John McHaffie
13th Battalion Hamilton
Fenian Raid, Rideway, Ontario
from my collection;
John McHaffie, a native of Gatehouse, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, who came to Canada in 1852, and first settled in Brantford.
He was a resident in Brantford until 186_?, when he moved to Hamilton and acted as book-keeper in the Times office for two years.
John then became a prosperous cigar and tobacco merchant.
He was devoted and attentive to his business, but was never so engrossed in business as to ignore the claims of social life, the spirit of improvement among his people, or the general welfare of the community.
He was also an enthusiastic and zealous member of the Canadian militia, having been active in helping to raise and muster into service one of the first volunteer companies in the country, and subsequently rendered service with the regiment at the time of the Fenian raid of Ridgeway with the 13th Battalion of Hamilton, and also during the adjustment of the Trent affair.
He is buried in Brantford Cemetery.
John McHaffie was one of the original members of the Highland Company, now embodied in the Dufferin Rifles, Brantford.
He was also awarded the Canadian General Service Medal for his participation in the Fenian Raid defence of Ridgeway.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/...rval=20&&PHPSESSID=gtc7j8q4pnvq5oi4i4ikitbvv4
STAND AT EASE
STAND EASY
REST, GENTLEMEN, REST
