Shavers of Ancaster

Guest Blog Post by Fred Blair

The Lee In-Laws

James A. Lee (1793-1836) and William "Samuel" Lee (1786-1848) were the sons of James Lee Sr. and Hannah Corman. James married Catherine Shaver (1795-1859) and Samuel married Anna Shaver (1791-1875). Both men served in the 5th Lincoln Militia and were living in Saltfleet Township during the war.

Private James A. Lee served from October 17 to 24, 1812 in Captain John Lottridge’s Company with his brother Samuel (5L457). He was not paid on some copies of this document but paid on others!? From November 14 to 24, 1812 he served in the same company again with Samuel but was not paid again (5L468). From November 25 to December 6, 1812, he deserted from Captain Lottridge’s Company with seventy-seven of the other eighty rank and file (5L476). What had happened? From Captain Lottridge’s service record we know that he had taken a leave of absence from November 14 to 20th, returned to the service, and died on November 29th. He was probably not well when he returned on the 21st and may have been ill prior to the 14th. His leadership was probably dysfunctional in November and probably led to the mass desertion. This is the only mass desertion that I have found.

From June 25 to July 24, 1814, James served in a detachment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Bradt (5L263). The Battle of Lundy’s Lane was fought on July 25th and this detachment was present during that engagement. Unfortunately there was no copy of the pay period starting on the 25th in the LAC Collection to confirm which men were present. The British were withdrawing from the Americans on the 24th but when reinforcements arrived on the 25th the decision was made to engage them at Lundy’s Lane. The militia engaged the Americans early in the battle but as the fighting became more intense they yielded their arms to the regular British infantry and took on the role of comforting and recovering the wounded. After the battle they probably helped dispose of the dead. Major Richard Hatt was severely wounded during the battle but I have not found a reference as to how the rank and file faired. I recommend you read Donald E. Graves’ Where Right and Glory Lead! The Battle of Lundy’s Lane, 1814, Robin Brass Studio, Toronto, 2003, for a detailed description of the battle.

From September 25 to 30, 1814, James was stationed at Burlington Heights in Captain Robert Land’s Company, under command of Ensign Allan McDougall, with his brother, Sergeant John Lee (5L551).

Private William “Samuel” Lee served from October 17 to 24, 1812 with his brother James (5L457). Samuel served from November 14 to 24th with James again but was not paid (5L468). He deserted from November 25 to December 16th with James (5L476). From September 17 to 21, 1813, he was stationed at Burlington Heights in Captain Gershom Carpenter’s Company (5L171). From September 6 to 13, 1814 he served in Lieutenant Ephraim Land’s Company (5L281).

A Samuel Lee also served from September 15 to 24, 1813 in Captain Israel Dawdy’s Company (5L174). There was a date discrepancy with document (5L171). Were there two Samuel Lees or was one of these records an error?

The next Blog will be on William Rymal, the husband of Margaret Shaver (1801-1884).

Fred Blair
fredblairorillia@hotmail.com

Militia Payroll Document Links

26-27 See Document 476
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

47-51 See Documents 457-458
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

100-104 See Documents 457-458
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

107-108 See Document 476
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

158-162 See Documents 457-458
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

171-172 Sept. 17 to Oct. 24, 1813, Capt. Gershom Carpenter’s Co.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

174-175 May 25 to Sept. 31, 1813, Capt. Israel Dawdy’s Detach.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

228-230 See Documents 468-470
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

263 June 25 to July 24, 1814, Lt. Col. Andrew Bradt’s Detach.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

281-286 Aug. 25 to Sept. 24, 1814, Lieut. Ephraim Land’s Detach.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

306-308 See Document 263, Microfilm t-10386
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

306-308 See Documents 468-470, Microfilm t-10387
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

384-386 See Documents 468-470
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

454-455 See Documents 457-458
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

457-458 Oct. 17 to Oct. 24, 1812, Capt. John Lottridge’s Co.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

460-462 See Documents 468-470
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

468-470 Oct. 25 to Nov. 24, 1812, Capt. John Lottridge’s Co.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

476 Nov. 25 to Dec. 16, 1812, Capt. John Lottridge’s Co.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

502 See Documents 171-172
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

510 See Document 174
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

512 See Document 174
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...

551 Sept. 23 to Nov. 12, 1814, Capt. Robt. Land’s Co.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-...