Chrysler, John

  • DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: C. J. Shepard, “CRYSLER, JOHN,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 8, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/crysler_john_8E.html
  • DCB profile notes:
    • Businessman, politician, justice of the peace, office holder, and militia officer; b. 24 July 1770 in Schoharie, N.Y., son of Philip Crysler and Dorothy Meyers; m. first June 1791 Dorothea Adams (d. 1803) in Williamsburgh Township (Ont.), and they had three sons and four daughters; m. secondly 20 Nov. 1803 Nancy Loucks, and they had two sons; m. thirdly 19 April 1808 Nancy Finkle, and they had six sons and four daughters; d. 18 Jan. 1852 in Finch Township, Upper Canada.
    • Prior to the American revolution John Crysler lived in New Dorlach (Sharon Springs), N.Y. In 1777 his father joined the British army at Fort Stanwix (Rome, N.Y.) and served under Sir John Johnson. Crysler himself served as a drummer with Lieutenant-Colonel John Butler’s rangers and arrived in the province of Quebec in 1779. He was discharged in 1784 at the age of 14 and settled with his father in Township No.4 (Williamsburgh). In 1801 the younger Crysler was granted tavern and shop licences in the Eastern District of Upper Canada and imported liquor, tobacco, and salt from Lower Canada. Between 1806 and 1810 he bought more than 4,600 acres of timber-rich land in Finch and Mountain townships, 2,500 acres of which he sold in September 1810 to the Montreal firm of Forsyth, Richardson and Company. In 1808 he had received a licence to cut timber and was under contract to supply masts for the Royal Navy. During his early life, it is reported, Crysler “amassed a large property” and erected several grist-mills and sawmills.
    • Despite the state of his enterprises Crysler remained a prominent man in Dundas County. Supporting his claim to land for services during the War of 1812, judge Archibald McLean described him in 1837 as “one of the oldest and most loyal Inhabitants of the Province.” On 1 Nov. 1838 Crysler was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 1st Regiment of Dundas militia, and later that month, at the age of 68, he led his regiment against the Patriots at the battle of the Windmill near Prescott. In 1843 he moved to Finch Township in the northern part of Stormont County. The village of Crysler, at the site on the South Nation River where he operated a sawmill and a grist-mill, is named after him. 
  • United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=1939
  • Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22909947/john-crysler