Committee of Safety June 1, 1866 page 2
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 Barbara contacted me in March 2000 about these unpublished and previously unknown documents (6 numbered legal size pages plus 3 unnumbered letter size!)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 preceeding 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 These are extremely important historical documents and Barbara is to be commended for her dedication to seeing that they are preserved.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 some of the pages as a graphic which you may consult. And now — enjoy!
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.
Start of page 2
Mr. Vanderburgh the telegrapher agreed to keep his office open all night – – –
Burgar/Burgur [?] with horse reported – ready for services 7 pm. [he?] will report to Committee at 9 pm
Rice — do do do 710 pm [note that do is the short form of ditto]
No scouts returned yet – 7:50 pm
Mr. L. Hobson [&?] Sheriff arrived – I stayed at Mr. Grahams [note from Barb: I read this as “R Grahams”] last night – about 4 o’clock this morning Mr. G. awaked me with the report that the Fenians had landed — the report was brought up to hm by Mr. Murray Officer of the Customs at Fort Erie — Two canal boats came [- – – – – – – – by a – – -]. He immediately [came off?] to inform Mr. Graham — and then return. Mr. Vrooman then came and said that they had landed 1000 strong when he came — and boats had gone back for [- – – -]. Young Johnson then came and said they was 1000 strong and divided into squads — one squad taking the Gilmore or Anderson road and the other on the Ferry Hilly on the Genison [?] Road — that they saw him and fired 16 or 17 shots but he esccaped – I then came to Ridgeway and arrived there about 9 am and heard that they had burned the Lowerwin [?] Bridge and saw the smoke – about 8 or 12 to Lowerwin bridge to burn it, got them breakfast of Luckus [?] – took some horses and then went back – I [- – – – ] about 1/2 past 9 – Elliott and Thompson are prisoners I was informed by Adam Graham. He saw [–] lleft the Ferry about 10 amn and that they had possession of all buildings at Fort Erie and a guard over them – A majority were up at the old fort – & the rest scattered along down the [- – -] as far as Millers about 4 miles – [- – – U.S. Gunboat in the [- – – -] to prevent more crossing
D. Rier with hourses reported himself – he is at the City Hotel ready
end of page 2
Continue to page 3
June 1866 Committee of Safety Meeting Minutes
Volunteers on the Patrol Guards
Choose from List Of Officers Of The Sedentary Militia Of Lower Canada, 1862 ~ Canada, Fenian Raids Bounty Applications, 1866-1871 ~ Battles ~ Muster Rolls ~ Photos