Locally, we are all well aware of the event now known as the Battle of Crysler’s Farm, but what is not so widely known is that on two occasions Point Iroquois witnessed notable armed conflict.
The Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club is planning a to commemorate these armed conflicts with a memorial Cairn, and a re-enactment at the point on November 9, 2013.
They requested, and received, South Dundas council support and approval for the Cairn and the event at the September 18 meeting. Township support is the first step in a process to work to obtain funding.
“We are taking this first step to try and revive one historic event that has been dormant for many years,” reported Jacques Asselin, chairperson for the War of 1812 project for the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club.
“We are proud of the contributions made by our fore-bearers of Stormont-Dundas and Glengarry to the creation of Canada,” wrote Howard Kirkby who is also working on this project.
The memorial Cairn to the First Regiment of Dundas Militia will be constructed of field-stones and mortar and include four plaques highlighting key historical facts. It is proposed to have a prominent location at Iroquois Point.
In addition to that static tribute, the organization is proposing a dynamic tribute for the dedication of the memorial, a re-enactment take place at Iroquois Point.
According to the documents provided to South Dundas council, re-enactment regiments from Canada and New Your State have expressed enthusiasm and sincere interest in performing a re-enactment of the 1813 skirmish on the 9th of November 2013 with approximately 100 re-enactors. They will also participate in the public dedication ceremony of the memorial and perform a solemn memorial service at the grave sites of those militia members who are buried in the Iroquois cemetery.
For the re-enacting regiments this event would occur in association with the planned re-enactment at Hoople’s Creek and memorial service at the Crysler’s Farm Battle Monument on the 10th and 11th of November.
This Iroquois-Matilda Lions 1812 project also includes an educational component whereby they plan to prepare online and printed materials and make them available to the public to help raise public awareness and appreciation of the exploits and sacrifices made by the First Regiment of Dundas Militia.
“To conclude, this project, with broad-based community involvement and support, will put South Dundas on the War of 1812 commemorative map,” reads the report.
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