During the night of February 18, 1838 the State Arsenal located in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York was broken into. Stolen were about 400 arms that had previously been taken from the British in the War of 1812. Plans were underway for a foray into Canada to capture Kingston, Ontario in an attempt to aid Canadian rebels who were attempting to overthrow their British rulers.
The plan was to stage the attack from Hickory Island in the St. Lawrence River between French Creek (Clayton) and Gananoque, Ontario. That city would be taken first and then the troops would march to Kingston. Hundreds of Canadians were expected to join their American compatriots. The date was set for Washington’s Birthday, February 22. This plan was a complete failure with no men ever going further than Hickory Island. The men marched across the ice to get to the island, but it was such a cold and bitter night that most turned around and walked back home.
On November 12, 1838 a 250 member group of Americans decided to attack the British Fort Wellington at Prescott, Ontario, across the St. Lawrence River from Ogdensburg, New York. They landed about two miles east of Prescott at the site of a 60 foot tall stone windmill located on top of a 30 foot bluff. The British, with advance warning, attacked them, and the Americans were forced into the windmill. On November 16th a combination of 600 British and Canadian soldiers using artillery overcame the invaders.
During ensuing trials at Kingston, Ontario 11 leaders were convicted and executed. One of those was a young man named Sylvester A. Lawton of Lyme, Jefferson County, New York. January 4, 1839 he was taken to the court house at Kingston and hanged.
The 26 year old Sylvester 1812, was the son of Joshua 1770, son of William 1737, son of Isaac 1709, son of Thomas 1687, son of Isaac 1650, in turn the son of Thomas 1614 the original immigrant to Rhode Island in 1638, a full 200 years before the fated Battle of the Windmill.
Oliver Lawton of Saratoga Springs, New York was pardoned for his actions in the same battle, but scores of the attackers were banished to Van Diemen’s Land, which today is known as Tasmania, a large island off the southeast coast of Australia.
The photo is the windmill as it appears today converted into a lighthouse.
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