LETTERS TO WEBSITE HOST
from
DESCENDANTS OF PATRIOT WAR PARTICIPANTS

April 10, 2005:

Regarding Henry Shew, who is listed as “Henry Shaw (or Shew)” in the List of Participants of the Patriot War, I received the following letter from descendant, Victoria Windsor, (with carbon copy to Pete Shew). Contact sitehost for their last-known e-mail addresses.

“Shirley Farone,
“The articles and chapters of the Patriot War are most amazing history. I thank you for your posting. I would like to bring to your attention, one of the prisoners posted on Chapter 16 "Those Who Were Sentenced to Life Banishment at British Penal Colony in Van Dieman’s Land Henry Shaw (or Shew), 28, Philadelphia, transported."

“Henry Shew was born 14 Oct 1809 we believe in Johnstown, Fulton County, New York, the son of Stephen Shew (1761-1841) and Susannah Wells. Stephen Shew was the son of the historic Godfrey Shew and his children of The Shews of Fish House extracted from Jeptha R. Simms' The Frontiersmen of New York, Vol. II.

“Henry Shew married Margaret Stata b. abt 1810 of Pennsylvania. They had one son Wilson Shew b. abt 1839 of Wilna, New York. Henry's story of the Patriot War was documented in Shew family history Page 61 in D & A of Jacob Dunham GENEALOGY book by Sophie Dunham Moore. Henry Shew's sister Catharina Shew, married Jacob Dunham.

“The following from family history:

“Story of how Henry Shew (1809) was taken prisoner in the "Patriot War" in Canada. After being held prisoner for 14 years he and another man named Wallace escaped. Upon returning to his home in Wilna, New York he found that his wife (Margaret Stata) had remarried thinking that he was dead. After visiting his kin he disappeared again without breaking up the home that had been established. His son, Wilson Shew, lived with Henry's brother, Jacob Wells Shew, in Hartford, Conn.

“Patriot War of 1837.

“This story reminds me of the letter you posted on your site of a prisoner returning home. You did not mention the name of the prisoner, but I wonder if it might be Henry Shew. I did not find 'Wallace' as named on your list of those captured.

“We (the Shew family Descendants) thought you might like to know that Henry's name is not Shaw* but is in fact Shew. The Shew family has represented America in every war, with great sacrifices. We do not know where Henry Shew died, nor what happened to his son, Wilson. However, we continue to search for the lost and missing.

“Again, we thank you for this historical information and research in order that (6) generations later we can read about our American history."

“Victoria Windsor”

Note - November, 2007 -- I (website owner) was reminded that one should bear in mind that the records and documents recently unearthed regarding Henry Shew, confirm the name as "Henry Shew" and nothing but "Henry Shew." I.e., I should disgard the "according to family" terminology!

If anyone has information as to the identity of ‘Wallace’ or has more definitive information regarding the prisoner (Shew) who returned home to find his wife married, please write to the sitehost, or leave a message in my Guest Book. (by Shirley Farone)

ADDITIONAL INFO (sent to sitehost Feb. 26, 2006):
Henry Shew was a machinist and had a factory in NY
Henry Shew the 4th child of Stephen Shew b 1761-1762 Johnstown, Fulton Co. NY, and wife Susannah Wells b. 1777 Sullivan, Madison County, N.Y. married 1802/1803 Providence, Saratoga Co. NY, (10 children) both buried: Old Lake School House District cemetery in the town of Wilna, Jefferson Co. N.Y.

Henry Shew b. 14 Oct 1809 NY, d unknown, married Margaret Stata b. 1810 of Pennsylvania
Henry and Margaret had a son: Wilson Shew b. 1833 of Wilna, Champion, NY
When Wilson Shew's father Henry Shew was taken Prisoner in Canada for 14 years, Wilson lived with his father Henry's brother Jacob Shew. His mother Margaret Stata remarried.

According to 1850 census, Wilson, son of prisoner Henry Shew was living with his aunt Elizabeth Shew Vebber & uncle William Vebber, Sr. in Wilna Township, Jefferson Co, NY.

1850 Census Town of Wilna, Jefferson County, New York:
21 3 311 322 Vebber William 39 m Farmer NY
421 4 311 322 Vebber Elizabeth 38 f NY (Elizabeth Shew sister to Henry Shew)
421 5 311 322 Vebber Lowvicy 10 f NY
421 6 311 322 Vebber Susan J 8 f NY
421 7 311 322 Vebber William A 1 m NY
421 8 311 322 Shew Wilson 17 1833 m Laborer NY

TYPIST'S NOTE: I have posted ancestral information for Henry Shew, as written by Sophia Dunham Moore and sent to me by Victoria Windsor. As Victoria states they are a bit difficult to follow. These accounts include the Shew family and the Sammons family. Click here for Ms. Moore's accounty.

May 18, 2007: Received a letter from Pete Shew of Stockport, Ohio. He wrote, "You'll also see my ancestor Henry Shew on the 1844 & 1846 lists from the Northern Journal." Pete and his wife, Marjie own Shews Orchard, 3915 S. Elliott Rd., Stockport Ohio, 43787 - website: www.ShewsOrchard.com. Pete has an avid interest in the Patriot War of 1837 and some really neat information regarding his ancestor, Henry Shew. Stay tuned.

April 10, 2005:

“Shirley Farone,
“The articles and chapters of the Patriot War are most amazing history. I thank you for your posting. I would like to bring to your attention, one of the prisoners posted on Chapter 16 "Those Who Were Sentenced to Life Banishment at British Penal Colony in Van Dieman’s Land Henry Shaw (or Shew), 28, Philadelphia, transported."

“Henry Shew was born 14 Oct 1809 we believe in Johnstown, Fulton County, New York, the son of Stephen Shew (1761-1841) and Susannah Wells. Stephen Shew was the son of the historic Godfrey Shew and his children of The Shews of Fish House xtracted from Jeptha R. Simms' The Frontiersmen of New York, Vol. II.

“Henry Shew married Margaret Stata b. abt 1810 of Pennsylvania. They had one son Wilson Shew b. abt 1839 of Wilna, New York. Henry's story of the Patriot War was documented in Shew family history Page 61 in D & A of Jacob Dunham GENEALOGY book by Sophie Dunham Moore. Henry Shew's sister Catharina Shew, married Jacob Dunham.

“The following from family history:

“Story of how Henry Shew (1809) was taken prisoner in the "Patriot War" in Canada. After being held prisoner for 14 years he and another man named Wallace escaped. Upon returning to his home in Wilna, New York he found that his wife (Margaret Stata) had remarried thinking that he was dead. After visiting his kin he disappeared again without breaking up the home that had been established. His son, Wilson Shew, lived with Henry's brother, Jacob Wells Shew, in Hartford, Conn.

“Patriot War of 1837.

“This story reminds me of the letter you posted on your site of a prisoner returning home. You did not mention the name of the prisoner, but I wonder if it might be Henry Shew. I did not find 'Wallace' as named on your list of those captured.

“We (the Shew family Descendants) thought you might like to know that Henry's name is not Shaw but is in fact Shew. The Shew family has represented America in every war, with great sacrifices. We do not know where Henry Shew died, nor what happened to his son, Wilson. However, we continue to search for the lost and missing.

“Again, we thank you for this historical information and research in order that (6) generations later we can read about our American history."

“Victoria Windsor”

__________________________________________________________________________

Decendant, Pete Shew, Reports on his Viewing of the Microfilm

November 1, 2007

Shirley, I looked at the microfilm Patricia Kennedy (Canadian Archives) sent my library and found the information for the trial of Henry Shew, a transcript of which I have included here. I would encourage you to have your library send for the microfilm with the Sweet trial. Very informative. My library was reluctant, but finally did it when I insisted. No cost to you or library. Here is what I found for Henry Shew:

Transcript of 1838 Henry Shew Trial at Fort Henry, Kingston, Ontario

"Henry Shew, native of Jefferson County, State of New York

"Fanning Mill Pedlar agent, 23 years. Was in the employment of Venus Coon of the Town of Philadelphia, Jefferson County, who persuaded prisoner to enter into the Patriot sevice – was sworn in about the first of November in Quakers settlements all his hands in the employment of Coon and his partner were “hunters”.

"Prisoner embarked Millens Bay on board a schooner on 11th of November, 1838 under Captain Wells. When the boat arrived at Morristown, prisoner wished to go ashore and to leave the party. He had previously got on board the United States Steamboat from the schooner, but was prevailed upon to remain, and finally landed at Windmill Point below Prescott, took up arms and fought on Tuesday, and on Friday surrendered with the others to the British.

"Prisoner has a wife & 2 children in New Jersey. Was in prosperous circumstances until he unfortunately gave way to persuasions of others, who as he supposed would not advise him to do wrong. Tried to escape when Major Fields & Wells went off, but was told by them to remain as they were coming back. They did not return.

"Is of no church. Was not baptized. Signed, Henry Shew

"Acknowledged before me this 10th day of December, 1838

"Signed G Baker J.P.

"Henry Shew is called on for his defence and says I have no witnesses I can call. I do not know that there is anything that I can say."

__________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ ____

Note: 11/2007 - Pete is working toward finding Henry's offspring:

"We are still searching for Henry's 2 children. Found George Shew in Walpack, Sussex Co, NJ (1850)

1850 census shows Oakley Stoll household:

Oakly Stoll, age 52,br> Lucinda Stoll, age 35
Remembrance Stoll, age 8
George Stoll, age 4
Hannah Stoll, age 6½
George Shew, age 13 1837 believe this is Henry Shew's Son

__________________________________________________________________________

Pete Suggests Another Great Book And Encourages Obtaining Film from Canadian Archives

November 1, 2007

"Shirley, As you know, I found the Stuart Scott book to be extremely helpful about the fate of the prisoners after their capture. Here is another book that I found to be extremely helpful in tracing the detailed day to day activities of the "hunters" in days prior to and during the battle of the windmill. "Guns Across the River" by Donald E Graves 2001 publication. I got my copy from Amazon used. I would also encourage you to post the info for descendants to find the trial info about the Patriot War participants in the Canada Archives. With these 2 books & the appropriate microfilm, it seems most participants info can be traced pretty far." Pete

"Pete Shew
3915 S. Elliott Rd
Stockport, Ohio 43787
740 557-3032"

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