Port Talbot, Ontario facts for kids

Port Talbot was once a small community in Ontario, Canada. It was located near Port Stanley, right where Talbot Creek flows into Lake Erie. This area was the starting point for a settlement created by Thomas Talbot.

In 1800, Thomas Talbot was given a large piece of land by the Crown. He wanted to build a successful community there. Port Talbot became known for its good roads and hard-working settlers. However, Talbot's strict control sometimes caused disagreements with the government of Upper Canada.

Sadly, during the War of 1812, American forces attacked the community. Port Talbot was burned in 1814 and was never rebuilt. Today, the site is recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada. This happened in 1923.

How Port Talbot Began

Thomas Talbot worked for Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe in 1793. Simcoe helped Talbot get land along Lake Erie to start a new settlement. In 1803, Talbot returned to Canada from England. He landed at the spot that would become Port Talbot. This place became his home for the rest of his life.

Talbot had tried to settle in other areas earlier, but his land grant was delayed. When he arrived at Port Talbot, he was very excited. He reportedly said he would "make the forest tremble" with the community he would build.

Soon, Talbot built a sturdy log house on a hill overlooking the lake. He also built the first water mill in the settlement. This mill was on Talbot Creek and was working by 1808. He helped settlers by giving them seeds for crops like wheat, barley, and oats. They also grew Indian corn.

Building the Community

Thomas Talbot was good at finding skilled people to help build his settlement. John Bostwick helped create roads, starting with the Talbot Road in 1804. Bostwick was experienced in surveying roads. He later became a sheriff in London.

James Witton was hired to build log houses for the settlers. Mahlon Burwell built a bridge over Talbot Creek. These people helped Port Talbot grow and become a strong community.

Port Talbot During the War of 1812

The War of 1812 brought danger to Port Talbot. Thomas Talbot was put in charge of the local militia. He built forts to protect his settlers from attacks coming from Lake Erie.

Some former settlers, like Andrew Westbrook and Simon Zelotes Watson, joined the American side. They had disagreements with Talbot and wanted to capture him. In 1814, these men led raids across Lake Erie. They attacked Port Dover and other places.

On May 19, 1814, a small group of American soldiers attacked Port Talbot. Their goal was to destroy the port. They had previously burned mills and houses in Port Dover. Other attacks on Port Talbot happened in July, August, and September of that year.

During the September 9 attack, the gristmill was burned down. A saw mill, houses, and barns were also destroyed. Animals were killed in these raids.

Thomas Talbot was never captured by the attackers. However, his bridge builder, Mahlon Burwell, was taken prisoner. Burwell was held for six months in Chillicothe, Ohio. The gristmill was never rebuilt after the war. This likely slowed down the growth of the settlement.

Port Talbot Today

Port Talbot was located at the mouth of Talbot Creek. Today, there are no buildings or signs left from the original settlement. It is now a place that is only found on old maps.