Port Stanley in Elgin County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Lieut.-Col. John Bostwick

1780 - 1849

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 27, 2024

1. Lieut.-Col. John Bostwick Marker

Inscription. Born in Massachusetts, Bostwick came as a child to Norfolk County. He was appointed high constable of the London District in 1800 and sheriff in 1805. A deputy surveyor, he laid out some of the earliest roads in the Talbot Settlement and in 1804 was granted 600 acres here at the mouth of Kettle Creek. After serving as a militia officer throughout the War of 1812, he settled on the site of Port Stanley and founded this community. Bostwick represented Middlesex in the legislative assembly 1821-24. He donated the land for this church, which was completed in 1845, and is buried in its churchyard.

Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.

Location. 42° 40.24′ N, 81° 12.8′ W. Marker is in Port Stanley, Ontario, in Elgin County. It is at the intersection of Colborne Street and Matilda Street, on the

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left when traveling south on Colborne Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 283 Colborne Street, Port Stanley ON N5L 1A9, 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,

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 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Col. John Bostwick (a few steps from this marker); Port Stanley (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Commemoration of Port Stanley Harbour (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The Telegraph Office and the Traction Line (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The London and Port Stanley Railroad / Le Chemin de Fer London and Port Stanley (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Bridges (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); RCAF Technical Training School / L’École de Formation de L’Aviation Royale du Canada

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 27, 2024

2. Lieut.-Col. John Bostwick Marker

(approx. 7.8 kilometers away); RCAF No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School (approx. 10 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Stanley.

Also see . . . Dictionary of Canadian Biography - Bostwick, John.

Bostwick’s activities at Kettle Creek harbour, first called Port Stanley in the late 1820s, were in part entrepreneurial. By 1822 he had constructed a small warehouse and was dealing in ashes, grain, and other products. Bostwick was anxious to develop the settlement into what appeared to be its rightful place as the major port for the Talbot settlement.

(Submitted on July 30, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Portrait of Lieut.-Col. John Bostwick image. Click for full size.

3. Portrait of Lieut.-Col. John Bostwick

(public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 174 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 30, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.