York Militia

The York Militia was a volunteer militia unit in Upper Canada formed after the passage of the Militia Act of 1793. Members of the York Militia were drawn from the settlers of York County, an area mostly made up of present-day Greater Toronto.

York Militia
The 2nd Regiment of York Militia (left foreground) at the Battle of Queenston Heights
Active	c.1793-1866s
Country	Upper Canada
Allegiance	British Empire
Branch	Canadian Militia
Type	Militia
Size	3 Regiments
Nickname	"The York Volunteers"
Engagements	War of 1812 Siege of Detroit Battle of Queenston Heights Battle of York Battle of Lundy's Lane Rebellions of 1837–1838 Battle of Montgomery's Tavern Raid on Short Hills Fenian Raids

Orgaization

The Militia consisted of 3 line infantry regiments:

• 1st Regiment of York Militia
• 2nd Regiment of York Militia
• 3rd Regiment of York Militia - recruited around the present-day York Region (Markham), Toronto (Scarborough, old Town of York later as Toronto, Etobicoke) and Durham (Pickering and Whitby). ^[1] The regiment can be partially traced back to John Button's 1st York Light Dragoons (c. 1810) from Markham, Ontario.

War of 1812

The three regiments of the York Militia fought in several engagements during the War of 1812.

The 1st Regiment of the York Militia was involved at the Siege of Fort Mackinac, the Siege of Detroit, the Battle of Queenston Heights, and the Battle of York.

The 2nd Regiment of the York Militia fought at Detroit, Queenston Heights, and at the Battle of Lundy's Lane

The 3rd Regiment of the York Militia fought at Detroit, Queenston Heights, and York. ^[2]

Upper Canada Rebellion

The York Militia would see active service again during the Upper Canada Rebellion and the Patriot War of 1838; most notably seeing action at the Battle of Montgomery's Tavern and along the Niagara Peninsula (the Short Hill Raid). Among the units raised during the rebellion were the Queen's Rangers led by Samuel Jarvis. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Fenian Raids

Following the 1866 Fenian Raids, the York Militia was reorganized into the new Non-Permanent Active Militia [NPAM], becoming the 12th York Rangers. ^[6]

Perpetuation

Within the Canadian Army, the 1st and 3rd Regiments of York Militia are perpetuated by the Queen's York Rangers while the 2nd Regiment is perpetuated by the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.

Notable Members

• Major General Æneas Shaw
• Colonel James FitzGibbon
• Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell
• Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Peters Jarvis
• Major John Button
• Captain George Taylor Denison
• Lieutenant John Beverley Robinson

See also

• Canadian units of the War of 1812

Further reading

• Upper Canada Militia

References

1. "3rd YORK MILITIA VETERANS – OGS Toronto Branch Projects".
2. Nickerson, Janice (2012). York's Sacrifice: Militia Casualties of the War of 1812. Dundurn. p. 19. ISBN   978-1-4597-0595-1.
3. "York Militia 1793-1837". The Queen's York Rangers' Virtual Museum. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2026.
4. "JARVIS, SAMUEL PETERS". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved 13 October 2026.
5. "Queen's Rangers 1837-38". The Queen's York Rangers' Virtual Museum. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2026.
6. "12th York Rangers 1866-1913". The Queen's York Rangers' Virtual Museum. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2026.