Marinus sits down with Professor James Tyler Robertson, Associate Professor of Christian History at Tyndale University about one of the major Canadian figures in the War of 1812, Bishop John Strachan of York (now Toronto), born 1778 (Aberdeen, Scotland), died 1867 (Toronto, Ontario.)

John Strachan, the Garrison Chaplain (and later Bishop of York, is well known for his role in the town of York (now Toronto) after it fell in April 1813.  After the British retreated, he negotiated the terms of surrender with US General Dearborn, fearlessly scolding the Americans for plundering his parishioners’ property.  When the Americans raided again that July, he even demanded successfully from US Commodore Chauncey that books stolen in the first raid be returned.

Dr James Tyler Robertson is Associate Professor of Christian History at Tyndale University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  He has a Master’s Degree and a PhD in Divinity at MacMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.  Among Dr. Robertson’s research interests are the Church and War as well as the way religion has shaped the nation of Canada.  His doctoral work was on religion in the War of 1812.  He has published extensively in the areas of Canadian Church history and speaks frequently at popular and academic presentations.  He is the author of a new book entitled OVERLOOKED: The Forgotten Stories of Canadian Christianity.

Marinus welcomes Caroline McCormick, President of the Friends of Laura Secord and Barbara Worthy, Actor, Writer and Producer.  They explore the historic walk taken by Laura Secord in 1813 and the Legacy it has left to us today.

Caroline McCormick is President of the Friends of Laura Secord and has a direct familial connection to Laura Secord which she discusses during the interview.  She is dedicated to the preservation of her legacy through the work of her association and through special efforts like the Laura Secord Legacy Trail.  More information can be found on her website:  www.friendsoflaurasecord.com

Barbara Worthy is a writer, performer and producer.  For nearly two decades she was a freelance drama and documentary producer for CBC Radio.  Her work focuses on historical re-creation on various platforms.  Recently she produced a series of independent multi-media documentary videos on Niagara’s History, the HMCS Haida and D-Day, and Flames of War, a multi-media ‘son et lumiere’ documenting the role played by First Nations in the War of 1812.  Her formidable work is highlighted at www.worthyprojects.ca.  She currently enjoys the position of Community Engagement Coordinator with the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum. 

Marinus talks to retired Professor of History and Author Dr Wesley Turner, on the Legacy left by Sir Isaac Brock and its impact on our understanding of the War of 1812.

Major General Sir Isaac Brock KB (6 October 1769 – 13 October 1812) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator from Guernsey.  Brock led British, native and militia forces to victory over the Americans at Detroit in August 1812 but was shot and killed by an American sniper while leading a detachment of regulars and militia in an unsuccessful counterattack against American forces who had taken Queenston Heights on October 13th, 1812.

Click to hear what this podcast is all about. To watch the Trailer, go to our Website https://www.storiesof1812.com.

Stories of 1812 is an independently produced podcast series that presents the stories and achievements of individuals who lived during and participated in the War of 1812.

We will consider major figures such as Sir Isaac Brock, John Norton, William Hamilton Merritt, James Fitzgibbon, Winfield Scott, Tecumseh, Joseph Willcocks, Laura Secord and Richard Pierpoint. Our guests are historians, authors, researchers and experts who written and spoken on the lives of each of these characters.