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Port Ryerse, Ontario
Several plaques are located at Port Ryerse that read as follows:
Port Ryerse 1794-1994
This memorial commemorates the bicentennial of Port Ryerse and its residents, past and present. The local shipping industry was the foundation for the village and prospered most during the mid-1800's, exporting lumber and grain. The forged anchor was recovered from the harbour near the original pier by divers in 1977. The millstones were discovered near the site of the gristmills on Young's Creek in Port Ryerse. Samuel Ryerse built the first mill circa 1797. It was burned in 1814 by invading Americans during the War of 1812. Two other gristmills were built on this site. Both burned, one in 1860, the other in 1890. The date stone is from the brick school house built in 1871.
Lieut.-Col. Samuel Ryerse
1752-1812
A United Empire Loyalist, Ryerse was commissioned in the 4th New Jersey Volunteers during the American Revolution, following which he took refuge in New Brunswick. In 1794 he came to Upper Canada, and the following year received 3,000 acres of land in Woodhouse and Charlotteville townships. Settling at the mouth of Young's Creek, he erected a grist-mill around which grew the community of Port Ryerse. As Lieutenant of the County of Norfolk and chairman of the Court of Quarter Sessions, he took an important part in the early military and civil administration of this area.
To Honour the Pioneers
Who first braved the loneliness, privations and perils of the unknown wilderness of Upper Canada to create new homes in a strange land for themselves and their children: who cleared the forests, blazed the roads, bridged the fords, drained the swamps, introduced British institutions, laws and ordered liberty. And, men and women alike, sacrificed and endured that their inheritors might enjoy in peace and comfort the fruits of their toil and in grateful recognition of the debt due to wise leaders and trusted counsellors of the original pioneers at and near Port Ryerse. Including among others:
Samuel Ryerse U.E.L. captain of new Jersey Loyalist Volunteer in the American Revolution. First settler at Port ryerse 1794. lietentant of the county of norfolk. Organizer of the local administration of the District of London, First Lieutenant colonel of militia, and first judge of the district. Buried in this graveyard, 1812.
Joseph Ryerse U.E.L., his brother: Loyalist officer in the Revolutionary War. First sheriff of the district of Londaon. Lieutenant Colonel of Norfolk militia in the War of 1812-1814. Also his sons, george, Samuel, William, John, Egerton and Edway: All but the second eminent pioneer preachers: the fourth the founder of the public school system of Upper Canada.
