Stony Creek Battlefield - 1896

 “Travelers who journey to Niagara Falls, or the villages and towns between, on the Queen’s highway, cannot fail to have noticed, a short distance west of Stony Creek, and to the south of the road, a long, rambling sort of a wooden structure which would not present an appearance of habitation, were it not that the surroundings of vineyards, apple and peach trees and other products of luscious fruit, show that man is somewhere very near, and that, in all likelihood, he is to be found in the big wooden building before mentioned. That frame structure, odd as it looks, has a history, and a lively one; the chief events being connected with the great battle of Stony Creek in 1813. In and around the house occurred some strange events such as have not infrequently, changed the whole course of a country’s history.”

          Hamilton Spectator.              October 17, 1896.

The homestead of James Gage had been taken over by a group of American soldiers, under General Winder, during the War of 1812, because the house was both commodious and comfortable, and because it commanded an excellent view of the surrounding country:

“True, nature took a rise out of it a little to the south, but the hill failed to have the compensating comforts of a home, and the Yankees were not dwellers in tents, especially when they could get such a nice, cosy place like Gage’s with concomitant of having plenty to eat.”¹

¹ “Goodbye to a Landmark : The Gage Homestead at Stony Creek To Be Remodeled.”

Hamilton Spectator.       October 17, 1896.

The invading American forces of nearly 3,000 men were preparing to attack the military encampment that the British forces had established on the Burlington Heights. In setting up an overnight camp on the farm of James Gage, the American forced the family to stay in the basement of the Gage home. The officers occupied the rest of the house. James Gage, meanwhile, had put his gold and other valuables into saddlebags down a well, which was located to the south of the house.

The Americans, desiring the plunder the valuables of the house’s owner, demanded to know what happened to his saddlebags:

“To draw the valuable knowledge from Gage, the officers adopted a most approved American method of getting what was wanted; they tied a rope round Gage’s head and hanged him, head downwards, to a hook in the ceiling of one of the rooms. This was done three times, and Gage has left the statement, for the benefit of posterity, that on being run up the third time, he was just about to tell where he had put the saddle bags when the cry of ‘Here comes the British,’ feel upon his inverted ear. The Yankees dropped him in a hurry, and he was left in possession of the gold.’¹

In October, 1896, there were plans made by the homestead’s owner to be remodel the building, which had become rather dilapidated. On hearing that the home’s owner intended to tear down half of the building, a Spectator reporter was sent out to pay a visit to the old house:

‘Standing, as it does, on rising ground, the house’s prominence brings out more plainly its venerable and nearly-a-century air. It has not worn a coat – that is, a coat of paint – for several years, perhaps not less than forty, and there is a decided let-me-lean-against-you style, from one end to the other of the portion facing the road.

“Although it is wood, wood everywhere in the old building, there is no likelihood that anything less than an earthquake would bring it down. One reason for its stability is that every three feet, along the whole length of the east end, a beam 12 x 12 inches, is placed across the structure; while down in the cellar at one end is an immense slab of stone, a foot thick and twelve to fifteen feet long which makes a portion of the foundation.”¹

After touring the interior of the house from roof to cellar, including the cupboard in which James Gage was locked by the Americans, and the hook by which he was strung up, the reporter was taken up the escarpment behind the house:

“A visit to the old home is not complete without a climb to the top of the hill at the rear, down which the Indians ran and scared off the American soldiers that night. Mr. Fletcher. The present owner of the house and land, says that, with the aid of a telescope, on a fine day, Hamilton, Toronto, Guelph and St. Catherines can be seen. Mr. Fletcher will begin the alterations this month. It is his intention to make the portion of the house facing the road the front of it. The verandas will go, and when all is finished, the old Gage homestead will be little better than memory.”¹

On Tuesday May 29, 1899, the Ladies’ Committee of the Wentworth Historical Society held a largely attended meeting at the Y.W.C.A., at which the discussion centered primarily on the scheme to preserve the Gage farm and homestead for posterity:

“Mrs. Calder stated that she had been struck during her visits to the United States by the care and attention used to preserve their historic places and monuments, while Canada has been most indifferent. When she learned that the Gage farm, the scene of the Battle of Stony Creek could be bought for $1,900, she started out with a subscription book to see what she could do towards securing this historic spot. She easily raised $600 and had $300 more promised, so she secured the property.’²

² “Approve of the Scheme : Ladies Secede from the Wentworth Historical Society”

Semi-Weekly Times.  June 2, 1899.

Mrs. Calder went on to explain that the Wentworth Historical Society was not incorporated. Therefore it would be necessary for the Ladies’ Committee to dissolve its connection with that organization in order that the property could be purchased in a new society’s name. The resolution to secede and officially become the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society was enthusiastically and unanimously passed.

The members of the newly-formed Women’s Wentworth Historical Society met on June 19, 1899 at Elmhurst, the residence of Mrs. John Calder, the society’s president. The principal item of business was to finalize arrangements for the opening of the Gage Homestead to the public:

“The house will be fitted up in old style and part of it will open to the public, certain rooms being reserved for the use of members of the society, its patrons and those who contribute towards it, either in money or furniture. The grounds will be open for a park, and will, no doubt, prove very attractive for private picnics, etc.”³

^{3 “}Women’s Historical Society : Old Gage Homestead to Be Fitted Up in Grand Old Style”

Semi-Weekly Times. June 23, 1899

Later in June, 1899, Mrs. Calder received word from the Deputy Minister of Militia that the offer of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society to deed the old Gage farm to the Dominion Government had been accepted :

“The land is on an elevation a little south of the main road and is a magnificent site for a monument, as it may be seen for a considerable distance in every direction, and commands a very wide prospect. It is understood that a museum will be formed in the old Gage homestead which stands upon the ground thus set apart for public use. That Building still bears the marks of the conflict.”⁴

⁴ “Accepted the Land : The Site Bought By the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society.”

Semi-Weekly Times. June 30, 1899.

A concert and public meeting was held on Saturday August 8, 1899 in the Stony Creek Drill Hall. The event was held under the combined auspices of the Stony Creek Historical Society and the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society. The Drill Hall was not large enough to hold all who had gathered to attend the event, and many were forced to listen to the proceedings through the hall’s open windows and doors.

Mr. J.W. Jardine, county clerk, was chosen as chairman of the meeting and he introduced the various entertainers:

“The Weaver Bros. duets on the banjo and piano were well-played and equally well-received. George Allan sang magnificently. While he wa always a favorite, New York has done wonders for him. Mrs. Filman never sang better, and she delighted the audience. She promises to be a favorable soloist here. Little Miss Lewis looked like a little fairy as she stood up and sang the Last Rose of Summer, doing it with such artistic skill and yet so simply and unaffectedly. Miss Jeanette Lewis’ rendering of her recitation, Hagar, thrilled the audience. All the performers received hearty encores. The accompaniments were played by Misses Lillie Peene, Lelia Lewis and Mrs. Papps.”⁵

⁵ “Favor Their Site : Stony Creek People Want to See the Monument Erected on the Gage Farm.”

Hamilton Spectator.    August 7, 1899.

Mr. Henry Carscallen was the first speaker to be introduced. He congratulated the organizers of the meeting on their efforts to have the old battle grounds prepared to be used as a public park, in conjunction with the opening of the old Gage homestead as a museum:

“He referred to Canada, especially Ontario, as a new country, and said no country in the world had made such progress. He was proud of being a descendant of a U.E. Loyalist family, not a member of which, so far as he knew, had ever left Canada. He considered the battlefield hallowed ground, because it had been wet by British blood, spilled in defense of country, and now it would be preserved forever as a landmark.”⁶

⁶ Historic Stoney Creek : Successful Meeting Given By Two Progressive Societies”

Semi-Weekly Times.     August 11, 1899.

Mr. Carscallen noted that the Americans had cast longing eyes towards Ontario in 1813. But for the prowess of the defenders of the country, who could know what might have happened:

“A true patriot is not simply a fighter – he is one who is loyal to all the institutions of his country, and it was a loyal and patriotic act of Mrs. Calder to secure the battlefield. Nothing great is ever accomplished without women, who are equal and in some respects, superior to men. (Applause.)”⁵

After Mr. Carscallen’s speech, it was moved by R.H. Dewar, seconded by W.E. Corman, the following :

“Whereas  the Stony Creek Historical Society has learned with great satisfaction that the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society has purchased a portion of the battlefield site, and that the society has offered a portion of said lands to the government for a monument, towards which an appropriation has already been made, which the government has accepted; resolved therefore, that the Stony Creek Historical Society do co-operate with the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society in carrying out the objects of the society in reference to the erection of the monument on said site, and establishing a park and a museum or relic building on the said lands.”

The motion, as put before the meeting, was passed unanimously.

Mr. W.B. Davies then announced that the Stony Creek Historical Society should hold a bee the next Wednesday in order to help fix up the lands around the old Gage home:

“The ladies had secured the ground, and the citizens of Hamilton had been most generous in contributing money and other things, and he hoped the Stony Creek people would show their appreciation by furnishing teams, ploughs etc. For some time, He was kept busy taking the names of parties who volunteered to assist.”⁶

Hamilton’s Mayor J.V. Teetzel was the next speaker. The mayor appealed to the citizens of Stony Creek to stand by and sustain the efforts of the ladies who wished to preserve the memory of the Battle of Stony Creek. While acknowledging that harvest time was the busiest time of the year for farmers, he hoped that many would turn out to the bee on Wednesday:

“He announced that the curator (Mrs. Holden) had received a letter from the Union Jack Co. of Toronto, offering to donate the largest flag that they make, and he hoped the men of Stony Creek would erect the finest flag staff in Canada for it.(Great applause.) ⁶

The meeting ended with a motion of thanks to the committees of the two historical societies who had jointly put on the meeting. The Hamilton guests were treated to ice cream and cake, while the Stony Creek residents began to make among themselves plans for the following Wednesday’s Bee,

(To Be Continued.)