, August I5th, 1808. The new trus-
tees are Hon. Robt. Hamilton and Mr. jno. Symington. Mem-
bers out of town to be entitled to three books at a time. " Re-
solved, that Andrew Heron be librarian and treasurer."

Annual meeting, No. 10, August i5th, 1809. Rev. Jno.
Burns, minister of St. Andrew's and John Powell to be the two
new trustees, and in place of Hon. R. Hamilton, deceased, John
Wagstaff. Shares to be sold at eight dollars. Whether from the
liberality of Mr. Heron in providing a room, or from his length of
service, or some other reason not known, at this meeting it was
•'Resolved, that the librarian be entitled to receive 25% of all the
money collected from non-subscribers and fines"; the additional
title of clerk is now also given, thus, *'A Heron to be librarian,
treasurer and clerk."

Annual meeting, No. u, i5th August 1810. "Resolved,
that attendance on the library be required only one hour, from
eleven to twelve on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in every
week."

Annual meeting, i5th August, 1811. The trustee^ this year

— J5—

are James Crooks, George Reid, Rev. John Burns, John Powell,
James Muirhead and Martin McLellan. Shares are sold at $9—$!
to be paid by each proprietor and $3 by others, or $i a quarter.

Annual meeting'. No. 13, August i5th, 1812, Proprietors to
pay $2 each. Books admitted at a contingent meeting i5th No-
vember, 1812, shortly after burial of Brock ; books admitted 781
to 827.

The next entry is i5th August, 1815. What a different state
of affairs from that of 1812, when war had been declared and
Brock was marching to Detroit ; or from 1813 when an enemy
held the town ; or 1814, when the rubbish of bricks was being
taken to build Fort Mississagua ! But with inteprid courage our
trustees meet and make arrangements for the work of the library
going on as usual. The trustees were John Symington, George
Young, James Crooks, John Burns, George Reid, Andrew Heron.
Notwithstanding all the losses incurred by the townspeople, the
charges are made somewhat higher, each proprietor to pay $2.50.
Shares to be sold at $9, and non-proprietors $4 a year, or $i 50 a
quarter, or $i a month. At a meeting, 22nd January, 1816, books
admitted, 882 to 900.

Annual meeting, No. 15, August 15, 1816. "Resolved that
John Wray be librarian and clerk."

Quarterly meeting, gth October, 1816. Books admitted, 901
to 909.

Annual meeting, No. 16, August i5th, 1817. "Resolved,
that the meeting being thin that no new trustees shall be chosen,
and shall remain to act as last year. Shares to be sold at $10."
There seems to have been some difficulty about books circulating
too much, as witness the next : "Resolved that any proprietor or
other person who receives books out of the library and allows any
person to take them out of his house shall for every offence pay
to the librarian £i currency."

Annual meeting, No. 17, August 15, 1818. "Resolved, that

— J6-

the meeting being thinly attended, no new trustees shall be chos-
en. All regulations remain as last year."

At a meeting of the trustees, held on ist. March, 1820, pre-
sent, John Burns, George Youn^-, James Crooks and And. Heron.
"Resolved, that whereas Andrew Heron offered to take charge of
the books belonging to the library, that the books shall be trans-
mitted to his house with all convenient speed, and shall there be
inspected by Andrew Heron and James Crooks as soon as can be
conveniently done."

Here is the record of the last meeting of the trustees of this
library. "Whereas the Niagara library has been greatly wasted,
first by being plundered by the army of the United States, and
has since been greatly neglected, very few of the proprietors hav-
ing paid their quota to support the same, we, whose names are
hereunto subscribed, hereby relinquish our claims on the same to
Andrew Heron (who has now opened a library of his own for the
use of the public) in consideration of his allowing us the use of
Jiis library for three years ; this he engages to do to all those who
have paid up their yearly contributions to the year 1817 inclusive ;
to those who have not paid to that period he will allow according
to their deficiency in those payments. We consider those propo-
sitions as quite fair, and do thereto assent."

JAS. CROOKS, JNO. McEwA.v,

J. MuiRiiEAi), J. BUTLER,

JNO. SYMINGTON, GEO. YOUNG,

JNO. WAGSTAKF, JNO. GRIER,
JOHN

In turning now to the account of money expended and receiv-
ed, it tells something of the love of hooks in those days that, from
the year 1801 to 1818, there was expended on books for this li-
brary about ^500, the first outlay being ^46 i-js. on August
1 5th, 1800. The record book itself cost £i, and Mr. Tiffany re-
ceived for orinting £i 4^. In reading the rather monotonous
account of money paid yearly, monthly, or quarterly, we some-
times meet with a pleasing variety, a* books sold by vendue,

spelled vandue, fine for detain ot books, money to replace a book
lost, books and tracts presented, a book of sermons sold to some
sermon reader, The list, scattered over many pages, of money
expended for books is interesting.

£ s. d. SUBSCRIPTIONS PAID. £ s. d.

1801 46 17 0 1801—41 subscribers 49 40

1802 27 46 1806— 5s. from 35 subscribers. . 8 15 0

1803-4 92106 1807— 5s. " 41 proprietors. .10 50

1805 34 81 1808-lOs. " 44 " ..22 00

1806 36 80 1809— 10s. " 42 " ..21 00

1807 20193 1810 -10s. " 44 " ..22 0^0

1808-9 20133 1811— 10*. •" 45 21 50

1810 31 12 6 1812— 5s. " 42 10 10 0

1811 43 43 1815— $2 " 25 12100

1812 21166 1816 -12s, 6d. " 13 8 26

1815 24 46 1817— 12*. 6rf. " 15 9 76

1816 15 56 1818— 12s. 6rf. " 8 5 00

1817 43 6 7 ,

1818 17 26

Tbis sum of £500 does not give all the outlay for books, as many
single books are entered alone and not in this way. The modest
emolument of the librarian may be seen in the following list, cull-
ed from many pages, he receiving a per centage on all sums paid
by non-subscribers and fines, the sum varying from 55. *jd. one
year to £6, but generally less than £2, the whole payment to
Librarian during these twenty years being ^24, so that his must
indeed have been a labour of love.

£ s

£ s. d.

In 1804—12} per cent, on

11 equals

1 7 6

18;)r>— •' " "

11

1 7 6

1806- " " "

9

126

1807— " " "

9

1 2 6

1808—" '•

65"

13 6

1809—" "

10

1 5 0

1810-25 " "

9

250

1811— " " "

10 10 "

2 12 6

1812—" " •'

10 10 "

2 12 6

1815— " " "

24 0 "

6 0 0

1817— 12£ " "

2 5 "

5 7

1818—25 "

13 15 "

3 8 9

J8—

It would he interesting to us to know how so many hooks
were saved. It is known where Mr. Heron lived in the time of
war. The story is told that his wife, with infant, was carried out
on the street from a house in the centre of the town. It is likely,
as there were forty subscribers and perhaps as many more non-
subscrihers, and each person might have out three books, there
could be two hundred books in circulation, many of which might
come back. Then as many articles of furniture were saved, being
carried out to I he street, many of the books might be saved from
the library, The new catalogue gives a list of two hundred with
spaces left between. The spaces I at first thought represented
books missing, but I have now concluded that the numbers given
represent books bought to replace the old ones burnt or lost, as
very often the prices are different from the first catalogue, and
that the spaces represent books either in the library or if lost not
renlaced, as in the list of issues of books after the war many num-
bers occur representing books in these spaces.

It may be worth recording, as forming another link in the
history of our library, a strange coincidence which occurred while
writing this paper, by which one of the books was heard from.
So far, I had not met a single person who had even heard of the
existence of the library, but calling on an old lady a resident of
the town, to inquire about it, a postal card was produced received
that day from Ancaster with this question, "Can you tell me anv-
thing of a public library in Niagara when the town was burnt, as
I have a book which was the only one saved from the fire." I
have since then seen the book. It is number 51 in the catalogue,
Blossoms of Morality, or Blossom on Morality, and Is remember-
ed by the owner as charred with fire ; but these burnt leaves are
now torn away, and on an inner page is written, "This book was
saved by my father, who was an officer in the British army when
the town was burnt,1 December, 1813, The only book saved from
the library. Thomas Taylor." As a matter of fact it is the only
book in existence of which we know anything, but it might be
worth inquiry if other books can be found belonging to the library,
or what became of the library after it came into the hands of Mr.
Heron. We know that he kept a bookstore and published the

— 19—

Gleaner newspaper, bound copies of which for the year 1818 are
in homes in the town. Also a copy of Mayor's spelling-book
printed by him, with catechism of Church of England at the end,
second edition, date not plain, but some time after 1800. On an-
other sheet of the record book, headed subscription paper number
two, the exact words of the first page of book are copied and the
names John Wagstaff, Richard Cockrell, James Hyslop, Wm.
Musgrove, Lewis Clement, Wm. Ball, Wm. Forsyth, Wm. Rob-
ertson, Alex. Rogers, Andrew Brady, Jas. Patterson, i6th August,
1815 : to these are added afterwards A. Heron, T. Symington, P.
Ball, W. Hodgkins, T. Jones, J. Muirhead, George Young, W.
Burtch, John Robinson George Reid, Geo. Havens, J. McEwan,
Miss Hill. In 1816, names added are, Thos. Butler, Jas. Heron
—a sadly diminished list of twenty-seven.

It is intensely interesting to follow all the different divisions of
contents through so many years. There was no meeting in 1813,
1814, 1819. Books were taken out up to May 24th, three days
before the town was taken. John Dodd paid 5^. and Capt. Rox-
borough 55. There ar«; few records while in possession of
U.S. troops, but some money was paid and a few books taken
out. "June i8th, 1813, Capt. Z/ormam, U.S. made a payment,
three months, 5$. " (there is a Wm. Dorman in first list of pro-
prietors). In 1814, March, J' Rea, Ensign, looth Reg't., ios.,
and the names of John Valentine, looth Reg't., and John Gibson,
Field Train Department. Then in 1815 different payments from
officers, as Col. Preddy, Col. Harvey, W. E, Athinleck, Hospital
Asst. Then Dep. Asst. Com. Gen. Lane, Capt. McQueen, Major
Montgomery, Major Campbell, Lieut. Vigoreux, Col. St. George,
Thos. Cummins, Sergt. 4ist Reg't., Capt. Clans, Capt. Lyons,
Lieut. Vanderventer, Ensign Winder, Capt. Saunders, Capt.
Reid, of Fort Niagara, Sergt. Jenkins, Fort Niagara Dr. West.
Fort Niagara, had a share in 1806. Many strange names occur.
In the course of my reading the other day occurred the name of
Jedediah Prendergast, and singularly enough from the thick, yel-
low pages of this record stands out conspicuously this identical
name, Jedediah Prendergast. But in list of money paid we find
Dr. Prendergast, also the names of John Easterbrook, Benj.

—20—

Wintermule, Louis Dufresne. It is singular that the accounts are
kept partly in Halifax currency, partly in York currency, and part-
ly in dollars and cents. In the pages carefully ruled for proprie-
tors, different years, the yearly payment is given as los. or $s.
as the case may be, while in the other list these are entered i6s.
and 8s. In many cases the right of proprietorship is transferred
to another. In 1815, several books are bought to replace those
missing, such as Spectator, Burns' works, Don Quixote, and in
1816, Joseph Andrews, Robeitson's America, Watt's Improve-
ment, Humphrey Clinker, Children of the Abbey, Josephus,
Walker's Sermons, but Porteous' Sermons sold for los. In 1816,
"by amount of books sold at vandue, ^27 125. 2d., N.Y. cy.,
^17 5_y. id." In 1817, received tor damage done to Life of Wel-
lington, 17^. 6d. , Blackstone's commentaries, old copy, paid for
being lost, £i 19^." These seem high prices for injury to books.
"December i7th, 1804, received from Pte. Nicklon a fine for
keeping a book eighteen weeks at 6d. sterling, 14$. 40?." Poor
private, the law said 6d. currency, but from his scanty pay he is
compelled to disburse this heavy tax

One entry defeated every effort to decipher it till a happy
guess makes it read, "November i2th, 1815. To a Govvnd to
Mrs- Nulin for taking care of books 15^. 6d." Happy Mrs. Nulin,
v/ere she fond of reading, for not only might she gratify her incli-
nation, but she also receives a Gtnand as a reward. There seems
in the last years to be a deficit, expressed as balance due A. Her-
on £11 gs. gd. in 1818, showing our treasurer to have been a man
of means, as shown also in the record book of St. Andrew's
Church, of which he was treasurer, when there was a balance due
him of £176. The last entries are, "By cash received from Mr.
Smith for detain of books over the limited time. April igth, 1819,
7.y. 6d. Aug. i8th, By cash, Mr. Crysler, for detain of books
over the limited time, 55." There are frequent entries of books
presented, also tracts. In the catalogue No. 444 is Abelard and
Heloise, presented by Mr. Alexander Campbell, student-at-iaw.
There are altogether 102 names of proprietors, the largest at any
time being 45, in 1811, and the smallest eight in 1818. Among
the books in the catalogue are. in poetry, are Pope's Work's, 10

— 24—

volumes, £2 ics. ; Shakespeare's, 8 volumes, £2, 12$. ; Milton,
Johnson, Dryden, Virgil, Thomson, Spenser, Ramsey, Burns,
Scott. Fifty volumes on Agriculture, many of them very expen-
sive works, came in, 348-398 from Agricultural Society, although in
report for 1892 Hon. John Dryden said the first Agricultural So-
ciety was formed in 1825.

Hume's History of England, continued by Smollet, 21 vol-
umes £7 4-y. ; Bruce's Travels eight volumes, ^7 4$. , also
Cook's and Anson's Voyages. The library was especially rich in
v/orks of travel and in magazines ; regularly every year are cata-
logued, European Magazine, Edinburgh Magazine, Edinburgh
Review, Scot's Magazine, Lady's Magazine, British Critic, An-
nual-Register. The British Theatre, 25 volumes, £11, might
cause some of our book committees to hesitate in these days,
though it staggered not our brave proprietors of those early times.
Altogether we think we have much reason to congratulate these
pioneers of civilization in this peninsula that such a caste was
shown for reading of such a high order, and express the hope
that the libraries of the future may be as well selected, that the
public may make as great sacrifices and support as liberally these
aids to culture, and that many such secretaries and treasurers may
be found willing to give time and faithful service to secure good
litera'ure, not only for the present but to hand down to those to
come.

A few words may be pardoned in relation to other libraries in
the town. A most interesting and valuable collection of books is
to be found in the rectory of St. Mark's Church, consisting of
about a thousand volumes, with many folio editions quite rare.
These were formerly the property of Rev. Robert Addison, sent
out by S. P.G. Days — nay, months — might be pleasantly spent
in loving examination of these rare editions from Leyden, Oxford,
Geneva. Well was it that they were not in any house in town in
December, 1813, but being at Lake Lodge (about three miles out
in a log house, part ot" which may yet be seen) they were saved.
They were lately in possession of Dr. -Stevenson, but by the
zeal of the Venerable Archdeacon McMurray they were procured
and placed in the rectory. Every book has placed in it this in-

-22-

scription : "Presented to St. Mark's church by the heirs of Rev.
Robert Addison, to be the property of that church in perpetuity."
There are altogether fifty-three folio volumes, many of them being
specially interesting-. One of these, the complete works of George
Buchanan, 1715, poems, Latin Works, History of Scotland, a
Satyr on Laird of Lydington, printed 1570, all in one volume,
Hooker's Ecclesiactical Polity, 1598. One folio has been well or
rather much used ; it is Historical, Geographical and Poetical
Dictionary, 1694. No doubt many came, allowed by the kind old
man, to consult its pages. On the first leaf, these words show
that there were in those days restrictions on the publications
of books (these were not removed till the time of William III.);
"Whitehall, 28th Jrnuary, 1691/2. I do allow this work to be
printed. Sydney.' Jeremy Taylor, Polemical and Moral Dis-
courses, 1657 ; Burneton, 39 articles 1700; Machiavelli's Works,
1680 ; Spottiswood's History of Scotland, 1666 ; Fuller's Holy
State, 1642 ; Montague's Essays, 1632 ; Fiddes' Life of Cardinal
Wolsey, 1724, with copper plates, one being View of Kitchen ot
Cardinal's Cottage, Christ Church. Another volume is Historical
Collection, Rush worth, 1659, with strange picture of James I.,
and the awe-inspiring legend "Touch not mine anointed" bringing
up thoughts of the length to which this doctrine was carried by
that unhappy race. A prayerbook, Breeches Bible, 1599, in Black
letter, and Psalms, version of Sternhold and John Hopkins, all
bound together. In the prayer book is the prayer offered "That
it may olease thee to bless and preserve our Most Gracious
Soverign Queen Mary, Prince Charles, and the rest of the Royal
Progenie" This book has been rebound in vellum.

Other works are Xenophon's Cyrus, 1713 ; Virgil, 1576 ;
Quintillion, Oxford, 1692 ; Tillotson, 1675 ; Poli, Synopsis Lon-
don (Poole's), 1669 ; five volumes, folio, Matthew's Commentar-
ies, Plutarch's Morals, 1603 ; Xenophon's Cyrus, Cicxro's works
in Latin. A few others at random — Shakespeare, 1771 ; Specta-
tor, 1726 ; Jonathan Edwards, 1699 ; Cicero's Orations, 1590 ;
Lord Clarendon's, 1676; Latin Funeral Orations, 1611 ; Greek
Grammar, 1683 ; Pope's Iliad, 1721 ; Erasmus, Rotterdam, 1526;
New Testament (French), Geneva, 1577 ; Pliny's Epistles, 1640 ;

—23—

Stillingfleet. 1681 ; Jeremy Taylor, 1676; Virgil, 1613 ; Plutarch's
Morals, 1603 ; St. Augustus' City of God, 1610.

Another library, that of St. Andrew's church, singularly
enough also numbering about 1,000 volumes as the two already
referred to, came into existence Aug. 26th, 1833, and here we see
the name of Andrew Heron in the issue of books. There is an
index with reference to pages, 214 names, from 1833 to 1869, up
to folio 274. Up to 1836 there are 120 names, showing that a
large number of families attended St. Andrew's church. There
was a catalogue costing Tfad. in 1835, and memorandum of cop-
ies sold up to 1843. The catalogue numbers 919 books. The
only names on the list now attending the church are McFarland,
Elliot, Davidson Blake, Wynn, Carnochan. The first name is,
as in Niagara Public Library, Andrew Heron. In 1836 occurs
the name of one who afterwards became one of the Fathers of
Confederation, Archibald McKellar. He attended the Niagara
District Grammar School, was married by Rev. Dr. McGill ;
there are only two books marked against his name.

Many memories of the past are brought up by the names
Barr, Lockhart, Crooks, Stocking, Whitelaw, Eaglesum, Wag-
staff, Miller, Malcolmson, McMicking, Many books were pre-
sented by friends in Scotland, but there are only a few old or rare
books. The Harper's Library Series seem to have been weft read.
It may be recorded as worthy of notice that in the old record book
of St. Andrew's church, dating from 1794, many of the names of
the supporters are also found in the list of proprietors of the
Niagara Library, 1800, showing the love of reading always* re-
marked of the nationality most found in the Presbyterian Church.

The successor to these libraries is the Niugara Mechanics' In-
stitute, having been in existence since October 24th, 1848, as a
copy of the constitution and by-laws, printed by F. M. Whitelaw.
with names of members, one hundred and one, shows ; Pres. W.
H. Dickson, M.P.P. ; Vice-President. E. C.Campbell ; Secretary,
Dr. Melville ; Treasurer and Librarian, W. F, G. Downs.
Among the committee are Thos. Eedson, John Simpson, Jas.
Boulton, J. D. Latouohe, B. A., Sam. Risiey, Jno. Whitelaw.
There is also a catalogue printed by Win. Kirby in 1861, then

—24—

numbering' about 1,009 volumes. The library has gone through

many vicissitudes ; being' closed tor some time, it was greatly re-
vived through the exertions of Dr. With row while a resident of
Niagara, and has always owed much to the great interest shown
in it by Wm. Kir'oy, F. R.S.C. It now numbers 4,000 volumes
and has received much praise for its judicious selection of books.

When we think of the influence in any community of a good
Library, of the pleasure and profit derived, we think of the words
of Ruskin. "We may have in our bookcases the company o'' the
good, the noble, the wise, Here is an entree to the best society.
Do you ask. to be the companions of nobles, make yourself noble ;
you must rise to the level of their thoughts, to enter this court
with its society, wide as the world, multitudinous as its days ; the
chosen and the mighty ot every place and time, here you may al-
ways enter, Into this select company no wealth will bribe no
name overawe ; you must fit yourself by labour and merit to un-
derstand the thoughts of these great minds. You must love them
and become like them." Judge, then, how much the people of
this vicinity owe to the proprietors of the Niagara Public Library,
furnishing to the young people of so m?ny households reading of
so high an order, fitting v.hem to fight manfully the great battle
of life.

The following notes have been added :

Martin McLellan was killed at the taking of the town, 2yth
April, 1813 ; Robert Nelles lived at "The Forty," now Grimsby ;
Daniel Servos was one of Butler's Rangers ; Thomas Butler was
the son of Col. John Butler ; R. C. Cockrell was perhaps the first
Grammar School teacher in Niagara; John Wray was the Clerk of
St. Mark's for fifty years as told on his tombstone. Much could be
written of other names in the list. In connection with the Agri-
cultural society we find that Gov. Simcoe contributed 10 guineas
in 1793 ; in the diary of Col. Clark, in possession of his son Dr.
Clark, St. Catharines, is mentioned, that at the monthly dinner
the great silver snuff box, ornamented with the horn of plenty,
remained with the housekeeper who had to supply the next month-
ly dinner to the Agricultural Society and was the property of the
President pro tern for the year, and then passed into the hands of

-25—

the next President. Query : Where is it now ?

Since this paper was written a book has been found which is
now in the possession of the Niagara Historical Society, with the
label "Niagara Library, No. 81." It is Matthew Henry's Com-
municant's Companion, 1799, and is found in the catalogue thus
described. Had the label been destroyed the book to us would
have been of no value as a relic of the Library. In Niagara
Gleaner, 1819 we find an advertisement regarding a circulating
library, very severe rules are given, dire penalties to be levied on
those who turned a leaf down, defaced or lost a book, It is like-
ly that the books were sold at the death of Mr. Heron and thus
dispersed.

The Niagara Public Library celebrated the fiftieth Anniver-
sary in I>ec. 1898. It was then found that Mr. Henry Paffard
had been Treasurer for thirty-three years and Mr. Kirby, Presi-
dent for twenty-five years, such length of service is a unique cir-
cumstance in the history of the Public Libraries of the country.
The portraits of these gentlemen were placed on the walls of the
Library.

CATALOGUE OF BOOKS.

Received into Library 2nd March, 1801 — 1 to 80.

1, 2, 3 — Blair's Sermons.

4, 5 — Walker's Sermons.
6, 7, 8 — Divine (Eonomy.
9, 10— Fordyce's Sermons,
11 — Newton's Prophecy.
12 — Smith's Prophecy.
13— Watt on Son of God.
14_ " Improvement of Mind.

15— " Memoirs.

16— " Holy War.
17 — Dyer's

18— Willison on the Sabbath.
19— Boston's Character.
20 — ' ' Regeneration.

21 — Anderson on Psalmody.

22— Cloud of Witnesses.

23 — Scott's Essays.

24 — Wilber force's View.

25— Rise and Progress of Religion

in the Soul.

26 — 'Watson's Apology for Bible.
27 — " Christianity

28 — Religious Courtship.
29 — Owen on Trinity.
30 — Brown's Christian Journal.
31 — Burton's Feeling.
32 — Mnirhead's Differentiation.
33— Brown's Oracles.

38,
40,

43,
45,

48,

34— Robertson's History of South

America, Cl 12s.
36— Robertson's History of South

America.

37 — Stanton's Embassy to China.
39 — Residence in France.
41— Morse's Geography.
42 — Bruce's Travels.
44 — Citizen of the World.
46— Ossian's Poems.
47 — Campbell's Narration.
49 — Croker on

in America.

10:>— Daniel and Revelation.
104— Gospel its Own Witness.
105— Duty of Female Sex.
106-17— Rollins' History, £2 8s.
118-19-20— Edinburgh Magazine, £3

18s.

39— Omitted in its place and car-
led to page 13, act. current,
Boston's Memoirs.
121 — Snodgrass' Revelation.
122-24 - Gillies' Greece, £2 12s.

50— Caroline Lichfield. (replaced 125-2(3 — Moore's Letters.

iu 3 vols. )

51 — Blossoms of Morality.

52 — Pleasures of Hope.
53, 54 — Mirror.

55— Mental Improvement.

56 — Lady's Library.

57— Cowper's Task.
58-60 — Marvellous Magazine.

61— Bennet's Lectures.
62—65 — History of Jacobinism, £2.
66, 67 — Repository.
68, 69— The Rambler, £1 4s.

70 — Letters on Courtship.

71-

73 -Story Teller.
74-77— Emperor Charles V.

78— Burk's Revolution.

79 — Mclntosh's Revolution.

80— A letter to Burk.

81 — Communicant's Companion.
82-89— Pope's Works, £2 los.

90- Milton's Works.

yi— Brydon's Tour.

92 — Indian Concert.
93, 94— Burnet's Theory of Earth, £2.

95 — Robertson's Proofs.

96 — Young" s Essays.
97-99— Robertson's History of Scot-
land.

100 — History of War in Asia.
101-2— Burk's European Settlement

127 -28— Journal.

129 -30 -Fuller,

131 - Ray's Discourses.
132 — Taplin's Farriery.
133 — Female Complaints.
134-37— Wells' Geography.
138-39-40-41— History of British Ad-
mirals, £2.

142 -43 — Knox on Education.
144— Paradise Regained.
145— World Depths.
146 -47 — Boderick's Travels.
148— Constitution U. S.
149 -Tracts presented by Andrew

Heron.
150 —History of Barbary.

To —more allowed for History

of Charles.

151 -52— Seattle's Essays.
153 -54 — Leland's Life of Philip.
155 -56 — Bloody Tribunal.

157 — Bishop Burnet's History

His Own Times.
158-59— Quiutius Curtius' History

Alexander.

160 — Mendrill's Journey from Al-
eppo to Jerusalem
161 — Judah Restored.
162 -63 - Hervey's Meditation.
164— Goldsmith's Rome.
165 —Adam's Views.

of

01

—27—

Ititj — New Pilgrim.

167 — Moral Repository.

168— Colet's Discourses.

109 — Theological Magazine.
170-71— N. Y. Missionary.

172— Female Education.

173- Seneca's Morals.

174 — Murray's Sequel.

175— English Reader,

176 — Zimmerman on Solitude.

177 — Fullers' Gospel of the Bible.

178—

179 -Mackenzie's Voyage.
180 -81— Morse's Gazetteer, £2.

1S2— Key to the Prophecies.

183

•273-76 — Haw kes worth's Voyages,
277-80 -Cook's Voyages.

281 — Anton's Voyages.
282-83— Leland's Views.
284-86— Blair's Lectures.

287 — Erskin's Discourses.

288- Campbell on Miracles.

289 -Wall's World to Come.
290 -91— Beattie's Evidences.

292 — New York Magazine.

293 -Fuller.

294 Thompson's Seasons,

295 — Spenser's Shepherd.

296 - Sherlock on Providence.

297— History of George III.

— History of Iceland (present- 298-99- Knox's Essays.

ed by J. Young. )
184-85— Forbes' Works.
186-206— Hume's History of England,

continued by Smollet (21

vols. ) £7 4s.
207-212— Heine's History of Scotland,

213-17—

218-

219-

220-

221-22-

223-28-

229-33-

234-36-

237-40-

241-48

249-52-

253-54-

255-57-

258 •

259-60-

261-62-

263-

264-

265-70-

271-72

Ferguson's History of Rome,

£4 7s.

Kinneard'-s Edinburgh.
Heates' Pelew Islands.
Robertson's India.
Prideaux Connection.
Josephus' Works, .£2 2s.
Edinburgh Magazine, .£5 12s.
Edinburgh Review.

300 — Commerce of Ancients.

301 — Thoughts on State of Religion*

302 — Theological Magazine.

203,— Memoirs of Gen.

304— Fletcher's Appeal.
305— M. Magazine.
306— Forsyth on Trees,
307 — N.Y. Missionary.
308 - Saint's Everlasting Rest
309 — Gospel Sonnets.
310 — Rushe's Charges.
311 — Russian Empire.
312 — Robinson's.

313 -14— Talemachus' French and Eng-
lish.
315— Aikin's Letters to his Son-

-Johnson's Lives. 316-18— Adolphus' George III.

Shakespeare's Works. £2 12s. 319-20 -British Critic, £3 5s.

-Drydcn's Virgil.
-Silver Devil.
-Gonsalvo of Cordova.
-Joseph Andrews.
-Humphrey Clinker.
-Roderick Random.
-John Bull.
-Park's Travels.
-British Tourists, £2 17s.
-Heron's Journev.

321-23 -Edinburgh Review, £1 16s.
: 124-25 —European Magazine, £2 8s.
326-27— Edinburgh Magazine, £2 6s.
328-29— Wilson's Egypt, £2 4s.
3:50-33— Pamela, £2.
334-36— Tom Jones, 18s.

337 — Pictures of Palermo.

33S Vicar of Wakefield.
339-42 -Bums' Works,. £3 15s.

343 Pereival'H Ceylon, /3 12s.

—28—

:U4— Harrington's N. S. Wales. 436 — Female Education.

34~> - Nisbet'.s Church History. 437— Simpson's. I 'leu for Religion.

3-J6 State of Europe. Presented 438— Brown's Sermons,

by Hon. It. Hamilton.) 439 — Religion of Greeks.

347 -Adams' Anecdotes. 440— History of Popes.
34s-6l — Youngs Agriculturist, ^10. 441 — Abclard and Heloise (pre-
362-66— Museum Rusticus, .£3 4s. sented by Mr. Alex.
367-68— Young's Tour in Ireland. Cameron, Student-at-Ln\v.
3(59-74— Wright's Husbandry,^:) 12s. 442— Farmer's Boy.
375-76— Marshall's Midland County 443-44 — Marshall's Yorkshire.
377-78 — Adams' Agriculturist. 445 — Tull's Husbandry.
379-81 — Doylin's '' 446— Court of St. Cloud.
382-83— Dickson's Husbandry. 447 —Scot's Edinburgh Magazine.

384— Hart's " 44S-53- Edinburgh Review.

385-86 — Anderson's Agriculturist. 454-57— British Critic, ,£4 l()s.

387— Gentleman Farmer. 458-65 — Bruce' s Travels, £7 4s.

3SS-92 — Bath Papers. 4(56-69— Blackstone's Commentaries.

393-94 — Dickson's Agriculturist, 470 - Grant's Voyages to N.S. \\ales?

395— Dublin Society. 471-72— Cyrus' Travels.

396 — Small & Barrm. 473 -McHinnem's Tour.

397— Hume on Agriculture. 474-79— Plutarch's Lives, £l 13s.

398-98 — Home on the Psalms, 480 -Peyrmsis' Voyages.

400-7— Spectator, £3 4s. j£55s. N.Y. 481-89— Witherspoon's Works, £2 8s.

currency is in Canada cur- 490— Sir H. Moncrieff's Sermons

rency £3 5s. 7£d. 491 — Chatham's Letters.

408— Mills on Cattle. 492— Mallory's Memoirs.

409-10— Pallas' Travels in Russia. 493— Masson's Cookery.

411 — Whitman's Travels in Syria. 494 — Lavater's Physiognomy.

412-13— Adolphus' History of France. 495-98— Don Quixote, £1 18s.

414— " Reflections. 499-502-Arabian Nights.

415-16— Winterbottom's Sierra Leone. 503-05 — Edgeworth's Tales.

417— Card's Revolution of Russia. 506-10— Tales of the Castle.

418— Pinkerton's Geography. 511-4 — Peregrine Pickle.

419 — Gordon's Rebellion. 515 — Estelie.

420— Population of Ireland. 516 — Devil upon Two Sticks.

421 — Divernois on the Five Pro- 517-18 — Excessive Sensibility,

viuces. 519— Man of Feeling.

422— Grant's Poems. 520-22— Ramsay's Works.

423-25— Palni'erston's Letters. 524— Tuckey's Voyages, N.S.Wales.

426 — Scot's Magazine, 1804. 525 —Edwards on Baptism.

427-28— European •• 452-53 — European Magazine, omitted.

429-33— Edinburgh Review. 526-28— Plains.

434— Sketches at Cape Good Hope. 529-31— History of France.

435— War in St. Domingo. 532— Musical Repository.

—29—

533 — Speedily on the Vine.

534 — Selkirk on Emigration.

535 -Fisher's Travels in Spain.

536— Bigland's Modern Europe.

537— Michavois Travels.

538— Scot's Magazine.
539-40— European Magazine.

541 — Lady's Magazine.
542-45 — Edinburgh Review.

546— Jackson on the Mediterran-
ean.

547— Hinchley's Fall of Venice.
548-49— Repton's Odd Whims.
550-51— Father's Gift.
552-55— Children of the Abbey.

550— Lucas on Duelling.

557 Bravo of Venice.
558-00— Count de Valmont.
561-63— Men and Women.

504 — of Seduction.

505-06— Tour of

567 — Sermons.
568-79— Henry's History of Great

Britain, ^0 15s.
580-83— Edinburgh Review.
584-85— Scotch Magazine.
586-88 — Annals of Great Britain.
589-90— Dick's Selections.

591— Cook on the Resurrection.
592-93— Robertson on Atmosphere.
594-97 - Trevanion.

598 —History of Masonry.
599-001-Kaines' Sketches.

002-3 — Malthus on Population.
004-11— Goldsmith's Animated Na-
ture, ,£2.
015-14 -State of the Times.

015 — Scotch Magazine.
010-17— European Magazine.

018 —Lady's Magazine.
019-20 British Critic, £2 8s.
021-23 - Edinburgh Review.
024-20 -Smith's Wealth of Nations.
027-29 -Ferguson's Lectures.

030-33 — Sinclair on Longevity.
034-36— Pickard's West Indies.

637— Public Characters. 1809-10.
638-40— Lounger.

641 — Lives of British Naval
Heroes.

642— Stewart's Philosophy of

Mind.

643-46— Gil Bias.
647-49— Owen on the Spirit.
650-51 - Gilpin's Lives of Reformers.
652-59— British Plutarch.

660 --Mason on Self-Knowledge.

661 — New Picture of Edinburgh.

602 — Sterne's Sentimental Jour-
ney.

003— Spirit of the English Wits.

664— Saville's Dissertation.

665— Pilgrim's Progress.

666— The Mountain Bard.
667-70— Medical Journal, £3 11s.
671-75— Fool of Quality.

070— Chesterfield's.

677— Scotch Magazine, 1809.
678-79 — European Magazine.

680 — Lady's Magazine.
681-82— British Critic.
683-86— Edinburgh Review.
687 to 711-British Theatre, 25 vols..

£11.

712-15— CutorelPs Gazetteer, .£5.

716 -General Atlas, £2 5s.
717-18- Craig's Sermons.

719— Moore's Tales.
720-21 -Thornton's Turkey.
722-29— Enfield's Encyclopaedia.
730-31 Count Fathom.

732 — Vince on Atheism.
733-34 -More's Utopia.

735 Cottagers of Glenburnie.

736— Adventures of D .

737-40 a Guinea.
741-43 Belinda, £l 2s. lid.
744-45 — Caroline of

—30—

740—

747— Letters horn a Loyalist.
748 -13 ill' s Life of Dr. Blair.
749— Life of Buchanan.
750-51— Clarkson on the Slave Trade.
752— Resources of Britain.

4

753 Scotch Magazine.
754-55 — European ' '

756 -Lady's ''
757-58— British Critic, £2 8s.
759-62— Edinburgh Review.
7(>:!-64 — Porteous' Sermons.

765— Moorehead's Discourses.

766— Gray's Letters.
767-68 -History of Chili.

769 — Trotter on Drunkenness.
770-72 — Letters from the Mountains.

773— •' of Swedish Court.

774 Twin Sisters.
775-82 Clarissa Harlowe. £2 14s.

783— Man of the World.

784 - Paul and Virginia.
785-86— History of St. Helena.
787-89 -Edgeworth's Tales of Fash-
ionable Life, £1 8s. 6s.

790— History of Charles XII.

791— Scotch Magazine.
792-93— European "

794 — Lady's "

795-96— British Critic.
797-800-Edinburgh Review.
801-2 New Annual Register.
803-8 -Gifford's Life of Pitt, .£6 6s.
809-43 -Camilla, £1 14s.

' 814 — Description of 300 Animals.
815-17— West's Letters to Young
Men.

818 -Park's Rudiments of Chem-
istry.

819-20— Tolney's Travels.
821-22— Walker's Sermons.

823— Lady of the Lake.
824 — Island of Jamaica.
825-27— Tristram Shandy.

828-35— Edge worth's Moral Tales.
836-37— British Critic, £2.
838-39— British Critic, 1813, £2.
840-41— Edinburgh Annual Register.
842-43- '• " " £2.

844— Scotch Magazine, 1812.
845-47- '• •' 1813, 1814.

848-49 — European Magazine.

850— Lady's
851-53— Jklinburgh Review.

854 British Critic.
855-56— Annual Register, 1811.
857-61 — Edinburgh Register.

862-63 -Goldsmith's

864-67 — Modern Geography.

868 — Savage New Zealand.
869-70— Magazine.

871— Castle of Otranto.

S72 -History of Otaheite.
873-74— " the War.
875-77 — Edinburgh Review.
878-79— Gordon's Ireland.
880-81 -Edinburgh Register.
882-85— Young Philosopher.
886-87 — Peregrine Proteus.
888-90 -The Jesuit.
891-95— Scottish Chiefs, £> 4,".
90(i-8— Waverly.

909— E. Annual Register.

910— Scotch Magazine, 1814.
911-12- •' 1815.

913— Clark's Life of Nelson.

914— Colonial Policy.
915-16— Life of Wellington, £2.

91 7 —European Magazine,
918-20 -Scot's Magazine. 1816.

921— Lady's Magazine.
922-27— Edinburgh Review.

928— Annual Register.

929- •' '• 1815.

930-31 — European Magazine.
932-33 — Edinburgh Magazine.

934- -Lady's Magazine.
935-37 — Edinburgh Review.

ct £

-^ 5
c C

<u

r •— ~ u aj

w 2 f. _b « C . ' i

>,' — o ^ "~ *- -i

1; & ?• §• ^£ 1

t/ C 1» <i> ~ z

c — fh '• z •-

CL S (— -C —

3 X »j

3.2 <u »: ? «£

Cf. j_, > _ ^ r-

!/ — ^ C >«/> ~

• •— w ^/. ^

X S C j;

o . .5 t^ ~ .t:

E - *: oo >> !

E^ 5 ~ * «

u o .L —

o — *p — ^ •<-

•S oj s - :^ 12

i: C f ^ i, -'

^ JE: ^ s u - 5
S * r- ? ? -I.

C J3 ^ "» w c —

filrp

^ ^ ~

h

The Early Schools of Niagara.

Read before the Ontario Educational Association, April 1S97,

My subject is the Early Schools of Niagara, but for that term
I would claim a broader meaning' than that generally accepted.
Hugh Miller in his "Schools and Schoolmasters" goes far beyond
the schoolhouse and its pedagogue, as does also Dr. Hodgins in his
"Documentaty History of Education," We read of the school of
adversity which gives a training found in no other school, and we
all know what useful inventions have been produced by the school
of necessity. Perhaps no place in Ontario has in its early history
given greater scope for development of character from the pecul-
iar surroundings, than Niagara. The most of those who came
here were people of fixed ideas, who had suffered and were ready
to suffer to maintain their opinions, .subjected to a life of toil, war
with the soil, with forest enemies both man and brute, and as the
many influences which served to make Hugh Miller, the stalwart,
honorable, thinking man into which he developed we may claim
for the early inhabitants of the town and their children, peculiar
influences which no doubt helped to develop certain traits of char-
acter. To conquer difficulties, to be obliged to be alert, watch-
ful, on guard, to know that, the soil we tread has been watered
with the blood of our forefathers, that every turf may be or has
been a "soldier's sepulchre," to rebuild the ruined homes, to sec
returning prosperity torn from our grasp, and stagnation again,
all these have told, as well as the scholastic institutions of the
town. Other educative influences may be referred to later on.

To go back a period ot a hundred years ought not
to be so difficult a task, but in this case it presents al-
most as insuperable difficulties as trying to piece out the

—32—

personal life of the great dramatist. How strange

that while of many Romans who lived 2000 years ago, as
of Pliny, we have letters and personal descriptions, of one
who lived scarce three hundred years ago we have not a letter and
only one, to him, and yet millions of people know him by his
works, and so we find it difficult to obtain accounts of some of our
early educators, so many records having been burnt in the war,
so shifting has the population been from the many vicissitudes of
the town, but by dint of newspaper items, here and there an ex-
tract from the Archives of Canada, some valuable old letters and
documents, account books, the tales of the "oldest inhabitant'.'
who tells the story of his father, we are able to piece out .1 tol-
erably correct sketch of our Schools and Schoolmasters, it must be
confessed with gaps here and there which it is hoped may be yet
filled, now that our Historical Societies have really set to work in
earnest. There were private school^, garrison schools, the dis-
trict grammar school and the district school, church schools, separ-
ate schools, ladies' schools, classical schools, nighi schools, boarding
schools, schools for colored children, dames' schools, the Fort
school and many others. In the diary of Col. Clarke, father of
Dr. Clarke of St. Catharines, he speaks of attending the garrison
School at Fort Niagara in 1787; the fort was not given up to the
Americans till 1796. When he came to the British «ide of the
river, the best teacher he went to was Richard Cockerel), an Eng-
lishman, who we read opened a school at Niagara in 1797. In
the newspaper of that date he advertises an Evening School,
writing, arithmetic, book-keeping taught at four shillings a week.
For teaching any branch of practical or speculative mathematics,
eight dollars, hours from six to eight in the evening. In 1799 he
removed to Ancaster, and in resigning thanks the public for their
support, and recommends the Rev. Mr. Arthur, who teaches
Latin and Greek, and will take a few youn^ gentlemen to board.
The first provision made for Grammar School education in
Upper Canada was by the Duke ot Portland in 1797, but we find
that sufficient credit has not been given to Governor Simcoe for
the noble part he played in providing educational advantages for
this new country. In different letters from Navy Hall, Niagara,

33

he had thought on the subject, and what strenuous efforts were
made by him for this end. On 23rd Nov., 1792, in a letter to
Secretary Dundas he speaks o? a provision for the education of
the rising- generation and in 1793 to the Bishop of Quebec in ask-
ing for clergymen says that in his progress through the country
he is told that the Sabbath is becoming unknown to their children,
who are searching for amusements on the Lord's Day. Again- in
1795 he urges the Duke of Portland thus : "In Niagara the want
of a school is most visible. The Rev. Addison is willing to un-
dertake it on same terms as Mr. Stuart at Kingston. In the reply
of Portland, fancy the feelings of those asking tor a school for
their children, being told that the payment for a teacher ought to
be very moderate, and that all the subjects necessary are reading,
writing, accounts and mensuration, that those wishing to study
Greek and Latin may go to Montreal, or Quebec or Nova Scotia.
Were his ideas of the topography of Canada as hazy as those of
some of our neighbors of the present day ?

In 1797 Mr. Jas. Blayney advertises a school in Niagara, and
in 1798 the house of Mr. D. W. Smith is offered for sale for a free
Grammar School for Home district, with four acres as endowment.
Recommended in letter from Russel at York. This
drags on, as in 1800 he affers a reduction of $4,000 in price,
and to take wild land in payment. The plan is opposed by Gov-
ernor Hunter, one reason being given that the house is opposite
Fort Niagara, and being in range of the guns from F. N., is
in too exposed a position. In 1802 Mr. and Mrs. Tyler, between
Niagara and Queenston advertise a regular day and night school,
"children from four, both sexes, price in proportion to the kind of
instruction, reading, writing and arithmetic taught, for youni^
ladies all that is necessary for their sex to appear decently and ho-
useful in the world and in all that concerns housekeeping. Mr*.
Tyler, having been bred in the line of mantua making, will receive
and do her endeavors to execute her work in the neatest manner;"
an advertisement really more comprehensive than at first sight it
appears. In the record book of St. Andre ,v's Church, commenc-
ing 3Oth Sept., 1794, there arc frequent references to teachers in
connection with the church, thus: "Sept. 2nd, 1802, the Rev. Jno.

-34—

Young-, from the city of Montreal, \vas engaged at one hundred
pounds, Halifax currency, and a dwelling house, also lo have the
teaching of a school exclusive of his salary as a preacher of the
gospel." On 1 3th April, 1805, resolved, "that this meeting do
hilly authorize and empower the persons that may be nominated
as aforesaid to offer as a salary for three years to a preacher, the
sum of seventy-five pounds of lawful money of Upper Canada,
provided he may be induced to teach thirteen scholars in the Latin,
Greek and Mathematics." Why thirteen we do not know. In
1802 it is proposed to erect an Academy in the town, and in 1803
we read that R. Cockrell had an excellent mathematical school at
Niagara. E. A. Talbot, who writes on State of Education, in
1818 says there are only two schools of any note in Upper Can-
ada, that of Strachan and Cockerel!, which is high praise for the
latter.

In a letter from Simcoe to Dundas, April 28, 1792 written
from Quebec, he proposes two school masters at ^100 each, one
at Kingston and the other at Niagara, this before he had reached
his future capital, and while living there planned for schools in the
province. In 1797 steps were taken in Parliament to establish
four Grammar Schools and ? University, the schools to be at
Cornwall, Kingston, Newark, Sandwich, and the University at
York, now Toronto. By an act passed in 1807, £100 was to be
allowed for each district. Niagara is the fourth oldest High
School in the province, having been founded in 1808, the three
fir^t being Cornwall, Kingston and York, founded in 1807. It
has been called by different names, first, the Niagara District
Grammar School ; next, Niagara County Grammar School ; next,
Senior County Grammar School, on this the Rev. T. Philipps al-
ways insisted, then Niagara High School. The seal has these
words : Niagara County Grammar School, established 1808, in-
corporated 1853, and has on it the figures of a globe, telescope,
quill pen, inkbottle, bell. It may be said that in later days, in a
certain sense the existence of many of the small High Schools, de-
pended on the Niagara High School, as when a bill was about to
pass through the legislature which would have swept many ot
them out of existence, the Hon. S. H, Richards who was in the

—35-

Cabinet, and was the member for Niagara, seeing that his constit-
uency would lose its High School, had such changes made in the
bill as would prevent this, and thus many others were saved,
"Honor to whom honor is due." It is believed the Rev. Jno.
Burns, Presbyterian minister, was the first teacher. He preached
in St. Andrew's Church and sometimes at Stamford, from 1805 to
1818, at intervals, as his name appears on the record book in
1805, 9, 10, u, 16, 17, 18. Till lately there were several living
who were his pupils both before and after the war of 1812. He
was taken prisoner and it is said preached to his captors. A ser-
mon preached by him on the 3rd January, 1814, on a day pro-
claimed by the Governor as Thanksgiving, in Stamford church
shows powers of reasoning, a sturdy loyalty, sound scholar-
ship and deep Christian feeling. In the sermon, the text of which
is Prov. 14, 21, he quotes the brave words of Nehemiah, "Be not
afraid of them, remember the Lord who is great and terrible, and
fight for your brethren, your sons and your daughters, your wives
and your houses." To the Lundy's Lane Historical Society we
are indebted for this, as they have reprinted it as one of 1 heir
pamphlets. The late Judge Burns was the son of this old
Niagara teacher and preacher.

Now comes, as might be expected, almost a blank of several
vears. We learn that during the war the schools were closed and
while it is easy to see that in 1813 when the town was in the
hands of the Americans, the British around in a circle, skirmishes
occurred frequently, and in 1814 the people scatterd in all direc-
tions, when a heap of ruins represented the homes from which
had gone forth the children to the schools referred to, the records
were lost and several years must elapse before schools would
again be in operation. The Rev. Thos. Creen came in 1820, open-
ed a private school, and afterwards the Niagara District Gram-
mar School, next becoming the Rector of St. Mark's, but first
the assistant to Rev. R. Addison. He was an excellent classical
scholar, an Irishman, but educated at Glasgow University. He
was also at a later date a trustee and an examiner of teachers. He
taught many who afterwards became distinguished men, as Miles
O'Reilley, Judge Burns, Judge Miller, Senator Dickson, Thos.

—36-

and W. Fuller, several of these pupils placed a handsome tablet
to his memory in St. Mark's Church. In the year 1823 there
were eighty-five names on the register of the school, while in 1827
from the existence of two rival schools and the removal of a tegi-
ment, the number was only eighteen.

In the Niagara Grleaner, June 23rd, 1823,
appears the following item, Niagara District Gram-
mar School Examination. The following trustees were pre-
sent and expressed their approval of the manner in which the dit-
ferent branches were taught, the increasing number of pupils and
the progress made : Wm. Dickson, Rev. Robt, Addison, Rev, W.
Leeming, Robt. Ker, J. Muirhead, Ralfe Clench. The school was
to re-ooen on yth July, we thus see that the holidays lasted little
over two weeks, and through the sultry days of July and August
the school work went on. On July 3rd, 1824, there is an account
ot an examination, at which the same trustees were present with
the addition of Rev. Turuey, (Army Chaplain) and Hon. Wm.
Claus, and pleasure is expressed at the progress made. The
number of pupils was forty, of whom four were studying Xeno^hon;
five, Horace and Cicero; three, Virgil and Sallust ; eighteen, his-
tory and Geography ; twelve, grammar and arithmetic ; and
three reading and writing. The Latin classes were put through
their drill by the Rev, Robert Addison, who seemed quite at
home. He must then have been an old man. In 1824 Rev. T.
Creen Appears as Secretary of Common School Trustees. In
1823 had appeared a petition of the Common School teachers of
the Niagara District, complaining of want of payment of their
salaries, and the proceedings in the Legislature in consequence
are recorded. In the Gleaner for 1826, Aug i2th, is this notice.
"We have been requested by the Rev. Thos. Creen to state to
the public that his school would be o^en for the instruction of
youth, on Monday. 14th August. In the same paper there is the
advertisement of Rev. Mr. Hancock, A.B., graduate of Trinity
College, Z/ublin. informing the public that he had opened an
Academy for the instruction of youth in Greek, Latin, etc., at
Butler's Barracks. He was Assistant Chaplain to the forces at
Niagara. Besides this, in the next year there is an advertise-

—37—

ment by Rev. |as. Fraser, minister of the Presbyterian congrega-
tion that he proposes to open a class for the various branches per-
taining to the Literary professions. It would seem from this that
there mnst have been at that date ;hree schools in Niagara, where
the study of classics was pursued. We who remember the day
when mathematics was the important study, and who also remem-
ber that in the words quoted by our President, "a king arose who
knew not Joseph," and English was given a more important place,
recall with interest the days when Homer and Horace reigned
supreme.

In 1823 in an advertisement, "Mr. Creen, District School,
speaks of the prosperous condition and is about to employ an as-
sistant, teaches Latin, Greek, Hebrew, English Grammar, Geo-
graphy, Mathematics. A few pupils genteelly accommodated
with boarding. Jan., 1823, report of Niagara District School,
hopes in rather grandiloquent style "that literatures
at once the blessing and ornament of society will flourish
here with increasing bloom and shine in its generous lustre." To
open 7th July. We also find some excellent rules by Board of
Education for Niagara Schools, Barren's 500 questions on New
Testament are used in the Sunday School, and also in the District
Grammar School.

Leaving this school we now turn to some other
schools in the town. Besides that institution taught by Mr.
Cockerell (which was at one time in a block house, the charge be-
ing one dollar a month) who is described as being very strict and
who taught till 1806, and was succeeded by Mr. Hughes, there
was a school taught by Mr. John Wray, described as a little old
man by those who remember him, he died in 1846 at an advanced
age, having been the clerk of St. Mark's Church for forty years.
There was a school taught by Mr. McKie who was a classical
scholar, this was a private school after the war, and his wife
taught fancy work.

The school in connection with St. Andrew's church
was continued till 1843. An advertisement in the Gleaner,
Dec. 1717, reads thus : "Saturday, 3rd day of January next is the
day appointed for the annual meeting of the Presbyterian congre-

—38-

galion in the town, to be held in the school house at 12 o'clock.
At the same time will be produced the accounts of monies receiv-
ed and expended in building the schoolhouse. This building"
seems to have been used before the war as a school house, and
after the war, on Sunday for divine worship, and for Sunday
school, and on week days for a school, the upptr part at one time
having- been used for the colored children. In 1840, at the annual
meeting- of the congregation, ' Resolved, that the trustees and
members of the Kirk Session be the committee for the manage-
ment of the school kept by Mr. Jas. Webster, in the school house
on church lots." On Jan. 1*1,1842, the Rev. Robert McGill made
some statement regarding the act passed at the late session of the
Provincial legislative, and pointed out the manner in which the
trustees of the school in connection with the church might avail
themselves of its provisions. Resolved, "that it is desirable to
maintain the school under the manag-ement of the church trustees,
Mr. Heron was appointed to wait upon Mr. Webster to ascertain
how far he is disposed to put himself in dependence upon the pro-
visions for common schools."

And now we turn, to what we can find of the
backbone of our educational system. There have been
several references to the Common School before. On the gih
Sept., 1826, there is' a letter in the Gleaner strongly advocating
the erection of a Public School house, as the population of the
town then was 1,200, and they had an able teacher in Mr. Thom-
son. In 1827 the province had been divided into eleven Districts,
with provision for a classical school in each, and for schools in
each Township. On June 2nd, 1827, appears the following- certi
ficate, signed by Thos. Creen, and Thos. Hancock, A. B. ' We
have great pleasure in testifying to the ability and fitness, etc., of
the teacher ot the Niagara Common School, Mr. David Thom-
son. These are the classes, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, four.
Orthography, Reading, Writing, eight, Orthography Reading-, six,
Book Keeping, two, total twenty-five, and that Messrs. Heron,
Kay and Varey had been duly elected Trustees of the District
Common School. The fees were, after March 28th, Reading and
Orthography 25. 6a?., or SOG., with writing added 62)4cts., and

—39—

with arithmetic 75cts. per month. A sparkle of color is given to
these dry records, which pleases us much. Feb. 23rd, 1827, ac-
count of a collection that had been taken up from the pupils of
Mr. Thomson's school in aid of the distressed Greeks, amount
raised, i is. il/^d. This it will be remembered was the year of the
battle of Navarino, and now after seventy years, the generous
deed ot these Niagara school children is recalled, as we are send-
ing away our contributions to the Armenians, oppressed and bar-
barously treated by the same unspeakable Turk, but now the na-
tions do not rise up as then to help the weak. The teacher refer-
red to was the same David Thompson who wrote a history of the
war of 1812, Captain Thompson of the King's 8th, who fought in
the war.

Among the names of early teachers are those of Mr.
Rolston and Crombie. An account of some of the punishments of
those days would make our present pupils stare in wonder and
amaze. It is recorded of one teacher of the town that he struck
a boy on the head with a round ruler, one inch in diameter. The
boy tell to the floor insensible, and was carried out to the snow to
revive. It is pleasing to know that the big boys of the school
then did what so rejoiced the heart of the honest Yorkshireman,
when Nicholas Nickleby so effectually "bate the schoolmeaster."
The teacher then removed to Stamford, where his next feat was
as a punishment, to shut up a little girl in the oven, and was sent
away in consequence. At a later day still, in another school, a pupil
on his return from school was asked the question so frequent in those
clays, where you whipped to-day? "Yes, I was whipped, but Mary
(his sister) was kissed." The teacher had left the room leaving a
monitor to give the names of all who spoke, and the teacher com-
ing to the little girl whose name had been given, instead of the
dreaded tawse, stooped dbwn and kissed the astonished child.

At this time it was customary to grant scholarships to the
Grammar school, which were given for three years to the best pu-
pils in the Common and Separate Schools, the latter having at
this time a very able teacher ; one of the cleverest pupils sent was
the late Father John Kennedy who was drowned some years ago.

A circular issued seems to demand what we would now con-

—40-

sider a work of supererogation, it is a system of Bible distribution
by the teachers of the Niagara District, 1817, a circular of direc-
tion so paternal that it would be opposed now, signed by Ralfe
Clench, to inquire by going" from house to house if the settlers
possess a Bible and in what condition, if not able to pay, name to
be sent to Samuel Street, at the Falls Mills, Sec., of Niagara
Bible Society. Also form of report of Trustees and Teacher's Cer-
tificate to receive salary, very different from that of to-day, merely
that he has taught the school for six months, is a British subject,
had not less than twenty scholars and has demeaned himself to
our satisfaction. Signed by three Trustees and directed to the
Treasurer of the District of Niagara. There are also rules for
government ot Common Schools in District of Niagara, ten in
number, as succinctly said by Dr. Hodgins, compared with the
comprehensiveness and elaborateness of today those of eighty years
ago make up for their lack in this respect, by their clearness and
brevity.

No. i. The master to commence the labors of the day by a
short prayer.

No. 4. Corporeal punishment seldom necessary except for
bad habits learned at home, lying, disobedience, obstinacy, these
sometimes require chastisement, but gentleness even in ihese
cases would do better with most children.

No. 5. All other offences arising chiefly from liveliness and
inattention are better corrected by shame, such as gaudy caps,
placing the culprits by themselves, not admitting any one to play
with them for a day or days, detaining them after school hours or
during a play afternoon and by ridicule.

No. 7. The forenoon of Wednesday and Saturday to be aet
apart for Religious Instruction, to render it agreeable, the school
should be furnished with at least ten copies of Barren's Questions
on the New Testament. The teacher to have one copy of the
Key to these questions for his own use.

No. 8. The afternoon of Wednesday and Saturday to be al-
lowed for play.

No. 9. Every day to close with reading publicly a few verses
of the New Testament, proceeding regularly through the gospels

— 4J-

The propriety of rule five would be called in ques-
tion at our Training Schools of to-day ; certainly the framers of
the rules do not seem to have had much faith in the scriptural
knowledge of their teachers.

Unfortunately the Secretary's records of the Niagara Schools
in early days can not be found, but just lately in an old trunk was
discovered a document containing interesting information relating
to the District School in 1832-3. It appears from this that His
Excellency the Lieut-Governor, then Lord Colborne, appointed the
Trustees and advised with them as to appointment of teachers.
At a meeting of the Trustees just appointed by him, viz : Rev.
Thos. Green, Rev. R. McGili, Jas. Muirhead, Robt. Melville G.
M. McCormack, R. Dickson, Wm. Clarke, W. D Miller, Geo.
Ball, nineteen resolutions were passed with regard to building of
Seminary, large enough for apartments for masters and a large
number of boarders, ^500 had been granted by Trustees of Mar-
ket Square, and ^,250 additional obtained. The teacher was to
be selected for literary and moral qualification without regard to
denomination. The Governor had granted five acres near Fort
Mississagua, the school was then held near the Market Buildings.
Permission was asked to appoint another teacher, and the Gover-
nor says it will not be necessary to go to the Mother Country as
proposed, but that a competent teacher may be found in Canada.
It is singular, that though different attempts were thus made from
1798 to secure a building, that no permanent building was obtain-
ed till i85o for the Public School, and 1875 for the High
School.

The oldest building now standing which served as a school
housein Niagara was lately the property of Mr. Ibson. Herein 1827,
and tor many years, Miss Young taught a large Private School.
The old fashioned fire-place with its cran? may still be seen. The
stone barracks, now the Masonic Hall, Rogers brick building, the
brick building owned by the late Dr. Ker have all been used by
the High or Public School in past years.

Among the teachers of Niagara Perhaps the most
striking personality is Dr. John Whittlavv, who taught the
Grammar School from 1830 to 1851. He was a good classical

-42-

scholar and from the impression received from talking with some
of his old pupils, must have been an able teacher and a Christian
gentleman. His son John was at one time his assistant, a young
man of great promise, who died at an early age, the lectures he
delivered on Chemistry, and the experiments in which he was as-
sisted by his pupils are yet remembered. It is one of my eaily
recollections, seeing nitrous oxide or laughing gas, administered
by him in the lecture room, and the disastrous effects in one case.
The love of, science must have been shared by the father and son,
for we find that Z/r. Whitelaw taught in Kingston in 1814, and
gave lectures in Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology while master
ot the Kingston Grammar School. Junius, in Kingston Gazette,
deplores the loss to Kingston boys, and mentions
equations, geometry, trigonometry, Latin and Greek,
a course of thirty - six lectures, three every week,
admission three guineas for the course. In 1819 his successor is
spoken of, and we know from, an address of Sir Oliver Mowat,
that he practiced medicine in Kingston, having been the medical
adviser of his father's family. Here is a reminiscence from an old
scholar: "when Brennan was hanged at the Niagara jail we b iys
did not know any better than to get up a petition for a holiday,
one boy wrote it, from the dictation of another, while a third pre-
sented it. Such a lecture we received, I shall never forget, our
conduct was a sure proof of total depravity and original sin. The
next day we went to school but the old doctor was ill, whether he
had taken our conduct so to heart we did not know, we had the
coveted holiday, but I question if any of us went to see the execu-
tion. He was very particular in, as he called it, giving us a
"thorough grounding" in Latin and Greek, sometimes attained
by painfnl methods.

The same old pupil describes the room as having a wooden
partition, one stove which very imperfectly heated the room be-
ing half in one room, half in the other. There were about forty
scholars, many of them from the regiment stationed here. There
were morning and evening prayers. The Bible was read in both
Common and Grammar Schools by the pupils.

The Rev. T. Philipps taught the Grammar School from 185*

—43—

to 1861, and had a large boarding1 school forming quite a proces-
sion marching to St. Mark's on Sunday morning-. Rev. T. D.
Philipps of Chicago, his son the famous cricket player, was his as-
sistant. The pupils were very successful in passing University
Examinations. The buildings in which the school has been held
have been as various as the teachers. In early days the block
house, the stone barracks and many others before the present
brick building was erected, not without a long struggle for the
result of which the late Rev, Chas. Campbell of Toronto deserves
much credit. Four of the teachers have had a long term of office,
Rev. Jno. Burns, Dr. Whitelaw, Rev. T. Philipps and
Mr. Andrews. Amon^ the punishments was one which may be con-
sidered questionable now, viz : to commit to memory a chapter of
the Bible, another law was that when detained after school with
work to be done, the teacher sometimes leaving the room, if one
b-ave leader ran away, all the others might go, and the one who
left first, alone was punished. It was considered a brave self
sacrificing thing to do, by subjecting oneself to severe punish-
ment, thus procuring the freedom of the others, and he who did it
was a sort of hero.

A reminiscence given by a colored woman of her school life
in Niagara must not be forgotten. "The first .-.chool I went to
was to a yellow maiKcalled Herbert Holmes — Hubbard Holmes
our people called him. oh, he was severe, they were then you
know, but he was a fine man, had been educated by a gentleman
in Nova Scotia. He used to drill the boys and when holiday time
came he would m.irch us all in twos to a grocery kept by a black
woman and treat us all to bull's eyes and gingerbread. Holidays
were not two months as they are now, but two weeks, I went to
a black man upstairs in the schoolhouse of the Scotch Church, the
room was full, full of children, the^benches \\ere slabs with the
flat side up and the bark of the tree down, with round sticks put
in slanting for legs. The children all studied aloud and the one
that made the most noise was the best scholar in those days.
Then I went to a Miss Brooks from Oberlin College in 1838-9.
She was sickly and died of consumption, oh what hard times she
had with some of the boys, bad, rough ones. But Herbert

-44-

Holmes was a hero, he died in frying1 to save a black man from
slavery."

The tragic and heroic death of this Niag-ara teacher I have
told elsewhare, but some reference must be made to it here. An
escaped slave was to be returned to the United States authorities
on the charge of stealing his master's horse in escaping, but the
teacher and exporter organized a party of several hundred colored
people to surround the gaol and rescue him when taken out. For
ten days or more the blockade was kept up and Herbert Holmes
was shot dead while holding the horses' head to let the prisoner
escape. This was in 1837, and his drilling the boys may have had
some result, as a company of black men from Niagara was formed
and was on duty at the Falls during the Rebellion, aiding the
government which had given them a refuge.

In the Niagara Chronicle, Jan 1847, is told, "lhat the census
just taken gives a population of 3058, there are 792 children be-
tween 5 and 15, of these 300 attend the five common schools,
respectively conducted by Mr. Shaw, Mr. Thomson, Miss Eedson,
Miss M. A. Eedson and Mrs. Wilson. There is a dissenting com-
mon school established by our fellow townsmen of the Roman
Catholic faith, the attendance of which must be large. In addi-
tion to these there are three institutions for a higher order of
learning, viz.. the District Grammar School, conducted by Dr.
Whitelaw, assisted by Mr. Logan ; the classical school of Rev.
Dr. Lundy, and the Ladies' School of the Misses Burgess, also the
flourishing private elementary school of Miss Read. An assistant
is now engaged for the junior branches in Mr. Shaw's school.
This was Mr. Jas. Dunn who afterwards became Principal, and
also a highly successful High School teacher in Elora, Welland,
etc., and must not be forgotten.

Mr. Jno. Crooks who taught an early Sunday-
School, and as a Sunday School library had tracts
carefully coyered and distributed. This Sunday School was the
first in town and was between the years 1820 and his death in
1833. Another educator deserves honorable mention, and I have
the less hesitation in referring to him since Dr. Hodgins in his
Documentary History of Education in Upper Canada does so.

At:

Although not a teacher in the ordinary sense of the term, it may
be claimed for Andrew Heron, the originator of the Niagara Pub-
lic Library, founded in 1800, that he was a teacher in the best
sense of the term.

Another educative force may be mentioned, besides the libra-
ries of Rev. Robert Addison, those of St. Andrew's church and
the Mechanics Institute. Many books were printed in Niagara,
some of an educational character. Andrew Heron reprinted
Mavor's spelling book in 1824, and in 1841 was issued Davidson's
Spelling Book. From Dr. Hodgins' Documentary History of Ed-
ucation we learn that Alexander Davidson was a teacher in Port
Hope, and applied to Parliament in 1831 for authorization for his
spelling- book. From the advertisement it seems comprehensive,
containing outlines of geography, grammar, religious lessons,
morning and evening prayers and hymns, and a long recommen-
dation of it appears in the Christian Guardian. In the Niagara
Chronicle for 1842 are letters of recommendation from Rev.
Robt. McGill, Rev, T. Creen, Rev. A. N. Bethune.

John Simpson published the Canadian Forget-me-Not,
printed at the Reporter office, and from the Mail office the first
long poem ot Mr. Kirby, F.R.S.C., called the U.K.. was issued
containing description* of Canadian life and scenery, still unsur-
passed in Canadian poetry. In the advertisement of Andrew
Heron, as bookseller, we see that the study of classics was not
neglected, Eton grammars, Ainsworth's Dictionary, Caesar, Ovid,
Sallust, Lampriere's Classical Dictionary, Valpy's Delectus,
Homer's, Iliad and many others.

The ladies' schools must not be forgotten. One narrator
tells us of a Mrs. Radcliffe, in 1820, who taught the harp and
piano ; another mentions a young girl, Miss Birdsley, who was a
good Latin scholar, having been taught by a Mr. McPherson.
Some of the advertisements are amusing, with the rules and regu-
lations, subjects taught, etc. In the Niagara Herald for 1830 is
the advertisement of Niagara Seminary for young ladies, taught
by Mrs. Fenwick and Mrs. Breakenridge, day scholars and board-
ers. The school of the Misses Crooks is often spoken of, also the
large boarding school of the Misses Millard Besides the names

46 —

given before, as pupils taught in the early schools of Niagar.i,
may be mentioned Judge Baxter, judge Miller, Hon. Arch. Mc-
Kellar, Judge Campbell. Hon. J. j. Currie, Rev. F. Trew, Judge
Kingsmill, Jas. M. Dunn, L. L.B., F. Harkness, A. Niven, P.L.S.,
Chas. Hunter. Dignity is given to the schools 01 Niagara by the
many points of their history, which also touch the history of the
country, and the important part played by many of the early
teachers in the history of the place..

Many amusing stories could be told of the snowballing
matches, between the Public and Separate Schools, not quite so
exciting nor so bloody as that described so graphically hv Sir
Walter Scott in the streets of Edinburgh with Green Breeks. Other
contests between the town boys and the dock boys were perhaps as
exciting in their day as those in the English Universities between
Form and Gown. It is recalled of one of the dock boys that when
some town boys were sent out to bring him in to school as a truant,
the report came back to the horrified pupils that he was standing in
defiance of monitors and master with a pile of brickbats collected
to do execution on any assailing force. It is not proposed to re-
fer to the schools of a later day, or the changes from the severe
methods, corporeal punishment, the dreaded public examinations,
the prize books, to the changed curriculum, the presence of girls
in the High Schools, the change from the excessive memorizing,
etc. While we must naturally exalt the present and acknowledge
the merits of our school system, and what we owe to Dr. Ryerson
and Hon. Geo. Ross we need not depreciate the past, as some
are so fond of doing. When hearing the boasting over some
supposedly new idea, and the condemnation of any other cystem,
we often wonder how the old system produced such grand men of
such solid attainments, and we bow our heads in humility, and
salute the pedagogues of the past, acknowledging that they often
did conscientious, excellent work, and we humbly wish that our
work of to-day may stand as well the test of the search-light of
the future, as we see that theirs has done ; that our work may, as
it is claimed is the true work of the teacher, enable the human
souls under us to reach unto the divine.

In extending congratulations to the Historical Association

—47—

it may be well to ask what would be lost to fhe world were all his-
tory blotted out ? How much should we miss if from all literature
were erased the record of brave deeds, of heroic struggles, of all
the battles, whether with mailed warriors, or the giant, selfishness
under all its multiform shapes. Let all the history of these brave
deeds be blotted out, still more, let all the literature inspired by
them be destroyed. We shall have no Homer and no references
to Homer, no poems formed on the great epic, no Arthurian
legends, no exquisite amplification of these legends by Tennyson
in the Idylls of the King, no Evangeline, no heroic story of Wil-
liam the Silent as told by Motley, no story of Laura Secord by
Mrs. Curzon, no heroic story of Joan of Arc, nor of Moses facing
the mighty King of Egypt to free his people, nor of the little
ruddy David before the great Goliath. Fancy blotted out of ex-
istence '.he tales of the Great Magician of the North, and
thus the exquisite pleasure derived from reading these tales. The
story of Leonidas at Thermopylae resisting to death that im-
mense host and the inscription, "Go tell our countrymen that we
lie here in obeclince to her laws," no tumulus at Marathon to tell of
a few bravely fighting against such odds, no story of Grace Dar-
ling, nor Daulac and his sixteen brave companions devoting them-
selves to certain death to keep back the Indian foe, no story of
the Maiden Martyr of Scotland's salt sea sands, chained to a stake
while the tide came slowly rolling in, no story of the stern discip-
line of those brave soldiers on the Birkenhead saving the women
and children and going down to a watery grave with a ringing
British cheer. And then the patriotic songs sometimes struck out
on the anvil of a nation's agony, as "The Southern Flag," or
"Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled," no ballads such as Horatius
who kept the bridge in the brave days of old ; no story of Abigail
Becker, and her brave deed of "seven men to save," no column
surmounted by the heroic figure pointing to the grand panoramic
view from Queenston Heights. Still more let us suppose all
the lessons taught by those heroic deeds unlearned, and unper-
formed all the brave deeds inspired by the reading of the past in
emulation of heroes of other days, How bald, and poor, and
tame, would be our literature, what gaps in the eloquent orations

48

and appeals which have inspired men to greatness. What a blank
should we find in verse and prose, where now there is such wealth
of illustration and allusion. In discussing the prominence to be
given to different subjects in the curriculum, let it always be re-
membered that history as an educator is an important factor, and
it is earnestly hoped that this and other Historical Societies may
do a great work in developing a spirit of patriotism, a love of
Canadian literature and all that can ennoble our young country.

JANET CARNJCHAN.

NO. 7.

The Centennial— An Old Canadian Tort,

By Rev. J. C. Garrett.

Locust Grove, Residence of Mrs. J. W. Ball,

By C. A. F. Ball.

Two Frontier Churches— Fort nississagua- Navv Hall-
Jail and Court House— French Count's House,

By Juiiet Carnochan.

PRICK 20 CKNTS.

TlIK T.MKS

BOOK A JOll J'KKSSeS.

NUlOARA, O.NT.

PREFACE,

IN presenting the sevenlh ot the series ot publications of the
Niagara Historical Society the hope is-Gxpressed that !t may
meet with the favor extended to previous issues. It is a con-
tinuation of the Historic Houses begun in No. 5, and we hope
to still continue the series. The "Centennial Poem" and "Two
Frontier Churches have been reprinted by request. The illustra-
tions, some of which have appeared before, and others which
have been engraved specially for this issue, will, it is hoped, add
to the interest of tlif pamphlet. Any information adding to our
historic lore will be gladly received.

o

'792, 1892.

The Centennial,

Written on the Centenary of St. Mark's Church, Niagara

BY
THE REV. J. C. GARRETT.

DEDICATION.

TO ALL WHO HAVE IN ANY WAY BEEN RELATED TO

WHEREVER FOUND TO-DAY,
THESE LINES ARE RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.

Hail ! all Hail ! dear old St. Mark's !

We greet thee joyfully, and well

Upward thy Praise. As Sky-larks

Sing, o'er field and wooded dell,

Far up in heaven's own blue,

We, too, would sing thy fame,

A nd tell abroad thv name

Of worth and honor true.

Ring ! Ring ! loud and mei ry bell !

And thou, great organ, thunder too !

Wide open every swell !

Join eveiy voice anew,

Out on the morning air, to tell

Thy story true and well,

On this thy day Centennial !

Tne Centennial.

I.

O SACRED PILE ! Thine age thou bearest well !

Over Niagara's harbor, at Ontario's head,

Between Forts George and Mississaugua dread,

A hundred years thou hast stood sentinel.

Where, standing still, as beacon on a hill,

Far out from haven, thy square tower we view ;

Above whose summit, higher rising still,

Waves in the breeze our flag — Red, White and Blue —

For Churchmen true are loyal everywhere ;

Who to the State gave being, ever bear

Upon their hearts its interests with a will.

Nor loyalty, if in thy precincts fair

It be not found : to king and country true,

Our sires, than power, or fame, or glittering gold,

Honor esteemed, which must to country hold

Their sons and thine, and other loves dispel,

By ties of living and the bonds of dead.

II.

Grand old St. Mark's ! he treads on hallowed ground,

Who over thy gates' threshold sets his foot ;

For all around thy witnesses, though mute,

By lite and death its sacredness profound

Proclaim. Blended in thee is found the dust

Of soldier brave and sailor bold, the wise,

Poet, patriot, priest and humbler just,

Waiting the day and call again to rise.

Rest they together in a peace most true,

In hidden spot or place more clear to view ;

'Neath Christian sign, or heathen urn or crust

Of marble pale, which tastes of times devise,

That yet a coming time could never .suit.

—3—

But yet what matters such, when loves entwine.
And rise beyond the shade of earthly sign,
And but the clay lies resting- 'neath the mound ?

III.

If there be place, within our earth's con6nes

Than other place more sacred, sweet and pure,

(No other's more of love and honor sure,

How far soever we may stretch the lines),

It is this place, where, from turmoil secure,

Our simple praises rise an upward stream,

Till glows the heart, as when the captives dream

Of lands, where freedom's sun forever shines ;

And when the Heavenly mysteries are spread,

Aged by Aged to God's board is led —

Most saintly men, whose earthly duty done,

Look towards the land of never-setting sun —

In verity, it makes thee sweetly seem

The gate of heaven and pathway to our Head.

While all around us lie, in peaceful sleep

Our best beloved, who used with us to keep

Sad vigil and the joyful holy-day,

Whose souls o'er Jordan winged from us away,

That they some foretaste of that joy might reap,

Which we with them to share both hope and pray,

Sweetness itself thou art ! Thy life in Him

We prove in prayer, in praise, and rite ; though dim

Our view, our faith is clear, and brighter love.

And prayer thus joined to solemn chant and hymn,

In thee below, we rise to things above :

Our treasure there, though stil! our hearts are here ;

Yet our affection is as sure on high ;

For love of thee foreshadows as we move,

The coming love, for which we often sigh,

Which shall be ours, when we have victory won ;

— 4—

And from each face Himself shall wipe last tear —
The God so distant, yet, in Christ, more nigh
Than even *hou, the fabric held so dear !

IV.

High on the bank, 'mid beauteous setting

Of feathery willow, chestnut-tree and pine,

By which the river flows, as if forgetting

Its leap sublime ; its seething, swirling, fretting ;

Its rush and roar, adown the steep decline ;

The deep and massy goblet, never quaffed,

Held in His hidden hand, Who made and lined

It of a russet hue, with gold unfined ;

And yet around which demons oft have laughed,

If helpless victim drawn adown its shaft

To them give joy, whose depths we cannot sound ;

Within whose lips the water, bright blue-green,

With foam-flecked surface as each age has seen,

Must wind and whirl as though the gods had spoon

Deep plunged therein, and stirred in turn from e'en

Till midnight, then to morn, anon to noon,

And yet to night again — repeating round

And round within its awful circle's bound :

Anon in sober majesty to flow,

In stately grandeur now its way to find

Into Ontario's arms, which round it twine,

As if, at length, embrace of mother sweet,

Returning child, after adventurous feat,

With welcome, eager happily did greet ;

Of both the love and life — so it appears —

To make complete and back on thee to throw

Their happiness, in such bright, golden glow

As rests on faces which have done with tears,

Thou hast been placed Centurion of years.

— 5—
V.

Away down yonder, at thy feet below,
Where breezes raise the swell, and onward waft
Beyond the bar, where danger's stealthiest
Steps pursue, to rob us of our very best
As to their sorrow our poor hearts well know —
P"or by thy door we read their tale of woe —
On the lake's heaving- bosom may be seen,
Between and on some white and foamy crest,
Like silvered fold on robe of pale blue-green,
Well manned by such as little know of fears,
All hidden now, anon each one appears,
The fisher-boats ; beyond which, farther far,
Curling from funnel of great steaming craft,
A wide diffused feather hangs abaft
Where it ascends, spreading away behind
Horizon ward, where melts it into sheen —
A long grey streamer floating on the wind.
And other ships, with sails on every spar,
On which beat hearts of man) an honest tar,
Swiftly they speed, some haven sweet to find,
Saluting passers-by with mirthful cheers,
Anigh the harbour and within the bay,
And thou dost watch them, near and far away,
As still thou standest this Centennial Day.

VI.

These on the water. On the sandy beach,
With unprotected feet and pail and spade,
And dresses above knees to readier wade,
Near by and all the sandy shore along,
Their little ships securely held to sail,
The children play ; while fishers mend their net
and reel it up, with whistling and gay song

— 6—

To help. Where find more happy, gleeful throng ?
Their cheeks like roses of a brownish shade,
Laid on a groundwork soft as peach's bloom,
And eyes, like jewels in some setting pale,
Outflashing joy without a shade ot gloom —
Roses and eyes are they, a prize to get !
And now their shouts and laughter our ears reach,
Of innocence, the joyful sound and speech ;
In their sweet hearts for guile is yet no room ;
A hundred years here passing, looking yet,
Continued, still is going on thy tale.

VII.

But landward look ! See lying all around,

As with their fragrance all the air is fraught,

So sweet and peaceful on enchanted ground,

Peach-tree and vine, quince, plum and apricot,

Pear-tree and apple, all everywhere abound.

The early violet, late forget-me-not,

June rose and autumn, too ; laburnum's gold,

Accacia purply fair, and other blow

Follow along, until the spring is old,

Of deeper hue or white as driven snow,

Bringing such thoughts as prove, though it be cold,

Love ever lives, and needs but cherishing,

Amidst which standing, thou time-honored pile,

Thy life sublime still by them nourishing,

The pride of which to our cheeks brings a glow ;

Inanimate indeed, yet living all the while,

As to and fro in group and single file,

Men come and go, or swiftly or but slow ;

And whither ? Who can tell us ? Who can know ?

Living to-day — to-morrow perishing !

Yet still thou vvatchest the great river's flow !

-7—
VIII.

Still standest thou, and nigh as fresh and fair

As those who, blushing-, came to thee as brides

Long years ago ; and still thy grace we laud,

Though faded theirs. Scene of many a story

Within thy sacred precincts has be^n viewed :

In days of peaceful worship naught divides

From thy true use ; yet did presumptuous dare,

In day of war, in other nation's name,

To claim thy shelter, and to change thy use,

And desecrate surrounding tombs, nor shame

To feel. Fragrant thine aisles of flowers there strewed,

'Neath mourners' feet and feet of those who glory

Bore — a throng of youth mature and hoary —

Who came, who went, who yet return no more,

Though ears in listening attitude have waited,

Are waiting still, to hear them as of yore,

Hoping they homeward travel though belated,

Again to get the greeting of fond love —

The greeting sweet to give them in return ;

And eyes, too, strain out to the distance dim,

While prayer goes upward to the throne above ;

For, while life lasts, the holy fire must burn

On love's high altar, and desire shall hymn,

Each day, its fondness forth, then upward turn,

In hopeful prayer unto the ear or Him

Who heareth ever, Whose best name is Love,

In Whom, though severed, yet are all related.

Even now thy sacred walls and well-trod floor —

Holy to us because of those who trod

Thereon, who rest in peace to-day with God —

Re-echo still each footstep to our ear ;

Re-echo, too, in tones th^ while subdued.

The lessons taught of truth and fortitude.

Which make the burdens, that we still must bear,

o

The easier borne ; re-echo, too, the prayer —

Common to us as to them in their day —

Whose influence lives, though they have passed away

And principles, by which our sires imbued —

Like them to be, we well may hope and pray —

Made them, what now they ever shall appear,

Men that were MEN, whose bright, unsullied fame

Makes it our gladness to extol their name !

Yes, here they lived, and moved, and were endued

By that which only can be power — the fear

Of God — which them to Him, this land their king,

As truth itself made true ; whose honor ring1

The future ages shall, and whose high praise,

So long as men have voice, the true shall sing ;

Long as the sun on man shall shed his rays,

For them thy sons to God thanksgiving raise !

IX.

The holy priests — quaint Addison, sweet Creen ;

McMurray honored sees thy present day —

Surrounded were, as stars in heaven are seen,

By lesser lights along the Milky-way.

Bravely they labored for the common good,

Nor unreproached of such as should sustain —

Saints live not here alone on angels' food ;

On rougher fare is fed their nobler name.

The path of virtue is a path of pain ;

Nor true is virtue where is never blame ;

For blame is fostered by the vicious rude ;

Nor lived the man who might no weakness claim,

Whatever height in grace he did attain.

My soul with theirs be joined, when, to the clay,

My body has been laid, like theirs, to rest !

Our dust, redeemed, at length shall waken blest,

And all made pure, as Christ doth make the heart.

To soul rejoin, as part to fitted part.

Death, of this life, is but the crucial test —

The final proof of our triumphal taith ;

And thou art "found," as the apostle saith,

"In Him," god-soul, Whose own thou surely art,

Who serve in life, and praise with latest breath.

They having" proved His love's length, height ; its breadth

And depth ; the beatific vision seen ;

Ended, and well, their holy ministry —

So well, thou art their monument, I ween !

X.

Thy youth renew, surrounded, as thou art,
By such a host as round thee sleeping lie !
Live still ! Connecting link for ages be,
Of those who live, those from the body free.
Alns ! poor mortals, we in turn must die !
To-day lives none who saw thy welcome birth ;
And who ^hall live thy final day to see ?
Thy ended work and all completed worth ?
Live ! Teach Thou still to all that better part
In Him. Whose witness still thou dost abide ;
And comfort sweet yet give to many a heart
Before it cross death's dark and narrow firth !
Continue, thou ! no matter what betide
The ministers, who serve, in course, in thee !
Live on ! For hearts be truest earthly home,
Until to heavenly home at length they come !
Chime thy sweet influence, afar and nigh,
From thy pure centre, 'neath the heavenly dome !
Live, though men die — a standing proof still be
Of Catholic faith and Christian liberty !
Out to the world God's love in Christ still ring,
Until it echo from each mountain side !
Live, love and lift to every holy thing,
And ever prove the PALACE OF THE KING !

ADDRESSED XO

An Old Canadian Port. *

BY REV. J. C. GARRETT.

Tell us, ye broken walls, speak out, ye fallen stones,
The story of that past which time doth shroud —
Swift wrecking" time, which, deaf to all your groans,
By storm and tempest, sunshine, cloud,
Did scarify your body, without trowel,
Did cleave from your high head unflinching1 brow,
So nobly borne, in times both fair and foul,
Tell us, did war or peace your spirit bow?

Brave sons of France were they, the sea who crossed,
By aid of Aborigines you reared !
How was it then their cause and yours was lost,
When face of foeman you had never feared ?
When through the forest scarce a track was made,
And wily Indian must your soldiers guide,
Made offered chance his remnant honour fade ?
And did he sell you to the other side ?

*Fort Chambly, a military post on the river Richelieu, was originally
built of wood by M. de Chambly, a retired captain of the regiment of
Carignan Salieres, in 1665, It was often attacked by the Iroquois, was after-
wards rebuilt of stone in 1771. In 1775 was captured by the Americans, but
retaken in 1776. Its eventful history is thus vividly and picturesquely des-
cribed as attacked in turn by French, Indian, British, American. The Rec-
tor of St. Mark's with such a subject writes sympathetically, ministering as
he does in an historic church. J. C.

— n—

Who were the men that, from your summit, tore
The three-barred flag, which there so proudly waved ?
I reckon, every stone with hallowed gore,
Of those who faced as g-uns and cannon raved,
Which true hearts for their King and country pour.
Was all bespattered, ere that standard tell,
And they, who it sustained, the fight gave o'er,
Who fought to lose both gallantly and well.

While rose the prayer as mass at noon was sung,

Or vesper song at even filled the air,

As bell, thrice tolled, most solemnly was rang,

Did rite, religious, augur dark despair ?

If Holy Christ down on your altar came,

Making its tabernacle throne divine,

How dared the passion of heretic fame,

By weapons carnal, grace like this outshine?

So strange it seems while looking at you now,
That with such presence effort all proved vain ;
Eternal strength and yours, so joined, allow
Such misdirected circumstantial train,
To culminate in climax of such doom,
As, scarred and broken, left you desolate ;
Of perished love and cherished hate the tomb
As well as monument ; alas ! the fate !

Yet, better was it, after all, that change,
Through struggle, costly, came at weary length,
Which mingled in a peace, both great and strange.
The elements, which, blended, made the strength,
That needs not, now, protector's help from you,
But on your great decrepitude can look,
And feel from former terror freedom true,
And you as harmless as the near-by brook.

— J2—

More lovely in your ruined fallen state,
Than when in pride your cruel cannon roared,
In hurling forth their sanguinary fate
On hearts as true as ever wielded sword :
The drowsy kine, asleep upon your floor,
Young swallows, peeping forth from many a nest.
Make truer beauty, than when warrior bore,
Within your walls, in pride of rank, plumed crest.

Hard by, in yonder mound, now sleep the dead,
Through whose veins swiftly coursed the martial fire
And worthy foeman, who of each had dread
Have long forgotten their unholy ire :
Their dust together rests, so well combined
That none could tell, that they had ever fought
Against each other, nor can be defined
Relic of friend or foe in that green spot.

Where emblem of the Christ each way an arm
Spreads, as in benediction, over all,
Assurance that no swift-winged, dread alarm
Can back to earthly carnage ever call :
Your ruin is, for them, blest monument ;
For us, the pledge of an united love,
In a true peace, which never shall be rent —
The eagl^ pinioned 'neath the outspread dove.

Nought say you ; yet your silence is loud speech —
So loud that o'er the din of rapids' roar,
In soul, is heard the lesson that you teach ;
Trusting time cometh, when vile war no more
Shall make the need of fortress high and strong,
When hand of brother in a brother's gore
No mere rhall be imbrued. God grant the long,
Sweet peace — the blissful evermore !

Two Frontier Churches.

BY JANET C A ENOCH AN.

A paper read before the Canadian Institute at Niagara, on the 2nd of
July, 1890.

It ought to te an interesting- and instructive task to trace the
history ot these two churches of Niagara, St. Mark's and St. An-
drew's dating almost a century back, the one 1792 the other 1794
and see how many links in the history of our town and even of
our country can be filled in from those records, which give an ever
shifting kaleidoscope of different nationalities, of pioneer life, of
military occupation, of the reJ man Britain's faithful allv, of the
poor slave here for the first time by any nation freed by legal en-
actment, of strenuous efforts for religious liberty by appeals to
Governor and Queen, of sweet church bells, of booming cannons
and blazing rooftrees.

The often-repeated sneer that Canada has no history has been
so easily refuted in the case of pur eastern provinces with their
store ot French chivalry and Saxon force, of missionary zeal and
Indian barbarities, ot fortresses taken and retaken, but still the
phrase lingers with regard to Ontario. Surely, we in this Nia-
gara peninsula lack nothing to disprove a statement wh;ch, to
their shame, many among us allow to pass as if it were a truth.
When we think that within the last two centuries four races have
here fought for empire, that within sight of us are traces of the
adventurous La Salle who traversed thousands of miles by sea and
land to perish so miserably on the banks of the river of his search;
when we think of this spot as an Indian camping ground, of the
lilies of France yielding to our flag even before Wolfe's great vie-

_J4—

tory, of the landing here of loyal men driven from their homes of
plenty to hew out in the forests of this new land a shelter under
the flag they loved, of invasion, and three years ot bitter strife,
surely we have a right to say we have a history.

In my attempt to sketch the story of these two churches I
have an ample store of very different materials, a picturesque grey
stone church with projecting buttresses and square tower peeping
through the branches of magnificent old trees, many tablets inside
and out, tombstones hacked and defaced by the rude hand of war,
an old register dating back to 1792, kept with scrupulous neat-
ness, all these in the one case ; in the other, in the old volume
which lies betore me, the interesting business records of almost a
century from 1794.. if not of so romantic a nature, still shewing
the sterling metal of this people, telling of bright days and dark
days, of prosperity and adversity, of lightning stroke and tornado,
as well as of "conflagration pale," of patient and strenuous efforts
by appeals to Governor and Queen from this almost the first Pres-
byterian Church in Upper Canada. It may be questioned if any
other churches in our land can show such interesting records.

Now, that the modern tourist has invaded our quiet town and
learned of the beauties with which we are so familiar, I am al-
ways pleased to remember that as a child I loved and admired St.
Mark's, that it was my ideal of an old English parish church, and
churchyard, and in those days the tourist had not come to tell us
what to admire. When the late lamented Dean Stanley visited
St. Mark's he said, "this is a piece of old England, do not allow
it to be altered." The register of St. Mark's is unique in this
particular, that in almost a century that has elapsed there have
only been three incumbents, one with a record of 37 years, an-
other 27, the third, the Rev. Archdeacon McMurray, by whose
courtesy I have had access to this record, of thirty-four years. Its
value is shown by the fact that permission was obtained some
years since to copy all the earlier pages, and this has been placed
in the archives of the Historical Society of the city of Buffalo.
The Rev. Mr. Addison must have had a vein of quiet humor, as
shewn by the quaint remarks interpolated here and there alike at
baptism, wedding or burial. He was evidently a scholar and a

— 15—

lover of books, for his library of several hundred volumes, now in
the possession of the Church would bring from far and near the
lover of rare and curious old books. Here is a Breeches Bible
and Prayer Book in which prayer is offered for Henrietta Maria,
the wife of Charles I., and in dull dusky leather many rare and
valuable books to rejoice the heart of the bibliomaniac.

The first entry is "Aug. 23, 1792, Henry Warren, bachelor,
to Catherine Aglow, spinster. Aug. 24th, Capt. James Hamilton,
to Louisa, his wife." The remark .appended to this tells a tale of
a new country. ''They had been married by some commanding
officer or magistrate and thought it more decent to have the office
repeated." "April 12, 1794, William Dixon, bachelor, to Char-
lotte Adlem, spinster. May 15, Col. John Butler of the Rangers
buried, (my patron." Here is a pathetic entry, "July, 1794, bur-
ied a child of a poor stranger called Chambers. Sept. 9, buried
a sojdier surfeited by drinking cold water. Baptisms, Sept. 3,
Cloe, a mulatto. Married, John Jacks -uid Rose Moore, negroes."
These must have come to their -new homes slaves, but to the
honor of Canada, be it said, by Act of the Parliament which sat
within sight ot this spot, declared free long before Britain by
many a hard fought struggle in the House of Commons made her
chattels free, or our neighbors by the unstinted pouring out of mil-
lions, and of a more costly treasure of tears and blood, did the
same. The next entry tells of the time when this was the capital,
"Buried, an infant child of the Atty.-Gsn.'s servant ; and Oct.
loth. R. B. Tickell buried," and the comment on some to us never
to be explained tragedy, "Alas he was starved." "Sept. 24th,
White, the butcher from England, and an Indian child." It is
noticeable that the rector must have been indefatigable in his ex-
ertions, for we find him baptizing at 12 Mile Creek, 20 Mile
Creek, 40 Mile Creek, Ancaster, Fort Erie, St. Catharines, Head
of the Lake, Chippawa, Grantham, Falls, York, Long Point. On
these occasions, and when people came from long distances to
Niagara, there are often a great many baptisms recorded on the
one day, the comment "of riper years" shewing many besides
children were baptized. June 24th, 1799, occurs a well-known
name. "Baptism, Allan Napier McNabb, from York," as also

-J6—

occur the names of Ridout, Givens, Macaulav from the same
place, "Buried, , worn out by excess at the age of 59. Bap-
tized, Amos Smith, of riper years. Bnried, old Mr. Doudle.
Baptized, 1801, David, son of Isaac, a Mohawk Indian. Buried,
1802, Cut Nose Johnson, a Mohawk chief. Poor old Trumper,
Capt. Pilkington's gardener." These slight descriptive terms
show a human interest, a kind heart, a humorous vein. It is re-
markable that in all the early notices of baptisms, there is nothing
but the name and those of the father and mother ; atter some time
come notices of god-mothers, and in 1806 this fuller notice : "May
3rd, Eliza Ann Maria Vigoreux, daughter of Capt. Henry, Royal
Engineers, and Eliza, godfather Rev. Louis Vigoreux." Here is
the name of one who justly or unjustly received much blame in
the war. "Baptism, Nov. 2oth, 1808, Augustus Margaret Firth,
daughter of Col. Henry Proctor, commandant of the 4ist Regi-
ment, and Elizabeth, Married, Dec. iith, 1807, Lieut. Wm.
Proctor, brother of Col. Henry Proctor, commanding at Fort
George to Joan Crooks. Nov., 1807, John Conrad Gatman, an
old German. Buried, 1810, Master Taylor of looth Regiment,
killed by lightning. Old Amen Misner.JMay 5lh, 1812. Married,
Thomas McCormack, bachelor, to Augusta Jarvis, spinster."

Here is the brief record of the hero of Upper Canada, who
did so much bv wise counsels, prompt action, and undaunted
courage, to save our country and repel the invader, who, gallop-
ing away in the early morning, was brought back by his compan-
ions in arms in sorrow and gloom, a corpse. "'Oct. i6th, 1812,
burials, Gen. Sir Isaac Brock, Col. John McDonald, they tell to-
gether at Queenston, and they were buried together in the north-
east bastion of Fort George." In the Buffalo paper, in which
some of these were copied, occurs the rather astonishing and not
easily to be understood statement "we now approach the period of
the second war of independence." How an armed invasion of a
peaceful neighboring country can be called a war of independence
by the invader is an unsolved mystery. Also referring to the
•burning of our town by the Americans, before evacuating our ter-
ritory, these words occur. "In one ot the engagements between
the opposing forces St. Mark's took fire and all but the solid

-17-

stone wall was consumed." Hew differently can be described the
same event by different people.

During the time of the occupation of the town by the Ameri-
cans from May to December, the notices go on in St. Mark's
Register, but it may be noted that there are no marriages except
those of two Indian chiefs, thus recorded, "Mohawk chief Capt.
Norton, to his wife Catherine, I think on ayth July, 1813, when
she was baptized, and Jacob Johnson, another Mohawk chief was
married to his wife Mary on 2ist August this year, Buried, July
lyth, Col. C. Bishop, died of his wounds." As this brave young
soldier was buried al Lundv's Lane, Mr. Addison must have been
called on to ride all these miles to perform this service. The next
item gives us another glimpse of warfare. "On the day on which
the engagement between Sir James Yeo and Commander Chauncey
took place on the lake, our dear friend Mrs. McNabb was buried
in Mr. Servos' burying ground, supposed to be 2gth September,
1813." This, history gives as the 28th Sept., but it is evident
that during this exciting period some of the entries have been
made from memory. Here is an entry which shows that though
Parliament had been removed, Niagara was preferred as a burial
place to York. "igth June, 1816 — Buried, George Lane, Esq.,
U*her of the Black Rod." "Married, 1817, Rev, Wm. Samson,
minister of Grimsby, to Maria Nelles. Buried, 1819, James
Rogers, innkeeper," and the remark, "a bad profession for any
but very sober men." Sept. 23rd, 1822, Poor old Hope. Feb.
23rd — Baptized, Agnes Strachan, daughter of Hon. Dr. J. Strach-
han, Rector of York, and Ann his wife." Here may be seen the
names of most of the Regiments that have been quartered here,
4ist 8th King's, rooth, 9gth, yoth, Sappers and Miners. Of these
we still find traces in buttons picked up at Fort George with these
numbers.

Rev. Mr. Addison was military chaplain for many years. In
1810 we find another name as performing baptisms in that capacity.
The last entry in this hand is 1827. in tremulous characters signed
instead of full name, "R. A." And here, in another hand, is re-
corded the burial of this venerable man, whose zeal, piety and
kindness of heart we have seen told al) unwittingly in these pages.

-J8—

"Oct. gth, 1829 — The Rev. Robert Addison departed this life on
the 6th, in the 75th year of his age." On the outside wall of the
church is a large tablet to his memory, and inside another with
this inscription :

"In memory of Rev. Robt. Addison, first missionary in this
district of the venerable the Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign parts. He commenced his labors in 1792,
which, b'y the blessing- of Divine Providence, he was enabled to
continue for 37 years. Besides his stated services as minister ot
St. Mark's in the town, he visited and officiated in different parts
of this and adjoining districts until other missionaries arrived.
He was born in Westmoreland, England. 'Remember them
which have the rule over you.' '

The Church was consecrated in 1828, on Sunday, Aug 3rd,
by the Hon. and Rt. Rev. Charles James, brother of the Earl of
Galloway, and Lord Bishop of Quebec, in the presence of His Ex-
cellency Sir Peregrine Maitland, K. C.B., his staff, and other
dignitaries. Morning prayer was said by Rev. Robt. Addison,
the lesson and litany by Rev. Robert Creen, the assistant minis-
ter, the Bishop preaching.

So far, I have not met with any documentary evidence to
show exactly when the church was built, or how long in process
of construction. The new part can be plainly seen forming the
cross, while the nave containing the tower is the old part, as
shown by the color of the stone. The pulpits, curiously carved,
have the date 1843.

Before the church was built, the congregation seems to have
met in the Court House, near the site of the present one, and in
the interval during and after the war in the Old Indian Council
Chamber, afterwards used as a hospital, lately burned down.
This last, with the buildings known as Butler's Barracks, was not
burned with the rest of the town, as the British troops were re-
ported to be entering, and they were thus saved. Here are two
letters brought to my notice by our distinguished litterateur, Mr.
Wm. Kirby, which have been lying forgotten, and now after sev-
enty years throw a flood ot light, giving us information unexpect-
ed as it is invaluable, and which, through the kindness of the

— J9—

Rev. Archdeacon McMurray, I have been allowed to copy. They
were written by Col. Wm. Claus to Hon. and Rev. Dr. Stuart
asking- assistance from the Society tor the Propagation of the
Gospel.

NIAGARA, U. C.,Jan. i8th, 1818.

"Anxious that something- should be done towards rebuilding
our church, which in the winter of 1813 was unfortunately des-
troyed by the enemy at the time our .town was burnt. I would
not take this freedom if there appeared the most distant prospect
or steps taken to make it even in a state that we could attend
Divine Service, but during this season it is hardly possible to at-
tend. It remains in the state the Commissariat put it in for the
purpose ot storing- provisions in after we repossessed ourselves of
the frontier, with the trifling addition of a temporary reading desk
and gallery tor the troops. Your Lordship saw the state it was
in last summer. Nothing whatever has been done or likely to be
done. It is not even weather proof. The church was made use
of in 1812 as an hospital for the wounded, We were deprived of
our all and have barely the means of getting covering ior our-
selves and families, to which must be attributed the melancholy
state the church remains in, &c., &c. "

The next letter is dated Niagara, 2oth Sept., 1820, and first
speaks of the visit formerly paid and g-oes on thus : "It may not
be amiss to recapitulate. Previous to war of 1812 the small con-
gregation of Niagara erected at their own expense a church which
cost £1200 cy. After its destruction by fire, application was
made in 1816 to His Majesty's Government for some aid towards
putting it into a state to perform Divine Service in, when His
Majesty was graciously pleased to order ^500 stg. which has
been received and applied, but falls short of accomplishing our
wish. Our congregation a;e too poor to expect much from them.
From their living- within gunshot of the enemy's lines, they suf-
fered the loss of all they possessed, burnt out and plundered of
everything, and they had really not yet recovered their misfor-
tunes from the late unhappy events, Sec., &c."

The answer to thi? letter is dated 25th Dec., 1820, mentions

—20—

that the Society had lately placed money in the hands of the Bishop
ot Quebec for aid in building churches and refers writer to him.

The churchyard is very interesting1 and also unique, for here
may be traced the rifle pits constructed during the war. The
church was used by both armies, for after the battle of Queenston
Heights it was used as a hospital for our wounded, then by the
Americans as a barracks, and again by our own commissariat.
What an eventful history ! Could these stones speak, (and do
they not speak eloquently of the past ?) what disputed points in
our history might not be cleared up ? The lover of the curious
may find many strangely pathetic and sometimes strangely gro-
tesque lines here, the desire to be remembered being so strongly
implanted in the human breast, but I only copy here those having
some bearing on the history ot the place.

Length of service seems to be the rule, for in the graveyard
is an inscription : "In memory of Jno. Wray, 50 years parish clerk
of St. Mark's, who died at an advanced age, Oct. 6th, 1846."
The oldest record is placed inside the eastern door, having been,
found partly covered up in the graveyard and placed here for
safety. It is rudely carved and imperfectly spelled by some hand
unskilled in, or all unused to such work :

LENERD BLANCK

DESeaCED

5 AUG

1782

Not many feet from the church is the large flat stone, so often
visited, hacked and marred, for to such an ignoble use as a but-
cher's block were, these sacred memorials put in 1813. The
hatchet marks have almost obliterated some of the words.

"To the memory of Charles Morrison, a native of Scotland,
who resided many years at Machilimacinac as a merchant, and
since the cession ot that post to the United States became a British
subject by election ; for loyalty to his sovereign and strict integ-
rity he was ever remarkable. He died here on his way to Mon-
treal on the sixth day of September, 1802, aged 65."

— 2J —

In the porch, at the north door of the older part of the church
is a tablet which brings back to us the rattle of musketry and rush
of foemen the day when Niagara was taken.

'•In memory of Capt. M. McLelland, aged 42 years, Charles
Wright and Wm. Cameron in the 25th year of their age, of the
ist Regiment of Lincoln Militia, who gloriously fel! on the 27th
day ot May, 1813, also Adjutant Lloyd of the 8th King's Regi-
ment of Infantry.

As lurid lightnings dart their vivid light,
So poured they forth their fires in bloody fight.
They bravely fell and saved their country's cause,
They loved their Constitution, King and Laws."

The last three words, it is needless to remark, are in capital
letters. In excuse for the absence of poetry in these lines, it may
be said that the people of those days were too busy writing his-
tory with their swords to trouble about elaborating musical coup-
lets or quatrains.

Here we unroll a page of history, a name handed down to
obloquy by the skill of the poet and the imaginative powers ot the
sensational writer, but no doubt Time, which rights many wrongs,
will do justice to the memory of one so bitterly spoken of by Eng-
lish poet and American historian : when even Henry VIII. finds a
justifier, we may hope to see some histories we wot of revised.
The poet Campbell acknowledged his information on the subject
had been incorrect, but how difficult to rectify the wrong !

"Fear God and honour the King* In memory of Col. John
Butler, His Majesty's Commissioner for Indian Affairs, born in
New London, Connecticut, 1728. His life was spent honorably
in the service of the Crown. In the war with France for the
conquest of Canada he was distinguished at the battle of Lake
George, Sept. 1755, a«- the siege of Fort Niagara, and its capitula-
tion 25th July, 1759. In the war of 1776 he took up arms in de-
fence of the unity of the empire, and raised and commanded the
Royal American Regiment of Butler's Rangers. A sincere Chris-
tian as well as a brave soldier, he was one of the founders and the
first patron of this parish. He died at Niagara, May, 1796, and
is interred in the family burying ground near this town. Erected

—22—

i88o."

Outside the eastern wall is the story of one who has been
fondly remembered, for his tragic fate is recorded also inside the
church on a marble tablet.

"Sacred to the memory of Capt. Copeland Radcliffe, of His
Britanic Majesty's Navy, who fell whilst gallantly leading on his
men to board one of the enemy's schooners at anchor off Fort
Erie on the night of the ijth August, 1814." One is erected at
request of brothers and sisters by his nephew, the other by Capt.
Dawes, R.N., at request of his mother. We cannot but drop a
tear to the memory of a brave young sailor, Another near this,
"Donald Campbell, Islay, Argyleshire, Fort Major of Fott.
George, died ist Dec., 1812. Interred on West side of Garrison
Gate at Fort George." Also the name of Lieut. -Col Elliot, K.C.
B., who fought in the Peninsular war, Col. Kingsmill, and a
daughter of Chief Justice Sewell. In the church altogetherare fifteen
tablets, two in the vestibules and three on the outer walls. It
may be noted that seven are to military and naval heroes, four to
clergymen ; four women's names are here handed down.

Much might be said of the beauty of the spot, of the quaint
pulpits and vaulted roof, of the chime of bells and the air of quiet
repose, but where so many facts have to be recorded, the aesthetic
and the emotional must be left for another pen or another time.

In turning now to the history of St. Andrew's we find many
places where the records seem to touch, and each help out the
other, where the story of one corresponds with the other, and
again is widely different. While much attention has been at-
tracted to the beautiful old church of St. Mark's, to which so much'
romance clings, from the fact that it is almost the only building
now left which was not totally destroyed by the fire of 1813, very
little is known of the early history of St. Andrew's. The grave-
yard too is comparatively modern, as all denominations used that
of St. Mark's for many years. There are no old grey stones muti-
lated by the hand of war, no tablets in the wall, no stained glass
to give that dim religious light some so much admire. The pre-
sent church is a square solid uncompromising looking structure of
brick and stone with a belt of solemn pines on the north and

a

6

—23—

west. While St. Mark's was built of solid stone, these church
pioneers built of less enduring- material, and thus nothing- is left
of the building- of 1794, built on the same spot as the present
church, erected sixty years ago. The history of the church is pre-
served in an old leather-covered book, with thick yellow paper,
dated 1794, and curious glimpses are given of our country's pro-
gress. The oldest Presbyterian church in Ontario is believed to
be Williamstown, 1786, which with several others in the vicinity
was presided over by Rev. John Bethune. This ranks next. It
may easily be seen that St. Mark's had an immense advantage,
with a settled clergyman, with a salary from the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel of £200, while St. Andrew's struggling
under a load of debt for many years, with many breaks from the
confusion and distress caused by the war, could only have been
kept alive by the strenuous exertions of its members. We find
many of the same names on the records of both churches. Some
baptized in St. Mark's in the breaks in the history of St. Andrew's.
Many of the residents had pews in both churches. It is interest-
ing to note that while St, Mark's register uses the name Niagara,
and Newark never occurs, St. Andrew's record uses the word
Newark from 1794, and in 1802 the name Niagara occurs. As a
matter of history the name Niagara was formally resumed 1798

The record dates from 3oth September, 1794, and reads thus :
A number of people met this day at Hind's Hotel, and resolved
that ''as religion is the foundation of all societies, and which can-
not be so strictly adhered to without having a place dedicated
solely to divine purposes, that a Presbyterian church should be
erected in the town of Newark and that subscriptions for that
purpose be immediately set on foot as well as for the support of
a clergyman of the same persuasion." The committee consisted
of John Young, Four Mile Creek, Chairman ; Ralfe Clench, An-
drew Heron, Robt. Kerr, Alexander Gardiner, William McLel-
land, Alexander Hemphill, any three to form a quorum in trivial
matters, but in matters of importance the whole to be assembled.
Here follows a bill of lumber, the size of the timbers required
would move the wonder of our modern frames, 8x12 and 6x9.
We see the size of the building to have been 46x32. No grass

—24—

was allowed to grow under the feet of these pioneers, for the next
day ist October, follows an agreement binding1 them to support
Rev. John Dun, promising1 to pay ^300 for three years, £100
per year with house room, a previous copy having been made out
23rd Sept. The agreement is from 3oth June for the same year,
showing that they had enjoyed his services from that date. Then
follows an agreement as to windows, there being sixteen with 40.
24 and 12 lights respectively. A petition to Land Board for four
lots in one square 157, 158, 183, 184. By referring to a plan of
the town, we see that the first church stood where the present one
now stands. A copy of subscriptions for building the church, dif-
ferent sums subscribed fro*n 8 shillings to ^,10, while the amounts
promised for the support of clergyman are about the same per
year. Andrew Heron is appointed Treasurer, and "this is to be
made public, as the frame is shortly expected down and the money
will be wanted for the purpose of paying for the same." The
whole amount subscribed at the time was ^215, of which £150
is marked paid. Among the names is that of Samual Street, £,8.
Then follow receipts from Rev. John Dun of yearly salary :
plans for seating and pewing church are brought forward Sept.
1795. On March, 1796, a sexton employed for £6 N.Y. cy. On
the same date pews to be let for ^3 and ^5 each. Here appear
the names of Col. Butler, Peter Ball, Daniel Servos, Andrew
Heron for sums as high as £10. The 21 seats let this day
amount to ^150. The last receipt given by Mr. Dun is 8th
May, 1797. His name is found afterwards among the pevvholders
as he gave up the ministry and engaged in trade. The next busi-
ness meeting is Sept. 2nd, 1802, when the Rev. Jno. Young of
Montreal is engaged, to have the privilege of teaching a school.
The same day the thanks of the meeting are given to Mr. John
McFarland for the bell which he has been pleased to present to
the church. Again the seats are let and the names of William
and James Crooks, John and Colin McNabb, Jas. Muirhead, the
heirs of the late Col. Butler, who, we find from St, Mark's register,
died 1796. Then follow lists of payments for glass, putty, stoves,
stovepipes, rum for glaziers, rum for raising (2 gallons), interest-
ing as shewing the prices then, rope for bell, "rope wetted,"

whatever that may mean I leave for wiser heads ; covering and
foundation for steeple, so that we see the first church had a
spire as well as the present ; charge for ringing the bell. Accounts
from 1804 to 1812, all in a pejuliar large hand, the writing
almost filling the line, and though so large exceedingly
difficult to read. All this time, although there was considerable
debt, Mr. Heron seems to have advanced money when needed.
We find in 1795 a "large balance unpaid and a great deal to be
done to make the church convenient and comfortable." An ob-
ligation drawn out requesting "loan of money from those who
were able to loin any to this laudable purpose, that the building
be not impeded."

The baptisms in this book are only from Aug. 1795, to 1802,
except two daughters of A. Heron, recorded in his own peculiar
hand 1809 and 1814, Nov. 27th, thi latter nearly a year after the
burning of the church. The baptisms are performed by the regu-
lar ministers and others called visiting ministers. One in 1792
by Rev. John McDonald from Albany, U. S. The children of
Ebenezer Colver, township of Louth are entered as baptized in
1781, 1783 and 1791, earlier than any in St. Mark, but the per-
forming Clergyman is not mentioned, but showing that in those
early days this duty was not neglected. Rev. Mr. Mars, a visit-
ing Clergyman from ist Feb. to i4th March, 1801, baptized
several. Here we find the good old word "yeoman" used.

Here is a notice which seems to show friction of some sort.
"Resolved that this church is under the direction and control of
the majority of the trustees and not subject to the direction of the
clergyman." "Resolved that the pulpit, being part of the church,
is subject to the majority of the trustees." Provision, however,
seems to have been made even at that early date for their share in
government, of the minority, of which our politicians may take a
note. "Resolved that in case of a division of the Society the
church shall be held alternately by each party, that is one week to
one party and one week to the other. The key of the church to
be left at all times with the trustee residing nearest to the church
in order that the majority of the trustees may know where to find
it when they may see fit to admit a preacher."

—26—

In 1804 Mr. Heron presented an account for £ij& 8s. 3d. law-
ful monev U. C., inspected and approved, as also account of Mr.
Young £27, also approved. Of these we shall see more as the
years roll on. Resolved that in 1805. that Andrew Heron be
clerk. April, 1805, persons named are authorized to obtain ser-
vices ot a clergyman at the rate of £7$ and^5o to teach 13 pupils,
if he be inclined, in Latin, Greek and Mathematics. In this ob-
ligation to pay, the word dollars occurs for the first time. In
1809 the Rev. John Burns gives half his time to church, the pews
to be let for one-half ot that in 1796. His name is also mentioned
in 1805 and appears during- the years 1810 — n, 16, 17, 18. He,
it appears taught the grammar school and gave part of his time
to the congregation, as sometimes he is mentioned as preaching
every third Sunday and sometimes every fourth.. Different efforts
seem to have been made to obtain a Presbyterian of Established
Church of Scotland, in 1806, communicating- with Rev. Jas. Mc-
Lean, of Glasg-ow, agreeing- to pay his expenses out. He actually
preached during- June, July, Aug-ust. the church to be open to
Rev. John Burns when it did not interfere with any other engage-
ment ot Trustees. In 1809 subscriptions set on foot to finish the
church. From 1812 to 1816 there are no records. No
doubt, the war scattered the people and broke up the congrega-
tion. Here again St. Mark's had a great advantage, a resident
clergyman and a stone church not entirely destroyed ; for heavy
as were the timbers of St. Andrew's, they only fed the flames
more fiercely.

In 1818 agreement with Rev. Chas. Jas. Cook. Then in 1820
a petition to the Earl of Dalhousie for a sum of money to build a
church in town and give title to land on which former church
did stand. A collection at Divine Service to repair windows
and building as far as necessary for comfort of congregation
(supposed to be school house). In the Gleaner lying before me
for 1818, published in Niagara, is an advertisement of "annual
meeting of Presbyterian Church, to be held in school house. The
accounts ot money received and expended in building school
house will be produced."

In 1820 a letter asking for the services of Rev.Thos.Creen, who

—27—

had preached for them a few weeks and with whom they were,
pleased. At a meeting- in the school house, held 1821, "Resolved
to put themselves under the Presbytery." Here follow signatures
ati-1 sum* promised, sadly diminished from those before the war.
In 1821, Rev. Mr. Smart, of Brockville, who was present, was
appointed their Commissioner, on the 2ist Dec. elders were
nominated, Rev. John Burns presiding. Scarcely any records for
1822-23, but in 1824 is presented the tormer account of ^176
8s. 6d., with interest tor twenty years, making the whole sum
almost the amount, ^400 allowed by Government for loss of the
church. ;£ioo haU been received and paid on this account.
Some interesting- items occur. Paid tor deed of church, jQ6 145.
6d. ; passage to York and back, £i ; detention there two days,
zos. There seems to have been no settlement of this account till
1833 when follows in small clear writing -almost like copper-plate
of W. D. Miller, "amount due the two persons named, ^203;
interest for gy. 4 2-3 m. from 1804 till the church was burnt."
This is signed by James Muirhead, Robert Dickson, Wm. Clarke,
pjrh.ios as arbitrators, or who state this to be the decision of the
majority of the trustees.

The wheels of state must have moved slowly, as this sum ^400
demanded in 1820 from the Government, awarded in 1824, was
not paid for several years and then only in instalments of 10%,
25%, etc. In 1828, Rev. Mr. Fraser was engaged for two years
and in 1829 a call was sent to the irresbytery ot Glasgow offering
^150, and the Rev. Robt. McGill was sent out. Now come
various interesting items bearing on the vexed questions of Clergy
Reserves, status of Presbyterian minister, &c. Fancy a proud,
dignified man like Dr. McGill coming from Scotland where he
was a minister of the Established Church and finding that he was
•not allowed to perform the ceremony of marriage. Here are ex-
tracts from the dignified and rather curt letter he writes.

"Sm, — I understand it to be required by the law of the province
that a minister in connection with the Established Church of
Scotland .... must yet submit to request of the General
Quarter Sessions authority to celebrate marriage, even among
members of his own congregation . . . although I regard

—28—

this haw as an infringement of those rights secured to the Estab-
lished C'mrch of Scotland by acts ot the Imperial Parliament of
Great Britain ... it seems expedient that I should conform
to it, until that church to which I belong- shall procure its ab-
rogation as an illegal violation of its rights. I request, therefore,
that you will give notice to all concerned that I intend

Also in thisconnection comesacopy of certificate to theGovernor's
office, York, for the share of money alloted by Her Majesty's Gov-
ernment for support ot ministers of Church of Scotland. In 1830,
subscriptions for a new church, this is seventeen years after the
town was burnt, they having worshipped in the school-room
where the Sexton's house now stands. Also a subscription for
sacramental silver ves.;els which cost £20. On looking over the
names we find many familiar to us, but so far as I know of the
eighty names signed sixty years ago of various sums from £10
to ^50, there are just two living now, Win. B. Winterbottom,
Niagara, and Gilbert McMicking, Winnipeg. Such well known
names are here as Robert Dickson, Walter H. Dickson, Lewis
Clement, Andrew Heron, Thomas Creen, Edward C. Campbell,
Robert Hamilton, Daniel McDougall, Robert Melville, Jas.
Crooks, Jno Claus, John Rogers, John Wagstaff. The whole
sum subscribed was £760, the church to seat 600. The name
St. Andrew's was now used for the first time, salary of the clergyman
£175 with Government allowance and promise of manse, as soon
as possible. Next comes Incorporation of church and the plan of
the church and names of those who purchased seats, of whom
there are now in the church representatives of six. In 1834, old
meeting house was rented for £12. ros. In 1836, directions to
advertise for a precentor in the newspapers of the town. Belong-
ing to this period are the Communion tokens, bearing the inscrip-
tion, "St. Andrew's Church, 1831, R. McGill, Niagara, U. C,,"'
vvhich are now in demand by collectors of coins and may yet be
quite rare if this rage of numismatists continue. Now comes the
vexed question of the Clergy Reserves in the form of a petition
to Sir Francis Bond Head for a due snpport from lands appointed,
&c. Now that the bitterness and rancor caused by this subject is
forgotten we may quote without risk of wounding any one the

Rev. K. McGill, D.D.

—29— .

words of the petition to Sir. John Colborne showing- the national
characteristics of this people, a stern determination to have their
constitutional rights and to gain them not by violence but by
constitutional means The petition goes on to state that "they
feel aggrieved by an act of the Lieutenant Governor, establishing
a rectory by which their rights are infringed and which is incom-
patible with privileges granted by the Treaty of Union between
England and Scotland, privileges belonging inalienably in a British
colony to subjects of Scotland as well as subjects of England."
The institution of the rectory it is said "recognizes the incumbent
as sole spiritual instructor of all residing within its bounds and
places them in same relation to the Establishment as Dissenters
of England are to church established there." To this are signed
128 names, ot those the only ones now known to be living are A.
C. Carrie, Wm. Barr, Jas. McFarland.

Annual meeting 6th February, 1838, we have a glimpse of the
Rebellion, "as meeting was unavoidably deferred on account of
distui bed state of country from late insurrectionary movement,
and piratical invasion from frontiers of U.S., the members being
engaged in military duty." In 1838 comes the appointment of Jno.
Rogers as Treasurer, which position he held till his death in 1883,
almost 46 years. It may be noticed that while there have been
only three incumbents in St. Mark's, and in St. Andrews, so
many changes, the latter church had the advantage of three
faithful officers who term of office reaches almost to a century.

In 1839, in acknowledgment of sacrifice made by. Rev. R.
McGill remaining in Niagara instead of accepting a call to Glas-
gow, a subscription to raise the sum of ^300 as a New Year's
gift from his congregation. In 1840, reference to school kept by
Jas. Webster in school room under control of church, in 1842
called St. Andrew's Church School, and to avail themselves of
Act passed in Parliament in regard to common schools. A paper
bearing on the subject of Clergy Reserves came into my hands
some years ago which I copied. Singularly enough it is not
found in this book, as a parchment copy was kept. It is a peti-
tion to the Queen in 1842. that, 'fin consequence of mistakes
made in the census of 1839, members °^ PfesbyterianChurch were

-30—

underrated in settlement of Clergy reserves in 1840, and that
relief be granted for this wrong"." It is signed only by heads ol
families, 142 names, giving number in each family, making 628
altogether. This was in the palmy days of Niagara, when the
church \vas crowded above and below ; in 1844 only one seat and
two half seats were not taken, during ship-building at the dock.
Of the names signed to this petition only one person is now living
Alexander R. Christie, Toronto.

A legacy of £"j^o was left by John Young to the church and
a statement is made that part of it is invested in Montreal Harbor
Loan, Rev. Mr. McGill reports that he has received ^52 IDS.
in interest for the balance which by condition of the will he could
use (or himself but minutes go on to say, that he generously
allows to church. The only tablet in St. Andrew's is in the
southern vestibule, reading thus : — "Sacred to the memory of
Jofui Young, Esq., long a merchant in Niagara, returning home
in pain and infirmity he was drowned in Lake Ontario, where his
body rests awaiting the hour when the sea shall give up her dead.
In his last illness concerned for the spiritual welfare of coming
generations he ordained a bequest for the perpetual maintenance
of divine ordinances in this church. He met death July 29111,1840
aged 73. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, because of the house
of the Lord I will seek thy good." In 1845 a presentation to
Dr. McGill, on occasion of his leaving for Montreal, of breakfast
and tea set of massive silver. To this are signed 64 names, of
whom now living are Thos. Elliot, Andrew Carnochan, Jas. Mc-
Farland. It is singular that while Montreal gave a minister to
Niagara, in its earlier days the chief city of Canada was now in-
debted to Niagara for an able preacher. The present manse was
built by Dr. McGill, and purchased from him with a legacy of
Mr. Young, as the handsome pulpit was the gift of Mr. Young.

Among the names signed in 1850 to the call to Rev. J. B.
Mowat now professor of Hebrew, Queen's University, now living
are only Jno. M. Lawcler, Jas. G. Currie, James M. Dunn, John
Currie, Andrew Torr-\nce. The memory of Rev. Dr. Mowat is
yet cherished in Niagara. In 1851 is noticed the very handsome
sum paid in to support of the church by non-commissioned officers

— 3J—

and privates of Roy;il Canadian Rifles here, who attended St.
Andrew's. In 1852 is purchased a bell ; having- enjoyed the use
of one for nine years, 180410 1813, they were without one for
forty years. In 1854 a Glebe is purchased with ^150 offered by
Clergy Reserve Commissioners, they afterwards raised £50 to
complete the purchase. In this period the church twice sustained
serious injury from storms, the roof being1 taken off and other
damage sustained.

Of the names signed to the call to Rev Chas. Campbell in 1858
we have a startling- commentary on the slow but Fure approach
of death, of 68 names only four persons are now living-, Jas. M.
Dunn, Jno, Blake, Thos. Elliot, Robt. Murrry. Having- now
come to comparatively recent times we may fitly close with an
extract from the records ot St. Andrew's, on the death of Wm.
Duff Miller, which g-oes on in stately periods thus "who for the
long period of half a century had been a most valuable member,
taking on all occasions a deep interest and acting a faithful part
in the temporal and spiritual affairs of the church, being one of
that little company of excellent Christian men (himself the last
survivor) that during a lengthened probation of trial and suffering
arising chiefly from the want of regular ministerial services,
managed and kept together the Presbyterian congregation ot
Niagara when in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty-nine, their laudable efforts were at last rewarded, by
the Church of Scotland's ordaining and inducting a minister to
the pastorate; the deceased, the following year on the completion
of the ecclesiastical organization of the congregation to church
ordinances, was ordained to the Eldership, which office he
worthily and actively filled to the day he rested from his labors."

Yes, these pioneers of St. Andrew's and St. Mark's did noble
wo-k, after life's fitful fever they sleep well. May those of the
present day not prove degefierate sons of such noble sires, but
in the duties of every day life write history so that those of a day
as far advanced on the light and civilization of ours as this is of
the days of which we have been giving the record, may say of us,
"thev did what they could."

-32—

Since writing the above, two centennials have been held in the
town, that of St. Mark's htld gth, roth, and nth of July, 1892,
and that of St. Andrew's, held i8th, igth and aoth of August,
1894, in each case the meetings being largely attended, especially
by the descendants ot the members of these churches a century
ago, tiiey often having come long distances. In St. Mark's a brass
tablet was unveiled with the following inscription : —

"To the Glory of God. This tablet is erected by the congre-
gation of St. M.irk's church in grateful commemoration of the
looth anniversary of the foundation of this parish, on the gth of
July 1792. The nave of the church was built about 1807, and
burned during the war of 1812, the wails only remaining. It was
restored 1820, an I enlarged to the present dimensions in 1843.
During the century the living has been held by the following
incumbents: The Rev. Robert Addison 1792 to 1829; the Rev.
Thomas Creen 1829 to 1857 ; the Rev, Wm. McMurray, D.D.
D.C.L., Archdeacon of Niagara, to the present time, assisted
since 1888 b} the Rev. J. C. Garrett as curate,"

In consulting the archives of Canada several items have been
found definitely fixing the date pretty conclusively of the building
of St. Mark's. The evidence at least is of a negative nature shewing
that St. Mark's could not have been built before 1802. A sum of
money had been granted from England and a letter February
24th, 1797* from Peter Russell to Lord Portland asks leave to
have churches built at Newark, York, Cornwall, there being
already one at Kingston. On Sept. nth, in a letter from Lord
Portland to Peter Russel, ^500 has been granted. Feb. 2oth, 1798,
no part of the money appropriated had been applied for and re-
commends that subscriptions be raised by inhabitants, sites
chosen and church wardens elected. In 1802 money is apportioned
to Sandwich £200, Niagara, ^100, York ^300, Cornwall £200.
In the places mentioned the people are building, or preparing to
build, and are applying for their propbrtions. Mrs. Simcoc writes
26th July, 1792, "there is no church here, met for service in Free
Mason's Hall where divine service is performed on Sunday."

Many ot the inscriptions are remarkable for their bold flights
of fancy ; the exigencies ot rhyme, rhythm and syntax are boldly

Rev. Thos. Green.

—33—

met and conquered. A few examples may be given. Over th«
Trumpeter H. M, Royal Artillery's Division,

"Here lies within this silent grave

A Royal Soldier brisk and brave,
Who suddenly was snatched away,

From off this sodden foot of clay."
Another dated 1802 :

"So weep not, drie up your tears ;
Heare must i lie till Christ Apeare."

No faint praise is this :

"Here liea as much virtue as could live."
Another : —

"Filial affection stronger than the grave,

From Times' obliterating hand to save ;
Erects this humble monument of stone

Over a father's and a mother's bones."

How different from the simple name and age of the present
time or the few appropriate words on monuments lately erected
here.
"The memory of a life nobly rendered is immortal ;"

Or
"Laid here in faith, hope and love all that is mortal of—"

Of St-. Andrew's too, some later information may be given. The
centennial celebration held on Aug i8th, i9th,2Oth,was well attend-
ed, the Premier of the province, now the Lieutenant Governor,
Sir Oliver Mowat, WHS present and made an address, which sup-
plied many links in the history of the church while the Hon.
Beverley Robinson the late Lieut. Governor, followed in a short
pithy speech. A tablet was unveiled by Rev. Prof. Mowat, a
former pastor, having the following inscription : —

1794—1894.

"In grateful commemoration of the one-hundredth anniversary
of the organization of this congregation, this tablet is erected by
the members of St. Andrew's Church, Niagara. The first building
begun in October 1794 and erected on this spot was burnt in
the war of 1812—14. The congregation met in St. Andrew's
school room on the north corner of this block, for some years.
The present church was built in 1831. The ministers have been:

—34—

Rev. John Dun, Rev. John Young, Rev. John Burns, Rev. Thos..
Fraser, Rev. Robert McGill, D D., Rev. Charles Campbell, Rev.
William Cleland, Rev. J. W. Bell, M. A., and the present pastor
Rev. N. Smith."

In the graveyard too as in that of St. Mark's may be found the
names of many of the U. E. Loyalists and of soldiers who fought
here, as Donald McDonald of the 93rd Highlanders etc. Here
also was buried in 1833 John Crooks, the Superintendent of the
first Sunday School in the town. A small tablet inserted in the
north wall of the church has the words, "The Minister's Bury-
ing Place". Is it not. strange that in all those hundred years
no minister of the church died here so that but. for an infant of
a day this square is unoccupied.

In the Archives of Canada for the year 1891 is a letter dated
Newark, Oct. i2th, 1792, from Richard Cartwright. asking for
assistance to Church of England in Eastern district and goes on
to say that "The Scotch Presbyterians who are pretty numerous
here, and to which sect the most respectable part of the inhabi-
tants belong, have built a meeting house and raised a subscription
for a minister of their own who is shortly expected among them."
This shows that some sort of building had been erected before
that started in 1794.

Ot these two historic churches the words of
George McDonald in the Sea Board Parish may be appropriately
quoted. "And when I saw it I rejoiced -to think that I was fav-
ored with a church that had a history — one in which the hopes and
fears, the cares and consolations, the loves and desires of our
forefathers should have been roofed — Therefore I would far rather
when I may, worship in an old church, whose very stones are a
history of how men strove to realize the Infinite, compelling even
the powers of nature into the ta-sk."

Locust Grove.

The residence of Mrs. J. W. Ball.

By CHAS. A. F. BALL.

The families of Bahl or Ball and Mann intermarried ; all or
a portion of either or both emigrated from Heidelberg-,
Germany, to Blofield, in the County of'Norfolk, England.

In the year 1690 during the reign of William and Mary some
members of the Ball family, purchased from the Crown, lands in
the Mohawk Valley at one york shilling per acre, emigrated to
America and settled there.

In the Revolutionary War, the family remained loyal to the
British Crown, and Jacob (the father) with his sons, Peter, Jacob
and John, came to Canada in 1782 and engaged in the war on the
side of Great Britain in Butler's and Queen's Rangers.
Jacob (the father), who was a Captain, was followed to
Canada by the greater part of his company, who joined with him
in the cause ot the Crown. George, the youngest son, with the
female portion of the family came to Canada in 1784.
— " Lands were granted by the Crown in the townships of Louth
and Niagara : — the family settled on the latter, about two miles
from Niagara.

George, the youngest son, went to the township of Louth,
on the Twenty Mile Creek, that part afterwards known as Ball's
Mills, where he erected a grist mill, saw mill, woolen mill,
cooper shop and general store : — These were largely utilized by
the Military in the war of 1812 — a portion of a British Regiment
being stationed there for a considerable time to guard the mill
and other property, whence a very considerable portion of their
supplies was received.

During the war of 1812, the home on the Niagara property
was burned by the enemy, grandmother being driven out and

—36—

only allowed to take a small bundle in her hand. The house,
about 70 feet in length, was completely destroyed and with it a
quantity of valuables sent there for safe keeking. In 1818 John
built the house seen tc the right, of the picture and in 1820
George built a large brick house, that which appears in the engiav-
ing, on the Niagara homestead and in 1821 removed there from
Louth with his family and continued to reside there till his death
which occurred in February 1854.

With reference to the aforementioned British regular troops
at Ball's mills, there were two companies ot the (iO4th I believe)
under command of Captains Brock and Vavasour — Captain
Brock was a nephew of General Sir Isaac Brock. The General's
hat which was received after the death of the General, was pre-
sented by his nephew. Capt. Brock, to my father George Ball.
Capt. Brock's wife was with him at the Twenty.

The following lines written on the balcony ot the old house,
(apparently in red chalk) was distinctly legible for many years
after :—

"The blessing of God attend this house

For the kindness they have shown
To the 104th when stationed here,
The country to defend."

(The foregoing memorandum was written by Chas. A F.
Ball, youngest son of George Ball.)

In addition to the above it may be said that of the 1000
acres granted to the family in Niagara township over a hundred
years ago, that 750 acres are still in the possession of the family,
unlike many families who now own none cff the land so granted,
and through the length and breadth of Canada are found descend-
ants of Jacob Ball, whose name appears in the list of Butler's
Rangers. In the Historical Room is the original Muster Roll
of one company of this celebrated regiment dated Niagara 1782.
It is headed Lieut. Col. John Butler, Capt. Peter Leu Broeck,
ist Lieut. Jacob Ball, Muster roll for 218 days from 3oth Sept.
1782 to gth April 1783 and contains the names of fifty privates
three sergeants, three corporals, two drummers, with interesting

—37-

remarks as <-on command to Oiwego or Detroit", "On Duty",
"Prisoners of War" etc. Capt. Ten Broeck resigned in January
1783 and Jacob Ball must then hive become Captain. Many
well known names of U. E. Loyalists occur as Fields, Showers,
McMicken, Cassaday, Vrooman, Clendennan, etc.

In a census taken by Col. Jno. Butler in 1782 of the settle-
ment at Niagara the name Ball does not occur but in that of
1783 Jacob Ball is mentioned with n acres cleared and Peter
Ball 5 acres while others who had come earlier have in some
cases 50 acres cleared.

In the family burying- ground are inscriptions to Jacob Ball
and his three sons, Peter, John and George, while in the old
burying- ground at Homer may be seen a large raised tomb to
the other son Jacob Ball. It is remembered that all the older
family spoke German as well as English and also the elder
children .

In many documents the name is honorably mentioned. In the
papers of 1847 as showing the extended trade of this district, and
of Ball's Mills referred to before, in the disbursements of money
raised to relieve the distress in Ireland, is the item ot 500 barrels
. flour purchased from G. P. M. Ball, Louth, (the son ot George
Ball) from Ball's Mills to send to Ireland, and in the list of con-
tributors to allay the want and suffering caused by the famine
the name of George Ball, Louth, as giving 16 barrels of flour.
There also appear the names of Wm. M. Ball and John Ball
among the contributors. Besides this, shewing the liberality of
the family in all good works, on the list of !ite members of the
Bible Society giving $50 at one time, are found the names ot Jno,
VV. Ball, Margaret Ball, Mrs. J. W. Ball, and others. In the
li.">t of Grammar School Trustees, Magistrate.-, and other officials
the name Ball frequently occurs and in St. Mark's Centennial
volume is a portrait of John W. Ball, who for fifty years was an
officer of the church as S. S. teacher, Church Warden, or other
official capacity.

Mrs. Roe and Mr. C. A. F. Ball who are Hon. Vice-Presi-
dents of our Historical Society are the only survivors of the
eleven children of the George Ball referred to above. ED. J. C.

. 'Trr.---^r. — .^*r*'f'f~*r~^;r^ — -^.-^T

-'>^^ • "''- ^' ;

Tort Mississagua.

r.y JANET CARNOCHAN.

This fort lias been called one which never fired a shot in
anther, at least as it now exists, for little hut the tower, the
ramparts and the magazines remain. The earthworks are in the
shape ot a star and of much earlier date certainly previous to 1796
and at different points there were batteries in the war of 1812.
From the Archives of Canada we learn that an Act was passed
by the Provincial Assembly at York in 1803 to erect a lighthouse
on Mississai^ua Point, at the entrance of the river near the town
of Niagara. In an engraving in John Ross Robertson's History
of Free Masonry, the lighthouse may be seen with the lighthouse
Keeper's house neor it, and o.i the bank, nearer the town, build-
ings which must represent the Engineer's Quarters, about the
site of the Queen's Roval Hotel. In the engraving in our first
pamphlet, from the Philadelphia Portfolis of 1818, representing
the taking of Fort George may be seen the river and lake front,
shewing the lighthouse, St. Andrew's Church, St, Mark's Church,
a battery, Forts George and Niagara on the 27111 May 1813.

Dominic Henry, a veteran, in the 4th Bait. Royal Artillery
of Cornwallis, afterwards came to Niagara and became the keep-

er ol' the lighthouse from 1803 to 1814, dying" at Niagara in 1820.
His wife Mary Madden, we find from the Records of the Loyal
and Patriotic Society published in 1818, was presented by them
with the sum of ^25 in appreciation of her work in serving out
refreshments to the British soldiers of Vincent's small force when
resisting- overwhelming numbers, 6000 against a few hundred,
and she i.s described as "a heroine not to be frightened", and
here on the i3th December of the same year fled many inhabi-
tants of the town bringing valuables for safe keeping till the
house could hold no more, when the sky was lit up with the con-
flagration of the town, for the lighthouse on the Canadian side
useful to both east and west and the Lighthouse Keeper's house
as well, were spared. It is believed that the present tower was
built shortly after on the spot where the lighthouse stood, it
being taken down, as a light was put on the top of the present
old castle at Fort Niagara shortly after ; the present lighthouse
having been built about 1875 and the light removed from the old
castle of 1748. An outline sketch of some of the buildings taken
by Gen Seaton Gordon in 1824 and shewing the flagstaff, is in
possession of our Society and in Lossing's History of the war of
1812 is a sketch taken by him in 1860 of the various buildings
here then, some of them ot log, none of which are now to be
seen, for it was dismantled! in 1870, and the cannons removed and
for several years the buildings lay open and nncared for, even the
wood work of the tower being destroyed by - fire. The remains
of the palisades which surrounded the fort may yet be seen but
must soon disappear from the sapping ol Ontario's ceaseless

«
waves.

For many years ihtBfbrt and the buildings within the en-
closure were occupied by British soldiers. Lately a roof has
been put on with what is certainly an offence to the eye, instead
of the flat roof to which so many climbed to inspect the cannon,
has been placed there a cottage roof with dormer windows. A
t'jrt with a cottage roof and dormer windows ! The iconoclasts
o'i the present have thus destroyed all resemblance to a fort.

The walls it is believed were built from the bricks brought
from the ruins of the town, the broken bricks showing quite

-40—

plainly, the walls are at least five feet thick, as may be seen in
the loop holes. A letter has lately come to light telling of the
construction of the fort. The letter is dated "Hope Cottage Fort
George, Dec. 1814" from Mrs. Jenovvay to the effect that her
husband of the ist Batt. Royal Scots had constructed fortifications
at Queenston. He has the entire command of the Engineers
Depot at Fort Mississagua and Fort George. The former is a
large new post which he had the direction of at the commence-
ment." Along the shore landed the enemy, stretching to Crook-
sti n now Chautauqua and here on the morning after the battle
lay in a small space three hundred dead. The late Mr. R. N.
Ball told the writer that in a log house then standing, the floor
was swimming with blood from the wounded carried in. It is
strange that of all that number we only know the names and
graves of five. In the old graveyard at Homer is a stone to George
Grass who was killed at the battle of Fort George, May 27111,
1813, and in the vestibule at the north door of Sf Mark's is a
tablet to Capt. Martin McLellan, Chas. Wright, Wm. Cameron
and Adjt. Lloyd interred in the graveyard. Lately at Chautauqua
in erecting a windmill the skeletons of four soldiers were unearth-
ed, from the buttons it is certain they were British, the bones of
these heroes of the past were replaced, and it is hoped <?ome
mark, however slight, may yet be put there to mark the spot.

Our poet, Wm. Kirby, in his Canadian Idylls has thus des-
cribed the fort ;

"Its walls thick as a fendal keep with loopholes slashed, .
Contain the wreck and ruin of the town.

xxx

The ruins of its walls and hearths were built
Into this stern memorial of a deed
linchivalrous in days of war gone by."

It is hoped thnt as the Historical Societies have requested
this fort as well as Fort George and Fort Erie may be placed
like Brock's monument in the hands of the Niagara Falls Park
Commissioners so that these spots made sacred by the blood ot
patriots may be protected, preserved, made beautiful so that
instead of feeling the blush of shame at seeing the neglect of

-41--

pointsof historic interest we may point with pride to these spots
where our forefathers held not their lives dear if they might
keep the soil a sacred heritage for (heir children.

The following' sonnet by the present writer when the fort
was almost in ruins appeared in the Toronto Week :

"Deserted, drear, and mouldering to decay,

A square low tower stands grim and gray and lone

From Newark's ruins built, its walls storm blown,

When sword and flame alternate seized their prey.

Ontario's waves in rage or idle play

Sap palisade and fort with ceaseless moan,

Shall we historic relics see o'erthrown,

And not a voice be raised to answer nay ?

Four nations here for empire sternly fought,

And brightly gleamed the red man's council fire,

The beacon lights the dancing wave and lea,

Where Brave La Salle both fame and fortune sought.

In fratricidal strife fell son and sire,

Where friends stretch hands across a narrow sea."

NOTE TO CENTENNIAL POEM.

[In the third canto, beginning with the ninth line, reference is made to
two venerable, retired clergymen, Canon Arnold, late rector of Fortune,
and Doctor Ker, for year* the church's devoted and beloved imssionary to
GaBce Tho former, nearly ninety years of uge, and some ten years older
3 Dr. Ker, was hale and hearty; the latter less active and, in fact,
grown feeble, found it much less easy to get about. Tins gave Canon
SSSdihe opportunity of taking the arm of his clerical brother and assist-
inghim in going to .and returning from the table of the Lord. It was al-
wfvs to the writir and others a very affecting sight.] JNO. C. GARRETT.

A long" low building1, now to our shame be it said, used as a
stable, facing1 the river, not far from what was called King's
Wharf, marked as such in old maps of the town is all that now
remains of the four buildings called Navy Hall in 1788, one of
which was cleared out, the sails, cordage and other naval stores
being removed when Gov. Simcoe arrived in Newark in 1792, no
other building being available as a residence. In the Archives
of Canada is given the list of expenses incurred in fitting up the
building for the use of His Excellency, Col. Simcoe, boards,
shingles, lath, paint, glass, putty, nails, sashes, locks and hinges
altogether the modest sum of £i 16 53. It is mentioned that
some of the buildings were erected in the course of the last war
(meaning 1775 to 1783) for naval officers but in time of peace
repairs were neglected. The map of Mr. Chewett in 1804 shows
four buildings, one of these a long structure at right angles to
the river and three others parallel with the river. The Duke de
la Roche Fancauld-Liancourt, who visited Governor Simcoe in
1795, described the house occupied by the Governor a-, "a small
miserable wooden house which was formerly occupied by tne
Commissaries.''

Mrs. Simcoe who was something of an artist made a sketch
of Navy Hall in 1794 from the deck of a sloop at the mouth of
the river, showing a long building parallel to, and another at
right angles to the river.

Some ridicule the idea that the long low building at present
standing in the lower part of Fort George enclosure can be one of
the original buildings of Navy Hall, but so far the fact has never
been disproved and much evidence of a corroborative nature can
be adduced. It must be remembered that the building does not
stand where it originally did, as some years ago when the late

—43—

W. A. Thomson made a cutting- through the oak grove with the
idea of having rhe train of the M. C. R. land near the King's
Wharf instead of going through the town, permission was asked
and obtained to move the building which stood nearer the river
than now and almost in the line of the proposed cutting. The
house was carefully moved higher up, its position there being a
puzzling thing to those who are not aware of this fact.

By many the building was called the Red Barracks, the dull
red may yet be seen, and on each door the words "28 men", so
that here must have been crowded 56 men of the Royal Canadian
Rifles or other regiments of an earlier date.

The much vexed question as to the first Parliament House
may yet be settled but so far it is wise not to assert too confid-
ently, since no less than five places have been mentioned, Navy
Hall, The Indian Council House, The Parliament Oak, Fort
Niagara, Government House near the present Court House, and
since Parliament met here during five years it is quite likely that
more than one of these can claim the honor.

In a map of 1831 ot the Niagara Harbour and Dock Com-
pany the position of King's Wharf is given, and Navy Hall a long
building, also the terry house the property of Andrew Heron, also
farther north at the foot of King Street, the Guard House, in the
middle of the street, close to the water.

On account of the fact that the whole of the buildings in the
town were burned except two when the Americans left, many
think this was built since but it is not certain that they destroyed
the buildings in the outskirts which they were using, these would
certainly be left to the last and it is an historic fact that the Brit-
ish coming in sooner than they were expected, the tents of the
Americans were left standing, some of the buildings of Butler's
Barracks, the hospital and Indian Council House, the powder
magazine, then why not one or more of the buildings below Fort
George which they must have used.

Two or three statements of old residents seem to confirm
this ; old Mr. Winterbottom who died lately and who was a boy
of eleven at the time of the war always in speaking of this build-
ing called it Navy Hall. Mrs. Quade, (whose father was Dominac

—44—

Henry, the Light House Keeper,) who was born here in 1804
and lived here till 1831, in her frequent visits to the town, cros-
sing' from Youngstown always said to her children when passing
this building "that is the old Parliiment House". Mr. John
Alma a wholesale merchant of the town, and who came here in
1830, stored his goods in this building which was then called
Navy Hall, this on the authority of Mrs. Colquhum. All these
tacts point to the belief that this old house is one of the original
buildings which formed Navy Hall.

Here were entertained H. R. H. the Duke of Kent and here
on the 4th June 1793, His Majesty's birthday Gov. Simcoe held
a levee. Many of the letters of Sir Isaac Brock are dated from
Navy Hall and constantly in the Archives of Canada during these
early years we find State papers written from or directed to Navy
Hall, Niagara. In the issue of Upper Canada Gazette tor May
3oth, 1793, the expression is used "Council Chamber, Navy Hall"
Niagara, shewing that part of the work of the early legislators was
done here. Should not then some steps be taken to protect this
old building?

Locust Grove, Residence of Mrs. J. W. Ball.

Navy Hall.

Jail and Court House.

The present Western Home which was occupied by Miss Rye's
orphan children tor twenty-five years was built in 1817 as a Jail
and Court House and is well entitled to be called an historic
h >use. The first Jail of the town was situated on the spot known
tor many years as Graham's Hotel, the Black Swan opposite
the Rectory and the Masonic Hall, and an advertisement, Newark
1795 for nails for the use of Jail and Courthouse, signed Ralfe
Clench. Superintendent of Public Building's, shows how early a Jail
and Courthouse were necessary. We read that during- the war of
1812, there were confined in it and the Block House at one time
400 prisoners, many of them for disloyalty and on the dny of the
battle of Queenston Heights, there being a brisk cannonade from
Fort Niagara on the town and fort, the Jail and Courthouse
were soon wrapt in flames from hot shell,

In the Niagara Gleaner 1818 there is a reference to the
building of the jail "in that swamp" and in the Spectator of
St. Davids, 1816, published by Richard Cockrell, there is an
advertisement signed by Ralfe Clench, Clerk of the Peace, District
of Niagara, "for the materials required for building the Jail and
Courthouse to be delivered between ist June and i3th July, 50 toises
stone, 330 bbls, lime, 200 thousand brick, 20 thousand shingles,
squared t'mber 12x14 of oak and 20,000 feet of pine lumber," the
same Ralte Clench advertising for Jail and Court House in 1795.

In this building, now nearly a century old, many remarkable
trials took place and many noted persons were prisoners here. In
1819 Robert Gourlay whose trial is so graphically described by Dent
in a passage rivalling the celebrated description by Macaulay of
the trial of Warren Hastings, giving a striking word picture of
the room, the judge, counsel, prisoner, witnesses, so that the

-46-

scene stands vividly before us. Here mnv vet he seen in the
dormitory ot these waits and strays from the mother land coming
to our far stretching country, above the wide staircase the gal-
ler\ for spectators but ot course many changes have been made
since 1870 when it was bought for this philanthropic object.

Our present Courthouse was built in 1847 and the building
of 1817 was only used as a jail till St. Catharines became the
County Town in 1862 and a jail wa^ built there in 1864. The
cruel and harsh treatment ot Robert Gourlay and the imprison-
ment of a Niagara editor for publishing one of his letters, the
imprisonment accompanied with a heavy fine and standing in the
pillory seems to us in these days a perversion of justice not easily
understood. But these were also the days when hanging was
punishment for theft as shewn by a notice in the newspaper of
1826. "David Springfield convicted ot sheep stealing, sentenced
to be hanged ; Ben Green stole los. sentenced to imprisonment
and 30 lashes; Oct. aSth, 1826 great disappointment, great num-
bers, many from the United States came into town to see three
men hung but His Excellency had suspended the sentence. A
wagon load of cakes and gingerbread had to be sold at reduced
rates. "The mingling of the horrible and the grotesque, the desire of
the crowds to see the gruesome sight and appeasing their hunger
with cakes and gingerbread, is a sad picture of these times. In Sept.
1826 Wm. Corbin and A. Graves sentenced to be hanged each for
stealing a horse. In 1837 occurred the remarkable slave rescue which
rends to us like a romance too strange to he true. A slave Moseby
who had escaped from Kentucky was followed by human blood-
iiounds and claimed as guilty of stealing his master's horse to
e-icape. While awaiting the decision ot the court he was confin-
ed in the Niagara jail and when finally an order was given for his
return to slavery, a gathering ot several hundred blacks watched
the jail day and night for two weeks to prevent his being given
up. Finally the slave escaped tut two of the leaders were shot,
the military being called out, the Riot Act read etc. The people of
(he town generally sympathized with the slave and those who
made such efforts to save him from return to bondage.

Here too we read of men being imprisoned for debt, a letter

—47—

in a paper ot 1832 referring to a charitable lady, Mrs. Stevenson,
sending comforts to (he prisoners, and the Post Master. John
Crooks, sending wood in winter to allay the sufferings from cold.
In later days several prisoners were confined here for their
sh ire in the Fenian Raid of 1866.

A picture of the jail as it was may be seen in pamphlet No. 2
of our Society and another as it is, and the story of the Slave Res-
cue. From the appearance now of beautiful flowers, graceful trees
,and shrubs, one could never imagine that the unmitigated ugliness
ol the first picture could be transformed into such a scene of
beauty as may now be seen. Duiing the twenty-five years of its
history as Our Western Home 4000 girls have been sent out from
its walls, most of whom have become good citizens, rescued from
the over-crowded life of English cities.

The French Count's House.

For by this name was known the residence ot Count de
Puisaye, a French refugee in the time of the French Revolution,
who formed the idea of bringing out from England to a place of
refuge in that reign of terror a number of Frenchmen to form a
colony. The first appropriation of land was in the county ot
York but the Count de Puisaye c-«me to Newark and purchased
land in 1798 about .three miles from Niagara, built a stone house in
the French sty la, part of which still remains. Quetton St. George,
whose name was familiar both in Queenston and York was one of
the colony. Most of the original building has been taken down
but till last summer might still be seen a long low narrow build-
ing which lormed part of the first edifice. A friend took a kodak
view last summer tor reproduction in our pages but alas, it was
found that just previous to the taking of the picture the house
had been modernized so as not to be recognized. Many stories
are told of the Count who was a French nobleman of courtly
manners, a gentleman of the old school of politeness, — also of one
room which seemed 10 the astonished visitor of those days hung
with mirrors, of the brick arch still standing, of the fish ponds, —
of the powder magazines and wine cellar. In the war like many
other houses the Chateau w is used as a hospital.

The Count stayed nv>t many years and the scheme of a
French Royalist settlement was abandoned, the Count returning
to England, where he died in 1827, but for many years the solid
building remained a memorial of the noble French Royalist rind
even yet, a century later, part of it may be found strong and
enduring. He is mentioned by Carlyle, Lamartine and Thiers and
we find the name in lands granted to Frencn emigres at Markham
and on one of the letters of Surveyor Jones, the improvements
at Oak Ridges are mentioned as Puisage's Town.

DLJCIT AMOR

0000

NO. 8.

NIAGAP3 HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

: ramilg History:

THE SERVOS PAMILY, Dg Win. KirDi), r.R.SC.
THE WHITMORC rAMILY, bv Wm. Kirbv, r.R.S.C.

THE JARVIS LETTERS Dg Miss M. A FitZGIDDon, Secretary
W. H. s, Toronto.

ROBERT LAND, U. E. LOYALIST, Dg John H. Land.

1901. -

f MICK ao CENTS.

PREFACE.

TN the fifth of our publications were a few family records. In
-•- this, the eighth of the series, we continue family histories.
For the first two we are indebted to our distinguished litterateur.
who shines as a novelist, poet and historian. "The Servos family''
is reprinted by i equest. "The Whitmore family" has appeared
before in a shorter form, but never at its present le.igth. The
story of Robert Land is als>i printed by permission, and the ex-
tracts from the Jarvis letters are nmv printed for the first time.
In the pages of John Ross Robertson's History of Free Masonry
will be found a long account ot the curious dispute between the
Niagara Lodge and Wm. Jarvis (the Secretary of Governor Sim-
coe and also the Grand Master of Lodge No. 2) after he removed
to Toronto, then York.

It is the aim of the society to collect and print other family
records, many side lights are thus thrown on our history and we
would ask all who can assist in this way to do so. They will thus
have the consciousness of having helped to add another link to
the chain of the history of Niagara.

Ml?. JOHN WHITMORC.

PREFACE.

I N sending out this, the fourth pamphlet of the Niagara His-
torical Society, some explanation may be made as to the
contents, nearly all relating to the erection of some fitting-
memorial to the landing on our shores of the United Empire
Loyalists, over a century ago. Circulars have been sent to the
descendants of such, and others interested, and it is hoped that
ere long, something worthy of that event may be erected.

Last year we thought ourselves fortunate in being able to
print a paper, read to us by the first president of the Provincial
Historical Association, Canon Bull, to whom we owe the first
suggestion of such a memorial, and this year we are fortunate in
being able to offer a paper, from the facile pen of his successor in
the presidency, Mr. Coyne, and also one from the prominent
archaeologist, Mr. David Boyle, by whose enthusiasm
and skill so valuable a collection has been gathered in
Toronto, and who has given us such valuable
assistance and advice in forming our collection. The
eloquent address of Hon J. G. Currie had been delivered previ-
ously at one of our meetings, stirring the blood and making us
proud of our country, but unfortunately, no notes were preserved,
and the address being extempore, we were unable to reproduce
it. We think ourselves happy to be the means of giving to the
public, and thus preserving, so eloquent and admirable an address,
with so much of local coloring. This we are enabled to do by
the kindness of Mr. Frank Yeigh, who kindly acceded to our
request to take down in shorthand the address, as given on
Queenstcn Heights, and to him we now return our thanks, as
well as to the gentlemen who have allowed the papers read by
them at various meetings of our society to be published.

We rejoice that so great an interest is now being taken in the
history of our country, and earnestly hope that every county,
every town, every school section, may do its share in collecting
and preserving its local history. The example of the Beaver
Dam Historical Society is worthy of emulation, in producing so
admirable a history of Thorold, and we extend our hearty con- I
gratulations, hoping that others may be encouraged by their ex- •
ample to go and do likewise.

We would bespeak for our own humble efforts a favorable
reception.

T

HE Historical Room is open every Saturday afternoon from
3 to 5.

The pamphlets issued by our Society are :

No. i. Taking" of Fort George, with illustration of Niagara
River, 2yth May, 1813, by Major Cruikshank.

No. 2. (With three illustrations.) Centennial poem by Mrs.
Curzon ; Fort Niagara, by Canon Bull ; Slave rescue in
Niagara, 1837, by Miss Carnochan.

No. 3. Blockade of Fort George, with illustration of Niagara,
1806, by Major Cruikshank.

No. 4. The present issue.

MEMORIAL

TO THE

UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS-

Address given by James H. Coyne, Esq., President of the Provin-
:ial Historical Association, on the Second Anniversary of the
Niagara Historical Society, ryth September, 1897.

This commemoration is marked by features of more than
ordinary interest. The year, the place, the day, and the object,
must strike, the imagination and impress the memory of every
patriotic citizen.

We are met in the Jubilee year of Her Majesty's reign, at the
original capital of this Province, on the one hundred and fifth
anniversary of the first meeting of the Parliament of Upper Canada,
. take measures for the erection of a fitting- memorial in honor of
the brave and loyal pioneers who first planted British laws and
institutions in the northern half of this continent.

To the student of Canadian history, few places can be more
attractive than the old historic town of Niagara. Your river and
the great cataract, ever since they were first indicated by Cham-
plain in his map of 1612, have been known more or less to the
literature of the world. As one stands on the margin of the
mighty current, names and events prominent in the annals of
Canada crowd upon the memory.

The shades of De la Roche Daillon, of Brebeuf and Chaumonot
— heroic missionaries, intrepid explorers — rise before him. They
may have visited this spot as early as 1626 and 1640, respectively.
But they left no record of the visit in their accounts of the Country
of the Neutrals. In Sanson's map of 1656 the name Ongiara first
appears. Possibly it was from Brebeuf and Chaumonot's reports
that the name and site were learned by the cartographers, but as
to this we are left to conjecture.

And now we are in the year of our Lord 1669 in this same

2 -

month of September. Coming from the east is a picturesque pro-
cession of canoes. It enters the river's mouth, and from the frail
barks step on your bank the first white men, of whose visit there is
an authentic record — the Sulpitian priests, Galine' and Dollier de
Casson, the dauntless La Salle, and a score of their followers.
They heard the distant roar of the mighty cataract, and would
gladly have visited it, but the season was late and time pressed,
and they had to proceed westward along- the lake.

Afterward this spot was familiar enough to the French. On the
point across the river La Salle built his fortified warehouse in 1679.
On Cayuga Creek above the falls he constructed and launched the
"Griffin," the first vessel on the Upper Lakes. Afterward in suc-
cession, Denonville, Vandreuil and Pouchot erected fortifications
on the east side, where the Niagara enters Lake Ontario. There
Prideaux and Colonel Johnson fell in the assault in 1759, when Sir
Wm. Johnson took command of the British forces and entered Fort
Niagara in triumph, having amongst his officers such men as
Colonel Butler, Chief Joseph Brant and Daniel Servos, names inti-
mately associated with the history of your settlement at a later
date. Pontiac's war a few years later was signalized on the Niag: .a
frontier by the disasters to the British forces at the fitly-named
Devil's Hole.

During the century that had elapsed since the Sulpitian priests
first paddled up the Niagara, many a famous traveller had
visited its forts and falls. Hennepin, Tonty, Lafitadu, Latoontan,
La Potherie, Charlevoix, are names more or less associated with
Niagara in the history of exploration and travel.

A centre of the fur trade, Niagara was the resort of savage
tribes from the remote northwest, and many negotiations were
carried on outside its fort by the French commandant or commis-
sioners with the dusky diplomats of the forest, down to the time
when Pouchot surrendered his sword to Sir William Johnson.

The Revolution transformed Niagara into a refuge for the
Loyalists, including 5,000 Indians of the Six Nations under Brant,
John Deseronto and the famous Seneca chief, Sakoyenwaraghton.
Its fort was the centre of British operations in the Northwest, and
dearly did the Loyalists, white and red, requite the persecutions
and plundering^ they had experienced at the hands of the rebellious

colonists.

When the war closed, it was here at the foot of King- street
that the loyal refugees crossed over by thousands to take up land
in the virgin province which still remained under the old flag.
Ten thousand of them settled in Upper Canada during- 1784.
Then came the hungry year of which Mr. Wm. Kirby has sung so
well. But the dark clouds passed and plenty soon smiled again
over the land. The settlers brought with them their instinct for
liberty and self government, and this led to the establishment of
representative institutions amongst them by the Constitutional Act
of 1791. Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, of the Queen's Rangers, was
perhaps the fittest man in the Empire to be chosen as the King's
representative in the new province. The characteristic qualities of
the Loyalists were exemplified in him in the highest degree, and
he deserves and has received by general consent a high niche in the
pantheon of Canadian history. There are two events of the year
1792 which ought to be perpetuated upon canvas.

The first historic picture will represent the landing at Niagara
of the first governor of Upper Canada, accompanied by his staJF,
including his secretaries Littlehales and Talbot. He is received in
due form by the assembled troops, comprising Butler's Rangers,
the regulars of Fort Niagara and the militia of United Empire
Loyalists, many of whom had served under the new governor when
he was in command of the Queen's Rangers during the war. The
Six Nations' Indians are there under their redoubtable chief, Joseph
Brant. Fort Niagara welcomes the King's representative with the
thunder of its guns. His replies to the loyal addresses presented "
are received with enthusiastic cheers and cries of God Save the
King from the assembled multitude.

Under such auspices the first lieutenant-governor of Upper
Canada enters upon his vice-royalty.

The next picture would represent the opening of the first par-
iament of the province, 105 years ago this day. Yonder where
now stand the ruins of Fort George, floated proudly in the breeze
the red cross flag for which the settlers had sacrificed so much ;
for it represented the United Empire, the object of their fealty and
oyal attachment. Red men and white are ranged round. The
Six Nations under Brant, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte

-4 —

under John Deseronto, Mississaugas and Chippewas from the
Sauft Ste Marie in all their finery and feathers are there in full
force. In their quaint old regimentals stood the regular troops
and rangers — in three-cornered hats with hair in queues; clad in
knee breeches and long stockings, and long coats and vests.
Among the spectators are the ladies in their i8th century garb.
The governor is preceded by bands of music and guards of honor,
and a royal salute is fired from the fort. Chief Justice Osgoode
and Captain John McDonell of Glengarry are the Speakers of the
respective Houses. Surrounding the governor or before him are
men eminent for military service under the Crown : Sir John
Johnson, Colonel Claus, Guy Johnson, Colonel Johnson from Lake
Huron, Colonel Butler of the Rangers, Colonel McKee, Samuel
Street, Thomas Clark, Daniel and Jacob Servos and many others.
Mr. Kirby has given a graphic description of the scene.

The opening of the first Parliament of Upper Canada was an
epoch in the history of the British empire. Its importance was
appreciated by Simcoe, who showed impressively hfe sense of the
greatness of the occasion in such words as these :

"The great and momentous trusts and duties which have been
committed to the representatives of this province in a degree infin-
itely beyond whatever till this period have distinguished any other
colony, have originated from the British nation upon a just consid-
eration of the energy and hazard with which the inhabitants have
so conspicuously supported and defended the British constitution."

Through seven long years of struggle, persecution and suffer-
ing, the Loyalists had proved their devotion to a great principle.
Your own honored citizen, Mr. Wm. Kirby, has told in noble
verse how, after the close of the war of revolution,

"They, who loved

"The cause that had been lost, and kept their faith
"To England's crown, and scorned an alien name,
"Passed into exile; leaving all behind
"Except their honor and the conscious pride
"Of duty done to country and to king."

To such men hewing out new homes for themselves in the
northern forest, and guarding the faith they had kept as the palla-

United Empire Loyalists of Canada.

MEMORIALS Or THE SERVOS TAMILY.
( By Willtam Ktrby, F. R. S. C. )

(The following- article first appeared in the Canadian Metho-
dist Magazine in 1883, was reprinted by the Lundy's Lane His-
torical Society and is now by their permission and that of the
author reprinted by us, many requests having been made to this
effect, the L. L. edition being- exhausted.)

The existence at the present time of two great distinct politi-
cal confederacies in North America, the United States and the
Dominion of Canada, is primarily owing- to the long- continuous
movements of two opposing- sections or parties of the English
people in the land of our common ancestors ; the party of mon-
archical and the party of republican tendencies, divisions which
seem to be inherent in human nature itself,

The Revolution of 1642 was the culmination of Puritan ascen-
dency in England, the reaction restored the royal authority in the
Constitution. The distinct party lines of English politics take
their modern form and under various names have come down to
us from that time lo the present. It will be found that those
party struggles in the mother land furnish the key that unlocks the
secret of British Canadian politics, principles, and tendencies — as
distinct from the politics, principles, and tendencies of the United
States — differences which perpetuate the division of North Amer-
ica into two distinct and rival, but not, it is hoped, unfriendly
nations.

To understand the true genius and origin ot the English-
speaking people in Canada we have to go back to the settlement
of the New England Colonies by the thwarted and, to some ex-
tent, persecuted Puritans of the seventeenth century. They left

their native land, full of bitterness, with no love for either its
Church or monarchy. The English Commonwealth had been their
ideal of civil government, and from the very first settlement of the
Puritans in Massachusetts their steady endeavor and policy was
to separate themselves from the mother country and erect their
ideal in a Republican Church and State on this continent.

The germ of the American revolt was planted in New Eng-
land from its very origin, and nothing the mother country could
do for them — wars with France, undertaken in their behalf, the
conquest of Canada, tens of thousands of lives lost, and hundreds
ot millions of British money spent in protecting them — was of any
avail to excite a loyal and kindly feeling towards the mother
country. There were, ot course, thousands of New England men
who formed honorable exceptions to the general dissaffection of
the Puritan population ; but they were outnumbered and over-
borne by their discontented fellow-coentrymen.

In other colonies it was quite different. New York was
colonized first by the Dutch and then by the English ; the English
settlers of New York were largely loyalist in principle. The same
may be said of New Jersey, while the Quaker element in Pennsyl-
vania and the German settlers were for the most part loyal and
well affected to the Empire.

It is not necessary here to go over the causes of the disputes
which arose at first in New England with regard to the mother
country. The questions once raised grew rapidly to a head. The
Stamp Act and the Revenue Acts of Great Britain, very impolitic
certainly, yet in their intention good and excusable, were a bad
means of bringing round a good end. namely, to supplement the
want of a united common government among all the Colonies.
These proposed measures raised the popular clamor in America.
The infection of disloyalty to the Empire was zealously propa-
gated from New England, and the people of all the Colonies, ac-
cording to their sentiment and opinions, became divided into two
great parties which in the end developed into the party of the
Unity of the Empire; the former tending to a severance and the
latter to the maintenance of the old National ties with the mother
land.

Of the progress of that great debate, and of the fierce and
warlike tempers which it evoked, and of its final effect upon Can-
ada, this memoir will afford some interesting evidence.

If the seeds of disloyalty were sown in the New England
Colonies from the beginning, so it is equally certain that the seeds
of loyal connection with the Crown and Empire of Britain were
sown in Canada and have ever borne the noblest and most glor-
ious fruits. The settlement of this country by the expatriated
loyalists of America was the leaven that has leavened the whole
lump of Canadian nationality, and made this country what, I
trust, it may never alter from — the most loyal, orderly and pro-
gressive part of Britain's Empire.

Yet we know and regret that modern history — English history
through absolute ignorance, American history through suppres-
sion or misrepresentation of facts — tails to do the slightest justice
to the men who founded this Dominion I speak not with refer-
ence to our French fellow-subjects, but to the United Empire Loy-
alists who have given Canada its form and pressure, stamping up-
on it the seal of the Crown, the emblem of the grandest Empire
the world ever saw. Esto Perpetua !

This memoir ot personal history was written solely as a fam-
ily record, to preserve traditions that hrwe for a century been
kept warm by the fireside. It relates to a family in respectable
middle lite, which may be taken as completely representative of
the great body of loyalists who founded Upper Canada.

The true history of Canada cannot be written without deep
study and investigation into the principles, motives and acts of
the American loyalists. Yet how little does professed history
record of them !

English writers on this subject, with a few exceptions, take
their views at second-hand from American sources, and I have failed
to find more than one American writer who is able or willing to do
justice to one-half of the American people who, during the revo-
lutionary struggle, sided with the mother country ; and when de-
feated at last in their efforts to preserve the unity of the Empire,
left their estates, homes, and honorable positions in every depart-
ment of life, and betook themselves to the wilds of Nova Scotia,

— 4 —

New Brunswick, and Canada, to start life afresh under the flag
which they refused to Torsake.

The Americans have held their Centennial of Independence
to commemorate the breaking up of the Empire in 1776. The
descendants of the U E. Loyalists are proposing- to celebrate in
Toronto in 1884 the Centennial of the arrival in Upper Canada of
the expatriated loyal Americans who founded this province.

That great design has been warmly taken up by many de-
scendants of the loyalists in Ontario. It will do much to present
to the world, the opposite side of the %\ eat American question ot
the past century, and show the true grounds and reasons of Can-
adian adherence to the British Empire — grounds and reasons which
are too little understood except by our own people, who in the
quiet of their homes live in the solid enjoyment of British freedom,
law and security, and desire no other.

The following memoir of the Sei vros family is given as £.
typical example of the fortunes and fid, lity of that old U.E. Loyal-
ist stock to which Canada owes so much :

After the conclusion of the Thirty Years' War in Germany,
when the country had measurably recovered from the ruin and de-
vastation of that period of trial and suffering in the Fatherland,
the ambition of France and the thirst (or glory in the young King
Louis XIV. again plunged Germany into a long war in which he
wrested from her the ancient principality of Alsace and annexed it
to France, and which only in our day, 1870, has been reconquer-
ed and restored to Germany.

The reign of Louis XIV. and thai of his contemporary Leo-
pold the First of Austria, were memorable for the long, persistent
and cruel persecutions of the Protestants in the dominions of each
ot those sovereigns. It were hard to tell to which of them the
bloody palm was most due.

Louis, after years oi persecution against the most industrious
and enlightened of his subjects, at last repealed the Edict of
Nantes, and with it the only guarantee for toleration in France.
The Huguenots were persecuted and proscribed ; they escaped by
the tens of thousands from France to England and wherever au
asylum afforded itself.

Leopold of Austria was equally harsh and intolerant. Hun-
gary was the chief seat of Protestantism in his dominions- A
fierce persecution was directed against them with the result of ex-
pelling thousands of Hungarian Protestants, who found retuge i.i
the Protestant states of Germany, Holland and England.

Among the Protestant refugees from Hungary, about the
middle of the seventeenth century, were the ancestors of the
Servos family, of whom a brief account is here recorded.

On the right bank of the Rhine, eight miles below Coblentz,
lay the ancient principality of Wied, a principality of the Empire
and the inheritance of a long line of liberal and enlightened rulers.
Their residence was the old feudal castle of Wied, overlooking
the broad Rhine and a fertile domain of vineyards, cornfields, and
meadows, towns and villages which gave the title to iheir princes,
of Counts of Wied and Lords of Runkel and Issenberg.

The most remarkable of these Counts of Wied was Prince
Alexander, who in the beginning of the seventeenth century found-
ed the town of Neu Wied on the Rhine, and made it the seat ot
his Government, instead of the old city of Alt \\ ied, which had
previously been the capital.

Prince Alexander, at the time of the persecutions in France
and Hungary, offered his protection and a free asylum to men of
every religion in his new city ol" Neu Wied, which offer was gladly
and eagerly accepted by the persecuted Huguenots and Hun-
garians, a great many of whom flocked in and took up their abode
under the nuble Prince of Wied. The city greatly prospered, and
soon became a bright landmark in Southern Germany, known
throughout Europe as a city of refuge for the persecuted Pro-
testants of the continent.

Among the refugees from Hungary were the family ol Servos.
They were probably Hungarian, of Servian origin, as this is a
Hungarian form for Serbos, pronounced Servos, meaning Servian.
They settled in Alt Wied, and subsequently removed to the new
city of Neu Wied where they lived and prospered, some of them
taking up the military profession in the service of their adopted
and afterwards ot their native prince.

Christopher Servos, born at Alt Wied about 1670, is the first

— 6 —

whom \ve shall particularize as the ancestor of the Canadian
branch of the family. He entered the service of the Prince of
Wied as a private soldier of his guard in 1687, and in which by
successiv5 promotions, he attained the rank of officer. He served
in the army thirty-nine years and nine months ; he went through
the great campaigns of Marlborough. serving in the German con-
tingent which formed a large part of the army ot that great
commander.

On the termination of his long and honorable military service,
Christopher Servos being then a man well in years, with a nife
and family of six grown children, determined to emigrate to one
of the English coloives of North America, about which he had
heard a good deal during his campaigns with the English armies.

Prince Frederick William, of Wied, the reigning prince at
that time, gave him the most honorable discharge from the mili-
tary service, and with it a large letter of introduction and recom-
mendation under his own hand and seal, to the Governors of New
York and Pennsylvania, in one of which provinces he intended to
settli.

This letter, written in old German on parchment, with the
signatuie and seal of the Prince of Wied, is still preserved by the
family, and is now in the possession of Capt. Alexander D. K.
Servos, Niagara Township. It recommends Christopher Servos
to the respective Governors of the Province of New York and
Pennsylvania, and reads as follows:

" We, Frederick Wilhelm, of the Holy Roman Empire, Count
of Wied and Lord of Runkel and Issenberg, do hereby declare
that Christopher Servos, a native of our principality, entered our
military service in the year 1687. He served in our Guard as a
musqueteer twelve years, as corporal five years, sergeant fifteen
years, and as Landsfahndrick seven years and nine months, in all
thirty-nine years and nine months. During this service he was
always distinguished as a brave and honorable man, faithful in
the performance of every military duty and in all the relations of
life of strictest integrity, upright and honorable as becomes a
faithful soldier to be.

"We, therefore, of our own motion and free will, under-

standing- that he desires to emigrate to America with his wife and
six children, do hereby grant him an honorable discharge from
our service, and release him from all our spiritual and civil juris-
dictions, declaring- hereby the great satisfaction we have had from
his long and honorable services. Not desiring to lose him, yet
since of his own desire he has resolved to go with his wife and six
children to America, the better to provide for their future welfare,
and will betake himself either to New York or Philadelphia, and
in order that he may be favorably received by the Honorable Gov-
ernors of New York or Pennsylvania as a man every way worthy
of their assistance and patronage, we recommend the said Chris-
topher Servos tc them, pledging ourselves by any means in our
power to the said Honorable Governors to reciprocate any kind-
ness, good-will and assistance which they may be pleased to show
to the said Christopher Servos.

"And in order to ratify these presents, we subscribe them with
our own hand and order them to be sealed with the great seal of
our principality.

"Given in this our Residenz Hoff at Neu Wied am Rhein,

"" "April 27, 1726. "FREDERICK."'

In the summer of 1726, Christopher Servos with his family
embarked for North America, where this worthy pioneer of Ger-
man emigration duly arrived and landed at New York. We can
imagine the stouf, rigid old German soldier of forty years' service
calling and presenting his letter of introduction to Governor Bur-
net — a clever man, the son of the famous Bishop Burnet — who
doubtless received him most kindly. Whether he obtained from
-•the Governor a grant of lands, or whether he purchased lands, is
not now known, bnt he presently acquired possession of a large
tract on the Charlotte River, near Schoharie, in the province ot
New York, and settled there wilh his sons, who were young men
and commenced to clear the lands and make a new home for his
family.

His sons were intelligent, energetic, and trustworthy men.
They cleared several farms, built grist and saw mills and started
stores, as the fashion then was, upon the frontier settlements,
traded with the Indians, and in time became prosperous, rich and

— 8 —

widely known. The Servos settlement on the Charlotte was one
of the landmarks of the frontier of the Province of New York and
Pennsylvania until the Revolution. Old Christoper Servos died
at a very advanced age, but in what year is not known. His sons
true to the military spirit of their father, held commissions in the
Provincial Militia, and served under Sir William Johnson and
_ Colonel John Butler in the French war. They were at the battle
of Lake George. 1754, and at the seige of Fort Niagara, 1759.
The family were on familiar and intimate terms with Sir William
Johnson, one of their sisters marrying a near relative of Sir Wil-
liam— Colonel Johnson — whom she accompanied through all the
campaigns of the French war. That lady came to Canada and
died at theServos homestead, Niagara Township, in 1811 at the
great age of one hundred and four years, and is buried in the
tamily burying ground, Lake Road, Niagara, where a monument
records her memory This is on the Servos homestead now own-
ed by Mrs. Mary Servos widow of the late Col. Peter C. Servos.

After the close of the French war, the sons of Christopher
Servos devoted themselves afresh to farming, milling, and mer-
chandise, and prospered much. As magistrates, men of business,
and officers of the militia, they were greatly respected throughout
the district where they resided.

When the agitation preceding- the revolution began in the
Colony of New York, the Servos estates were held by sons and
grandsons of the old German soldier from the Rhine. The eldest
of these and the acknowledged head of the family, was Thomas
Servos, a man of large property and great business on the Char-
lotte River, who had four sons, young men, living with him at
home.

The troubles of tha Colonies arose mainly out of the per-
manent disaffection of the Purtan element in New England, which
was disloyal from the very origin of its settlement in Massachu-
setts ; but the constant wars with France and the dangers ever
dreaded from Canada, kept down open manifestations of disloyalty,
until the conquest of Canada relieved New England of all fear of
France, and enabled the heads of disaffection to be raised with
boldness.

The way in which some ot the Colonies had shirked their
obligations in regard to their quotas of troops and money to be
furnished tor carrying on the war with France had long been a
standing grievance, trouble and complaint.

As is well known, the proposal for a Colonial union in 1754,
at the commencement of the last French war, was mainly intend-
ed to equalize the common share of public expenditures and the
quotas of troops and the money to be furnished by the respective
Colonies. The failure of the Convention that met at Albany to
establish an equitable union of the Colonies, was the true reason
of the measures taken up after the conquest of Canada, to equalize
by Act oi Parliament ot Great Britain the contributions of the
several Colonies to the common object of the defence of America.

As was remarked, the quotas ot money and troops to be fur-
nished by the respective Colonies for the French war had been
most unequally paid, some Colonies giving their full shares^others
evading their dues in the most dishonest manner. There was no
central authority to compel payment but England, and she had no
constitutional machinery to take the task properly upon herself.

The passing of the Stamp Act was an effort — a rash and inju-
dicious one — to raise a common fund for the military defence of
the Colonies, and do for them what had failed to be accomplished
by the projected union of 1754.

The great error of this policy was in the British Government
not considering that strong constitutional objection would be
raised to the Imperial Parliament's legislating on a matter of great
public concern which should only be legislated upon by a Parlia-
ment of the Colonies themselves. England should have insisted
on the project ot union being carried out which would have en-
abled the Colonies to do for themselves constitutionally what the
necessity of the case required. The Stamp Act and the other
Revenue Bills, the proceeds of which were to be wholly spent in
America, were wrong attempts to do a right thing, viz., to make
the Colonies deal fairly and honestly by each other and contribute
equitably to the common burden of their defence and government.

An immense agitation was started in New England over the
Stamp Act which, by political arts, was extended to the other

10

Colonies.

The Province of New York was on the whole loyal to British
connection; its local politics had long- been headed by the Delancy
and Livingstone families respectively, the former representing the
Tory, the latter the Whig- party, with the preponderance generally
in favor of the former. The Tories or loyalists generally disap-
proved of the Stamp Act and other measures of like nature, but
theirs was a loyal, constitutional opposition, and few at first of the
Whigs even in New York, outside of a band of professed agitators
in the city, headed by one McDougal, the publisher of a violent
Whig newspaper, ever contemplated revolution.

The loyal party while disapproving of many of the measures
of the Imperial Government, saw nothing in them of sufficient im-
portance to justify the factious clamour that was raised in Boston,
which they well understood as arising not so much from fear of
oppression and taxation, as from the natural disaffection of the
New England people, and the selfish interests of the merchants of
Boston, who, like Hancock, had grown rich by their systematic
violation of the customs and trade regulations of the Colony.

The Stamp Act was a god-send to these people, in giving
them a taxation cry, and presenting the question before the
people, as a violation of their constitutional rights.

The loyalists of the Revolution were not blind defenders ot
arbitrary and unconstitutional power, any more than the Whigs
were the virtuous assertors of pure liberty, which they pretended
to be. The former, while admitting the impolicy of the Stamp
Act and other revenue measures, saw nothing in them to warrant
the disruption of the Empire, The majority of the people were
opposed to violence. The Colonial Assembly, lawfully represent-
ing the whole people ot New York, was loyal to British connec-
tion, and refused to sanction the Declaration of Independence.

The election of the so-called Provincial Congress of New
York, chosen by Whig partizans exclusively (the loyalists being
disfranchised unless they would swear allegiance to Congress),
threw New York into the most violent civil war of any of the Col-
onies. The Provincial Congress of the State decreed the confis-
cation of the property of all persons who adhered to their lawful

— II —

Government. Loyalists were arrested, proscribed and declared
to be "traitors" by men who were themselves legally and undeni-
ably the only traitors in the Colony!

The most wealthy of the loyal people of New York were
marked out for plunder, the most spirited tor arrest and confine-
ment. Men who had been born in the Colony and lived all their
lives creditably as good subjects — magistrates, officers of militia,
members of Assembly, merchants, farmers and clergymen, who
had taken the oaths of allegiance to the King, and upon whose
consciences these oaths were held binding — were required, on pain
of losing both property and liberty, to fall in with the revolution-
ary course of the Whigs and swearallegiance to the rebel Congress.

The majority of ihe people of the Province ot New York re-
fused to become rebels, and would undoubtedly, if left to them-
selves, have preserved New York from revolution. The tempor-
izing and conciliation policy of Lord Howe and General Clinton
enabled the Whigs to terrorize the people of the interior until the
whole civil administration of the Colony was overthrown and
the seizure of the persons and leading loyalists led speedily to the
fierce civil war that followed.

It is undeniable that the loyalist party in the Colonies was
composed chiefly of native Americans and of the better and
more wealthy classes of society, while the bulk of the Whigs out-
side of New England was composed of the foreign element, needy
emigrants of late arrival, which formed the main strength of the
continental army as distinct from the militia of the several States.
It was the consciousness of this fact that caused the loyal and
venerable Seabury, afterwards consecrated first Bishop of the
Anglican Church in the United States to exclaim in retort to som*
Whig persecutors : ''No! If I must be enslaved, let it be to a
King, and not to a parcel of upstart, lawless committee-men ! If
I must be devoured, let it be by the jaws of a lion, and not gnaw-
ed to death by rats and vermin !''

At this time which, it was said, 'tried men's souls,' the des-
cendants of Christopher Servos were one and all loyal to the King
and to British connection. They were neither to be frightened
nor cajoled out of their principles. Thomas Servos, the head of

12

th3 family, was a man of clear mind and independent character.
He had served in the French war with honor — had taken oath of
allegiance as a magistrate and a military officer to the King, and
was not one to ever think of breaking it.

The Servos family were all men of determined character.
They were obnoxious in a high degree to the Whig committees of
the Schoharie Country, whom they opposed and kept down with
a prompt and heavy hand and they had prevented the carrying
out of the Whig programme in all their section of the Charlotte.
The committee reported to General Washington their inability to
establish the Revolution in that part of the Province, and called
upon him to furnish a military force to aid them in subduing the
loyalist population of the Charlotte. Their request for troops was
complied with, and a body of cavnlry was despatched to overawe
the people and arrest the principal loyalist inhabitants of Scho-
harie and the valley of the Charlotte. Thomas Servos was, in
June 1778, living quietly at home, attending to his farms and
mills, when the expedition sent to arrest him entered the valley
and suddenly surrounded his house ; it was in the night but the
family were still up. The four sons of Thomas Servos were all
away at the time. His wife, a worthy lady of Dutch family, with
his son Daniel's wife and his grand-daughter Magdalene, three
years old, with the servants, white and black, were all that were
in the house.

The cavalry rode up suddenly to the door, and the house was
surrounded before any alarm was given. Their leader called for
Thomas Servos, who went out to speak to him. Seeing the state
ot affairs and guessing at once their business, he went back into
the house to pacify his family and bade them be prepared to face
quietly with courage whatever fate was before them. The offi-
cers Long, Murphy and Ellerson, with several of their men, dis-
mounted 'ind went into the house, and with much irritating lan-
guage proceeded rudely to arrest Servos, and ordered him to ac-
company them as their prisoner to Albany. He refused, and
when Murphy laid hands on him, he broke away and took up an
axe that lay near and lifted it to defend himself, when he was in-
stantly shot Dy the rifle of Ellerson and fell dead upon his

hearthstone.

The women of the household were not injured, but the house
was ransacked and plundered of its money and valuables of every
kind. The troops then rode off rapidly, tearing- an attack from
the loyalists of the valley as soon as the news of the murder of
Servos should be known. The dead body of the father of the
family they left on the hearth, lamented over by the women and
servants, while the troopers returned in great triumph to their
camp with the plunder they had carried off, and boasting- of the
murder they had perpetrated.

The two young sons of Thomas Servos returned home from
the woods. Seeing the house surrounded by rebel troops and
not knowing what had happened, they watched on the edge of the
forest until the troops departed, then ran in and found their father
killed and their mother and the rest of the family in great distress.
The boys aroused the neighbors, who promptly armed themselves
and came to the house too late to do any good.

Thomas Servos was buried in the family ground. The boys
placed their mother and the wife and child of Daniel with relations
who gladly received them, and then took to the woods and made
their way towards Niagara in order to join the Regiment of But-
ler's Rangers in which their brother Daniel served. As a matter
of course, the whole of the large estates of the Servos family were
confiscated, and the owners of them were proscribed by the revo-
lutionary Convention.

The murder of Thomas Servos was not unavenged by his
sons, for very shortly after his death, Jacob Servos was despatch-
ed, with the Indian chief Brant and a force of loyalists and Indians
down the Schoharie to destroy the torts that had been erected
there — three in number — and to clear the country of the enemy
and bring in such of the loyalist families as desired to escape to
Canada. The four sons of Thomas Servos were conspicuous for
their military services ihroughout the revolutionary war. Daniel
was a captain, and two of his brothers privates, in Butler's
Rangers. Jacob was an officer in the Northern Confederate In-
dians. They were at Oriskany, Wyoming and other engagements
on the frontiers of New York and Pennsylvania.

The war, dragging through a period of eight years, seemed at
times as if the rebellion had collapsed, and would end in the restora-
tion of the Empire. It is not too much to say that one-half of the
people of the Colonies outside of New England, if they had been
left to themselves, were against the Revolution. In 1781 Wash-
ington's army was reduced to 7,000 men, unpaid, starved, and
mutinous to the last degree, and less in number than that of the
loyalist Americans serving in the British army. In the winter of
1781 82, it really seemed as it the time had come that Washington
would have to surrender. His whole Pennsylvania line had
mutinied and left him, and it only needed a vigorous attack from
Clinton to put an end to the war altogether. But vigour was no
attribute of that general. He temporized and delayed until even
the gentle poet Cowper, in his Task, could not but express his
indignation :

"Have our troops awaked ?

Or do they still as if with opium drugged,

Snore to the music ot the Atlantic wave ?"

At that critical moment the Government of France, which
had narrowly watched the progress of affairs, saw that it was at
last necessary to strike in all their force in order to save the
Revolution, They did so. A French army and a powerful fleet
were sent to the rescue. That combined movement of the French
fleet with Washington's force was suddenly made on Yorktown,
where Cornwallis had gone to meet the reinforcements of Clinton
from New York. As is known, the French and Americans arrived
in Yorktown first, They attacked Cornwallis with an overpower-
ing strength, and compelled him to surrender only a week before
the tardy reinforcements of Clinton appeared off Yorktown. which
would have turned the scale the other way.

Party spirit in England completed the victory over Cornwallis.
The Government was compelled by a vote of the House, to accept
overtures of peace on the basis of recognition of the independence
ot the Colonies. The cause of the Empire was even then far from
lost, and, as is known, no persons in America were more surpris-
ed than Washington and Adams, in 1783, at the sudden and un
expected offer ot peace from England.

The recognition ot the independence of the Colonies complet-
ed the ruin of the loyalists, for though the treaty of peace contain-
ed stipulations for the security of their persons and property, and
for the collection of their debts, those stipulations were everywhere
shamefully evaded. Congress made the treaty, but these stipu-
lations were left to the separate States for performance. The
loyalists were everywhere persecuted. Their property that had
been confiscated was in no instance restored, they were disquali
fied from civil rights and from voting at elections; and. in short,
life in their native country was made intolerable to them. They
left fheir country in tens of thousands to seek a new home under
the flag for which they had fought so long and so bravely. It
is estimated that up to November, 1784, a hundred thousand loy-
alists left the port of New York alone. Charleston and Savannah,
Philadelphia, Baltimore and even Boston added thousands more
to the number of refugees, while upwards of ten thousand loyalists
from the interior ot New York and Pennsylvania traversed the
vast wilderness of forests and took up their future homes in Can-
ada, forming settlements at various points from the Detroit River
to the St. Lawrence.

Such a wholesale flight of the most respectable, intelligent,
and industrious population of any country had not been since the
exile of the French Protestants after the revocation of the Edict of
Nantes, 1687.

While the United States lost the very best and most moral of
their people, Canada was the gainer by having its territory settled
and the foundation ot its greatness laid by the advent of these
loyal, high principled men, who preferred starting the world anew
in the wilderness, rather than be untrue to their King and the
British flag, which was their own native symbol.

The King, in order to relieve their sufferings and trials,
granted them lands in Canada and the other provinces — to every
loyalist, man. woman and child, and every child born of them, two
hundred acres of land. These "United Empire Grants," as they
were called, formed the inheritance of the people of Canada, and
are a perpetual reminder of the loyalty of the founders of our
Province, who have impressed their character upon it to this day.

— i6 —

Parliament voted fifteen million dollars by way of partial indem-
nity for the losses of the loyalists. But as Daniel Servos said : —
"It was impossible to pay for the loss of a continent, and the King
was the greatest loser of all ! None of the Servos family would
apply for any share of that indemnity." Three of the brothers
settled in the Niagara District, and one at the Long Sault, near
Cornwall.

Strangers ask. "Why are the British North Americans so
loyal to Britain and to the Km pi re ? If they had read our true
history, the) would know and not wonder at it. A higher and
more ennobling character is not to be found in any nation.

Fort Niagara was one of the posts retained by the British on
account of the evasion by the Americans of the Articles of the
Peace of 1783, relating to the property and debts of the loyalists.
It was not given up to the Americans until 1796, when the Amer-
ican Government, by Jay's treaty, engaged atresh to allow the
loyalists to recover their lands and debts, The fort was then ced-
ed to them, but, as is known, neither the treaty of 1783 nor Jay's
treaty of 17951 nas» as to these stipulations, been carried out up
to the present time, and it is safe to say never will be.

Upon the breaking out of the war of 1812, the three sons of
Captain Daniel Servos, with the traditional spirit and loyalty of
their race, took up arms in defence of their King and country.
They all held commissions as officers in the First Lincoln Militia,
under the command of Cols. Butler and Clans, They served in
ail the engagements on the Niagara frontier. Captain John D.
Servos superintended the transhipment of the boats across the
land from the Four-mile Creek to the Niagara River, on the night
of the i8th of December, to convey the troops across tor the as-
sault on Fort Niagara, which took place before daybreak on the
morning of igth December 1813, six days after the burning and
evacuatian of the town of Niagara by the enemy. He and his
brother Daniel were active in the storming and capture of that
fort, as their father before them had been in its capture from the
^French in 1759.

•The widow of Capt. Daniel Servos of the Revolution was a
woman of great spirit and resolution. It is related of her that

during the occupation of Niagara by the Americans, trom May to
December, 1813, marauding- parties of the enemy plundered the
houses in the country without mercy, there being usually only the
women of the family at home, the men being away with the arrny.
A party of eleven marauders rode out one day to the house of
Capt. John Servos, where she lived, and began to search the house
for valuables and money. Not much was found, as such articles
were generally buried in the ground during the war. On turning
up a bed the party found a new regimental red coat of her son,
Capt. John, which they began to cut to pieces with their swords
with many derisive and offensive remarks, which fired the old lady
with such anger (she was Welsh by the way) that she gave them
a plain piece of her mind, calling them cowards, who would not
have dared look at the coat if her son had it on ! This enraged
the officer in command of the party so much that he grew savage
and dealt the old lady a violent blow on the breast with the hilt
of his sword, wounding her severely, from the effects of which
blow she never recovered, but suffered acutely from it until her
death .

The short, futile rebellion of McKenzie, in 1837, found the
old hereditary spirit active as ever in the three brothers. On the
news of the rising of McKenzie, near Toronto, Colonel Servos im-
mediately ordered the First Lincoln out on the Queen's service,
and although its limits extended nearly forty miles, the famous old
regiment assembled next day on the common at Niagara, nine-
teen hundred strong. The rebellion was suppressed at Toronto
as soon almost as started, but on the occupation of Navy Island
by McKenzie, Colonel Servos did duty at Chippawa with his regi-
ment until the evacuation of the Island in January, 1837. His
brother, Capt. D. K Servos, of Barton, led his troop of cavalry,
under the command of Colonel McNab, to the township ot Scot-
land, and put out all sparks of rebellion in that quarter.

After the peace of 1783, Capt Daniel Servos, formerly of
Charlotte River, relying on the stipulations of that treaty tor the
recovery of the lands and debts of the loyalists, went from Niagara
on horseback through the wilderness — well known to him however
— down to his former home, in order to bring back his little

— iS —

daughter, Magdalene, th'en nine years old, whom he had left with
her mother's relations during the war, and also to recover, if pos-
sible, his estates and the debts owing to him. The lands he found
irrecoverable, notwithstanding the treaty. The state of New
York, in order to secure the Whig spoils, had immediately after
the treaty legislated afresh on the subject, and effectually prevent-
ed the claims of any loyalist from being prosecuted in the State
Courts. The debts were placed in the same condition. Nothing
could be got back from the greedy hands which had seized them,
and, except in the case of a tew honorable men, former loyalists,
who paid their debts, all the rest repudiated their liabilities and
set him at defiance. And as no State Court would allow suit he
gave up the attempt and returned to his new home at N'agara
with his little daughter, thankful that by the liberality of the King
and his own efforts he could live in Canada in plenty. He return-
ed home by way of Oswego, coasting in an open boat along the
south shore of Lake Ontario from Oswego to Niagara. That
child, Magdalene, became in time the mother of the wife — still
living — ct the writer of this memoir.

The descendants of this loyal old family are numbered by
hundreds in various parts of Upper Canada, being very numerous
with their collaterals, the Whitmores and others, in the County of
Lincoln. It is safe to say chat nol a disloyal man has ever been
found among them.

This narrative may be taken as fairly representative of that of
thousands of American loyalists, who in the war of Revolution
"stood Tor the King," and whose brave and self-sacrificing exer-
tions in defence of the unity of the Empire brought ruin upon
themselves in their ancient homes, but was the making and glory
of Canada by filling this Dominion with men of such chosen virtue
"If England," as a Puritan divine once boasted, ''was winnowed
of its choice grain for the sowing of America," it is certain that
America was reaped and winnowed afresh at the Revolution, and
its very choicest men selected by Providence for the peopling of
this Dominion. By the loss of these men America was drained
of its best elements, and suffered a moral loss which it could
511 spare.

The obligations of duty in defence of right against the many
or against, the few, fidelity to the flag and Empire, fear of God
and honor of the King, keeping inviolate their oaths of allegiance
and their very thoughts free from sedition, privy conspiracy and
rebellion, — all these things were summed up in the one word,
"Loyalty," as understood by the men who left the United States
to live under their native flag in Canada.

Some oi the best and wisest men of the United States have
brushed aside the thick covering of fiction and obloquy cast over
the memory of these men in popular American histories, and do
not conceal their admiration of their character, courage, and de-
votion to the highest principles for which they sacrificed everything
except their honour. Truth will have its revenge in justice at last,
and I venture to say that a century hence, America will be more
proud of her exiled loyalists than of the vaunted patriots who
banished and despoiled them.

MEMOIR or THE WHITMORC rAMiLvor NIAGARA.

(By IVm. Kirby, F.R.S.C.]

The family of Whitmore, closely connected with that of
Servos, is of English origin — long settled in New Jersey whence
they removed, a few years before the revolution, to the Susque-
hanna, where they acquired the farm on which they lived, near the
present town of Shamokin in Pennsylvania, now called Jersey Town,
Columbia Co.,Penn. The head of the family, Peter Whitmore.a man
of integrity and piety, greatly respected by all, had taken no active
part on either side in the revolutionary strife — lamenting it sin-
cerely— bnt in those days of Whig committee terrorism, as was
said, " To Le quiet was disaffection and to be loyal was treason."
The known loyal sentiments of Mr. Whitmore and his refusal to
be bound by oaths to the congressional usurpation was sufficient
to condemn him, and this good, quiet, Christian man and his fam-

2O — •

ily became involved in a fate worse than befell most others in that
lawless and violent period. His family consisted of himself, his
wife, three sons, one a young man, the late John Whitmore, of Ni-
agara, was then four }ears old, and four daughters, the eldest four-
teen years old and the youngest a babe of a few months.

In July 1779 some Oneida and Delaware Indians with a few
white ruffians, in the American service, during the advance of
General Sullivan up the Mohawk, knocked at the door and
obtained an entrance into the house of Mr. Whitmore. They had
been seen the evening before by the eldest daughter, Mary, when
she went to a spring n ear the woods for water. She told her par-
ents but they felt no alarm, knowing they were safe if they were
British Indians. They readily opened the doer to them when
they claimed admission. The leader was a Delaware named De
Coignee. It was the custom on the frontier to be very liberal in
hospitality to the Indians when they visited the homes of the white
inhabitants. The party, some twenty in number, at once com-
menced to ransack the house, the whites accompanying them
began to insult Mr. Whitmore and his son in the coarsest terms as
Tories, and the women and girls with foul epithets. The father
knowing how useless was opposition did not reply except by kind
expostulations, but the son, a spirited young man could not stand
it and replied to them warmly.

He was violently struck by one of the white men and immed-
iately returned the blow. Tomahawks were drawn by the Indians.
The father interfered to save his son when a general attack was
made upon the unoffending family, the father, the mother and the
eldest son were at once killed. The house was fired. The three
girls and the boy John, his brother George and the baby were car-
ried off prisoners by the savages. The party took to the woods, and
fearing discovery by the cries of the baby, the Indian who carried it
dashed its head against a tree and left it. The boy and his sisters
were compelled to travel many days and were witnesses at night of
the savages dressing the scalps of their father, mother and brother
for perservation as a memorial of the cruel triumph of their slayers.
They were taken to a Delaware Camp supposed to have been on
the Alleghany River. The boy, John, and one sister were formally

21— -

adopted into the nation as the Indian custom 4 was. The other
two girls were taken elsewhere, one of whom was subsequently
found and was married to the American Indian Agent to the
Senecas, Interpreter Jones, ol the Genesee country, in the State
of New York. Another sister, Mary, was rescued and married
subsequently to Mr. Hoople, of the Long Sault on the St. Law
rence. This sister was discovered by Mr, John Whitmore seventy
years after their separation. The third sister was never heard of,
no enquiry could ever trace her fate.

John Whitmore was adopted by a kind, old Indian woman
as her son. He went through the ordeal of testing his power of
endurance, placing hot coals on his bare arms, the marks of which
were never obliterated. His ears were pierced1 tor earrings and a
hole made in the cartilage of his nose for the silver rings with
which his fond Indian adopted mother ornamented him. He
always retained a loving recollection of the kind old Indian
woman.

Captain Daniel Servos, who had known the family of Mr.
Whitmore succeeded at last in recovering the boy from the Dela-
wares. He brought him to Canada, adopted him and gave
him his daughter, Magdalene, in marriage, with a fine farm ad-
joining his own,

Mr. John Whitmore had never been able before about 1845
to discover his sister Mary. At last by chance Mr. Andrew
Heron, of Niagara, still living in Toronto, met a son of hers,
William Hoople, of New York, who, in the course of conversation
with Mr. Heron, found that his uncle was alive near Niagara, He
immediately came up to see him and thus that long broken link in
the family was reunited.

Mr, John Whitmore being then nearly eighty, notwithstanding
his advanced age determined to visit his long lost sister at the
Long Sault from whom he had been separated for a period of
seventy years. His son-in-law Wm. Kirby, of Niagara, accom-
panied him in this interesting visit in 1851. It was an affecting
meeting of the two old people, Mrs. Hoople was ten years the
senior of her brother but she was vigorous for her age and had a
most perfect recollection of all the incidents of the destruction of

their family which she related to the writer of this memoir. She
was nearly ninety but her faculties were perfect and the personal
likeness between her and her brother was very striking,

It is related of this good and Christian man that during the
occupation of Niagara by the enemy in 1813 the Delaware Chief,
De Coignee, who had been active in the destruction of his family
was serving with a band of savages in the American army.
The fact be came known to Mr. Whitmore who remembered
De Coignee but too well. He resolved to kill him and avenge
the murder of his parents thirty four years before. With that in-
tent he armed himself with a rifle and went into the woods by a
path which he had ascertained De Coignee would take that day.
He placed himself in ambush and waited impatiently for the
arrival of the Indian who for some reason delayed his coming for
several hours. Mr. Whitmore alone in the silence of the woods
had time to reflect long and severely upon the object he had in
view. He thought and thought, was it right! Christ's words to
forgive your enemies and God's words "vengeance is mine"
seemed to speak audibly to him. He prayed for guidance, and
his Christian feelings prevailed at last over his resentment, The
end of it was, he gave up the resolution he had formed to kill De
Coignee in any private way, hoping to meet him in a fair field
where his conscience would acquit him of slaughtering him, Mr.
Whitmore returned slowly home not quite sure whether he had
done right or wrong. It was learned afterwards that De Coignee
in his war paint and feathers did pass by the spot where Mr. Whit-
more had stood not half an hour before. Such an instance
of Christian Chanty falls to the lot of few men.

It is related that Mr. Whitmore while a prisoner for a short
time in the American Camp at Niagara had an interview with De
Coignee and spoke of the murder of his family. The Indian tried
to be friendly and speaking in his own tongue expressed much
sorrow for what he had done but excused himself by saying it was
done in war time and there was no use saying anything more
about it.

Mr. Whitmore served in the Militia during the war, was at the
taking of Fort Niagara, and was one of the persons engaged in

,^-n_L <*> 1

23
^_the construction of Fort Mississagua.

An illustiation of the sad fortunes of war may be here recorded
as it affected Mr. Whitmore. Two sons of his sister that married
the Indian Agent Jones of the Genes>ee were serving- with their
regiment as officers in the American army during- the occupation
of Niagara. They knew their uncle John Whitmore very well
having visited him at his home before the war.

A few days before the burning and evacuation ot Niagara by
Gen. McClure, these young officers resolved to visit their uncle to
bid him good-bye and take any message he had to send to their
mother. The home of Mr. Whitmore was along the Lake shore
about four miles from the town, and at that time, within the lines
of the British army, which was encamped along the Four Mile creek.
The young1 men procured a boat and rowed up in the night to
their uncle's home. Mr. Whitmore was astonished and alarmed
on seeing them, knowing that if they were discovered they would
be immediately seized and shot as s.pies, being within the lines of the
British Camp. Mr. Whitmore bade them come into the house
and not for their lives let themselves be seen. He immediately
took them to the house of the Rev. Dr. Adjison, rector of Ni-
agara, who resided on the next farm, and begged him to advise
him what to do about the young men, who really meant no harm.
The Reverend clergyman, a most excellent and judicious man, saw
at once the gravity of the situation. He went immediately to find
Col. Murray, the commander of the troops, and frankly stated the
whole case tq him and begged permission from him to allow the
youug officers to return 'to their camp. Col. Murray knew and
greatly respected Mr. Whitmore whose house had been headquar-
ter for Gen. Vincent, Col. Murray and others. He sent for the
young officers aud severely reprimanded them for their folly and
told them that it was solely out of regard for the good and loyal
character of their uncle that he spared their lives. He allowed
them to re-embark and return to Niagara.

These two officers were after the evacuation of Niagara posted
with their regiment at Lewiston where in the afternoon of the
night in which Fort Niagara was captured they were attacked by
General Riall and both of them killed on the hill at Lewiston.

—24—

They were both dead in less than a week after their rash visit to
their uncle, John Whitmore.

Mr. John Whitmore died in 1853 and is burisd with his wife
Magdalene who died in 1854 and others of his family in the Servos
burial ground, Lake Road, Ot his family one son, Peter Whit-
more, Esq., of Niagara Township, and one daugher, E. Magda-
lene, wife of Wm. Kirby, are at this time still living — Niagara,
April 25th, 1882.

NOTE BY WM. KIRBY*

On Friday ist September 1890 a stranger came into my office
and introduced himself as John Whitmore, a grand-
son of George Whitmore, brother of my father-in-law John Whit-
more. He came to ask about the Canadian members of the
family, he had been to visit the place where stood the homestead
where the family had been destroyed. Remains of the site he
could still discover. It was situated in what was called Jersey
town, Columbus Co., Penn.

* Author of Le Chien D'or, Canadian Idyls, etc.

PORTRAIT Or WILLIAri J7WIS,

From original painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence.

_ 25-
TH C JARVIS LETTERS.

By Mary Agnes FitzGtbbon.

("A paper read before the Canadiv*. Institute by Miss FitzGibbo n »
Hon-Secretary of the Woman's Historical Society, Toronto*
and author of "A Veteran, of 1812"."}

•/ J /

The letters which it is my privilege to read to you to-night
were sent me by Mr. George Murray Jarvis, of Ottawa, that I
might glean from them such items or information bearing upon
my work. They need no long preface. They speak for them-
selves, and the less I intrude myself or my opinions the greater
will be their interest and value. They cover a period of some
twenty-one years — more full and fairly consecutive during the
period included — 1792 to 1800, more widely scattered and inter-
mittent trom the latter date to ^813. They cover 115 pages of
foolscap. It is needless to say that there is enough data in them
to furnish interesting matter for several papers such as the one
to-night. One of the difficulties I had to contend with was to
select the most interesting extracts from much that is valuable,
and to give you that which is likely to be of general interest. It
is a correspondence which subject to wise omissions or repetitions
of purely family matters, should be published as they are written.
It is work of this kind our Historical Societies should do. Print-
ing, however, costs money, and funds of Historical Societies in
Canada are never very abundant; the one of which I am Secretary,
deriving its funds solely from the small annual fee of fifty cents,
has had no sufficient surplus after defraying its current expenses.
We hope, however, that having in a measure justified our exis-
tence and our membership increasing, we may be enabled one day
to undertake the printing of valuable correspondence and original
documents.

This came to me labelled "Family Letters, trom Wm. Jarvis,
Secretary of Upper Canada, and Hannah, his wife, to the Rev.
Samuel Peters, L.L.D., between the years 1792 and 1813. Copies
(Originals in the possession of S. J. McCormick) received from
Samuel Peters Bell, April 1876". I will not attempt to give you
any detailed statement of who or to what, family Wm. Jarvis be-
longed. The tamily was and is a large one and I should only

— 26-

bewilder you and befog myself by attempting- it. I find my own
family pedigree and its ramifications almjst beyond my compre-
hension. That both he and his wife, Hannah, were Refugee Loy-
alists who, after the Revolution, went to England and there sought
compensation for losses for loyalty, by office or land grants in Can-
ada, is evident from the letters — more it is unnecessary to say
to night. I have the printed pedigree here for the information of
anyone particularly interested, now in the possession of Geo.
Murray Jarvis, of Ottawa.

VVm Jarvis received his appointment while in London and
thus announces it in a lette: dated Pimlico, 3ist March, 1792.

•'I am in possession of my sign manual from His Majesty con-
stituting me Secretary and Register of tne Province of Upper Can-
ada with the power of appointing my deputies, and in every
respect a very full warrant. I am also much flattered to be able to
inform you that the Grand Lodge of England have, within these
very few days, appointed Prince Edward, who is now in Canada,
Grand Master of Ancient Masons in Lower Canada, and Wm.
Jarvis. Secretary and Register of Upper Canada, Grand Master of
Ancient Masons in that Province. However trivial it may appear
to you who are not a Mason, yet I assure you it is one of the most
honorable appointments that they could have conferred. The
Duke of Athole is the G. M. of Ancient Masons in England.

Lord Dorchester, with his private Secretary, and the Secre-
tary of the Province called on us yesterday and found us in the
utmost confusion, with half a dozen porters, etc., in the house,
packing up. However His Lordship would come in and sit down
in a small room which was reserved from the general bustle, then
took Mr. Peters home with them to dine. Mrs. Jarvis leaves
England in great spirits. I am ordered my passage on board the
transports with the regiment and to do duty without pa) for the
passage only. Government have been so tardy in dispatching the
Loyalists to Upper Canada that I shall be obliged to comply with
the order, before mentioned, from the War Office. The ship I am
allotted to is the Henniker, Captain Winter, a transport with the
2nd Rangers on board.

I am told that, at this moment, there is not a single grant of
land in U. C. but the lands are held by letters of occupation and

t _, /y ^ f

that the grants are all to be made out by me after my arrival, at
which the Secretary of L- C. is not well pleased, as the letters of
occupation have been issued by him for some years without fee or
reward, and by the division of the Province of Canada all the
emoluments fall to my portion; there is, at this moment, from 12
to 20,000 persons holding- lands on letters of license in Upper Can-
ada at a guinea only each, is a petty thing to begin with."

One, at least, of his relatives however thought differently, for
his brother Samuel wrote from Hamford, Connecticut, that "Wm
sails for Montreal with a very handsome salary".

The party, consisting of Wm. Jarvis, his wife, Hannah, three
children, two servants. Richard and Mamie, and a Miss Adam
left England on April i2th. The account of the stormy and ad-
venturous passage out would make a paper of itself and though
reluctant to leave the interesting record unread I must do so.
They reached Quebec on June n, having been just two months at
sea. The next day they landed a league and a half below the town
of SjreL Hire they ware mj>t hospitably entertained by a "Mr.
Djty who provided Calashs and fetched them all out of the ship."
The description of the children's delight at being on shore again is
too graphic to omit. "Sam ran off into the meadows, instantly
and had twenty tumbles in the grass, which was nearly tap to his
chin, before we could catch him", while the older and sedate Maria
took her father's hand and and in the quaint manner of the day,
said, ''Now, Papa' I would be glad it you would show me my
Grandfather and my Uncle as I want to see them very much''.

From Sorel they went to Montreal by bateau. There they
were cordially entertained by Mr. Grey, whose goodness in send-
ing the bateau for them and receiving them at his house
exceeded anything they had ever met with. "His whole
house" writes Mr. Jarvis "is at our disposal and flowing
with milk and cream and strawberries for my lambs."
Maria, the eldest girl evidently enjoyed them as her father reports
that the result of her appreciation induced her to complain that
"her shoes pinch her under her stays." We all know the illus-
trations of Cruickshank and others of that date and can picture the
long waisted laced figure of the child.

"Mr. Grey's table" to continue to quote "for the rest of us is
fit for a Prince to partake of. When you arrive I request you
will pay your respacts to him as soon r.s possible for I assure you
his friendship deserves far greater acknowlegments than I am
capable of giving. They have long had a report here that you
are consecrated Bishop of Canada."

28th. — We embark for Kingston — Colonel Simcoe has ordered
a regiment to proceed with all dispatch to Niagara, himself with
the Civil establishment ?>re to stop for some time in Kingston.
Osgoode informed me he was to open his first court," The last
three words are underlined.

"Mrs. Simcoe is to spend the winter in Kingston, which I
expect will be the case with my family. From the accounts I
have heard from Kingston I would wish to go further up the
country. There is no Peace Established between the Americans
and the Indians, a Treaty seems to be on foot and our Montreal
friend to be the Meditator. Sir John Johnston is selling off all
his furniture in this country and going to England in a very few
days in a very great pet with the Minister. Mr. Grey has sent up
to inform us that our letters must be instantly sealed." They
were not however until many messages were sent to the Grand-
father from the children,

The next letter is dated Kingston July i5th, Mr. Jarvis very
much occupied writing proclamations some ot which cover eleven
pages of foolscap, and he is obliged to make many copies, MS.
copies, and begs Dr. Peters to "send out fifty skins of parchment
also fifty weight of Beeswax. There is no more to be had here
or in Lower Canada."

This was for the great seal ot the Province which he elsewhere
describes as being as large as a bottle wagon. He had already
complained that the Governor had scolded him because he had not
brought out a screw press for affixing the Seal.

"The worst cheese is i5d a Ib." he goes on '-and all kinds of
vegetables and provisions are very dear. Beef and Mutton 5d
per Ib. , Chickens 2/5 per couple. All kinds of corn looks more
luxuriant here than I ever saw it before. Wheat the 8th and qth
crop on the same ground without manure is a man's height and

—29—
not less than 40 bushels to the acre.

On August the 3oth Mrs. Jarvis writes: "We are waiting for a
fair wind to sail for Niagara, the Governor was ill on Sunday
evening the 26th at which time the Prince left that place. I have
just heard that the June Packet has arrived in Quebec, by Captain
Russel who received a letter by her. We have not received one
line from you since you left the Downs. Many things have come
cut by the Scipio such as a ploughshare, cart hubs etc. and
almost everything by !.er damaged. The Governor's Coach rot-
ten and sold, for the benefit of the Underwriters."

Mr. Jarvis apparently about the same date, and to go in the
same inclosure writes: "I was in hopes before now to have given
you more satisfactory accounts of our new city. We are still a
roving tribe of Israelites or whatever you please to call us. Col.
Simcoe has fixed on Niagara as his headquarters lor two years to
ccme, I have been there and was ten days in search of a hut to
place my wife and lambs in without success. At length I was
obliged to pay $140 for a log hut with three rooms (two of which
are very indifferent) with half an acre of ground. I have pur-
chased logs to make an addition to my hut, which will add a
decent room to the first purchase. Col. Simcoe is at present very
unwell at Niagara and if he has a good shake with the
ague I think it will be but justice for his meanness in dragging us
from this comfortable place, to a spot on the globe that appears to
me as if had been deserted in consequence or a plague. Neither
age or youth are exempt from fever and ague in Niagara. How
will it go with my poor souls. Osgood I expect will refuse
wintering at Niagara, also the Attorney General. Our Assembly
are to meet on the i2th of next month and a motley crew they
are.

After the Assembly is prorogued the Col. and his suite are to
go to Toronto, a city-hunting, I hope they will be successful for
I am sick unto death of roving, it really seems as if we were
never to stop again, Lake Ontario being very boisterous nav-
igation, I was very near being lost on the I5th ult. going to
Niagara. I verily believed I had been preserved on the Atlantic to
be buried on this Lake,

—30—

People live here from hand to mouth as if they were to be gone
to-morrow. We have no printer yet. I am still a slave, we have
no table of fees established yet therefore I can make no charge
only book them to be exacted in future.

The Governor seems more intent upon city hunting" than the
organization of the Province. The Prince left us this morning for
Quebec (Sept. ist.) to the joy of all parties, The town was most
liberally illuminated last evening in honor of His Royal Highness.
Candles are so scarce a commodity that I did not follow the
example of my neighbors.

I have been obliged to draw upon John Gray of Montreal for
my half years salary to cover our heads this winter it is not using
you well, but what could I do, there is not even a shed to hire.
I fear the Loyalists are all lost, I would give the world for a few
lines from you. Hard times by heaven; we will hope lor a change
for the better. Your daughter has good health and better spirits,
my dear babes are in rude health and grown quite out of ycur
knowledge. Whdh you can come to this country make a bonfire
of your baggage and you will do a prudent thing to save money.
Bateaus cost ^45, Halifax currency.

Since we wrote last, Fanny is married to a Sergeant Rummage
of the Queen's Rangers (about one month since). The day before
yesterday she provoked him to shoot himself through the heart
with a soldier's musket at Niagara."

This was the same damsel who was so useless on the passage
put and who her master had then reported as "a devil incarnate."
Good servants were scarce then as they are now. Mr. Jarvis begs
his father-in-law to bring one or two out with him, "tor the whole
country cannot produce one fit to place in Hell's kitchen. Strong
language, but it was mild in comparison with much in common
use at the time.

The next letter written Oct 251)1, from Niagara where the
family had removed is a sad one, in it is the broken-hearted cry
of a father bereaved of his eldest son. The child died on Oct/
i gth, aged four years, and was buried at Niagara, the Rev. Mr.
Stewart, of Kingston, reading the service.

"The symptoms of his illness were so strange that his mother

desired a post mortem, as she says to satisfy me and be a guard
for my other babes. His complaint was found to be in the wind-
pipe and no where else, where neither art or medicine could avail.
The doctor called it a thick muscilage or thick skin which sur-
rounded the inside of the windpipe. The faculty who have written
on the subject say none have survived this disorder and that it is
very frequent in Scotland."

The St. Lawrence is frequently mentioned in these letters as the
Communication, as- for instance "concerning" white oak stairs".
Mr. Jarvishas not had time to make any inquiries about them but
is of opinion that the expense of having- them made and taken
, down ihe Communication will far exceed their value, labor being
immensely dear, a dollar and a half per day, is the usual price for
a man, or if. you have him by the month, eight dollars, and find
them with victuals. A woman servant the lowest is two and a
half dollars per month, from that to twelve dollars. I have two
girls to whom I give seven dollars a month. They are willing',
good natured girl«, but not acquainted with doing their work as
I am used to. I am under the necessity of following them about
, etc. Barnsley le-ives to-morrow for Kingston from whence he
expects to go to Toronto to settle the Loyalists. He has met
with much trouble in getting up the Communication about his
goods, several parcels being left at Montreal, two of Crockery
and his Potash Kettle. I fear I may forget to inform you that
there is a post established once a fortnight through the Geneva
country from hence to New York", or "should you come by way
of Montreal fail not I pray you to go to Mr. John Gray and re-
quest that he would get some gentleman to accompany you up
the Communication, if you do not you will be obliged to stop
where the Canadians please which will always be in the woods
where there is nothing to be had, otherwise you will sleep every
night in the best houses the country affords and be comfortable."
The cost of freight from the Bay of Quinte is quoted at 5o/ per
ton. The following is curiously feminine "I know not what you
mean by the "smoothing glasses creating repentance", their
meaning is nothing more or less than to serve instead of a mangle,
when silk stockings and gowns are being washed."

32

Tne letters contain constant reiterations of the desire for the
coming' of Dr. Peters, references to rumors of his consecration as
Bishop, which are again contradicted, of grants of land obtained
or promised, of the delays in establishing a tabb of fees for the
Secretary's Office: of anxiety on affairs in England which appear to
be very unsettled, fears of trouble through ths dearly loved father-
in-law's risk of "falling into the hands of the mob" and urgent
entreaties to him to come out and not risk the experience of
another revolution.

On October the iSth Mr. Jarvis announces the birth of a son
and refers to Dr. McCauley, also to being in the new house, thus
describing the furnishing' of his wife's room. "She lies in the
green bed which is put in the center of the room with the large
Turkey carpet under her to avoid risk of cold trom possible damp
in the walls. I intend the infant shall bear the name of his brother
(referring to Samuel.) I have the pleasure to inform you the
Governor has perfectly recovered from his late illness, and looks like
himself once more. The spot for the Capital is not yet determined
on. Toronto I expect will be the pace." People in office were
eviJent.lv as much troubled by exacting relations as is repo:ted in
po itical circles to-day. Mrs. Jarvis reports to her father: "Thomp-
son Peters left Kingston the same time as we did, in great anger
that he had not got a place of three hundred a year and as bitter to-
ward you vowing \ engertnce to take care of himself at your expense
I think him an ungrateful young man and a rebel as strong as his
uncle John, he is not fit for any place in my opinion, still had he
had patience he would have had a place as Clerk of the House of
Assembly. However I am not sorry he is gone for he was an
eternal plague to Mr. Jarvis and his Clerks causing them to have
leaves cut out of the book after being wrote on, prying into every-
thing private and public. I will never forgive him for his flings at
you."

Others, however, were less troublesome. "Mr. Jarvis has
appointed John Peters his deputy at Prince Edward which I
hope will be something in his pocket. He bears an excellent
character in all respects, he is a favorite in the family."

Through the letters of this date there are frequent references

33

to lost and damaged freight. ' Books arriving rotten and not
worth a penny," Simcoe's trunks damaged, the death of a cow—
and of the inconvenience the non-arrival of stationery, beeswax
and the screw press causes them.

The following gives us a glimpse of the difficulties under which
Simcoe labored in organizing the Government of the Upper Pro-
vince:

Nov. 25th, 1792 — I have made out commissions for the fol-
lowing gentleman, who have been appointed by the Governor and
recommended to the Treasury: Mr. David VVm. Smith, 5th Regi-
ment, to act as Surveyor-General; Capt. R. England to be Naval
Officer in U. C. ; Ed. Baker Littlehales (Brigadier Major) Clerk
of the Council; all of whom have been superceded by the Treas-
ury, viz. Smith by a son of Major Holland, Surveyor-General L.C.;
Littlehales by Small, who resides in Kingston this winter; Eng-
land by Mr. De Castro, a Spaniard who arrived here this day
(Nov. 25th) 1792.

Mrs. Jarvis gives in the following Jan. i5th, i?93, some ac-
count of the gaieties at the temporary capital. "I have, been to
two of the Assemblies and am to attend, on the i8th, at the Gov-
ernor's Ball on the Queen's birthnight. The first I went to was
to alleviate Mr. Jarvis' grief and my own. The latter I was ob-
liged to attend politically. Mrs. Simcoe cannot attend as was
expected so we will have no Drawing-Room until the King's
Birthday. Our printer has got his press up and commenced
printing but nothing public as yet; a paper is expected to be print-
ed weekly and is most likely to begin after the i8th" (Jan. 1793.)
''On December 27th the Grand Master was installed in great
form. A procession of all the fraternity called with music play-
ng, etc., etc. Mr. Addison, Grand Chaplain, a young brother
made that morning, read prayers and preached a sermon after
which there was a dinner,

There has been a council of the Six Nation Indians held here
for a week past. This morning they met to determine about some
land that they wanted, Joseph Brant at their head, but the Gov-
ernor and they coudn't agree; the grant was made out, the great
seal affixed, but the Indians rejected; they were not to dispose of

— 34 —

any part of the land therein specified but among- themselves, this
they do not like. Now* they have agreed to have a grand Council
in the spring' of every individual who has a Voice, before the
spring communication is opened with England and the Six Na-
tions, the result of which will be sent to the King for his approba-
tion.

Captain Brant dined with us on the i3th, the first time I ever
spoke to him; I saw him at the Assembly before for the first time
Our winter has not yet begun, we have had no snow to lay
more than a day or two; we have been out in the sledge two days
— once or tmice we have ventured out and returned on dry. or
rather muddy ground. The clay is in so soft a state as to receive
a wheel of a chair half way to the axletree." This would indicate
that the quality had brought out 'bath chairs' in which
to be conveyed to thf Assemblies and other entertainments.

"What little I have seen of the place, was it well cleaned (we
would say cleared) would make some of the most beautiful spots
in the world. The Niagara River for seven miles, which I have
seen, affords a delightful prospect. A place called the Four-mile
Creek, on the side of the lake, was it in England, would be a
place WDrthy of the King's notice. It (the creek) meanders in a
manner superior to any stream I ever saw. There i^ a great mill
upon it and the family that it belongs to are Dutch. We have
received more attention than could be expected from them. As
soon as Mrs. Servos understood that I was an American she sent
me lard, sausages, pumpkins, Indian meal, squashes, carrots, etc.
I have been to see them and they seemed highly pleased and said:
'we shall come and see you because you are not particular.' I had
them here to dinner on the 27th. Capt. McKay lives in their
house and seems much pleased with his situation. You cannot
think how much it seems to please them when we go and see them
I soon found that their eyes were fixed on me as an American to
know whether I was proud or not. Mrs.McCauley and I have gain-
ed the character'of being the plainest dressed women in Newark.
There is more profusion of dress in our Assembly than I have ever
seen in London. We Londoners think they must suffer greatly
under the load of finery which stands piled upon them, for it liter-

— 35 —

ally stands. Feathers not an inch of them lost in fixing- them in
or on their caps."

Y To a message sent to friends she adds. "The flowers grow very
well. They are placed in the bed-rooms in punch glasses on one
of our card-tables," reference is also made to a lock of dark hair
which she sends her tather to be put in a miniature in whatever
device he may choose, evidently a miniature of herself left with her
father.

The seat of Government is still unfixed. The Governor has
been up to the head of the lake, likes the country very much, is
going very soon to Detroit and I fear expects Mr. Jarvis to go
with him, etc.

There is a long gap in the letters here, the next being dated
Nov. rst, 1793. In it many trials and troubles are recorded, an
epidemic of iever and ague, which had seized them all in turn and
nearly proved fatal to the second son, at which fear the father
seemed dlstiacted with grief. Annoyances in the office and diffi-
culties with his wife's relations and their business, as also with
some society of the Province of Vermont of which the Lewis Allen
is spoken of in no measured terms ot annoyance.

In his letter dated Nov. 22nd is an account of the provisions
laid in for the winter. The quantity and quality, indicative of
comfortable living and forethought of the man of the wOrld. He
did not draw rations from the government as he had expected, so
looked out for himself. "I shall have my family well provided for
in winter," he says, "I have a yoke ot fattened oxen to come
down; 12 small shoats to put in a barrel occasionally, which I
expect to weigh from 40 to 60 Ibs. ; about 60 head dunghill fowl;
16 fine turkeys and a dozen ducks, 2 breeding sows; a milch cow
which calved in August, which cf course will enable her to afford
her mistress with a good supply of milk through the winter. In
the root house I have 400 head of good cabbage, about 60 bush,
potatoes and a sufficiency of very excellent turnips. My cellar is
stored with 3 burrels of wine. 2 of cider, 2 of apples, and a good
stock of butter. My cock loft contains some of the finest maple
sugar I ever beheld, xo.ooolbs. made in an Indian village near
Michillimackinac. We have isolbsofit, also plenty of good

— 36 -

flour, cheese, coffee, loaf sugar, etc. In the stable I have the
ponies (whose harness Mrs. Jarvis describes elsewhere as "very
smart, being1 part leather and part ropes,") and a good sleigh —
the snuggest and warmest cottage in the province. The Governor
\s to winter at Toronto (now York) in his canvas house and two
log huts. The regiment have not above two or three huts finish-
ed and may require thirty to accommodate them."

The reference to these two huts is significant to us. You re-
member that two log huts were conveyed some years ago to the
Exhibition grounds. One remains, on which a sign Simcoe is
put. Probably these are the huts here referred to.

Dr. Peters was elected Bishop of Vermont. The letter writ-
ten on March 28th, 17^3, refers to it but expresses uncertainty of
whether the election will be accepted or not, but urges him to do
so as it will bring him so much nearer to his daughter and enable
them to have his much desired company for six months of the
year.

That there were expectations of hostilities from the States at
that date, March 28111,1794, the following indicates: "If the Amer-
icans dare fight us I think we are sure of a war with them. We
have lately received orders here to surply the Indians with every
kind ot war-like store.

"The warriors, it seems, by Lord Dorchester's speech to the
Indians, are to determine the line between the States and us.
Great preparations are making with us in case of a commence-
ment of hostilities. I am told bv the Governor in case of a rup-
ture the Civil Establishment are all to go down to new Johnson.
If so we shall be within a day or Jwo ride of Montreal.

August 2oth, 1 794.— >The Governor and Indians have gone
to Detroit again across the Country by way of River cle France.
They set out about one week since."

A huiried visit from the Bishop of Quebec, who, coming and
leaving before he was expected, left many disappointed of "Con-
firmation," elicits a description ot him from Mrs. Jarvis, "He is
a man of most winnipg deportment, extremely affable and a most
charming preacher. An old man observed that his visitation was
more in the style of a thief in the night than that of a Bishop, for

37

he left the Province 10 days before the time that he had named
that he would arrive." Though expressing dislike to writing on
politics the writer goes on, "Hitherto the Indians are faithful
allies, have kept Gen. Wayne's party pretty closely beseiged. how-
ever he has very lately by some unexpected manoeuvres made
some advances which have been rather alarming to us here and
which has cansed part of our army to move towards the (Western)
country and I have no doubt but there will be a good account
given ef Wayne and his army before this day fortnight, few I
trust will go to bed after that with their night caps on. The In-
dians are as inveterate and as enthusiastic as the "San Curlottes"

."I would not be in Wayne's shoes

for 30 days, or this day, to be King of England during life after.
We have a well appointed Militia in this Province, almost to a man
have been soldiers during the last war either in British or Provin-
cial regiments. I look upon them as better even than the
British troops tor the service they will be wanted for.

While on August 22nd Mrs. Jarvis writes, "Governor Simcoe
puts his hands on Wayne in person in a very few days." The
B next letter from her husband dated September 3rd contains the
following: "War has within these few days appeared more doubt-
ful, yet ever) preparation is a making with us for the reception of
our neighbors. A part of the militia are now ut this place em-
bodied and a fine body of men they are almost to a man, soldiers
that served in the late war. By a late ordinance the militia of
this province i« on the same footing and have the same rank with
respect to marching regiments as the militia of England. We
have Lieutenants and deputy-Lieuts. of counties as in Eng-
land. I am one of the deputy-Lieuts., am appointed to command
the militia of the County of York. etc.

Mr, Wayne has handled the Indians pretty roughly a few
weeks since but the Indians recovered themselves fcnd returned
again to the battle, the last accounts we had, Wayne was retreat-
ing and the Indians pursuing hard on his rear. In this action
one of my deputies was slain in whom I have met with a great
loss. His name is Charles Smtth, a young man of most accom-
plish abilities and adopted chief among the Shawnees, he was shot

through the knees, quartered alive. Though shocking to relate,
nevertheless true, one of Wayne's officers was shortl) afterwards
taken, who the Indians, with their scalping knives, cut into
pieces."

This is possibly a war rumor rather than a fact, though no
doubt Mr. Jarvis believed he was correct. We all know how
rumors of horrors almost as atrocious reached us during the North
West Rebellion and how later the bodies of those who fell were
brought back to us untouched and unmutilated.

'•The Indians lost about 40 warriors, 10 ot whom were chiefs.
Joseph Brant has gone from the Grand River with 300 young war-
riors to join the Western Brothers, from whence we may conclude
a very serious event is not far distant. I think friend Anthony is
in the centre of a d d hobble. He has behaved in a most in-
solent manner to our outposts as well as barbarous to prisoners,
which would chill the blood in ones veins to relate." In the letter
dated December loth Mr. Jarvis urges Dr. Peters not to permit
himselt to be detained in London by am demur with respect to
the province seal, but to hasten out to Vermont, when, the official,
whose name is not given, being a politician and entirely kept in
office by the church, will be in his power.

i He also informs him that he-intends applying for leave to go
to Quebec in June or July next, unless the Governor requires him
to go with him to attend a Great Council of the chiefs and war-
riors of all the Western tribes even d'jvvn to West Florida. The
screw press arrives in January 1795 and proved to be a letter
press and much too weak, it is broken at once. Two portraits of
the beloved boy who by adoption is a Mississaga and named Neh-
Kek. are sent home by the Hon. Robert Hamilton. The Indian
dress is described. I believe one of these portraits is extant in
Toronto, The second mentioned was to be sent to Mrs. Monk-
house. "Our good Governor spends his winter in the lower part
of the province from Kingston to Pointe an Rodet." The rest
of the Government are of course separated from him at least six
months of the year. Israelites indeed or Arabs — either is appli-
cable— their govern man t being itinerant as ours."

Another long gap in the letters occurs here, the next being

- 39 —

from Mrs. Jarvis and dated Newark, 1796. The appointment
of registrars in the towns and districts and the consequent lessen-
ing of the fees to her husband, causes great indignation on her
part. The letter is in the most sarcastic and bitterest vein. The
interruptions of business owing to each one insisting upon their
claims, must have been annoying to the settlers. I will pass over
these letters as I have already taken a longer time than I antici-
pated,

"At six o'clock on the morning of St. John's Day, ayth De-
cember, we had the shock of an earthquake, it terrified me very
much but not as much as }he white fish which left the river and
returned not until Good Friday so that from getting 24 for a dol-
lar we only have 16. Mr. Jarvis has orders to remove his office
to York, at any rate if he does his family will remain here until
such time as he has a house to remove them to."

From the next ten or twelve pages of the letters it is almost
impossible to make extracts without their being unintelligible, and
it would take too long lo quote them entire. They are no less in-
teresting than other portions. Much of what one may designate
the undercurrent of history, both social and political, is contained
in them. Many well-known names are mentioned and the most
ordinary items of domestic gossip are chronicled from Mrs. Jarvis,
in a sarcastic vein, which adds spiciness to the .record. The
cause of the gaps in the correspondence is explained by the dis-
covery that many letters have gone to France, instead of to Lon-
don, other reasons are not so definitely stated for those from
London not reaching Canada.

The beauty of several localities is described as they visited
them, the progress of the children in growth and intelligence is
. noted, the birth and christening of others, the plan of the new
house to be built in Newark, the old one being used as an office,
the uncertainty of Dr. Peters' movements and the trouble over
long silences are all entered into at large. There are some pungent
passages in Mr. Jarvis' letters, anent the authorities, an account
of an action for libel preferred against him in the courts, his de-
fence, and how he forced his adversaries ro apologize, "sentence
by sentence," are all interesting, even recalling Pepys' gossipy
records.

— 40 —

There is also much about the grants of land, the localities in
which they are located and the value of the town lots sitnated on
Yonge street, the town lots in Niagara being granted with the
condition attached of building a house on each witlvn twelve
-months, and the plan of building one large one to serve all by
being in the middle, and to be saleable in case of removal. The
dimensions quoted of this new house are, "40x24 with two wings
" 36x18 which would admit us to have a bedroom for the children
*' and ourselves, the kitchen and offices, two sitting rooms and a
" room for a friend occasionally." I have quoted this reference
to the house with a purpose — to draw attention to the fact that
there were good houses built as soon as it was possible by the
settlers, officials and U. E. Loyalists in Canada — and thus con-
vince those who cling to the belief that log shanties and their at-
tendant squalor was the general condition. Even the hut pur-
chased, on his first arrival, by Mr. Jarvis, had three rooms, to
these he added two rooms, a kitchen and two garrets — the build-
ing ot a larger and better house being delayed only by the uncer-
tainty about where the Governor would decide upon fixing ihe
seat of Government.

August and September, 1795, letters contain references to
Mrs. Jarvis' fears for the health of her brother in New York,
where yellow fever is raging.

Truuble fell upon Dr. Peters in London causing his daughter
much sorrow and anxiety. Her letters of 1798-99 are full of
plans to console him if he will but come out to her and take com-
fort in such work and amusement as can be furnished him in the
care of his grandchildren and pleasure in their society. She draws
a pleasant picture of Mrs. Elmsley's father, old Mr. Helliwell,
who superintends all the domestic affairs, thus enabling the Chief
Justice to devote himself to official matters.

Mr. Jarvis writes of growing prosperity, increasing business,
accumulation of property, necessitating the employment of four
clerks in his office and the possibility of being able to secure an
office for Dr. Peters if he will come out, are all detailed with lov-
ing insistance to induce the old man to come to Canada. There
is also much about the regulations and fees charged on grants to

the Loyalists, etc., and changes in the forms of application, etc.,
all of value. Many names are mentioned in this connection that
have now become history— General Arnold and others.

' There is lately arrived here (Jan. 3jst 1799) Count de
Fuse, a Lieutenant under the old King of France with a suite of
his officers. There are a considerable number of them (Loyalists)
in Kingston who arrived so late they could not reach here on ac-
count of the navigation on the lake being closed (or the season.
The Count informed me one day while at dinner with us, tha-
there was about 20,000 in like sitnation with himself, who wished
to emigiate to Upper Canada. The Counte. with other nobles of
France, with about 20 French soldiers are now residing about 75
miles back of York on Young St. that leads over to Lake Huron.
There is to be a French settlement on LakeSimcoe (formerly Lake
de Clay) at which place the Count is to be Chieftain of the French
emigrants is on his route. He is the man who commanded the
French Loyalists at Vendee or Quiberon Bay. I like him very
much. He is, I think, much like General Simcoe in point of size
and deportment and without exception the finest looking man I
ever saw." This letter, the last from Niagara in the collection,
closes with the usual and earnest entreaties that her father will
yield to her entreaties and come to them..

Although I have been obliged to hurrj over the last few let-
ters I would not like to leave the impression that they are less in-
teresting than the first. In fact they are rather more than less.
Several papers might be written from them, but as I have said I
hope they ma) one day be printed in as complete a form as pos-
sible,when, instead of being wearied by the monotony of a reader,
you may sit by the fire and study them with the same satisfaction
and pleasure as many generations have had from either the Pas-
cal letters or the pages of the immortal Pepys.

THE STORY OP ROBERT LAND, U. E. LOYALIST-

(By John H. Land, reprinted by permission of Wentworth Historical

Society. }

When the American Colonies rebelled against the British
Government in 1776, Robert Land, who, with his brother, had
some twenty-five years before, come seeking a fortune in the New
World, was living contentedly on the farm he had mada out of
the wilderness on the Delaware River near Coshecton, N.Y.

He had married Phoebe Scott, of Virginia, (an aunt of Gen-
eral Winfield Scott) and had five sons and two daughters.

He opposed the "Colonial" movement, and on the breaking out
of hostilities joined the Loyalist ranks. His elder son John, then
sixteen, and able to bear arms, was therefore seized and placed
in prison and the family subjected to all the harassment that their
enemies were masters of.

Mr. Land was, owing to his knowledge of the country where
the forces were operating made a messenger and entrusted with
despatches. Finding that the feeling against hi-r was visited on
his unoffending family and thaf threats of death to him and des-
truction to the home were becoming loud, he decided to get away
to Canada and if possible send for them from that land of safety.
He arranged with a Quaker friend who had traded a good deal in
that direction to accompany him. Through some spy their pur-
pose and rendezvous became known and as they started they were
met by a band of "patriots, "on whose approach Mr. Land at once
took to his heels and called to his iriend — a Mr. Morden —to follow.
The latter, however, could see no reason why he should avoid
them. He had never taken up arms or mixed up in the affairs,
one way or tha other, so in spite of the warning calls of his flee-
ing comrade he waited — for his death. These brave "patriots, "in-
censed at the escape of Mr. Land, and in spite of his protestations,
hung Mr. Morden to a tree as a warning to all who sympathized

- 43 -

with the Loyalists. While this uncalled for crime was enacting,
part of the gang had been in hot pursuit of Mr. Land, firing at
him as they ran, and seeing him approaching a swamp whose
thick underbrush they knew would hide him effectually, they sent
a volley after him as a parting compliment. One of the bullets
struck his knapsack, penetrating right through it and his clothing
to the very skin, knocking him down and cutting his hand severe-
ly as he fell. Seeing him fall his enemies rushed forward to finish
their work, but found only a trail ot blood leading into the dark
swamp which they tried to follow, but fortunately lost, when they
concluded that a man so badly wounded could not last long any-
how, so returned to their fellows and reported him dead, and on
their retuJn to their settlement spread the same report, taking
care that it should reach his family.

On falling, Mr. Land, however, crawled on hands andjcnees
behind a friendly bush and then arose, and plunging into the
depths of the swamp, escaped from his present danger. But his
situation was not one to be envied. Wounded, night falling apace
in the dismal recesses of an unknown swamp, through which he
must press on to get as far as possible before another day broke,
not daring to rest, still less to light a fire, and not knowing what
wild beasts were about him. The next day he got help and di-
rection from a trapper, and continued his way. arriving at Niagara
River, and was welcomed bv the little band of of refugees settled
there.

He applied for and received 200 acres at the Falls; afterwards
Lundy's Farm, on whose "lane" the famous battle was fought.
Here tidings reached him of the burning and massacre of his whole
family. He remained for two years on this fsrm, when the cease-
less dirge of the great cataract, reminding him of his own sorrow,
became unbearable, and he gave it up pushing on up the lake till
he arrived at the beautiful prairie valley around Burlington Bay,
when he took up a farm and built him a "shack" in 1781, the first
_white man who made his home where this fair city stands. He
does not seem to have had any idea of doing more than providing
for his own wants, believing as he did that he was now alone, for
his eon John, though not murdered with the rest of the family,

— 44 —

would he was sure, meet the same late at the hands of his blood-
thirsty captors. He supported himself bv trapping, hunting" and
trading with the Indian.?, and lived a lonely and morose man.

Deep was the distress of his wife and family when the news
reached them of Robert Land's death, and though they were as
yet allowed to live and work their little farm, they were in daily
dread of some deed of violence on the part of. their rebel neigh-
bors, a dread .only too well founded, for in the early autumn, on
one of those balmy nights for which September is noted, as the
eldest daughter Kate lay asleep, an Indian entered her room, and
drawing the point of his spear across the sole of her foot, awaken-
ed her. Thinking it was one of Capt. Jack's tricks, ( for Capt.
Jack was a born wag, though an Indian, and a sworn friend of
the family) she started up exclaiming: /'Go away, Capt. Jack,"
but to her horror a strange voice replied: "Me no Capt. Jack, me
good Injun. Get up! go across river, white man's house, he hurt,
he want you," and vanished. Hastily dressing she sprang into
her canoe and paddled over to the, nearest house, the home of a
family named Kane, who had been early terrorized into allegiance
10 the colonies, and were deemed to be safe from harm. To her
surprise she found the door open and stepping in stumbled over
something on the floor. Examination showed it to be his dead
tody, and a swift search revealed to the horror-stricken girl that
the whole family had been butchered and scalped, presumably by
Indians, those convenient nomads te whose credit, even to this
day, are placed any little act of plunder or pillage when circum-
stances will permit of it. Frenzied with fear Kate rushed out and
paddled home, roused the family, told her tale and besought them
to flee. They seized what little clothing, etc., they could lay
their hands on and took refuge in the cornfield. Hardly were they
concealed when the dread war-whoop rang out, followed by the
cries of disappointed rage at their escape, which had the effect ol
hastening their steps to the woods. This they had hardly reach-
ed before the scene was lighted up by the flames from their burning
house. Wild with ter-or, yet thankful for their present escape,
they fled from the scene of destruction, and hiding as much as
possible by day. living on raw corn and grain, they made iheir

- 45 -

way to New York, placed themselves under the protection of the
British army, and were sate. Here they remained till the evacua-
tion in 1783, when they with a large number of fellow refugees
were taken to St. John, New Brunswick. After a stay here of
seven years, the youngest son, Robert, now seventeen, persuaded
his mothe: that there must be a better farming country than this
somewhere under the British flag, and they determined to come
to Western Canada. Taking ship, they returned to New York,
and trom thence by way of their old home to Canada.

They found the eldest son John on the homestead, he having
been released at the close of the war, and being able to prove that
he had not taken arms against the colonies was reinstated. Mrs.
Land had too many sorrowful memories to care to stay and the
younger son, Robert, insisted it would be a waste of time. "We
have left a better country than this and I know there must be a
better land further west and I am going to find it." Two of the
elder sons remained and the rest started on foot for the weary
tramp to the unknown region of Canada. John accompanied
them for two days trying to persuade them to ste.y, picturing the
dangers they would have to meet, and telling of the hardships
from the fierce Indians of the west, and the almost certainty of a
slow death from stanation in that cold inhospitable land. Fail-
ing to shake his brother's resolution or his mother's determination
to share her Benjamin's fortune he gave up and weeping, bade
them farewell.

The long wearisome journey came to an end at last and they
too reached the Niagara River and crossed where the husband and
father had crossed nine years before.

At Niagara they remained nearly two years, Robert's gun and
traps and work he could get to do, supporting them. During the
second year they heard from a trader that there was a white man
settled at the "head of the lake" whose name he thought was
Land, and in spite of herself the ' widow" was startled. Could
it be possible that this wa« the husband so long mourned as dead?
No! the account she had heard was too circumstantial. Still the
idea would not leave her. It grew at last into a hope and further
reports raised it almost to a certainty. Again the line of march
was taken up, this time with eager hopefulness, and one day the

settler Robert Land, sitting moodily in his soli iry doorway, was
surprised to see a tall young- man, followed by a middle-aged wo-
man and two well-grown girls, approaching. Imagine his as-
tonishment, and the joy ok all at this unexpected reunion, this
literally "raising from the dead," the mutual explanation, the
history of their wanderings, and the final contented settling down
to make a new home.

Robert Land's hopeless apathy vanished under the influence
of his family's love, and his son Robert's energy A cabin was
built of logs, a piece of ground broken up with a hoe, and the
first crop planted. The gun and trap still formed their main de-
pendence for a year or so, till the first bag of grain for flour was
carried on Robert Jr's. back to Niagara to be ground. After
that everything prospered with them, till Robert Sr. was stricken
with paralysis, and lay bed-ridden for eight years before his death
which occurred in 1822.

The three elder sons, Abel, William and Ephraim, joined the
family here a few years after they got settled and taking up land
around their father prospered with him. The war of 1812 entail-
ed many hardships on them and their families. They were all on
service through it. Two of them, Robert and Abel, were officers
in the 3rd Lincoln militia and served their country well.

Whether it was from his experience with them during the re-
bellion of 1776, or the bias his mind got after hearing of the des-
truction of his family, Robert Land developed an intense hatred
of Indians after he became bed-ridden. As was the custom in
those days, his rifle and powder hung on the wall, and if he heard
an Indian's voice he would, with his sound hand, reach for his
rifle, shake out the priming, put in fresh, and lie with his weapon
ready for use till the poor Indian was gone.

The settlers never had any trouble with the aborigines here.

The foregoing reads like a chapter from a novel yet it is only
a history of one U.E. Loyalist family's sufferings, hardships and
oppressions. I venture to say that with a change in the names
and a few details it is the history of three-fourlhs ot the oppressed
and devoted band whose love for English freedom, and England's
flag, drove them to seek new homes to replace those ravaged and
destroyed in the sacred name of "Liberty."

Niagara Historical Society,
5545 Niagara -on- the-Lake, Ont.

Records of Niagara
v.1-8

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY