Committee of Safety June 1, 1866 page 1
The following minutes were found by Barbara Wilson Smith, a descendant of Isaac P. Willson (Secretary of the meeting). Barbara contacted me in March 2000 about these unpublished and previously unknown documents (6 numbered legal size pages plus 3 unnumbered letter size!) which had sat in an attic for over 130 years. They turned out to be the minutes of a 17 hour meeting (beginning at 5 p.m. June 1st, ending at 10 a.m. June 2) in the Welland area of Ontario in the 24 hours preceding the Battle of Ridgeway! These are extremely important historical documents and Barbara is to be commended for her dedication to seeing that they are preserved.
Barb asked if I would help her decipher the handwriting then publish them on The Olive Tree Genealogy pages, and if I could suggest a permanent home for them. With her permission I contacted the Ontario Archives and they began discussions with Barb about providing archival space for the papers. Documents in Ontario concerning the Fenian Raids are rare, and Barb’s papers are a treasure trove of historical data and names.
Meantime Barb and I worked together to decipher the handwriting, which was fairly neat when the meeting began in the early evening of June 1st (around 5 pm) but became far less legible as the all-night meeting continued. Finally we have deciphered enough of the document to begin presenting it here.
I have placed my notes inside square brackets [ ] and any additional notes from Barb are prefaced with her name. In most cases we agreed on the transcript; in a few we did not. I have also included 2 pdf files of the Committee Meeting of Safety and the list of men in the Volunteer Patrol Guards.
June 1866 Committee of Safety Meeting Minutes
Volunteers on the Patrol Guards
Committee of Safety
June 1st 1866
Present T.W.. Hooker, Esq., John Hellund [?] [Barb’s note: I think this is John Hellums], Esq., A.G..
Hill,
Esq, E. R Dewhurst, Esq. L. D. Raymond, Esq. I. P.
Willson
Unanimously resolved that T. W. Hooker Esq be the Chairman of this Committee and I.P. Willson, Esq. Secy.
Moved by I.P. Willson, seconded by John Hellund [?] that this committee remain in permanent session until the danger appears to have passed. Carried unanimously.
Moved by J. Hellund [?]Esq, seconded by E.R Dewhurst Esq. That scouts be sent out in every direction to obtain information. Carried
Moved by Alex? [ink blot and written over] Hill Esq, seconded by E.R Dewhurst Esq that Mr. Lilly and Mr. L. Garner be appointed scouts in the direction of Ridgeway. Carried
Lilly and Garner dispatched by shortest route in the direction of Ridgeway – gone – 5 p.m.
Chief Constable Patterson called upon to set in his offical capacity
Dr. Schooley was added to the committee by unanimous agreement – In being present – Messrs. Bennet and Potter appointed scouts to go in the directionof Stevensville by shortest route & keep to the left as much as possible without going too much out of the way – gone 6 pm.
Constable Gilchrist directed to get twelve men to act as patrols and report as soon as possible
F. Snider reports – Fenians seen by Robt. Robb – this morning at Riers [?] – Ta- -dell [?] saw them this side of Buck’s Tavern – number not known – and further no doubt that Dr. Thompson is shot
B. Diffans [?] sent in direction of Shirk’s Crossing by shortest route and Po_s [smear makes this illegible] if necessary – gone 6:30 p.m. [Barb: looks to me like: B. Diffans or Diffens sent in direction of ??? Shirk’s, Shirb’s ??? Crossing by shortest route and on to Point Abino??? Abiew??? if necessary — gone 6:30 P.M.]
End of page 1
Continue to page 2
Choose from List Of Officers Of The Sedentary Militia Of Lower Canada, 1862 ~ Canada, Fenian Raids Bounty Applications, 1866-1871 ~ Battles ~ Muster Rolls ~ Photos