All posts by Carol Moore

Veteran

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 →

Veteran

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 →

Veteran

Andrew Van Every
2nd Regiment York Militia

The Van Every’s were early pioneers in the Mohawk Valley of Upper New York.  During the American Revolution,  the Van Every’s remained true to the British Crown and fought alongside the British Army.  Suffering persecution from their neighbours following the end of the war, they sought land grants in Upper Canada and Andrew Van Every, who was the second eldest son of MacGregory Van Every, was granted 200 acres consisting of  Lots 12-13, Concession 1, West Flamboro.

Continue reading Andrew Van Every
2nd Regiment York Militia →

Veteran

John Ward
Flank Company
1st Regiment Kent Militia

John  Ward was born in England in 1771 and joined the British Army. He is mentioned in John Gray’s novel, Soldiers of the King on page 156 as being a Private in the Flank Company 1st Regiment Kent Militia.  Ward returned to England after the War of 1812 having left his wife and small child there.  Ward applied for a land grant in Canada West and settled in the Burford area.  He outlived his wife and son and died at the age of 83 in 1855. He is buried in the Congregational Cemetery in Burford.

Veteran

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.

Veteran

Peter McIntyre
79th Regiment of Foot

Peter McIntyre was born in Perth, Perthshire Scotland and joined the British Regiment at a very young age.  He first appears in 1806 as a 72nd Regiment of Foot at the age of 15.  He later appears on October 20th 1814 muster list as  a 79th Regiment of Foot.  McIntyre later emigrated to Canada after the war with his family and resided in Oakland Ontario area where he lived out his life as a farmer.  He died on 4 Sept 1866 and is buried in the Oakland Cemetery.