Sombra in Lambton County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Sombra Raid, 1838.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 11, 2025

1. The Sombra Raid, 1838. Marker

Inscription. On the morning of June 28, 1838, a group of armed Americans and disenchanted Canadians crossed the St. Clair River from Michigan and landed near Sombra. The raiders plundered the general store and stole flour and oats from the commissariat, then took two prisoners. Along with 17 volunteers of the Moore Militia, 7 local Chippewa warriors gave chase back across the river and landed on the American side. The American and Canadian militia captains negotiated. The Canadian militia volunteers and Chippewas returned and an international crisis was averted. The prisoners were freed and the stolen goods were returned. The American perpetrators of the invasion were arrested by American officials. Many of the Canadian rebels were later arrested in Canada. This was one of four armed incursions that constituted the St. Clair Raids in June, 1838. It occurred as one of the many incidents in Lower Canada and Upper Canada during the political struggle between the common settlers and the ruling elite known as the Rebellion of 1837-1838.

Erected 2016 by Heritage St. Clair.

Topics. This historical marker is listed

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in this topic list: Wars, Non-US. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 42° 42.887′ N, 82° 28.703′ W. Marker is in Sombra, Ontario, in Lambton County. It is at the intersection of Saint Clair Parkway and Forsyth Street, on the left when traveling north on Saint Clair Parkway. The marker is in Sombra Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3440 St Clair Parkway, Sombra ON N0P 2H0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Northerner (approx. 1.1 kilometers away in the U.S.); The Carrier (approx. 1.1 kilometers away in the U.S.); The R.G. Coburn (approx. 1.1 kilometers away in the U.S.); The Newaygo

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 11, 2025

2. The Sombra Raid, 1838 Marker

(approx. 1.1 kilometers away in the U.S.); Pêche Island Rear Range Light (approx. 1.1 kilometers away in the U.S.); The D.F. Rose (approx. 1.1 kilometers away in the U.S.); The Maud (approx. 1.1 kilometers away in the U.S.); The Mary (approx. 1.1 kilometers away in the U.S.).

Also see . . . Patriot Chronicles: the St. Clair Raids (Windsor Star).

With William Lyon Mackenzie’s initial rebellion put down in December 1837, many rebels fled to adjoining border-states, including Michigan. There American sympathizers augmented numbers and banded together to renew efforts to “liberate” Upper Canada from British rule and what they regarded as “tyranny.” Early in 1838, attacks at Bois Blanc Island, Amherstburg and Fighting Island and the invasion and Battle of Pelee Island by rebel forces, heightened concern about more unrest in the Western District of Upper Canada. Editor Grant pointed out that for some time past there had been a suspicion that the Patriots “ … were hatching mischief in Michigan.”

(Submitted on May 14, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.