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ACE-NAMEfe

IN THt

THoUbAND ISLANDS

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

BY JAMES WHITE, F.R.G.S Secretary, Commission of Conservatiui Geograpliic Board of Carnada

Published by order of Honourable L. P. Brodeur, Minister of Marine and Fisheries of Canada, for the Oeographic Board of Canada

OTTAWA U O V n; Jt n Al ^. . T PRINTING D u K E A U 1910

PLACE-NAMES

IN THE

THOUSAND ISLANDS

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

BY JAMES WHITE, F.R.G.S. Secretary, Commission of Conservation : Member oJ the Geographic Board of Canada

Published by order of Honourable L. P. Brodeur, Minister of Marine and Fisheries of Canada, for the Geographic Board of Canada

OTTAWA GOVERNMENT PRINTING BUREAU 1910 157';

PLACE NAMES -THODSAND ISLANDS

Mast of the islands, composing the group known as tlie ' Thousand Islands' have been named after officers and others who Have distinguished them­ selves, particularly in the war of 1812-14. As these names have been given to com­ memorate their efforts to preserve Canada for the British empire, it is only fitting that the information be published in connected and permanent form tliat will ensure the recognition to which they are entitled. The following notes have been compiled by Mr. James White from various sources, but largely from the following:—• Irving's ' Officers of the British Forces in Canada, 1812-15.' James' ' Naval Actions between Great Britain and the United States.' And from information, MSS. supplied by the Admiralty, Dr. Doughty, Lieut.-Col. Cruikshank and Mr. L. liomfray Irving.

ADELAIDE; i.sland, St. Lawrence river, Yonge, by its position in the group named after the Leeds, Ont.; probably after Queen Adelaide ilert on the Great lakes in 1812-14 and by (Amelia Adelaide Louise Theresa Caroline) proximity to ' Gig,' •' The Punts,' and 1792-1819; princess of Saxe-Cobourg-Menin- ' Jolly ' islands. gen and queen of England, wife of the Duke of Clarence, (later William IV.) whom she BATTERSBY : island, Brock group, St. Lawrence married July 18, 1818. river, Elizabethtown, Leeds, Ont.; probably after Lieut.-Col. F. Battersby, who, op. Feb. ADMIRALTY ; group, St. Lawrence river, Leeds, 6, 1812, was in command of the Glengarry Leeds, Ont.; after the governing body of Light Infantry. th© British navy; some of the islands in the group are named after Lords of the BAUMGARDT; island, St. Lawrence river, Lans­ Admiralty. downe, Leeds, Ont.; on May 1, 1816, Capt. W. A. Baumgardt, R.N., commaBded the AMHERST; island, L. Ontario, Addington, Ont.; Lake Champlain fleet, consisting of the flag­ after Field Marshal Jeffrey Amherst, (1717- ship Uhamplain, and ten gunboats, 3 long 97) Baron Amherst; commanded the British guns each. forces during the capture of Louisburg; C.B., July 26, 1758; appointed Governor- BELABOURBR ; island. Lake Fleet group, St. Law­ General oif British North America in 1760. rence river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; probably after a gunboat on the Great lakes dur- ASPASIA; island, St. Lawrence river, Escott, the war of 1812-14. Leeds, Ont.; probably after a gunboat, on BLOODLETTER; island. Lake Fleet group, St. the Great lakes during the war of 1812-14. Lawrence river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; prob­ AXEMAN; island. Lake Fleet group, St. Law­ ably after gunboat on the Great lakes dur­ rence river, Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; after ing' the war of 1812-14. the Axeman, a gunboat on the Great lakes BouCHiER; island. Navy gr»up, St. Lawrence during the war of 1812-14. river, Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; on May 1, BAGOT; island, St. Lawrence river, Yonge, 1816, Capt. Wm. Bouchier, R.N., commanded Leeds, Ont.; after Sir Charles Bagot, 1871- the Lake Erie fleet consisting of the New- 1843; negotiated with Rush agreement be­ ash (4)., Tecumseh, (4), Saulk (1) and Huron tween Great Britain and United States, re­ (1). specting limitation of vessels of war on the BROCK ; group, St. Lawrence river, Elizabeth- Great lakes ; Governor-General of Canada, town, Leeds, Ont.; after Major Gen. Sir 1841-43. Isaac Brock (1769-1812); in 1810, appointed BARGE; island, Lake Fleet group, St. Lawrence to command of troops in Upper Canada and, river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; name suggested later, was provisional ' Lieut. Gov. of the

NOTB.-Aspasa, Belabourer. Bloodletter, Camelot, Deathdealer and Dumfounder slands are stated as 'probably' after gunboats on the Great lakes during the war of 1812-14, but there is very little doubt that there were one-gun gunboats bearing these names sta­ tioned on the St Lawrence and lake Ontario, though no definite evidence is procurable. province; captured Detroit and General DE ROTTENBURG; island. Brock group, St. Hull's army Aug. 16. 1812; killed at the Lawrence, river, Elizabethtown, Leeds, Ont.; battle of Queenston Heights. after Major General Francis, Baron de Rottenburg, K.C.H.; in 1812 appointed to CAMELOT; island. Lake Fleet group, St. Law­ command of troops in Montreal district; in rence river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; probably 1813 to command of troops in Upper Canada after gunboat on the Great lakes during and, as Administrator of the province 1814 the war of 1812-14. and 1815, commanded left division of the CARNEGIE; island, St. Lawrence river, Lans­ army in Canada; Lieut.-General, 1819; d.. downe, Leeds, Ont.; possibly after Capt. April 24, 1832. Hon. Swynfen Thomas Carnegie, R.N., b. Mar. 8, 1813, youngest son of William, DEAVATTEVILLE ; island. Brock group, St. Law­ seventh Earl of Northesk; in command of rence river, Elizabethtown, Leeds, Ont.; Orestes (18) and Devastation on the N.A. after Major General Abraham Louis Charles and W.I. station, 1842; M.P., 1841; Lord of de Watteville; on Army Staff in 1812-14; the Treasury, 1846. went on half pay, 1816. CEDAR; island, St. Laurence river, near DINGHY; island. Lake Fleet group, St. Law­ Kingston, Frontenac, Ont.; from the cedar rence river, Leeds, Ont.; so-called from trees on it. position in group, principal islands in which are named after vessels and also from CHICHESTER; island, St. Lawrence river proximity to ' Barge,' ' Gig,' &c., islands. Lscott, Leeds, Ont.; probably named after Lieut. Col. Sir Charles Chichester (1795- DoBBS; island, St. Lawrence river, Leeds, 1847); in 1826, he was major in the 2nd Ont; after Lieut. Alex. T. Dobbs, R.N.; battalion of the 60th, then serving in May 25, 1813, promoted from Lieut, of Wolfe America. (22) to acting-commander of Moira (10) ; promoted to Commaiuder, Feb. 14, 1814; CLEOPATRA; island, St. Lawrence river, Escott, commanded Charwell (formerly Moira) at Leeds ,Ont.; after the Cleopatra (2) gun­ Oswego; later commanded Star (14) and was boat, on the St. Lawrence during the war moving spirit in capture of Ohio and Somers on L. Erie. COCKBURN; island, St. Lawrence river. Eliza­ bethtown, Leeds, Ont.; after Admiral Sir DowNiE; island, Navy group, St. Lawrence George Cockburn, R.N., (1772-1853); actively river, Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; after Com­ engaged in war of 1812-14; was present at mander George Downie, R.N.; transferred taking of Washington. from command of Montreal on L. Ontario to command of Confiance on L. Champlain; COLLIER; island. Navy group, St. Lawrence killed in action on L. Champlain, Sept. 11, mlf^' I'^'^sdowne Leeds, Ont.; after Com­ 1814. mander, later Vice-Admiral, Sir Edward 1815, J. S. McCoy was Master of the Cham­ river, Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; on May 1, plain, oil L. Champlain. 1816, Capt. P. A. Hambly, R.N. com­ manded the naval force on L. Huron con­ MCNAIR; island, St. Lawrence river, Eliza­ sisting of the Surprise (1) and Confiance bethtown, Leeds, Ont.; after Col. McNaii (2). commanding the 90th Reg't during the war of 1812-14. HAMILTON; island, St. Lawrence river, Leeds, Ont.; probably after Henrv Hamilton, MELVILLE; island, -Admiralty group, St. Law­ Lieutenant-Governor of Canada for one year, rence river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; after 1785. Robert Saunders Dundas, second Visoouni Melville (1771-1851); in 1812, appointed first ITARVEY; island. Brock group, St. Lawrence Lord of the Admiralty, which office he held river, Elizabethtown, Leeds, Ont.; after for fifteen years. Lieut.-Gen. Sir John TIarvey, (1778-1852); in 1812 appointed Deputy Adjutant General to IMERMAID; island. Admiralty group. St. Law the arm.y in Canada; took part in action? rence river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; after the at Black Rock, Dec. .30, 1813, Oswego, Lundys Mcrmiiid. a gunboat on the Great lakes Lane, Fort Erie and Stoney Creek, 1813; during 1812-14. was Governor of New Brunswick, of New­ MULCASTER; island. Navy group, St. Lawrence foundland and of Nova Scotia, 1846-52; river, Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; after Cap­ K.C.B., 1838; Lieut. General, 1812; d. 1852. tain Sir Wm. Howe Mulcaster, (1785-1837): in Mar., 1813, was appointed to command IlifiiEY; island. Navy group, St. Lawrence tlie Princess Charlotte; commanded at river, Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; after Com­ French Creek, Nov. 1; 1813; commanded mander F. Hickey, R.N., commanded the Royal George and severely wounded at I'riiicc Reyent (56) on L. Ontario during Oswego, May 6, 1814; invalided, 1814; Post war of 1812-14. Captain, 1813; C.B., 1815; knighted, 1831. HORSESHOE; island, west of Wolfe island, MURRAY; island. St. Lawrence river, Eliza­ Frontenac, Ont.; so-called because the out bethtown, Leeds, Ont.; after Lieut.-Col. John line of the island resembles a horseshoe. Murray, 100th Reg't; appointed Inspecting Field Officer in Lower Canada, July 18, 1811: How^; island, St. Lawrence river, Frontenac, commanded attacks on Fort George and Ont.; after General William Howe, fifth Fort Niagara (wounded); later C. B. and Viscnunt Howe (1729-1X11); led the forlorn Lieut.-General; died Feb. 21, 1832. hope of 2(- men who forced the entrenched path bv which Wolfe's force scaled the MYERS; island, St. Lawrence river, Lansdowne, heights of Abraham, Sent, 13, 1759; in 1775, Tieeds, Ont.; after Lieut.-Col. Christopher succeeded Gage as Commander-in-Chief in .Atyers, 70th Reg't, Acting Quartermaster- Amijrica; commanded at Bunker Hill, 1775. General, Armv Staff in Canada, Aug. 13- and gained victories of Long Island and Oct. 30, 1812; in command at Kingston, Apr. White Plains (1776), Brandywine and Ger­ 22, 1813; wounded at Fort George, May 27, man town (1777). 1813; Colonel, 1814; C,B., 1815; died, 1817. INGALL; island, St. Lawrence river, Yonge, NAVY; group, St. Lawrence river, Leeds. Ont.; Leeds, Ont; probably after Lieut. Ingall so-called because a number of the islands who, in 1829, made an exploration of the composing the group are named after naval country between the St. :\[aurice and Sague- officers who distinguished themselves dur­ nay. ing the war of 1812-14. JOHNSON; bay, Howe island, St. Lawrence river, Frontenac, Ont.; probably named IVEEDI.ES EYE; island. Brock group, St. Law­ after Major General Sir John Johnson, only rence river, Elizabethtown, Leeds, Ont.; so- called from narrow steamboat channel be­ PRINCESS CHAKLOTTE; island. Lake Fleet group, tween the island and mainland. St. Lawrence river, Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; in May the Princess Charlotte, frigate (43) NETLBY; island. Lake Fleet group, St. Law­ commanded by Capt. Wm. Howe Mulcaster, rence river, Leeds, Leeds. Ont.; after the formed part of Sir James Yeo's fleet; Netley (12) schooner—formerly the General launched at Kingston, U.C, Apr. 14*, 1814. Beresford—launched at York, U.C, July, 1812; in May, 1816. carried only 4 guns, PSYCHE; island. Lake Fleet group, St. Law­ was commanded by Lieut. Spenoe and form­ rence river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; after the ed part of the L. Ontario fleet. Psyche (32); on L. Ontario during war of 1812-14; her frames were sent out from Eng­ NIAGARA; island. Lake Fleet group, St. Law­ land; launched at Kingston, Dec. 25, 1814. rence river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; in May, 1814, the Niagara (22)—formerly the Royal George—3M tons, commanded by Capt. F. B. RAMSDEN; island. Lake Fleet group, St. Law­ Spilsbury, sailed from Kingston in Sir rence river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; probably James Yeo's fleet; on May 1, 1816, she was after Jesse Ramsden (1735-1880), an English reported as ' laid up' and housed in Navy manufacturer of mathematical instruments bay, Kingston; launched at Kingston, U.C, and the inventor of an iuniroved eyo-piece, July, 1809. known as ' Ramsden's e.ye-piece.' NIDDEEY; islands, St. Lawrence river, Lans­ RICH; island. Navy group, St. Lawrence river, downe, Leeds Ont.; the Nidd is a small Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; after Captain Charles Rich, R.N., entered Navy, 1801; in ""'Tf., ' AT-Ii""'"?^.'''®' ^''"- ^»d its- valley is 1814 appointed to St. Lawrence (102) as Flag- called Nidderdale; possibly Niddery is a Lieutenant to Sir E. W. C R. Owen on corruption of the latter: possibly ofter a Great lakes; Mar. g4, 1815, appointed to gunboat on Great lakes, war of 1812-14. command of gunboats on the St. Lawrence; NINETTE; island, St. Lawrence river, LaBs- Commander, 1816; Captain. 1838. downe, Leeds, Ont.; probably after a gun­ boat, war of 1812-14. ROBINSON; island, St. Lawrence river. Yonge, Leeds, Ont.; possibly aifter Hon. Fred. O'CoNOR; island. Navy group, St. Lawrence John Robinson, (1782-1859), Lord of the Ad­ river Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; after Com­ miralty, 1810-12; Viscount Goderich, 1827; mander Sir Richard James Lawrence O'Con- Earl of Ripon, 1833. or, R.P,. Plag Captain of Prince Regent on L. Ontario, May 6, 1814; present at Oswego- command^ Princess Charlotte, Sept., 1814- ROBERT; island, St. Lawrence river, Yonge, -tt-.v^.M., 1836; retired Rear-Admiral, 1846. Leeds, Ont.; after Sir R:bert Peel {q.v.) RoLLESTON; island, St. Lawrence river, Escott, °7!i/'^n"1.' ^^JF ^^.°"P' S*- J-awrence liver, Leeds, Ont.; after Lieut. Allan Otty, R N Leeds, Ont.; after Lieut. James Rolleston, who commanded the Star (14) on L. Ontario R.N., b. 1791; entered Navy, 1804; present in during war of 1812-14; commanded Montreal Pompie (74) at defence of Gaeta; capture and Charwell during 1816 and 1817; retired of Capri; battle of Marda, 1806, &c., served Oaptam, 1854. in Perseus in Mediterranean, Newfound­ land, Halifax, &c., 1813-16. "Tfvp'r 'f'""'.^ Nayy group, St. Lawrence river, Lan,sdowne, Leeds, Ont.; possiblv ROWLEY; island. Navy group, St. Lawrence after Captain Charles Cunliffe (q.v.) Owen river, Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; probably R.N.; probably after Commodore Sir E w' after Lieutenant Edward Rowley, R.N., who C R. Owen, R.N. who, in 1816, commanded served on the Great lakes (or L. Champlain; the naval forces on L. Champlain and the in the war of 1812-14. Lireat Lakes. PEEI,; island. Sit. Lawrence river, Yono-e ROYAL; island. Brock group, St. Lawrence Leeds, Out.; after Sir Robert Peel, (1788- river, Elizabethtown, Leeds, Ont.; probably 1850), a noted English statesman; Secretary from proximity to Prince Alfred island for Ireland, 1812-18; Prime Minister, 1834- (q.v.): possibly after the Royal George, 35 and 1841-46. later the Niagara {q.v.) PITCHPINB; island. Admiralty group, St Law­ ST. LAWRENCE; island. Lake Fleet group, St. rence river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; probably Lawrence river, Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; from the occurrence on the island of the after the St Lawrence, ship of the line 2,305 pitchpine (Pinus Banksiana). tons, 102 guns; launched at Kingston,«U.C, Sept. 10, 1814. POPHAM; island, -.avy group, St. Lawrence river, Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; after Cap­ SCORPION ; island. Lake Fleet group, St. Law­ tain Stephen Popham, R.N., (1780-1842); was rence river, Leeds, Ont.; after the Scorpion, m the Orion (74) in the -expedition against formerly the U.S. S. Surprise, captured on Copenhagen; in the Montreal (22) assisted lake Huron, Sept. 6, 1814. at the capture of Oswego, 1814. SHEAPFB; island. Brook group, St. Lawrence PRINCE ALFRED; island. Brock group, St. Law­ river, Elizabethtown, Leeds, Ont.; after rence river, Elizabethtown, Leeds, Ont.; General Sir Roger H. Sheafie, (1763-1851) probably after the late Prince Alfred, Duke who assumed command of forces at Queens- of Edinburgh (1844-1900), second son of ton after the death of Brock; was Admins- Queen Victoria. trator of Upper Canada, 1812-13. SHERBROOKE; islands, St. Lawrence river, TROUGHTON; island. Lake Fleet group, St. Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; after Sir John Lawrence river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; after Coape Sherbrooke (1764-1830); Governor Troughton and Simms, famous instrument General of Canada in 1816. manufacturers, London, Eng. SiMCOE; island, west of Wolfe island, Fronte­ TWIN SISTERS; islands. Brock group, St. Law-' nac, Ont.; after Lieut.-Gen. John Graves rence river, Elizabethtown, Leeds, Ont.; Simcoe, (1752-1806), first Governor of Upper from their striking resemblance to each Canada, 1791-96; had extensive surveys made other. and encouraged immigration, particularly of United Empire Loyalists. VAN BUREN ; island, St. Lawrence river, Escott, Leeds, Ont.; possibly after Martin SISTERS; islands, St. Lawrence river, Leeds, Van Buren, (1782-1862), eighth President of Leeds, Ont.; so-called from their resem­ the United States. blance to each other. VANSITTART; island, St. Lawrence river, Yonge SKELTON ; island, Brock group, St. Lawrence Leeds, Ont.; probably after Vice-Admiral river, Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; after Bvt. Vansittart; he was present at the capture Major Henry Skelton, 19th L.D., f.p- of Cape of Good Hope; came to Canada in pointed Major of Brigade in Canada, Aug. 1834 and settled near Woodstock, Ont. In 1821 the Right Hon. Nicholas Vansittart 22, 1813. wais Chano?llor of the Exchequer. SPARROW; island. Brock group, St. Lawrence river, Elizabethtown, Leeds, Ont.; after VICTORIA; island. Brock group, St. Lawrence Major E. P. Sparrow, 61st Regt., appointed river, Elizabethtown, Leeds, Ont.; probably Ass't Adjutant General in Canada, Aug. 21, after Her Majesty Queen Victoria (1819- 1814. 1901). WALLACE; island, St. Lawrence river, Lans­ SPECTACLES; islands (2), St. Lawrence river, downe, Leeds, Ont.; probably after Thoinas Pittsburgh, Frontenac, Ont.; so-called from Wallace, Baron Wallace of Knaresdale, their relative position and shape. (1768-1844); cr. February 1828; Lord of the Admiralty, 1797-1800; sometime M.P. for SPILSBURY ; island. Navy group, St. Lawrence Penryhyn; 1814, mar. Jane, dau. of John, river, Lansdowne, Leeds, Ont.; after Capt. 2nd Earl of Hopetown and widow of Henry, Francis Brockell Spilsbury, R.N., in com­ 1st Viscount Melville. mand of schooner Melville on L. Ontario Aug. 10, 1815; commanded the Beresford at WILLOUGHBY ; island, St. Lawrence river, Yonge, Sacketts Harbour; was present in actions Leeds, Ont.; probably after Commander off Burlington, Sept. 28, 1813, and at French James Beautine Willoughby, R.N.; entered Creek, Nov. 1, 1813; Captain commanding Navy 1830; served as mate on the Niagara Niagara May 21, 1814; present at Oswego, (20) Captain Williams Sandom, on the Great May C, 1814. lakes; Lieutenant, 1841, on the Illustrious N.A. and W.I. station; 1845-4« in Mohawk STOVIN; island. Brock group, St. Lawrence and Cherokee on the Great lakes; received river, Elizabethtown, Leeds, Ont.; after thanks of Royal Humane Society 1867, for Major General Richard Stovin; commanded rescuing crew of vessel wrecked on Pigeon Montreal district during war of 1812-14; was I., lake Ontario. present at Fort Erie sortie. YoRKE; island. Admiralty group, St. Law­ THE PUNTS; islands. Lake Fleet group, St. rence river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; after Rt. Lawrence river, Leeds, Leeds, Ont.; from Hon. Chas. Philip Yorke, 2nd son of Philip, position in Lake Fleet group and in vicinity 2nd Earl of Hardwicke; First Lord of the of Gig. {q.v.). Barge, &c., islands. A.dmiralty. 1811; b. 1764.