Youngstown Heritage Committee hosts walking tour

The Youngstown Heritage Tours and Tourism Committee announced its next walking tour, "Women's Voices: A Different View of the War of 1812," will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, on village streets.

Led by local historian Karen Noonan, the walking tour focuses on the events of Dec. 19, 1813, when the hamlet then known as "Young's town," so called for land owner John Young, was burned in retaliation for the burning of Niagara, Upper Canada, on Dec. 10, 1813.

Visitors will hear the story of four women who survived: Catherine Young of Niagara, Upper Canada; and Rebecca Swain, Agnes Greensitt and Betsy Doyle, all of Young's town.

Catherine, born in New Jersey, had immigrated to Niagara, Upper Canada, after the American Revolutionary War with her American-born husband, John, a local merchant. She was the first to experience the horror of the War of 1812 when retreating American forces burned Niagara. Several days later, Rebecca, Agnes and Betsy - the latter two with children - were forced to leave their homes as British forces and their native allies burned the Niagara Frontier from Lake Ontario's shore, along the Niagara River to Buffalo, and on to Williamsville.

The walk begins at the Art of Peace Garden in Falkner Park on Main Street and proceeds to the former site of Greensitt's tavern and the War of 1812 Salt Battery.

The tour is appropriate for children 10 years of age and older. It lasts about 90 minutes.

There is no charge for the tour, but donations can be made to the Youngstown Heritage Travel and Tourism Committee. To register for a tour, call the Town of Porter Historical Society office at 716-745-1271 or email [email protected].