In this episode Marinus talks with Ronald J Dale, a noted historian and genealogist from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. They talk about the life of James Prendergast, with whom he has a family connection.
James Prendergast was born in County Monaghan, Ireland in 1789, the son of Protestant parents. In 1805, he enlisted as a Private in the 100th Regiment of Foot and his regiment was sent to Canada. James saw much active service and served in many battles during the war. On November 11, 1813, in the Battle of Crysler’s Farm, James Prendergast led a group of soldiers in a charge to capture an American cannon. They managed to take the gun and turn it on the Americans as they retreated. At Isle aux Noix, he led a small force that captured one of the two American sloops, the Growler and the Eagle.
Ronald J Dale is a former Superintendent of Niagara National Historic Sites for Parks Canada, which included Fort George and Brock's Monument. He is the author of a numerous articles on the War of 1812 and several books, including The Invasion of Canada: Battles of the War of 1812, The Fall of New France: How the French Lost a North American Empire 1754-1763 and a co-author of Fort George: A History: More Than 250 Years Of History of the site.
