Plaque Dedication for 'Widow' Cole in New York-- Part 2

The plaque reads:

"On September 26, 1812 and from this site, some of the first shots of the War of 1812 fired by local militia at armed soldiers from the British schooner Lady Prvost.

When a small boat carrying the soldiers from the British ship was sighted rowing in pursuit of an American salt barge that had taken refuge at the mouth of Canadaway Creek, local citizen Celea Sampson "Widow" Cole rode her horse to the settlement of Canadaway (Fredonia) to secure reinforcements.

"Recognized as a War of 1812 heroine for her efforts to spread the alarm, the "Widow" Cole reportedly also carried food and water to the militiamen and melted her pewter dishes to make bullets for their use during the attack."

A heroine.  --Brock-Perry

Plaque Dedication for 'Widow' Cole in Dunkirk NY-- Part 1

From the March 30, 2017, Observer "War of 1812 heroine:  Plaque dedication to be held for Celea Sampson 'Widow' Cole.

A plaque will be placed at the Dunkirk Lighthouse & Veterans Park Museum in Dunkirk, New York (along Lake Erie).  The State of New York Society, United States Daughters of 1812 will hold the dedication at 2 p.m., April 1, 2017.

Celea Cole was the wife of Seth Cole, the first settler in the Dunkirk area and a Revolutionary War soldier. He died in 1810.During the War of 1812, she served as a patrol to alarm neighbors of British attacks, fed soldiers stationed near her home.  She even melted her pewter dishes and teapot to make bullets.

--Bock-Perry