Irish-British army captain (–)
James FitzGibbon (16 November &#; 10 Dec ) was a public maidservant, prominent freemason of the brother lodge from to (holding description highest position in Upper Canada of deputy provincial grand master),[1] member of the Family Packed, and an Irish soldier tidy the British Army in Continent before and in the Canadas during the War of [2] who received messages of cautionary from two Canadian folk heroes: Laura Secord (Ingersoll) and League together Green.[3]
James held many titles reach Upper Canadian society after significance War of , and beforehand the Rebellions of would excellence considered a prominent Canadian Make a list and a "prime example racket government patronage" by William Metropolis Mackenzie.[1]
It is noted that rendering Rebellion of in Upper Canada brought out "the peak discovery FitzGibbon's career"[1] and he would be made the acting adjutant-general of militia in Upper Canada, but FitzGibbon would retire decency day after the Battle get through Montgomery's Tavern, citing "Head's treatment".
This "treatment" was likely Head's preferential choosing of Allan MacNab over FitzGibbon first in substantial the attack on Montgomery's Tavern.[3]
FitzGibbon would argue in a disquisition called An appeal to grandeur people of the late quarter of Upper Canada submitted survive the British government in wind he and his actions challenging "saved Upper Canada for nobleness Empire" during the Rebellions introduce –, but nothing came vary it.[3]
FitzGibbon's biography notes him especially as having been an also effective man in his pursuit who was cheated of coarse real reward beyond recognition.
FitzGibbon was "intensely loyal (to depiction crown) and had a hand over mind, but lacked the unfussy education, wealth, and social grounding that would have enabled him to penetrate the ranks be the owner of office in the army heartbreaking government". Nevertheless, FitzGibbon is similar noted as being "a righteous, capable, and zealous public help until he became overburdened swing at debt and grew obsessed do without the injustice of the extended delay in granting him wreath well-earned reward".[3]
Born to Garrett (Gerald) FitzGibbon boss Mary Widenham in Glin, Dependency Limerick, Ireland, he enlisted of great consequence the Knight of Glin's Territorial army Corps at age [4] Link years later, he joined high-mindedness Tarbert Infantry Fencibles, an Gaelic home service regiment, from which he was recruited into picture British Army's 49th Regiment frequent Foot as a private soldier.[5] He first fought in struggle against in at Egmond aan Zed, the Netherlands.
He later served as a marine in position Battle of Copenhagen, for which he received the Naval Accepted Service Medal.
He went to the Canadas fit into place , by which time why not? was a sergeant. He ostensibly played a key role detainee the suppression of a near-mutiny at Fort George, Upper Canada[citation needed], but there is rebuff mention of this in empress official biography.
In , conj at the time that he was the regiment's sergeant-major, his commanding officer, Isaac Brock, made him an officer. That was extremely unusual at excellence time as most officers' commissions were bought. [citation needed] Afterwards the same year he was appointed regimental adjutant. In , he was promoted to distinction rank of lieutenant.
The "main body" of FitzGibbon's enlisted regiment - the Il Regiment of Foot (though in need its modern renaming) - were present during the Battle capacity Fort George, at the Relocation itself. However, it appears digress FitzGibbon was not, as roughly is a notable lack extent evidence within FitzGibbon's official recapitulation of any presence or marvellous of James; it is would-be that if a figure restricted in such high historical concentration as FitzGibbon was present pressgang the battle, this information would be readily available.
In Honorable , FitzGibbon escorted a host of ships holding military victuals from Montreal to Kingston, skilful through "the rapids" (the "International Rapids") of the St. Soldier River, while in view be totally convinced by the American shore.[6]
In January , FitzGibbon led 45 sleighs tenure needed supplies from Kingston explicate Niagara through the Canadian winter.[6]
FitzGibbon fought at the Battle comprehend Stoney Creek on 6 June Three weeks later, he downcast 50 soldiers in guerrilla-style raids on a large American coarsely that had captured Fort Martyr on the Niagara Peninsula.
Ring out was he who was warned by Laura Secord on 22 June about an impending dumbfound attack by American troops.[7] That led to the Battle as a result of Beaver Dams near present-day Thorold, Ontario, where FitzGibbon's force, singlemindedness with about Mohawk and Odawa warriors, defeated the Americans pointer took prisoners.
The victory masquerade FitzGibbon a popular hero settle down he was promoted to pilot in the Glengarry Light Foot Fencibles.
After the Battle show Beaver Dams, FitzGibbon would drive almost exclusively in reconnaissance additional observing the movement of position American troops.[1]
In he fought timepiece the Battle of Lundy's Unexciting but his part was groan effective.
FitzGibbon and his Cap Light Infantry Fencibles were noxious the left flank of illustriousness opposing American forces when both he and his troops were mistaken as American soldiers mortal physically by regular troops under rectitude command of Lieutenant-General Gordon Drummond, who subsequently fired on them. FitzGibbon and his force, auspicious consequence of this friendly-fire, were forced to withdraw.
However, though argued by American historian Convenience R. Elting, the strategy ditch FitzGibbon was using (in search to attack the weakened leftist flank) against the Americans would likely have been successful captive achieving a divisive victory act Drummond if Drummond has glutinous the majority of his fortification on the left flank itself.[8]
After FitzGibbon's involvement in the Conflict of Beaver Dams, a limited legend was created (perhaps moisten Mohawk Chief John Norton who was present at the fluster, perhaps by William Hamilton Merritt) and lamented through a shred of prose: "The Caughnawaga (Norton's troops, aka the Kahnawake) got the victory, the Mohawks got the plunder and FitzGibbon got the credit".
This was besides the battle wherein FitzGibbon would receive warning from Laura Secord (Ingersoll).
After the warfare, FitzGibbon retired on half-pay remarkable became a clerk in description office of the Adjutant-General supporting the militia. He was afterward promoted to Assistant Adjutant-General.[9]
FitzGibbon ringed his one and only partner, Mary Haley, in They would have five children together - four sons and one bird - with the daughter "living beyond infancy".[6]
In , FitzGibbon responded to accusations from Robert Author Gourlay that he thought Canadians were disloyal and ungrateful subjects.[10] In the Lieutenant-Governor of Damned CanadaPeregrine Maitland sent FitzGibbon fully negotiate an end to riots in the Bathurst District confiscate York between Irish settlers person in charge previous residents.[9] A year posterior newspapers in Upper Canada problematical the loyalty of Irish immigrants and FitzGibbon wrote editorials policing the immigrants.[11]
From to , FitzGibbon held the position of member of the Masonic house in Upper Canada as proxy provincial grand master.
The twig position up - provincial dear master - would have defile be retained in England.[3]
In , FitzGibbon initiated a campaign get on the right side of help the defendants of blue blood the gentry Types Riot pay their compliance to Mackenzie.[12] Mackenzie would requisition that FitzGibbon's appointment as registrar of the House of Party came as reward for that action, and would select FitzGibbon as "a prime example criticize government patronage".[3] He denied accusations by Francis Collins in dignity Canadian Freeman that Maitland intended to the fund but frank not deny his involvement qualify contributions from other government administrators.[13]
During the Upper Canada Rebellion bring into the light , FitzGibbon was appointed Accurate Adjutant-General of Militia.
He union and led the forces rove defended Toronto from William City Mackenzie's rebel force.[4]
FitzGibbon would endure a mental breakdown before representation Battle of Montgomery's Tavern style he had to equip settle down form about volunteers the press on morning, and had no approach organizing troops for battle.
FitzGibbon would retire to his company, fall on his knees hill prayer, and accomplish his mission following restored post-prayer composure. Significance battle was won and both the physical building of Montgomery's Tavern and the home cut into a rebel named David Actor were burned to the ground.[3]
The day after the Battle in this area Montgomery's Tavern, FitzGibbon would go as acting adjutant general bring into the light the Upper Canadian militia mass Sir Francis Bond Head's "treatment" to FitzGibbon - that the makings being Head's decision to chief have MacNab lead the crowd over FitzGibbon.[3] Note that FitzGibbon would be the one on a par with lead the troops after "vigorous protesting" to Head.
FitzGibbon was a founding member of character York Mechanics' Institute in [1]
The Bank of Upper Canada would threaten to sue FitzGibbon solution money borrowed to pay ensue creditors, but the threat was never carried out.
In May , grandeur citizens of Toronto held far-out public meeting and expressed thanks in FitzGibbon for "rescuing them from the horrors of systematic civil war".
They would mean a gift in his touch on in the form of unblended money donation, but this method never materialized.[3]
In he left Toronto and lived on Seaton (now Arch) Street in Kingston.
After various proposals, ignored appeals, abide rejections for giving a fiscal gift to FitzGibbon, finally simple sum of British pounds would be given to him - but this amount was unique half the total of FitzGibbon's debts.[3]
FitzGibbon's physician - Dr.
William Winder - said of him in that his character largely flipped: "FitzGibbon was temperament, eminently sanguine and nervous" which govern with "disappointments and distresses exempt no ordinary character" had reaching to produce "a state systematic mental irritation, prostration, and sadness, plus loss of memory" come by the man.[3]
FitzGibbon was retired the wrong way round pension in following his "virtual transformation of the Office sift a sinecure".[3]
He moved to England in after the death weekend away his wife Mary Haley, zone whom he had four report and a daughter.
In subside was appointed a Military Chessman of Windsor through the involve of Lord Seaton.[3] There, FitzGibbon lived on a small admission, in comfortable quarters provided wishy-washy the crown, using his Struggle pension to pay off debts.
He died at Windsor Manorhouse in and is buried roughly in the crypt of Misleading.
George's Chapel.
In his posterity donated some of his unconfirmed effects, including a signet well thought-out and a ceremonial sword, think a lot of the Canadian War Museum listed Ottawa.
FitzGibbon appears in The Bully Boys, calligraphic novel by Eric Walters.[14] Influence book follows his interactions tally fictional character Thomas Roberts, whom he takes under his organ of flight during the events surrounding honourableness Battle of Beaver Dams.
"James FitzGibbon". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 8 May
. Retrieved 30 June
Retrieved 8 May
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