Penetanguishene in Simcoe County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

James Keating

c.1786 — 1849

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2024

1. James Keating (marker south side • English)

WikiTree website entry
Click for more information.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[English] A sergeant in the Royal Artillery, Irish-born James Keating served with distinction during the War of 1812. His skillful handling of a British field gun forced the Americans to surrender Fort Shelby on the upper Mississippi in July 1814. Two months later, his well-aimed firing of the same artillery piece routed advancing troops down-river at Rock Island Rapids. For his actions, Keating was promoted lieutenant. At the war's end, he was appointed fort adjutant at St. Joseph's Island, a position he continued to hold when the garrison was moved here in 1828. A model soldier and citizen, Keating was a prominent figure in community life at Penetanguishene.

[Français] Sergent dans l'Artillerie royale, James Keating, originaire d’Irlande, se distingue pendant la guerre de 1812. Son habileté dans le maniement d’un canon de campagne britannique force la reddition par les Américains du Fort Shelby sur le haut Mississippi en juillet 1814. Deux mois plus tard, plus en aval aux rapides de Rock Island, il sert la même pièce d'artillerie, dont les obus bien diriges provoquent la déroute les troupes adverses. Pour ses hauts faits, Keating est promu lieutenant. À la fin de la guerre, il est nommé capitaine-adjudant du fort de l'île St-Joseph, poste qu'il détient encore lorsque la garnison est mutée ici en 1828. Soldat et citoyen modèle, Keating joue un rôle de premier plan dans la vie communautaire de Penetanguishene

Erected by Ontario

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Heritage Foundation / Fondation du patrimoine ontarien.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1814.

Location. 44° 48.272′ N, 79° 56.022′ W. Marker is in Penetanguishene, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It can be reached from Jury Drive 0.8 kilometers north of Broad Street. The marker and subject Keating house are located along the Discovery Harbour interpretive trail, about 0.5 km north of the Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 93 Jury Drive, Penetanguishene ON L9M 1G1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Ontario Cottage Country

and specifically in Georgian Bay Country.

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. At least

James Keating <br>(<i>marker north side • Français</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2024

2. James Keating
(marker north side • Français)

8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Henry Wolsey Bayfield (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Métis Dwelling / Demeure Métis (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Naval and Military Establishments on Lake Huron / Établissements navals et militaires du lac Huron (approx. half a kilometer away); “Tigress” — “Scorpion” (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); Huronia Park (approx. 1.6 kilometers away); St. James-on-the-Lines (approx. 2 kilometers away); C. Beck Manufacturing Company / la société C. Beck Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (approx. 3.3 kilometers away); Penetanguishene Tercentenary Polar Sea Expedition (approx. 3.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Penetanguishene.

More about this marker. There is a Discovery Harbour entrance fee to access the interpretive trail and this historical marker.

Also see . . . Battle of Prairie du Chien. Wikipedia entry:

Excerpt: On July 17 [1814], the British force arrived at Prairie du Chien. Late in the morning, they approached Fort Shelby to deliver a note demanding the Americans' unconditional surrender. The Americans refused and
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2024

3. James Keating Marker
Looking north; James Keating house is in the background
prepared to defend the fort. The battle began early in the afternoon. Perhaps the most important part of the [British] force was a brass 3-pounder gun, under the charge of Sergeant James Keating of the Royal Artillery. The gun damaged the Governor Clark and compelled it to retreat downriver. The boat carried the Americans' cannon and a substantial supply of goods and ammunition, as well as the volunteers still under the command of Frederick Yeizer...

(Submitted on November 8, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

James Keating House (<i>south elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2024

4. James Keating House (south elevation)

James Keating House (<i>east elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2024

5. James Keating House (east elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 8, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.