A Young Soldier, Castle Frank, and the War of 1812
For many Torontonians, Castle Frank is a rather obscure subway stop on the Bloor-Danforth line, used mostly by students from Rosedale Heights School of the Arts.
Once though, it was the location of the summer home of John Graves Simcoe, first lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada. It was named for Simcoe and his wife Elizabeth's eldest son, Francis Gwillim Simcoe.
Young Frank was "the most engaging pretty child you ever saw at his age," wrote his fond mother in 1793. "The Boy has a passion for ships, boats, cannons, paddling, rowing, etc., we may respect his will to become a sailor…"
Frank Simcoe left Upper Canada with his family in 1796, studied at Eton, and became, not a sailor, but a soldier.
Meanwhile, the Napoleanic Wars rocked Europe, and spilled into North America in what we call the War of 1812.
Lieutenant Francis Simcoe, aged 20, was killed in action on April 6, 1812 at Badajoz, Spain, during the Peninsular War.
Think of him next time you pass Castle Frank.
6 thoughts on “A Young Soldier, Castle Frank, and the War of 1812”
Whom It May Concern I have a charcoal picture of a young soldier late 1700 or 1812 I was told it may be a person related to John Simcoe. I know Eliz Simcoe was an artist. I was wandering if it could be of her son Francis G Simcoe? Hope you can help
Whom It May Concern I have a charcoal picture of a young soldier late 1700 or 1812 I was told it may be a person related to John Simcoe. I know Eliz Simcoe was an artist. I was wandering if it could be of her son Francis G Simcoe? Hope you can help
Hi Joyce,
What a fascinating thing to own. Toronto Reference Library does have some of Elizabeth Simcoe’s sketches and watercolours, though only one of them is of a person.
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/search.jsp?N=38550&Ntt=elizabeth+simcoe
I’ll see what else we have that may help you out.
Hi Joyce,
What a fascinating thing to own. Toronto Reference Library does have some of Elizabeth Simcoe’s sketches and watercolours, though only one of them is of a person.
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/search.jsp?N=38550&Ntt=elizabeth+simcoe
I’ll see what else we have that may help you out.
If Francis Gwillim Simcoe died at Badajoz in 1812 at age 20 he must have been 4 years old when the family returned to England in 1796. Was he then born in Toronto? And if so he must be one of the first young men born in “Canada” to die in a European war. I often thought of him when driving down the DVP.
I read the diary of Mrs. Simcoe and remarked on her great energy and heat intolerance. I wondered if she was a bit hyperthyroid.
D. Mckee
If Francis Gwillim Simcoe died at Badajoz in 1812 at age 20 he must have been 4 years old when the family returned to England in 1796. Was he then born in Toronto? And if so he must be one of the first young men born in “Canada” to die in a European war. I often thought of him when driving down the DVP.
I read the diary of Mrs. Simcoe and remarked on her great energy and heat intolerance. I wondered if she was a bit hyperthyroid.
D. Mckee