APPENDIX E CXXXIX 



The Women's WerafcwortJi Historical Society was the pioneer in pre- 

 serving battlefields. 



In 1899, the President, Mrs. Calder, who is as patriotic as she is 

 clever and energetic, learned that the old Gorge house and four and a 

 half acres of lajid, wliich formed the centre of operations in the battle 

 of Stoney Creek, June 6th, 1813, was about to be sold. She at once 

 secured it, becoming personally responsible for the purchase money until 

 (the Society could take possession. In October of the same year, Lady 

 Aberdeen formally opened it. Last October, the balance of the mort- 

 gage was paid off, and at a public meeting. His Honour Lieut.-Govemor 

 Sir Mortimer Clark, on behalf of the Society, handed over the cancelled 

 mortgage to the three trustees. Colonel, the Hon. John S. Hendrie, the 

 Hon. J. M. Gibson, Thomas W. Watkins, Esq. 



Historians agree that; the fight at Stoney Creek was the turning 

 point in the war of 1812-13, which saved Canada for the British Empire. 

 It was the intention of the American generals to march to Toronto from 

 this point, but here 3000 American soldiers were defeated by about 800 

 British soldiers, led by Col. Harvey. It took the American army four 

 days to march from Niagara to Stoney Creek, but so rapid was their 

 flight after the battle, they are said to have been only one day getting 

 back there. Truly, the Women's Wentworth Historioal S'ociety deserves 

 the gratitude of all Canada, for thus securing and preserving this his- 

 toric ground. The grounds are always opened to the public, but it can 

 be readily understood that it would be impossible to have the quaint old 

 house, which was the headquarters of the American Generals, Winder 

 and Chandler, thrown open to the general public. The house is old and 

 filled with historioal portraits, statues, relics, etc. Anyone outside of 

 Hamilton who wishes to visit it can always obtain a card of admittance 

 from any of the ofiicerB. 



June 6th, the anniversary of the battle, an out-door fête was given 

 eaJled "County Fair," when, about $200 was received for the Hamil- 

 ton Branch Quebec Battlefields' Association fund, a gift fi^om Stoney 

 Creek Battlefield to Quebec Battlefields. 



lA series of afternoon meetings have been held, when historical ad- 

 dresses have been given by Col. Cruickshank, Mr. Barlow Cumberland, 

 Mrs. Fitzgibbon, Mr. C. E. McCullough and others. 



This Society originated the movement which led to the erection of 

 the monument to the memory of Queen Victoria, by the women of Hamil- 

 ton, which was unveiled by Earl Grej^ on May 24th. 



Earl and Countess Grey and Lady Sybil Grey visited the Battle- 

 field, May 29th, and were entertained at afternoon tea by the Societty. 

 The badge of the Society is the Wentworth coat of arms. 



