Thomas Higginson (soldier) facts for kids

Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Higginson (born January 9, 1794 – died January 22, 1884) was an Irish-born soldier and important leader in Ontario, Canada. He helped shape the community of Vankleek Hill, Ontario and the surrounding area.

Thomas Higginson: A Community Builder

Thomas Higginson was born in County Antrim, Ireland. His parents were Boyd Higginson and Jane Crawford. In 1819, he moved to Canada with his three older brothers. They settled in a place called Hawkesbury. Before leaving Ireland, he married Nancy Agnes Park.

Thomas Higginson played a big part in developing Vankleek Hill, Ontario. He helped with social life, education, and spiritual growth. This was during the early days when the community was just starting.

He became the second postmaster of Vankleek Hill. The first postmaster was Neil Stewart, who started the post office in 1827. Thomas Higginson and Neil Stewart were also among the first to represent the West Hawkesbury area. This was around 1844 on the new district council.

Higginson was also the Superintendent of Schools for many years. This was for the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. He also worked for the Bank of Upper Canada. He helped handle money from selling public lands. Plus, he was a member of the County Council.

In 1857, Lieutenant-Colonel Higginson started the Mechanics' Institute in Vankleek Hill. He was its first president. This institute was a place for people to learn and share knowledge. According to a diary from his nephew, Thomas Tweed Higginson, in 1859, Uncle Thomas was preparing a lecture. The lecture was about "The Change of the Earth’s Surface."

Lieutenant-Colonel Higginson also helped establish St. John’s Anglican Church. The church was finished in 1856 on land he owned. Before that, he was involved in setting up a Sunday School for Vankleek Hill.

In 1858, the first issue of a weekly newspaper called The Economist came out. It was published in Vankleek Hill. Rupert Mearse Wells, who later became a Speaker in the provincial government, edited it. The newspaper included articles and poems written by Lieutenant-Colonel Higginson.

The Mysterious Higginson Tower

The Higginson Tower is a special landmark. It is close to St. John the Apostle Anglican Church. You can see the church on the hill along Highway 34 when you enter Vankleek Hill from the north. The tower's ruins were once near Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Higginson's home. He built the tower in 1832.

Later, William Higginson, Thomas's son, added the top part to the tower. He made it into a conservatory, which is like a greenhouse. William also built the red brick house nearby.

The Higginson Tower shows how teaching, learning, and civic duty changed in the 1800s. It also represents the many good things Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Higginson did.

Thomas Higginson first built the tower as a windmill in 1832. He wanted to use it to grind wheat and corn. This would help the businesses in Vankleek Hill grow. But the project didn't work well because there wasn't enough wind.

So, Mr. Thomas Higginson changed the windmill. He turned it into the first private observatory in Eastern Ontario. He was also made Lieutenant-Colonel of the Prescott Regiment on April 23, 1839.

In 1866, the government asked for help to defend against the Fenian raids. On March 9, 1866, Lieutenant-Colonel Higginson’s Prescott militia in Vankleek Hill was told to go to Cornwall. This was because they expected a Fenian Raid. Some people believe the Higginson Tower was used as a "look-out" tower during these raids.