It’s been a 200-year wait, but a soldier and his family have received special recognition from his country.
Brian and Rita Rawn unveiled a plaque today that honours his ancestor from six generations back: Jacob Rawn.
Jacob was a sergeant with the 1st Regiment York Militia.
“It's unbelievable the hardships they had to go through,” says Brian Rawn. “Jacob Rawn arrived in Canada in 1804.”
Jacob is the first Mono Mills veteran of the War of 1812 to be honoured with a plaque as issued by the Canadian government commemorating his service. Jacob and his family lived in the area for more than a century after emigrating from New York State.
He died in Mono Mills in 1835 and was buried on the Rawn farm with his wife and a son.
Dufferin County Museum archivist Steve Brown says the plaque commemorating Jacob’s service brings new and exciting historical significance to the area.
“Here we have someone who actually lived through the American War of Independence, fought in the War of 1812 and was rewarded for his service with land in our county,” he says.
For Brian Rawn, the thrill of having the first of the Rawn family in Canada recognized in the same cemetery his family is in is rewarding in many ways.
“For me personally it brings about a sense of closure of asking questions of where we fit in with the history of Canada and who we were as a people,” he says.
Rawn says he's excited about the fact the other families can read about veterans of the War of 1812 online at the Graveside Project.
Dana Rawn Palmer says it's a valuable tool for families like hers to discover their own history.
“I'd like them to know where they came from, everything it took to get here and why we are who we are,” she says.
