Samuel Smith

Samuel Smith was the Paul Revere of Canada.

Smith was serving in a Canadian militia unit at Queenston Heights when the Americans launched an attack across the Niagara River on the night of October 13th, 1812.

"He was a 17 year old sentry on duty when he spotted the Americans massing for an attack, he sounded the alarm and the attack was repulsed," according to local Historian Ralph Ferguson.

The Americans commenced their raid at 4am on a cold, windy night when most of the defenders were sound asleep.

Peering into a driving rain, Smith spotted a flotilla of enemy boats coming straight for him.  Without wasting a moment, he ran to a guard house and summoned help.

The Americans had 6,000 men against defending force of only 1,000 British soldiers and 600 Canadians, including both First Nation  warriors and militiamen.  But because of Smith's early warning, the defenders were able to pour a hail of musket and cannon fire onto the invaders before they could reach the shore.  In all, 1,400 Americans were killed, wounded or captured for the loss of only 96 defenders.  Needless to say the attack was repulsed.

Smith, who was born in Ancaster, Ontario, moved to Lambton after that, becoming a well known explorer, surveyor, businessman and politician.  He was responsible for laying roads, right of ways, lots and concessions throughout Sombra, Euphemia, Brooke and Bosanquet townships.

Like Fisher, he also saw action in the 1837 rebellion.

Later, he went into politics, representing Euphemia Township on a regional body that pre-dated Lambton County Council.

Today he rests in a small Euphemia Township cemetery, where the inscription on his tombstone notes he was the man who sounded the alarm at Queenston Heights.