Category Archives: Veteran

War of 1812 Veteran

Unknown Soldier
Nancy Island

On 23 July 1949, a human skeleton was unearthed from the bank of the Nottawasaga River in Wasaga Beach by two young women vacationing in the area. The adult male skeleton was recovered with nothing more than a single military button determined as being of Scottish origin dating as far back as the War of 1812. Dr. RE Ives of Stayner examined the skeleton and was of the opinion that the bones were over 100 years old. The remains were found in close proximity to where the HMS Nancy, a British supply schooner, was destroyed after a battle with American forces on August 14th, 1814.

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Nancy Island

Richard Hatt
Indian Lands
5th Regiment Lincoln Militia

Richard Hatt II was a Businessman, judge, office holder, militia officer, postmaster and the recognized founder of Dundas.

Richard emigrated in March 1792 arriving in Canada that June. He moved to Upper Canada and by December 1794 was engaged in the Mercentile Business.

Richard Hatt’s father, Richard Hatt I, told his son  that to be Industrious, obliging, and to act with strict fidelity, was the key to success in life. At the time of his father arriving in the spring of 1796,  Richard was a partner of McKay & Co. Almost immediately, Richard decided to move out of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and as early as 1796, settled in Ancaster Township and opened a General Store. He seemed to be more interested in processing goods rather than just provisioning.

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Indian Lands
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

Augustus House2nd Regiment Lincoln Militia

Research compiled by the Heritage Arts Legacy of Fort Erie

Augustus House was born March 1, 1774 in the Mowhawk  Valley, New York Province, the son of John House UE and his wife, Christina Anger who was the daughter of UE Loyalist Frederick George Anger.  Both John House and Frederick George Anger served in Butler’s Rangers during the American Revolution, settling in Lincoln County after the War.

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Mass GraveOld Fort Erie

Research compiled by the Heritage Arts Legacy of Fort Erie

Fighting was intense during August and September 1814 when the Americans applied pressure and laid .   During those two months, 150 men lost their lives in battle and were buried on the grounds of the fort in a mass grave.

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John Harvey
6th Royal Garrison Battalion

This application is sponsored by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.

Major General Sir John Harvey had a long and distinguished career both as a soldier and as a colonial administrator.  In addition to serving during the Napoleonic Wars, including the War of 1812 in North America, he was also the Lieutenant Governor of the four Atlantic Provinces.

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6th Royal Garrison Battalion

James Haney
2nd Regiment Lincoln Militia

James Haney was born to Isaac and Mary Haney in Thorold in 1792. His father had been a chain bearer during the August Jones survey in 1788 of Township #9, Nassau largely populated by Butler’s Rangers and those associated with them. This area later became Thorold and his parents were awarded crown patents on lots in Thorold where they had a mill. From 1798 to 1803, the family was frequently in York, and settled in lot 11 concesson 5 & 6 in Pelham sometime after 1803, while maintaining their milling interests in Thorold.

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Mathew Haney
2nd Regiment Lincoln Artillery

Matthew Haney was born to Isaac and Mary Haney in Township #9 Nassau, the area that later became known as Thorold, Ontario.  His father had been a chain bearer during the August Jones survey in 1788 of Township #9, Nassau which was largely populated by Butler’s Rangers and those associated with them. Matthew’s parents were awarded crown patents on lots in Thorold where they had a mill. From 1798 to 1803, the family was frequently in York, and eventually settled on Lot 11 Concs 5 & 6 in Pelham sometime after 1803, while maintaining their milling interests in Thorold.

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2nd Regiment Lincoln Artillery

Robert Ross
Commander British Forces
East Coast US

Robert Ross (b1776) joined the 25th Regiment of Foot as an ensign in 1789 and served with distinction with the 20th (East Devonshire) Regiment throughout the Napoleonic Wars in Egypt, Italy, Portugal, Spain and France. He earned four gold battle medals for his illustrious role in four battles against the French — Maida (in Italy), Corunna, Vittoria and the Pyrenees (all in Spain). These four honours earned him the Army Gold Cross. He was promoted Major General at the Battle of Vittoria.

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