The Death of Brock at Queenston Heights, 1812: Imperial Tobacco Company silk card

General Isaac Brock was a British Army officer and administrator who was promoted to Major General. He was responsible for defending Upper Canada against the United States. He died at the Battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812. Bartholome Houde and George E. Tuckett (Tuckett was mayor of Hamilton Ontario in 1896) manufactured and sold tobacco before Confederation. In 1841, the company was called B. Houde and Grothe. When Houde retired in 1822 his son in law, Francis Xavier Dussault took over the company. In 1903, the company was called B. Houde and Company Ltee. and it was run by Dussault’s two sons J.A. Dussault and J.E. Dussault. The B. Houde Company had become part of American Tobacco Ltd. which merged with Empire Tobacco Co. Ltd. to form the Imperial Tobacco Company in 1908 in the St. Henri district of Montreal. In 2008, the company celebrated their centennial. Cigarette silks were either enclosed in packets of cigarettes or were redeemable by mail. People would sew these silks together to create quilts or table covers. Some cigarette packages even included instructions for making these items.

Proposal for Construction of Brock’s Monument, Queenston, newspaper fragment, 1824

Brock’s Monument is owned by Parks Canada and maintained by the Niagara Parks Commission in collaboration with the Friends of Fort George and Niagara National Historic Sites. It is located in Queenston Heights Park atop the Niagara Escarpment. On March 14, 1815, Parliament passed an act to erect a monument to the memory of General Isaac Brock. A design by engineer Francis Hall was selected. He envisioned a 135 ft. tall Tuscan column, made out of stone with a winding staircase inside. By the spring of 1824, work had begun on the monument. In June of that year, the cornerstone was laid and William Lyon Mackenzie was in attendance at the ceremony. It was on October 13th, 1824 (the anniversary of Brock’s death) that 6000 people traveled to Queenston to inter the remains of Brock and Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell. This was the second burial for both. After 3 years the tower had reached 135 feet, but there was no inscription at the base, the fence around the observation deck had not been installed and there was no statue of Brock. Hall submitted a plan to finish the statue, but he was turned down and a simple ornament was placed where the Brock statue should have been. A massive blast of gunpowder destroyed the monument in 1840. It is alleged that an American sympathizer with the Upper Canada Rebellion set off the blast. Brock and Macdonell’s bodies were reburied in the Hamilton Family Cemetery in Queenston. The present monument was rebuilt in 1853. William Thomas (designer of St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto) was the architect. Brock and Macdonell were once again laid to rest in separate vaults at the statue. In 1968, Brock’s Monument was declared a national historical site. In 2005, it was closed to the public due to safety concerns, but it reopened in 2010. Source: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/brocks-monument-queenston-heights

General regulations and orders, 1804

Bound with: The manual and platoon exercises, &c., &c. (51 p.) and: General orders and observations on the movement and field exercise of infantry (16 p.) Inscribed on front paste-down: L. Colonel Brock. Also inscribed: Maj. Genl T.A. Smith late of the 1st. Rifle Regt. Bookplate of Robert B. Taylor, Norfolk. On front flyleaf: lengthy, two-page transcription in ink, headed /Copy/Circular/ dated "Horse Guards, 25th May '07" and signed: "Harry Calvert Adjt. General.

General regulations and orders, 1804

Bound with: The manual and platoon exercises, &c., &c. (51 p.) and: General orders and observations on the movement and field exercise of infantry (16 p.) Inscribed on front paste-down: L. Colonel Brock. Also inscribed: Maj. Genl T.A. Smith late of the 1st. Rifle Regt. Bookplate of Robert B. Taylor, Norfolk. On front flyleaf: lengthy, two-page transcription in ink, headed /Copy/Circular/ dated "Horse Guards, 25th May '07" and signed: "Harry Calvert Adjt. General.

Letter addressed to “My Dear Sir” from Thomas Fuller

Letter addressed to “My Dear Sir” from Thomas Fuller (1 ½ pages) stating that Isaac Fuller died without a will. His eldest son, John Fuller died under age without a will. This is accompanied by a 1 page note bearing the same information, n.d.

Brock Sign

View of the site of the Glenridge Campus on Lockhart Drive and possibly the first sign to announce Brock University's future presense there. This is photo is ca. 1963, and it appears that it may have been taken in the fall of 1963, shortly after the University acquired the land.

Brock University Coat of Arms

The armorial bearings for Brock University, or more simply the University Coat of Arms, or crest, was designed in a large part by Presdent Gibson, assisted by other members of the Board of Governors (A preliminary design can be seen here). The Coat of Arms was granted to Brock University on March 17th, 1965. The Coat of Arms consist of an eagle, taken from General Brock’s own arms, displayed against a scarlet background - one of the official colours of Brock University. Immediately above it on a chief argent is displayed a maple-leaf (for Canada), a scallop shell (from the Lincoln and Welland regiment), and a trillium (for the province of Ontario). An open book fronts the eagle representing learning and knowledge. The crest itself is made up of a torch symbolizing learning, surrounded by a serpent for wisdom, with two calumet or North American pipes of peace, to symbolize Canada, friendship and agreement. The supporters consist of a beaver on the dexter side, emblematic of Canada and representing work and industry in learning. On the sinister side, a brock or badger (also in commemoration of General Brock) represents tenacity of purpose. The motto 'Surgite' is visible just below the arms.

1965 Brock University Brochure

An early brochure for the promotion of Brock University dating back to 1965.

Brock Frosh Beanie

This Brock Frosh Beanie from around 1965 is made of red and blue felt with white stitching. An identification button with 'Barb' inscribed on it with black marker is attached to the left side. The Frosh Beanie and identification button were available for students to purchase immediately after registration.

Brock Scarf

This Brock scarf is made of a navy and scarlet wool blend.

Brock Leather Jacket

Leather Jacket dating back to 1967.

Brock Scarlet

The 'Brock Scarlet' Windbreaker with big blue Brock 'B' was awarded to male athletes representing Brock who were either a part of intercollegiate competition for two years or had won a championship in their first year. This particular jacket dates back to 1968.

Brock Hood

This hood was presented to Dr. Ross Skinner in June of 1979 upon receiving his Honorary Doctor of Laws.

Brock Cameo Tie

The Brock cameo tie featuring subtle grey stripes on red was introduced in 1988 in conjunction with the 25th anniversary celebrations of Brock University. The tie is made of polyester from Bradford, England. It originally went on sale for $15.75 in the Bookstore.