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.