Colonel Talbot's Birthday

      On the weekend of July 17-18, a few of the members of Croghan's Company 17th Infantry (our reenacting group) took part in 250th Anniversary Celebration of the birth of Colonel Thomas Talbot. Talbot was instrumental in the colonial settling of this part of Ontario after the War of 1812, particularly with immigrants from Scotland and Ireland. He sold his commission in the Royal Army and bought land in what was then "Upper Canada" with the intent to sell it to settlers. An Irish Protestant himself, Talbot was... let's say "less than generous" in land sales to the Scots and the Catholic Irish. We kiddingly say there was plenty of swampland for all. Although considered "despotic" by some in this dealings with the settlers, it appears that Talbot was fairly just in his dealings with the local First Nations bands, although most had abandoned the area during the War of 1812. Whatever the case, Talbot is worth remembering. He was hunted by raiders and Canadian turncoats during the War, but was never captured. (Please forgive any misstatement regarding the Colonel here. I am not privy to all of the story.)

     He is buried across the street from St. Peter's Anglican Church in Tyrconnell, ON (near Wallacetown and just down the street from the Backus-Page House Museum.) This event was sponsored by the parish and reenactors from the Royal Scots Light Company, the Canadian Volunteers, the British Indian Department, and Croghan's Company, 17th US Infantry turned out and served as honour guard and firing party for the event. The Church's rector, the Venerable Canon George Nicholson ("Nick") Wells arranged and organized the event.

(Photographs courtesy of Steve Zronik, Jeff Brown, and Hometown St. Thomas Magazine.)

A display piece that helps explain the place.

Our friend, Linda with the banner near the church.

The placard for the Backus-Page House Museum

Dressing the line and preparing to march to the cemetery (Saturday)

Members of the Light Company of the Royal Scots advance at trail arms toward the cemetery gate on Saturday.

Sunday afternoon - the uniformed party moves to position.

Canon Nick dressed as Daniel Rapelje, a contemporary leader in the local settlement
prepares to pour out a libation on the Colonel's grave. (Saturday)

The libation of exquisite Irish Whisky is poured. (Saturday)

Tom, who is also a member of the Crown Forces Fife and Drum Corps
plays the lament. (Saturday)

Lyle of the 17th US Infantry does some work on his musket. (Sunday)
He and I turned out in the white cotton coatee or frock of the US Army summer uniform.

The party prepares to fire the salute. (Saturday)

"Make ready! Take aim or present! Fire!" (Saturday)
The commands are slightly different for the US and the Crown.
Marcus' musket insisted on misfiring so he fell back out of the line.

Three cheers! (Saturday)

Another view of the cheer. (Saturday)

Another view of Nick pouring the libation. (Sunday)

(I've noted different photos for Saturday and Sunday. First, some different people came out to join in the event each day. Second, Nick wore a different waist coat on the two days - black cashmere on Saturday, and a lighter linen on the hotter Sunday. Third, I had a horrible allergic reaction to some insect repellant made with Deet on Saturday evening.  I itched, broke out in hives, couldn't catch my breath, and left the tent to my wife and slept in the van. Actually, I didn't sleep that night. So my participation the next day was curtailed.)

The firing party retires. (Saturday)

 

Raiffe, kitted out as a Canadian Volunteer, and John of the Royal Scots joined us on Sunday.
The Canadian Volunteers were a small volunteer unit of the US Army, made up of Canadians
and served on the Niagara Frontier. 

Cole, looking quite professional, guards the cemetery gate. (Saturday)

Nick "inspects" the firing party on Sunday.

"Pinging the musket" to check how clean it is. (Sunday)
This is part of the safety inspection done before events where firing takes place.

Mark from the British Indian Department put on a fine display under his fly.

My wife, Beth, leads an impromptu session on the making of Dorset buttons
for some of the ladies who joined us on Sunday.

Nick relaxes in our camp with our daughter, Kaise in First Nations attire in the background.
(She shares Lenne Lenape ancestry through her mother.) (Saturday)

A few properly attired and grand ladies who visited on Sunday.

Your Humble Blogger has recovered nicely from the Deet and the Benadryl.