Titus Geer Simons (1765 - 1829)

Born 30 Jan 1765 in Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, British Colonial America

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Green) Simons — married 3 Jun 1792 in Niagara, Upper Canada

Husband of Hannah (Coon) Simons — married 1807 in Gore District, Upper Canada

Descendants

Died 20 Aug 1829 at age 64 in West Flamborough Township, Wentworth, Upper Canada (Ontario)

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jason Everett [send private message]

Biography

Major Titus Simons served in the War of 1812
Service started: Oct 25, 1812
Unit(s): 2nd Regiment of York Militia, Canada
Service ended: Dec 24, 1812

Son of David "Titus" Simons (1743-1824) & Sarah ______ (1740-1770)

Born 30 Jan 1765, Hartfield, Connecticut.^[1]

There is a record of a sister, Sarah Simons. "Family Search" says she was born 31 Jul 1765, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut.^[2][3] An "Ancestry" profile gives a birthdate of 1 Jul 1768, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut. Not sourced.^[4]

His mother died in 1770 when Simon was five years old. His father remarried 1 Feb 1774 at Hartford, Connecticut, to Jerusha Kingsley (1743-1798)

[He is said to have joined the British army in August 1777, serving as a Lieutenant.]

[His father took an Oath of Allegiance in 1797.^[5]

Although he had no training, he was made Government Printer for the Upper Canada Gazette at Newark 5 July 1797. (Replacing Gideon Tiffany who was suspected of pro-American views.) He mad several changes, which in many ways made it seem less cluttered. First page was for government affairs, second and third was foreign news and exerpts from other newspapers, Advertisements, notices of mail available for pickup, and local news were on the back page. The paper moved to York in September 1799. At one point an article upset William Allen, who demanded Simons be fired. In 1801 he was superseded by a trained printer, John Bennet.^[6]

Married Elizabeth Green (spinster) 3 June 1798, Newark (Niagara), Upper Canada. [She may have been born 1769, in Flamborough, U.C.] She died about 1805.

Potential Children:

-- Charlotte Simons (1799-1899?)

-- Eliza Jane Simons (1804 )

-- Matilda Ann Simons (before 1808-1855), m. Alexander Robinson

-- Hannah Rosanna Simons (1813- )

-- Arbella Gore Simons (1815-1902)

-- Elzabeth Jane Simons (1820- )

In the Census of 1799: the household of "Simons Titus" in York, had 1 male and 2 females. The following year, "Simons Titus" had 4 males and 5 females; " ___ Titus G. had 1 male and 2 females. In 1801 there is "Simons Titus Sen'r with 2 males and 4 females; "Simons Titus G. Jun'r, had 2 males and 4 females.^[7]

[It appears Simons sometimes acted as a government informer, if not a "spy". In one incident, he reported on a dinner part of "rebels" held in the home of John Jackson at York in 1807. Joseph Willocks and others were in attendance, and (drunk) cursed rather than toasted the King, and the "damned Scottish faction" at York.]

Previous to the war, he served as a Lieutenant in the 2nd West Riding Regiment, Lincoln, 1803. He was commissioned Major in the II York Militia, 4 June 1811. ^[8]

During the War of 1812, Titus Geer Simons served as a Major in the 2nd York and Incorporated Militias. He served from October 25 to December 24, 1812 in the 2nd York. ^[9]

He married (2) Hannah Coon in 1814, Flamborough, Niagara, Upper Canada.

Potential Children:

-- Arabella Gore Simons (1815-1902)

-- Hannah Rosanna Simons (1818- )

-- Elizabeth Jane Simons (1820- )

Service in the War of 1812

Incorporated Militia

In March 0f 1813 Simons was reported living in West Flamborough Township. ^[10]

Although a printed version of the regulations concerning the Incorporated Militia was not released until the 10th, on the 4th he was able to submit a list of officers within the II York who had already completed their quota. On 25 March 1813 he officially submitted an application to recruit as Major (requiring 30 volunteers) with the Incorporated Militia. ^[11] (He is listed in various Rolls from 25 July 1813 to March 24, 1814).^[12] William Walter Simons was an ensign in his company (no known relationship).

Intense company drills began almost immediately. In May his detachment as at Burlington Heights. Near the end of the month he was also put in command of all the Embodied Militia (i.e. Flank Companies). On June 3rd Vincent wrote Simons to leave his company and come to Headquarters where his "local knowledge and other qualities not necessary to enumerate render you particularly valuable to him at the present moment.” Some other officer was to take command of the militia going to Stoney Creek.^[13] (The Battle of Stoney Creek followed on the 6th.)

On July 11 a surprise attack was made upon a supply depot at Black Rock. Simons’ detachment took part, helping to ferry the men and bring back the booty. (While the initial attack routed the Americans without loss, they regrouped and launched a counter-attack on the retreating regulars.) ^[14] A District General Order of July 14 read ordered Simons to remain at Headquarters (12 Mile Creek) and take charge of all the militia. Further, all requisitions for batteau-crew were to go through him. ^[15]

In late July 1813 the Americans regained control of Lake Ontario and planned an attack upon Burlington Heights. The British anticipated that and Simons received orders to head there with the militia, gathering any regulars on the way and forwarding them by wagons. As there were too few wagons, most made a 30 mile forced march. The Americans were surprised to see a well-organized defence and abandoned the attack. ^[16]

By the end of August the combined detachments of the Incorporated Militia could only field 40 rank and file fit for duty out of 82. They were sent to the rear to convalesce, Simons and Rapelje to 12 Mile Creek.^[17]

As noted, there were frequent brushes with the Americans. Details are not given, but on 8 October 1813, at the "Cross Roads", Sergeant James A. Mullet of Simons' detachment was severely wounded.^[18]

On November 29 an IM outpost at Stoney Creek received word of Willcocks and his men pillaging near 40 Mile Creek. Simons’ company, plus some embodied militia, and a few mounted regulars mounted a raid. They failed to capture the Americans, but Willcocks later reported being attacked by a large body of regulars. This prompted McClure to pull his lines even closer to Fort George. On the 10th they abandoned that post, but not before burning Newark. ^[19] On the night of the 19th the British crossed the river and took Fort Niagara by storm, which the held for the rest of the war.

Drummond next set his eyes upon the military stores at Black Rock. However, there were too few boats available nearby to carry all the men. Simons’ (and Rapelje’s) company gathered what they could on the lower Niagara River and took them upstream to Queenston. There they were loaded onto large sleds and hauled up the Heights and overland (9 miles) to the Chippewa River. All this was done in such a way as not to be detected by the enemy. On the 29th they were moved upriver to the embarkation point. Simons had overall command of this movement. The first waves crossed and the attack went well. The final wave was, however, fired upon from the regrouped enemy, before finally landing and driving off the defenders. Considerable quantities of military goods were transported to Canada (again under Simons’ supervision). Next came widespread destruction of the villages on the American shore in retaliation for Newark. Simons was mentioned in General Orders as being “useful and indefatigable in embarking the troops.” ^[20]

On March of 1814 the various detachments were gathered at York to form a single battalion under the command of Robinson. Simons’ gave up direct control of his company to become Second in Command (his men were transferred to Rapelje’s company. ^[21]

On the night of June 4th, Simons’ career with the Incorporated Militia veered far off course. What began as a disagreement in the Mess between two officers (Lieutenants John Lampman and Duncan McDonell), that escalated into a scuffle. This ended with Simons and others outside. The Major was seen to strike Ensign Charles Short in front of witnesses, which included several rankers. The next morning he could not be found within the garrison or the immediate neighbourhood. Nor did he return during the following week. On June 16, Robinson had no choice but to send a note to Simons in Flamborough West that he should consider himself under arrest. On the 22nd a Court of Enquiry convened taking statements. The next day a letter from Simons was delivered to the – that the whole affair was an organized conspiracy and he had had urgent business. The Adjutant General of Militia, Lieutenant-Colonel Foster rejected this, and privately informed him he could choose between officially submitting his resignation from the Incorporated Militia and return to the II York, or face a full court martial. On the 29th he officially resigned, with official approval coming July 10. ^[22]

II York, Part II

He received compensation for the use of two horses from July 4 to 25, 1814 in the 2nd York Militia. ^[23]

He was stationed at Hutes Hause near St. David’s from July 13 to 24, 1814 under Lieutenant Colonel Richard Beasley and commanded the 2nd York during the Battle of Lundy’s Lane on the 25th. ^[24]

Battle of Lundy's Lane

About 8 pm a small column made up of the 1st Militia brigade (including Simons and the II York) arrived on the field. They were posted on the right of the line. When Colonel Scot attempted to attack the British right, Drummond with the 1st Regiment, the Glengarry Fencibles and II York swung to take them in flank. This brought that attack to a halt. As the battle dragged on the British began running low on ammunition, Drummond was forced to strip the embodied militia units, rendering them unless for further participation in the battle, so they began retiring. In the dark they were mistaken by an arriving unit for the enemy and were fired upon. This caused numerous casualties, including Simons who was hit in the right arm by iron case-shot, inflicting three wounds. This forced him to leave the field to seek medical aid, which he received from Robert Kerr, senior surgeon with the Indian Department.^[25]

The report of a Medical Board, 31 July 1815 records he lost the use of his right arm, a little below the shoulder, the ball passing through it, dividing some nerves came out from the Auxiliary plesus and lodged in his breast. The ball was later extracted. ^[26]

Hannah, his wife, drove a wagon to Lundy’s Lane to pick him up and take him home to Flamborough Cottage. ^[27]

Post War

Simons continued to serve with the militia. On June 5, 1816, he had a commission in the 2nd Gore Militia. ^[28] By 1824 he was Colonel of that unit. ^[29]

He had three daughters with his second wife, Hannah Coon.

On May 2, 1820, Titus G. Simons, a resident of East Flamborough Twp. and a former major of the Flank Companies of the 2nd York, received 1000 acres on Lots 17 to 19, Con. 4, and Lot 18, Con. 5 and 6, Eramosa Twp. ^[30]

On 4 July 1821 a Medical Board found no material change in his condition. ^[31]

For his service he received compensation of £200 per annum as well as the Prince Regent’s Land Grant subsequently owning 670 acres throughout West Flamborough Township by 1819. By 1825, he had also built an industrial empire on the 3rd Lot of the 2nd Concession that consisted of a gristmill, sawmill, distillery, ashery, cooperage, stables, hog pens and 13 dwellings for his employees.

The York Almanac of 1821, he is listed as Major with the 2nd Gore Militia; that of 1824 has him as Colonel, 2nd Gore Militia. [He does not appear on lists for Gore Militia in 1831.]^[32]

From April 15, 1816 to 1824, he served as sheriff of the Gore District.^[33]

Died 20 Aug 1829, West Flamborough Township, Wentworth, Upper Canada (Ontario). Buried 27 Aug 1829, Bullocks Corners, West Flamborough.

His militia coat is on display at the Hamilton Military Museum.

The house named Stormont in West Flamborough was built in 1837 by Arabella Gore (Simons) Miller and her husband William Henry Miller on land granted to Titus Geer Simons.

Death: 20 August 1829, West Flamborough Twp, Upper Canada

Burial: 27 Aug 1829, Christ Church Anglican Cemetery, Bullocks Corners, West Flamborough Twp, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada.^[34][35]

• Fact: Burial (27 Aug 1829) Bullocks Corners, West Flamborough Township, Wentworth, ON, Canada

Sources

1. ↑ "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F74T-6QJ : 7 January 2020), Titus Simons, 1765.
2. ↑ "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7WG-MHY : 7 January 2020), Sarah Simons, 1765.
3. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/vitals/LCX3-MSP
4. ↑ https://www.ancestry.ca/family-tree/person/tree/17895275/person/695543769/facts
5. ↑ FITZGERALD, E. KEITH. Ontario People: 1796-1803. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1993. 25
6. ↑ The Upper Canada Gazette & Its Printers, Ontario Legislative Library, 1993., 9-11. On line: https://collections.ola.org/mon/27002/159217.pdf
7. ↑ "List of the Inhabitants in the Townships of York, Scarborough & Etobiconk in the Year 1799", in Christine Mosser, ‘’York, Upper Canada, Minutes of Town Meetings and Lists of Inhabitants, 1793-1823’’, Toronto: Metropolitan Toronto Library Board, 1984, 14, 22, 29
8. ↑ Irving, 65-66
9. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10383, pages 1111-1115
10. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10383, pages 1040-1042
11. ↑ Feltoe, 63; LAC, RG9 1B7, v. 3, p 88
12. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Pay Lists, Microfilm t-10379, pages 602-625
13. ↑ LAC, Q,341,206; Cruikshank, v. 3: 294; Feltoe, 91,93, 106-7
14. ↑ Feltoe, 112
15. ↑ LAC, CO42/378, p. 233; Cruikshank, ‘’Documents’’, v. 4, p. 234; Feltoe, 113
16. ↑ Harvey to Simons, 29 July 1813, LAC CO42 378/233, also in Cruikshank, v 4, p 29; Feltoe, 112-114
17. ↑ Feltoe, 119-120
18. ↑ Gray, 229, 273; however, he does show up on subsequent Muster Rolls,RG9 !B7,v3
19. ↑ Feltoe, 123
20. ↑ Feltoe, 131-3
21. ↑ Feltoe, 193
22. ↑ It also appears that he initially supported Lampman, blaming McDonell for starting the fuss; perhaps because the Ensign had served under him. LAC, RG9 1B1, v. 3; Feltoe, 209-214
23. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10383, pages 1065
24. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 36-38, 40-44, & 44-59
25. ↑ Thomas Melville Bailey (Editor), Dictionary of Hamilton Biography, Volume 1, W.L. Griffin Limited, 1981
26. ↑ Sources: LAC C. 700, p. 175; Feltoe, 258, 269, 272, 396
27. ↑ Donald E. Graves, Where Right and Glory Lead! The Battle of Lundy’s Lane, 1814, Robin Brass Studio, Toronto, 2003
28. ↑ Collections Canada, War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10383, page 1124
29. ↑ Irving, 66-67
30. ↑ Ontario Archives, Militia Land Grants Register, Microfilm MS693, Reel 140, Volume 132, Grant 276
31. ↑ LAC, RG5 A1, c. 53, p. 26808
32. ↑ Robertson, Gore Militia, 30, 32
33. ↑ Grand River Tract Assessment Rolls, 1816
34. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W3LH-V6W2 : 6 June 2019), Titus Geer Simons, ; Burial, Flamborough, Hamilton Municipality, Ontario, Canada, Christ Church Anglican Cemetery; citing record ID 198834226, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
35. ↑ "BillionGraves Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVPD-6PRD : 9 November 2015), Titus Geer Simons, died 1829; citing BillionGraves (http://www.billiongraves.com : 2012), Burial at West Flamborough Municipal Cemetery, Hamilton, Hamilton Division, Ontario, Canada.

• Ancestry.com: https://www.ancestry.ca/family-tree/person/tree/20325590/person/930941302/facts
• "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : modified 15 August 2019, 19:10), entry for Titus Geer Simons(PID https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:LRG9-HBN); contributed by various users.
• Library and Archives of Canada: MG19/A39: Duncan Clark Papers; 688E; 1219(Hand-written notes from original documents made by J. Everett, c. 1992)
• Ernest Alexander Cruikshank, Documentary History of the Campaign Upon the Niagara Frontier, Vol. 9, Lundy’s Lane Historical Society, printed at the Tribune Office, Welland, 1908, online at www.ourroots.ca
• Feltoe, Richard. ‘’Red Coated Ploughboys: The Volunteer Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada, 1812-15’’. Toronto: Dundurn, 2012.
• Gray, William.’’ Soldiers of the King: The Upper Canadian Militia, 1812-1815’’. Toronto: Stoddart, 1995.
• Irving, L. Homfray. ‘’Officers of the British Forces in Canada during the War of 1812’’. Toronto: Canadian Military Institute, 1908.
• Robertson, H.H. ‘’The Gore District Militia….’’ Hamiton: Griffin & Kinder Co. Ltd., Printers, 1904 – on-line at: Gore Militia: https://archive.org/stream/goredistrictmili00robeuoft#page/n3/mode/2up
• Digital copies of Library and Archives of Canada reel t-10379 on line at: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-119.01-e.php?q2=35&q3=2840&tt=1244&sqn=593

Additional Notes

This person was created through the import of Ancestry Wiki.ged on 14 March 2011. The following data was included in the gedcom. You may wish to edit it for readability.

Irving

• Page 36 shows him as a Staff member of the Upper Canadian Militia, Major Titus G. Simons 2nd. York Regiment, Flank Companies.
• Pg.37 (4) shows he is a member of The Volunteer Incorporated Militia Battalion 25 Mar., 1813.
• Pg.38 (4) indicates he is From Dist. G.O. 14 July, 1813; present at Lundy's Lane, Black Rock (despatches); see 2nd York. Died 20 Aug., 1829.
• Pg.65 (2) lists him in in HOME DISTRICT 2nd Regiment of York Militia.
• Pg.66 (2) - Lieut. 2nd West Riding Reg't., Lincoln, 1803; present at Black Rock (despatches) , Lundy's Lane (severeley wounded). Colonel 2nd Gore Militia, 1824. Died at Flamboro' West, Upper Canada 20 Aug., 29.
• Pg. 258 - Militia Pensions, 1812-15 Upper Canada. Permanent Board. (Created 24 May, 1816) - Gore District, Major Simons. The star appearing beside his name on pages 36,37,65 indicates he received Prince Regent's land grant for services during the War.

Name: Titus Geer /Simons/

Given Name: Titus Geer

Surname: Simons

Source: #S303

Source: #S54

Page: Ancestry Family Trees

Quality or Certainty of Data: 3

• https://archive.org/stream/officersofbritis00irvi#page/36/mode/1up

https://archive.org/stream/officersofbritis00irvi#page/65/mode/1up https://archive.org/stream/officersofbritis00irvi#page/258/mode/1up

• • http://www.thespec.com/news-story/2110661-war-of-1812-blood-ties/

http://www.flamboroughreview.com/community/in-memory-of-titus-geer-simons/

• • • http://www.flamboroughreview.com/opinion/columns/from-the-vault-titus-geer-simons/

Wikipedia:Gore_District,_Upper_Canada

https://archive.org/stream/titussimonsquart00robe#page/9/mode/1up

• • • • More info and discussion: http://boards.ancestry.ca/thread.aspx?o=10&m=1930.2.2.3.2&p=localities.northam.canada.ontario.wentworth

Note: #NI425092292

Source S303

Abbreviation: Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s

Title: Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s

Author: Genealogical Research Library, Ontario, Canada

Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005.Original data - Compiled from various family history sources. See source information provided with each entry.Original data: Compiled from various family history sources. See source i

Reference: 7920::0

Repository: #R2

Repository R2

Name: Ancestry.com

Address: Ancestry.com

http://www.Ancestry.com

Name: Ancestry.com

Address 1: http://www.Ancestry.com

Source S54

Abbreviation: Public Member Trees

Title: Public Member Trees

Author: Ancestry.com

Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2006.Original data - Family trees submitted by Ancestry members.Original data: Family trees submitted by Ancestry members.

Note: This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created.

Repository: #R2