Memoirs of Major Thomas Merritt, U.E.L. (1759-1842), Cornet in Queen's Rangers (1776-1803) under Col. John Graves Simcoe, Major Commandant, Niagara Light Dragoons, in the War of 1812-14, Surveyor of Woods and Forests, and Sheriff of the Niagara District for about twenty years

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MEMOIRS

OF

Major Thomas Merritt, U. £. L.
(1759=1842)

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Cornet in Queen's Rangers, (1776-1803)
under Col. John Graves Simcoe ;

Major Commandant, Niagara Light Dragoons,
in the War of 1812-14 :

Surveyor of Woods and Forests ;
and

Sheriff of the Niagara District for about
twenty years.

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TMK CON9EBVATOB PRINT, 15KAMPTON

THOMAS MERRITT,

Major Commandant Niagara Light Dragoons.

(Gazetted Major of Cavalry in the Militia, Dated York, 2Uh April, 1812.
Previously Cornet in the Queen's Rangers 1776-1803.)

MEMOIRS

-OP

Major Thomas Merritt, U. E. L

Read before the Association on November 1 1th, 1909, by
Col. Wm. Hamilton Merritt, of Toronto.

This contribution might properly be considered a continuation of
one entitled "Birthplace and Antecedents of Major Thomas Merritt,
U. E. L.," by my sister, Miss Catherine Nina Merritt, of Toronto, which
is to be found printed in the transactions of this Association for the year
1899-1900.

The information given below is taken from an old document en-
titled, "Memoirs of Thomas Merritt, Esquire, of St. Catharines, C. W."
This document was evidently written by Mr. George Coventry (an Old
Ct untry "litterateur," who lived in St. Catharines), chiefly as dictated

— 4—

to him by my grandfather, Captain the Honorable Wm. Hamilton Mer-
ritt, also of St. Catharines, son of the subject of this paper. As there
is a good deal of reiteration I shall cut out parts of the "Memoirs," as
they stand, but the following is, unless where stated, taken practically
verbatim from them, and is the statement of my grandfather. Where,
therefore, "father" or "grandfather," etc., occur, it means his father,
grandfather, etc.

Oeorge Coventry, Esq.— Old-time Litterateur.
MEMOIRS

There is a tradition in our family that we are of French descent,
springing from the Marriottes of Normandy, which name was corrupted
into Merritt by some of them emigrating to England.

My grandfather, Thomas Merritt, was brought up on the paternal
farm between Bedford and Long Island. He lived on King Street, Long
Island Sound, the boundary between Connecticut and New York, on
property given to his ancestors as part pay for surveying the County of
West Chester; money at that time being extremely scarce. The
homestead was called "Mile Square." He was born April 24th, 1736,
and was the eldest of seven sons, who were dispersed In various direc-
tions. They were left orphans at an early age, so that the care of the
family devolved upon him. He was married in early life, 1758, at the
age of 22, to Amy Purdy, daughter of Captain Purdy, who figured in the

— 5-

French War, and located in the same neighborhood. The result of this
marriage was seven children, all boys but one (Phoebe Lyons). He held
a Captain's commission during the commencement of the troubles, and,
owing to his firm allegiance to the British Crown, would not join the rebel
party or act with them. For this determination he met with a great
deal of ill treatment from some of his neighbors and, ultimately, after
the battle of Lexington, April 19th, 1775, he was arrested by the Whigs
of West Chester and put into jail. To such a pitch of enthusiasm were
things carried that even one of his relations voted with the mob to take
away his life, hut he was rescued and escaped to New York, which the
British stilTfield. He was accompanied by two of his sons, Thomas, my
father, and Shubal. Here he obtained a Cornetcy of Dragoons for my
father in the Queen's Rangers. Shubal, my uncle, was a staunch Tory
and joined the Cow Boys.

My grandmother at this restless period was harassed by visits from
both parties. She destroyed the family register to prevent her remaining
sons from being enlisted. She did not long survive these accumulated
trials and died shortly after, being buried on the family property.

H<tnlnton? of the Father of Major Thos. Merritt in the Old
Grave-yard in St John, N. B.

-6-

My grandfather, having had his property confiscated, sailed with his
family and a large number of others to New Brunswick and settled in
St. John, 1783, where he died on the 23rd of March, 1821, at the great
age of nearly 92 years (born 12th April, 1729), and his headstone still
exists in the old burying ground on King St. East, St. John, N. B., now
used as a public park.

My uncle, Shubal, who was a brave, powerful, determined charac-
ter, took advantage of the permission to the Loyalists to return to their
homes on the proclamation of peace. The Whig rebel party stood in awe
of him. The loose, idle fellows feared him and gave him a bad name.
If a man were found dead it was Merritt' s doing. If another were taken
prisoner it was all owing to Shubalr At length these lawless fellows de-
termined to rid the country of one who was considered an enemy to
liberty, and in the-way of their unlawful proceedings. They at length
waylaid him and shot him.*

*(One Kniffin is said to have done the shooting.)

My Uncle Nehemiah died at Saint John, New Brunswick, 1842, a
strict U. E. Loyalist, leaving descendants who erected a tombstone with
the following inscription: — "To the memory of Nehemiah Merritt, a
native of New York. At an early age he left that country to retain un-
sullied his allegiance to his Sovereign and accompanied the Loyalists,
who, in 1783, landed in this province, where, by an unwearied course of
industry, prudence and honesty he acquired the respect and esteem of
the community. He was for several years one of Her Majesty's Justice
of the Peace for the city and county of Saint John'<s. This stone is
erected by his children as a testimony of esteem."

The Merritt plot in the Old Grave yard, on King St. E., St. John, N B.
— JVot» a public park.

My late father, Thomas Merritt, ex-Sheriff of this district, was born
at the family homestead, Mile Square, West Chester County, 28th
October, 1759.

— 7-

He was educated at Harvard College for a physician. When the
troubles commenced our family, being strict Loyalists, turned their at-
tention to the army, and my grandfather obtained for him a Cornetcy
in Colonel Simcoe's regiment of dragoons — he was then very young, brave
and aspiring. To show his zeal for the cause we find him very highly
spoken of in Simcoe's Military Journal.

Extracts from Col. Simcoe's Military Journal.

"In the latter part of February, 1781, Cornet Merritt was ordered
with a reconnoitering party, consisting of 1 sergeant and 10 dragoons, to
convey some negroes, who were sent to the neighboring plantations, to
search for and bring in some cattle that had escaped from us.

"From his great zeal to accomplish this service he went rather
further than was intended, when he unexpectedly fell in with a corps of
rebels, much superior, both in the number and goodness of their horses.
He retreated in good order for some distance, but finding himself much
harassed from the fire of his adversaries, and seeing that it would be
impracticable to get off without giving them a check, he determined on
charging them, which he did several times and with such vigor that he
always repulsed them.

"He thus alternately charged and retreated, until having had two
horses killed under him, he was so stunned by the fall that he was left
for dead.

"The rebels were so aw«d by their repeated repulses that they suf-
fered his party to escape into the woods, where, by dismounting and con-
cealing themselves in the thick Savannas, most of them got safe into the
Post.

"The Sergeant was killed, and 4 men were wounded, several horses
were killed. Merritt being supposed to be dead, was left, but afterwards
recovered his senses and was fortunate enough to find his way to the
Post, with the loss of his boots, helmet and accoutrements."

In another place, Colonel Simcoe says: — "Cornet Merritt, having
been sent, about the beginning of March, with a flag, to carry a letter
to Genl. Marion, by order of Col. Balfour, was detained a prisoner, to
retaliate for the detention of one Capt. Postell, who, after the surrender
of Charles Town, had taken a protection and the Oath to us, and had,
notwithstanding, again taken up arms, and had the impudence to come to
George-Town, with a flag of truce, where I detained him. They crammed
Merritt, with about twenty others, sergeants and privates of different
British regiments, in a small, nasty, dark place, made of logs, called a
bull-pen ; but he was not here long before he determined to extricate him-
self and his fellow prisoners, which he thus effected. After having com-
municated his intention to them, and found them ready to support him,
he pitched upon the strongest and most daring soldier, and having
waited some days for a favorable opportunity, he observed that his guard
(Militia) were much alarmed, which he found was occasioned by a party
of British having come into that neighborhood. He then ordered th.s

-8-

soldier to seize the sentry, who was posted at a small square hole cut
through the logs, and which simple expedient served the double purpose
of door and window, which he instantly executed, drawing the astonished
sentry to this hole with one hand, and threatening to cut his throat with
a large knife which he held in the other, if he made the smallest resist-
ance, or outcry ; then Cornet Merritt, and the whole party, crawled out,
the one after the other, undiscovered by the guard, though it was in the
daytime, until the whole had got out. He then drew them up, which the
officer of the guard observing, got his men under arms as fast as he
could, and threatened to fire on them if they attempted to go off : Merritt
replied, that if he dared to fire a single shot at him, that he would cut
the whole of his guard to pieces (having concerted with his men in such a
case, to rush upon the enemy and tear their arms out of their hands)
which so intimidated him, that although Merritt's party was armed only
with the spoils of the sentry and with clubs, he yet permitted them to
march off, unmolested, to a river at some distance, where Cornet Merritt
knew, from conversation which he had with the sentries, that there was

Pair of pistols used by Major Thos. Merritt in Wars 1776-83 and 1812-lb. Converted

from flint-locks in 1837 by Col. Elias Adams, who married a daughter of

Major Merritt. Now in the Canadian Military Institute among

the "Merritt Loan Collection."

a large rice-boat, in which he embarked and brought his party through a
country of above fifty miles safe into George Town.* To you the un-
daunted spirit and bravery of this young man is not unknown ; they ob-
tained for him in his distress your friendship and protection." "Col.
Balfour was pleased to approve his conduct, and in a letter to me, dated
Charles Town, 2nd April, 1781, expresses it then: — 'I rejoice most sin-
*(Now a suburb of Washington, D.C.)

-9-

cerely that your Cornet has escaped, his conduct and resolution does
him a great credit, and I wish I had it in my power to show him my sense
of it by more substantial mark than this testimony, but the only mode I
have is by offering him a Lieutenancy of a provincial troop.' This Cor-
net Merritt declined.

"I shall conclude this detail with mentioning one more instance of
the gallant behavior of Merritt, which it would be injustice to omit :
Being obliged in an attack I made on the rebel partisan Snipe to ap-
proach the house in which he had his party, through a narrow lane,
terminated within half musket shot of the house by a strong gate, which,
I expected, would detain us some time to open, when it was probable
their guard would fire on us, and as I was particularly anxious to pre-
vent any kind of check with the troop I then had with me, I picked out
Merritt, Corporal Frank and four men of my troop to proceed and make
an opening for the detachment, which he effected with such readiness
and spirit, that the passage was cleared by the time that the detach-
ment could get up, although for that purpose, he had been obliged to
dismount his party under the fire from their guard, and that the gate
and fence on each side of it had been secured and strengthened, with an
unexpected degree of care and attention. Col. Balfour, writing to me
in the month of April, when I commanded at George Town, says, 'Being
empowered by Lord Cornwallis to raise a troop of Provincial light dra-
goons, I have, for some time wished to try your Lt. Willson as captain
and this gentleman as Lieutenant (meaning Cornet Merritt) ; they both
have been recommended as good and active officers, and, if you agree
with me in opinion that a troop could be raised in or near George Town
I should have no hesitation in making the appointment.'

"Thus I have mentioned to you a few of the many meritorious ser-
vices performed by the officers and men of my troop, when in Virginia
and South Carolina. I regret much at my not having kept a journal
during that time, as it would now enable me to do more ample justice to
those whose zeal, bravery and good conduct entitle them to my fullest
and fairest report."

(End of extracts from Col. Simcoe's Journal.)

HAND TO HAND FIGHT

In an illustrated volume of "Interesting and Patriotic Incidents
Strikingly and Elegantly Illustrated," published in New York in 1856,
we find the following : —

"Colonel Herry, a revolutionary officer, states that he was sent by
General Marion to reconnoitre George Town. His narrative is as fol-
lows : 'I proceeded with a guide through the woods all night. At the
dawn of day I drew near the town. I laid in ambuscade with 30 men
and their officers near the road. After sunrise a chair appeared with

—10—

two ladies, escorted by two British officers. I was ready in advance to
cut them off, but reflecting that they might escape and alarm the town,
which would prevent my taking greater numbers, I desisted. The escort
and chair halted very near me, but soon the latter went on and the
officers galloped in retrograde into the town. Our party continued in
ambush until 10 o'clock.

'Nothing appearing, and men and horses having eaten nothing for
thirty-six hours, we were hungered and retired to a plantation of my
Quarter Master's, a Mr. White, not far distant. There a curious scene
took place. Four ladies appeared, two of whom were Mrs. White and
her daughter. I was asked what I wanted. I answered, food, refresh-
ment. The other two ladies were those whom I had seen escorted by the
British officers. They seemed greatly agitated and begged most earnest-
ly that I would go away, for the family were very poor, had no provis-
ions of any sort ; that I knew they were whigs and surely would not add
to their distress. So pressing were they for my immediately leaving the
plantation that I thought they had more in view than they pretended.

'I kept my eye on Mrs, White, and saw she had a smiling counten-
ance, but said nothing. Soon she left the room, and I left it also and
went into the piazza, laid my cap, sword and pistols on the long bench
and walked the piazza, when I discovered Mrs. White behind the house
chimney beckoning me.

'I got to her, undiscovered by the young ladies, when she said,
"Colonel Kerry, be on your guard; these young ladies are just from
George Town ; they are much frightened, and I believe the British are
.leaving it, and may soon attack you.

" 'As to provisions, which they make such a rout about, I have ple.ity
for your men and horses in yonder barn, but you must effect to take them
by force; hams, bacon, rice and fodder are there. You must insist on
the key of the barn, and threaten to split the door with an axe, unless
immediately opened." I begged her to say no more, for I was well ac-
quainted with all such matters, to leave the ladies and everything else,
to my management. She said, "Yes, but do not ruin us; be arttul ;nd
cunning or Mr. White may be hanged and all our houses burnt over our
heads."

'We both secretly returned, she to the room where the young ladies
were, and I to the piazza I had just left.'

No time was allowed to extort the provisions. He had scarcely ar-
rived at the piazza, when his videttes gave the alarm of an approaching
enemy, and forgetting that his cap, sword and pistols lay upon the bench,
he mounted, left the enclosure and rushed into the melee.

By the time Herry reached the scene, his troopers were engaged in
a severe hand-to-dand conflict with the dragoons, and it was not until he
was about to engage with the Captain that Herry discovered that he
was weaponless.

—11-

-12-

The British had been taken by surprise, and after a few moment's
fighting, they retreated, Captain Merritt bringing up the rear and urg-
ing them on. Only two out of seventeen escaped death or capture, and
they were Captain Merritt and a sergeant.

'My officers in succession,' continues Colonel Herry, 'came up with
Captain Merritt and engaged him. He was a brave fellow. Baxter, with
pistols fired at his breast, and missing him, retired. Poslet and Greene
engaged him with swords, but both were beaten off. Greene nearly lost
his head. His buckskin breeches were cut through several inches. 1
almost blush to say that this one British officer, Captain Merritt, beat
three Americans. He left his horse and took to a swamp, wherein he
remained until the next day.'

Colonel Herry, after the war, met Captain Merritt in New Y.;rk
City, and the latter, recognizing him, said that he had never had such a
fright in his life as upon that occasion. 'Will you believe me, sir,' said
he, 'when I tell you that I went into the fight that morning with my
locks of as beautiful an auburn as ever curled upon the forehead of a
youth and by the time I crawled into George Town next day, they were
as grey as a badger.' '

CONTINUATION OF "MEMOIRS."
Drives Gen. Putnam down the Heights at West Point.

Amongst his other numerous exploits, the following is well authenti-
cated and recorded : —

By orders from his Colonel, he scoured the disturbed country in all
directions, and at one time was within a hair's breadth o;f capturing the
notorious Putnam, who was for cruelty a second Danton. He (Putnam)
ignominously hung Judge Jones, a most accomplished man, because he
was a Loyalist ; for this and other atrocities great exertions were made
to rid the world of such a cruel monster. Merritt, one day, pursued him
(Putnam) to the edge of a deep ravine (West Point heights)* but he made
his escape at the risk of his neck by riding through a copse that led to a
sequestered valley below. Had he (Putnam) possessed one spark of brav-
ery he would have faced his pursuer and tried single combat, there be-
ing no one at hand to have assisted. With an oath at retreating, Put-
nam swore that if he could only get the Captain in his possession he
would hang him, but that day never arrived. Whilst his odious name
lasts he will be handed down to posterity as a cruel, cowardly monster.

The Captain, on the contrary, stands recorded in history as a brave
man and one incapable of performing a mean action, adhering strictly
to the code of honorable warfare. No wonder that Governor Simcoe
welcomed his brave young officer to Canada and assisted him by grants
of land and offices under the Government as a remuneration for his ser-
vices and his revolutionary losses.

During his campaign in South Carolina he married Mary Hamilton,
of Dorchester. The ceremony took place at Charleston, July 27, 1781,
she being then 20 years of age, being 2 years younger than my father.

*(My Uncle T. R. Merritt told me his grandfather often related to him how the pri miner of
his pistols— then flint locks— got wet in crossing a stream or otherwise he contented Gen.
Putnam never would have escaped alive.)

-13—

They followed the British army to New York and from there to Saint
Johns (Sic), New Brunswick, a greater part of the family removing thi-
ther, as the property at Mile End was in possession of the rebels and was
afterwards confiscated. Previous to leaving New York their first child,
Amy. was born in 1782, who died in infancy. Phoebe was born at St.
John's, 1784, who also died in infancy. The following year, 1785, my
mother, not liking the country, persuaded my father to return to South
Carolina, where they found all their friends scattered abroad with the
troublesome times, so that they resolved to return and try King Street,
where a homestead remained after the peace of 1783. How they managed
we have no account, but we find them living at Bedford in 1790, having
for some time quitted the army, as the dragoons to which Colonel Simcoe
belonged was disbanded and he gone home to England.

At Bedford my father, in 1791, turned his attention to business, suc-
cessfully, the bitter rancour of party spirit having subsided. From this
place they removed to New York, as the old papers testify, there being
a lot of receipts for money paid there to diverse individuals.

During their stay at Bedford my sister, Caroline, was born in 1791,
who afterwards married at the age of 20, at Niagara, James Gordon,
Esq., a gentleman of considerable property. The issue of this marriage
was one son, born 1813, died in Paris, France, 1836, aged 23 ; and one
daughter — born 1812 ; drowned, 1824, aged 12 years. The mother and
daughter were unfortunately drowned at Queenston. Mr. Gordon and
son went to England to reside. Mr. Gordon died in London, 1846, and
was buried in Kelsall cemetery. This was the fate of my eldest sister,
Caroline, showing the instability of all human calculation for prolonged
happiness

My father, hearing of his old Colonel's appointment as Governor of
Upper Canada, took a journey thither to see him in 1794, and ascertain
the prospects for a future settlement, as he preferred residing under the
British Government and Laws to those of a republic.

The travelling at that period was long and tedious, as but few roads
had been cut, and the location widely scattered ; however, in due time he
reached Niagara, where he found the Governor, who gave him a hearty
welcome and gave him so great encouragement that he returned to New
York, wound up his mercantile affairs, and brought his family along to
Oswego, that route being more frequented then than the one to Niagara.

I was born at Bedford, in Westchester County, State of New York,
on the 3rd of July, 1793, and came to Canada with my father and mother
and sister Caroline in early part of 1796, being then only 3 years of age.

By the Simcoe papers, we find, that it was my father's intention to
bring over with his effects, 1 barrel salt, then a very scarce, dear com-
modity, but the revenue officer stationed at Oswego, where we still held
the post, detained it, acting up to orders previously received. Why
an embargo should have been laid on salt at this early period is a
mystery, as it was an article much needed by the settlers, and which they
could not do very well without. In some places it was from 4 to 6 dollars

—14-

a bushel, according to locality. There w.as very little manufactured at
the Government works at Louth, whereas, the Onondaga salt works had
long been successfully in operation, and they were then offering it at
one dollar a bushel, cash. Governor Simcoe, on being applied to, im-
mediately, gave orders for its release.

We landed at Queenston, which had just become a rising place, as
the Hon. Robert Hamilton, Mr. Crooks, Mr. Adams and a variety of
Scotch merchants had settled down there.

My father, having had enough of mercantile affairs at Bedford and
New York, determined on being a farmer, as more congenial to a man
who had held a commission in the army and now retired on half -pay.
He reconnoitered the country and found a clearance about 2 miles from
the present town of St. Catharines, and latterly called Gillelands.
Having made arrangements with the owner, he moved 'his family ih'ifcher
as a temporary shelter from the storms of life. It was a perfect wilder-
ness around with a few Indian paths, and but thinly settled, so that
roads were out of the question.

I have heard my mother say she would sit down and cry for hours,
wondering how she should ever get the children educated. This refine-
ment of feeling in time wore oft, through having domestic duties to attend
to, which diverted the mind. It was at last a cause of thankfulness that
they had a house, such as it was, over their heads to shelter them for
the wintry blasts.

Soon after their settlement in this, then out of the way, location,
they were visited by a tall hardy son of the wilderness, whose name was
Pauling. A few years previous he had received a grant of land from
Lord Dorchester near Lake Ontario. Having trended his way through
an Indian path to the new settler's residence, he called to offer his ser-
vices, and to give them his experience in the bush.

On entering the dwelling, he found my mother in tears by the fire.
Thinking it was the result of their lonely situation with two young chil-
dren, my sister Caroline and myself, he tried to cheer her up, stating
that in a short time they would be used to it and feel comparatively
happy.

"Oh, no !" said the Captain, "that is not the cause ; it is because we
are out of bread, and although we have flour yet she does not understand
making it properly." "Well !" said the good-natured farmer, "if that's
all, I will soon remedy this." So, bidding her cheer up, he said he would
return to his wife and bring them some bread ; so he took his thick
walking stick, which he always carried in the event o,f meeting a bear
on the route, and having arrived home by the Indian path, told his wife
the circumstance. She was soon up to the elbows in dough, and, in
due time, baked two large loaves. Pauling, in the evening, when the
moon got up, ran his stick through the loaves and off he trudged to the
new settlers, whom he soon cheered by his attention, partaking of a
frugal supper with them. Then he bade them good-night, stating that
the next day he would bring his wife and initiate Mrs. Merritt in the
art and mystery of bread-making. Thus, by a little act of kindness he

—15-

poured consolation into their hearts, and my mother learned the art
from Mrs. Pauling. It was needless to say that they got on famously
and ever remained sincere friends and neighbors. Their farms were
four miles apart, but that was thought nothing of in those primitive
times. A few years afterwards, when the Captain obtained the appoint-
ment as Sheriff, a nephew of the sa-id Pauling obtained a situation as
under-sheriff, thus fulfilling the old proverb, "that one good turn de-
serves another."

This little anecdote shows how necessary it is for all families, of
whatever class, to 'bring up their daughters as good housekeepers, no
one knowing how soon calamities may arise, from war or other causes,
to place them in a similar situation to that just described. The two
families, from that hour to the time of death, became great friends,
and often recurred to bygone days, contrasting the former wildness of
the scene, as they remembered it, to the splendid farms and homesteads
which grew up around them.

Things, in time, brightened up, but they were dissatisfied with their
location, as the log-house in which they resided was none of the best,
it having been erected in a hurry by a previous occupant. Mr. Pauling,
also, wishing them nearer neighbors, found that a person named John
McCoy, who had located on the Port Dalhousie track, was willing to
remove for a certain consideration, so, after a little manoeuvring, a
bargain was struck and a time fixed for departure next spring.

The winter happening to be very snowy and severe they had great
trouble in keeping in check the war of elements, which greatly dilapi-
dated their domicile, and, at length, one frightful stormy night vhe
roof gave way and they had well nigh been buried alive. In the morn-
ing it was soon noised abroad, so that the neighbors appeared with a
"bee" of sleighs to convey them away. The party who had agreed to
the surrender of his clearance was willing to share the house with them,
BO they were soon in comfortable quarters, thankful for their deliver-
ance, and in spring took possession of the whole 200 acres which they
retained for 30 years.

My father often went over to Niagara and York to see the Governor,
who continued very friendly, and granted him 2,000 acres of land further
west, but that part of the country not having been then opened, vhey
continued where they were, making improvements.

In 1797, Anna Maria (afterwards Mrs. Ingersoll) was born here, and
about this time the Governor gave my father the appointment of Sur-
veyor of Woods and Forests, which he held until his decease, in 1842.
This was some remuneration for his previous services in the cause of
his King. He also obtained grants of land for all his children.

Here they would sit round a good blazing fire of an evening and
talk of the many privations in the bush, and particularly of the year
of scarcity in 1789.

Among the singular events that happened during the year of scar-
city is the following, related by Mr. Ward, of St. Catharines, a person

—16-

of undoubted veracity. He was on a visit to the Short Hills, Pelham,
during the winter, when the conversation turned on the affairs of olden
time.

Some of the party were descended from the old settlers, and one
old lady stated that her grandfather and grandmother Hill suffered
incredible hardships during that frightful period. The aged couple, be-
ing infirm and incapable of much out-door labor, were soon deprived
of all their store of food, and must inevitably have perished had not a
most miraculous interference of Providence saved their lives. Every
morning for five weeks a wild pigeon appeared at the door, which al-
lowed itself to be captured by the old lady, which served herself and
husband for food during the day. This remarkable event continued
daily to the end of the period, when spring returned and they could
then have recourse to berries and roots for sustenance. We implicitly
believe the Bible account of Elijah being fed by ravens, and as the same
divine power exists (although not often manifested in these degenerate
days) yet we can see no reason why, under trying circumstances this
aged couple, from a firm reliance on Almighty power, should not, in
these sequestered woods, have been preserved, to testify to the world
that there is aid at hand to relieve under every woeful calamity.

A few years after this event, when more settlers had arrived from
the States and England, the hospitable domicile of Captain Merritt was
a rendezvous for the surrounding country. They had purchased two
hundred acres of land about two miles from St. Catharines and built a
comfortable residence, where Miss Pauling was frequently to be found.
Mr. Wood, an Englishman, who then resided at Niagara, was a frequent
guest, having an eye to Miss Pauling as his future wife. On one occa-
sion, time passed pleasantly, and on Mr. Wood taking leave to return
home on horseback, Mrs. Merritt said she expected a letter from New
Brunswick, which would be directed to Niagara, and hoped he would
soon bring it for her. On his return home, which was 15 miles distant,
he found that one had that day arrived by the mail. With Miss Pauling
in his head he again mounted his horse and delivered it that same even-
ing, to the joy of Mrs. Merritt and the admiration of Miss P., who con-
sidered that a young man so attentive would make an excellent hus-
band, which, afterwards, proved true, as in due course of time the
ceremony took place and they settled down on a farm about,, on^ mile
from the Merritt' s, which made it very agreeable and pleasant,, to all
parties.

In 1801 *Susan was born. She afterwards married Ellas Adams, son
of George Adams, Esq., a highly respectable old settler at Queenston, of
whom I shall have occasion to mention hereafter.

*General Brock spent the night before the Battle of Queenston at the
house of Major Thos. Merritt, at Niagara, and, as he was leaving
next morning, he said to his host's little daughter, Susan, "You
shall buckle on my sword," which the child did, after he lifted her on
to a chair to enable her to reach the clasp, and he then kissed her.
He was killed in battle that day. The child afterwards married Col.
Elias Adams, of St. Catharines, who served in the Rebellion of 1837.

-17—

In 1803, as per date of his appointment (15th Oct., 1803) my father
took a house at Niagara, and entered upon his new duties as High
Sheriff of the Niagara District, having succeeded James Clark, Esq.,
who held it pro tern, and whose son, James, was appointed Clerk of the
Council. This .gentleman was an elder brother of the present Colonel
Clark of Port Dalhousie. My father, at this period, was a remarkably
active, enterprising man, and at the time the office of Sheriff was, in
many respects, a very difficult office, from the varied dispositions of
persons unfortunately brought into contact with that court by litigation,
yet he carried on the arduous task to the general satisfaction of the
community and credit to himself.

War 1812-14.

He was appointed Major Commandant of ' 'Niagara Light Dragoons" on
June 12th, 1812. He was present at the Battle of Queenston Heights
and in Major-General Sheaffe's report is alluded to as follows: "Major
Merritt, commanding the Niagara Dragoons, accompanied me and gave
much assistance with part of' his corps."

On the surrender of the Yankees Major Merritt was deputed by
General Sheaffe to receive the swords of the enemy, which he did by
riding along the column and placing them on the pommel of his saddle.
One or more of these swords are still in the possession of his descendants.

After the battle of Queenston Heights 73 United States Officers surrendered their swords.

Lossing s'ates they were collected by Major Merritt on his saddle-bow.

This jtne is among the "Merritt Loan Collection" in the

Canadian Military Institute in Toronto. \

He also officiated as one of the pall-bearers at General Brock's
funeral on November 5th, when Sir Isaac Brock's remains were interred
at 11 a.m. in the Cavalier Bastion at Fort George.

The Niagara Light Dragoons were disbanded 25th of February, 1813

After holding the situation of Sheriff for about twenty years, and
being then about 64 years of age, he retired from public life, disposed
of the homestead, on the Port Dalhousie road, as the family were dis-
persed and settled, and passed the remainder of his days with my

—18-

mother in a house and garden nearly in the centre of the town (St. Cath-
arines), where he could amuse himself with the daily passing scenes and
enjoy the society of a choice collection of friends, who always valued
his society. Perhaps a finer old couple could not be found in the
country. They had passed through many hardships together in the
earlier period of life, and lived to witness a rising generation of young
people, who entered upon a world with far more auspicious views than
it was their lot to experience at first.

The evening of their day was serene, calm, tranquil and resigned ;
both looking forward to a never-ending meeting in the Mansions above,
and quitting this chequered sphere within 12 months of each other with
the assurance that they had done their duty to their children, to the
world and to that Divine Being who had brought them into existence.

Thomas Merritt died May, 1842, aged 83.
Mary Merritt died May, 1843, aged 82.

Their remains, on both occasions, were attended to the family vault
at St. George's Church, St. Catharines, by a very large and respectable
portion of the settlers for many miles round, who paid their last tribute
to departed worth.

On the head-stone is the following inscription : —

In Memory of

THOMAS MERRITT, Esq.,

Cornet in the Queen's Rangers under Colonel Simcoe during
the American Revolution

And Major

Commanding the Cavalry on the frontier, in the War of 1812.

Appointed Surveyor of Woods and Forests on the 24th of May, 1800,

And Sheriff of the Niagara District 5th October, 1803.

He departed this life on the 12th of May, 1842,

Aged 83 Years.
Also in Memory of his Beloved Wife

MARY,
Who Departed This Life on the 21st March, 1843, aged 82 years.

(Thos. Merritt was born Oct. 28th, 1759, and died 12th May, 1842,
aged 82 years 6 months 14 days.)

Like all the early settlers, Mr. Merritt and his family had at first
to undergo many hardships and privations, yet they soon became recon-
ciled, knowing they would live in security and peace under the auspices
of the British Government. Mrs. Merritt' s greatest concern appears to
have been lest her children's education should be neglected, but this
question had been under the serious consideration of Governor Simcoe,
who took great pains to induce men of education to come over from the
Old Country, in which he was successful, good schools being opened in
Niagara as early as 1796.

—19—

Among the family records were found some letters written at en
early date to his brother in the State of New York, and to his father,
who had settled early in New Brunswick. He writes in good spirits, as
the following will testify : —

No. 1.

St. Catharines, Upper Canada, July 16, 1800.
Mr. Nehemiah Merritt, St. John. New Brunswick.

To the care of Messrs. Brace & Morrison, New York.

Dear Brother, — I have just received a letter from you by Mr.
Mead, dated the 3rd of May. I expect the letter has been 200 miles
beyond me, and now just come to hand. Mr. Mead has behaved very
ill, or else you would have heard from me by the time you mention, the
first of August.

I trust this will meet you at New York.

I am happy to hear that our good father, David Merritt and family,
are well. Write to them, from wherever you receive this and let them
know that my family, as well as my brother William's, are all well, and
that we are doing well, in the farming way.

William has got fine wheat, rye, corn and everything else, and that
in great abundance.

Perhaps this is one of the finest countries in the world, for a far-
mer that will be industrious. I should not be surprised if the greater
part of your country people were to come on here. You would be
astonished to see the people from all parts of the States, by land and
by water, 250 wagons at a time, with their families, on the road —
something like an army on the move.

The goodness of the land is beyond all description. The best crops
this season I ever saw. Provisions plenty, but money very scarce — little
or none.

Should you think it worth your while to bring in a small cargo of
spirits, Port and Sherry wine, a box of Bohea and Green Tea, some
Brandy, a few loaves of sugar and any other thing you may think pro-
per, but should the season be late when you get to Schenectady, I
should think it prudent to leave them with Captain Walton, and I will
send our sleighs for them.

On the other hand, should you incline to come by land, buy a good
horse or mare, saddle and bridle, out of some of the livery stables in
New York, for at this season of the year they are very cheap. Come
up to King Street (Long Island) and you will find Nehemiah Sherwood,
Joshua Lyon or some other persons ; give invitations for them all to
come and see this country.

Keep the post road to Niagara, and when you cross over on the
British side, enquire for me, and any one will tell you where I live.

-20—

Should you come by water, Captain Walton will give you every direc-
tion how to proceed and the cheapest mode.

People often wish to work their passage to this place, for he assured
that the Mohawk boatmen are as great rogues and jockeys as ever you
were acquainted with, but I trust by this time you have your eye teeth
cut.

Bring us all the latest papers you can, from every place.
Give my compliments to all enquiring friends.

Dear Brother,

Believe that I am,

Yours most truly,

THOMAS MERRITT.

N. B. — Captain Vanderburgh and many other of your acquaintance
are living here.

No. 2.

Niagara, Upper Canada, August 20, 1800.
Bear Brother : —

This comes by a gentleman of my particular acquaintance, Mr.

^William Gamble, from this place, who, I hope, you will have the good

luck to fall in with, who can be of infinite service to you, on the route

to C&nada, and can give you every information respecting my family and

the country.

Should you, in New York or elsewhere, light on a good woman and
mian servant, pray bring them on for us, and I will gladly pay the
expenses.

If you come by water, bring a griddle and a dutch wheat fan. You
can get them at Schenectady.

Pray, wherever you get this letter, write back to New Brunswick
and let father know that I and family are well, also William and family.

I trust you will so arrange your business as to remain with us a
year, if not longer. Polly, Caroline and Hamilton (afterwards the Hon.
W. H. Merritt) beg to be remembered to you.

I wish you health and safe arrival at Niagara.

Yours,

THOMAS MERRITT.
Mr. Nehemiah Merritt,

Care of Brace & Morrison, New York,
Per favor Mr. Gamble.

Mr. Merritt, having been an officer in Colonel Simcoe's regiment,
the Queen's Rangers, during the Revolutionary struggle, was well taken
care of, when the Colonel received his commands to proceed to Canada

—21—

to carry out the measures of Mr. Pitt — the Division of the Provinces.
When Mr. Merritt heard of this appointment he paid the Governor a
vjisit, which resulted in his arranging his affairs at New York and
bringing his family to Canada as a U. E. settler. He soon obtained 2,000
acres of land for his former services and losses sustained by the revo-
lution, as well as an appointment the following year as Commissioner
of Woods and Forests. This enabled him to live in comparative "omfort,
in addition to his half pay.

In 1803 the Sheriff of the District, when he obtained this appointment
also.

The following letter explains the circumstances, so that he has jast
cause to applaud the new Government.

Honoured Father :-

No. 3.
Sheriff's Office, Niagara, 14th April, 1804.

I have the pleasure to inform you that we are all in a tolerable good
state of health at this time. "We have just recovered from bad colds,
Nvhich have been very prevalent here this spring, owing to the long
and tedious winter that we have had. It has been so hard that many
have lost all their stock. I have suffered very much. William Merritt,
my brother, has lost all his, excepting one yoke of oxen, which comes
hard upon him in a new country, and a new beginner. I shall give him
all the assistance in my power, which he stands very much in need of.
He and his wife and child are well. He has got a good farm, and with
industry and health will get through, notwithstanding his losses. I am
now in the town of Niagara, capital of this Province. Thank God, I am
doing very well. I have many appointments under Government. The
last is, High Sheriff of this part of the country, which is large and
thickly settled, and much business to be done.

I hold my half pay as Lieutenant of Dragoons, Surveyor of Woods
for this Province, Collector of the King's rents of crown and clergy
reserves, and of the fines, &c., of this district. I cannot exactly say, but
I think must yield me a sum of two thousand dollars per annum.

Mary wishes very much to come and see you all this summer. I
have not heard one syllable from you, or either of the boys or even my
sister, Phoebe, in about two years.

It makes me almost afraid to write, for fear that you are not in
the land of the living.

Tell my brothers that I shall be very glad to hear from them, if they
do not think it worth their while to come and see me.

As for you, my honoured father, I do not ever expect to see you
again, so God bless you, Adieu. I have four children, Caroline, William
Hamilton, Maria and Susan, and fine prosperous children they are.

As for my son, William (Hon. W. H. Merritt), there are but few

—22-

that exceed him in learning, and as soon as the war is over I intend to
send him to London. I think that I have interest sufficient to get him
into the Navy or Army, whichever he may be most inclined.

Kemember me to my mother, David's wife and children and Nehe-
miah and his wife.

My wife joins me in her heart in wishing you all the happiness that
this world can afford you. As for news, we have but little, except the
war and France and the concerns thereof, which I trust you are acquaint-
ed with.

I am, honoured Sir,
Your affectionate son,

THOMAS MERRITT.
To Thomas Merritt.

Care of Captain Nehemiah Merritt, St. John, New Brunswick.

No. 4.

Niagara, May 20th, 1806.
Dear Brother : —

I have just now an opportunity of writing by Major Chalmers,
brother-in-law to Judge Saunders. I have frequently written to you
and father and David, but never can hear from you but by chance. I
am happy to inform you that we are all well. William and his wife
are now at my house, they are also well. My son, William, has written
to you and his grandfather ; he is a fine boy and out at boarding school.
Mary and himself were coming to see you all, and to leave him at
Windsor College, but there being so many reports about war with
the States, that they are afraid to venture.

I have been High Sheriff about three years, with a salary in one of
the first districts in Upper Canada, and hope to do well, unless I should
meet with some serious losses. I am told you are married. If so, I
wish you a great deal of happiness in a wife.

Please to remember me to her. I should be happy to see her. Tell
our good father I have got leave from the Governor to be absent from
my several offices for six months, when I trust it will not be long before
I will see you all.

My love to David, his wife and children, in the meanwhile I shall be
glad to hear from you all.

In haste,

I am, dear brother,

Yours most sincerely,
THOMAS MERRITT.

Mr. Nehemiah Merritt, Merchant, Saint Johns, New Brunswick.

—23-
Continuation of Narrative.

The Agricultural Society, established in 1798, under the auspices of
Governor Simeoe, who annually subscribed ten guineas and dined with
the members, supplied them with books, &c., was also supported by my
father, who felt a great interest in its welfare.

I .found among his papers a list of the Directors, which will be in-
teresting to the branches of different families, whose ancestors sup-
ported and patronized so useful a society, and which laid the foundation
of our present noble institution, upon which so high a eulogium was
passed by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Duke of
Newcastle, who visited the grand Cattle Show at Hamilton in 1859.

President — The Governor.

Vice Presidents and Directors of the Niagara District Branch of
the Upper Canada Agricultural Society : —

First Vice-President — Rev. R. Addison.

Second Vice-President — Thos. Merritt, Esq.

Directors — Robert Hamilton, Esq., Niagara; J. Warren, Esq.,
Bertie; Capt. Usher, Willoughby ; Samuel Street, Esq., Stamford;
George Adams, Esq., Granthan ; George Ball, Esq., Louth ; Dr. Sumner,
Clinton; Abraham Nelles, Grimsby ; Crowel Wilson, Esq., Crowland ;
Christian Zavitz, Humberstone ; Shubal Park, Esq., Wamfleet ; Edmond
Hodges, Esq., Caistor; Jo'hn J. Taylor, Esq., Gainsborough; John Decow,
Esq., Thorold ; Elijah E. Phelps, Esq., Pelham ; Warner Nelles, Esq.,
Grand River; J. Symington, Esq., Treasurer; J. Kirby, Esq., Secretary.

Niagara, 1804.

Although a high official situation, yet a sheriff, at times, has to
undergo many trying scenes, but my father, naturally a brave vnan,
never shrunk from his public duty.

During the War of 1812-1815 a number of reckless characters were
about the country, whose object appears to have been to sow the seeds
of rebellion.

To the credit of the Loyalists, great efforts were made to bring
these disaffected persons to justice, in which the Government succeed-
ed, considering it highly disgraceful that those who had become well off
by reason of the liberal grants of land from the Government to their
families should be allowed to contaminate others with their republican
principles. Great exertions were made to put a stop to their proceed-
ings, and in due course of time twenty-one were brought up for trial.
Eighteen were convicted of treasonable practices after a fair and candid
trial and nine of the principal ring-leaders hung on Burlington Heights.

It was a solemn scene and effectually put a stop to the further pro-
ceedings of the party. It was the duty of my father as Sheriff to see the
law carried into effect, which services he performed with that feeling
which characterized him through life. It made a deep impression upon
his mind, and in all probability influenced him in his decision of retiring
into private life sooner than he, perhaps, might have do:ae.

-24—

As the Chief Justice's information was only verbal and from mem-
ory, forty-five years after the trial took place, he suggested that ap-
plication be made of the Clerk of the Crown, which has since been done.

Mr. Small very politely took the trouble to search the old records,
and was successful in finding the original documents.

There is a list of all the parties implicated who were tried, many
found guilty, others acquitted for want of sufficient evidence and six-
teen of the worst and most dangerous character executed, but the
estates of all, which were specified, appear to have been confiscated.

The trial took place at different dates, as the parties were taken,
reserving the worst to the last.

A Special Commission was appointed for a fair examination, and on
the 21st of June, 1814, the trial took place at Ancaster:

Present : — Hon. the Chief Justice Scott, Hon. William Dummer
Powell, Hon. William Campbell, Richard Hall and Samuel Hall,
Associates.

The prisoners were brought to the Bar as follows : — Jacob Over-
holser, Aaron Stevens, Gerritt Hull, John Johnston, Samuel Hart well,
Stephen Hartwell, Dr. Lindsay, George Peacock, Jr., Isaiah Burch,
Benjamin Simmons, Adam Crysler, Isaac Pettit, Cornelius Hovey, John
Dunham, Noah Payne Hopkins.

Daniel Phelps, Elisha Smith, William Markle, Abraham Markle and
many others found guilty, but respited, estates confiscated, some
outlawed.

The prisoners were separately asked if they had anything to offer
why judgment should not be passed upon them according to law. No
response. When, proclamation being made, sentence of death was
passed by his Honor, Chief Justice Scott, on each of them as follows :

That you (naming them individually) each o,f you be taken to the
place from whence you came, and from thence you are to be drawn on
hurdles to the place of execution, where you are to be hangd by the
neck, but not until you are dead, for you must be cut down while you
are alive and your entrails taken out and burned before your faces,
your heads then to be cut off and your bodies divided into four quarters
and your heads and quarters to be at the King's disposal, and may
God have mercy upon your souls."

Names of the Jury. — Thomas Birch, James Connelly, James Secord,
William Osterhout, Thomas Kerr, Stephen Emmett, George Reid William
Hodgkinson, John Chrysler, Francis Goring, John Smith, John Grier.

The following bill was found among the Sheriff's papers, which shows
that although many luxuries were high-priced, contrasted with the pre-
sent day, yet many families indulged in them. It will be perceived the

-25-

manly game of billiards was then in vogue in 1804 : —

Thos. Merritt, Esq. Dr.

To B. Gilbert.
1804. £ s d

Dec. 2nd, To balance due this day 6 12 3

Dec. 4th, To Supper and Club 11

To 8 quarts oats 2 8

Dec. 5th, To Horse at hay 3

To Lodging 1

Dec. 6th, To Supper and Club : 3

Dec. 7th, To % pt. brandy 2 6

To dinner 2 6

To Horse at hay — 2 nights and 1 day 9

Dec. 10th, To Supper 2s., Bill 14th 5s 7

1805

Jan. llth, To Supper 2s., negus & brandy 2s9d 4 9

Jan. 26th, To 25 oysters 5s, coffee 2s 7

Feb. 16th, To 4 doz. oysters 10

To Y» pt. rum 2

To trimmings 2

Feb. 21st, To Breakfast 2

To 1 quart beer 1

To Supper and Club wt. Mr. Chew. 14

To 1 quart Rum 6

To 1 Pack Cards 3

To Games and Liquor at Billiard

Table, Oct. 22nd 1 17

Mch. 4th, To y. pt. brandy 2 6

Mch. 7th, To Dinner and Club to self and Dr.

Muirhead 1 3

To 2 Gas wt. Mr. Powell 1 4

To Supper 2

Mch. 9th, To Dinner and Club 10 6

To Supper and Club 18

To y pt. Rum 2

Mch. 15th, To % pt. Rum 2

To Snack and Rum 3

To Snack wt. Mr. Powell 3

Mch. 25th, To Y* pt. Rum 2

To Snack 1 6

Mch. 29th, To Pint Wine 4

Mch. 31st, To 100 oysters 1

Continued . 17 6 6

1805 £ s d

To amt. brot. over 17 6 6

May 17th, To Dinner 2s6d, >< pt. Rum 2s 4 0

July 5th, To 1 bottle Wine 8

To 1 bottle Wine 8

July 10th, To 2 glasses punch 4

July 20th, To 1 glass punch 2

To Breakfast 2&6d, dinner 3s, omit-
ted 5th July 5 6

To 1 bottle wine 8s, pt. beer 6d 8 6

Aug. 7th, To V* pt. brandy 2s6d 2 6

To Dinner and Club 6th 10

To Dinner and Club 6

To 1 Gill rum to Thos ,. 1

Aug. 14th, To 1 Gill rum and sugar 1 6

To Dinner and Club 8

Aug. 15th, To Horse at hay 2s, oats 2s 4

To Dinner 3s, Bottle wine 6s 11

Aug. 22nd, To 5 glasses punch 5

To yz pt. Brdy. 2s6d, Dinner 3s6d . . 6

Aug. 24th, To 1 pt. wine and dinner 8s 8

To Horse at hay 2 days 8

To 20 quarts oats 6 8

Sep. 5th, To 1 bottle wine 8

To Dinner and Club 4th 9 3

Sep. 5th, Dinner and Club 17 2

Sep. 10th, To Horse at hay 4 days 16

To 36 Gls. oats 12

Oct. 9th, To Breakfast 2 6

Oct. 10th, To 1A pt. Rum 2s 2

To Dinner and Club 8

To Horse at hay 6

Oct. 16th, To y, pt. rum 2

Oct. 16th, To Dinner and Club 3 6

Nov. 3rd, To 1 bottle rum 7

27 18 1
Rec'd payment in full, Nov. 26th, 1805,

BENJ. GILBERT.
Thomas Merritt, Esq.,

Sept 1 to Oct. 16th, 1805.
Receipt.

(Extract from Militia General Orders, 1812^16. p. 40)

Adjutant General's Office, York, 24th April, 1812

Militia General Orders

His Honour the President is pleased to appoint Thomas Merritt,
Esq., to be Major of Cavalry in the Militia.

-27-

(Extract from "Officers of the British Forces in Canada
ing the War of 1812^1 5," by L. Homfray Irving, Honorary
Librarian, Canadian Military Institute, Toronto.

NIAGARA LIGHT DRAGOONS
Engagements — Fort Erie, 9th Oct., 1812. Queenston, 13th Oct., 1812.

Major Commandant, Thomas Merritt, June 1812
First Troop — Capt. Alexander Hamilton

Lieutenant William Hamilton Merritt

Cornet John Pell Major (Killed at Fort Erie llth. Oct., 1812).
Quartermaster Charles Ingersoll (Promoted Cornet 24th Oct. 1812).
Duncan Clow, (promoted Quartermaster from Sergeant 24th Oct. 1812).
A proposed second troop was not raised.

Other names from a document in the archives in Ottawa designat-
ed "Nominal Return of Major Merritt's Troop of Niagara Light
Dragoons on service from the 1st May to the 24th December, 1812,
dated York, 19th Jan., 1820, signed W. Coffin, Adjt.-Gen., Militia
Upper Canada".
Sergt. Richard Woodruff Saddler Timothy Street

Sergt. George Shaw
Corp'l David Secord
Farrier David Young

Adams, William
Allen, Seneca
Bender, John
Berger, David
Campbell, Peter
Caswell, Jerotham
Caswell, Nethaniel
Caswell, Daniel
Cline, Henry
Cutler, Abram
Cutler, Jacob
Dagget, Eliazar
Davis, James
Fields, Daniel
Fuller, Asa
Green, William Henry
Graham, David
Hodge, Kinsan Samuel
Henry, James
Hawn, William
Hoverland, John
Horstider, Ab-aham
Killings, Richard
Lawrence, John
Mann, John
McKenney, Amos

Trumpeter Andrew Coace
Trumpeter Joshua Corbice

Privates (50)

Manacle, William

Nichols, Abraham

Nichols, Charles

Pew, James,

Putman, David

Pawling, Henry

Rodgers, Alexander

Rykert, John

Rose, Alexander

Runchy, Robert

Summers, William

Swayze, Samuel

Slater, Major

Lane, Thomas

Steinhoof, Jacob

Smith, John R.

Towslev^-'Alanson

Wiers, Charles

Willson, Joseph

Willson, Benjamin

Willson, William

Willson, Uriah

Wintermoot, William

Wynn, William (promoted Corp'l.

12th October, 1812)
Millard, Samuel

—28-

From Archives — Ottawa.

"No. 4. Nominal Return of Artillery, Cavalry &c. in Service
during" the late war.

W. Merritt's Light Drag-cons (1)

R. D. Fraser Light Dragoons ('2)

C. Jones, Light Dragoons (3)

1. Swayze, Art'y Drivers (4)

J. McGregor, Kent Vol. (o)

J. Powell's Mil. Art'y. (6)"

A. Cameron, do.

W. Caldwell's Western Rangers (7)

J. Robertson Corps of Artificers (8)

T. Merritt, Light Dragoons

Brigam's (sic) Rifle Co'y 1 Oxford (9)

Trumpour's Dragoons, 1 Lennox (10)

Lindry's do 1 Grenville (11)

(1) Niagara Frontier Guides (Provincial Dragoons).

(2) The 2nd Grenville Militia. The name of Richard D. Fraser
is also connected with 1st Du:idas Militia, of which his father, the Hon.
Thos. Fraser, was Lt. Colonel. R. D. Fraser was elected in 1831
M. P. for Grenville ; and his youngest son. Dr. Allan Fraser, of Brock-
ville, served with great distinction in the Crimean War.

(3) 1st Leeds Militia. The Hon. Charles Jones (1781-1840) rep-
resented Leeds in the eighth (1821) and ninth (1825) Parliaments, and
was subsequently called to the Legislative Council.

(4) Troop of Royal Provincial Artillery Drivers. Isaac Swayze
(1751-1828) represented Lincoln in Parliament for twenty years.

(5) Capt. John McGregor subsequently on the Permanent Board
for Upper Canada regarding Militia Pensions (1812-15).

(6) This was the first Lincoln Artillery, known also as Capt.
Powell's Company of Artillery. Powell was captured at the taking of
Fort George.

(7) Lt -Col. William Caldwell, afterwards a Deputy Superintend-
ent of Indian Affairs, had been a captain and distinguished soldier
in Butler's Rangers. His four sons all served in the Militia in the war
of 1812-15.

(8) These were attached to the Engineer Department. James
Robertson afterwards commanded the Company of Coloured Men ; and
was Adjutant of Militia in 1813.

(9) Lieutenant Bla Brewster Brigham.

(10) Capt. Paul Trumpour had been a Lieutenant in Delancey's
Loyalists.

(11) "Lnndry" is doubtless an error. Capt. Herman Landon
commanded a troop of Light Dragoons in the 1 Grenville Militia.

-29—

Extracts from "Lossing's — War of 1812"

Sheaffe's reinforcements, with whom he marched from Fort George,
consisted of almost 400 of the 41st Regt. under Capt. Derenzy, and
about 300 militia. The latter consisted of the Flank Companies of the
1st Regt. of Lincoln Militia under Cap'ns J. Crooks and McEwen, the
Flank Companies of the 4th Regt. of Lincoln Militia under Cap'ns Nallis
and VV. Crooks ; Capts. Hall'*:, Durand's and Applegarth's Companies of
the 5th Regt. of Lincoln Militia ; Major -Merritt's Yeomanry Corps, and
a body of Swayzee's Militia Artillery under Cap'ns. Powell and Cameron.

Oct. 13th, 1812 — "Brant and Jacobs commanded the Indians".
General Sheaffe named almost every commissioned officer engaged in
the battle as entitled to high praise. He specially commended Cap'n
Holcroft, of the R. A. for his skilful and judicious use of the ordnance
in his charge also Lt. Crowther for similar service. He gave credit to
Cap'n Glegg, Brock's A.D.C., for great assistance ; also to Lt. Fowler,
Asst. Dep. Qt.-M'r Gen., Lt. Kerr, of the Glengarry Fencibles, Lt.-
Cols. Butler and Clarke, and Capls. Hall, Durand, Rowe, Applegarth,
Jas. Crooks, Cookes, Robt. Hamilton, McEwen and Duncan Cameron,
Lts. Richardson and Thos. Butler and Major Merritt of the Niagara
Dragoons, were all highly spoken of. He added to the list of honor
the names of Volunteers Shaw, Thomson and Jarvis.

General Brock's Funeral

When General Sheaffe marched in triumph from Queenston to
Newark, he took with him the body ot the slain General Brock, which
had been concealed in a house near where he fell. The march had a two-
fold aspect. It was a triumphal and a funeral procession. (800 to 900
American prisoners of war). The following was the order of the proces-
sion:— 1. Fort-Major Campbell. 2. 60 men of the 41st. Regt. command-
ed by a Subaltern. 5. 60 of the militia, commanded by a Capt. 4. Two
6 pounder firing minute-guns. 5. Remaining Corps and detachments of
the garrison, wiih whom about 200 Indians, in reverse order, forming a
street through which the procession passed, extending from the Govern-
ment house to the garrison. 6. Bandof the 41st Regt. 7. Drums, covered
with black cloth and muffled. 8* Late General's horse, fully caparisoned,
led by 4 grooms. 9. Servants of the General. 10. The General's body-
servant. 11. Surgeon Muirhead, Dr. Moore, Dr. Kerr and Staff Sergt.
Thorn 12. Rev. Mr. Addison. Then followed the body of Lieut -Col.
McDonell with the following gentlemen as pall-bearers ; Capt. A. Cam-
eron, Lt. Robinson (late Chief Justice of Canada), J. Edwards, Lt. Jarvis,
Lt. Ridout and Capt. Crooks. The chief mourner was the brother of
the deceased. The body of General Brock followed, with the following
pall-bearers : — Mr. James Coffin, Captains Vigoreaux, Derenzy, Dennis,
Holcroft and Williams, Major Merritt, Lt.-Cols. Clarke and Butler and
Col. Claus, supported by Brigade Major Evans and Capt. Glegg. The
chief mourners were Maj.-Gen. Sheaffe, Ensign Coffin, Lt.-Col. Myers
and Lt. Fowler. These were followed by the civil staff, friends of the
deceased and the inhabitants.

CERTIFICATE B.

'^v' ' *»*

\\ uuc*s my liaiiJ this

I certify the above to be correct, according to the be»t of my knowledge
[>il belicC

Signature of Major Thomas Merritt from. Certificate
in t lie Archives at Ottawa

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