Township of North Stormont

Crysler

• Village of Crysler Municipal Groundwater Supply Wells (2005 Interim Wellhead Protection Measures Plan)
• A Short History
• Crysler Community Center Website
• Recreation Committees

A Short History

The founder of the Village of Crysler was a New Yorker by birth, a German by ancestry and a United Empire Loyalist by allegiance.

Colonel John Crylser's family came from the Palatine area of Germany. Being Lutherans, they were expelled from their homeland by the armies of Louis XIV on religious grounds. Fleeing the tyranny, they left homes, castles and businesses and, those who did not perish from hunger, became paupers on the streets of Europe. Louis XIV was opposed by William of Orange of England, who set an example for other countries by allowing the oppressed into England. He was succeeded by Queen Anne, who agreed to find them homes in Her colonies. By late1709, thousands had made their way to Britain and were sheltered in the Blackheath warehouses, Four Mohawk Chiefs who were visiting Queen Anne's court, toured the site and were so affected by the misery of these once prominent Germans, that they gave the Queen a large grant of land in the Schoharie Valley, in New York, to enable them to resettle and rebuild their lives.

In 1710, 10 ships left Britain for New York. Amongst the new arrivals was Johann Philipp Kreussler, his wife Catherine, and their two children, John George, 11, and the baby Johannes ages 7 months. Johnanes was to become the grandfather of Walter P. Chrysler, the founder of the Chrysler Corporation.Three years later they were blessed with their 3rd son, Johan Hieronymous (Jeronmius) Krausler. (Jeronmious was to become the grandfather of Colonel John Crysler). Who would have believed that this one family would have such an impact on Canada?

Jeronmius grew up, was married and had three children in West Camp, New Town. Because their name had now been spelled in at least 25 different ways, the family simplified the name to Crysler. The Crysler family finally made their way to Schoharie where Jeronmius Crysler received 12,000 acres of the promised Indian land, and later bought a number of other tracts which his eldest son, Adam inherited. In 1739, a fourth child, Philip, was born. When he was 25, he purchased 50 acres and built a blacksmith shop and a potash works, In 1770 Philip fathered John, the fifth of eight children. (later to be known as Colonel John Crysler).

Once again these families were plunged into war. Sides had to be taken. Those that were loyal to Britain were Tories or Loyalist, those who wanted American Independance were rebels or Patriots. Adam and Philip were two of the Tory Crysler brothers who were well known for the fierceness of their fighting. The revenge sought by "the Cryslers' Raids" were the terror of those who had mistreated the Loyalists. This was a time of great sacrifice, of revenge, and of cruelty, when men fought and many died for the right to speak, worship and live in peace. The Tory Cryslers and six other brothers and cousins joined Butler's Rangers and were part of the force that left a scene of total destructionin the Susquehanna River valley. At the tender age of 10 years, John became a drummer boy. After the battles the womwn and children walked the many miles to join their men and then together the made their way to Montreal and then to Johnstown, now Cornwall. John was 16.

Land was granted on the basis of rank plus land for a spouse and each child. John, having seen more death, destruction and injustice than most, grew up and settled in the area. A man of many talents, he owned stores, grist mills and lumber mills and amassed large tract s of land. At the top of his career, he owned 60,000 acres. Dundas County had a great deal of valuable timber. Crysler forwarded some of the large timbers to Montreal for the cathedral and for ship masts. He was a farmer, a merchant, a magistrate, a school Trustee, a colonel in the militia, and a representitive of his country to Parliment. During his life time, Colonel John had 3 wives, all from prominent families, and 20 children.

On November 11, 1813, the decisive Battle of Crysler's Farm was waged, pitting some 800 Canadians against four times as many Americans. Crysler's well appointed home was used as the Canadian Headquarters, as the women and children hid in the basement. By the end of the day the Americans, beaten on the ploughed fields, had retreated and the battle was won.

In 1838, John Crysler, aged 70, and his son John Pliny brought 300 men of Dundas militia to the Battle of the Windmill at Prescott, where the Americans once again invaded Canada. This time as "liberators". They were captured, the leaders were hung and the men were sent to Australian penal camp. For John, this was the culmination of a military life that had started at the age of ten.

Those settlers were now facing an enormous task, to clear land and build their homes and farms. To accomplish this they adopted a communal way of life and the country "Bees", with the social aspect of food, drink and dancing, made a hard life more enjoyable.

The area was divided into 9 "Royal Townships", comprising the Counties of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Grevill and parts of Leeds. the Townships were divided into Concessions and laid out into 200 acres lots. In 1789, it was proposed that as a "Marke of Honour", the appellation, United Empire Loyalist (UEL), be given to families that had been loyal to the Crown and their descendants are distinguished by UE being added to their names.

In the late 1830's Colonel John moved north to the village of Crysler nestled on the banks of the South Nation River. The lavish hospitality given to all visitors to his nearby home was well known, and before the end of his life, along with failed business speculations, had taken their toll on his fortunes. In 1852, he died at Crysler Village and was buried in the St. John's Anglican Cemetery on land he donated for the establishment of the church.

Colonel John Crysler, his son John Pliny and other family members, played a significant role in shaping the territorial, political and economic structure of Upper Canada. Their contribution remains an integral part of our Canadian history.

Dorothy Middleton

Bibliography:

A Crysler Family History, 1650 to 1963, researched by Geoff Chrysler

History of Crysler-1998, Lorna Armstrong

Historic Plaque, Battle of the Windmill, Prescott