Research compiled by the Heritage Arts Legacy of Fort Erie
Captain John Baxter 1776 – 1837
The Baxter family were among the band of refugees who landed in Miller’s Bay in November of 1783.
There is some debate about the parentage of John Baxter. Some records show him as the son of Jacob Baxter and Rebeccca Beam while others refer to him as the son of David Baxter.
Research compiled by the Heritage Arts Legacy of Fort Erie
William Powell, born 1785 in Upper Canada, was the son of United Empire Loyalist John Powell and his wife Jane Moore. Jane had been a prisoner taken at Cherry Valley by the Indians in November of 1778. Jane was ransomed by order of Colonel Butler.
Research compiled by the Heritage Arts Legacy of Fort Erie
John Miller was born c 1764 in Manorland Twp., Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In the early 1800s he came to Canada with his wife, Christiana and children. In 1809, John purchased Lots 15, Concs 5 & 6 , Bertie Twp. from George Wintemute, although we find evidence the family was on this property as early as 1802.
Research compiled by the Heritage Arts Legacy of Fort Erie
Peter Miller was born in 1793 in Bertie Township, Welland County, Ontario. He was the third child, and second son, of Andrew Miller (1766-1843) and his wife, Elizabeth Everett (1772-1841).
Research compiled by the Heritage Arts Legacy of Fort Erie
John Laur, a native of Germany was born in 1761. As a young man he came to America previous to the Revolutionary war and located in the state of Pennsylvania. John Laur married Sarah Zavitz who was born in 1769. They were married in Tannersville, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. In 1784 they came across the Niagara River to Bertie township. (Source: Benjamin Laur)
Research compiled by the Heritage Arts Legacy of Fort Erie
William Bowen was a Veteran of the War of 1812, serving as a Private with the 3rd Regiment Lincoln Militia in Captain John Hardy’s Company. He was born in 1774 in Fort Hunter, N.Y., son of Cornelius and Rebecca Bowen. In 1784 he came to Bertie Township, with the wave of Loyalists who came to Upper Canada, with his parents, two brothers John and Henry, and a sister Gertrude (aka Catharine). Three more brothers and a sister were born in Bertie Township:
Born in Litchfield, Connecticut, Thomas Ripley came to Upper Canada with his foster father Walter Davis in 1793 settling first in Augusta Township, Leeds County where the family remained until 1800 when they removed to South Crosby Township.
Born in New York state William Robinson had settled with his family in the Front of Lansdowne Township, Leeds County before 1812. He was balloted for service in the Flank Company, 1st Regiment Leeds Militia commanded by Lieutenant Jonathan Fulford in July of 1812 and was on duty at Brockville when the town was raided by an American force led by Captain Benjamin Forsyth in February 1813.
John and Anna Gilbert brought their family from Vermont to Upper Canada about 1795 settling first in Augusta and later in the rear of Lansdowne Township. Three of their sons were balloted for militia service during the War of 1812 in the 2nd Regiment Leeds Militia.
This application is sponsored by the Border Historical Society, Eastport, Maine
Thomas Raymond joined the Royal Navy on 17 August 1801 as a midshipman. He served on HMS Rattlesnake (sloop, 6th rate, 16 guns) until April 1810 when he briefly served on HMS Courageux (ship of the line, 3rd rate, 74 guns). In December 1810, he passed his Lieutenant’s examination. Through his training, he qualified as a (Sailing) Master which meant that he was responsible for the ship’s navigation. From 20 January 1812 to 23 March 1814, he served on HMS Comet (sloop, 6th rate, 18 guns). He then transferred to HMS Niobe (frigate, 5th rate, 38 guns) as the Master and served on her from September to October 1814. Niobe had been built as the French ship Diane and was captured by the British in 1800 off Malta. Raymond’s last ship was HMS Menai (sloop, 6th rate, 26 guns). He served on her as the Master from 15 October 1814 to 22 January 1817. While it is not known where he served, it would be reasonable to think that his first years of service were with the Channel Fleet that was blockading Napoleonic France. It appears that Niobe and Menai were employed in North American waters, most likely on convoy or anti-privateer duties.
