The War of 1812 feels a bit like ancient history – after all, the war took place over 200 years ago, and the first-hand memory of that time is to be found in books, memoires and scattered monuments and historic sites. Familial ties between those who served so long ago, and the residents of our modern city are scarce. Yet within the bounds of Mississauga can be found the resting places for 37 known militia veterans who served during the war – the cemeteries themselves long predate the city itself.

Hidden in plain sight, our landscape itself remembers. Multiple roads and place names within our city connect back to the War of 1812 and the people who lived on this land and served during those tumultuous years. Those place names are permanent reminders on our landscape from times gone by – after all, people do not name things after things that they wish to be forgotten.

Let’s start with the name Mississauga itself, chosen by popular vote by our residents in 1967. The name pays respect to the Indigenous Mississaugas of the Credit River who once called this area home. The Mississaugas themselves had many connections to the War of 1812.

Other references can be in several street names within our city. Jarvis, Robinson and Thompson streets in historic Erindale Village are all named after veterans of the war. When the village plot was first surveyed between 1822 and 1825, Frederik Starr Jarvis, John Beverly Robinson and William Thompson were all prominent citizens, and several streets within the newly surveyed village carry their family names today. Prior to the survey, all three individuals had served in various capacities during the War of 1812. Lieutenant Frederick Starr Jarvis served with the Commissariat department in York (Toronto), John Beverly Robinson (builder of The Grange, home of Heritage Mississauga) served as a Lieutenant with the 3rd York Regiment, and Captain William Thompson served as a Captain with the 2nd York militia.

Some other place name connections include the historic Cherry Hill House – the home established by Joseph and Jane Silverthorn. Joseph, along with his brothers Aaron and Thomas, enlisted with the 2nd York militia during the war. The Silverthorn name is also referenced in multiple places within our city today.

The early reference to what is today the Clarkson area was Merigold’s Point – named in connection to the prominent Merigold family. Thomas Merigold Sr., along with his sons Thomas Jr., Daniel and Amos, all served. Thomas Sr.’s son-in-law, Lewis Bradley (after whom the Bradley Museum is named), also served. In time, Merigold’s Point became the village of Clarkson, which itself was named for another veteran of 1812, Warren Clarkson.

Another historic community, well known on our landscape, is Streetsville, which took its name way back when from Timothy Street. Timothy lived in St. David’s in the Niagara area during the war, and suffered loses to his personal property during American incursions. His eldest son, Hiram Street, served during the war, as did several other relatives. In the years following the war, Timothy and his family came to historic Mississauga, and in time the village of Streetsville grew around the Street family enterprises. Many other families, also with connections to the war, came to historic Mississauga in the years that followed.

Two other links to the war can be found in several local street names. Cawthra Road is named for the Cawthra family. Joseph Cawthra received a land grant here in 1808, in addition to owning land in nearby York (Toronto). During the war, Joseph operated a successful apothecary and mercantile business that contracted with the British military in York.

Wilcox Road is named for Amos Willcox, another militia veteran and local landowner. Unlike many members of the militia, Amos found himself directly involved in several battles. He was present at the battles of Queenston Heights, Stoney Creek, and Black Rock. Amos also received a General Service Medal for the capture of Fort Detroit.

Wolfedale Road also has connections back to the War of 1812. Named for the Wolfe family who had a farm here, patriarch Peter Wolfe served in the 1st Flank Company of the 2nd York militia. For his service, he received a land grant towards the London area and resettled there. His son would take over the property here in historic Mississauga, where Wolfedale Road now runs.

All offer a glimpse into the many-layered facets of our city’s fascinating history. Although many of these place names and road names have lost the immediate connection to the people who once lived here, there was a time when our predecessors who lived in historic Mississauga wanted to ensure that the stories and memories of the past were preserved because they meant something to them and to this place – and they wanted to ensure those times and those people were not forgotten. Although sometimes it can be hard to connect with times long gone by, we collectively walk in their footsteps, and the decisions made by those who lived generations earlier helped to shape the place we call home today. The landscape has certainly changed as our city has, and continues to, evolve. But the landscape also remembers – offering us glimpses into parts of our heritage that are hidden out of mind and in plain sight.

To learn more of life and times during the War of 1812, we invite to come to the Engagement at Bradley 1812 Weekend on September 21-22, 2024 at the Bradley Museum (1620 Orr Road). For more information, please visit: https://www.2ndyork.com/bradley-2024

Tickets are available online and in person. Come visit us for a fun, informative and immersive weekend with music, dance, merchants, demonstrations, encampments, crafts and battles.