CHAPTER NO. 1

JOHN HENRY WEISHUHN

UNITED EMPIRE LOYALIST, AND SOLDIER

AND HIS FAMILY, 1776-1876
 
 

JOHN HENRY WEISHUHN U.E.

This book begins with John Henry Weishuhn who was my Great, Great, Great
Grandfather. He was a well educated man who could write expertly. I have
several copies of letters in his handwrighting and they are very well done,
with lots of fancy phrases that were used in that time period. He lived in East
Florida and had a Plan tation of 250 acres along the Nassau River near what is
now Jacksonville, Florida. The plantation consisted of 125 acres of Corn and
Rice and 125 acres of Pine.

John Henry married a girl whos first name was Jane, and no last name was
givens. John Henry and Jane had a son, John William Weishuhn born while living
in East, Florida. Janes father also had a plantation along the Nassau River
which was burned by American Troops in May of 1776. This incident is mentioned
in a letter written by John Henry on May 5, 1797, and an interesting account of
this military action is recorded in several history books on the Revolutionary
War and is as follows;

About the lst of May, 1776, Colonel John Baker with a force of 109 men of the
Georgia Militia marched into East Florida and were supposed to meet up with
Colonel Samuel Elbert and two battalions of the Contintal Army and proceed to,
and capture the Fort at Saint Augustine. Elberts troops were comming by boat
and did not arrive on schedule as planned. Colonel Baker decided to send a
detachment of 40 men on ahead toward Cowford, (now Jacksonville, Fla. ). Two
days later Colonel Baker decide to join his troops at Cowford as Colonel Elbert
had not arrived.

On May 17, 1776, Major Mare Prevost and a force of British Regulars plus East
Florida Rangers and Indians came across the Americans at Thomas Creek. The
Americans were surrouned and out-numbered. Some managed to escape including
Colonel Baker, but about 40 were captured. The Indians Fell upon the captives
and murdered all but 16 who were saved by Major Prevost and his troops. The
reason for this slaughter was because the Americans had captured, tortured and
slain an Indian the previous day. Colonel Baker arrived at the north end of
Amelia Island on May 20, 1776 with 18 survivers, and met Colonel Elbert. After
telling of his defeat, Colonel Elbert decided to abandon the attemp to invade
Florida, but he ordered that every house be burned and all of the cattle slain.

Janes fathers plantation was one of those burned during Colonel Bakers raid
and John Henry' s letter mentions that Janes father died from grief and sorrow
soon after his home was burned.

John Henry and a partner, Robert Grant (possibly his Father-in-law) also owned
another tract of 250 acres of uncultivated land on a branch of the Nassau
River. He was forced to leave this property during the war, but he filed a
claim to the British Government after the war ended and was paid 60 pounds
Sterling for his loss. Its to bad that the land and military records of East
Florida were lost during the Revolutionary War as they would have given me a
lot of information about my ancestor.

The first military record of John Henry is in the Muster Roll of the 60th or
Royal American Regiment of Foot in the British Army. He was listed as a
Sergeant in the 3rd Battalion under Captain Jacob Muller from June 25, 1776 to
December 24, 1777.

The 60th Regimen was the garrison Regiment of the Fort at Saint Augustine with
detachments scattered around at strategic locations in East Florida. Soon
afterward the Regiment was ordered to proceed and attack Charleston, SAC.
under the command of Augustine Prevosto John Henry went with the Regiment and
while on the way, Captain Mutter was shot and killed. @Qw long John Henry
stayed in Charlston is not known as the records were lost. In his letter ( 1)
he states that he then went to New York.

After arriving in New York he went to Hampstead, England With Captain
Augustine Prevost where he stayed from June 25, 1780 to January 24, 1783. He
then returned to Camp Newton Creek on Long Island, New York. This camp would
be accros@ the East River from midtown Manhattan, where he stayed from June
25, 1783 until September 8, 1783 which was the last muster of the war in New
York.

The 60th Regiment was then transported to Halifax, Nova Scotia where they were
discharged. John Henry and his family along with a group of other loyalists
left Halifax by ship on November 5, 1783 for Chetapucto, Nova Scotia where
they were to take up promised land. The ship ran into one of the wost storms
of the century and the ship was blown so far off course that they went to
Falmouth, England where they spent the winter.

The family returned to Halifax with the spring fleet and John Henry was given
200 acres of Crown Land in Preston Township about six miles from Halifax. He
tried farming the land for two years but the land was barren and the weather
poor for growing crops. Finally after much disappiontment he rejoined the
60th Regiment in the lst Battalion as a Private on August 9, 1786 and was sent
to Fort Niagara. On August 9, 1787 he was a3ain promoted to Sargeant, and from
December 25, 1787 until his final discharge on December 24, 1790 he was
Command Sargeant under General Halimand.

After his Discharge, John Henry entered into the Portage business around
Niagara Falls. Ships from Lake Ontario unloaded their cargo below the Falls
into wagons drawn by Oxen. The wagons were pulled up Portage Road to Chippawa
above the Falls where they were unloaded onto ships going into Lake Erie. John
Henry and his family lived and owned lot # 5 of the original plot plan of
Newark (now called Niagara Falls, Ontario) In 1795 John Henry purchased from
William Lyons, Lots 10. 20, and 21 on the 3rd consession and lots 1 and 2 at
the intersection of the Wetland River and Lyons Creek in the Township of
Willoughby, Lincoln County Ontario. This purchase of approximately 800 acres
was a sizable portion of the town of Chippawa. John Henry ouilt his home on
the point of land where Lyons Creek flows into the Wetland River and called
this land "Weishuhn's Point". He built a six room one and one half story 109
house here. It is described as 30 by 40 feet witn a fl-replace in aech room
and a largs kitchen. You will read much more about this property when I tell
you about John Henry's oldest sob John William Weishuhn.

John Henry had several other land holdings which were given to him for his
services in the British Army and because he was a loyalist, he wrote the
following letter:

"To his Excellency, John Graves Simcoe, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and
Commander In Chief of his Majestys Forces in the Province of Upper Canada in
Council. The Petition of Henry Weishuhn most humbly herewith. That your
Petitioner has served in the 3rd Battalion of his Majestys Sixtieth, or Royal
American Regiment of Foot during the last Rebellion as Sargeant Major. That
your Petitioner wishing to avail himself of his Majestys most gracious bounty
for himself, wife and five children, begs leave to apply for an allotment of
land his A@ajesty most graciously allows; and further begs for an additional
bounty the quantity of which your Petitioner most humbly submits to your
wisdom, and your @etitioner wall ever pray.

Signed H. Weishuhn

Newark The 4th of July 1794 "
 

John Henry's Petition was read in Council on Wednesday July 9, 1794 and his
Petition was referred to the land board for action.

An interesting item of business took place at this Council iMeeting that
deserves mention. It was decided that the Town or York be established. The
towns of York is now called Toronto, Ontario the largest City in Canada.

On July 29, @795, the Council ordered that John Henry and his family be given
800 acres of Crown Land.

The land that was given to John Henry and his family was as follows;

Lots, 17, 13, 19, and the south half of lot 20 in the 3rd concession of
Windham Township, Norfolk County, Upper Canada. (now Ontario)

Lot 5 on the Wetland River in the Township of Willoughby in Lincoln County.
(now Chippawa, Ontario)

The above lots measure about 200 acres each, so the family received about 970
acres total.

A Command Sargeant is one who is on location at some special post or doinu a
mission somewhere, usually at another post or fort. In the first assignment
of town lots in the town of Newark (now Niagara on the Lake, Ontario) Henry
was given lot # 5. This was a half acre lot and is at the corner of Front
Street and Regent Street, in Niagara on the Lake. He later sold the land to
Ebenezer Whiting, a watchmaker. Mr. Whiiting leased the property while he was
in the U.S, for several years. In the meantime the War of 1812 broke out and
the Town of Niagara was burned by the Americans, including the house and
records. A Mr John Andrew Stevenson was granted the lot in 1818 by the
authorities much to the surprise of Mr. Whiting. The matter was brought before
the courts on March 15, 1321, however the court dedided in favor of Mr.
Stevenson. Niagara on the Lake is just across the Niagara river from old Fort
Niagara where the Niagara River empties into Lake Ontario.

Henry went into the Portage business on the Niagara diver around the Falls. He
first was on the east side of the Old Portage river and the lower landing was
at Lewiston, New York and the upper landing was about ten miles up the river
at Fort Schlosser, across from Chippawa. In 1796 when the Fort Niagara was
taken over by the U.S. by treaty agreement, the British then moved across the
River to the west bank in 1789 the British had bulit a new Portage road on the
west bank from Table rock in Queenston to the Welland River at Chippawa a
distance of about 11 miles. The first men to supply teams and wagons for tale
new portage were; Adam Vrooman, Thomas Cummings, James Forsythe, Timothy
Skinner, Charles Wilson, Henry Waishuhn, John McEwan, Benjiman Canby, David
Secord, Irish John Wilson, and Adam Kreisler.

In 1796 John Henry and family moved from Mevvark to the township of Willoughby
near Chippawa. He purchased Lots 1 and 2 on the River Wetland and lots 19, 20,
and 21 of concession # 3 from William Lyons. He built his home on the
intersection of the Wetland River and Lyons Creek and called the place
Weishuhn's Point.

While living in Willoughby Township, John Henry was the township Assessor in
1797 and 1802, and was the Township Warden in 1801.

John Henry Weishuhn died sometime in late 1803 or early 1804. The exact date
or place of burial has not been determined at this time. I did make a search
of all the cemeteries in the area, and the early death records and could not
find out about his death. He probably was buried near his home.

Jonn Henry did not make a will, and on April 21, 1804, much of his property
was auctioned off at Public Vendue. An interesting account of this Auction was
recorded by the Ontario Historical Society and is as follows:

"An appraisment of Mr. Weishuhn's property was made by Peter McMickling, John
Rowe, and John Hardy and totaled 2l5 Pounds, 10 Shillings. The articles sold
amounted to 273 Pounds, 10 Shillings arid are listed below

One Sorrel Horse 12 Pounds Shillings
One Black Colt 12 6
Two Mares 9 8
One Napper Tandy Colt 12 4
Yoke of Oxen 16 4
Another Yoke of Oxen 19 4
Old Cow 4 4
Pleasure Sliegh 1 12
A Wagon 16 8
Another Wagon 13 4
A Plow 3 5
Six Sneep
Ten Sheep
Windmill
Six Sheep
One Bay Colt
One Sorrel 1 Horse
Ox Chain
One Heifer
A Desk 1 Pounds Shillings
A Table 1 6
36 Sheep 40
Pigs 15
A Mohawk Testament 2
A Telemachus 11

As was customary in those days, the home and property went to the oldest son
John William Weishuhn.

The Family of John Henry Weishuhn and his wife Jane consisted of five children
whs wer John William, Philip Henry, James Alexander who was my Great, Great,
Grandfather, a daughter Sophia and one other child of which I have not been
able to find out about as yet. Jans Weishuhn lived until sometime after 1810
but I have not found a record of her death or burial place.

This concludes the information on the life of John Henry Weishuhn. The next
chapter will be about John William Weishuhn, oldest son of John Henry and
Jane.
 
 

CHAPTER NO. 2

JOHN WILLIAM WEISHUHN AND HIS WIFE CATKERINE KILLMAN

John William Weishuhn was born in East Florida about 1776. John and his Mother
Jane apparently followed his Father throughout the Revolutionary War from
Florida to South Carolina, New York, and Canada, as did a lot of the military
families.

John married Catherine Killman born December 20, 1782 of the Township of
Stamford near Niagara Falls. Catherine was the Daughter of Jacob Killman, a
noted Loyalist. Records of the Killman Family can be found in the local
history books of the Niagara Area and descendants still live in Ontario. In
1803 Catherine petitioned the governor of Upper Canada for a grant of Crown
Land under her fathers name and was granted 200 acres in the Township of
Loughboro, County of Frontenac, known as Lot # 149. Under the regulations of
Great Britain, all United Empire Loyalists and their children were intitled to
a grant of Crown Land. Loyalists were those persons who remained loyal to
England during the Revolutionary War and were forced to give up their homes
and property and flee to Canada at the end of the war. This included civilians
as well as military personnel. In addition all loyalists were granted the
Title of U.E. (Unity of the Empire) to be added to their surnames if they so
desired. This Title also applies to all direct descendants of the Loyalist
such as myself.

John and Catherine had a large family, however the number and names were never
mentioned in any of John's letters. I should mention that John signed his
name as William on several of his letters, which caused me a great deal of
concern until I determined what was going on. Also his Father John Henry
signer many or his letters as Henry Weishuhn and Also his other brother Philip
Henry Weishuhn signed his letters as Henry Wsishuhn leaving off the Philip.

John and his family lived at the house on Weishuhn's Point until Canada and
the U.S. began preparing for the War of 1812. John had continued in the
Portage Business thet his father had started and made many improvements in the
property which will be described later. Catharine Killman was born December,
20 1782.
 
 

CHAPTER NO. 3

THE WAR OF 1812

AND THE WEISHUHN FAMILY

When the War of 1812 started between Canada and the United States, the British
increased the numbers of their troops at the various forts along the Niagara
River. Because the Americans were stationed in large nuulbers just across the
Niagara River, Several other strategic were selected for military outposts.
One of these locations was at Weishuhns Point. Weishuhns Point is about one
mile west of the town of Chippawa on the intersection of the Wetland River and
Lyons Creek. The Welland River heads to the east and empties into the Niagara
River and any troop movements by the Americans would be sure to mal@e use of
the river. The selection of Weishuhn's Point for an outpost was an excellent
location as it could be easily fortified since to sides faced the water and
the third side faced to the rear of any attack by the Americans. In other
words this plot of land was shaped like a triangle, with one side facing the
Wetland River, the other side facing Lyons Creek and the third side facing to
the rear or west. By 1812, Weishuhns Point had a 109 house, a log barn and an
apple orchard with 33 trees. There was also a nursery for new crops. One item
in the house was a loom for weaving Flax. The property is described in detail
in a letter and it military dispatches.

The British Government decided to build an Outpost here and negotiated with
John William Weishuhn to buy about seven acres of WEISHUHNS POINT for 784
pound sterling. The house, barn and fences were torn down and used for
construction of a Blockhouse, Cannon Redoubts and Pickets.

Following are several letters written by General Cordon Drummond to Sir George
Prevost the Commander in Chief of the British Forces in Canada. The letters
tell about the construction of the fort at Weishuhns Point, and in all of the
letters the fort is reference to as "WEISHUHNS" . Why this Fort was seldom
mentioned in the history books is hard to understand. One thing that stands
out in my mind is that the Town of Chippawa was burned to the ground by the
Americans and the only place of safety would have been at WEISHUHNS, yet the
place was not mentioned until the battle of Mills Creek late in the war.
 

Sir Gordon Drummond to Sir George Prevost(10) District Headquarters Niagara
Falls, 11th October, 1814

Sir,-Referring to my letter of the lOth, I have the honor to acquaint your
Excellency that I have received a report of General Izard's Division, (which
for the last two days had been encamped at Black Rock,) having crossed to the
Canada shore. I therefore hourly expect to hear of the approach of the enemys
united force toward s the Chippawa. Of the defences, which are constructing
at the mouth of that Creek, as wellas of the whole of the position which the
troops will have to defend, the accompanying sketch may give your Excellency
some idea. I regret to state, how ever, that those defences are by no means
yet complete, tho they would be tomorrow evening, (if the enemy gives us till
that time,) be in a state capable of making a very tolorable resistance.

By that time the platform in the tete de pont would be laid and the abbattis
round that work and the picketing round the redoubt at WEISHUHN'S completed
and four iron twelve-pounders mounted.

By the enclosed copy of a District General Order, your Excellency will be
informed of the arrangement for collecting the troops. One of the principal
advantages of their position behind the Chippawa is that it enables me to
suffer them to remain undisturbed in their cantonments until the very moment
when they may be required to act. Is soon as the enemy moves it is my
intention &o bring up the troops from Qweenston under the Marquess of
Tweeddale, and probably the detachment from the Garrisonof the forts, which
Major - General Stovin has been ordered to hold in readiness in the
instructions of which is enclosed. With the force amounting to about ? ,I
should be strongly induced to risque an attack on double their numbers should
the enemy, by dividing his force, afford me a favorable opportunity. The
aggregate force of the enemy I cannot estimate lower than eight thousand
deserters state it as high as ten thousand. They say that a vast number of
boats are to be employed in the expedition, and that twelve pieces of artillary
are already embarked. The impressions which these vast preperations and force
of the enemy together with our great numerical inferiority and the non arrival
of reinforcements to this division, have produced on the minds of the
inhabitants of this frontier has been such as to induce them very generally to
abandon their homes and propertyo I have been endeavoring to induce the militia
to come forward but under actual circumstances I can scarcely expect my call to
be complied with to any great extent. Nor have the Indians who had returned to
the Iiead Of The Lake or the troops going into cantonments, yet come forward
again.

I have said enough to show your Excellency the difficulties of my situation,
which the squadron, unless it bring me a strong reinforcement of troops will
by no means relieve. I have however ceased to reckon upon any relief depending
on the squadrono The troops, which may arrive in it may indeed serve to repair
my losses, but they cannot now possibly arrive in time to take any share in
the contest which I fear this gallant little division will shortly have to
maintain against its numbers. While I feel confident that its gallentry and
efforts will be such as to call forth the applause of its King and country and
every impartial military man (whatever may be the result,) I cannot but deeply
lament that any circumstances should have placed this portion of yhe British
Army in a situation such as I have described.

Lieutenant-Colonel Harvey to Lieutenant-Colonel Myers 18th October, 1914 9
P.M.

My Dear Myers- On receipt of your message by lieutenant Colonel Hagerman, the
demi-brigade (100th and 89th Regiments and the 104th flank companies) were
ordered across to WEISHUHNS with a six pounder.

Major Sparrow conducts them of these troops the 89th and 104th are directed to
remain in the post, and the lOOth and three companies of the 82nd and the gun
to move on to your reinforcement and support. With the force you will then
have at your disposal the General thinks you will be able to feel them closely,
sods accurately to ascertain theca strength and the direction of their
movement; both points of infinite importance for us to have accurate
information upon in order to regulate the force it may be necessary to detach
to meet the enemy on the left bank of the Chippawa, shQuld he dare to a empt to
penetrate in the direction of "Burlington by the Beaver Dams". Ineed not
remind you that any error we may commit in our calculations on this point may
be one of the very first consequence to the safety of this division. General
Drummond requests thatyou will act wiyh caution by not attacking a very
superior force with a vastly inferior one, but if you discover that the enemy
is endeavoring to establish himself at Cooks Mills and awaiting the arrival of
reinforcements, give us information by the quickest possible route, in order
that a sufficient force may be detached to attack wiyh the certainty of
destroying the enemy. The gun, as the enemy cannot possibly have any, will be
a host, but is not to move from WEISHUHNS without your special orders. Colonel
Robertson has been detached to Brown's Bridge with his Militia, sending forward
an officer to see the bridge destroyed. We shall of course be anxious for con
stant reports, General Stovin is ordered up with the 90th detachment, and the
Marines if Sir James will spare them.

Sir Cordon Drummond to Sir George Prevost District Headquarters Niagara Falls,
20th October, 1814

"' Sir- Early yesterday morning the 6th Regiment was passed over to WEISHUHN'S
to which point I myself proceeded, for the purpose of being ready to move to
the attack of the enemy's force at Cooks Mills should the result of the
reconnoissance which I directed Colonel Myers, Deputy- Quartermaster- General
to make appear to me to render such a movement advisable. The instructions
with which Colonel Myers was furnished are contained in the enclosed copy of a
letter addressed to him by the Deputy- Adjutant Qeneral, Lieutenant- Colonel
Harvey, by my direction and which had been executed by Colonel Meyers and the
detachment placed under his command entirely to my satisfaction. The
particulars of the affair your Excellency will find in Colonel Meyers report,
and I have only to add that the judgement and ability displayed by Colonel
Meyers in the Execution of my instructions entitle him to my best
acknowledgments. His report of the gallantry and good conduct of the troops,
though highly gratifying, is nothing more than might be expected. I have never
known them to act otherwise. I enclose a copy of the order which I have
issued on the occasion.

It appears that the force which had penetrated through almost impassable roads
to Cooks Mills consisting of one Brigade, viz; the 5th, 14th, 15th, and 16th
Regiments of General Izard's army, under Brigadier-General Bissell. A
reinforcement of two regiments joined them this morning from General Brown's
army. Feeling the difficulties of his situation, however, and the
impossibility of moving even the common waggons of the country, much less
guns, through such roads, and finding a powerful force in his front not only
ready to meet him but anxious to entice him into the open ground, the
commanding General of the American army has wisely thought proper to with draw
this force, which accordingly retreated from Cooks Mills at two o'clock this
afternoon, with out even destroying the Mills, although he certainly might
have done so on public grounds. I must however, do him the justice to
acknowledge that as far as I have observed, he has been studiously cautious by
abstaining from his burning and plundering system, probably admonished by the
retallation inflicted at Washington and on the coast.

It is impossible for me to say what this army may next attempt, but his
failure in his endeavor to turn my right and the great improvement I have been
able to make by increasing exertions at the defences at the Tete de pont and
WEISHUHN'S, leave me far less anxious on the subject of being able
successfully to repel all the enemy's attempts on this frontier than I was on
his first approach, at which period I had little or nothing to aid the
gallantry of the troops. The Tete de pont is now avery complete and defensible
work. The redoubt at WEISHUHN'S is also in_respectable state and the guns are
so disposed and covered along the left bank of the Chippawa between these two
posts as to render the whole position very strong, and consequently to leave
the greatest part of my force disposable to oppose the enemy, should he
succeed in turning my rights.

In consequence of a succession of adverse and violent winds no communication
has yet been had with the squadron, although they have been off the Niagara
these three dayo General Stovin reports that they are expected to get in this
evening.

The disappointment I experienced at finding tha half the 90th Regiment had
been left to struggle through the dreadful roads betwix Kingston and York, at
such a season and at such a crisis was greater than I can express.

I have now distincly and earnestly to recommend to your Excellency to send up
to this frontier two effective regiments in addition to the 90th, one of them
to go to Burlington, where their active services will be required, and the
other to Fort George to relieve and enable" me to send down to -@ the lower
Province the following Regiments, viz: the Royals @ Kings, 41st, 89th, lOOth,
103rd, and De Watteville's (seven) and which cannot move from hence until the
arrival of tnose destined to,replace them. I shall communicate with Sir James
Yen on this subject, and urge him to apply his ships to the only service they
can render us the remainder of this season.

P.S.- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th.

Sir Cordon Drummond to Sir George Prevost York, March 11, 1815.

Sir, I have the honor to acknowlege the receipt of your Excellencets letter of
the first instant, covering a copy of a communication from Mr. Baker, at
Washington, stating that the ratification of the treaty of peace, between
Great Britain and the United States of America had been exchanged at
Washington on the 17th Altino. I have given directions that the public
expense be reduced as far as possible in all departments, that the progress of
all works of fortification be stopped, except the indispensible military cover
the for the troops which will be afforded by the completion of the barracks,
And blockhouse at Turkey Point, at WEISHUHN'S, and at Tete de Font on the
Chippawa, at Queenston Hill and at Fort George and Mississaugua. I wait your
Excellencys orders relative to Fort Niagara, and Michilmackinac. I have the
honor to be Sir, your Excellencys most obrdient and humble servant.

Cordon Drummond
General

Note: The foregoing letters are on file in the Canadian National Archives in
Ottawa Canada,
 

Following is a map of Willough by showing the location of the Weishuhn
properties and WEISHUHN POINT. In addition there are two Historic articles
that have been in the Niagara Falls newpapers regarding the Weishuhn Family.
 
 

(PHOTO MAP OF WEISHUHN'S POINT)
 
 

This concludes the military dispatches in regard to the fort at Weishuhns
Point.

John William Weishuhn also took part in the War Of 1812. He had lost his
right arm prior to the beginning of the war and could not inlist in the
service of Great Britain as a soldier. He was very active anyway and served
as a guide for the troops. In addition he supplied drivers, teams and wagons
for the military. One of his drivers was Nathan Seneca Caswell, a deserter
from the U.S.A. Another was Elijah Johnson. The Waqons were used to haul
ammurlition and supplies to the troops@ and to take the wounded to hospitals
that were set up in Schools, Churches Etc.

One of the great heros of the War of 1812 was James Fitsg' bbon an officer in
the 49th Regiment of Foot. He wrote the following statement about John William
Weishuhn.

"I certify that I knew John William Weishuhn in the year of 1813, when he was
one of the most active, brave and zealous defenders of the Niagara during the
campaign of that year."

James Fitsgibbon
Then a Lieutenant in the
49th Foot employed of that
Frontier.
York, 17th April, 1824

Another incident that happened during the war involved his wife Catherine
Killman Weishuhn. She had gone to visit her uncle, John Hodgkinson who lived
at 10 Mile Creek. While enroute she was arrested by the British Army as a
suspected spy. She was later released through the efforts of Colonels Clark.
While she was being detained someone stole her horse, harnesses and wagon. The
wagon was recovered but the horse and harnes were not.

In recent years there have been a couple of newspaper articles written about
the Weishuhn Fort and the Family and they are as follows.

FROM THE NIAGARA FALLS REVIEVV@ October 24, 1962, page 22
BY FRANCIS J. PETRIE, PRESIDENT, LUNDY'S LANE
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

SITE OF GRFATFR NIAGARA BOATING.CLUB WAS ONCE
FORTIFIFD MILITARY RESERVEs

This military reserve once occupled a little over seven acres of land at the
junction of Lyons and Chippawa Creeks at the exact site where the Greater
Niagara Boating club is located today.

This point of land was originally given by Crown grant to Captain Weishuhn for
military services rendered to the British Government during the American
Revolutionary War. The Weishuhns built a house were and named it Weishuhn's
Point. During the War of 1812-14 a battery was built on the west bank of the
Chippawa directly opposite Weishuhn's (see "site of old battery" marked at top
of map) and this came to be known as Weishuhn's Battery.

When war broke out between the United States and Great Britain (including
Canada) in June 1812, the main British forces in the immediate area of
Chippawa, at Kings Bridge, just a little further north of the present bridge.
By the end of the war in Dec. 1814, Weishuhn's Point and Battery were the main
means of defence in the area destroyed Chippawa was less prominent. These
facts are brought out in General Cruikshank's Documentary History of the War
of 1812 on the Niagara Frontier.

Previous to October 1814 no mention is made of Weishuhn's Point or Battery.
However in that month on Oct. 19, there took place the Battle of Cooks Mills,
the last engagement of the war in the Niagara Peninsula. In an order from
District Headquarters, Niagara Fallsy Dated October 11 1814 written by Sir
Cordon Drurrunond to Sir George Prevost, mention is made that the Piquetting
around the redoubt at Weishuhn's was just about completed and that four twelve
pounders were mounted ready to meet a threatened invasion by the Americans
under Generals Izard and Bissell, who were hourly expected to cross over from
the U.S and attack and distroy a flour mill and supplies at Cooks Mills. It
further states that one of the prince ple ad'vantages of this position behind
the Chippawa is that enabled the troops to remain undisturbed in their
contonments until they were called upon to act.

Apparently this new redoubt at Weishuhn's was less vulnerable to attack than
Et. Chippawa. The enemy did come as clos as Streets Creek (Ussher' s Creek )
on October 17 but turned towards Black Creek and Thence to Cook's Mills. Her
they were defeated by the British without Black Creek. A further order dated
October 18, 1814 9 p.m. from Lt. Cot. Harvey to Lt. Co1. Meyers tells of a
demi-brigade being ordered to Weishuhn's with a six pounder under Major
Sparrow. some of the brigade was to remain there and some was to go inland and
help General Drununond at Cooks Mills. The report states however that the gun
was to remain at Weishuhn's. There was now established between Weishuhn's and
the Tete de pont a very complete and defensibl@_@work. General Drummond
reported on October 23, 1814 that he be@eived that the Chippawa River fromits
mouth to Weishuhn's could be held by 1500 men with a few field pieces and that
yhey could maintain it against any numbers the enemy could bring.

The aforementioned are the only references as to the pPoint and Battery being
used during that war and its replacing Ft.Chippawa as the fortification along
the Chippawa River.

The promotion of Henry Weishuhn, gentleman, to Ensign effective Jan. 25, 1813
of the Third Lincoln Militia, announced by General Sheaffe that same day is
the only mention of the Weishuhn famii-y in the Documentary History.

The map reproduced here is dated Sept. 24, 1861 and was drawn by F.F.
Taysmore, government land surveyor, Toronto U.C. It clearly shows the extent
of a little over seven acres of military reserve at that time.

During the rebellroon of 1837-38, when Wm. Lyon Mackenzie and the rebels
occupied Navy Island, large bodies of troops were gathered at Chippawa to
oppose them but no where can I find any reference as to their using the
defences at WEISHUHN'S as a headquarters. This is most unusual unless they
were allowed to fall into disuse and were abandoned.

The same applies to the Fenian raids of 1866 (June 1-2) Surely such a place as
this military reserve as shown five years earlier would be used as a troop
headquarters, but no where can I find mention of this fact. Colonel Peacock
with 400 men bivouacked at Chippawa overnight on his way to meet the Fenians
but it does not state where they stayed. In fact, Colonel Peacock went the
long way to Black Creek, along the river and thence inland to New Germany
instead of going up the Sodom Road to the same olace because the Sodom Road
was in such poor state, p@aps the reserve was in the same condition.

Page's Atlas of Lincoln and Wetland Counties published in 1876 shows that one
Frederick Pirson owned the land occupied by the reserve and that there was a
house on the property. What became of the Weishuhn's? Did they sell out to
the Government for the reserve? When did the reserve go out of existance and
why? These are questions I cannot answer as yet and I would certainly like to
hear from anyone who could answer them. This is a scanty history of this
histtoric place, but it must have been some place in its hey day.

Note that the irons Creek road still is in the same place and a bridge still
crosses at the same spot as shown on the map. A recent visit to this place
showed the traces of an earlier bridge immediately beside the present one.
Note also the two boundry stones, steam saw mill and other buildings, long
since gone. Various lengths, land heights, and water depthe,of the Creeks are
also given.

There is much to be learned from this old map and perhaps the area could be
thouroughly examined, (with the permission of the Boat Club) For traces of the
old Reserve with the object in view of having the place appropriately marked
with a plaque".

ANOTHER AFTICLE WAS PUBLISHED ON SATURDAY
FEBUARY 14, 1959. IT WAS TITLED:

REMINDERS OF THE PAST
BY EVA ELLIOT TOLAN
THE BATTLE OF COOK'S MILLS

In recent reports of vandalism at Drummond Hill Cemetery it was erroneously
stated that the Battle of Lundy's Lane, fought on Drununond Hill July 25, 1814
was the last one of the war of 1912-14. The battle of Cook's Mills was fought
the following October, and though not a very severe struggle, it was important
becaufie it was the laststand made by the eneny on British soil.

In the early days of settelment the building of Cook's Mills, was the
enterprise of two brothers, Noah and Calvin Cook. They built both a saw mill
and a Grist-mill which greatly benefitted the farmers in that area. Thus a
small village was started on the banks of Lyons Creek which was first known as
Crowland. The Village is tee geographic center of Wetland County and when the
latter was seperated from the County of Lincoln in the 185O's it was proposed
to build the county courthouse there.

In comparison to the bloody action at Chippawa on the previous July 5th, and
the heroics struggle at Lundy's Lane on July 25th, as well as the desperate
seige of Fort Erie the previous September, the battle of Cook's Mills was of
minor importance, but both the British and American officers, in describing
the conflict, bear testimony that it was well contested on both sides and
discreditable to neither army.

Abandoning the ineffectual siege of Fort Erie, whuch had cost him heavily in
both men and munitions, General Sir Cordon Drummond with drew to Chippawa
where he strongly entrenched himself. The battery at the end of the bridge
near the mouth of the Chippawa and the redoubt which had been built on
WEISHUHN'S POINT, where the Lyons Creek empties into the Chippawa, were
strengthened and equipped with heavy guns, while the north bank of the
Chippawa kvas supplied with a series of entrenchments and batteries. The
infrantry were cantoned along the Portage Road from Chippawa, through
Bridgewater and Lundy's Lane To Stamford At the signal of three guns fired
from the high ground on Lundy's Lane, Detachments from Qweenston and
FortGeorge were to concentrate at Chippawa. General Drummond fixed his
headquarters at Niagara Falls.

Against this position moved the Americans under Major General Izzard with a
heavy force of fresh United States Troopso Allthe bridges across the small
streams were rebuilt which had previously been distroyed b@z the British in
their retirement. They encamped at Street's Creek (now Ussher's Ore Creek) two
miles south of Chippawa. The opposing armies thus occupied positions very
similar to those which they held before and after the Battle of Chippawa,
three months earlier.

Successive United States Generals had had a plan to strike accross the country
to the westward and attack the British base and depot at Burlington. General
Izzard now Determined to find out if this scheme was practicable.

Drawing back in some haste, from Streets Creek toward Fort Erie, he sent a
column under Brigadier- General Bissell into the interior, along the line of
Black Greet, with instructions to examine the roads and crossings on the upper
reaches of Lyons Creek and the Chippawa, and to seize all the grain and
provisions that might be discovered.

Cook's Mills lay directly in this line of advance. Informed by scouts on the
morning of the 18th of General Bis Bissell's, General Drummond sent out
Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Meyers to find the enemy and ascertain his
purpose. They were equipped with a field piece and a rocket company. They
were directed to guard the crossings of the Chippawa and to distroy Brown's
Bridge.

Myers detachment, crossing at WEISHUHN'S POINT proceeded up the Lyons Creek
with some difficulty, for rains had rendered the rude track through the forest
almost impassable. Arriving at Misener's, seven miles above Chippawa, Meyers
learned that the enemy had taken up their position at Cook's Mills, still
three miles distant@ He established his headquarters at Misener's and sent the
Glengarry Corps forward to reconnoitre@ "uring the night they encountered a
strong advance picket of the enemy and after a sharp exchange re@i@e@O the
next morning, @ctober 19  the enemy were found to be in a strong situation
along a revine running down to the creek and well covered by woods. Lieutenant
Colonel Battersby led the British ad@@'nce and promptly engaged the United
States force along their front, at the same time sending some companies by a
detour to the right, to turn their left wing The plan was successSul and the
enemys light troops were driven in, both sides firing heavily and sustaining
numerous casualties.

Bisselll not to be outdone, sent part of his force across the creek to attack
the British left, and a sririted encounter ensued in that quater. the enemy
did not have any artillary while the British were materially assisted by their
field gun and rockets.

Neither force advanced from their position in the woods and eventually the
contest died our, with both sides r retiring a short distance. The following
day Bissell retired first distroying a quantity of grainwhich he had captured
This retrograde movement saved him from another attack by the British. He
reported to Izzard the terrible state of @he country roads, the destruction of
all bridges, and the presence of a strong British force between him the upper
crossings of the Chlppawa, whereupon Izzard abandoned the idea of an advance
in that direction and continued his advance to Fort Erie and eventually to
buffalo.

In the Battle of Cooks Mills the U.S. forces numbered about 1100 men, with the
British having several hundred less. The British had only one man killed and
thirty five wounded, while the U.S. lost thirteen men with fiftyfour wounded.
This battle was not a very great military but it did put a stop to the
foreword movement of the invasion of the Niagara Peninsula and hasten the
departure of the enemy from Canadian soil."

After the end of the War of 1812, John William and his family continued to
live in Willoughby Township. on April 28, 1824 he wrote the following letter.

"To his ExCellency, Sir Perigrins Maitland H.C.B. Lieutenant Governor of the
Province of Upper Canada and Major General commanding his Majestys Forces
therin.

The Petition of John W. Weishuhn of the Township of Willoughby in the district
of Niagara, respectfully herewith. That your humble petitioner is a native of
East Florida from whence he removed with his parents into this Province thirty
five years ago, when a child and remained therin permanently every since. That
your humble petitioner having tendered all the assis tance in his power toward
the defense of this colony from the beginning to the ending of the last war,
on the Niagara Frontier; Having clung to the troops as wellas the Militia on
all occasions as a useful and intelligent guide, not withstanding the loss of
his right arm which he acc'idently lost proir to the declaration of
hostilities, having a large family residing with him at Willoughby, and not
having heretofore made application for land. Your petitioner therefore humbly
beseeches your Excellency to make him a grant of such an allotment of waste
land, as your wisdom may seem right.

And as in duty bound
I will ever pray

New York 28th April, 1824 John W. Weishuhn "
 
 

CHAPTER No. 3

PHILIP HENERY WEISHUHN

(NO INFORMATION)
 
 

CHAPTER No. 4

SOPHIA WEISHUHN

Sophia Weishuhn is the only known daughter of John Henry and Jane Weishuhn.
The only information that I have been able to find out about her is that she
was baptized by the Reverand Robert Addison of St. Marks Church in the town of
Niagara on February 12, 1801. One other item that was probably about her in
later years, appears in the book "The History of Middlesex County Ontario".
The book states that in 1875, James Alexander Weishuhn and several others who
particioated in the War of 1812 are to be honored on the steps of the London,
Ontario City Hat Hall and to receive a Pension Check. The book further states
that James is to ill to attend the ceremony and is staying at his sisters
house in London, Ontario and his son was there do represent him.
 
 

CHAPTER NO. 5

JAMES ALEXANDER WEISHUHN

1790-1876

James Alexander Weishuhn was another son of John Henry and Jane Weishuhn. He
was my Great, Great, Grandfather and he was born at Newark, Upper Canada, now
Niagara Falls, Ontario. He moved with his parents to ths Township of
Willoughby before 1796. Willoughby Township was about three miles above
Niagara Falls and the Town of Chippawa is in Willoughby Townships. James
married Elizabeth Jane Shainholts, a daughter of Martin Shainholts. The
Shainholts Family also lived close by in Willoughby Township. I want to note
that Shainholts is an anglized German name of Schornholtz and means "beautiful
wood". Elizabeth was also a sister of Ruth Shainholts who married James oldest
brother, Philip Henry Weishuhn. Elizabeth was born in the U.S. in 1791 in
Pennsylvania. It is not known whether James and Elizabeth were married before
or after the War of 1812. In In the book " The History of Middlesex
Countv,Ontario ", it is mentioned that James Alexander Weishuhn from Ml.
Brydges served under Francis Ernerick of Napier during the War of 1812 and was
at the Battles of Lundvs J.ane and Beaver Damo The book also stated that James
was given 100 acres of Crown Land on October 26, 1824 for his service in the
war. The land was located in Caradoc Township of Middlesex County, Ontario on
Lot # 14 of Concession # 3. In 1842 the Canadian Census of Middlesex County,
Westminster Township lists James and his family livins about one mile west of
the Villiage of Glanworth on Lot # 19 of Concession # 7. A search of the land
records did not show that the Weishuhns owned the land, so they were probably
tenants. I want do mention that the census records list hesd of household
only, without listing other family names. Also the records are on microfilm
and were very difficult to read. It did appesr that there were seven people
living in the houseo I also want to point out that Canadian birth, deaths and
marriage records were not recorded by the provinces until 1869, and finding
these records are very difficulty. In the Westminster Township Meeting Minutes
of the period, James Weishuhns names is mentioned as follows:

(NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
 
 

CHAPTER No. 6

HENERY W. WEISHUHN

Henry W. Weishuhn is the only known child of James Alexander Weishuhn and
Elizabeth Jane Shainholts. He was born in the London District of Middlesex
County, Ontario on April 24, 1831/1832. He married Mariah Markle from Caradoc
Township when he was 23 years old. Mariah was born on May 25, 1839 in Canada
and was the daughter of Andrew and June Markle. Mariah was 16 when she married
Henry. The marriage date was September 25, 1855. Her father was born on April
6, 1811 and her motner was born on November 13, 1813. Her father was born in
Canada and her mother was born in Pennsylvania. Mariah had three sisters and a
brothers who are as follows; June Markle,born Novemoer 22, 1834, died November
13, 1894, husband unknown. Andrew Markle born 1835, no record of marriage or
death. James Markle, born Dec 8, 1836, married Adalade Menster on September
25, 1858. James was killed on October 18, 1861 at Columbus, Kentucky during
the civil war. It is not known whether he was a Union or Confederate soldier.