Nanticoke National Historic Site of Canada

Nanticoke was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1924 because:

• on 13th November, 1813, Norfolk volunteer militia, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Bostwick, routed a band of American marauders who had terrorized the country, an exploit that inspirited the military forces, restored the confidence of the people, and was an important factor in the immediate recovery of lost ground. [Plaque text 1928/1977]

During the War of 1812, the British withdrew their regular troops from southern Ontario to the Fort at Kingston after suffering several defeats by American forces in the fall of 1813. This retreat and the reduced military enforcement prompted a band of American marauders to pillage district farms. As a result, a number of resident settlers formed a volunteer militia, and on 13 November 1813 they attacked the Americans on the farm of John Dunham, south of the present village of Nanticoke.

Three of the marauders were killed, several wounded, 18 captured, and others escaped. This effectively ended plundering expeditions in the area, and over 3,000 kilograms (7,000 pounds) of provisions were saved for the British militia on the Niagara frontier, enabling them to continue a winter campaign.