Dear neilg-ga:
Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting
question and thank you for coming back to post another question so I
could follow up with the research I have done. I am sorry I missed you
last time but as I mentioned, following extensive research I arrived
to post my answer only hours after the original question expired.
As I said, I have been working on your question for quite some time
and tried to gather everything I could possibly find with regard to
the prison camp and the other issues. As you can see I have amassed
quite a collection of very interesting documents that refer to this
area and the events surrounding some of the places and people who were
help captive there. Where possible I have provided samples of the
types of information contained in the links, but as you probably know,
it is important that you visit each one and read they say in their
entirety. Some of these documents are quite large and detailed and I
could never begin to summarize all that they offer. Other offer
drawings and maps that obviously cannot be reproduced here either.
Since the basic gist of your question was “where can I find
information” I have focused on collecting that information for you as
opposed to offering you complete summaries of the stories I have
found. In this way I am able to offer you resources for your perusal,
allowing you to use that which is useful and pass on that which is
not. I hope my work adds significantly to what you already know about
this area and these people and I hope you are as informed and
entertained by this information as I was while doing the research.
As you know, “Prisoner Island” (also recorded as “Prison Island” and
“Prisoner’s Island”) is officially known as Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec,
Canada. The nameless island, upon which the prison was located, is not
actually in present-day Coteau-du-Lac at all, but across the raging
rapids of the St. Lawrence River from it, making escape virtually
impossible and the living conditions, cold and damp from the never
ending barrage of river mist, almost unbearable. The location of the
prison is confirmed by this 19th century drawing by artist John Arthur
Roebuck (1801-1879):
http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/Parks/Quebec/coteau/en/galerie/galerie_71e_e.html
Very little history is recorded about the prison itself. We do,
however, have a great deal of information about what it must have been
like to live in Coteau-du-Lac at this time since many of the soldiers
in the fort existed in conditions little better than their neighboring
prisoners of war. Food was scarce at times, loneliness and isolation
were always huge daily obstacles to overcome, and of course sickness,
disease and death were, in not just this, but many places of the 18th
century wilderness, common occurrences.
The site of the prison was selected because of the strategic value of
the fort at Coteau-du-Lac itself. Located on a route that connected
Montréal and Kingston, it provided a convenient means of transporting
prisoners in and out by boat, and a means of shipping goods to and
from the fort such as provisions, weapons and materials. Between 1781
and 1814, the fort across the rapids had evolved into a large-scale
infrastructure and was capable of housing soldiers responsible for
guarding and caring for the prisoners on the island. Records show that
during the winter months, good were transported over the ice to nearby
places like “Carleton Island” and “Wolfe Island” and in the spring,
via "batteaux" (French; “bateaux”, roughly translated to English as
“houseboat”), a small, crude, sailboat-like barge, similar to the one
depicted by this model:
http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/Parks/Quebec/coteau/images/histoire/54a.gif
This is undoubtedly the same method used to transport and care for the
needs of the prisoners of war held captive on Prison Island.
On the island, life must have been particularly difficult. Such was
the case even at the fort across the rapids, prior to the time it the
island became a prisoner of war camp, as is explained here:
“The living conditions of soldiers posted to the Coteau-du-Lac fort
were extremely harsh. The barracks, which were housed in a long stone
building, were divided into six rooms containing 12 bunk beds each.
They were thus capable of accommodating up to 288 soldiers, who were
crowded together in particularly unhealthy conditions; each person had
barely 1.85 m2 (20 p2) of area to call his own. In addition, fuel was
rationed severely; come winter, such meagre heating and lighting was
woefully insufficient. Furthermore, the cramped, dirty quarters,
combined with inadequate personal hygiene, meant that straw mattresses
had to be continually changed and buildings had to be frequently
whitewashed.”
A BIT OF HISTORY
http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/parks/quebec/coteau/en/histoire/histoire_4_e.html
THE LIFE OF JOHN FITCH
http://www.history.rochester.edu/steam/westcott/, (this is an
excellent article but fraught with grammatical errors; presumably due
to the author’s illiteracy), which provides one of the best accounts
of life in the prison, describes how the men were forced to make the
arduous journey on a boat in close quarters with livestock, made to
endure cruel treatment, and tormented by the threat of murder at every
turn. He described the island as “seventy or eighty acres” and
complained that the multitudes of men already there had become quite
dangerous in their own right. Of them Fitch said “they were idle,
discontented, ready for any kind of mischief, and disposed to think
unfavorably of any of their companions who manifested different
opinions.”
The number of prisoners on the island, as explained by Fitch is
corroborated by a sworn statement by John Woolaver
http://www.nktelco.net/buzmeyer/wohleben/penjohn.htm at the time of is
application for pension. In it Woolaver affirms “…on the 18th of July
1780, as they were crofsing (sic) the East Canada Creek with their
cows, they were surprised & taken by the Indians. Two of his brothers
were killed & one wounded & himself taken prisoner. That the Indians
retained him as a prisoner for 22 days & then delivered him up to the
British at Niagra (sic), N.Y. That he was then conveyed to Montreal &
confined in prison for about 2 months. He was then taken sick &
transfered (sic) to the hospital & remained there about 1 month & was
then taken to an Island in the River St. Lawrence, called the
Prisoners Island & remained there 1 year & 1 day, & was then sent to
Boston & then exchanged. There were three or four hundred prisoners on
the Island.”
Now, as per your question regarding “Stacy” and “Phillips” who became
prisoners of the Mohawks near Montreal; while it would be very
difficult to find out information about people from this era with only
sketchy information, oddly enough I found several references to people
with similar names in similar circumstances that may be of use to you.
Unfortunately, you must examine the documents yourself in order to
decide for if any of these people fit what you know about the people
you are seeking:
Diary of Captain Benjamin Warren at Massacre of Cherry Valley
http://www.ls.net/~newriver/ny/cherryvalley.htm
(Refers to “Colonel Stacy”)
Cherry Valley Massacre
http://www2.whidbey.net/jerod/cherry.htm
(Refers to “Lieutenant Colonel Stacy”)
FORT KLOCK
The Book of Names Especially Relating to The Early Palatines and the
First Settlers in the Mohawk Valley
http://www.fortklock.com/names3regiment.htm
http://www.fortklock.com/borderwarsch17.htm
http://www.fortklock.com/nyrevclaims.htm
http://www.fortklock.com/Bio.htm
(Refers to several soldiers named Phillips and one named Col. Stacey)
PICTORIAL FIELD BOOK OF THE REVOLUTION.
CHAPTER XXV
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~wcarr1/Lossing1/Chap25.html
(Refers to General Phillips – this document is huge)
HISTORY OF MANCHESTER
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nh/county/hillsborough/manchester/book/chap16.html
“Lieut. Phillips brought his party in without the loss of a man.
Phillips was a half blood, his mother being a Mowhawk Indian. He was
commissioned by the Earl of Loudon as a Lieutenant, for his
meritorious services, and throughout the "Seven Years War," did good
service as a leader of the Rangers.”
Finally, with regard to your question out sources for information
about Revolutionary War prisoners of war, I can offer these that I
found:
PRINTED DOCUMENTS
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/reference/revbib/pows.htm
BRITISH MILITARY RECORDS
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/BritMilRecs.html
PROGENEALOGISTS
“Revolutionary War Records Indexes”
http://www.progenealogists.com/orderrevwar.htm
DAVID LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Guide to Microfilm Holdings
http://www.dlar.org/guide.html
The Revolutionary War (HUGE LIST OF WEB SITE LINKS)
http://aklein.webhostme.com/war/revolutionary_war.htm
PRISONERS OF THE REVOLUTION
http://www.usmm.net/revdead.html
8000 names here. Among them are Thomas Stacy, Thomas Stacey, John
Philip (2), Joseph Philip, Lewis Philip, Pierre Philip, John Philips,
Lewin Philips, Nathan Philips, Thomas Philips Edward Phillips John
Phillips (2) and Samuel Phillips.
HISITORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION
http://www.hmc.gov.uk/
SIGNIFICANT PLACE NAMES AND DEFINITIONS RELATED TO COTEAU-DU-LAC, ALSO
KNOWN AS “PRISON ISLAND”
(I listed the most pertinent here but recommend you visit this site at
your leisure for much more information)
PLACENAMES- SW QUEBEC
http://www.rootsweb.com/~qchuntin/location/c.htm
Chrétien's Point
“An old name for a point on Lake St-Francis, on the east side of the
mouth of the Laguerre River. (45.151N/74.352W) It was also called
Caza's Point, later called Pointe-Caissonettes and now called
Pointe-Castagner. It was a place where cattle smuggled from the US
were ferried across to Coteau during the War of 1812 to feed the
British troops.”
coteau
“According to a modern reference, coteau means a "small hill" in
French. A dictionary says it is French for "hillside or slope"
Coteau
“On a 1896 map, Coteau Landing was called Coteau. In modern time, it
can refer to any of the Coteau towns. According to a modern reference,
Coteau means a "small hill" in French. A dictionary says it is French
for "hillside or slope"
Coteau-du-Lac
“A town on the north shore of the St-Lawrence River, 3.2mi (5.1km) NW
of Valleyfield. (45.287N/74.176W) It is the site of old fortifications
dating back to the 1770s that are now part of a national historic
park.”
Prisoners Island
“An island in the north channel of the St-Lawrence River between
Grande-Île and Coteau-du-Lac as shown on an 1853 map.
(45.283N/74.174W) It is now called Île-Arthur. A modern topo map shows
a "Île-de-la-Prison" as part of the mainland at Coteau-du-Lac but that
is probably in error.”
* ABOUT THE ISLAND – PAST AND PRESENT*
PARKS CANADA (67 articles about Coteau-du-Lac)
http://www.parcscanada.gc.ca/rech-srch/rslts_e.asp
COTEAU-DU-LAC IN THE OLDEN DAYS (ARTIST PICTURES)
http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/Parks/Quebec/coteau/en/galerie/galerie_1_e.html
http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/Parks/Quebec/coteau/en/galerie/galerie_71e_e.html
PICTORIAL FIELDBOOK – WAR OF 1812
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~wcarr1/Lossing2/Chap01.html
HISTORICAL MAP OF COTEAU-DU-LAC
http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/parks/quebec/coteau/en/histoire/histoire_carte_e.html
A BIT OF HISTORY
http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/parks/quebec/coteau/en/histoire/histoire_4_e.html
Obtain more information from Canada’s Parks Department at:
308A Chemin du Fleuve
COTEAU-DU-LAC, QUEBEC
J0P 1B0
PHONE: (450) 753-5631
FAX: (450) 753-1654
http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/vacplan/qc/pdf/monteregie_e.pdf
(See the block buildings and guard house as they appear today)
* PERSONAL ACCOUNTS *
THE LIFE OF JOHN FITCH
http://www.history.rochester.edu/steam/westcott/
(His first visit to the island begin in Chapter 7)
PENSION APPLICATION OF JOHN WOOLAVER
http://www.nktelco.net/buzmeyer/wohleben/penjohn.htm
* REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIER RESOURCES *
PRINTED DOCUMENTS
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/reference/revbib/pows.htm
BRITISH MILITARY RECORDS
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/BritMilRecs.html
PROGENEALOGISTS
http://www.progenealogists.com/orderrevwar.htm
Rebel Prisoners at Quebec 1778-1783
http://www.shawhan.com/prisoners.html
DAVID LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Guide to Microfilm Holdings
http://www.dlar.org/guide.html
The Revolutionary War (HUGE LIST OF WEB SITE LINKS)
http://aklein.webhostme.com/war/revolutionary_war.htm
PRISONERS OF THE REVOLUTION
http://www.usmm.net/revdead.html
HISITORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION
http://www.hmc.gov.uk/
* RECOMMENDED READING *
“Edgar J. Pershing, "Lost Battalion of the Revolutionary War, PA.,"
National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol XVI, No. 3, Dr. G. M.
Brumbaugh, editor, (Washington D.C.: National Genealogical Society,
Sept., 1928), 44-51. Describes Lochry's Expedition in detail. Includes
a history of the expedition, transcripts of communiques between
Colonel Archibald Lochry and General George Rogers Clark, and a list
of killed and captured. Also details Mathias Fisher's role in the
expedition and credits him with bringing the fate of the expedition
back to Pennsylvania.
Chris McHenry, The Best Men of Westmoreland, An Historical Account of
the Lochry Expedition, (Lawrenceburg, Indiana: publisher unkown,
1981). Includes a lengthy narrative of Westmoreland history leading to
Lochry's Expedition. Also contains photographs of records known as the
Haldimand Papers from the Canadian National Archives which list men
captured from Lochry's Expedition and later imprisoned by the British
at Prisoners Island, Coteau du Lac, Quebec, Canada. Also contains
photographs of a list of Lochry's men from the diary Lt. Isaac
Anderson. The original diary is held by the Cincinnati Historical
Society.
"Lochry's Expedition," Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Vol. II,
Thomas Lynch Montgomery, editor, (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg
Publishing Company, 1906), 403-410. A further transcript Lt.
Anderson's diary.”
http://users.ntsource.com/~autx/References/mfpenfile.htm
OTHER SOURCES
Diary of Captain Benjamin Warren at Massacre of Cherry Valley
http://www.ls.net/~newriver/ny/cherryvalley.htm
Cherry Valley Massacre
http://www2.whidbey.net/jerod/cherry.htm
FORT KLOCK
http://www.fortklock.com/names3regiment.htm
http://www.fortklock.com/nyrevclaims.htm
http://www.fortklock.com/Bio.htm
PICTORIAL FIELD BOOK OF THE REVOLUTION.
CHAPTER XXV
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~wcarr1/Lossing1/Chap25.html
HISTORY OF MANCHESTER
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nh/county/hillsborough/manchester/book/chap16.html
Below you will find that I have carefully defined my search strategy
for you in the event that you need to search for more information. By
following the same type of searches that I did you may be able to
enhance the research I have provided even further. I hope you find
that that my research exceeds your expectations. If you have any
questions about my research please post a clarification request prior
to rating the answer. Otherwise, I welcome your rating and your final
comments and I look forward to working with you again in the near
future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga
INFORMATION SOURCES
CONTAINED WITHIN
SEARCH STRATEGY
SEARCH ENGINE USED:
Google ://www.google.com
SEARCH TERMS USED:
PRISONER STACY CAUGHNAWAGA
PRISONER STACEY CAUGHNAWAGA
PRISONER STACY MOHAWK
PRISONER STACEY MOHAWK
PRISONER PHILLIPS CAUGHNAWAGA
PRISONER PHILLIPS MOHAWK
COTEAU-DU-LAC PRISONERS
COTEAU-DU-LAC POW
"COTEAU DU LAC" CAPTIVE
COTEAU-DU-LAC PRISON
PRISON ISLAND COTEAU
PRISON CAMPS CANADA
WAR PRISON “ST LAWRENCE”
LOCHRY EXPEDITION
UK REVOLUTIONARY WAR DATABASE
UK REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS
UK REVOLUTIONARY WAR INDEX
UK REVOLUTIONARY MILITARY RECORDS
UK REVOLUTIONARY WAR GENEALOGY |
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