Hunters' Lodges
Encyclopedia
The Hunter Patriots or Hunters' Lodges were a secret society
of filibusters
in the United States during the mid-19th century. They appear to have somewhat resembled Freemasons structurally with degrees of rank such as "Snowshoe", "Beaver", "Master Hunter" with the highest rank being "Patriot Hunter". The group was dedicated to the eviction of the British Empire
from North America
and the "liberation" of Canada
. It is claimed that their lodges may have numbered in the thousands.
"The Hunters", as they were called, were associated with the Upper Canada Rebellion
in Canada. They attacked Windsor, Ontario
in 1838 and were driven off and dispersed after a pitched battle. In November 1838, a force of about 1,500 men started from New York
to seal off the St Lawrence River and thereby allow a hypothetical revolt to take place in Upper Canada
.
About 300 men actually occupied and held a stone windmill at Prescott, Ontario
where a five day battle called The Battle of the Windmill
was fought against British regulars and Canadian militia. The rebels were eventually captured, tried, and, in some cases, executed or transported
to Tasmania.
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
of filibusters
Filibuster (military)
A filibuster, or freebooter, is someone who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution...
in the United States during the mid-19th century. They appear to have somewhat resembled Freemasons structurally with degrees of rank such as "Snowshoe", "Beaver", "Master Hunter" with the highest rank being "Patriot Hunter". The group was dedicated to the eviction of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
from North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and the "liberation" of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is claimed that their lodges may have numbered in the thousands.
"The Hunters", as they were called, were associated with the Upper Canada Rebellion
Upper Canada Rebellion
The Upper Canada Rebellion was, along with the Lower Canada Rebellion in Lower Canada, a rebellion against the British colonial government in 1837 and 1838. Collectively they are also known as the Rebellions of 1837.-Issues:...
in Canada. They attacked Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
in 1838 and were driven off and dispersed after a pitched battle. In November 1838, a force of about 1,500 men started from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to seal off the St Lawrence River and thereby allow a hypothetical revolt to take place in Upper Canada
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
.
About 300 men actually occupied and held a stone windmill at Prescott, Ontario
Prescott, Ontario
Prescott is a town of approximately 4,180 people on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Leeds and Grenville United Counties, Ontario, Canada. The Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge, 5 km east of Prescott in Johnstown, connects it with Ogdensburg, New York...
where a five day battle called The Battle of the Windmill
Battle of the Windmill
The Battle of the Windmill was a battle fought in November 1838 in the aftermath of the Upper Canada Rebellion. Loyalist forces of the Upper Canadian government defeated an invasion attempt by Hunter Patriot insurgents based in the United States.-Background:...
was fought against British regulars and Canadian militia. The rebels were eventually captured, tried, and, in some cases, executed or transported
Transported
Transported is a 1913 Australian silent movie directed by W. J. Lincoln. It stars George Bryant, Godfrey Cass and Roy Redgrave. The movie was 28 minutes long....
to Tasmania.