The Bangle Files: #19 | “An Improper Character”

BANQLast time we left John Bangle, he was lying in bed, dictating his will to Notary Public Henry Crebassa. A little over a month after, on March 25, 1814, General Sir George Prevost authorized six men to be put in the Invalid Establishment of William Henry (the town of Sorel nowadays). In time of needs, these men probably petitioned General Prevost to be granted such a privilege. One of them was John Bangle.

Take a look at the following document and see for yourself:

List of Loyalists Invalids at the garrison of Sorel, 4 July 1815, Library and Archives Canada, Collection RG 8, Series C-634, p.54

List of Loyalists Invalids at the garrison of Sorel, 4 July 1815, Library and Archives Canada, Collection RG 8, Series C-634, p.54

Thanks to Library and Archives Canada’s RG 8 – C Series online Collection and index (British Military and Naval Records), I was able to unearth this Muster Roll that was conducted at the Invalid Establishment of William Henry in July 1815. You’ve probably noticed besides John Bangle’s name the following annotation: Absent. Yes, as always. He is never where you expect him to be.

Wait a minute, while I didn’t find any petition letter from John Bangle from 1814, I did find, attached to the muster roll, this memo about John Bangle:

If John Bangle is an improper character he ought not to be permitted to reside at Wm Henry, I conceive—
William Henry 4th July, 1815

Sir,

Enclosed is a Muster Roll of the Invalid Loyalists in the Asylum here, which I transmit you for the information of His Excellency The Lieut. General Commanding, being agreeably to a standing order at His Post, that on 1st July annually they are to be inspected by the Senior Officer present assisted by a Medical person, and their situation reported; I accordingly had them assembled in presence of Dr. Carter. The men and women generally are old, infirm, and objects of compassion, and those of them who reside in the village are extremely ill lodged—occupying very old Government houses which are daily tumbling down on top of them endangering their lives etc. —They were all present or accounted for at Muster, except John Bangle who resides in the village (but not in a Government building) did not think proper to attend, tho’ he knew of it—Besides this, he is reported to keep a house of ill fame, to encourage Soldiers to be out after hours and make away with their necessaries etc., and is unworthy of being a member of this Convalescent Asylum—I have therefore given directions to stop his Rations until His Excellency’s pleasure be known—

I have the Honor to be,
Sir,
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
(Signature) 100th Regt.
Major Commanding

To
Major Foster
Military Secretary
[LAC, RG-8, C-634, p. 52]

Library and Archives Canada, MIKAN 2887613: View on the Sorel River from the Gate of the Government House, looking upwards ca. 1821-1824

Library and Archives Canada, MIKAN 2887613: View on the Sorel River from the Gate of the Government House, looking upwards ca. 1821-1824

I remember when I read this the first time, I said to myself: “He owned a house! How come I cannot find any notarial act for it?!” Well, that’s John alright! Missing documentation, missing wife, missing children and… absent again.

Anyway, thank God for his being absent! Of course, you realize that if he would have shown up at this inspection, we would not have known about what an “improper character” John Bangle was. Well, if I may say so, this background provides some context for what is coming up in five years from then. See you in two weeks!


For related posts about The Bangle Files, please refer to the Introduction Page

6 thoughts on “The Bangle Files: #19 | “An Improper Character”

  1. How titillating! Having proper character to be admitted into the “asylum” for the infirm is a prerequisite. Another cliff hanger Diane…
    Looking forward to the next instalment!

  2. À “house of ill fame” for an “improper character”!! What a man! Nice work Diane!

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