More Mississauga connections to 1812

Timothy Street gravestone, Streetsville Memorial Cemetery

Local stories from the War of 1812 offer a continual fascination for me (and I hope, you as well!). It is a moment in time during the earliest years of the colonial settlement of this area that deeply impacted the lives of those who lived here and would come to live here. The tendrils of that moment in time can still be seen on our landscape, in some cases more readily than references to events and conflicts that came after – place names and road names carry plenty of references that connect our city to its historic roots. We explored some of those in previous articles.

One of the impacts of the War of 1812 was the social impacts – in some cases the war separated families, forced difficult decisions, and resulted in social upheaval.

Unlike last week’s article which looked at visible connections to the war on our landscape, such as road and place names, this week’s article will look at some less visible links, and the stories therein.

Richard Caslor gravestone, Streetsville Memorial Cemetery

As mentioned, the conflict forced many to make difficult decisions. Many of those who had come to settle in Canada, and in historic Mississauga itself, were born in the United States, and many more had relatives who lived across the border in what was, as of June 20, 1812, enemy territory.

John Belcher was a blacksmith by trade and lived in Cooksville, together with his wife Anne and their young family. When war broke out, John felt the need to serve, first through his skills as a blacksmith, and later joined the Incorporated Militia. With the uncertainty of war, and John having to be away from home for long periods of time, according to local stories Anne and her youngest children went to stay with her parents in Ohio. Sadly, she passed away there in December of 1812, and children remained to be raised by their grandparents. The Belcher story is one of many that highlight how the war could indirectly separate families. After the war, John remarried, and his later life is currently unknown.

Another family forced to make hard choices were the Markles. In Dixie Union Cemetery you can find the gravestones for several members of the Markle family. Abraham Markle (1758-1834) loyally served with the 2nd York militia during the war, likely with public works such as road maintenance and transportation of supplies. A relative, also named Abraham Markle (1770-1826), was a businessman and politician who lived in the Chatham area of Upper Canada. He followed Joseph Willcocks in 1813 in supporting the American war effort. He served with the Canadian Volunteers, a pro-American regiment led by Joseph Willcocks. Following Willcocks’ death in 1814, Abraham succeeded him in commanding the Canadian Volunteers. He was ultimately convicted of high treason in absentia. Abraham (the traitor) survived the war and resettled in Vigo County, Indiana. Interestingly, the names of some of his sons may reflect his changing political sentiments: Horatio Nelson Markle (1807-1878), Joseph Willcocks Markle (1812-1867) and Napoleon Bonaparte Markle (1818-1876).

John Markle gravestone, son of Abraham Markle, Dixie Union Cemetery

Speaking of the Canadian Volunteers, they were infamously involved with the burning of Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake, December 10, 1813) and St David’s (July 18 and 22, 1814). Part of Mississauga’s history is directly tied to the burning of St. David’s. Timothy Street (1777-1848), Streetsville's namesake, was born in Spencertown, New York. Together with his wife, Abigail, Timothy came to Canada in 1801, settling at St. David's. Timothy, a saddler and tanner by trade, served as a Sergeant and Saddler with the 1st Troop of Niagara Light Dragoons. Living at St. David's, the Street family found themselves near the contested border during the War of 1812.

The Street family did not escape unscathed. On July 18, 1814, invading American forces burned St. David's, and the Street family lost virtually everything. Recovering from these losses led Timothy into surveying and milling, which brought him to resettle along the Credit River by 1821, and eventually led to the establishment of Streetsville. When Timothy passed away, he was buried in the Streetsivlle Memorial Cemetery. Buried nearby is Richard Caslor (1774-1870), an American militiaman who volunteered with the Herkimer County Militia in New York. The New York Militia was involved in several battles and skirmishes along the Niagara frontier throughout the war. Richard resettled in Streetsville in 1822. One wonders what the conversations between Timothy and Richard may have been like as they reflected on the tumultuous years of the conflict before their respective paths would make them neighbours.

Another early resident was Benjamin Munger (Monger) who was a Loyalist, and after arriving from New Brunswick, settled in what is now the Clarkson area of Mississauga. He served with the 2nd York militia in the early years of the war but faced a challenge in early 1814 when he refused to hand over a horse that was requested by a travelling British officer. He was charged in quarter sessions by General De Watteville for refusing the request and had to pay a fine in consequence.

Other cases of disaffection, although lesser documented, involve early residents William Lewis and John Vanzante (also recorded as Van Zant, Vanzant and Vanzantee). William Lewis deserted following the Battle of Queenston Heights in October 1812, joining the New York militia and John Vanzante deserted following the American capture of Fort York. Also, another early resident, William Barber, found himself charged with High Treason following the war for aiding American forces and having absconded from the Province. There is also the story of Oliver Grace Jr., which we explored in an earlier article in this series

These stories, with lesser known and recognized connections across the landscape of Mississauga, highlight the challenges and difficult decisions faced by early residents.

We invite you to come to the Engagement at Bradley War of 1812 weekend on September 13-14 at the Bradley Museum (1620 Orr Road), and bring a jeer (or cheer, perhaps), for the Canadian Volunteers wearing grey coats and a green band on their black hats. These dedicated (and local!) re-enactors pay tribute to those who were faced with hard decisions in a difficult time.