Description: A history of the War of 1812 Williamsville, New York by J A Buscaglia
war of 1812 (29) niagara frontier (2) war of 1812 hospital cantonment and soldiers huts (1) buffalo war of 1812 (1) williamsville ny war of 1812 (1) williamsville ny war of 1812 barracks (1) general smyth (1) author historian j a buscaglia (1)
This sign often confused me first oft why would they build their barracks away from Ellicott Creek? If as the sign stated "Along Garrison Road to creek and extending southeast" it would take you away from the creek who would want to carry water any further than they had to especially in the winter? Well that's what set off my quest for the Barracks.The Barracks and Hospital in Williamsville has almost mythical status. It might be termed the Unicorn of the village since it is often spoken of and imagined but
The first thing I noticed in my search was it wasn't referred to as barracks or a garrison at Williamsville, its official name was the Cantonment at Williamsville so what is a cantonment you may ask? Cantonments are places of encampment formed by troops for a more permanent stay, or while in winter quarters.
My first steps was to find the oldest maps of the Village of Williams and Amherst that I could find the first was a map of the village in 1854 the next was a map of the Village in 1866 both of these maps showed Garrison Road, prior to being named Garrison Road it was the Lancaster Road as recent as 1851 which I noticed on a deed, prior to being named the Lancaster Road it was originally known as the Colborn Settlement Road. My second step was to start researching the war of 1812 and Williamsville. All conte