Military Appointment

George Ridout (1791-1871) was a member of the York volunteers during the War of 1812. He served as 3rd lieutenant in the grenadier company of the York militia, fought in the Battle of Queenston Heights, and was taken prisoner of war in April, 1813 when the Americans occupied York. Ridout studied law, and was admitted to the bar in Janurary 1813. He was an active member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, becoming a bencher in 1820, serving as treasurer for several years, and assisting in the development of the library. In 1828 he was appointed judge of the Niagara District Court and reappointed in 1832. In 1836, Sir Francis Bond Head, Lieutenant-Governor, charged Ridout with insult to the person and office of the Lieutenant Governor and disloyalty to the policies of the crown, and dismissed him from his offices. Ridout denied the charges and was eventually ordered to be reinstated by Lord Glenelg, the colonial secretary. Sir Francis Bond Head refused to do so, and instead chose to resign.

Appointment of William Woodruff to be Ensign in the 1st Regiment of Lincoln Militia in the Niagara District

Appointment of William Woodruff to be Ensign in the 1st Regiment of Lincoln Militia in the Niagara District. This is signed by Francis Gore, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Upper Canada. The document is quite stained and watermarked. The text is not affected, Nov. 5, 1815.

Letter to Colonel Robert Nelles, Commander of the 4th Regiment of Lincoln Militia from Colonel Nathaniel Coffin of York

Letter to Colonel Robert Nelles, Commander of the 4th Regiment of Lincoln Militia from Colonel Nathaniel Coffin of York. His is enquiring about the post of collector at Niagara for his son-in-law Edward Pilkington. There is a small hole in this letter which affects the text slightly, Aug. 28, 1820.

Appointment of John Turney to be an ensign in the 4th Regiment of Lincoln Militia in the Niagara District

Appointment of John Turney to be an ensign in the 4th Regiment of Lincoln Militia in the Niagara District of which, Robert Nelles is the Lieutenant Colonel. This was signed by Francis Gore, Lieutenant Governor, Oct. 31, 1815.

Appointment of Edmund Hodges to be a lieutenant in the 4th Regiment of Lincoln Militia

Appointment of Edmund Hodges to be a lieutenant in the 4th Regiment of Lincoln Militia of which Robert Nelles is the Colonel. This is signed by Hillier and Maitland, April 19, 1822.

Letter to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Nelles of the 4th Lincoln Militia from his daughter Mary Pilkington

Letter to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Nelles of the 4th Lincoln Militia from his daughter Mary Pilkington regarding family matters (1 page, double-sided, handwritten), Feb. 3, 1824.

Letter to Colonel R. Nelles, Commander of the 4th Lincoln Militia from Brook Young, Lieutenant Colonel at the Brigade Office in Drummondville

Letter to Colonel R. Nelles, Commander of the 4th Lincoln Militia from Brook Young, Lieutenant Colonel at the Brigade Office in Drummondville regarding instructions that he received from Colonel Kerley for the sedentary militia in this district to hold themselves in readiness to act at a moment’s warning if called to do so, May 27, 1838.

Letter to Lieutenant Colonel Brook Young, Brigade Major, Drummondville from H. Nelles, Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Lincoln Militia

Letter to Lieutenant Colonel Brook Young, Brigade Major, Drummondville from H. Nelles, Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Lincoln Militia stating that Colonel R. Nelles has requested him to say that most of the men did cheerfully comply and would be ready to act at a moment’s notice in defense of their Queen and country, June 12, 1838.

Letter to Colonel Nelles of the 4th Lincoln Militia in Grimsby from Apt. Military Secrets, Quebec

Letter to Colonel Nelles of the 4th Lincoln Militia in Grimsby from Apt. Military Secrets, Quebec. When this envelope is unfolded it contains the printed words “On his Majesty’s service” “The Ordnance Storekeeper” and “Military Secretary”. This item is badly stained and torn but text is not affected, Jan. 9, 1839.

Letters from the Secretary of War to the Committee of Ways and Means, in relation to the number of Militia called into the public service in 1813, to a provision for paying the bounties and premiums to soldiers lately authorized, and to the strength of the army.--

At head of title: [78].

Massachusetts militia claims : letter from the Secretary of War, transmitting, in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 15th Dec., 1826, a report upon the subject of the claims of the State of Masachusetts for certain services rendered during the late war.--

20th Congress, 2nd session. House Doc. no.3.

Certificate to Announce Thomas Henderson Captain of a Company of the Northern Regiment

Certificate (vellum) to announce that Thomas Henderson is to be Captain of a company of the Northern Regiment of Local Militia in the County of Northumberland, England. The document is stained, faded and contains holes. The text is slightly affected. The signature on this document has been cut away, Sept. 4, 1813.

Envelope (partial) to Colonel Nelles, 4th Lincoln Militia, Grimsby from M.A. Hale of Quebec

Envelope (partial) to Colonel Nelles, 4th Lincoln Militia, Grimsby from M.A. Hale of Quebec. The envelope is stained and torn, but text is not affected, Feb. 7, 1839.

Letter from the acting Secretary of War, transmitting information relative to the claims of the State of Massachusetts for payment of the expenses of the militia ordered out by the executive authority of the state, during the late war. --

15th Congress, 1st session, 1817-1818, House. Doc. 81.

Message from the President of the United States, in relation to the claim of Virginia, an account of interest paid by that State, on moneys borrowed for the payment of the militia thereof, for services rendered the United States.--

April 13, 1824. Printed by order of the Senate of the United States.