'Pirate' Johnston 1782-1870

Photo by Alan L Brown - March 27, 2006

Plaque Location

The County of Leeds and Grenville
The Town of Gananoque
On the waterfront at the parking lot at the foot of Clarence Street

Plaque Text

At nearby Wellesley Island on the night of May 29-30, 1838 a band of Upper Canadian rebels and their American supporters burned the Canadian steamer "Sir Robert Peel". The attackers, about thirteen in number, were led by William "Bill" Johnston, a former Canadian who had fled to the U.S. during the war of 1812. He became a trader and smuggler and, in 1838, was appointed Commodore of the 'Patriot' navy. He participated in several attacks upon Canada during the Rebellion and subsequently settled in Clayton, New York, where he became keeper of a lighthouse.

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