Saturday, October 26, 2013

War of 1812 Cemetery

200 soldiers were buried in Williamsville, New York

My ancestor, William McElhany  (abt. 1766 - 1815) was a veteran of The "Pennsylvania -- 22nd Regiment Infantry -- War of 1812" and he died  on Jan. 11, 1815, and was buried in The War of 1812 Cemetery, Williamsville, Erie County, New York, US. (See other details of his life in my post of Oct 24, 2013)

Monument to 200 veterans of War of 1812

War of 1812 Cemetery Located on Aero Drive, north side of Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
More Info on War of 1812 in Williamsville, New York:
Williamsville developed where the major road between Batavia and Buffalo crossed Ellicott Creek just above Glen Falls. The water power offered by the waterfall attracted millers. The first mill was built by Jonas Williams in 1811, giving the village its first name, "Williams Mills." It still stands today, next to Glen Park, and is known as the Williamsville Water Mill


File:Williamsville water mill 2b.jpg
Williamsville Water Mill.

During the War of 1812, American troops were stationed in Williamsville in the area between Garrison Road and Ellicott Creek. American soldiers and British prisoners were treated in a field hospital and log barracks that lined Garrison Road. A small cemetery, located on Aero Drive between Wehrle and Youngs Road, was used to bury the men who did not survive. General Winfield Scott used the Evans House as his headquarters in the Spring of 1813 when his entire army of 5,000–6,000 men were stationed in Williamsville. In 1813, when the British burned Buffalo, people fled to the safety of Williamsville and nearby Harris Hill. (Source: Wikipedia)
The War of 1812 ended with the ratification of the Treaty of Ghent in February 1815.  The Battle of New Orleans had taken place after the treaty was signed in Dec. 1814 (in Belgium), but the treaty had to be ratified by the English Parliament, and the US Senate before the war officially ended.  Even then, with such distances to communicate across, several battles occurred after the war was officially over.

William McElhany didn't die until Jan of 1815. Was he still immobilized in Williamsville after the fighting was over there (maybe 1813?)  Had he been moved away to be treated for his wounds at home?  Or did his remains get sent to that cemetery later?

Questions in my mind that don't really expect answers.

1 comment:

  1. What an impressive post, thanks. I have to get around and see more of these places myself. I also have to mention how much I enjoy your blog header photo. That photo is perfect for autumn and it displays just the kind of autumn day that's so much fun.

    ReplyDelete

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