Shows
Stories of 1812 PodcastEpisode 8 - Richard Pierpoint & the Coloured Corps Fight for CanadaThis week Marinus and Peter Meyler, local historian from Orangeville Ontario, discuss the remarkable life of Richard Pierpoint (1744–1838), a black slave who was abducted from his home in Senegal at the age of 16. He fought with the British in Butler's Rangers during the American Revolutionary War and then in the War of 1812 in Upper Canada. When Butler’s Rangers were disbanded at Niagara, he received a land grant and settled in the area. At the outbreak of the War of 1812 at the age of 68 he helped form the Coloured Corps. After the War the aged Pierpoint was granted land in present-d...
2025-08-1936 min
Stories of 1812 PodcastEpisode 7 – Joseph Willcocks: Canadian Traitor in the War of 1812This week Donald E Graves, Canada’s foremost historian on the War of 1812, sets the historical record straight on Joseph Willcocks. Graves covers his early election to the Upper Canada Legislative Assembly in 1807 and Willcocks’ formation of a group of MPPs who opposed measures put forth by the then President, General Isaac Brock. He follows Willcocks’ desertion to the Americans in 1813 and his formation of a small dissident group called the Canadian Volunteers, who actively fought against the British and their allies in Upper Canada. Graves gives the details of how Willcocks set fire to the town of Niagara on t...
2025-08-1333 min
Stories of 1812 PodcastEpisode 6 – The Legacy of the War of 1812 in Niagara FallsThis week Marinus talks with Mayor Jim Diodati of Niagara Falls, Canada. They discuss the legacy of the War of 1812 for his city, the need to preserve that legacy and how that legacy has shaped the relations of two great nations today.Jim tells the story of how he led efforts to construct a huge steel sign to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane. The large steel structure spans Lundy’s Lane and four lanes of traffic with metal cut-outs of soldiers from the Drummond Hill Cemetery to an open area on the north...
2025-08-0635 min
Stories of 1812 PodcastEpisode 5 – Who Won the War of 1812?This week Marinus talks with Professor Donald R Hickey (ret), noted American historian and author. They discuss the question: Who Won the War of 1812? and the conduct and results of the War.Charles P Stacey, noted Canadian historian said in 1958: The War of 1812 is one of those episodes in history that makes everybody happy, because everybody interprets it in his own way. Doug DeCroix, a historian from New York State has added to that by stating: Americans are happy because they think they won; Canadians are happy because they know they won; and the British are happiest because they forgot...
2025-07-3036 min
Stories of 1812 PodcastEpisode 4 - The Life & Times of James PrendergastIn 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 cap...
2025-07-2336 min
Stories of 1812 PodcastEpisode 3 - Bishop John Strachan of YorkMarinus sits down with Professor James Tyler Robertson, Associate Professor of Christian History at Tyndale University about one of the major Canadian figures in the War of 1812, Bishop John Strachan of York (now Toronto), born 1778 (Aberdeen, Scotland), died 1867 (Toronto, Ontario.)John Strachan, the Garrison Chaplain (and later Bishop of York, is well known for his role in the town of York (now Toronto) after it fell in April 1813. After the British retreated, he negotiated the terms of surrender with US General Dearborn, fearlessly scolding the Americans for plundering his parishioners’ property. When the Americans raided again that July, h...
2025-07-1539 min
Stories of 1812 PodcastEpisode 2 – Laura Secord: The Lady and the LegendMarinus welcomes Caroline McCormick, President of the Friends of Laura Secord and Barbara Worthy, Actor, Writer and Producer. They explore the historic walk taken by Laura Secord in 1813 and the Legacy it has left to us today.Caroline McCormick is President of the Friends of Laura Secord and has a direct familial connection to Laura Secord which she discusses during the interview. She is dedicated to the preservation of her legacy through the work of her association and through special efforts like the Laura Secord Legacy Trail. More information can be found on her website: www.friendsoflaurasecord.com
2025-07-0844 min
Stories of 1812 PodcastEpisode 1 – The Legacy of Sir Isaac Brock and the War of 1812Marinus talks to retired Professor of History and Author Dr Wesley Turner, on the Legacy left by Sir Isaac Brock and its impact on our understanding of the War of 1812.Major General Sir Isaac Brock KB (6 October 1769 – 13 October 1812) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator from Guernsey. Brock led British, native and militia forces to victory over the Americans at Detroit in August 1812 but was shot and killed by an American sniper while leading a detachment of regulars and militia in an unsuccessful counterattack against American forces who had taken Queenston Heights on October 13th, 1812.
2025-07-0234 min
Stories of 1812 PodcastTrailer for Stories of 1812Click to hear what this podcast is all about. To watch the Trailer, go to our Website https://www.storiesof1812.com.Stories of 1812 is an independently produced podcast series that presents the stories and achievements of individuals who lived during and participated in the War of 1812.We will consider major figures such as Sir Isaac Brock, John Norton, William Hamilton Merritt, James Fitzgibbon, Winfield Scott, Tecumseh, Joseph Willcocks, Laura Secord and Richard Pierpoint. Our guests are historians, authors, researchers and experts who written and spoken on the lives of each of these characters.
2025-06-3000 min