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Subject: [Q-R] Excerpt Of History
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2004 17:17:48 EST
"Elizabeth Barnett paced up and down her families guest room in
Lafargeville, N.Y. Her bags were packed by the front door as she waited for her horse and
cutter. Her family had tried to persuade her to stay and see a local Doctor.
But Elizabeth insisted on returning home to Gananoque, Ontario, keeping the
details of her illness vague.
Soon Elizabeth was bundled up and clutching the reigns as she charged the
ten miles and across the frozen St. Lawrence and back to her home. American
born, Elizabeth had joined her brother in Canada. After one year in Gananoque,
Elizabeth had become a schoolteacher, passionately loyal to her new home. While
visiting her family back in the U.S., she had overheard rebel plans (Rebellion
of 1837) to attack Kingston and her hometown from Hickory Island.
Once back in Gananoque, Elizabeth's news of the rebellion spread like
wildfire. Within hours, sleighs loaded with women and children exited the town.
Meanwhile, the militia built a timber wall from which to fire on the unsuspecting
rebels. Scouts confirmed Elizabeth's story, hundreds of armed men had
gathered. In, Gananoque, guns were cleaned and readied and every able bodied man
squeezed into the blockhouse to plan the towns defense. The Kingston militia was
notified, and on its way to Gananoque.
With all the militia, six companies of Leeds, the Brockville Rifle
Company, the Frontenac Cavalry and Mohawks forced Admiral Bill Johnston and General
Van Rensselear to abort the mission.
Having saved the town in 1838 Elizabeth Barnett, met Warren Fairman of the
Leeds Militia during defense preparations, they were married within the month."
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