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Why I am interested in these letters. It is a rare treat when Upper Canadian letters from the 1790's survive. These letters from Lt Col John Ferguson to Capt William Bell, give a first hand voice that paints a vivid picture of the issues and the people concerned. In this case, the letters below tell the story of the formation of the Hastings Militia, the first mustering of the Hastings Militia in February of 1799, the efforts to improve training practices and the ordering of officers uniforms. We can feel the reluctance of the privates to attend Parade and the corresponding effort of the leaders to make things "convenient" and get the militia up and running. I would like to thank Mark Davenport for assisting with the transcription and Gerry Boyce, well known Hastings historian, for locating Mohawk Village and Bob Campbell for further information about William Bell. See the short segment about Officer's uniforms near the bottom of this web page. William Bell and John Ferguson William Bell, born in 1760, fought with the British Army during the American Revolution and came to Canada afterwards at the invitation of John Ferguson. Gerry Boyce writes that, "from 1796 to 1802, William Bell was the teacher at the Mohawk School succeeding John Bininger of Adolphustown who had been appointed the first teacher in 1792. Obviously it was the first school in Hastings County." In 1798, William Bell is appointed a Captain of the Hastings Militia and the letters below are addressed to him at Mohawk Village. Boyce states that this is the landing area just west of current Deseronto. A transcription of the Bell's letters regarding being a teacher was published in Papers and Records, Lennox and Addington Hist. Soc., V5, 1914. According to a report of commission dates, John Ferguson was appointed a Lieutenant in 1787. It would appear that little happened in forming an active militia in Hastings until 1798, when Ferguson is appointed Lt Col and is referred to as "Lieutenant of the County of Hastings." He quickly sets out to establish a functioning Militia. His letters to Wm Bell are all addressed from Kingston but he does own the farm at lot 33, Con 2, Sidney which is located just west of the Moira River. Lt Col Ferguson passes on orders that he receives from the Lt Governor (referred to as the President) in York. Ferguson leans heavily on Capt Bell to organize the militia in Thurlow, Sidney and Rawdon Townships and the feeling of trust between the two men is very apparent. The first muster (below) of the men was in February 1799. The first Militia Act in Upper Canada was in 1787 and again in 1793 with many additions in later years. In 1804, Bell is promoted to Major and in 1825 he succeeded Ferguson as Colonel. Bell formed a partnership with Ferguson, opened a store in Thurlow and later became Justice of the Peace and was the Coroner. He died in 1833. Bob Campbell, a Bell descendant, has posted information about Bell and his descendants here on Rootsweb. Source: These letters are held in the William Bell Fonds at the Lennox and Addington Museum and Archives and are usually found under Lennox and Addington Historical Society holdings. They were microfilmed in 1959 and copies are available at the Library and Archives of Canada, (RG9-D8-18, films M-210 and 211) and at the Archives of Ontario on films M-210 and 211. © Copyright – Note: transcribed as written so spelling can vary from current practice. The letters have minor changes such as paragraphing to make reading easier. Dates have been moved to the top of each letter. The numbering system of the letters is shown. |
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795 To M [torn] [ give notice to the in[hab]itants of this County of Hastings, that they are required to attend at a meeting of the Lieutenancy on Saturday the eighth day of December next at 10 oclock in the forenoon at the house occupied by David Harris on Lot No 34 in the first concession of the Township of Sydney for the purpose of Enrollment according to the Act in that case made and provided . Given under my hand at John Ferguson Lieutenant of the 796-799 Dear Sir Having been appointed Lieutenant of the County of Hastings, and being ordered to enrol the Militia without delay, I must request you will immediately proceed with the inclosed Notices and cause them to be put up as directed, this is the beginning of Your Duty, as I have recommended you to be Sergeant, as well as captain of a Company, and I have the satisfaction of telling you that the President has assured me he will approve of my appointments. However you will say nothing about these matters untill I give you your Commission. You will be so good as go up to Coverts as soon as possible and tell him from me that I mean to appoint him a Sergeant, and if he accepts it, he will of course be the first, and that I wish him to go immediately into Rawdon with the Notice, and warn the people. If he will not go up as far as Marsh’s? with the one for him - I beg you will sett off immediately on receipt of this, as you know my will some people will endeavor to take advantage, as I dare sey some of them will not like my having been appointed - I trust you will receive this time enough so as to be able to set off on Tuesday morning[.] I mean to leave this on Wednesday morning on horseback as I You may hint to Fairman that I have appointments for some of his sons, and endeavor to get one of them to go up the Creek, and read a Notice to some of the People and warn them all - there are a few up the Creek in Sydney - they also must be warned - I think that one Notice may be put up at the house of Artimus Ross., lest any of them may dispute the authority of Fairman, Covert of yourself I enclose some orders, which you will give as they are directed - I do not know whether John or Robert Fairman be? at home, but of which of them go?, you will put his name in the order - there is two of Fairman Family appointed officers. I also ?? you extract from the Militia Act which you can read to such persons as you find who have any inclination not to obey the notice, it will shew them the consequence - Now I beg you will have no time, in order to forward any ????, and keep this letter to yourself untill I see you - I enclose the notice for Marsh, and if Covert does not go that way, you will be sure to convey it to him immediately - the letters I enclose you will also take care to deliver. I send Thomas up purposely with this to you. Be careful, if you go on horseback not to lose the papers. Comp? to Mr Bell I am DY? Yours John Ferguson Persuade Covert to accept the Sergeantry, and to begin this duty by going with the notice - this will of course insure him to be the first - [addressed to] William Bell 800-801 [Note: a long piece of the left side is torn away.] Copy Dr Sir, Finding that it is an established ?? appoint the companies nearest to their respective [o]fficers, I am sorry that I could not leave you [torn] mpany as you have Chosen it, this I am [torn] re you’ll readily ensure when you reflect [torn] at the Convenience of the People must be [torn] ??? is far as is Consistent with our Duty: I have therefore enclosed you a list of your Company - I have exempted your brother Archy untill I know His Honour the Presiden[ts] pleasure - I must request you to appoint two Sergeants ??? let them be men who have at least a little education - You are authorised by law to call out [torn] Company not exceeding four times a year as our militia is perfectly in its infancy [torn] this is about the Gd?list time the people have [torn] to desire you to have the goodness to call [torn] Company together once this season, where the most Convenient for them, and read ?? the Militia acts with which they [smudge over two words] sooner this is done As soon as I am authorized by [torn] Honor the Presidents approbation, I will [torn] have the pleasure of seeing you to presen[t] your Commission. I am ?? Your very Humble John Ferguson Lieutenant of the you will ab?? to give them ten day[s] notice Major Alexander Chisholm Thurlow 802-805 En?????? [smudged] you have a list of your company of [large smudge] far? as number Eleven, I had [smudge] Gilbert Harris to take the th?? [smudge] would be too inconvenient for these people [smudge] attend meetings at so great a distance, and [smudge] to you to go to them. He will report to you and you to me as you will see by the enclosed letter to ?? which after you have read you will seal and place with the rest - You will appoint Old William Sherard? a Sargeant, he can well enough do all that is to be [smudge] which principally will ?? in warning [smudge]... to attend meetings. [illegible] You [smudge] by Law to call your company [smudge] ?? your time a your [smudge] militia is perfectly in its infancy, and [smudge] as idle a time as the People hav? [smudge] to demise you will call Your [smudge] that is from No 12 / together once this season when it will be most convenient for them, and [smudge] to them all the You will ?? to give ten days notice, and you will report to me the [smudge] all those who are absent, [smudge] if any is given. As Captain [smudge] Company is nearly contiguous to [smudge] would it not meet the convenience of the People of both to be assembled on the same day and at the same place - consult them on this, as the convenience of the People must be studied as far as consistent with the Duty. You will deliver your report [smudge] er Chisholm who will forward them [smudge] as soon as I have His Honor [smudge] ??dation I will have the pleasure [smudge] [y]ou to forward you your Commission [smudge] of your Subalterns. I am [smudge] Humble servt [smudge] erguson [smudge] of the [addressed to] Captain William Bell of the Thurlow 806-807 [left side torn off] You will have the goodness to [torn] the enclosed letters in a book to be [torn] for that purpose, after which please [torn] them and forward them by the first I am Sir Your very humble Servt John Ferguson Lieutenant of the [torn] tant William Bell the Battalion of Militia the ?? I send you papers for a book [addressed to] Adjutant William Bell of the 808-809 17 th Jan 1799 [top part torn off] the death of ??rim ?? happened, I would have been up, But cannot now for some days. I came here to send an express to the Family, ?? Fortune? ?? ?? - tell Lounsbury that I’ll be up for ?? wheat next week Yours J 810-12 Thurlow 30 th January 1799 Notice The Lieutenant of the William Bell Captain in the |
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1477-8 List of Officers of the Hastings Militia, as affirmed of by the Honor the President with the dates of their Commission. John Ferguson Lieutenant of the County Major Alexander Chisholm Captain William Bell Samuel Sherwood George W Meyers Captain Lieutenant Mathias Marsh Lieutenants Gilbert Harris John Stuart John Chisholm John Fairman Senr Lenard W Meyers Ensigns David Simmons Jacob W Meyers Alexr Chisholm Robert Fairman Samuel B Gilbert Adjutant William Bell Quarter Master John MacIntosh Signed John Ferguson Liutenant of the County A True Copy William Bell, Capt & Adjutant |
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1479-80 Roster For Duty for the Volunteers and Drafts of Hastings Militia taken as the Act directs – No. 1 Stephen Badgley 2 John Badgley 3 Archibald Chisholm Junr 4 Moses Clarke 5 Samuel P Cummings 6 William Cook 7 Sebastian Chard 8 Jebez Davies 9 Samuel Danforth 10 John Frederick 11 Martin Frederick 12 Abel Gilbert 13 Ephraim Gifford 14 Josua Goldsmith 15 John Henmire or Hennise [Hennesey?] 16 Daniel Lawrence 17 Charles Lounsbery 18 Zachariah Lincombe 19 Rosewell Livings 20 Peter Lott 21 Thomas E Mathews 22 Daniel MacKinsie 23 Alexander MacKinsie [McKenzie] 24 John MacMichall 25 William McMullen 26 Daniel Ostrum 27 Caleb Palmer 28 David Parke 29 Samuel Reed 30 Artimus M Ross 31 Aria Rose 32 John Smith 33 Henery Smyth 34 William Sherrard Junr 35 Nathan Sherrard 36 Hormonas Simmons 37 Area [Asa] Turner 38 Herculas Vaughan 39 Joseph Walker 40 Eliakim Weller Signed John Ferguson Lieut of the County Viz Israel Abel Barnum Not included in the above list. Volunteers WB |
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22 Feb 1799 "Ferguson, writing 22nd February, 1799, says 'It appears from the President's letter, that there is something brewing to the westward.' " This quote is from History of the Settlement of Upper Canada by William Canniff, 1869, page 547. Canniff states that the source of the quote is from the letters that came from William Bell and these ended up in Canniff's possession and eventually became the William Bell Fonds. This letter is not found in the current Fonds. |
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813-816 [Two letters – one the original and one a copy. An amalgamated version appears here.] The Officers commanding companies in the Battalion of Militia of the County aforesaid are hereby required to cause the Volunteers and Drafts in their respective companies to assemble, with such arms as they may have, at the house of the Subscriber on lott Number thirty three in the first Concession of Sydney on Wednesday the Sixth day of March next at two oClock in the Forenoon, in order to be made acquainted with the Purport of a letter received by the Lieutenant of the County, from the Honorable Peter Russell Esquire President Administrating the Governance of His Majesties Province of Upper Canada. The sergeants of the respective Companies are also required to attend at the same time and place. _______ John Ferguson, Lieutenant of the The Adjutant will furnish to each officer Commanding Companies a Copy of this order J.F. 817-818 Sir His Honor the President having been pleased to approve of the appointments in the Militia of the I have the honor to be Sir Your very humble Servant John Ferguson You will give notice to this effort to your Subaltern? Officers [addressed to] Captain William Bell 819-820 Dear Sir As there is some appearances of the Militia being embodied next Spring, I have appointed you to take the Command of the detachment that will be taken from the Battalion of the County of Hastings, in case such as event should take place - I will make known to you as soon as possible who the subalterns will be, as well as the Sergeants - Please acknowledge the receipt of this, and Believe Me to be Yours Sincerely John Ferguson, Lieut of the (Note on side of signature) Dear Sir You will therefore hold yourself in reddiness for the shortest notice should such an event take place. - J.F. [addressed to] Captain William Bell 821-822 Sir On my return here from this Circular [dated] Sir In addition to my letter of the 2nd instant, I am to request that you instruct the men ordered to be selected for immediate service from the Militia underyour Command, in Loading and firing; and , in the evolution necessary for preserving this order of march - and deploying before an Enemy - you will likewise be pleased to cause the state of your Arms, and ammunition to be strictly inspected - and such repairs and deficiencies as appear wanting to be supplied I have the Honor to be Sir Your most [ob]edient Humble Servt signed [Pe]ter Russell His Majestys Lieutenant of the From the above letter you will cause [hole] Judge of the necessity there is for assembling the Volunteers and drafts [hole] your company once a week, agreeable to His Honors request of the 2nd of February, and I have no doubt but they have public spirit enough to do this cheerfully; I have therefore to request you will on your endeavour to assemble them on the Saturday intervening the training at Wallbridges, at the most convenient place in order to give them all this knowledge you can of the business proposed. I have directed the Adjutant to attend on any other Saturday, when the whole number of drafts and volunteers meet at Wallbridges to drill them - Please assure them that I have not failed to mention to His Honor the President, the ready attendance they gave on the 6th inst for which please return them my sincere thanks. I am Sir Your most obedient Hble Sert John Ferguson Lieutenant of the Captain William Bell 823-825 Sir I have been honored with a letter from His Honor the President dated at York the 15th ??, a copy of which I send you - You will have the goodness to attend diligently to the directions therein contained by teaching the Volunteers and Drafts, who are assembled at Wallbridges every other Saturday / the Platoon exercise that is to say to Load & Fire with expedition and orderly, you will also teach them the evolution necessary for preserving the order of march, and for forming before the Enemy - you will receive each day of training, from the Quarter Master a sufficient number of Muskets for the purpose of exercising and immediately after Parade you will see that they are again returned to the Quarter Master [.] You will be careful to see that the men do not break or otherwise injure them. The subalterns for this Detachment are Lieutenant John Stuart and Ensign David Simmon - You will have the goodness to cause them take their stations with the detachment and teach them what is necessary[.] they should know I have directed all officers to appear with side arms, on every Parade, and as now no officers, except Flank Companies, are allowed to carry fuses. I trust they will lose no time in processing forward. I am Sir Your very Humble Servant John Ferguson Lieut of the [addressed to] Captain William Bell Commanding the Detachment for immediate Service from the Battalion of Militia of the Count of 826-827 Dear Sir In consequence of your message by Mr Fairman I have left the Command of the Detachment for immediate service to remain with you - it will as you will see by the orders be now attended with some trouble, however you sought it, and there can again be no change - as in Your Company there is no draft but Turner except in Rawdon - You need not mind him for the weekly meetings, but for the fortnight meetings at Wallbridges, He must either attend or send a substitute - You will see that it is nopay? You enclose to Harris a copy of His Honors letter - the other order I will copy in your books, and send them only addresses only ?? them - I have ordered some plates to be made for ten Cross Belts and in order to encourage them I will pay such a part of them as will reduce the price to 7/6 each[.] I ?? say? you could borrow a sword from Captain John untill you can [be] provided one. I am Sir Your very Hble Sert John Ferguson I believe it will not be necessary to take out the arms at the first training as only train them to march For goods sake dont forget my stormworks? my house will certainly fall down - [addressed to] Mr William Bell 828-829 M.O. The Officers of the Hastings Militia are desired to appear as the Quarter Sessions to be holden at Kingston on Tuesday the 23rd Instant, to take the Oaths of Alegiance, pursuant to the Act in that case made and provided, which states that they shall respectively take the said Oath of Alegiance, within six months next after their appointments, before the Magistrate assembled in Quarter Sessions - Should they pass the remaining sessions, the time limited by law will be elapsed and they will run the risk of being superseded, in consequence of such neglect. - The Officers will please inform the Volunteers and Drafts that it will not be necessary that they should meet [smudge] tending the 11th day of May, as there will be a general meeting? on the Monday following, of the whole Battalion. The Captains? are desired to inform their repective subalterns of ?? order. - John Ferguson Lieutenant of the [addressed to] Captain William Bell 830-831 11 th May 1799 Dear Sir will you have the goodness to excuse Bass Chard - from attending Training this time as my mill Dam is likely to go off & am obliged ?? him to assist me & oblige [remainder of the letter is unreadable from a large ink smudge] [reverse - in 832-833 Circular Sir I am to request that you will by the first of January next send me a return of the exact state of the Militia of your County: specifying in distinct columns the numbers names and rank of the officers and priority - the number of stands of arms in possession of each Company and the quantity of ammunition - To whic you will add such other remarks as you may think necessary for my information - Signed / Hunter [in Militia order Colonel S Bennett envelope lost 834-835 September 2 nd 1799 By Order of the Lieutenant of the Council Notice The Companies of the Battalion of Militia of the It is expected that every person will have their Crossbelts well cleaned - the Militia Officers and men are desired to take notice that they come to Parade Armed agreeable to the Act, in that case made and provided, as no further indulgences can normally be expected by them and that head? - It will be necessary that the Captain and Officers Commanding Companies, will be prepared to deliver to the Commanding Officer of the Battalion on that day, exact returns and lists of all and any persons in that Company, in order, that the Lieutenant of the County may be enabled to comply with the Order of His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Hunter. [ William Bell Adjutant [addressed to] Captain William Bell Thurlow 836-837 - missing. |
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1481-2 Rawdon 12th October 1799 Report of part of Capt William Bells Company living in Rawdon together with Nmaes of all those who are absent – Arms Remarks 1 Sergeant John Weist sick 2 Barce Chard gon to 3 Samuel P Cummings 1 present 4 Pratt Chase gon to 5 Ebenzer Green 1 present 6 Solomon Harris 1 present 7 Nehemiah Hubble Senr 1 present 8 Elijiah Hubble present 9 Nehemiah Hubble Junr 1 present 10 Lisgon 1 present 11 Garrier sick 12 Lisgunn? 1 Sergeant Jer? Covert Removed from the 8th 2. Sergt Samuel R. Bush Ditto Capt George W Meyers Compy 3 John Baptist Ditto Ditto Ditto 4 Cyrus Howard Ditto Ditto Col Fergusons Company Rawdon Returns |
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838-839 Copy of letter to Artimis Mash? Ross Thurlow Mohawk Village 31 st Oct 1799 Sir As you have been fined for none attendance on the 16th Day of Feby at the House of John Frederick in the Township of Thurlow Eleven oClock in the forenoon of that Day and as Major Chisholm has issued an order, for all persons who has been fined to attend at the House of Caleb Gilbert Esqr on this Day to pay thier [sic] fines - in order to save the dissagreableness of having to col[l]ect them by the Rigour of the Law which in all such cases you know may be put in force - this is therefore to let you know that as you was not eq[hole] with the order of the major to give you another chance on the 31st Day of Octr you are in no case to neglect to pay to major Chisholm or same person authorized by him to receive the same the sum of ten shillings Hallx money on or before the 15th Day of Novr Next in Default of which payment you may expect no further indulgence ?? tours &ca &ca William Bell Captn in the Militia Artimes Mash Ross 839-840 [in Promotion in the Battalion of Militia of the In consequence of Major Chisholms removal Captain William Bell to be Major Captn Lieut Matthias Marsh to be Captain Lieut Gilbert Harris to be Captain Ensign David Simmons to be Lieutenant Ensign Jacob Walden Meyers to be Lieutenant Mr Daniel Row to be Ensign 12 Jean Baptist ??? 13 14 15 16 17 15 Hubbles 18 Chase 19 Mowerson 20 Capt Lieut Gilbert Harris 21 Lewis Rosebush 22 Solomon Rosebush 23 Old? Rosebush {has sold and is now by the first slaying? 24 Saunders - lives at Harrises 841-842 Militia Orders The returns from the Officers commanding Companies in the Battalion of this County having been hitherto very incorrect and not according to any one established form, the Lieutenant of the County therefore directs that the following form of Returns and Rolls be made use of untill a form is established by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor. The Officers Commanding Companies are in no case whatsoever to neglect to delegate such returns and Rolls and every m[smudge] to the [smudge] mmanding the [smudge] in [smudge] may enable the [smudge] of the County to give such information for His Excellency as He may from time to time require. It is absolutely necessary that every man appear on Parade Armed According to the Act and that he be furnished with the quantity of ammunition therein prescribed, as no excuse in future can be admitted except such as allowed by the Act. The Militia of the said County have now a year since they were had sufficient time to furnish themselves it being now a year since they were organized, It is necessary in the Returns and Rolls to distinguish the Arms belonging to His majesty from those that are Private and also to distinguish the real set[smudge] John Ferguson Lieutenant of the 843-845 1 st March 1800 Whereas Monday is Whitsuntide week commonly called Penxtus, was appointed on this day on which the Militia of the said County should assemble Annually, for the purpose of Enrollment, but as that day happens this year to fall within one day of the fourth of June which would bring the two Militia meetings too near together. The lieutenant of the County has thought proper to direct that a meeting of the Lieutenancy of the said County, for the Purpose of Enrollment, be held at the house of major Alexander Chisholm in Thurlow on Monday the twelfth day of May next, at ten oClock [covered] forenoon of which all persons concerned [covered] to take notice - A General meeting of the Battalion of Militia of the said County will also be held on the same day, at the same place, where it is expected every man will appear Armed and provided according to the Act. It is necessary to be advised that the Rolls will be called formally at Eleven oClock since any person who does not answer to his name will be deemed absent and fined accordingly. The captains or other Officers Commanding Companies are required to have their Field Returns ready to be delivered to the Adjutant on the Parade. The Adjutant is directed to send a copy of this order to Lieutenant Gilbert Harris for the information of the people of Rawdon. John Ferguson Lieut of the County D Sir I enclose you an order which you will send a copy of immediately to the Officers Commanding Companies and Capt J. W. Meyers, Capt Lt M Marsh, Capt S Sherrard, and one to Lt G Harris You want none yourself and I have enclosed one to the Majors. Excuse the haste - yours etc J You’ll sign them underneath A True Copy [addressed to] His Majestys Service Capt William Bell Forwd by Mr Fairman 846-848 Sir As there will be a meeting of the Battalion on the 12th of May for the purpose of Exercise as well as enrollment[,] you will direct the Officers Comanding Companies to furnish you their Returns agreeable to the directions they have received. You will be very particular as to the Arms being cleaned agreeable to the [torn] entered into. You will remark [hole] any [torn]vided with Arms and Ammunition according [to] the Act, and who does not. You will furnish [torn] with a State of the Battalion for for that [hole] as soon [as] possible. I am your very hmbl [hole] John Fergu[son] Coll Commander Hastings Militia Adjutant William Bell H.M. Dr Sir I send my Trunk up as far as your House and should you go by water or have a safe opportunity send it to Harrises as it may happen I should be obliged to go by land Excuse haste Yours J [addressed to] His Majestys Service Captain William Bell 849-852 [long letter 1 folio, 2 large mouse holes on fold] Militia Orders His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Hunter has been pleased to approve of the [hole] Promotions in the Battalion of Militia [hole] of Hastings VIZ [hole] lliam Lieutenant Matthias Marsh to be Captain viz Lieutenant Gilbert Harris to be Captain Lieutenant viz Marsh promoted Ensign David German [Simmon], to be Lieutenant, in consequence of forming a Flank Company Ensign Jacob Walden Meyers, to be Lieutenant viz Harris promoted Mr Daniel Rose, to be Ensign viz Meyers promoted The Commissions for the above Gentlemen will be [hole] as soon as possible, according to the [hole] Recommendations. It is with [hole]t the Lieutenant of the County is under [hole] of remarking that he has not yet [hole] Roll and Returns of each Company [hole] Bells excepted / for the fourth of June next, according to the times of the Act. He therefore directs that there Rolls and Returns be made out without loss of time and given to Major Bell who will immediately on receipt thereof transmit them to the Lieutenant of the County, who further directs that it may be advised/ that in future no excuse will be admitted for there not being delivered on the parade, on the fourth day of June each year. And His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor has directed that a Return be made to [hole] the fifth day of June annually. The Following distribution of the Officers take place. Lieutenant Colonel Ferguson Company [hole] Captain Lieutenant Gilbert Harris - the same company as heretofore Lieutenant John McIntosh - the same company as heretofore Ensign Samuel Birdseye Gilbert - the same company as heretofore Major Bells Company Lieutenant John Chisholm - the company that was Major Chisholms Ensign Alexander Chisholm - the company that was Major Chisholms Captain Sherwoods Company Lieutenant John Fairman - the same company as heretofore Ensign Robert Fairman - the same company as heretofore Captain Meyer’s Light Infantry [note: probably referring to Capt George W Meyers] Lieutenant Leonard W Meyers - the same company as heretofore Lieutenant David German [Simmon] - the same company as heretofore Captain Marsh’s Company Lieutenant Jacob W Meyers - the same company was Capt[hole] Ensign Daniel Rose In order to make it more convenient [hole] the Officers and Privates to attend the meetings of respective Companies. That part of Captain Marshs Company residing in and near Rawdon will hold their Company meetings in the most convenient place to them, while Captain Lt Harris will point out, and who will attend to them, except on the days of General meetings, when He will attend his own Company[.] Marsh in like manner will attend to & Command Colonels Company except on general meetings will attend his own Company[.] Lieutenant Meyers will take charge of and Command of Captain Marsh’s Company on the [hole]ny near the settlement up the Creek [hole] as well as the few belonging to that [hole] in Thurlow. All reports of Company [hole] and those divisions of Companies to be made [hole] am Sergeant major James Simpson is hereby directed to act as Adjutant to the said Battalion of Militia untill His Excellencys Pleasure is known and It it is expected that at the next meeting, which was ordered for the first Monday in October, every man will appear armed and provided according to Law, and that the Arms belonging to His Majesty, will be in [hole] order on the fourth of June last. It is [hole] that no person whatever will be absent, as [hole] of the County is determined to put this [hole] to the last letter and in a case? of ?? [hole]pat them to His Excellency and recommend [hole] superseded them the Lieutenant of the County [hole] to add that He finds no Company meeting has been held this season. he begs the Officers to refer to the former orders on this subject as well as for the method of making out the Rolls and Returns. Sir You will take the earliest opportunity of making known the within order [hole] The Officers Commanding Companies in [hole] within mentioned Battalions of Militia J. F. Lt Mr James Simpson Acting Adjutant [addressed to] Major William Bell 853-854 Thurlow 7 th October 1800 We the following Officers of Militia of the [all signed] John Ferguson William Bell John Chisholm Daniel Rose John McIntosh David Simmon John Fairman Sr? Saml Sherwood Mathias Marsh 855-856 9 th October 1800 Memorandum for Major Bell Inform the Officers who subscribed for getting uniform costs, that I think the best and cheapest method, will be to apply to James Dawson at Kingston to make them all, in order that they may be alike, which is absolutely necessary, and that he may make a calculation of what the whole trimmings etc will cost, when ready made, and find out when they all can be finished, and when they must be paid for. - I would also propose that each person give his note of hand for the same untill paid- John Ferguson memorandum about regimental costs J Wm Bell S Sherwood M Marsh Jn Fairman J McIntosh D Simmon Robt Fairman OFFICER'S UNIFORMS Bob Campbell, a descendant of William Bell, and his wife Annabel, wished to dress in period attire during historical events acknowledging the 200 year anniversary of the War of 1812. Bob wondered what kind of uniform William Bell would have worn. The two 1800 letters directly above give a good idea of what may have been made for these officers. Bob made an inquiry to the War Museum in Ottawa and was informed of the book A scarlet coat: uniforms, flags and equipment of the British in the War of 1812, René Chartrand, Ottawa: Service Publications, 2011. On page 138 of the book is the following text:
Jane Naisbitt of the War Museum went on to write that "According to the historians working on our upcoming War of 1812 exhibit, most of the soldiers in the Upper Canadian Militia did not have uniforms but, since your ancestor was an officer he more than likely had a uniform. 857-858 [dated 1801 in later writing at the top of the letter but should be 1804 since Ferguson is now a Col and note the militia is now called the "Fisrt Regiment of Hastings Militia".] Sir You are truly required to transmit to me soon as possible the date of the following Commissions the Hastings Militia Francis Vandervoort, Ensign Archibald Chisholm, do Seth Meachum, Surgeoncy John Thompsons, Adjutancy, I am Sir Your Obedt Hble Servt John Ferguson Coll Commanader of Regt Lieut Coll H.M. Thurlow [addressed to] Service Lieut Coll 1st Regt Hastings Militia Thurlow |
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