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sides, at one time or another, captured significant numbers of
enemy troops and were thus responsible for their housing, feeding
and general maintenance, an expense that neither wished to undertake.
The use of parole was common, particularly for militiamen
who were captured at actions like Detroit (Ohio militia) and York
(Upper Canada Militia), whereby they would sign a document which
pledged they would not take further part in the war. It was not
uncommon for militiamen from both countries to seek parole like
this when it was available as it guaranteed them legal exemption
from military service.
Militia officers and regular troops
of all ranks were a different matter. American soldiers captured
by the British were often taken to Quebec for incarceration until
exchanged. British soldiers captured by the Americans were often
taken deep into the United States.
Enlisted men were generally kept confined in conditions that
were not healthy. Officers, as gentlemen, were entitled to better
treatment. The documents in this section show the type of conditions
imposed on Henry Nelles
when he was a prisoner of the United States. He was given a degree
of liberty after pledging not to escape or violate the laws of
the country. The correspondence between Captain
William Hamilton Merritt and his fiancée is
further evidence of the relatively easy conditions for officers.
Both Nelles and Merritt were captured at the Battle of
Lundy's Lane. No first hand description of conditions
for enlisted men held prisoner is available at the Archives of
Ontario. |
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 enry
Nelles of the Niagara
District was a Captain in the Upper
Canadian embodied militia who served through two years of the
War of 1812. He is mentioned as the riding companion of Thomas
Ridout in the letter reproduced in the section on Niagara in 1813.
Captured at Lundy's Lane, Nelles spent the rest of the war as
a prisoner in the United States.
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“I wrote you
yesterday from [Fort] Schloser, mentioning that I have fallen
into the hands of the Enemy and requesting you to forward
to me my baggage. But as we are to be removed from this
place, and as it is very uncertain that the baggage will
reach me safe, I beg you will not send any of it, as I can
procure both money and clothes when I arrive at Albany.
Give my love to Sally and tell her I hope she will not make
herself unhappy, in consequence of my misfortune.”
Extract
from an original letter from Captain Henry Nelles (Buffalo)
to
his father Robert Nelles (Upper Canada), July 27, 1814
Robert Nelles family fonds
Reference Code: F 542, box MU 2190
Archives of Ontario
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![Passport of Captain Henry Nelles, January 7, 1815 [front]](pics/f_542_mu2192_1_nelles_270.jpg "Passport of Captain Henry Nelles, January 7, 1815 [front]")
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to see a larger image (369K)
Passport of Captain Henry Nelles, January 7, 1815 [front]
Robert Nelles family fonds
Passport
Reference Code: F 542, box MU 2192
Archives of Ontario
| ![Passport of Captain Henry Nelles, January 7, 1815 [back]](pics/f_542_mu2192_2_nelles_270.jpg "Passport of Captain Henry Nelles, January 7, 1815 [back]")
Click
to see a larger image (324K)
Passport of Captain Henry Nelles, January 7, 1815 [back]
Robert Nelles family fonds
Passport
Reference Code: F 542, box MU 2192
Archives of Ontario |
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The reverse of the passport includes a physical description
of Henry Nelles.
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The terms of parole on an officer were not onerous,
in the case of Henry Nelles, "on your arrival there [Berkshire],
you will report yourself to Capt. D. Brown who will aid you in
procuring quarters. You will then have liberty to walk in the
roads in the said town to the extremity of its limits which will
be designated to you by said Capt. D. Brown and you will report
yourself personally to him at his house the Saturday of each week…And
I do require, that all letters wrote or received by you , be sent
for inspection to this office, and also notify you that conversations
on the subject of a public nature, with citizens are expressly
forbidden."
Officers and enlisted men could be exchanged for an equal number
of the same rank amongst enemy prisoners. When exchanged, the
terms of the parole no longer operated and the officers and men
were free to serve in the regular or militia forces.
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to see a larger image (429K)
Document regarding the exchange of
Captain Henry Nelles,
prisoner of War, August 10, 1814
Robert Nelles family fonds
Textual record
Reference Code: F 542, box MU 2192
Archives of Ontario |
Click
to see a larger image (325K)
Document regarding the parole of
Captain Henry Nelles,
prisoner of War, August 10, 1814
Robert Nelles family fonds
Textual record
Reference Code: F 542, box MU 2192
Archives of Ontario |
[Return to top of page] |
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 illiam
Hamilton Merritt was a Captain of the Provincial
Dragoons (cavalry), serving through most of the War of
1812. He was captured at the Battle of Lundy's Lane in 1814 along
with Henry Nelles. He had met Catherine Prendergast
before the war while in the United States on business or while
visiting relatives. Her family was prominent in business in New
York state. The correspondence reproduced here documents their
relationship between 1812 and 1814, despite the complications
of war. Their courtship, while Merritt was a prisoner of war in
the United States, is a great example of the impact of conflict
on two individuals and of the general social mores of the time.
Many more letters between William and Catherine are available
in our holdings of the William Hamilton Merritt family papers.
Merritt returned to Upper Canada when the war ended and was soon
followed by Catherine Prendergast. They were married in 1815.
The photograph to the right shows Merritt much later in life.
Unfortunately, we could not locate an image of Catherine in our
collection. |
[Portrait of William Hamilton Merritt], 1860
William Notman
Archives of Ontario Photographic Collection
Black and white negative
Reference Code: S 657
Archives of Ontario
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“This
is the first and only opportunity that may occur of my writing
during the War. I embrace it most cordially altho I do not
conceive it to be very safe. The unhappy situation which
our Countries are placed in will deprive me [from] time
of the greatest pleasure I have ever enjoyed viz. seeing
you, as we were actuated by no juvenile affection the world
cannot convince me you will ever forfeit that confidence
I have ever placed in you, and which my life consists. Time
never can efface the impression your delightful image has
made on my fond heart, if I should be separated from you
for years I will ever remain the same as you left me.”
Extract
from an original letter from William Merritt (Fort Detroit)
to Catherine Prendergast,
September 4, 1812
William Hamilton Merritt family fonds
Reference Code: F 662, box MU 5856, package 43
Archives of Ontario |
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| “You
cannot imagine what an effect yours of the 9th ultimo has
had on my depressed spirits, having not heard a word [?]
from you since the commencement of the War … You mention
my leaving the Army (I would at any time risk my existence
to preserve your peace as ensure your regard for me) on
a moments reflection you will perceive it is utterly impossible....
.... However as ladies
generally are no politicians, I'll drop the subject.”
Extract
from an original letter from William Merritt (12 Mile Creek)
to Catherine Prendergast, February
9, 1814
William Hamilton Merritt family fonds,
Reference Code: F 662, box MU 5856, package 43
Archives of Ontario |
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Pages 1 and 4
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Pages 2 and 3 |
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Pages 5 and 8 |
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Pages 6 and 7 |
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Letter from William
Merritt (12 Mile Creek) to Catherine Prendergast, February 9, 1814
William Hamilton Merritt family fonds
Reference Code: F 662, box MU 5856
Archives of Ontario
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to see a larger image (344K)
Pages 1 and 4 | 
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to see a larger image (402K)
Pages 2 and 3 |
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Letter from William
Merritt (Buffalo) to Catherine Prendergast, July 27, 1814
William Hamilton Merritt family fonds
Reference Code: F 662, MU 5856
Archives of Ontario
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| “You not doubt
will be very much surprized (sic) in finding me at this
place. I had the misfortune of falling in the hands of the
Americans in the action of the 25th Inst. at Lundy's Lane....
....My dear girl I need
not to mention what [inexplicable] delight it would afford
me to see you should I be gratified with the sight of you
my captivity would be [secretly?] wished for.”
Extract
from an original letter from William Merritt (Buffalo)
to Catherine Prendergast, July 27, 1814
William Hamilton Merritt family fonds
Reference Code: F 662, MU 5856, package 43
Archives of Ontario |
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“My
Dear Papa … I received a letter from Mr. Merritt.
He was then a prisoner at Buffalo, says he expected to be
sent to [Greenbush] immediately. Also has been very fortunate
since the War & expresses a desire to see you perhaps
you can make it convenient to give him a call. Our family
are all well.”
Extract
from an original letter from Catherine Prendergast
to her father Jediah Prendergast, August 7, 1814
William Hamilton Merritt family fonds
Reference Code: F 662, box MU 5856, package 43
Archives of Ontario |
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“Dear
Sir,
I received yours of
6th August last mail. I assure you it is very gratifying
to me to know that you enjoy so much tranquillity in your
new situation & are not destitute of friends & especially
that you are willing to consider mine as such, and I sincerely
hope you may ever receive such civility in this country
that you may never regret the cause that compelled (sic)
you to leave your own, if not I shall be apt to turn traitor
myself. … You really make me believe you are in earnest
for surely if you were not you would not be telling the
old story to everyone. However don't think I have any objections
to the confidents you were pleased to put in Aunt Sally
ho! I am rejoiced to hear you have been there and believe
you have secured yourself a good friend.”
Extract
from an original letter from Catherine Prendergast (Mayville)
to William Merritt (Greenbush), September 7, 1814
William Hamilton Merritt family fonds,
Reference Code: F 662, box MU 5856, package 43
Archives of Ontario
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to see a larger image (361K)
Pages 1 and 3 |
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to see a larger image (183K)
Page 2 |
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Letter from Catherine
Prendergast (Mayville) to William Merritt (Greenbush), September
14, 1814
William Hamilton Merritt family fonds
Reference Code: F 662, box MU 5856
Archives of Ontario
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“Dear
Sir, I received your agreeable letter by papa the 9th inst.
With what rapture did I peruse it. The contents is certainly
soothing to my mind than any thing you have written. The
idea of you & pa acknowledging each other as friends
contributed to the most to my happiness of any thing that
occurred in my life. My Dear papa generous conduct in this
one instant has completely banished every thought from my
mind that I ever harboured to his prejudice & feel as
if I must ever more be guided by his will and pleasure.
And as for yourself you have almost disappointed me (happy
disappointment) for I must tell you that I could not help
thinking at times you were like many others & it would
be impossible that your mind would be the same for such
a length of time…”
Extract
from an original letter from
Catherine Prendergast (Mayville)
to William Merritt (Greenbush)
September 14, 1814
William Hamilton Merritt family fonds
Reference Code: F 662
box MU 5856, package 43
Archives of Ontario
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“I
received yours of Nov. the 9 with one accompanying it for
Mr. Merritt which I sent on the same day by a Mr. James
… And this morning had the pleasure of receiving a
letter from Mr. M. with one enclosed for you which I took
the liberty to read your goodness had afforded me the perusal
of your correspondence. I must acknowledge it a great mark
of friendship … I conversed very freely with Mr. Merritt
on matters between you and him as his anxiety appeared very
great…”
Extract
from an original letter from
Sally Prendergast (Litchfield) to
her niece Catherine Prendergast
December 10, 1814
William Hamilton Merritt family fonds
Reference Code: F 662
box MU 5856, package 42
Archives of Ontario
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