Abstracts
Abstract
Captain William Francis was murdered in the land war in Canada in the War of 1812. Was he an innocent farmer murdered in his bed by American partisans as part of some larger military strategy or was his death more personal in nature? This article concludes that the murder was the result of personal antagonism between John Dickson, the murderer, and William Francis of many years duration newly exacerbated by the testimony given against a number of Dickson’s gang. This feud had repercussions in a number of actions during the war including the Sutherland Raid, the Port Rowan, Port Dover, and McCrae incidents, and the Battle of Nanticoke. This article shows that, for some, the war was an opportunity to settle personal scores.
Résumé
Le capitaine William Francis a été assassiné durant la Guerre de 1812. Était-il un innocent tué par des partisans américains dans le cadre d’une stratégie militaire ou sa mort avait-elle été de nature plus personnelle? Dans cet article, nous conclurons que l’assassinat était le résultat d’une longue dispute entre William Francis et son assassin John Dickson, aggravée lorsque Francis avait témoigné contre certains membres de la bande de Dickson. Cette querelle a eu des répercussions sur plusieurs actions militaires durant la guerre, celles de Sutherland, de Port Dover, de Port Rowan et de McCrae, ainsi que la bataille de Nanticoke. La guerre présentait à certains l’opportunité de régler des comptes personnels.
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Appendices
Biographical note
Charles Garrad has been writing and publishing in the fields of history and archeology since 1964. His work has now appeared in five countries. He is a Life member of the Ontario Historical Society and has served as president of the Ontario Archaeological Society. He has also been a member of numerous heritage-related organizations, particularly in the Collingwood area. In recognition of his work in the field of First Nations history he was adopted by a Matron of the Petun People into the Big Turtle clan and by the Principal Chief of the Wyandot Nation of Kansas into the Bear clan. His many awards include the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, and the Order of Ontario. He has been a provincially Licensed Ontario Archaeologist since 1975.