Frontier War

 At the beginning of the American Revolution, rebels attempted to invade Quebec, as the city commanded control of the St. Lawrence and was deemed to be the key to the continent. They were driven out.

The Revolution would create two countries. The thirteen colonies would become the United States. And Loyalists would leave, going north into what was still British territory, and become Canada.

Loyalists included Richard Pierpoint, an escaped slave who joined Butler's Rangers, a force of men who fought against the Americans. After the Revolution, he went north, and fought again in the War of 1812.

Here we have weapons of both wars.

This is a model of the HMS St. Lawrence, which was sunk during the War of 1812 just outside the harbour of Kingston in Ontario. Naval weapons are also in the display case.

John Norton was a Mohawk war chief who fought in the War of 1812, including most critically at the Battle of Queenston Heights. His portrait, along with weapons, a wampum belt, and a medal, are displayed together.

First Nations peoples partnered with British regulars and Canadian militia to defend the country against multiple invasions by American forces through that war. In the end, American aims to take over the country never came to pass.

This coat dates to the Battle of Queenston Heights. This is the uniform coat the commanding general, Isaac Brock was wearing that day. He was shot by an American while rallying a charge, and killed instantly. A black hole, seen directly beneath the downturned collar, marks the spot where he was hit. His final resting place is at the base of a monument dedicated in his memory at that battlefield.

Long before her name got appropriated for a chocolate company, Laura Secord was a settler. She was also a spy for the British side, and took intelligence of an impending American attack through the woods towards British lines.