Artifacts from the War of 1812 and the 1837 Rebellion donated to the Canadian War Museum
December 10, 2003 — Ottawa, Ontario — In a ceremony held today at the Canadian War Museum (CWM), artifacts belonging to Colonel James FitzGibbon were donated to the Museum by his descendants. James FitzGibbon served with distinction in the War of 1812 and the 1837 Rebellion in Upper Canada.
Born in 1780 into a family of farmers and weavers in Ireland, FitzGibbon fought in the Napoleonic Wars before coming to Canada with the 49th Regiment of Foot. During the War of 1812, he served at the Battles of Stoney Creek and Lundy's Lane. In June 1813, Lieutenant FitzGibbon personally received Laura Secord’s warning that American troops were planning on attacking the massed British and Canadian forces at Beaver Dams, on the Niagara Peninsula. Ultimately, the numerically superior American forces surrendered to FitzGibbon. This victory made him a popular hero. The officers of the 49th presented him with a gold medal. The Montreal Gazette praised his, “cool determination and ... hardy presence of mind.”
After the war, FitzGibbon became a public servant in the Upper Canada administration. By 1837, he was Acting Adjutant-General of Militia and led the government army against William Lyon Mackenzie's reformers at Montgomery's Tavern.
FitzGibbon traveled back to England in 1847. In 1850, he was appointed a Military Knight of Windsor. He died in 1863 at Windsor Castle and is buried in the crypt of St. George's Chapel.
“James FitzGibbon played an important military role in two of Canada’s defining moments in history,” said Joe Geurts, Director and CEO of the Canadian War Museum. “The Battle of Beaver Dams, where he received Laura Secord’s warning, is a Canadian historical legend shared from generation to generation. Although lesser known, his role in the 1837 Rebellion — where radical reformers were threatening Upper Canada’s stability — did shape the country we know today. The Canadian War Museum is grateful to the family for this important donation, which we will hold in trust for future generations.”
The Colonel James FitzGibbon artifact set consists of a sword and King George signet ring presented by Lord d’Este; a sword-belt and sash worn by FitzGibbon; a Military Knights of Windsor ceremonial sword; an oil painting of the Colonel, two books and a letter.
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Christina Selin
Senior Communications Officer
Tel.: (819) 776-8607
Fax: (819) 776-8623
mailto:christina.selin@warmuseum.ca
Pierre Leduc
Communications Officer
Tel.: (819) 776-8608
Fax: (819) 776-8623
mailto:pierre.leduc@warmuseum.ca
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