Henrich Davy UE (1768 - 1832)

Born 6 Mar 1768 in Schenectady, Schenectady, New York

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Anna (Hoffnail) Davy — married 1787 in Hay Bay, Greater Napanee, Lennox and Addington, Ontario, Canada

Descendants

Died 15 Aug 1832 at age 64 in Ernestown, Lennox Addington, Ontario, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Bill Dunkley [send private message]

Captain Henrich Davy UE served in the 1st Regiment of Addington Militia, Canada in the War of 1812
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Captain Henrich Davy UE served in the Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Niagara, Canada in the War of 1812
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Biography

Henrich" was also spelled "Hienrich" in some correspondence.

Served 4 years (1780-84) as a drummer in the 2nd Battalion of the Kings Royal Regiment of New York:

• http://royalyorkers.ca/drums_list.phphttp://royalyorkers.ca/drums_list.php

Notes from well-known Loyalist researcher Russ McGillivray.^[1] This information seems to indicate that the eldest son, George, was born in 1788, and the other children post-1789:

• Soldier in the 2nd Battalion of Royal Yorkers.^[2] Joined Sir John Johnson in 1780 and served 4 years.^[3]
• In the muster roll of disbanded soldiers settled in Ernestown 7 Oct 1784, Henry, single, had gone into the States for seed wheat. He is also listed in Muster Roll 13 of 1785, though not on the list of Loyalists victualled at Ernestown in the summer of 1786.
• Drew half of Lot 10, Con 1 of Ernestown (100 acres). This implies that Henry was single at the time. John Davy drew the other half of Lot 10. However, the deed from the Crown in 1803 was only to John Davy.
• Petitioned 7 Oct 1789 for 200 acres in Sidney Tp in addition to "his first allowance of land"^[4] and was granted 200 acres of Lot 36, Con 1 of Camden the same day. The Mecklenburgh Land Board noted that he had already received 100 acres in Ernestown. He sold the Camden lot to Gideon Shurtliff on 6 Oct 1798.^[5]
• Witnessed the marriage of [sister] Hannah Davy to Cornelius Brass on 31 Aug 1790.
• John Davy swore an oath before a J.P. on 4th Oct 1797 that "Henry Davy was married and came to this province with his wife and one child before the year 1789".
• Petitioned 29 Oct 1797 for land for his wife and child born before 1789. (George was 21 in Oct 1809 so would have been born about 1788.) He was recommended for 100 acres as family lands and received half of Lot 22, Con 2, Ernestown from the Crown on 31 Dec 1798. He sold the property to Isaac Fraser on 28 Feb 1816.^[6]
• Served as a Captain in the Addington County militia in the War of 1812.^[7]
• Petitioned on behalf of his son George (as a SUE) for Lot 31, Con 3 of Ernestown in 22 Apr 1817.^[8] The wording of this petition confirms that the Henry Davy who was the Militia Captain was the same one who was the U.E. who served in the 2nd battalion of the KRRNY from 1780 to 1784.
• Still a Captain in the 1st Regiment, Addington Militia in 1828-1829.^[9]
• "Capt Henry Davy died of cholera" on 15 Aug 1832^[10]

Adolphustown & Children

Henry Davis was recorded as an Adolphustown landowner in 1798^[11], and Henry & his brother-in-law Andrew Huffnail are both listed as Adolphustown residents in 1807.^[12]

Between 1794 and 1816, Henry Davis appears numerous times on the census of Adolphustown.^[13]

The Reid book (Loyalists in Ontario) records 7 children who filed UEL land claims:^[14]

• George DAVEY
• Elisabeth DAVEY
• Mary DAVEY
• Eliza DAVEY
• Richard DAVEY
• Jacob DAVEY
• Joseph DAVEY

Reid also records a Henry Davis Jr. (ca.1798-1876) of Adolphustown [son or nephew?] who in 1820 married Sarah Campbell, born 14 Aug 1800, father Archibald Campbell of Adolphustown.^[15]

During the War of 1812 he served as a lieutenant with the Addington Militia based at Kingston. There he had command of a gunboat. In March of 1814 he was commissioned Captain with the Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada. He continued to serve with the gunboats, and had a number of incidents with his American counterparts, including at Chrysler's Farm (11 Nov 1813). In March of 1814, the IM transferred to York, travelling by sleigh. During a reorganization of the Battalion in April, he resigned his commission, citing his advanced years.

After the War of 1812 Henry retired to farm back at Ernestown Twp., where he became a major land owner.

He died on Aug 15 1832 in Lennox & Addington County, Canada, and is buried in thw town of Wilton.^[16]

War of 1812, Addenta

With the onset of the War of 1812, Henry served as a Lieutenant in the 1st Addington Militia during the War of 1812. In June 1812, he was appointed to command a gunboat at Kingston, as part of the Volunteer Battalion of the Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada.

The Upper Canada Land Petition of Henry Davy of Ernestown Twp dated 1817 confirms that he was the Militia Captain who served during the War of 1812 and was the same one who served in the 2nd battalion of the Kings Royal Regiment of New York in The American Revolutionary War from 1780 to 1784. The Listing of the Officers of the British Forces during the War of 1812, by the Canadian Military Institute, states that Henry Davy was appointed to command the gunboat Thunder at Kingston June 8 1812. The War of 1812 Muster Rolls and Pay Lists of the Incorporated Militia of Kingston show Henry Davy's Company in 1813 and 1814.

As war clouds gathered, Kingston became the focus of considerable apprehension. For the Americans, the dockyard there was a considerable threat. Conversely, the British saw it rightly as a prime target for attack. This danger was greatly enhanced as Sackets Harbor, Kingston’s counterpart lay only thirty-five miles south across Lake Ontario. War did finally come to Kingston on November 10, 1812. Commodore Chauncey chased the Provincial Marine’s Royal George into the harbour. A two hour engagement between the vessel and the shore batteries followed. Despite one dead and a few injured on each side, no significant damage was done. [Davy and the Addington militia may have been present, but likely only as witnesses.]

After the first months of the war it became apparent the system of Flank Companies was not a sufficient resource for the defense of Upper Canada. The Provincial Legislature passed an act establishing the ‘’Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada.’’ In short, this was to consist of men volunteering for the duration of the war, trained and equipped to fight alongside the Regular army. Officers obtained their commissions by recruiting a specified number of men; twenty were required for a captaincy.

Although the Kingston area was one of the most populated areas of Upper Canada, recruitment for the Incorporated Militia at first progressed slowly for its candidates, Daniel Washburn and Henry Davy (who at 45 years, was much older than any other candidate). Washburn did, however, gain his quota of twenty recruits (the first to do so in the province), while Davy eventually gathered fifty. His subalterns were Lieutenant Henry Ruttan, Ensign Henry Robbins. ^[17]

To protect the Montreal-Kingston supply line, Commodore Yeo organized a flotilla of nine gunboats. Each of these had a long gun or carronade. They had a total of 254 oars and 285 crewmen. They were grouped into three Divisions, stationed at Kingston, Gananoque and Prescott. Only a few able seamen could be spared to man these boats. Therefore regular soldiers, and more frequently, militia, filled the positions. There appears to have been a regular turnover amongst the crews.

On June 8, orders were issued at Kingston,

"Captain McIntosh of the Embodied and Captain Davy of the Incorporated Militia are appointed each to command a gunboat. Colonel Cartwright is directed to furnish crews from the Militia to man these gunboats, one sergeant, one corporal and twenty privates for the Thunder Gunboat. Black Snake gunboat 1 sergt., 1 corp., & twenty privates. Two gunners from the Royal Artillery to be attached to each vessel. Captain Wallace, Royal Artillery, will select these men. Captains McIntosh and Davy will receive written instructions for their guidance from Lt.-Col. Drummond, Acting Dept. QM General. Major DeHarren will be furnish a pilot by Colonel Cartwright.’’

“Thunder’’ (there was also a ‘’Thunderer’’, but that name seems to refer to a boat on Lake Champlain; however both names might be used.) name varies in different documents] was a “lugger”, a small fore-and-aft rigged vessel, usually having two or three masts carrying trapezoidal-shaped sails set on spars that are hoisted form a point about a third of their length from the forward end. The spar is thus to one side of the mast. This boat was forty feet long, and eight broad, with 22 sweeps, and armed with one 6-pound gun. It was built in the United States; it may have been a small merchantman captured early in the war and converted.^[18] Davy’s instructions were to patrol off Kingston and into the Thousand Islands. Command of his company went to Lieutenant Ruttan. ^[19]

However, on June 16, Edward Walker, received a Captaincy in a new company. There does not seem to have been any record of his having any previous command experience in any militia unit^[20]; nor are there an extant document to indicate he had recruited his quota. Ruttan was absorbed into this new company (thereby losing his command) along with a number of men. (This also left Ensign Robbins to command what was left.) In addition, Walker obtained some from Washburn’s company. ^[21]

Although there is no direct reference, it is possible Davy’s gunboats was among the three dispatched to Goose Creek, where they engaged the enemy on July 21. On July 15, fifteen boats, escorted by the gunboat Spitfire, stopped for the night. At four in the morning of the following day, they surprised and captured without firing a shot. The combined flotilla then headed to Cranberry Creek (aka Goose Creek) on the American side. Three gunboats were dispatched from Kingston under Lieutenant Scott of the Royal Navy, along with a detachment of the 100th Foot travelling in flatboats. (It is not clear if Davy took part in this, but it is likely.) They arrived at dusk at the mouth of the creek and waited for dawn. That night they were joined by a fourth gunboat from Prescott, under the command of Captain John Kerr (I.M.), and a detachment of the 41st under Major Frend.

Meanwhile, the Americans moved about four miles upstream to where there was only enough room for one boat to pass at a time. The captured batteaux were unloaded and scuttled. Large trees were felled across the stream to block the way. Pork barrels and bags of bread became makeshift breastworks on the left bank near a bend in the creek, also armed with a six-pounder from one of the boats. There were about sixty defenders.

At three in the morning of the 21st, the British moved forward, using the cover of darkness, only to find the enemy had moved back. They continued up the creek which narrowed to the point oars could not be used. The infantry were landed while the gunboat crews attempted to clear the obstacles while under fire from the breastworks and the thickets. Due to the narrowness of the stream the boats could not be turned enough fire upon the works. The lead gunboat suffered heavy casualties, and the gun was overthrown. The second boat attempted to squeeze past, only to draw the bulk of the fire. The scows failed to come up.

The soldiers, who had been landed on the right bank, now scrambled over the rearmost boats to the opposite shore, or waded carrying arms and pouches over their heads. Pushing on in “gallant style” they drove the skirmishers back to the breastworks. This distraction likely saved the British boats. Major Frend, finding the position too strong to storm, and with possible reinforcements coming, decided to end the attack. At six a.m. he gave orders to re-emark.

The British lost one officer and four men dead or mortally wounded; one officer, four seamen and twelve rank and file wounded. The Americans had three casualties. (No details on any loss amongst the I.M.) The Americans raised and repaired the bateaux, but on the way they met the ‘’HMS, Earl of Moira’’, which compelled the Americans to scuttle the Spitfire and several of the batteaux. ^{[22][23][24][25]}

On August 21, Philip Wolfram of Davy’s company drowned while ferrying troops out to a ship off Point Frederick, in Kingston’s harbour, leaving a wife and five children. ^[26]

On October 10 a brigade of bateaux, working upriver had stopped for the night and were surprised by a party of Americans. The unprepared escort was overcome after a short fight. Corporal Henry Coney and eight privates from Davy’s company were captured.^[27]

At the end of October the increasing build-up of American forces and vessels at Sackets Harbor greatly alarmed the British command. For long they were uncertain whether their target was Kingston, or possibly a descent down the St. Lawrence River to capture Montreal (which would cut-off the upper province). The British could only wait until the enemy began moving, which they did down the river.

On November 5th, Lieutenant Mulcaster, R.N., (who had had a brush with detachment of American infantry and artillery at Barlett’s Point a few days’ earlier) arrived at Kingston at nine that evening. He carried news that the enemy had passed Carleton Island, which meant Montreal, not Kingston, was the American’s goal. The next day was filled with feverish activity. Major General Rottenburg gave orders authorizing a “Corps of Observation” to watch and harass the enemy. It consisted of nine companies of the Second Battalion of the 89th Foot (450 men), the remains of eight companies of the 49th (160), plus a small compliment of Royal Artillery gunners and drivers with two six-pounders (rank & file). Overall command devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Wanton Morrison of the 89th. At ten p.m. the corps embarked on the schooners ‘’Beresford’’ and ’’ Sir Syndey Smith’’, four barges, numerous other vessels, and seven gunboats, including Davy’s ‘’Thunder’’.

The American flotilla slipped past the guns of Prescott on the night of Nov. 6-7 and began descending the rapids. Meanwhile, the ‘’Corps of Observation’’ avoided Chauncey’s blocking force and entered the St. Lawrence. On the 8th the Americans had descended to the Narrows just above Hamilton, NY. The British reached Prescott where they picked up additional regular troops and exchanged the more cumbersome boats for lighter ones. As the Americans continued their descent it became necessary to land infantry on the Canadian shore. A number of minor skirmishes occurred which delayed, but did not halt the invasion. On the morning of the 10th Mulcaster reached the rear of the American flotilla. He used the long gun of the ‘’Lord Nelson’’ to harass them until heavier ordnance was landed, compelling him to retire.

As the river narrowed the American flotilla came under fire from small parties of Canadian militia on the northern bank. This required parties to be sent ashore and a number of minor skirmishes occurred until the defenders gave ground to superior numbers. On the 9th the Americans paused to allow straggling boat to catch up before shooting the next set of rapids; a major skirmish occurred at Hoople’s Creek which delayed, but did not halt, the Americans.

On the morning of the 10th the rear of the American flotilla spotted three vessels bearing the British flag descending on them. This was the van of Mulcaster’s squadron, and his ‘’Lord Nelson’’ fired its long gun which outranged the Americans, until the latter shifted some 18-pounders to shore, compelling Mulcaster to break off the action.

Early on the morning of the 11th Wilkinson had issued orders for the flotilla to sail, "at which instant the enemy’s gunboat appeared and began to throw shot amongst us". Information was brought to Wilkinson at the same time that the enemy’s troops were advancing in column, who ordered a counter-attack. This set of the Battle of Chrysler’s Farm, which ended in a decisive defeat of the Americans, ending their plans to capture Montreal. However, at its end the British were in no condition to launch an immediate pursuit.

On the 12th the American flotilla fell down the ‘’Longue Sault’’ to Barnharts (near Cornwall), the British gunboats did not follow. Wilkinson’s army then went into winter quarters at Salmon River, and although badly beaten remained a potential threat until they broke camp in the spring.

On the 15th Mulcaster took the gunboats down the ‘’Sault’’. On the 27th orders were given for the British to go into winter quarters. With the coming of winter the navigation season ended. As they could not get the ‘’Thunder’’ back up rapids their boat’s new station became Coteau-du-Lac. Davy and his crew laid the boat up for the winter and began a 140-mile trip back to Kingston, arriving on December 2nd. Davy resumed his command and asked for the return of the men given to Walker. His request was rejected. ^[28]

On Dec 20, the garrison at Kingston stood witness to the execution by firing squad of Private Amos McIntyre for desertion to the enemy. Absenteeism and desertions did occasionally occur after this, but none to the enemy.^[29] A return of his company from 24 December 1813 includes himself, one ensign, 2 sergeants, 1 drummer, 32 rank and file (16 under arms.). ^[30] On 26 January 1814 Davy was amongst the sixteen captains listed to attend a Court-Martial at Kingston on February 11th. ^[31]

In early 1814 it was realized the dreams of up to six battalions of Incorporated Militia would never be met. Orders were issued on February 15 for the various detachments of Incorporated Militia in the province be gathered at York, and be reorganised into a single battalion. At the end of the month the entire detachment left in a convoy of sleighs under the command of their senior Captain, Washburn. . It included a second Captain (probably Davy; Hamilton had other immediate duties), two subalterns, five Sergeants, one Drummer and sixty Rank and File.^[32]

Command of the Battalion was given to Captain William Robinson of the 8th (King’s) Foot, with the provincial rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He set about shaping the Incorporated Militia into an effective fighting force. Amongst the changes made was a shuffling of officers, NCOs and men amongst the detachments. The Return of 24 March lists Davy as the 6th Company with Ensign Robbins, two sergeants, two corporals, one drummer and 27 men.^[33] Another return lists him having ten women and thirty children (out of a total of 62 wives and 181 children for the Battalion).^[34]

On April 2nd, Captain Davy wrote to Lieutenant-Colonel Robinson:

• "Having served His Majesty faithfully in the American Revolution and being somewhat advanced in years, I beg the indulgence to have the services I provided, I may be allowed to Resign my Company of Incorporated Militia in favour of Lieutenant Henry Ruttan as the Senior Subaltern of the Regiment in which we were first Incorporated. Should you therefore think proper to approve of this will you be so good as to lay the same before his Honour the President witn such remarks as you shall think proper."^[35]

• Robinson wrote in favour of this (April 8), but on the 25th, it was announced that, while Major-General Drummond would accept Davy’s resignation, he had no intention of filling the vacancy by promotion. ^[36]

Sources

1. ↑ http://sites.rootsweb.com/~russmcgillivray/davy/page1.html
2. ↑ Upper Canada Land Petitions D/Misc DA-DEY, number 16. Ontario Archives reel C-1885
3. ↑ Upper Canada Sundries, Part 2 1816-1820, pp 15031-15035; National Archives of Canada RG 5, A 1; reel C-4548
4. ↑ Upper Canada Land Petitions D/Misc DA-DEY, number 16. Ontario Archives reel C-1885
5. ↑ First Heir and Devisee Commission, Midland District, Vol 28, No. 174. Ontario Archives H-1139
6. ↑ Ernestown Township Abstract Index to Deeds, Vol A. Ontario Archives GS 4642
7. ↑ Upper Canada Sundries, Part 2 1816-1820, pp 15031-15035; National Archives of Canada RG 5, A 1; reel C-4548
8. ↑ Upper Canada Sundries, Part 2 1816-1820, pp 15031-15035; National Archives of Canada RG 5, A 1; reel C-4548
9. ↑ Bruce S. Elliott, Dan Walker and Fawne Stratford-Devai (eds), Men of Upper Canada - Militia Nominal Rolls 1828-1829, Ontario Genealogical Society (Toronto), 1995
10. ↑ John C. Clark diary, transcribed by Dr. H.C. Burleigh. See the Baker file in the Burleigh collection, Queen's Archives, Kingston. The John C. Clark diary is in the National Archives of Canada.
11. ↑ http://my.tbaytel.net/bmartin/adolphus.htm
12. ↑ http://randysaylor.ca/petitionadol1807.html
13. ↑ http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~saylormowbray/genealogy/censusadolphustown.html
14. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20030518074234/http://qschooner.com/reid/d0000/g0000027.html#I1072
15. ↑ William Reid, The Loyalists in Ontario: The Sons & Daughters of The American Loyalists of Upper Canada, Hunterdon House, Lambertville, New Jersey USA, 1973, p.49
16. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206737393
17. ↑ Feltoe, ‘’Redcoated Ploughboys”, 137
18. ↑ Robert Malcolmson, ‘’Warships of the Great Lakes, 1754-1834’’.Kent, UK: Chatham Publishing, 2001
19. ↑ Feltoe, 138-140
20. ↑ There was a private with that name in the 1st Frontenac Embodied Militia.
21. ↑ As Richard Feltoe notes in his book, it was perhaps unusually convenient. ‘’Redcoated Ploughboys’’, 140
22. ↑ References: John S. Baker, ”Battle of Goose Creek” (Kerr)
23. ↑ ‘’Ontario Historical Society Papers & Records 6 (1905) 84-85; General Orders 24 July 1813
24. ↑ Cruikshank; Robert Christie. ‘’The military and naval operations in the Canadas, during the late war with the united States…‘’. Quebec: 1818; Feltoe, 160-161
25. ↑ Hough, “History of Jefferson County’’, 494-496.)
26. ↑ Petition, LAC C.1708, p. 52
27. ↑ LAC RG9 1B7, v 2
28. ↑ Feltoe, 143-144
29. ↑ Feltoe, 144-45
30. ↑ LAC RG 9, 1B7, v. 3
31. ↑ LAC RG9 1B3, v 2, 104
32. ↑ LAC C./682, p.181
33. ↑ LAC RG9 1B7 v 2
34. ↑ LAC RG5-A1 v 18, 7935
35. ↑ LAC RG9 1B1, v. 3
36. ↑ LAC RG9 1B1 v. 3; Feltoe, 193

"The Davis Family" -- family history starting with Henry Davis. Very weak on anything pre-1784 but contains some interesting anecdotes about Henry & his wife post-arrival in Canada:

• http://vanalderwerelt.name/pdf_families/5_TheDavisFamily.pdf

“United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada: Loyalists in the War of 1812”, profile submitted by Richard Clark:

• Henry Davy the son of Peter Davy b 1724 and Anna Saltsman b 1718
• Baptised 13 March 1768, Lutheran Trinity, Stone Arabia, Schenectady, New York.
• Henry served 4 years as Private in Sir John Johnsons 2nd Battalion of The King's Royal Regiment of New York
  • http://www.uelac.org/Making-Loyalists/Selective-lists-of-loyalists/War-of-1812-Loyalists.php.

War of 1812

• Feltoe, Richard. ‘’Red Coated Ploughboys: The Volunteer Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada, 1812-15’’. Toronto: Dundurn, 2012.
• Handwritten notes from original documents in the Library and Archives of Canada made c. 1990, Library and Archives of Canada (LAC) [Hand-written notes from original documents made by J. Everett, Ottawa, c. 1992)

MG19/A39: Duncan Clark Papers

RG9-1B7  : Pre-Confederation Records, Military, Upper Canada

Library and Archives of Canada, UC Militia Papers, RG9 1B7 vol. 2 & 3 (reel t-10379) available on line at:

• http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-e.php?q2=35&q3=2840&tt=1244&sqn=73
• http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=lqrrbhqqd6io628deimic826l3&sqn=552&q2=35&q3=2840&tt=1244

Other Sources

• Baker, John S. ”Battle of Goose Creek” (Kerr), ‘’Ontario Historical Society Papers & Records 6 (1905) 84-85; General Orders 24 July 1813
• Christie, Robert. ‘’The military and naval operations in the Canadas, during the late war with the united States…‘’. Quebec: 1818
• Hough, Franklin B. History of Jefferson County. Albany, N.Y., Little & Co., 1853
• King's Royal Regiment website:
  • http://royalyorkers.ca/regiment.php
• William D. Reid, The Loyalists in Ontario: The Sons & Daughters of The American Loyalists of Upper Canada, Hunterdon House, Lambertville, New Jersey USA, 1973.

Loyalist flag:

• http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=ba68bd26-ed03-4fb0-a17a-4f1d96492cec&tid=15988137&pid=853