Ely Playter (abt. 1776 - abt. 1858)

Born about 30 Nov 1776 in Chesterfield, Burlington, New Jersey, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Sophia (Beman) Playter — married 27 Nov 1806 in York, Upper Canada

Descendants

Died about 29 Aug 1858 at about age 81 in Pekin, Niagara, New York, United States

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Ely Playter served in the 3rd Regiment of York Militia, Canada in the War of 1812
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Biography

His mother came from a Quaker family, and Ely and his siblings were raised Quaker. In 1784 the family was 'removed' from the monthly meeting at Chesterfield New Jersey to one at Horsham Pennsylvania.

On Nov. 27, 1806, he married Sophia Beman in York, Upper Canada. Marriage "Notes for Eli Playter and Sophia Beman: Taken from the Early marriages of St James Church, Toronto, York County. Volume 3, p.p.395, Landmarks of Toronto, St. James York Thursday, November 27, 1806 married by Rev'd George O'Kill Stuart - by Licence - Eli Playter and Sophia Beman. Eli Playter was the son of George Playter, one of the original owners of the first PARK Lots in the Town of York. Eli Playter was for sometime M.P.P. for the North Riding of York."[1]

He was a farmer and tavern-keeper and was elected to the House of Assembly in 1824. ^[1] He represented the riding of York and Simcoe.^[2]

During the War of 1812, he served as a lieutenant in the 3rd York Militia. He signed his name as "Ely Playter."

"Ely Playter had a major disagreement with his wife's step-brothers. It is hinted ... that Ely may have been part of the group that tried to break apart or discredit the "Family Compact". Even the book on Mills by Eleanore Darke reports "He was a moderate Reformer and supported a number of Reform bills but, as a result of his disputes with the Family Compact, found it advisable to return to United States in 1827."[2]

Ely's diary is an important historical document recording the early life of York and environs. As a militia officer, Playter participated in the War of 1812 including the siege of York. His diaries describe his difficulties in rounding up local militia men during the War of 1812 as well as the fall of York to the Americans in 1813 and its subsequent occupation. These documents are a rare first-hand account of life before, during, and after the War of 1812. His diaries also describe his farming and lumbering activities, election practices in Upper Canada, activities in the House of Assembly of Upper Canada, and various movements affecting New York politics in the 1840s.

In 1850 Ely resided with his daughter Susan Robinson and her household in Lewiston, NY.

In 1855 Ely resided with his son Joel and wife Elmina in Ridgeway Orleans New York.

Military Career: On June 30, 1812, he was commissioned as a lieutenant. ^[3] From Sept. 7 to 22, 1812, he served in Captain Thomas Hamilton’s Company. ^{[4] [5]} From Oct. 18 to 24, 1812, he served in Capt. Hamilton’s Co. ^[6] From Nov. 25, 1812 to Jan. 24, 1813, he served in Capt. Hamilton’s Co. ^[7] From Jan. 25 to Mar. 24, 1813, he served at York. ^{[8] [9]} From Mar. 25 to Apr. 24, 1813, he served in Capt. Robinson’s Co. ^[10] On Apr. 27, 1813, he was taken prisoner at the Capture of York. ^[11] From June 30 to July 16, 1813, he served in Capt. Hamilton’s Detachment. ^[12] From Sept. 25 to Oct. 3, 1813, he served in Capt. Hamilton’s Co. at York. ^[13] From Mar. 25 to May 12, 1814, he commanded a detachment employed in public service at York. ^[14] From June 25 to Sept. 24, 1814, he served at York in Capt. Samuel Ridout’s Co. ^{[15] [16] [17] [18]} From Jan. 14 to Feb. 24, 1815, he served as the Commissary of Transport at York and commanded a detachment employed in the transport service. ^[19] On June 5, 1815, he was recorded as a lieutenant. ^[20]On July 11, 1816, he was promoted to captain. ^[21]

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/twitter/playter.aspx accessed June 20, 2017
2. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "9th Parliament of Upper Canada," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=9th_Parliament_of_Upper_Canada&oldid=807636423 (accessed June 18, 2018).
3. ↑ L. Homfray Irving, Honorary Librarian, Officers of the British Forces in Canada during the War of 1812-1815, Canadian Military Institute, Welland Tribune Print, 1908, page 67-69
4. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, page 372
5. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 377-379 & 478-479
6. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 479-481
7. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 482-488
8. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 340-349
9. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 350-352
10. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 874-875
11. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10383, pages 1142-1144
12. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 511-513
13. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 616-619 & 644-646
14. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 514-516 & 1071
15. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, page 281
16. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 285-288
17. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 300-303
18. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 317-320
19. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 518-523
20. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pa
21. ↑ L. Homfray Irving, Honorary Librarian, Officers of the British Forces in Canada during the War of 1812-1815, Canadian Military Institute, Welland Tribune Print, 1908, page 67-69

• Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; Men's Minutes, 1738-1786; Collection: Quaker Meeting Records; Call Number: MR-PH-110 Source Information Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

• Year: 1840; Census Place: Lewiston, Niagara, New York; Roll: 311; Page: 34; Family History Library Film: 0017199 Source Information Ancestry.com. 1840 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.

• Eli Playter's Diary Transcriptsaccessed June 20, 2017

• http://www.treesbydan.com/p2839.htm#i71497 accessed June 20, 2017

• The War of 1812 Militia Payroll Documents can be accessed online at[

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-110.02-e.php?&q2=35&interval=50&sk=0&&PHPSESSID=t35e5elcve2av2ck6m2heds0s7crf37s6jcgkd25j0hraombkt30]

• Year: 1850; Census Place: Lewiston, Niagara, New York; Roll: M432_561; Page: 425A; Image: 350 Source Information Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

• Ancestry.com. New York, State Census, 1855 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original data: Census of the state of New York, for 1855. Microfilm. Various County Clerk Offices, New York.

• Find a Grave[3]

• Selections of Ely Playter's journals on Twitter[4]