John Cornwall was a Loyalist during the American Revolution and an early settler of Essex County — and he also happens to be one of my ancestors. His story is both fascinating and dramatic. Captured during the Revolutionary War, he endured a gruelling ordeal before he was able to re-establish himself in Upper Canada, where he became a political figure.
Join me as I explore John Cornwall’s life, from his wartime struggles to his impact on Essex County.
John Cornall’s Life in Connecticut
Cornwall was born into a wealthy family in Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut in 1748 or 1749. His parents, John Cornwell and Hannah Knapp, had three children including Abiah Cornwall and Francis Cornwall with John being the eldest.
John married Mary Benedict; however, the exact date of their union is unknown. Together, they had four children: Joshua Starr Cornwall, Wheeler Cornwall, John Cornwall and Mary Cornwall, who later married William McCormick, the first European resident of Pelee Island.
In Danbury, Cornwall was well-established, residing in a mansion and owning substantial property.
A Loyalist in the American Revolution
During the American Revolution, Cornwall was a United Empire Loyalist who sided with the British. As a result, he and his family were viewed with suspicion and scrutiny. Following this persecution, John left Connecticut on May 2, 1776, and joined one of the King’s regiments. However, on his way, he was captured by American revolutionaries.
John was imprisoned in Esopus (now Kingston, New York) on a prison ship; however, he escaped after five months and made his way to Albany. In May 1777, he joined Loyalist Peter Ball, leading 32 men to Lieutenant John Butler on the Susquehanna River and later served under Captain John McDonald. Cornwall remained with Butler’s Rangers until 1778.
During the Revolutionary War, Cornwall’s wife Mary Benedict and children were also driven from their home. They lived with one of her sisters until Mary reunited with John in 1797. In total, they spent 21 years apart.
Life in Essex County
Following his service with Butler’s Rangers, John Cornwall relocated to Detroit in 1778, where he stayed until the end of the Revolutionary War. In 1786, he was granted Lot 97 in the New Settlement on the north shore of Lake Erie, which he sold in July 1789. That same year, his sons — Wheeler, John Jr., and Joshua — joined him, along with his mother, Hannah Knapp.
Cornwall was then granted Lot 13 on the Thames River in Camden Township. His sons, Joshua and Wheeler, received adjacent Lots 14 and 15, with John Jr. acquiring a lot directly behind his father’s on Concession 2.
John Cornwall’s Political Career
Cornwall became politically active after establishing himself in Essex County. In 1797, he succeeded François Baby as the legislative representative for Suffolk and Essex Counties, serving in the Second Parliament of Upper Canada from 1797 to 1800. He also held the role of Justice of the Peace for the Western District.
Cornwall’s son, Joshua Cornwall, also served in the Legislative Assembly, as did his son-in-law, William McCormick, who was married to his daughter Mary.
A Descendant of Thomas Cornell
Although some records list John Cornwall’s family as being from Wales, this appears to be a mistake. My family line descends from Thomas Cornell and Rebecca Briggs, English colonists who emigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Over time, the Cornell surname likely evolved into Cornwall. This means that John Cornwall’s ancestry traces back to the Cornells — not to Wales or the Cornwall region of England.
My Connection to John Cornwall
I am related to John Cornwall through my mother. He was the first on the Puritan side of her family to move to Essex County.
- John Cornwall (1749 – 1814) and Mary Benedict (1752 – 1836)
- John Cornwall (1775 – 1822) and Lucinda Hubbell (1780 – 1871)
- Mary Cornwall (1799 – 1877) and Jarius Rood Jarvis Brush (1795 – 1870)
- Nathan Brush (1836 – 1903) and Elizabeth Jones (1839 – 1931)
- Amelia Isabella Brush (1864 – 1935) and Joseph Eli Bondy (1858 – 1944)
- Pearl Leafy Bondy (1885 – 1966) and Edward Walter Grondin (1886 – 1973)
- Walter Grondin (1910 – 1998) and Mary Catherine Higgins (1908 – 1983)
- Martha Grondin (born 1950) and Gary Willis (born 1946) – my parents
Are you related to John Cornwall? Let me know!
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