Carruthers John

Article by Greg Peerenboom
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November 7, 2013

Historic battle comes to life through artifacts

MORRIS BURG - The pivotal Battle of Crysler's Farm borders on legend, but there are still precious reminders of that struggle to preserve Canada 200 years later. Much like their First Nations allies, John Carruthers also benefited from oral history passed down through many generations.

"I was raised in this area and remember as a kid hearing my parents tell about local farmers going to fight at Crysler's Farm," Carruthers said. "Hearing of these men marching off with family muskets or armed only with pitchforks ignited my interest in local history: and artifacts, which has remained strong from grade school to the present."

Carruthers will be bringing a small treasure trove of artifacts to the November Light, when a commemoration of the battle takes place In Iroquois organized by the Iroquois - Matilda Lions Club.

Carruthers, now in his mid-70s, began satisfying his thirst for battle memorabilia 40 years
ago. He and his children rescued American musket balls from the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River. "I had experts at the Canada War Museum look at them.''

"They knew they were American by their size and because we found them where our militia and Mohawk allies on shore exchanged fire with U.S. forces heading down river in their flotilla."

Since then, his collection has grown to fill a large part of his basement, resembling a well-appointed museum. One of his possessions, a gunpowder horn, has been painstakingly redone to commemorate the 200th anniversary by smoothing the surface,
sketching a design and completing the initial carving.

A friend, former Royal Canadian Mint engraver Sheldon Beverage, painstakingly etched
and inked the horn for 80 hours. Carruthers' display is just a part of the Nov. 9 commemoration.

Representatives of re-enacted War of 1812 regiments from Ontario, Quebec and New York will muster with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, (Carman Road, south of County Road 2). The day's activities also include a plaque dedication at Iroquois Point, a memorial ceremony at Iroquois Point Cemetery and a small re-enactment of the Nov. 7, 1813 American capture of Iroquois Point .
Re-enacted regiments expected to send representatives and the Canadian Fencibles, Canadian Voltiguers, Grenville Militia, Forsyth's Rifles and first Artillery.