Remembering Our 1812 Heroes

Remembering Our 1812 Heroes. Streetsville Memorial Cemetery. , War came to Canada in June of 18 12 when the United States of America declared war on Great Britain. Local civilians, many of whom were American by birth, felt the brunt of the war. Some militia volunteers fought in battles, while others served in a support capacity to the British regular forces with the transportation of supplies, garrison duty, and road maintenance., In the years following the war, many militia volunteers resettled in new areas as some received land grants and others looked for opportunity, or a chance to rebuild what they had lost. Many of those who settled in this area had ties to the War of 18 12, and four militia volunteers are known to be buried here., Timothy Street (1777-1848), Streetsville's namesake, was born in Spencertown, New York. Together with his wife, Abigail, Timothy came to Canada in 1801, settling at St. David's, near Niagara. Timothy, a saddler and tanner by trade, served as a Sergeant and Saddler with the 1st Troop of Niagara Light Dragoons. Living at St. David's, the Street family found themselves near the contested border. Timothy's younger cousin, also named Timothy Street, died of wounds following the Battle of Queenston Heights. A son, born on October 8th, 1812, just days before the Battle of Queenston Heights, was christened Isaac Brock Street (1812-1849) in honour of Major-General Isaac Brock., The Street family did not escape unscathed. On July 18th, 1814, invading American forces burned St. David's, and the Street family lost virtually everything. Recovering from these losses led Timothy into surveying and milling, which brought him to resettle along the Credit River by 1821., Timothy's eldest son, Hiram Street (1801-1834), is also buried here. While underage for official militia duty, Hiram is said to have volunteered as a Private in the 1st Regiment of Lincoln Militia during the war., John King (c1784-1844), a Private in the 1st Flank Company of the 2nd Regiment of York Militia, is buried here. He was present at the capture of Detroit and the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812, and at Burlington Heights in 1814., William Oliver (1774-1852) volunteered as a Private in the Embodied Militia with the 5th Regiment of Lincoln Militia during the war and was engaged with the wagon department of the Commissariat. William, a farmer, resettled near the Streetsville area in 1820., Also buried here is Richard Caslor (1774-1870), an American militiaman who volunteered with the Herkimer County Militia in New York. The New York Militia was involved in several battles and skirmishes along the Niagara frontier throughout the war. Richard resettled in Streetsville in 1822., We recognize their brave service., Several attempts were made to honour militia volunteers during their lifetimes for service during the War of 18 12. The Military General Service Medal for the British Army was approved in 1847, but only recognized a few specific battles, and recipients had to be alive, apply for, and purchase the medal. Campaign Medals were also minted to recognize specific battles, but were seldom available for militiamen. The Loyal and Patriotic Society of Upper Canada sought to recognize contributions during the war with the "Upper Canada Preserved" medal (pictured here), but the medals were never presented and most were ultimately melted down. Few militia volunteers were ever formally recognized.