by Fred Blair
There are a number of diaries and journals written by war veterans that may include your ancestor’s name. Newspapers may include stories about your ancestor in obituaries or in war anniversary issues. Most surviving veterans received a small pension in 1875 and information from their interviews with the pension commission was often published locally.
Diaries of the war include that of Lieutenant Ely Playter of the York Township and the 3rd York Militia who kept a journal, selections of which have been published at https://twitter.com/ElyPlayter1812.
The Archives of Ontario also has a copy of Private Benjamin Smith’s diary. He lived in Ancaster Township during the war and served in the 5th Lincoln Militia. A description of the Benjamin Smith fonds can be found online.
Captain William Hamilton Merritt’s diary was published as Journal of Events, Principally on the Detroit and Niagara Frontiers, during the War of 1812 and can be found on Google Books.
John Le Couteur’s journal was edited by Donald E. Graves and published as Merry Hearts Make Light Days: The War of 1812 Journal of Lieutenant John Le Couteur, 104th Foot. Published by Carleton University Press in 1994, it was republished in 2012 in a second edition by Robin Brass Studios. Copies can be found in most public libraries.
Le Couteur arrived in Kingston in April 1813 and remained in that area until sometime in 1814 when the 104th moved to the Niagara Frontier. The journal was written sometime after the war and Mr. Graves has noted discrepancies in Le Couteur’s recollections of events.
I usually try to substantiate the facts in personal recollections that I read. For example, I recently found a copy of Papers and Records of the Wentworth Historical Society 1892. On page 62, Joseph Birnie gives an account of Brock’s death which is different from the generally accepted version. He has Brock shot by a stray bullet at the foot of the escarpment while sitting on his horse, rather than targeted by a lone sniper while leading the charge on foot up the side of the escarpment. Joseph also reports that he caught Brock as he fell from his horse. I have also seen a few reports made by elderly veterans in 1875 in which the names of commanding officers and regiments were questionable.
Look for personal recollections in local collections in the area where your ancestor lived.
