Veteran

Stephen Backus
Flank Company
1st Regiment Middlesex Militia

Stephen Backus was born in New York State on Dec. 25, 1786.
He moved to Pennsylvania with his family about 1800, and then moved to the Talbot Settlement on the north shore of Lake Erie in 1810 to join his sister Lydia (Backus) Patterson. There he married Anne Storey who had come to the Talbot Settlement the previous year. He died November 4, 1865 at 78 years of age.

Stephen Backus grave. Photo courtesy of Brenda Corby
Stephen Backus grave. Photo courtesy of Brenda Corby

During the War of 1812 he served under Captain Leslie Patterson, his uncle, in 1812-4. He received Land Claim Certificate, Unit Flank Company 1st Regiment Middlesex Militia, Vol 18 File 6, pages 455-456

It is documented that Stephen saw action as a member of the militia when it was called out to repel a raid on the 20th of May, 1814.  Because the Talbot Settlement was raided six times between November 1813 and November 1814, Walter was probably called out often.

As well, it is documented that Stephen, his wife, and two children were victims of the Indians and American Raid, led by Captain Walker, on Port Talbot on August 16th, 1814. They were living on Lot 13 Conc 10, Dunwich Township. They put in a claim for their losses: bed clothing, sheets, shirts, aprons, gowns, women’s clothing, men’s clothing, window glass, and a silver watch.

St. Peter's Anglican Church Phot courtesy of Catherine Reiss
St. Peter’s Anglican Church Phot courtesy of Catherine Reiss

In 1817, the Backus family was able to purchase their farm for £75. Their log cabin was enlarged in 1825 and in 1848 Stephen employed Robert Morris to build an addition. This home still stands and is part of the Backus-Page House Museum near Wallacetown, Ontario. The frame contains chestnut boards two and one-half feet wide. The basement, which was dug out later, has logs which run the entire length of the house. Stephen and Anne raised a family of eleven children here. (Sources: Backus-Page House Museum files.)

Little else is known about Stephen Backus, but for more information on the Talbot Settlement on Lake Erie during the War of 1812, see the following Veterans elsewhere on this site and linked here:

Peter's Anglican Church Cemetery Gate. Photo courtesy of Catherine Reiss
Peter’s Anglican Church Cemetery Gate. Photo courtesy of Catherine Reiss
Some reenactors with Sandra Sales who wrote the biographies of the veterans.Photo courtesy of Brenda Corby
Some reenactors with Sandra Sales who wrote the biographies of the veterans.Photo courtesy of Brenda Corby

Veteran Summary

Stephen Backus
Private, Flank Company 1st Regiment Middlesex Militia
Place of Birth
Unknown, NY, USA
Place of Death
Tyrconnell, ON, CAN
Died on: 04 NOV 1855
Reason: Likely Old Age
Location of Grave
St. Peter's Anglican Church cemetery, Lakeview Line
Wallacetown, ON, CAN
Latitude: 42.606754N Longitude: -81.439883