Glengarry Cairn

Picture - http://niche-canada.org/2021/06/08/the-glengarry-cairn-national-historic-site-and-the-making-of-the-canadian-past-after-wwi/

6422 Carin View Rd., Summerstown, ON. Drive to the end of the road and walk to the water’s edge (beside the large modern house on your left). Look for an island off to the right. Binoculars will help.

Commemoration

This cairn was erected under the supervision of Lieut-Col. Lewis Carmichael of the Imperial Army, then stationed in this district on particular service, by the Highland Militia of Glengarry which had aided in the suppression of the Canadian Rebellion of 1837-38, to commemorate the services of that distinguished soldier Sir John Colborne , who was declared by the historian Napier to have been, 'A man of singular talent for war' and who commanded her majesty's forces in Canada at that critical period. He had previously served with conspicuous merit throughout the Peninsular War and elsewhere and had greatly distinguished himself at Waterloo when in command of the 52nd regiment. He was Lieut. Governor of Upper Canada from November 1828 to January 1836, Governor General of Canada in 1839, and afterwards became Field Marshall Lord Seaton G.C.B. The cairn was repaired and this tablet erected in 1905.

Background

The Carin is on an island in the St. Lawrence which can be seen from the end of Carin View Rd., just past the address given above. It was built in 1840. The cairn is large and a walkway winds around it to the top. The island is closed to the public.

Sir John Colborne was born in 1778 in Lymington, Hampshire, England. He was a career officer in the British army and served in many battles and campaigns in Europe and Egypt, including the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

In August, 1828, he became Lieutenant-Governer of Upper Canada. During his administration the population of the province grew by 70%. He enabled this by bringing retired officers from England to settle and by building roads and basic infrastructure which the province lacked. In 1828 he founded Upper Canada College.

In 1836, he became Commander-in-Chief of all forces in British North America. He led the British troops in the Battle of Saint-Eustache in Lower Canada during the rebellion there. In 1838, he became Governor General of British North America during which time he continued to suppress the revolt in Lower Canada.

He left Canada in October, 1839 and was elevated to the peerage as Baron Seaton. He died in April, 1863.

The rebellions of 1837-8 in Upper and Lower Canada occur two generations after the refugees of the American revolution arrived. They were prompted by, amongst other things, a desire of the local populace to have a greater say in the governing of their land. Most of the people in this part of Upper Canada did not support the rebellion and, as their ancestors had in the 18th century, took up arms to support the crown.