Hi Everyone. . .

Sorry I haven't been on for a while - just getting over pneumonia. Then, the grandchildren have had various events, First Communions, etc. A 50 year anniversary at my wife's church, etc., etc.

Previously I wrote about commemorative plaque. I thought it was at a library in Windsor, Canada. Now, I am having second thoughts. Going through my papers from the Canadian Archives, I found a letter from Yvonne Bailey. She was the great, great grandaughter of Col. William Caldwell. I'm going to show you what the plaque says, followed by her letter. Nothing will be changed in copying this letter. There are a few things in the handwriting that we cannot understand clearly, but we will try our best.

If anyone knows or can add or subtract, please do so.

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."

"Historical Branch of Ontario Archives
c/o Fort Malden Museum
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada

Dear Sirs,

I have been advised by Mr. D. Botaford that you are erecting a commemorative plaque to Colonel William Caldwell, my great, great grandfather, to be placed at Christ Church, Amherstburg because he donated the property to the Anglican Church at that site. Col. Caldwell also donated the properties for the Roman Catholic Church facing Bathurst Street and backing on the Christ Church property as well as property to the Presbyterian Church on Bathhurst Street at the site where the property of the late Doctor E. L. Harris is situated. After fire destroyed the Catholic Church on Bathurst, the Priest in charge at the time sold the donated property and purchased the present R. C. property as he felt the town would extend eastward. The Presbyterians, for reasons best known to them, suffered a separation and a new Presbyterian Church was built further south on Bathurst.

I now quote from The Boston Historical Collection Leaflets - Volume VI, Nov. 1927 - #2 - Page 20.

"Col. Caldwell married a daughter of Jacques Duperon Baby, one of Detroit's most prominent French citizens and founded the town of Amherstburg where his descendants are still prominent.

It is my opinion and desire, as it probably is of most of the late Col. Wm. Caldwell's descendants, that the commemorative plaque should be placed at the Fort Malden Museum where thousands of visitors would view it. Col. Caldwell did not belong to the Christ Church but to Amherstburg and Fort Malden. Comparatively few visitors would see the commemorative plaque at Christ Church - at the Museum it would be viewed by thousands of visitors in the years to come.

I have been contacted several times by Mr. Allen of the Canadian Archives and am expecting him in Houston very soon. He is desirous of securing some Caldwell papers.
The Winchester Guns and possibly the First Detroit Medal but with your decision about the commemorative plaque I must reconsider and seriously my decision to some or all donations. As I have expressed - Col. Caldwell was a part of Amherstburg and Fort Malden, not of the persons to whom he made donations.

I trust you will reconsider your choice of a site for the commemorative plaque. I feel sure that other descendants of the late Colonel will agree with me.

I await your comments.

Yours truly,

/s/

Yvonne Bailey

Great, Great Grandaughter of

Col. Caldwell

Great Grandaughter of Capt.

Francis Caldwell

Grandaughter of Capt. Wm.

Caldwell

Daughter of Hilda Caldwell

Teeter"

Yvonne Bailey was from Huston, Texas. There was no date
on this letter, but evidentally the letter was written before this plaque was placed.

Here is a decendant of Col. William Caldwell who was
concerned over the location of this plaque. I think she explained it very well that he was a benefactor and co-
founder of Amherstburg.

If anyone knows where this plaque is and when it was erected, ,please let me know.

Jerry Gagnon