Bill Johnston (pirate) facts for kids
Bill Johnston (born February 1, 1782 – died February 17, 1870) was a daring figure known for his adventures on the water. He was born in Canada but later became an American citizen. Johnston was involved in the War of 1812 and a rebellion in Canada, often using his skills as a boat captain and his knowledge of the Thousand Islands region.
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Bill Johnston's Early Life
Bill Johnston spent his first 30 years as a loyal British subject in Canada. He was one of many children born to parents who moved to Upper Canada (now Ontario) in 1781. They had left the United States after the American Revolution.
As a boy, Bill helped his family build a farm from the wild forests near what is now Kingston. When he was 16, he learned to be a blacksmith for six years. At 22, he started a business making potash, which used ashes from burned trees. By age 24, he was the captain of his own schooner on eastern Lake Ontario. He often carried legal goods, but sometimes he also transported items like tea and rum without paying taxes.
In 1807 or 1808, he married Ann Randolph, an American, and they started a family on his farm. After five years of trading goods, Bill had saved enough money to buy a store in Kingston. By 1812, at 30 years old, he was a successful merchant.
Johnston and the War of 1812
The War of 1812 began with American attacks on British colonies in Canada. In May 1813, the military leader in Kingston ordered Bill Johnston's arrest. Johnston escaped by canoe to Sackets Harbor, New York, in the United States. The British then took all his property. Because of this, he vowed to get revenge on the British. He promised to help the American navy on Lake Ontario.
For two years, Bill Johnston fought in the Thousand Islands. He used a fast, light rowboat called a gig. This boat had six oarsmen and was perfect for the shallow and narrow waterways of the Thousand Islands. If his boat got stuck, his men could easily carry it across an island to escape.
During 1813 and 1814, he spied on the British. He attacked their supply boats, robbed mail carriers, and burned ships. He also took part in the battles of Sackets Harbor and Crysler's Farm.
After the war, Bill and his family lived in a few towns in New York. They settled in Clayton in 1834. He opened a shop by the water and continued his trade, sometimes transporting goods to Canada without paying taxes. Interestingly, the US government even paid him to spy on Canadian traders coming into the US.
Johnston Joins the Upper Canadian Rebels
In December 1837, a group of men led by William Lyon Mackenzie rebelled against British rule in Canada. Mackenzie's small force was quickly defeated. He then fled to Navy Island, near the Canada–US border. There, he announced the Republic of Canada and tried to gather an army of Canadian rebels and American supporters. On December 29, British soldiers crossed the icy river and destroyed Mackenzie's supply ship, the Caroline. An American sailor was killed during this attack.
The attack on the Caroline made Johnston very angry. He left his home and joined Mackenzie's forces. Mackenzie then named him "admiral of the eastern navy," even though the rebels had no navy at all.
In 1838, rebels based in the US, who called themselves Patriots or Hunters, attacked Canada at least seven times. Johnston helped plan an attack on Upper Canada near Detroit in February 1838. In the same month, he organized an attack on Kingston and briefly took control of a Canadian island. He stopped this invasion because the British found out about his plans.
The Sir Robert Peel Incident
Bill Johnston's most famous act, which earned him the name "pirate," happened early on May 30, 1838. Johnston and Donald McLeod, a Patriot general, planned to capture a passenger ship called the Sir Robert Peel. They wanted to use the Peel to carry rebel troops to Canada.
Just after midnight, the Peel stopped at Wellesley Island to load firewood. Johnston's men landed nearby and walked through the woods to the ship. Nine men got lost in the dark. But Johnston, McLeod, and 11 others still attacked the ship. They quickly moved the 80 passengers and crew to the dock at gunpoint. Johnston ordered the ship to be untied, and it floated downstream. Rebel leaders were supposed to send more men to help run the ship, but they never arrived. Since none of Johnston's men could restart the ship's engines, he told them to take items from the ship and then burn it. With shouts of "Remember the Caroline," they set the ship on fire and left in their boats.
American authorities soon arrested 13 of Johnston's crew. The first man put on trial was found not guilty by a jury who supported the rebels. The other prisoners were then released because authorities feared the same result. Johnston remained free and even announced a war against Britain. In this announcement, he admitted to destroying the Peel. Both British and American forces sent small naval ships and soldiers into the Thousand Islands to search for Johnston. For a short time, the US allowed British ships to search for Johnston in American waters. Many New York citizens were not happy about this. Johnston knew every cave and secret spot in the islands. His children, especially his daughter Kate, brought him supplies all that summer. Despite months of searching, they could not find him, and the search forces were reduced.
Battle of the Windmill and Johnston's Capture
In November 1838, about 250 American Hunter Patriots crossed the St. Lawrence River from Ogdensburg, New York. They tried to attack Prescott, but the attack failed. The Hunter Patriots then took over a small village called Newport. This event became known as the Battle of the Windmill. The invaders were surrounded by British forces for five days and eventually had to surrender. On the first day of the battle, Johnston helped carry supplies to the Canadian shore. He also helped two rebel ships that had gotten stuck in the mud.
Johnston gave himself up to US authorities shortly after the Battle of the Windmill. He said he was tired of running. Johnston faced many charges for his rebel actions and the Peel incident. In many cases, juries refused to find him guilty. When he was put in jail, he often escaped when he felt like it.
Later Years
Johnston spent the rest of his life as a trader and tavern owner. On April 12, 1853, Johnston was made the keeper of the Rock Island Lighthouse. He spent his last years in Clayton, living in his son Samuel's hotel, the Walton House.
