Captain John W. Meyers 1745-1821

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2005

Photo by contributor William Stewart - Posted April, 2008

Plaque Location

The County of Hastings
The City of Belleville
On the north side of Station Street (Road 37)
across from Dafoe Street
2 blocks east of Pinnacle Street (Road 62)

Coordinates: N 44 10.285 W 77 22.976

Plaque Text

Meyers gained fame as a loyalist spy during the American Revolution. He recruited soldiers, gathered intelligence, and carried dispatches through enemy lines for the British army in his native New York. Exploits such as his daring attempt to capture rebel General Philip Schuyler in 1781 made "Hans Waltermeyer" a legendary figure in the folklore of the times. After the war, Meyers moved north to British territory and bought this site for a grist mill in 1789. He traded furs, ran merchant vessels, and built a sawmill, distillery, fulling mill, and inn nearby. The surrounding community became the town of Belleville in 1816. Meyers was one of many loyalists whose defeat in war led to the beginnings of permanent settlement in what is now Ontario.

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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

Posted March 10, 2011
I,too am related to Capt. Meyers. I am trying to obtain all the info I can. My father had a copy of Capt. Meyer's family tree and I'm on it! I am absolutely determined to learn more.I was born in Toronto,myself,but raised in the States. Please help if you can ! Nancy Roblin Kennison

Posted April 28, 2010
I'm pleased to say that the plaque has been replaced this winter!

Posted May 12, 2009
Hello. I was on a blue sign hunt this past weekend and sadly, this sign is no longer there. The base and one side is - it looks like someone vandalized it and removed the actual plaque. People are so dumb. FYI

Posted July 21, 2008
I'm related to him!!!

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