Traitors and Treason in the War of 1812

The WCA thanks the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their support of this TRAITORS & ‘War of 1812’ Bicentennial commemorative project. TREASON IN THE WAR OF 1812 ust over one half of the 10,000 militiamen in Upper Canada were loyal to the British, with most dissidents being of American origin. In July of 1812, ‘Brock’s Proclamation’ ordered any citizen Jsuspected of treason to be arrested. Those who refused to take the ‘oath of allegiance’ and would not take up arms in the war effort were considered enemies. In the Burford area alone, over 100 settlers fled to the United States, while hundreds more from other regions left Upper Canada. Scan to view this panel " Disloyalty – Times Two Born in the Thirteen Colonies in 1764, Benajah Mallory settled in Burford Township with his wife and father-in- law in 1792. Mallory soon became a community leader and a captain in the York militia, as well as emissary to Sir Isaac Brock. Twelve years later, he was elected to the fourth Parliament of Upper Canada representing Norfolk, Oxford and Middlesex. In 1812, along with fellow assemblyman and controversial publisher ! As Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, Gordon Joseph Willcocks, he resisted Drummond distinguished himself in the War of 1812, efforts by Brock to pass and became the Governor-General and Administrator legislation aimed at of Canada in 1813. After the death of Sir Isaac Brock at preparing for war with the the Battle of Queenston Heights, successive Lieutenant- United States. After Brock Governors failed to make an impact in the war. However, dissolved parliament, Mallory Gordon Drummond soon proved himself in Brock's was soundly defeated in the mould: aggressive and willing to take chances. In subsequent election. In December of 1813, he launched a surprise attack that 1813, he continued his treasonous actions by joining led to the capture of Fort Niagara. But while Brock was Willcocks’s infamous company of Canadian Volunteers who capable of using different means to convince the fought on the American side. When Willcocks died in battle population to follow and idolize him, Drummond ruled at Fort Erie the following year, Mallory was given command by intimidation. Traitors, or those vaguely suspected of of his unit. Eventually fleeing without his family to Lockport, aiding the Americans in any way, could expect no mercy New York, Mallory was convicted of treason in absentia at the from him. Execution for treason was commonplace, and Ancaster ‘Bloody Assize’ of 1814, and his lands were reverted performed publicly. to the Crown. # List of those accused of High Treason. Source: Archives of Ontario Sir Gordon Drummond. Source: Painting by George T. Berthon (1806-1892) " Burning Farm House. Source: Public Domain ! Sir Isaac Brock. Source: Portrait c. 1809 by W. Berczy (1744-1813) # Most Unpleasant Consequences After settling in Mount Pleasant in 1799-1800, Epaphras Lord Phelps married Esther Hill, a Mohawk lady. The land they occupied was granted to him by Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant) in 1804, after the birth of their second son Hiram —thus the term “Hiram Phelps Tract”. He became a friend of Joseph Brant and, by 1800, he was secretary; by 1807, Phelps was given the position of Power of Attorney on behalf of Grand River Haudenosaunee business matters. He was also given the honouree name Onasqueskon (“onas”, meaning quill/pen). Epaphras, the son of an American army officer, firmly believed that the annexation of Canada by the more powerful United States was inevitable. When he continued to make his strong opinions known that the Mohawks should remain neutral and not fight for either side in the war, Epaphras wisely accepted help from the natives and fled across the border to save his neck. In doing so, he left his wife and all but one of his seven children behind. These unsavoury actions led to a charge of High Treason that resulted in a protracted legal battle over Mount Pleasant’s ‘Hiram Phelps Tract’ with the government. While a number of his Loyalist relatives willingly took up arms alongside Canadians, Phelps never did fight against Canada. Later, Epaphras received a commission from President Madison as Captain to the Quartermaster's Department in the American army. Epaphras Lord Phelps. Source: Public Domain (provided by Linda Guest) Today, annual re-enactment events are popular on both sides of the U.S.–Canada border. Wally Stemberger / Shutterstock.com.

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