July 20, 1814

Susanna Maria Willcocks flees her York Home

A 20 July 1814 letter from William Warren Baldwin to Quetton St. George laments the lack of protection given to the Town of York, saying that “there is nothing to prevent [the Americans] from destroying this place.” It appears many ladies of the town were collecting their valuables and leaving, including Maria Willcocks. Baldwin writes that “Miss Willcocks remains for a day or two to put her house in order & pack up such things as Miss Russell may esteem most.” This house is presumably the structure on her Duke Street lot that preceded the Campbell mansion.

Americans Burning the Don River Bridge

Source:

  • Letter – W.W. Baldwin to Quetton St. George, 20 July 1814 – Edith Firth – The Town of York 1793 to 1815– 1962 – p. 332
  • Image – War of 1812 Bicentennial (http://www.warof1812-bicentennial.info/imagedesc/burning_don_bridge.php)