Descendants of Gilbert Forsyth

Generation No. 1

Gilbert Forsyth, was one of the earliest settlers of the Town of Hartford, Connecticut. In 1675, he was in the King Philips War in Massachusetts before being given military lands in Connecticut in 1682.

Gilbert Forsyth's son was James Forsyth. He moved to Groton, Connecticut, where he married Hannah Lester on September 9, 1708. One of their sons, James Forsyth (1711-1760) married Mary Mason in 1732 and moved to Colchester, Connecticut. One of their sons, James Forsyth (1739-1806), moved to the Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, in 1769, moved to Canada in 1778, and settled in the Falls of Niagara in 1783. He had five children: Caleb Forsyth who settled near Hamilton, Ontario; Daniel Forsyth who settled near Point Abino, near Fort Erie; William Forsyth (1774-1841) who lived at the Falls but moved to Fort Erie in 1832; Sarah Forsyth who married Christopher Buchner; and John Forsyth (1781-1812) who moved to New York State in 1799 and settled at Warrens Corners, Niagara Co., New York, in 1805.

In a letter addressed to all Forsyth(e)'s requesting any information on their families for research, Edward Forsyth, 54 Beattie Avenue, Lockport, New York 14094 Written: 1970

Notes from Lynn Forsyth DuChene, Minnesota (1999): The Forsyth's came from the Highlands of Scotland, were of the first settlers of the town of Hartford, Conecticut and had two children, one son & daughter. The daughter died in her youth. The son moved to Groton, Connecticut and had several children, among which was James who removed to the Falls of Niagara and Jonathan who removed to Genessee and died. Hannah who married James Winship and lived in Miami and Hannah who married Dr. Phillips and John who married Hannah Comstock, June 6th, 1771. Gideon C. Forsyth married Sally Ransom, 13th March 1808 daughter of Elijah Ransom of Colchester,CN, Gideon C. Forsyth & Elizabeth P. (Proctor) Brooks were married 3rd March 1828 by Rev. Mr. Hull in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was the daughter of Hubble Brooks of New London, Connecticut.

John & Hannah Forsyth had eleven children.

___________________________________________

Gilbert was a shoemaker and farmer coming from the Highlands of Scotland to the United States in Connecticut before 1670. He first lived around Boston, Massachusetts and was in "King Philip's" was between 1675-1677. (King Philip was the name given by British settlers to an Indian Chieften, who led a large coalition of tribes in a war attempting to regain their tribal lands. This war lasted several years ending with the ambush and death of King Philip in 1676.)

In 1683, Gilbert was settled on the Connecticut River in the town of Hartford, CN. He was last listed as living there in July 1731.

Gilbert came through the "Great Swamp Fight" in Captain James Oliver's military company from Boston.

Gilbert took the Oath of Allegiance on April 21, 1679 and settled in Hartford Connecticut in 1682.

(From the Historical Notes of Conn., No. 1, Hartford, William S. Porter (Hartford, April 1842) page 37.

___________________________________________

In the book "Soldiers in King Philip's War, by George M. Bodge 1896, page 176 (copy available), it lists Gilbert Foresight being paid 2 lbs 14 shillings for his service on June 24, 1676 along with 11 other individuals. Also on page 177, in Captain Oliver's Soldiers, it lists Gilbert Fforesyth as one of seven soldiers under Major Savidge.

It lists Gilbert Forsith receiving 4 pounds 2 shillings for various services from Dec. 10, 1675 to July 24, 1676 and lists Gilbert Foresight on page 363 to have received 4 pounds, 1 shilling for services on December 20, 1675

__________________________________________

In a book called "A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records." Compiled by Charles William Manwaring,

Volume I, Hartford District 1635-1700, page 78, it lists Gilbert Forsyth as receiving 1 Chain and 72 Links of

property bounded South upon Thomas Swetman and North upon Thomas Bennett. The property disbursement

reads:

We, the Subscribers, being appointed a Committe by the Proprietors of the Undivided Five Miles of Lans lying on th East Side of the Great River, to lay out Three Miles and One Hundred Rodds of said Land on the East Side, next to Bolton, from Windsor to Glastonbury Bounds, to be divided to the Original Proprietors or their heirs according to their Rate as it stands Recorded in the Towne Book, including necessary Ways, accordingly Wee Proceeded as followeth: Beginning at the South East Corner, extending West upon the line divideing between Glastonbury and Hartford Two Hundred and Fourty Rods to a Highway Thirty Rods wide, said Highway extending that width due North to Windsor Bounds, said Highway being the Butment of the West End of the Eastermost Tier of Lotts, and butting East upon Bolton Bounds, Wee began first at Glastonbury and laid out, beginning at No.

I as threy are drawn by Vote of the Proprietors.

III-94 Names of Commissioned and Non-commissioned Officers, Musician and Private Soldiers, under the command of Captain William Turner, of Boston, and on duty at Hadley, Hatfield, and Springfield. Hadley soldiers from the 7th of April, 1676.

HATFIELD SOLDIERS - Robert Bardwell, Samuel Laine, Benjamin Barrett, Hugh Goliko, Anthoney Baker, John Larkin, Richard Staines, Nicholas Gray, John Allen, Richard Smith, William Eliot, John Wilkins, John Jones, Thomas Staines, Gilbert Forsyth, Benjamin Lathrop, Robert Dawes, Hugh Pike, Daniel Stearlin, John Verin, Jonathan Nichols, John Salter, Jeremiah Cloather, John Arnold, Simon Williams, Daniel Clow, Edward Bishop, Henry Reynor, Samuel Neale, Jeffrey Feffers, Hugh Price, Archibald Forrest, Jabesh Duncan, John Hughs, William Batt, Walter Hixson, Jabesh Musgrove, Mathew Groves, Anthoney Ravenscraft, James Molt. SENT TO SPRINGFIELD - SERGEANT Roger Proffer; PRIVATE SOLDIERS, Ely Crow, William Briggs, Jeremiah Norcrosse, William Mitchell, Timothy Froglie, Onisephorus Stanly, William Crane, Henry Willis.

Original Grantees of Township of Horton

In the files of the Nova Scotia Archives at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, there is the original grant of the township of Horton to the following men "all from Connecticut":-

One and one-half shares: Major Robert DENNISON, Joseph OTIS, Amos FULLER, William WELCH, Jonathan PALMETEER, James CLELLAND, Abner AVERY, Labeus HARRIS, Abraham HARDING, Ephraim HARRIS, Jonathan HAMILTON, Asa HARRIS, John FLICKS, Newton RANSOM, Joshua WELCH, Oliver BULKELEY, Elijah BUELL, William COLDWELL, Samuel THOMSON, Alexander WHALLY, James NEWTON, Charles DICKSON, William PRIDE, Nathaniel FULLER, Moses WHEELER, John BISHOP, Gilbert FORSYTH, Samuel REED, Eleazer MATHER, Joseph MATHER, John MATHER, Benjamin MATHER, Capt. Elisha LOTHROP, Stully SCRANTON, Samuel COPP, Johnathan SWEETLAND, Nathaniel FISH, Jacob BURNHAM, Peleg SANF. {?} MASON, Silas CRANE, Thomas MARTIN, Joshua JONES, Stephen HARDING, Capt. John STANTON, Cornelius PHELPS, Noah FULLER, Samuel FISK {or FISH}, Andrew LISK, Nathan WEST, Robert AVERY, Cornelius PHELPS,Jr., Joshua RATHBONE, Arthur SEAFIELD, Thomas SPENCER, Simeon BRAINARD, Samuel PECK, Gabos {?} LOTHROP, Brotherton MARTIN, Isaac FOX, Samuel DEWAY{?}, Abijah FULLER, Joseph DENISON, Cornelius RICH, Abraham PERKINS, Obadiah HOLFOLD

Generation No. 2

James removed to Groton, Connecticut. James was a farmer and shoemaker (Ed Forsyth - Lockport, NY)

Name: James Farsee

Marriage Date: 9 Sep 1708

Marriage Location: Groton

Spouse: Hannah Lester

Source Information:

Ancestry.com. Connecticut Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records

Name: James Ffarshee

Marriage Date: 9 Sep 1708

Marriage Location: Groton

Spouse: Hannah Lester

Ancestry.com. Connecticut Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.

Christening: 19 Jun 1685, Stonington, CT

Generation No. 3

Gilbert Forsyth's son was James Forsyth. He moved to Groton, Connecticut, where he married Hannah Lester on September 9, 1708. One of their sons, JAMES FORSYTH (1711-1760) married Mary Mason in 1732 and moved to Colchester, Connecticut. One of their sons, JAMES FORSYTH (1739-1806), moved to the Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, in 1769, moved to Canada in 1778, and settled in the Niagara Falls area in 1783.

__________________________________________

Edward Forsyth notes:

From the French & Indian War Rolls (1755-1757, Vol. l, page 203 - Captain Cone's Company:

James fought in the French & Indian War.

"Colony of Connecticut to Captain Daniel Cone and the Company under his command in Col. Jonathan Trumble's Regiment for there (sic) Service at the time of the Alarm for Relief of Fort William Henry and places adjacent."

"A Roll of the Company under the Command of Captain Daniel Cone belonging to the 12th Regiment under the command of Co. Jonathan Trumble, Esq.

James Forsyth

"each of the above names served 15 days from Aug 9 to August 24, 1757"

"Sixty-two of the above named rode horses from East Haddam"

James Forsyth

Given Name: James

Surname: Forsyth

Page #: 171

LOCATION: Connecticut

Regiment: Fourth

REGT.COMMAND: Fitch, Eleazer Colonel & Captain

Company: Twelfth

CO.COMMAND: Bishop, Nicholas Captain

CAMPAIGN YEAR: 1759

SOURCE LIST: Pay Role

Source Information:

Guertin, Iris, Rose, comp. Connecticut Soldiers, French and Indian War, 1755-62 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2000. Original data: Connecticut Historical Society. Rolls of Connecticut Men in the French and Indian War, 1755-1762. Vol. I-II. Hartford, CT, USA: Connecticut Historical Society

Name: James Forsyth

Death Date: 13 Jun 1768

City: New London

County: New London

State: CT

Country: USA

Notes for Timothy Forsyth:

Headstone reads:

Timothy Forsyth, Died May 9, 1796, Age 78 years.

Occupation: Farmer

Interment: Congden Demetery, Montville, CT 11

Original Grantees of Township of Horton, Nova Scotia

In the files of the Nova Scotia Archives at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, there is the original grant of the township of Horton to the following men "all from Connecticut":-

1 Share: Timothy Forsyth

Burial: Starr Cemetery, Groton, CT

Headstone Inscription:

Ruth Forsyth, Relict of Timothy, Died Jan. 8, 1806, aged 78 years

Jonathan Forsyth, of Connecticut, who purchased land in the Wyoming Valley of PA under the CT title, and who in the Wyoming massacre lost everything he owned, escaping with his own life and the lives of his family. The family subsequently returned to Wyoming, where they remained until peace was declared. Then they removed to Towanda, PA, and thence up the Susquehanna river to Choconut, NY, which was a little distance above the present village of Union on the easterly side of the river. The Forsyths afterward removed to Geneva, where Jonathan Forsyth died in 1788.

Mary, wid. of Ichabod Avery, of Groton, & dau of James FORSYTH of Groton, m. John BISHOP Jr., son John, of New London, June 16, 1751

New London, CT Vital Records

Generation No. 4

FORSEY

James, son James & Mary, b Sept 2, 1738

Source: Barbour Records - Middletown, Middlesex, CT

James Forsyth, supported the British during the American Revolution. Early in the Revolution he and his family endeavoured to reach Niagara but were taken prisoners by the Indians. British soldiers, attacked the Indian camp in the night and the captives were set free. As a United Empire Loyalist he was granted 200 acres of land in Niagara where he built his first home in Canada on the Portage Road at the site now described as No. 2218 (6218) Main Street, Niagara Falls, and afterwards made it a public house. This was the place frequently referred to in the period of the war of 1812-14 as "Forsyth's." It was army "H.Q." on several occasions. During the Navy Island campaign, 1838, Sir Allan McNab occupied it; Lord Durham stayed there; James Buchanan, long British consul in New York, owned it; Lord Elgin occupied it for a time; at last it was burned.

Loyalist List:

Forsyth, James.... Home District, Niagara stamped book, wife 4 children, P.L. 1786; (same name East District, Non-Commissioned Officer, K.R.R.N.Y. Corporal, P.L.2d, 1786)

The list of families settled as farmers in 1783 includes James Forsyth aged 44, Unis 38, Daniel 11, William 9, John 2 and Sarah 5. This would make Unis' birthdate 1745 .

NOTES:

In August of 1780, James Secord, Sampson Lutes, Michael Showers and Isaac Dolson moved to the west bank of the Niagara River and settled on lands the British had acquired from the Mississauga Indians.

Other families who soon followed were the Fields, Depues (Depews) and the Phelps.

In 1782, the first settlers to Niagara Falls were Phillip Bender along with his wife and three children and Thomas McMicken (Mickmicking) along with his mother, sister, two children and a negro slave.

In 1783, eight more families settled along the west bank. They included John Reilly, John Coon, Peter Thompson, John Burtch, James Forsyth, John Chisholm, Francis Ellesworth and Thomas Millard.

In 1785, other early settlers included James Park, John McGill, Archibald Thompson, James Thompson, John Thompson, Benjamin Canby, Thomas Cummings, Adam Kreisler, John McEwan, David Secord, Robert Hamilton, Timothy Skinner, Adam Vrooman, Charles and John Wilson. They were followed by the Lundy, Cook, Durham, Biggar, Ramsay, Pugh (Pew), Rowe, Tice, Rose and Corwin families.

In August of 1782, Colonel John Butler conducted the first official census. There were sixteen farm/settlers and their families. Two families (the Bender's and the MicMicken's) had settled in Township #2, later called Mount Dorchester and then Stamford.

In 1779, Michael Gonder and his son are believed to be the first settlers in Willoughby Township.

In 1778, Peter and Henry Buchner were the first to settle in Crowland Township.

The closest house to the battlefield (Battle of Lundy's Lane, Drummondville, ON) was James Forsyth's house ( present site of Ukrainian Catholic Church - Main Street). The next closest house was that of Haggai Skinner who lived north of the battlefield on present day Drummond Road. The only homes on Lundy's Lane were the homesteads of the Lundy's and the Green's quite a distance away.

Surrounding Lundy's Lane Hill were meadows and cultivated fields with thick woods less than a mile away stretching in every direction.

According to a letter written about the Prospect Hotel by the son of the original builder, Robert Fairbank, there is a tunnel that runs from Drummond Hill Cemetery to the Prospect Hotel. Now boarded up, it was originally used as an escape route by defenders, during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

The first owner of Drummond Hill was James Forsyth. In 1798, he took out a patent for 400 acres of land including Drummond Hill.

The second owner of Drummond Hill was United Empire Loyalist, Christopher Buchner (originally spelled Boughner). He married Sarah Forsyth, the daughter of James and Eunice Forsyth.

Christopher set aside half an acre on Drummond Hill for a burying ground for his neighbouring settlers. At that time it was the only cemetery between Chippawa and Stamford. The oldest tombstone was that of John Burch’s dating back to 1797.

At the start of the War of 1812, Drummond Hill was fenced with logs and shaded by many maple and other large trees. The surrounding area consisted of several farm orchards and forest.

Buchner purchased 23 acres of land from his father in law, James Forsyth. This land included Drummond Hill.

John Buchner, the son of Christopher and Sara Buchner, fought for the British in the War of 1812. John saw action during the Battle of Lundy’s Lane on July 25th 1814 and it was during this battle that he was taken prisoner by American troops. Following the war, John Buchner was released.

After the original plot of land for the cemetery was filled, John Buchner donated another half acre so that it could be enlarged.

Catharine Buchner, the daughter of John Buchner married Donald MacKenzie. Through her inheritance she became the owner of the Buchner estate including Drummond Hill.

By 1860, all the available cemetery plots had again been filled. Donald MacKenzie, then owner of Drummond Hill was asked to donate more land in order to expand the cemetery. At first MacKenzie was reluctant to do so. He later sold more of his land holdings on Drummond Hill to allow for the cemetery expansion.

The property of Drummond Hill became part of the MacKenzie estate following the deaths of Catharine and Donald MacKenzie. The last surviving relative was John L. Mackenzie. He became the last private citizen to hold title to this historic battlefield and cemetery. Following his death, the property became a public historical site.

Today Drummond Hill cemetery encompasses four acres. In 1912, the cemetery and surrounding landscape was taken over by the Niagara Parks Commission.

Fact 1: Event, year, place: Married, 1859, Toronto region²

Fact 2: Province of record source: Ontario²

Fact 3: County of record source: York²

ID: I0458

Name: Eunice CLARK

Sex: F

Birth: 12 FEB 1743/44 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut

Death: WFT Est. 1745-1838

Father: Daniel CLARK b: 8 JUN 1715 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut

Mother: Phebe BRADLEY b: 25 OCT 1717 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jonathan Forsyth was killed by Indians, Geneva, N.Y.

Christening: 24 Feb 1774, East Hampton, CT, Congregational Church

christened 10 May 1741 in First Church of Groton, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut

William Latham m. Eunice Forsyth (1743-99).

William Latham (1741-92) was captain of artillery, 1781, at Fort Griswold, where he was severely wounded. He was born and died in Groton, Conn.

Occupation: Owned a Fur Store in Montreal

Interment: New Protestant Burial Grounds, Montreal, Quebec Suburbs, Canada

Lucy died at her son Russel's house in Grand Blanc, Michigan

Interment: Oak Hill Cemetery, Grand Blanc, Michigan

Generation No. 5

Caleb Forsyth, Yoeman.

Birth and death dates for Caleb Forsyth. In "Ancaster's Heritage" written by the Ancaster Historical Society, page 109, THE FORSYTH FARM, by Miss G. L. Buttrum: Caleb Forsyth (1770-1826).

According this book, Caleb and Anna Hagle had fifteen children.

On January 19, 1802, James Forsyth, Caleb's father, purchased 400 acres, originally surveyed as lots 24 and 25, concession 3, Barton Township, but later they became part of the Gore of Ancaster. He later sold them to his son, Caleb, for 200 pounds sterling and love and affection. Today, this land includes the McMaster University property, and east to Haddon Avenue.

Caleb Sr. served in the War of 1812 at the Battle of Chippawa, and when he died on June 6, 1826, he bequeathed his 400 acres to his sons Caleb Jr. and Elijah.

The name "Daniel" is an uncommon one amongst the clan of the Forsyth family in those early days prior to the Revolutionary War. However, James and Eunice named their second child with this honour. Who they names their son, Daniel, after or whether they chose the name by it's likeing is certainly not known to us.

Another unknown concerning Daniel, is what his boyhood and adolescence life was like between the period of the settlement at Niagara in Canada, where he appears in the second census in Stamford Township - December of 1783 (Daniel Forsyth was listed as a don of James and Unis), to being a settler, and then as an adult at Point Abino in 1783. His first recorded appearance in Canada was in 1783 listed as Point Abino as 11 years old and was found to appear again in the month of July 1793 at Point Abino, where he was about 21 years of age.

From the second Census record at Niagara, it is a high probability that Daniel was born about the year 1772. However, his place of birth could have been New London, CT or in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania. The Wyoming Valley had very few settlers with families prior to 1772. In May of 1772, there were only five white women in Wilkes-Barre. In August of 1772, James Forsythe (his father) returned to New London to see about his affairs, and brought his wife to the Wyoming Valley in October of 1772, passing through Goshen, in the province of New York, and crossing the Delaware River, then entering Pennsylvania. It appears that his intention was to settle in the Wyoming Valley with his family.

_________________________________________

The following is from Daniel's Will #227 Microfilm at the St. Catherine's Museum as recorded on May 10th, 1975 by Louis McDermett. (It has been transcribed with the mid-spellings as rcorded. Underlined blank spaces may indicate that the original reader could not interpret the text.)

"I Daniel Forsyth in the Township of Humberstone, in the County of Lincoln, and the Province of Upper Canada, being in poor state of health, calling to mind the imorality of my body, and the uncertainty of the continuence of this life; being in perfect sound mind and memory, I declare this to be my last Will and Testament.

First I direct soon after my death my funeral charges, will be fully paid by my execters, hereafter constituted, and appointed by me. My Estate real and Personal to be devided in the following manner:

My landed property to be kept together until my youngest child comes of age or marriage __(then?)__

devided by an East & West line so as to make each part equal, in value, which line shall be made by men chosen by the two legeties; the __ thereof, and the Executors; all which I give and devise unto my _(eldest or two?)_sons William and Jacob, and to their heirs and asigns forever; and they shall pay to their three brothers namely James, Esckel & Daniel, one hundred and fifty pounds New York currency; to each fifty pounds payment as follows: They shall pay twenty-five pound N.Y. currency one year from the youngest comming of age; of twenty one years; and twenty five pounds the same currency, annualy until the one hundred and fifty pounds be paid.

My stock to be kept on the south part of the place, and to be for the support of my minor children; except a part I shall direct otherwise.

That is if my said James should marry, he shall be given a yoke of oxen, one cow, and when the lawful age, ten dollars exclusive of the above legacy; and the use of the north part of my clearing, as far as the strip of woods between my clearing; for two years and longer, if he and his brother Esckel can agree together paying a small rent after that time; and in case they cannot agree, after Esckel comes of age he shall have ten dollars and a yoke of oxen and a cow; and the use of the north part, as described to James; and James shall have the south part, and have the care of the smaller children of mine; and my two sons before names should not conduct, so as to keep the family together comfortably.

The south part of my clearing with preveledges thereon, are to be rented for that purpose, which I leave to the descresion of my executors.

My two children Jacob and Rachel are to live with their Uncle and Aunt Luise, and a small compensation to be paid out of my Estate yearly for their assistance until they can earn their own living. The sum & the time to cease paying is to be left to the decision of my executors; and the same to my daughter Catharine, which lives with James Edsal & wife.

To each of my daughters I give and bequeath at their marriage, or comming to the year of eighteen; a bed, a cow, and two sheep, which shall be ewes, and also six plates a piece.

My lawful debts to be paid from the property of my farm as quick as possible.

If any of my children should die in their minority or youth ___ if a boy his intended (share) shall equally be devided among the rest of the boys; if a girl her intended, among the girls;

I do constitute my brother-in-law Nathaniel Dennis and Asaliah Sceeley, and my son James, my sole executers, disalowing, revoking, and disanulling all other Wills and Testaments, by me, in anywise names concerning this, and no other to be my last will and Testament.

In witness whereunder I have bore unto set my hand and seal, this twenty fourth day of December in the year of Our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twelve."

Daniel Forsyth.

(signed By)

Abraham L _______

Nicholas Kurehead

Jacob Near

According to "The Battle of Lundy's Lane"...

"William Lundy was a former Pennsylvanian who had come to Canada in 1786 with his wife and five sons to take up land lying a mile and a half along an Indian trail running west from the falls. Charles Green, a New Jersey Loyalist who owned the land over which the trail ran, donated it as a public road, and it became known as Lundy's Lane in honor of the prominent farmer whose property bordered it. South of the ridge, on both sides of the portage road, lay the property of James Forsyth, who owned a tavern and livery stable midway between Willson's Tavern and the junction of Lundy's Land with the portage road. Forsyth's daughter Sarah had married Christopher Buchner, formerly of New Jersey, who obtained from Forsyth, either by purchase or gift, most of the ridge south of the lane and had buuilt a house on the southwest slope. West and south of Forsyth were the farms of Benjamin and Haggai Skinner, members of a Loyalist clan from Delaware. Haggai's daughter Lydia had married a recent American immigrant, Stephen Peer, and the couple resided at the southeast foot of the hill.

Sarah and Christopher Buchner lived on the hill where Drummond Hill Cemetery, Niagara Falls is today. (Ed Forsyth - Lockport, N.Y.)

Interment for Sarah Forsyth: Drummond Hill Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Ont.

During the War of 1812-1814 Lieutenant Christopher Buchner served with the 2nd Lincolns, summer of 1814 at Chippawa where 16 men were killed and thirteen wounded, the heaviest losses incurred in a single engagement by a Canadian Militia unit during the war.

BUCHNER - "Some Graves on Lundy's Lane" by Ernest Green

"In memory of Captain Christopher Buchner who died September 7th, 1843, aged 59 years".

Christopher Buchner was a Loyalist from New Town, N.J. whose family (originally Boughner) came from Holland or Germany to that place and located the first farm recorded there. He married Sarah, daughter of James and Unis Forsythe and purchased from his father-in-law property which included this hill (Drummond). It was he who gave the first half-acre for the use of the settlers as a burying ground. He was the first lessee from the Govt of the privilege of operating a ferry below the falls.

FROM: Niagara Falls Society No. 22 page 25.

Some graves on Lundy's Lane

Capt. Christopher Buchner: died Sept. 7th, 1824 aged 59 yrs.

Capt. C. Buchner was a Loyalist from Newtown, N.J., whose family came from Holland or Germany to that place; and located the first farm recorded there. He married Sarah, daughter of James and Unis Forsyth, and purchased from his father-in-law, the property including the hill. He was a private in the 4th Lincoln. In 1810 ensign in the 2nd. Lincoln: and in 1812-14 with Capt. John Rowes camp and took charge at Chippawa after the Capts. death. He had a son, Lieut. John Buchner who died April 14th, 1828 at 31 years. He married Mary Ann Corbett (who's mother was a Johnson). Their daughter married Donald Mc Kenzie.

Notes from: The Niagara Portage Road 200 Years 1790-1990 by George A. Seibel

"Boughner" was the original Dutch (or German) form of this name. Emigrating to America, members of the family took up the first land at what is now New Town, N.J. Christopher, taking the King's side in the Revolution, escaped through the forest to Canada, the party carrying some goods on pack horses.

Christopher Boughner was a wheel-wright for the Stedmans on "the old portage". He stated that he came into this province in 1786 or 1788 with a wife and family. He married Sarah Daughter of James and Eunice Forsyth, and, in 1799, obtained from his father-in-law, by purchase or gift, the property, south of Lundy's Lane now known as "Drummond Hill." He donated the ground for Drummond Hill Cemetery. He and his wife received 80.9ha (200 acres) of Crown land, each.

In 1786 Christopher Buchner sought to secure a mill-site on Patternson's Creek in the Long Point settlement, ut it had already been granted to Captain William Francis.

Christopher Buchner was ensign, and subsequently lieutenant, of the Grenadier company of the 2nd Lincoln, but was lieutenant of Captain Burch's company in 1814. He and his son, John, were in the battles of Chippawa and Lundy's Land. John was taken prisoner at Lundy's Land, but soon escaped. John Buchner married Mary Ann Corbett, whose mother was a Johnson. Christopher Buchner died 7 September 1824, aged fifty-nine years. Lieut. John Buchner died 14 April, 1828, aged thirty-four years.

Mortgage to secure $1,650.00 - Ancaster, December 1, 1870.

John Forsyth to Sophia Bamberger

John Forsyth (1781-1812) born in Niagara Falls, moved to New York State in 1799 and settled at Warrens Corners, Niagara Co., New York, in 1805

(Ed Forsyth, Lockport, N.Y. (descendant of John Forsyth) notes):

John Forsyth moved to New York State in 1798 or 1799, first settled near Batavia, N.Y., and after his marriage to Mary Ganson, he moved with his wife and child to Warrens Corners, Niagara County, N.Y. in 1805. John struck the first stake for a permanent residence there and died at the young age of 31. John and Mary had 6 children.

Black Rock Gazette, 17 Aug. 1826 , page 3 , column 6

BRITISH NIAGARA FALLS.

Two Routes--by Coaches or Steam-Boat--Take your Choice The subscriber, proprietor of the PAVILION, at the British Niagara Falls, begs leave most respectfully to announce to the Ladies and Gentlemen, travelling to the Falls, that they can now choose their own mode of passing thither, by Coaches, or the Chippawa Steam Boat. The Boat leaves Buffalo, every day, at 1-2 past 8 o'clock, A.M. and returns from Chippawa, at 9 o'clock, P.M. Post Coaches leave the Eagle Tavern, at Buffalo, every day, at 1-2 past 8 o'clock, A.M. and passing through the village of Black Rock, cross the Niagara, by a safe and expeditious Horse Boat, and, if the Ladies and Gentlemen choose, they can visit Fort Erie, and view the Battle Grounds, without any additional charge; and arrive the [?] at Falls, generally 1-2 past 11 o'clock, A.M.--Returning to the Eagle Tavern at Buffalo, at 7 o'clock, P.M. The price of fare, the same both ways. The Coaches and Horses, are the best west of Albany. The road is as smooth as a bowling green. Extra Carriages furnished at all times on the shortest notice. No Drivers are employed, but those who are sober, intelligent, and attentive.

WM. FORSYTH.

August 1826.

William Forsyth, described as "a small wiry man, weighing barely 150 pounds" (Niagara, page 214) was "a bane to the Warrens and Colonel Kerby, continually outwitting them and their deputies by cunning and sheer daring. By the time of his death from exposure in 1849 Forsyth had established himself as the district's king of smugglers, a reputation challenged only by Smugglin' Sam Johnston who operated from 1840 to 1870 at nearby Pleasant Point."

"The underground railway had a crossing at this point, after Forsyth's death hiding its slave refugees in the Smuggler's Home..."

William Forsyth's father was a loyalist farmer who in 1783 or 1784 moved his wife and five children to the west side of the Niagara River. The family made its home in Stamford Township, where William was living in 1796 when he first petitioned for land. Three years later, then described as a yeoman, he stood trial for a felony. He was acquitted but on 7 March was jailed for a capital offence. Escaping the next day, he was foiled in his attempt to reach the United States and, back in prison, he petitioned Administrator Peter Russel for release conditional upon "his banishing himself." Despite the support of Robert Hamilton, the most powerful man in the district and an important figure in the portaging trade around the falls, Russell hesitated since Forsyth's offence involved "so many Questions of Prudence - Policy - & Law." By mid May he had still not made a decision, after which date nothing further is known on the incident.

Forsyth next appears as a farmer living close to the Horseshoe Falls. In his reply to an 1824 query about Forsyth's claim for losses in the War 1812, Thomas Clark, a neighbour and commanding officer of the 2nd Lincoln Militia (Forsyth's unit), reported him "a man of uncouth behaviour." Clark remembered that he had given "some displeasure and trouble to my nights." On the other hand, Clark believed that at the battle of Bever Dams in 1813 "he behaved very well in harassing the Enemy before taken prisoners." That fall American forces plundered Forsyth's home and farm. More damage was done to his house by Indians during a council convened by Major-General Phineas Riall. Clark noted that in 1814, when Major-General Louis de Watteville was quartered there, he used Forsyth as a spy "to go across the river...but report says that he took over as much if not more than he brought back." Clark was not in the province at the time, however, and was unsure how true the allegation was: "Forsyth is a man not generally liked, and perhaps malice may have instigated the report - his neighbours...have no doubts about his loyalty - and further say that when the Enemy were in possession here, he did, and did naturally shape his Conduct as well as he could to save his property." Although Forsyth's claim of more than 425 pounds sterling for losses was initially rejected, upon appeal, and after Clark's review of his wartime record, he was allowed 90 pounds in 1824.

Rumour and innuendo hung over Forsyth like the ever-present mist over the falls. The wartime stories did not impugn his character but they detracted from it, suggesting a man with a sense of what was best for himself. One popular historian, Gordon Donaldson, has hinted that Forsyth used his knowledge of the river to smuggle goods to and from the United States. There is no corroboration but Forsyth's early brushes with authority, made escape from jail, and self-serving character suggest that there may be room for doubt.

Some time after the war Forsyth built an inn on his property. Charles Fothergill stayed there in early April 1817. Two years later botanist John Goldie described it as the "nearest" to the falls of several inns along the river. In 1818 Forsyth had erected a covered stairway into the gorge for a different view at 1 shilling per person. These stairs were, he admitted, "upon the chain reserved for Military purposes, in front of...(his) Land between it and the River."The falls was Upper Canada's greatest scenic attraction and Forsyth's inn was the place to stay. The Duke of Richmond (Lennox) stayed there in 1818 as did Lord Richmond (Lennox) a year later. The duke's party were less than pleased by the innkeeper's ability to accommodate them, in spite of his professed exertions, and there was a problem over the account. When Dalhousie arrived Forsyth's reputation was suspect; none the less, he found the "tavern and accommodation...were very good indeed, and the man himself, tho' a Yankee & reputed to be uncivil, was quite the reverse to us, obliging and attentive in every way." Visitors often seized upon other traits: Adam Fergusson pronounced Forsyth a "personage sufficiently shrewd and well informed" whereas Samuel De Veaux found him "a man of enterprising character."

(See additional information for more detail...)

___________________________________________________________________-

Chippewa Chapel, Stamford Twp. Burials -

p. 166 Ont. Hist. Soc. Papers & Records Vol. VIII, 1907

January 20, 1826 - infant son of William Forsyth, Niagara Falls, aged 1 yr.

__________________________________________________________________

March 2d William Forsyth* Senr. aged sixty years, died on the

twenty seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one

Forsyth thousand eight hundred and forty one, and was buried on the

buried second day of March following by me John Anderson

Witnesses to the Interment Kenneth Reid & Benj. P. Hall

*Noted for his controversy with Sir John Colborne over the title

to property at Niagara Falls.

C. H. J. Snider,"Schooner Days, no. DV" in the Toronto Telegram, July 26, 1941

Sending a Schooner over Niagara Falls: once She Was a British Man-of-war

They had some fool ideas of fun a hundred years ago, among which "Schooner Days" begs to include sending somebody else over Niagara Falls. The objection applies whether the somebody else is a man in a barrel or a pig in a punt. Recently the secretary-manager of the Port Huron Chamber of Commerce, Mr. H.A. Hopkins, who, of course, merits no such criticism, gave an historical instance in a broadcast. It was an account of how the old schooner MICHIGAN went over the falls in 1827. And it was taken, after various transcriptions, from an old letter written in Buffalo, September 9, of that year.

"The schooner MICHIGAN, as you have already learnt from me, was the largest on Lake Erie, and too large in fact to enter the various harbours on the lake, and being somewhat decayed in her upper work, the thought struck the owner, Major Frazer, formerly of New York, that she would answer the purpose of testing the fate of a vessel that by accident might approach too near the stupendous cataract of Niagara, and also the fate of animals that might be caught in the rapids of these swift rolling waters, and carried over the falls.

"The proprietors of the large public houses at the Falls, on both sides of the river, and of stages and steamboats, made up a purse to purchase the schooner, aware that they would be repaid by the company which the exhibition would attract; and in this calculation they were not deceived.

"For several days previous to the September 8, the stages came crowded, as well as the canal boats, so much so that it was difficult to find a conveyance to the Falls: and such was the interest that the descent was the only topic of conversation among all classes. On Friday night, September 7, wagons filled with country people rattled through the town, and on Saturday morning Buffalo itself seemed to be moving in mass towards the grand point of attraction. To accommodate those who could not find passage in carriages, five steamboats had advertised to leave here on Saturday morning, and great numbers chose this conveyance ...

"The CHIPPEWA was appointed to tow down the pirate schooner (as she was termed) the MICHIGAN: which service she performed. I took my passage in the boat, and we got under way before the others, passed through the basin at Black Rock, and about a mile below the Rock took in tow the vessel destined to make the dreadful plunge. As soon as we got under way the scene became interesting. The sun shone in full splendor, the waters of the Erie were placid, there being scarcely a ruffle upon its surface, and a few miles astern. of us four steamers crowded with passengers, and with bands of music on board, were plowing their way down the rapids of Niagara.

"Our little boat towed the MICHIGAN as far as Yales's Landing on the British shore, within three miles of the Falls where she anchored: and at this place the Chippewa landed her passengers as well the WILLIAM Penn, and they were convened from thence to the Falls in vehicles of all descriptions. The three other steamboats landed their passengers on the American side.

"Three o'clock was the hour appointed to weigh anchor on the MICHIGAN. The task of towing her from Yales's Landing to the rapids (and a most hazardous one it was) was entrusted to Captain Rough, the oldest captain on the Lake. With a yawl and five oarsmen, of stout hearts and strong arms, the old captain got the schooner under way, and towed her till within one-quarter of a mile of the first rapids, and within half a mile of the tremendous precipice - as near as they dare approach - and cutting her adrift she passed majestically on, while the oarsmen of the yawl had to pull for their lives to effect their own safety. Indeed such was the fear of the hands, as I have understood, that on approaching near the rapids they cut the tow line before they had received order from their commander. And now we approach the interesting moments of the exhibition.

"The high ground on both sides of the American and British shores were lined with people, having a full view of the rapids and of the approach of the vessel. And now it was that a thousand fears and expectations were indulged, as the MICHIGAN, unguided by human agency, approached, head on, the first rapid or descent, and apparently keeping the very course that the most skillful navigator would have pursued, having an American ensign from her bowsprit, and the British Jack displayed at her stem.

"She passed the first rapid unhurt, still went on, making a plunge, shipping a sea, and rising from it in beautiful style, and in her descent over the second her masts went by the board, at the same moment affording those who had never witnessed a shipwreck a specimen of the sudden destruction of the spars of a ship at sea in case of a wreck. Expectation of her fate was now at highest. She swung round and presented her broadside to the dashing and foaming waters, and after remaining stationary a moment or two was, by its force, swung round, stem foremost, and having passed to he third rapid, she bilged but carried her hull apparently whole, between Grass Island and the British shore to the Horse Shoe, over which she was carried stern foremost and launched into the abyss below.

"In her fall she was dashed into a thousand pieces. I went below the falls immediately after the descent, and the river exhibited a singular appearance from the thousands of floating fragments, there being scarcely to be seen any two boards nailed together, and many of her timbers were broken into atoms. Such was the eagerness of the multitude present to procure a piece of her that before sunset a great part of her was carried away.

"I believe I have neglected to inform you of the animals on board. They consisted a buffalo from the Rocky Mountains, three bears from Green Bay and Grand River, two foxes, a raccoon, a dog, a cat, and four geese. The fate of these you will probably wish to learn. When the vessel was left to her fate they were let loose on deck, except the buffalo, who was enclosed in a temporary pen. Two of the bears left the vessel shortly after she began to descend the rapids and swam ashore, not withstanding the rapidity of the current. On reaching the British shore they were taken. The buffalo was seen to pass over the falls, but was not visible afterwards. What became of the other animals is not known. Those who had glasses could see one of the bears climbing the mast as the vessel approached the rapids. The foxes, etc., were also running up and down, but nothing was seen of them after the schooner passed over. Two of the geese were the only living things that passed over, and they were taken up unhurt. Major Frazer obtained one, and an Englishman purchased the other for $2.

Respecting the effigies, of which there were several, the only one I saw below the falls was Gen. Andrew Jackson, apparently uninjured, throwing his arms about and knocking his legs together in the eddies, the only one of the crew of fancy that escaped unhurt. There were over 30,000 people in attendance, and you may judge of the situation of affairs when I assure you that I stopped at Forsyth's about 4 p.m. and was unable to obtain even a cracker or glass of water. It was the same on the American side."

Who and what was this schooner MICHIGAN, too big for Lake Erie early harbours? Why was she built?

One thing which makes this old letter of particular interest to Canadians is that it may - one cannot say that it did -settle the ultimate fate of the British ship Detroit, flagship of Commodore Barclay, captured by the Americans in the ill-starred Battle of Put-in-Bay in 1813. Lossing in Field Book of the War of 1812, compiled for Harper's in the early 1860s, when memories were still fresh, says the Detroit became an American merchant vessel and, not proving profitable, was striped and sent over the falls with live animals on board, in a sort of public festival organized by hotelkeepers. But later historians, a hundred years and more after the time, have questioned this, and pointed out that there is no official record of the Detroit's fate such as an in a custom house or marine registry.

Might it not be that the name of the British ship Detroit, already born by two American brigs, was changed to MICHIGAN when she was sold as a prize, and used as a commercial freighter? All official entries thenceforward would refer to the MICHIGAN. The fact that she was too big for contemporary lake harbours would fit in with this theory. For the Detroit was built for battle. The American men-of-war which captured her were also too big for most Lake Erie harbours, and had to floated away from their launching places on "camels" or pontoons. The fact that the MICHIGAN went over the falls "with the British Jack displayed at the stem" would indicate a British origin and signal an American triumph, even if the position of the flags was wrong by every know rule: ensigns are carried aft, jacks forward.

It was fool cruelty to send a cargo of animals over with the MICHIGAN, which is what we started out to suggest. The "DV" at the head of this 505th number of "Schooner Days" need not be taken as the equivalent of DV, as the skypilots say in the church announcements. The big V is for a big victory with divine help.

Buried St. Paul's Cemetery, Fort Erie.

Date of death recorded on her tombstone at St. Paul's Cemetery in Fort Erie.

Last Will & Testament: Ontario Provincial Archives in Toronto. Under Register & Estate Files (1793-1859). Charles Fell signed as a witness. Zenas Fell declined to be executor.