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

Dedicated to the Men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

1. Dedicated to the Men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry Marker

Inscription.
In early 1814, 200 men of the Regiment marched from Kingston, via York, along the Nine Mile Portage to this place.

Here they built 29 batteaux which they took down the Nottawasaga River and across Georgian Bay to Michilimackinac with 30 tons of desperately needed supplies for the British garrison there.

This heroic journey ensured British control of the North West for the rest of the War of 1812.

Erected 2014 by Friends of Fort Willow and the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.

Location. 44° 23.717′ N, 79° 49.291′ W. Marker is in Minesing, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It can be reached from Grenfel Road 3.6 kilometers north of Sunnidale Road (County Road 40), on the left when traveling north. The marker is located on the Historic Fort Willow grounds at the Fort Willow Conservation Area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2714 Grenfel Road, Minesing ON L0L 1Y3, 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Willow History (a few steps from this marker); Blockhouse (a few steps from this marker); Willow Creek Depot

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(a few steps from this marker); Blacksmith (a few steps from this marker); Nine Mile Portage and Willow Depot / Portage Nine Mile et Dépôt Willow (a few steps from this marker); Batteaux (within shouting distance of this marker); The Royal Newfoundland Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); Stable and Yard (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minesing.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Historic Fort Willow

Also see . . . Recognizing the Unsung Heroes of the War of 1812 (History of Fort Willow).

Excerpt: In 2014, the Friends of Fort Willow and the NVCA unveiled a memorial recognizing the heroic contributions of the men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry to the War of 1812.
During the winter and spring of 1814, the Royal Newfoundlanders stationed at Fort Willow constructed 29 batteaux, a type of shallow-draft, flat-bottomed cargo boat. These boats were used to convey 30 tons of supplies down the Nottawasaga River and across Georgian Bay to British posts
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

2. Dedicated to the Men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry Marker
in the North West. With the Lower Great Lakes controlled by American forces at the time, these supplies provided the beleaguered troops stationed at Fort Michilimackinac with much needed relief.
The memorial acknowledges the dedication and sacrifice of the 200 men that made this daring journey and helped ensure British control of the North West for the rest of the war.

(Submitted on June 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.