Historic Figures

• Born about 1750 in Fermanagh County, Ireland, Caldwell emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1773. During the American Revolution, he served with the British forces as a captain in Butler's Rangers at Niagara and Detroit. In 1784, he obtained land near the mouth of the Detroit River and became one of the area's earliest settlers. Caldwell's exceptional influence with the local Indians enabled him to obtain control of some 11,000 additional acres on the north shore of Lake Erie where he encourage former Loyalist soldiers to settle. In 1812, he commanded the Western Rangers in action at Miama (Ohio) and the Longwoods and, after his appointment as a Deputy Superintendent of Indian Affairs in 1814, he led Indian forces at the battles of Chippewa, Lundy's Lane and Fort Erie.

Matthew Elliott emigrated to the American Colonies in 1761 and during the Revolution served with the British forces as a captain in the Indian Department. He was an Indian agent for the western tribes 1790-95 and deputy superintendent of the Indian Department 1795-98. Elliott represented Essex in the legislative assembly 1801-12. As colonel of the 1st Essex Militia he took part in the capture of Detroit, August 16, 1812, and the battles of Fort Meigs, Moraviantown and Black Rock.

• A skilled early Canadian artist, known for her detailed watercolors of Amherstburg and surrounding areas.
• She is one of the earliest documented female artists in Ontario.

• A British military leader during the War of 1812.
• Strategized the defense of Upper Canada, including Fort Malden in Amherstburg.
• Led British and Indigenous forces in the capture of Detroit but was later killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights.

• A Shawnee leader who allied with the British during the War of 1812.
• Used Amherstburg and Fort Malden as a strategic base.
• Played a crucial role in uniting Indigenous nations against American expansion but was killed in the Battle of the Thames.

• A leader of the Odawa Nation and key figure in Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763–1766).
• Opposed British rule after the French and Indian War.
• His forces attacked Fort Detroit, and his influence extended to Indigenous resistance in the Amherstburg region.

• A prominent abolitionist, educator, and the first Black female newspaper publisher in North America.
• Lived in Windsor but had strong connections to Amherstburg’s Black community.
• Advocated for education and civil rights for Black refugees in Canada.