News

The Historic Military Establishment of Upper Canada

Sticky Leave a comment

This article was published in the Member’s Corner of the Simcoe County Historical Association’s Summer 2022 Newsletter and is reprinted here with their permission.

For a complete copy of their newsletter, click here. You will be redirected to their site and the specific newsletter.

By John Merritt,
Membership Chair, SCHA

For this edition of our Members’ Corner series, we will be featuring the Historic Military Establishment of Upper Canada (HMEUC), a group of passionate historical re-enactors who have helped educate the public about Simcoe County’s role in the War of 1812 for over 30 years. The HMEUC has been a member organization of the SCHA for over thirteen years.
In 1990, the Historic Military Establishment of Upper Canada (HMEUC) started modestly as a collection of a few historical  enthusiasts that met as volunteers at the Historic Naval and Military Establishments (later renamed Discovery Harbour) in Penetanguishene.
Members were united by a common interest in re-enacting the military history of the War of 1812. It was decided that the group would portray soldiers of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment (RNR), circa 1795-1816.
For the founding members of the HMEUC, the choice to portray the
Royal Newfoundland Regiment was a simple one as this regiment
marched right through Simcoe County in 1814 on its way to relieve
the isolated British outpost on Mackinac Island in Lake Huron, establishing what is now known as Fort Willow on the way. Being natural sailors from Newfoundland, soldiers of the RNR also served on gunboats and ships during the War of 1812, which gave members of the HMEUC the opportunity to portray not just soldiers but also sailors and artillerymen.

Battle of Georgian Bay, 2001
Battle of Georgian Bay, 2001

To attract recruits, the newly founded HMEUC began offering costumed demonstrations at local Canada Day festivities, participating in re-enactments of War of 1812 battles, and providing  public education at local schools, museums and historic sites, including Discovery Harbour, Nancy Island and Fort Willow.
As time went on, the HMEUC took part in many events across Simcoe County and began hosting its own events locally in order to draw other re-enactors to the area and create large-scale, tourism-based War of 1812 heritage events right here in Simcoe County. One of these events grew in popularity, culminating in “the Battle of Georgian Bay” in 2001, which featured 1,800 re-enactors, tall ships, and a large grand encampment at Discovery Harbour that portrayed War of 1812 camp life. The event returned to the area in 2019 when Discovery Harbour hosted that year’s War of 1812 Grand Tactical for North America.

War of 1812 Graveside Marker Plaque
War of 1812 Graveside Marker Plaque

As part of bicentennial commemorations of the War of 1812, the HMEUC received grant funding from the federal government to create a legacy project commemorating veterans of the War of 1812.
The resulting website, www.gravesideproject.ca, lists individual  veterans and their biographies. Contributors can send in biographies of known War of 1812 veterans and, once approved, can receive a black granite plaque to mark the grave as being that of a War of 1812 veteran. To date, the project has compiled almost 400 biographies and distributed plaques across Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. The project marks the first time deceased War of 1812  veterans have been recognized for their service.
As the HMEUC has evolved over the years, it has continued to provide heritage programming across Simcoe County and the province of Ontario and as far away as Fort Meigs, Ohio. With the advent of Covid-19, this intrepid group of War of 1812 re-enactors has adapted to modern technology.
Their videos have been sent to events as far away as Sault Ste.  Marie in order to continue to provide programming to the public despite the travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic.
Although its members are united by a love of historical re-enacting, the theme of education lies behind all their activities, and the aim of
the HMEUC is to bring history to life in an informative and enjoyable
fashion.
For more information on the HMEUC, please visit their website,
www.hmeuc.com.
Courtesy, Simcoe County Historical Association, Member’s Corner: The Historic Military Establishment of Upper Canada

 

Veteran

Daniel Rapalje
1st Regiment Middlesex Militia

Leave a comment

Captain Daniel Rapalje, 1st Regiment of Middlesex Militia

Born 8 Nov 1774 Long Island City, Queens, NY to George Rapelje and Aletta Lent appears on the 1790 Census for Newtown Twp., Queens, NY , apparently a wealthy landowner.

Married Elizabeth Vandervoort 24 Sep 1795 at Long Island City,  Queens, NY.  She was born 1776 Queens, NY and died 27 Feb 1865 at St. Thomas, Elgin

By 1799 they had migrated to Erie, NY, moving on to to Woodhouse Twp, Norfolk County, Upper Canada (Long Point Settlement) by 1802.

Rapelje later received 200 acres of land on the south side of the Talbot Road at Kettle Creek.

1810 family had moved to south side of Talbot Road at Kettle Creek in Elgin County, UC

Daniel Rapalje  was a miller, establishing a log grist mill, eventually dividing a portion of his land into town lots.

Founder of what is now St. Thomas, Ontario.

Children:

  • George James
  • Elsie
  • Aletta
  • Catherine,
  • Lambert
  • Jeronimus
  • Margaret
  • John
  • Daniel
  • Elizabeth
  • Hiram
  • Henry
  • Mary

War 1812-15 Military Service 

Joined 1st Regiment, Middlesex Militia becoming a Captain

He is a veteran of Lundy’s Lane and numerous other battles

Ambush at Reservoir Hill, London 
On 30 Aug 1814, Captain Rapalje learned of a contingent of 70 mounted American Rangers led by the ‘turncoat’ former Delaware resident Andrew Westbrook, who were returning to Amherstburg with captured militia officers, after a raid on what is now Ingersoll, Ontario.

Capt Rapalje quickly assembled and led a company of 1st Regt Middlesex Militia to the ravine at Hungerford Hill (now known as Reservoir Hill), along the return route of the Americans.

His men set up a barricade across the road in the ravine.

When the surprise ambush was sprung, the US Rangers scattered, leaving many casualties on the field.

All the prisoners escaped except Captain John Carroll of the Oxford Militia who was killed during the ambush.

Reservoir Hill Plaque commemorating Capt Rapalje's 30th Aug 1814 Ambush of 70 US Rangers
Reservoir Hill Plaque commemorating Capt Rapalje’s 30th Aug 1814 Ambush of 70 US Rangers

There is a City of London historic plaque,  located at the entrance of Reservoir Park (864 Commissioners Rd W) commemorating Capt Rapalje’s ambush.

Daniel Rapalje  was a miller, and in 1814 he establishing a log grist mill, eventually dividing a portion of his land into town lots.

According to Rev’d Canon Nick Wells, Daniel Rapalje donated the land for the Old St. Thomas Church and graveyard.

The settlement that Rapelje established formed the nucleus of the city of St. Thomas.

Founder of what is now St. Thomas, Ontario.

He died 1 Oct 1828.

Citation:  Ermatinger, Charles Oakes, The Talbot Regime, or, the First Half Century of the Talbot Settlement, St. Thomas:  The Municipal World, 1904.

Supporting documents:                                                                                               (1) Col Thomas Talbot’s Roll of Service of War 1812 1st Regt Middlesex Militia combatants                                                                                 (2) photo of Reservoir Hill Ambush plaque

 

Veteran

William Drake
Captain Drake’s Company
2nd Regiment Norfolk Militia

Leave a comment

Captain William Drake UEL, Captain Drake’s Company, 2nd  Regiment  Norfolk Militia

Born 14 June 1761 at Goshen, Orange County, New York Colony to Benjamin Drake and Abigail Knapp.

Joined the Royal Standard – during the Revolutionary War 1775-1783) Serving in Butler’s Rangers.

He was discharged and settled at Digby, Nova Scotia in 1783.

He married Margaret Dowdle in 1788.  She was born 13 Nov 1768 in Goshen, Orange, NY and died 31 Dec 1848 in St. Thomas.

Their children:

  • Richard
  • Mary
  • Phineas
  • Thomas
  • Anne
  • Margaret
  • William
  • Benjamin
  • James
  • Eleanor

By 1792 he and Margaret were in Hamilton where Richard was born
by 1799 they were in St. Thomas.

He joined the Norfolk Militia during the War of 1812-14, serving as a Captain commanding his own militia company.

In 1816 he applied for a land grant at Long Point.

He died 10 June 1842 at St. Thomas, ON.

Supporting Documents National Archives Canada: Pay receipt in Capt Drake’s signature, and a pay record for Capt Drake’s Company.

Photos from Old St. Thomas Church of Capt Drake marble wall plaque  and gravestone in the churchyard.

Veteran

John Caughell
Flank Company
1st Regiment Lincoln Militia

Leave a comment

Pte John Caughell UEL, Flank Company, 1st Regt Lincoln Militia

Born in Holland, but there is little history  written on his early life.

During the American Revolution ,John Caughell and his brother George Caughell served as privates in Butler’s Rangers.  John Caughell was in Niagara  in 1783 and 1784 and was listed on the rations list as a single man.

During the War 1812-15, John Caughell served in the Flank Company of 1st Regiment of Lincoln Militia.

For his  War of 1812 service John Caughell received a grant of 100  acres.

He married Elizabeth Seeley c 1795.  She was born c 1770 in Stamford, CT and died 1857 in St. Thomas.

Their children:

  • David
  • Benjamin
  • John Jr
  • Peter
  • James
  • Elizabeth
  • George Alexander
  • Mary
  • Margaret
  • Jemima
  • Levina Jemima

John’s and Elizabeth’s children as listed below, each received an Order in Council.

  • David
  • Mary m John Lee
  • Peter
  • Benjamin
  • Jemima m Peter Charlton
  • James
  • George
  • Elizabeth m Joseph Marlatt
  • John
  •  Margaret m. Jacob Sporbeck and Alexander Allen

John Caughell UEL died 5 Aug 1846 at the age of 92 years old at Yarmouth Twp., Elgin County

Supporting documents include Index of Land Claim Certificates and photo of gravestone in Old St. Thomas Churchyard.

Veteran

Henry Warren
3rd Regiment Lincoln Militia

Leave a comment

Henry Warren was born 1772 in Trois-Riveres, Mauricie, Lower Canada to John Warren of the Kings Own 8th Regiment and his wife Susan.

The family moved to Bertie Twp., Lincoln (later Welland).

Henry married Catherine Aygler on 23 Aug 1792 at St. Paul’s Anglican in what is now, Fort Erie.

She was born in 1774 and died 17 Jun 1828 in Bertie Twp.  She is buried in St. Paul’s churchyard.

They had twelve children:

  • Mary
  • John
  • William
  • Horatio Nelson
  • Edward Edmund
  • Henry Jr.
  • Catherine
  • Robert
  • Eliza
  • Thomas
  • Archange
  • Alexander

In 1802 Henry and his brother, John Warren, Jr. were granted the right to operate the ferry at Fort Erie on 9 Nov 1802.

War of 1812-14 Henry served in the 3rd Regiment Lincoln Militia in the rank of Major.

After the death of his wife, Catherine in 1828, Henry moved to Elgin County where his daughter, Catherine, lived.

He died 29 Mar 1858.

Archives of Canada pay records 25th Sept 1812-24th Oct 1812 document provided.

Veteran

Henry Mandeville
Flank Company
1st Regiment Middlesex Militia

Leave a comment

Born 12 Dec 1797 Schenectady, NY to David Mandeviel and Dinah Vanderhoof.

Served Flank Company 1st Regiment Middlesex Militia.

Received land for this service.

Married Frances Oswell b 1807 South Kortright, NY in 1831.

Frances and Henry had a son Charles in 1832 and Frances died soon after. Frances, the first wife is buried with Henry at Old St. Thomas Churchyard.

Henry remarried 20 June 1834 to Nancy Ann Thayer.  Nancy Ann Thayer was born 21 Sep 1813 at Port Talbot.  She died in 1861 in St. Thomas.

Henry died 9 Feb 1837.

Nancy Ann had a son, Sylvester Mandeville on 13 Sep 1837.

Veteran

Frederick Couse
Captain, Chrysler’s Company
2nd Regiment Lincoln Militia

Leave a comment

Pte Frederick Couse

Born 2 Aug 1794 in Vineland, Clinton, Twp., Lincoln County, UC
son of Peter Couse and Betsy Snover

Joined Captain Chrysler’s Company, 2nd Regiment Lincoln Militia as a Private.

Received 100 acres for War 1812-15  combatant service.

Moved to Yarmouth Twp, Elgin County.

Married Mary Ensley (b. 10 Mar 1799 d. 21 June 1848 both in Yarmouth) on 3 Sep 1818 in Yarmouth.

Twelve children:

  • John
  • Frederick (aka Peter)
  • Aaron
  • Richard
  • Moses,
  • Della
  • Elizabeth
  • Rachel
  • Albert
  • Mary Ann
  • Calista
  • Ellen

He died 16 May 1867 in Yarmouth Twp.

Muster Roll pay record sent as supporting Document.

However, Frederick Course received a land grant for War 1812-14  service in 2nd Flank Company, 4th Regiment Lincoln Militia.

Archives Canada Land Grant Document requested., but pay record is believed to be most accurate.

Veteran

James Nevills
1st Regiment Middlesex Militia

Leave a comment

Major James Nevills, 1st Regiment Middlesex Militia

Born in either 1789 in Stamford Twp., Lincoln County Upper Canada to Major Thomas James Nevills and  Eve Anne DeShired from New Jersey served in 1st Regiment Middlesex Militia as the Adjutant. The adjutant was an officer usually with the rank of Captain.

At the end of the War, he married Elizabeth Mann in 1815 (born 1792 in UC and died at St. Thomas in 1885)

Rose to rank of Major during the 1837-1838  Rebellion / Patriot Wars.

Known Children:

  • Matilda
  • Elizabeth
  • Thomas
  • Charles

Died 7 Jun 1861, St. Thomas, Yarmouth Twp, Elgin County.

Supporting Documents: 
(1) Service Rolls of 1st Regt Middlesex Militia , compiled by Col Thomas Talbot.

(2) Regimental Order issued 7th Jan 1839  from Commanding Officer Col Mahlon Burwell reviewing the performance of officers of 2nd Regt Middlesex Militia  during the 1837 Rebellion / Patriot Wars. Capt. James Nevills’ conduct was commended (as well as several other 2nd Middlesex officers),  while gathering and leading militiamen to attack the ‘banditti’ (rebels) who had formed at Oakland.

Capt. James Nevills was promoted to rank of Major at the end of the 1837-1838 Upper Canada Rebellion / Patriot Wars.
In 1830’s James Nevills, a farmer near Port Stanley held several Yarmouth Twp offices including Town Clerk in 1830 and 1833. In his latter years he was also appointed magistrate.

Veteran

Jabez Lynde
3rd Reg York Militia

Leave a comment

War of 1812 Veteran Graveside Project

Biographical Information for Jabez Lynde 

Jabez Lynde was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts in 1773. In 1796, he married Clarissa Woodruff (1774-1830) in Winchester, Connecticut. In response to a posting by the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada offering free land for new settlers, Jabez came to Upper Canada with his father-in-law Hawkins Woodruff in 1800. Woodruff secured land in Pickering and Jabez purchased Lot 31, Conc 2 in Whitby for two dollars an acre. They built a log cabin on the Woodruff land to satisfy settlement duties and then returned to the United States to reunite with their families. In 1803, both men returned to Upper Canada with their families. The Lyndes lived with the Woodruff family until 1804 when they completed construction of a log home on their land.[1] They were among the first settlers in Whitby Township[2] and raised eight children[3] while farming the land, hunting, and according to folklore, catching salmon with a pitchfork from the creek on their property that today bears their name.

Continue reading Jabez Lynde
3rd Reg York Militia →