1. Thomas Fletcher was born before 1755. He died on 22 Nov 1812 in French Mills, Franklin, New York, USA.
Thomas was shot dead in the doorway of his home by the British in the War of 1812.
• November 23, 1812 - Raid of French Mills (Ft. Covington):
Historical Dictionary of the War of 1812 by Robert Malcomson:
British "Captain Andrew Gray was proceeding up the St. Lawrence River in a convoy of bateaux with supplies during the third week of November when he was ordered to recapture the Akwesasne post and then attack the American post at French Mills, New York, on the Salmon River about nine miles east of Akwesasne. Gray gathered a detachment of troops under Major Alexander Clerk, 49th Foot, which included men from the Glengarry Light Infantry (under Major George MacDonell), the 1/49th Foot and the Royal Regiment of Artillery, and 250 of the Glengarry and Stormont Militias. Gray, though junior in rank, appears to have held command. The British crossed to the Salmon River in the predawn hours of 23 November. The Stormont Militia reoccupied Akwesasne without any apparent opposition, while the rest, joined by 30 native warriors, proceeded across country to attack French Mills. Here, they surprised and overwhelmed the NY Militia garrison, which had three men killed and 42 captured. The British withdrew after destroying arms, ammunition and bateaux.
Plattsburgh Republican Dec 4, 1812:
"Captain Tilden's company of militia, about fifty in number, have been taken prisoners by the enemy at the French Mills without firing on either side, we understand the enemy consists of two or three hundred, and that captain Tilden had several hours notice of their coming. The enemy killed one man (Thomas Fletcher - on 1800 Chateaugay census) who stood in his own door, and plundered two houses in the village."
After the Major Young's attack on October 23rd on the Canadians at St. Regis village, Young left French Mills in November.
Ft. Covington Sun - Sept 12, 1985 - "History of Fort Covington" by Olga A. Robinson written 1906-1907 - "Chapter 3, French Mills in War Time 1812 - 1815:
"The English under Lt. Colonel (Alexander) MacMillan planned a retaliatory attack. On the 22nd of November an alarm was brought to French Mills and the company under Captain Tilden was marched to the blockhouse for as this structure still lacked a roof the soldiers were quartered in a building on Water Street. The British marched in on the old St. Regis Road, crossed the river and paraded up and down Water Street. Captain Tilden surrendered his party prisoners to the number of forty-four. These were taken to Montreal and after three weeks, were exchanged for the prisoners taken at St. Regis."
Thomas married Mary McMillan, daughter of John McMillan and Mary Arnott, about 1793 in , Washington, New York, USA. Mary was born in 1767 in Salem, Washington, New York, USA. She died in Jun 1854 in Hinsdale, Catteraugus, New York, USA.
McMillan Genealogy and History
Written by W.F. McMillan and C.E. McMillan (1908)
Mary,2 the sixth child of John McMillanl and Mary, his wife, was married about 1793 in
Washington Co., N.Y., to Thomas Fletcher. They soon moved to Franklin Co., N. Y., where they settled on a new farm near Ft. Covington. Thomas was an industrious, thrifty person. His leading trait was intense love of country and hatred for all its enemies. It is related of Mary, that one day while living on the farm which was in the midst of a vast wilderness, as evening approached she started out to bring in the cows. Hearing the cowbell in the distance she followed it farther and farther into the woods until she became lost. The bell passed out of her hearing, and she wandered until dark, and fearing wild animals she climbed a tree and passed the night. For five days and nights she wandered around living upon berries and shrubs, in constant fear of wild animals which she could hear around her, and thinking continually of her small children whom she had left in her rude cabin, and of her husband’s fear and distraction. She finally, on the fifth day, became so exhausted and overcome that she seated herself beside a tree and gave herself up to die. She fell into a deep sleep from which she was aroused by hearing voices. Opening her eyes she saw several men standing around her. She was carried to her home and soon recovered her usual health. The recollection of that fearful experience was always like a terrible nightmare to her.Mary McMIllan Fletcher Lewis is living with son Samuel in Hinsdale, Catturagus County, New York during the 1850 census.
They had the following children.
+ 2 M i James Fletcher was born on 3 Jan 1800. He died on 4 Mar 1872. 3 F ii Rachel Fletcher was born in 1800. Rachel married James Raymond in Abt. 1830. 4 F iii Sarah Fletcher was born in 1801 in , , New York, USA. + 5 M iv Samuel Fletcher was born on 7 Nov 1802. He died on 24 Aug 1883. 6 F v Emma Fletcher was born in 1803 in , , New York, USA. She died about 1837 in Hinsdale, Catteraugus, New York, USA. 7 M vi William Fletcher was born in , , New York, USA. 8 F vii Nancy Fletcher was born in , , New York, USA. 9 M viii Porter K. Fletcher was born in 1813 in , , New York, USA.