Ghost Stories Collection

1812

The War of 1812 began two centuries ago, but its ghosts have yet to realize it. Whether they are soldiers who died on the battlefield or innocent bystanders caught up in the horrors of war on both sides of the border between Canada and the United States, their restless spirits are still searching for peace. There is a popular local legend (that shows up in accounts dating back to the 1820's) of an unfortunate Canadian militia officer who was killed near the Swayzi cottage during the American invasion of May, 1813. In an American raid during the war of 1812, the invading arny burned many of the buildings in Niagara-on-the-Lake to the ground. Before the raid, Captain Colin Swayze a British Captain in the War, was given orders to flee, but he did not evacuate. Instead, he stayed behind; some believe he was waiting to meet his lover. He waited until 10 o'clock at the intersection of what is now Regent and Market streets, but she never showed. When then American soldiers arrived, Captain Swayze hid in his wine cellar, located in the basement of the Angel Inn. As the Americans searched the entire Inn, they came up to the wine cellar, and knew Swayze had to be here, so they used their bayonets to check every corner, every wine barrel, and everywhere else he could have been hiding. The soldiers came to one of the barrels raised their bayonets and stabbed the barrel, immediately blood came pooling out onto the ground as the American soldiers had killed Captain Swayze. After the Americans raided the town, they burned the Inn to the ground. Legend has it that this was the site of the original home of Captain Swayze's sweetheart, Ewretta, and some believe the Ghost of Captain Swayze is fated to walk the grounds around the Swayze Cottage and the Angel Inn at night, perhaps in longing for his sweetheart. There have been reports of strange noises coming, rearranged place settings, and other unexplained occurrences.