Hi Tom,

I agree with you wholeheartedly on the "go-getter" who took advantage of every opportunity and if none there - created one!!!

My ancestor, William Caldwell was of the Anglican faith.
I received this commemorative sign which is supposedly outside a library in Windsor, Canada. It reads:

"LT COLONEL WILLIAM CALDWELL" and beneath that:

"Born about 1750 in Fermanagh County, Ireland. Caldwell migrated to Pennsylvania in 1773. During the American Rebolution, he served with the British fources as a captain in Butler's Rangers at Niagar and Detroit. In 1784 he obtained land near the mouth of the Detroit River and became one of this 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 encouraged former
Loyalists soldiers to settle. In 1812 he commanded the Western Rangers in action at Miami (Ohio) and the Longwoods and, after his apppointment as a Deputy Superintendent of Indian Affairs in 1814, he led Indian forces at the Battles of Chippawa, Lundy's Lane and Fort Erie."

Even though cold mining was an honorable profession, but
it didn't leave much room for personal and financial gain.
On the other hand, professional military opened the door for personal and financial opportunities, which I believe William Caldwell used to the best of his advantage.

Frankly, I think it was safer in the military than in the mining profession. William even encouraged his sons to go into the military profession. They also gained tracts of land.

If anyone wants to add their input, I would welcome hearing from them.

Jerry