Lt. James Glenie, one of the key individuals in the construction of Fort Haldimand

The 1988 Syracuse Harold America story  “Retracing a soldiers past" tells of a visit by the great great great grandson of James Glenie to Carleton Island.

Lt. James Glenie was one of the key individuals in the construction of Fort Haldimand.

From: Dictionary of Canadian Biography
In the summer of 1778 Glenie accompanied Lieutenant William Twiss to Oswegatchie (Ogdensburg, N.Y.) and Cataraqui (Kingston, Ont.) in search of a suitable site for a supply depot which Haldimand hoped to establish at the eastern end of Lake Ontario. Once Twiss had decided upon Buck Island (N. Y.), which he proposed to rename Carleton Island, he sent Glenie to report to Haldimand, expressing his confidence in him. Haldimand agreed with Twiss’s proposal for a post on Carleton Island, but as soon as the proposed works were well launched Twiss was to leave for Montreal and Glenie would “oversee and carry on that Business in your absence.”
Read more at: http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/glenie_james_5E.html

View of the ruins of Fort Haldimand from late nineteenth century post card.

Newspaper clipping at the Thousand Island Museum in Clayton NY shows a view of the remains of Fort Haldimand seen from the glacis with man standing at on the covert-way. Near intact chimneys in background. Image taken in the late nineteenth century.

 

St. Lawrence River Historical Foundation Inc. (http://home.netcom.com/~srhf/) has started a project to build a computer model of Fort Haldimand and the British Military base on Carleton Island in the St Lawrence River in Jefferson County, New York as it was in early 1780’s. St. Lawrence River Historical Foundation Inc is also referred to as SRHF

The remains of Fort Haldimand as viewed today are impressive but only a small portion of what once was one of the most important posts on the Great Lakes during the Revolutionary War. Ravaged by the elements, overgrowth of vegetation, relic hunting, land clearing and natural aging, what remains provided clues to what the base once was.

Using historical documents, first hand accounts and maps, SRHF will compile a physical description of the fort when it was at its prime. Satellite and aerial photograph will be combined with surveys from the 1800's to present refine details. The resulting information will become the basis of the computer model.

The advantage of the computer model is that will not be encumbered by properly access and can be updated easily as new information becomes known. The long term goal will be to make the computer model available either on the internet or at an information center in the Thousand Islands area.

The model building process will involve virtual low detail simulation-based models that will be the basis of an eventual photo realistic rendering solution. The following are some computer simulations used in a project feasibility study.





For more information email info@forthaldimand.com

“Eighteen of Fort Haldimand's Men” by Stephen Davidson.

In the September and October issues of United Empire Loyalists of Canada news letter Loyalist Trails is an article “Eighteen of Fort Haldimand's Men” by Stephen Davidson.

“Carleton Island was the Gibralter of Lake Ontario; its Fort Haldimand linked the frontier with the settlements of the St. Lawrence River and guarded those settlements against possible invasion. Eighteen loyalists recounted their connection to the island during their testimony at the Royal Commission on the Losses and Services of American Loyalists (RCLSAL).” Stephen Davidson

To read the very well written, interesting and informational article you can click on the following links.
Eighteen of Fort Haldimand's Men: Part One, by Stephen Davidson

Eighteen of Fort Haldimand's Men: Part Two, by Stephen Davidson

Stephen Davidson has written for Canada's History Magazine, The Loyalist Gazette, The Dictionary of Canadian Biography and the online newsletter, Loyalist Trails. His book, "The Burdens of Loyalty: Refugee Tales from the First American Civil War”, is available through  <reachriver@gmail.com>.



Fort Haldimand 2013

Fort Haldimand 1973

 

"So long have these old sentinels watched over the scenes that their history is lost in the misty past."

A nineteenth century description of Carleton Island from a guide for tourists and travelers.  

The  "PhatBoy's''

18 Years on the St Lawrence.
THE PEOPLE MET AND THINGS SEEN.

 E. F. BABBAGE, Publisher.

ROCHESTER, N. Y.
DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE PRINT, 47 & 49 EAST MAIN STREET. 1891

Page 77 - 79

 CARLTON ISLAND.

At the upper extremity the land narrows into a rugged promontory, ending in a bluff sixty feet in height. Here, lifting their ruined heads aloft, and plainly visible to all passers along the river, stand a number of toppling and half ruined chimneys. These may be seen for miles around. So long have these old sentinels watched over the scenes that their history is lost in the misty past. Around them are the remaining ruins of an old fort, supposed by many to be the ruins of old Fort Frontenac. Its old redoubts and parapets linger antiquated historical legends and traditions enough to fill a volume, which has been lately published by the editor of the St. Lawrence News, of Clayton, N. Y., forming an interesting study. A copy was presented to me by the publisher, but has been mislaid and cannot be found. An ancient well, cut in the solid Trenton limestone down to the level of the lake, has been converted by the reckless imaginations of the natives into a receptacle of the golden doubloons which the French soldiers, upon evacuating the old fort, are said to have thrown there, with the brass guns on top of them. Upon either side and immediately in front of the bluff upon which the old fort stands, is a quiet, pretty little bay, which may once have supplied a safe and easy anchorage for the vessels that lay under its protecting guns. The fortress is supposed to have been one of importance as a military post at some time, having been built upon an excellent plan and in the most substantial manner. Numbers of graves still occupy a field near by, the remains of the brave soldiers who once occupied the fort. The scene is of deep interest to the student of history. This island has been purchased by the Folger Brothers, and laid out in villa lots A grand barbecue and sale was held here in 1889 and many lots 79 were purchased by wealthy parties who intend to build upon the Island the coming season, and I have no doubt this will be one of the most popular resorts of the Thousand Islands. It is also used for picnics and pleasure parties. About six miles this side of Clayton is Lindsay Island, the only one on the right between Cape Vincent and Clayton, except Carlton Island just spoken of.

Map of Fort Haldimand

Map of Fort Haldimand

 

 

Unsigned and not dated this map is in a collection of documents at the Cape Vincent Historical Museum, Cape Vincent  NY.

 

In 1878 Dr. Charles Douglas of Dexter, New York made a series of sketches of Carleton Island that he gave to his daughter, Helen A. Douglas of Black River. The original sketches, that included several views of Fort Haldimand, Chimneys and earth works as well as a few structures, are in the Jefferson County Historical Society in Watertown, New York. The 1878 sketch of North Bay is from Fort Haldimand at the top if the cliff looking down into North Bay with part of the head of the island in view. In the 1810 map by Colonel Gray the point was called Aubrey Head.