Tag Archives: 2nd Flank Coy

Unit

Henry Lewis Smith
2nd Flank Company
5th Regiment Lincoln Militia

Private Henry Lewis Smith

Henry Lewis SmithHenry Lewis Smith was born 28 Jul 1786, in Sussex County, New Jersey, and died 18 Apr 1859. He married in 1808 Elizabeth Vandecar, daughter of Alexander Vandecar, United Empire Loyalist, born 11 Apr 1789, died 11 Mar 1863. His family had been members of the New Jersey Volunteers, and had served consistently for the British during the American Revolution. Henry died April 1859 in his 72nd year.

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2nd Flank Company
5th Regiment Lincoln Militia

Miller Lawrason
2nd Regiment York Militia

The Lawrason family originated in Western Europe and came to Long Island New York in the 1600s, and later migrated to New Jersey in 1709.  Miller Lawrason was born in New Jersey, and was one of five children of a Patriot family that remained loyal to the British.  They joined a number of other families, 46 in total and left the United States in 1787 for what was then known as Canada West.  They reached the Niagara area in July of that year but most of the land in this area was already claimed by veterans of Butler’s Rangers.  They continued on until they reached the 40 Mile Creek in what today is known as Grimsby.  The called their new settlement “The Forty.” Continue reading Miller Lawrason
2nd Regiment York Militia

John Purvis Lawrason
Flank Company
2nd Regiment York Militia

The Lawrason family originated in Western Europe and came to Long Island New York in the 1600s, and later migrated to New Jersey in 1709.  Miller Lawrason was born in New Jersey, and was one of five children of a Patriot family that remained loyal to the British.  They joined a number of other families, 46 in total and left the United States in 1787 for what was then known as Canada West.  They reached the Niagara area in July of that year but most of the land in this area was already claimed by veterans of Butler’s Rangers.  They continued on until they reached the 40 Mile Creek in what today is known as Grimsby.  The called their new settlement “The Forty.” Continue reading John Purvis Lawrason
Flank Company
2nd Regiment York Militia

Walter B Dittrick UE
Flank Company
4th Regiment Lincoln Militia

Walter Dittrick was born on the 31 May 1793 on the family farmstead, 12 Mile Creek St. Catharines, Upper Canada as recorded in the family bible (St. Catharines Public Library, Special Collections). He was the fourth son of Sergeant Jacob Dittrick, former Butler’s Ranger, and Margaret Pickard. She was the daughter of William Pickard who along with two of his sons were also members of Captain Bernard Frey’s Company of Butler’s Rangers.

Continue reading Walter B Dittrick UE
Flank Company
4th Regiment Lincoln Militia

Jacob Smith
2nd Flank Company
5th Regiment Lincoln Militia

Jacob Smith was part of one of the earliest families that settled in the Burford Township area.  Smith was born in 1797 in what was then known as  Canada West.   Like the other members of his family, Jacob joined the militia to fight against the invading American forces under General Duncan McArthur.  Smith was assigned to the 2nd Flank Company 5th Regiment Lincoln Militia under Captain Samuel Hatt.  Smith was awarded a land grant for his services at the close of the war.

Robert Biggar
2nd Flank Company
5th Regiment Lincoln Militia

Robert  Biggar along with his wife Mary Lauder came to Canada in 1806 from Scotland U.K.   Biggar along with his sons fought in the War of 1812 in the 2nd Flank Company 5th Regiment Lincoln Militia under Captain James Durand.  Biggar was awarded a land grant and came to the Mount Pleasant area in 1816.

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2nd Flank Company
5th Regiment Lincoln Militia

Robert Runchey
Captain Runchey’s Men of Colour

Robert Reuben Runchey was born c. 1756 in Ireland.  He married Eleanor de Bonnat and in 1788 they emigrated to Canada.  It is thought that their eldest child, Reuben, was born on the Atlantic during that voyage or when they arrived in Quebec.  In addition to Reuben, Robert and Eleanor had at least five more children:  (not in order of birth)

  • William
  • George
  • Cyrus
  • Robert Reuben
  • Thomas

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Captain Runchey’s Men of Colour