Trinity-Bellwoods in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Major-General the Hon. Aeneas Shaw

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

1. Major-General the Hon. Aeneas Shaw Marker

Inscription. Aeneas Shaw, a son of Aeneas, 9th Chief of Clan Ay, was born at Tordarroch, near Inverness, Scotland. A Loyalist, he served in the Queen's Rangers during the American Revolution, and later settled in what is now New Brunswick. Commissioned in the reorganized Queen's Rangers, he went to Quebec ỉn 1792 and from there led the Rangers' first division to Upper Canada. The following year he settled at York (now Toronto) and later built a house in this vicinity. He was appointed to the Executive and Legislative Councils in 1794. In 1807 he became Adjutant-General of Militia, was promoted Major-General in 1811, and served in the War of 1812. He died at York, February 6, 1814.

Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812 • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.

Location. 43° 38.735′ N, 79° 24.768′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Trinity-Bellwoods. It is on Queen Street West, on the right when traveling west. The marker is in Trinity-Bellwoods Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 925 Queen St W, Toronto ON M6J 1G5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Trinity College (within shouting distance of this marker); Rediscovering Garrison Creek (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Memorial Wall Plaques Dedicated to Patient Labourers (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); John Gibson House (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); St. Hilda’s College (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Church of the Good Samaritan (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Massey-Harris Company (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Chr. Hansen’s Laboratory (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Also see . . .
1. Shaw, Æneas (Dictionary of Canadian Biography).

Æneas Shaw emigrated to Staten Island, N.Y., about 1770. Soon after the outbreak of the American revolution he joined the Queen’s Rangers as an ensign, and ended the war as a captain, his promotions beginning in November 1777 when a new commander, John Graves Simcoe, formed a Highland company. Judged adept in the training of light infantry and sharpshooters, he saw much detached service in the Pennsylvania and Virginia campaigns.

(Submitted on October 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

2. Queen’s Rangers 1791-1802 (The Queen’s York Rangers Virtual Museum).

On August 29, 1791, the King approved the “Establishment of a
Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

2. Major-General the Hon. Aeneas Shaw Marker
Corps of Infantry consisting of Two Companies to be raised and sent to Upper Canada.” Soon officially named the Queen’s Rangers, the unit recruited its men at Chatham in Kent. Most of the officers had already served with Simcoe during the American campaign ten years earlier. They were keen to rejoin their former commander and needed little convincing. When he received his letter of invitation in early February 1792, Aeneas Shaw, a veteran Ranger captain now on half-pay in Fredericton, immediately laced on his snowshoes and marched 400 kilometres to rejoin Simcoe, then in Quebec.

(Submitted on October 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Major-General Aeneas Shaw image. Click for full size.

3. Major-General Aeneas Shaw

Source: Archives of Ontario (public domain)

ca 1860s

4. “Oakhill”, Aeneas Shaw’s House in York (Toronto) ca 1860s

Source: Toronto Public Library

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.