Ontario

MCFARLAND HOUSE 1800

This house was built in 1800 by James McFarland on
land purchased about 1795 by his father, John McFarland
(1757-1814), who was described as “His Majesty’s boat
builder”. One of the Niagara District’s finest residences,
it was used during the War of 1812 as a hospital by
both British and United States forces. A British battery
was emplaced behind the house to command the river.
In 1813 John McFarland was taken prisoner by the
Americans following their capture of Fort George. When
he returned in 1814, much of his property had been
destroyed and the house badly damaged.

Erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board

FORT CHIPPAWA, 1791

The fortifications which stood on this site were built in
1791 to protect the southern terminus of the Niagara portage
road, and serve as a forwarding depot for government
supplies. Known also as Fort Welland, the main structure
consisted of a log blockhouse surrounded by a stockade.
During the War of 1812 several bloody engagements were
fought in this vicinity including the bitterly contested
Battle of Chippawa, July 5, 1814, and possession of the fort
frequently changed hands. A barracks, storehouse, officers'
quarters and earthworks were added in 1814-15, but shortly
thereafter Fort Chippawa was abandoned and fell into decay.
Erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

THE "COLORED CORPS" 1812-1815

When the War of 1812 began, people of African descent in
the Niagara peninsular feared an American invasion. They
were anxious to preserve their freedom and prove their
loyalty to Britain. Many joined the militia; others offered
to raise their own militia company. Authorities responded
by forming a "Colored Corps" of about thirty men commanded
by white officers. Based in the Niagara region throughout
the war, it fought at Queenston Heights in October 1812
and at the siege of Fort George in May 1813. The corps
was disbanded soon after the peace, but had nonetheless
set a precedent. Black units were a feature of the Canadian
military until the First World War.

Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation

SIR ROGER HALE SHEAFFE 1763-1851

On October 13, 1812, following Isaac Brock’s death in a
preceding assault, Major-General Sheaffe assumed command
and led a successful attack which dislodged an invading
American force from Queenston Heights. Born in Boston,
Mass., Sheaffe was commissioned in the British army in 1778
and fought in the American Revolution and the Napoleonic
Wars. Arriving in Upper Canada in 1812, he served as
Administrator of the province 1812-1813, and returned to
England in the latter year. He was created a baronet in
1813, attained the rank of general in 1838 and died in
Edinburgh, Scotland.

Erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

RAID ON FORT SCHLOSSER 1813

At daybreak on July 5, 1813, a British and Canadian force, consisting of some 35 militia and a small detachment of the 49th Regiment, embarked in this vicinity to attack Fort Schlosser. The American depot (now within Niagara Falls, New York) was situated at the southern terminus of the Lewiston Portage, and was an important military trans-shipment point. The attacking force, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Thomas Clark of the 2nd Regiment, Lincoln Militia, surprised the U.S. garrison and encountered little resistance. They captured a gunboat, two bateaux, a brass cannon and a substantial quantity of small arms and supplies. While re-embarking, they were attacked by local American militia, but suffered no casualties.
Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario

LAURA INGERSOLL SECORD 1775-1868

Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Laura Ingersoll
came to Upper Canada with her father in 1795, and settled in
this area. About two years later she married James Secord,
a United Empire Loyalist, and within seven years they had
moved to this site from nearby St. Davids. From here, during
the war of 1812, Laura Secord set out on an arduous 19-
mile journey to warn the local British commander, Lieutenant
James Fitzgibbon, of an impending American attack. The
courage and tenacity displayed on this occasion in June
1813 places her in the forefront of the province's heroines.
Mrs. Secord's house, a simple frame building, was restored
(1971-72), and remains as a memorial to the exceptional
act of patriotism.

Erected by the Archaeological and Heritage Sites Board, Archives of Ontario

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CAROLINE, 1837

On the night of December 29-30, 1837, some 60 volunteers
acting on the orders of Col. Allan Napier McNab, and
commanded by Capt. Andrew Drew, R.N., set out from
Chippawa in small boats to capture the American steamer
“Caroline”. That vessel, which had been supplying William
Lyon MacKenzie’s rebel forces on Navy Island, was moored at
Fort Schlosser, N.Y. There she was boarded by Drew’s men,
her crew killed or driven ashore, and after an unsuccessful
attempt to start the engine, her captors set the ship afire
and left her to sink in the Niagara River. This action almost
precipitated war between Britain and the United States.

Erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Here on 5 July 1814, an American army under Major-
General Jacob Brown launched the last major invasion of
Canada during the War of 1812. The Americans defeated a
British and Canadian force commanded by Major-General
Phineas Riall consisting of regulars, militia and Aboriginal
warriors. During the engagement, about 200 men were
killed and over 500 wounded. After four months of heavy
fighting, with major action at Lundy's Lane, Fort Erie and
Cooks Mills, the invaders were forced back to the United
States.

C'est ici que, le 5 juillet 1814, l'armée américaine dirigée
par le major-général Jacob Brown lança sa dernière grande
offensive en sol canadien lors de la guerre de 1812. Les
forces britanniques et canadiennes, rgroupant des soldats,
des miliciens et des guerriers autochtones sous le
commandement du major-général Phineas Riall, perdirent
cette bataille qui se solda par quelque 200 morts et 500
blessés. Toutefois, quatre mois de luttes et de combats
acharnés à Lundy's Lane, à Fort Erie et à Cooks Mills,
repoussèrent les envahisseurs et forcèrent leur retraite vers
les États-Unis.

Historic Sites And Monuments Board Of Canada
Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada
Government of Canada - Gouvernement du Canada

IN MEMORIAM
ERECTED BY JOHN CARTER
OF THE VILLAGE OF CHIPPAWA
IN MEMORY OF HIS SON AND COMRADES

GEORGE NEWTON CARTER
OF THE 52ND BATT. C.E.F.
KILLED AT MESSINES RIDGE
JUNE 8, 1916 AGED 33 YRS.

ARCHIBALD DAVIDSON
OF THE 15TH BATT. C.E.F.
KILLED AT ST. JULIEN
APRIL 29TH, 1915, AGED 23 YERS.

ISIDOR BLUNDY, OF THE 15TH BATT. C.E.F.
KILLED AT ST. JULIEN
APRIL 24TH, 1915, AGED 25 YRS

ELIJAH LOGAN, OF THE 15TH BATT. C.E.F.
DIED OF WOUNDS AT VIMY RIDGE
APRIL 23RD, 1917, AGED 32 YRS.

TO KEEP FREEDOM INVIOLATE AND UNSULLIED THEY FEARED NOT DEATH,
AND MEETING IT THEY WON THE VICTORS CROWN.

WORLD WAR II
1939-1945

IN MEMORIAM
1939 - 1945
STEPHEN BOZIK
HARRY P. HEXIMER
WILLIAM T.B. LATANVILLE

KOREA
1950-1953

In appreciation of those who fought to preserve our freedom.
They served in war so that we may serve in peace.

Dedicated June 9, 1985
Diamond Jubilee Year