The canal builder – William Hamilton Merritt

William Hamilton Merritt was born in Bedford, N.Y. in 1793. Merritt’s father fought for the Loyalists during the American Revolution. After the war, the Merritt family moved to New Brunswick and by 1795 the family moved to the Niagara Peninsula. Merritt studied mathematics and surveying, and was involved in different businesses before the War of 1812.

William Hamilton Merritt

Shortly before the outbreak of the War of 1812, Merritt was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Lincoln militia. Merritt served with the Niagara Light Dragoons and fought at the Battle of Queenston Heights in October 1812. By 1813, the 20-year-old Merritt was promoted to captain and continued to serve with the dragoons by patrolling the border and relaying messages along the Niagara. By 1814, Merritt fought at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane where he was captured and remained a prisoner in Cheshire, Mass. until early 1815. On his return trip home to Niagara, Merritt stopped in Mayville, N.Y. where he married Catharine Prendergast.

After the war, Merritt ran different businesses in Niagara, but he is best known for his involvement in the building of the Welland Canal. In 1818, Merritt, along with others, petitioned the Upper Canada Legislature to provide for the construction of the canal. In 1824 the legislature formed the Welland Canal Company and selected Merritt as its financial agent. Merritt traveled extensively through Canada, the U.S. and Great Britain to help raise funds for the project. From 1832 to 1860 Merritt served in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada and later the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. 

Merritt often worked long days, as he was involved in many projects. Merritt had four sons and two daughters, one of his sons became a member of the Canadian House of Commons. In 1862 Merritt died on a ship near Cornwall and his body was returned to Niagara where he rests in Victoria Lawn cemetery in St. Catharines.

A ghostly bed

The Niagara Region is fully of haunted locations and Old Fort Erie and Fort George have their share of ghost stories.

Captain Kingsley's bed at Old Fort Erie

One ghost story from Old Fort Erie involves Captain Kingsley’s bed located in the fort’s officers’ quarters. The bed served as Kingsley’s campaign bed as he was part of the King’s 8th Regiment of Foot while serving in the Niagara during the war. Kingsley suffered from a lung disease that forced him to sleep in an upright position in order to allow his lungs to drain fluids during the night. The captain attempted various treatments such as bleeding and taking mercury pills. These ‘cures’ caused Kingsley to have terrible nightmares, fevers and mood swings. The mercury slowly broke down his body until he finally died in his campaign bed in 1813.

Many believe that Kingsley has not left his bed due to his horrible death. Staff and visitors to Old Fort Erie have reported hearing voices and footsteps near the bed. Some visitors have even reported feeling the presence of someone or strange feelings when near the captain’s bed.

If you want to find out more about this haunted bed, make sure you head to Old Fort Erie on July 12 or August 23rd for their ghost tour. You can also head to Fort George for their ghost tours happening every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday night in July and August. What will you see?

A brave and rash commander – Phineas Riall

Phineas Riall was the younger son of an Anglo-Irish banking family. He entered the army at the age of 18 where he quickly rose to the rank of major through the purchasing system. He served in the 128th Regiment of Foot but went on half pay in 1798 when the regiment was disbanded. Riall served during the Irish ‘troubles’ but gained most of his experience as a major of the 15th Regiment of Foot in the West Indies in 1803. He was promoted to colonel in 1810 and made a major-general two years later.

By 1813, Riall was sent to Upper Canada to serve under Lieutenant-General Drummond. Riall proved to be an aggressive commander and he won a number of small engagements against the Americans in 1813. William Hamilton Merritt described Riall as “very brave, near sighted, short but stout. Is thought by some rather rash, which by the by, is a good fault in a General officer.” Riall was well known for his brash style of command, which won him many victories in the past. However, at the Battle of Chippawa his brash style was not successful.

 

Phineas Riall

On July 5, 1814 at the Battle of Chippawa Riall was in command of all British forces. Two days prior an American army of about 4,000 strong crossed the Niagara River and captured Fort Erie. Riall opted to come out from the defences behind the Chippawa River in order to engage the Americans. Riall decided on this course of action since he was unaware that Major Buck had surrendered Fort Erie. Riall did not wait for reinforcements since he believed his force was more than capable of defeating the American army. During the battle both the British and the Americans had roughly equal numbers but the Americans were able to outflank the British forces and push them back across the Chippawa River.

The aftermath of the battle showed that the British suffered around 500 casualties to roughly 300 American casualties. British regulars had for the first time in years been clearly beaten in a stand-up fight of roughly matching strength. Merritt wrote about the aftermath of the battle, “It certainly is a very delicate thing to censure a Commanding Officer, particularly so popular and brave a Man as General Riall, still in this case, he acted hastily, neither did he employ all the Means he had in his power.”  

After the defeat at Chippawa, Drummond assumed direct command of the forces in the Niagara. Riall participated in the Battle of Lundy’s Lane where he was hit by a musket ball in the right arm. As he rode to the rear, he was caught by American forces and was eventually sent to the U.S. as a prisoner of war.

After the war, Riall never held an important military command again, but he was promoted to lieutenant-general through seniority in 1835 and full general in 1841. From 1816-1823 he was Governor of Grenada. Riall was married in 1819, knighted in 1831, and died in 1850 at the age of 75.

This Friday you can join the Niagara Parks Commission and the Chippawa Branch 396 of the Royal Canadian Legion as they honour those who served at the Battle of Chippawa. A ceremony will be held on the battlefield at 7 p.m. and all are welcome to attend. Click here for more information.

A perfect masterpiece of workmanship and beauty – The HMS Nancy

The War of 1812 had many impressive warships that dominated the oceans and Great Lakes. The HMS Nancy was not one of them, but this British supply ship played a crucial role during the war.

The HMS Nancy was built in Detroit in 1789 as a merchant vessel employed in the fur trade of North America. John Richardson, who was one of the partners involved in the building of the ship, wrote, “The schooner will be a perfect masterpiece of workmanship and beauty. The expense to us will be great, but there will be the satisfaction of her being strong and very durable.” The ship, named after Richardson’s daughter, served for many years as a fur-trading vessel before the outbreak of the War of 1812.

With the outbreak of war, the Nancy was pressed into service by the British military as a supply ship that could be capable of carrying up to six 4-pound guns and six swivel guns. The Nancy primarily sailed between the Michigan area and Fort Erie transporting supplies and soldiers. In September 1813, the Americans won control of Lake Erie and captured several British vessels on the lake. The Nancy escaped capture since it was transporting supplies to British positions on Lake Huron. 

In August 1814, the Americans sent a naval force to the Nottawasaga Bay region in the upper Great Lakes. An American scouting party discovered the Nancy’s position and began attacking the vessel. Captain Worsley prepared to scuttle the Nancy when an American shot set the ship alight, sinking the vessel. Worsley’s crew managed to escape into the woods.

 

HMS Nancy

On August 31, 1814, Captain Worsley and his men reached Mackinac after paddling 360 miles. On September 3, Worsley with 92 men and four rowboats avenged the sinking of the Nancy by capturing the American vessel Tigress in the middle of the night. On September 6, Worsley and his men approached the American vessel Scorpion in the capture Tigress while flying an American flag. As the two vessels came closer, the Tigress unleashed a volley of muskets into the Scorpion followed by Worsley’s men quickly boarding and capturing the ship. The Scorpion was renamed the Confiance and the Tigress was renamed the Surprise.    

Over the years, an island grew over the remains of the Nancy, as silt was deposited by the river around the sunken vessel. The vessel was discovered in July 1911 but it was not until 1924 that money was raised in order to recover the vessel. In 1925, a salvage crew recovered an assortment of cannon shot, ship’s cutlery and a number of personal artifacts. In 1928, The Nancy Museum was opened to recognize the ship and its contributions during the War of 1812 and it even has a replica of the Nancy’s figurehead.

This Saturday and Sunday you can head to Port Dalhousie Harbour for the Tall Ships visit. Three replica War of 1812 ships will be at the harbour for visitors to tour. Click here to learn more about the Niagara Signature Event.

Canada’s heroine – Laura Secord

Many Canadians know of Laura Secord’s famous trek through the Niagara to warn the British of an impending attack, but many don’t know about Laura herself.

Laura Ingersoll was born in Massachusetts in 1775. She was the oldest of four children, and after her mother’s death in 1784 and her stepmother’s death in 1789, Laura became the primary caregiver to her sisters. Laura’s father, Thomas, fought on the Patriots side during the American Revolution but eventually became dissatisfied with the continued persecution of Loyalists and the poor economic situation in America. Thomas, along with others, petitioned Lieutenant-Governor John Simcoe for a land grant in Upper Canada. Upon moving to Canada, Laura married the wealthy James Secord in 1797. Laura and James had five children before the outbreak of the War of 1812.

On October 13, 1812, James Secord was on the frontlines during the Battle of Queenston Heights when he was wounded. Laura found her wounded husband on the battlefield and nursed him back to health at their home in St. Davids. In May 1813, the Americans took over the Niagara, along with the Secord home. On June 22, Laura became aware of American plans to ambush James FitzGibbon’s force at Beaver Dams. Laura undertook a 20-mile (32 kilometre) trek through the harsh Niagara Peninsula to reach DeCew House and warn FitzGibbon. Thanks to Laura’s information, a native force ambushed about 500 Americans, forcing their surrender.

 

Laura Secord warning FitzGibbon

After the war, Laura did not speak openly about her heroic trek. In 1827, FitzGibbon mentioned Laura’s contribution in a letter,

“The weather on the 22nd day of June, 1813 was very hot, and Mrs. Secord, whose person was slight and delicate, appeared to have been and no doubt was very much exhausted by the exertion she made in coming to me, and I have ever since held myself personally indebted to her for her conduct upon that occasion...” 

It was not until 1860 when the Prince of Wales, later King Edwards VII, was visiting the Niagara and heard of Laura’s trek that she received official acknowledgement. Edward became aware of Laura’s plight as an aged widow and sent her an award of £100. This was the only official recognition of Laura’s heroism during her lifetime. Laura Secord died in 1868 at the age of 93 and is buried in Drummond Hill Cemetery in Niagara Falls.

This Saturday you can celebrate the 200th anniversary of Laura’s heroic trek through the Niagara Peninsula by retracing her steps. The Friends of Laura Secord have put together a commemorative walk for all abilities. Click here for more information on this Niagara Signature Event.

Pain, suffering and death at Snake Hill

In 1987, Vincent Dunn was planning to construct a house in Fort Erie. When construction began, excavators uncovered a gruesome reminder of the War of 1812. Bones were discovered during the construction, which led to Dr. Ronald Williamson’s archaeology team taking over the site. Dr. Williamson’s team uncovered 28 American bodies along with medical waste pits, an ox burial and artifacts from the war.

The bodies and artifacts were uncovered at the Snake Hill site that was part of the American defences at Fort Erie in 1814. On July 3, 1814, American forces under the command of Major-General Jacob Brown forced the small British garrison at Fort Erie to surrender. After this action, American forces fought the British at the battles of Chippawa and Lundy’s Lane before withdrawing to Fort Erie.

The Americans improved Fort Erie’s defences with massive earthworks that extended 800 metres (1/2 mile) to the shore of Lake Erie. The Snake Hill site was the location of Towson’s battery during the Siege of Fort Erie and it was attacked on August 15, 1814 as part of the failed British assault to retake the fort. The British continued to bombard Fort Erie until mid-September. During the fighting, the Americans established a field hospital near the Snake Hill site. The hospital saw victims of the British bombardment, those wounded in skirmishes and men who were stricken with disease.

The bodies uncovered at the Snake Hill site came from the American field hospital. One of the soldiers was believed to be 27 to 33 years old and may have been a sickly child. According to Dr. Williamson, the soldier had bad teeth that probably hurt constantly and he had multiple fatigue fractures from carrying heavy loads on the march. From the 28 bodies researchers discovered that 16 died from illness and 12 died from battle wounds. It was also discovered that the youngest of the 28 soldiers was 14 years old.

Repatriation ceremony at Old Fort Erie, 1988

Once the archaeological dig was completed, all 28 bodies were placed in flag draped coffins and each coffin was driven in its own hearse to Bath National Cemetery in New York State. Dr. Williamson remembered the repatriation by stating, “At the ceremony no one had a dry eye. All of the pain, suffering, and death…. We knew what was going on in that horrible land. This was the time we realized that they were getting to go home."

On Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14 Old Fort Erie will be hosting two lectures on archaeological digs at Fort Erie. On Thursday, Dr. John Triggs will be talking about the archaeological dig that took place last year at Old Fort Erie. On Friday, Dr. Williamson will be talking about the Snake Hill archaeological dig that took place in 1987. Both talks begin at 7 p.m. and are $5. Click here for more information.

Flight and terror – Engagement at the Forty

After the Battle of Stoney Creek, the Americans were left in a tough position. With their two commanding generals, Winder and Chandler, captured by the British there was some question as to who was left in command of American forces. Command fell to Colonel James Burn of the Second Light Dragoons based on seniority. Burns ordered a withdraw of a least one mile from the battlefield to collect stragglers from the woods and to consolidate a new position.

Colonel Burns admitted in a private letter that he was unprepared to take command by writing, “I was so much at a loss on that occasion as you would be if you were to be made President of the U.S. without any previous notice.” Burns called a council of war with most of the senior officers and decided to withdraw to Forty Mile Creek where the army could resupply.

 

Engagement at the Forty 

Upon reaching Forty Mile Creek, the army had lost all its courage and resolve. In the early hours on June 8th the British squadron under James Yeo approached Forty Mile Creek and began bombarding the American position. John Norton’s native warriors attacked the American camp from the rear as the Royal Navy attacked from the lake.  The Americans responded with four 6-pdr. guns positioned along the lakeshore. As the bombardment continued, the Americans received orders to return to Fort George

Aboard Yeo’s ships, five companies of the King’s were preparing to land at Forty Mile Creek when word was received of the American retreat. Major Evans and his troops landed at about 7:30 p.m. to find an abandoned American camp of 500 tents, 200 camp kettles, 150 stands of arms and a large number of burnt baggage. Evans described the scene, “The enemy’s flight and terror is best evidenced by the precipitate manner in which he abandoned everything which was valuable or could be called to constitute his equipment for field operations.” The Americans continued their retreat to Fort George and began contemplating their next move on the Niagara. 

This Saturday, June 8th you can head to Grimsby to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Engagement at the Forty. There will be demonstrations, events for the kids, and a battle re-enactment starting at 3 p.m. Click here for more information about this Niagara Signature Event.