Low Down Articles
Echoes from the Past
Article 11 of 111
This article first appeared in the "Echoes from the Past" column of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
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Captain Philemon Wright
As a youth Philemon Wright and his older brother, Thomas, had served in the Revolutionary War against the British, ending his service, at age 17, as a sergeant.
As early as 1808 Philemon Wright was a Captain of a militia company. Philemon Junior was a Lieutenant, John Allen (came with the Wright party in 1800) was an Ensign. Thomas Brigham (son-in-law of Philemon) together with Christopher Columbus Wright (youngest son of Philemon) and Joshua Wright (unknown) were Sergeants.
Privates
| Robert Klock (went to Aylmer) Jas. F. Taylor (son-in-law to Philemon) Wm. Elder Samual K. Rollins Charles Hurdman John Snow (surveyor) Calvin Radmore Wm. Jones Robert McConaghey Wm. Cunningham Robert Balmer Laird Waller Thos. Wright (nephew of Philemon) James Dunn Joseph Clemow Francis Moore Wm. Smith H. Esterbrooke David Heatherington |
Edward Hurd David Benedict John Benedict Hale Fulsom Abram Olmstead David Olmstead John Underhand David Moore Job Moore Joseph Rice James McConnell Fry Holt Wm. McConnell George Routhy (Routcliffe?) David Gardner John Allen (son of Ensign John Allen) Christoper Allen (son of Ensign John Allen) Thomas Ames |
Later, there was a gun shed installed on Philemon Island on the Wright's Town side of the Grand (Ottawa) River. One of the guns was used still later to carry a line across the river. The line was attached to the missile. When the gun was fired the line crossed the river. The line was attached to a cable which men and horses hauled over to the Bytown side. This was the first cable of a suspension bridge Lt.-Col. John By, Philemon Wright and Esterbrooke (2nd name, bottom left column) had hands in the operation. Esterbrooke was gunner.