HOW
BROCKAMOUR GOT ITS NAME
 designated
heritage property, the story of Brockamour
Manor is a combination of history and true
romance.
In the early years of the 19th Century,
this magical property first belonged to
the renowned Mohawk Chieftain, Joseph Brant. Undoubtedly,
he would have thought this property to be
special with its convenience to Butler’s
Barracks (across the road) and the Indian
Council House as well as neighbour to the
home of his kinsman by marriage, the Deputy-Superintendent
of Indian Affairs.
 However in 1805, Captain John Powell, son
of Chief Justice William Dummer Powell, acquired
it and is recognized as the first person to
actually build on the site. Captain
Powell was the son-in-law of Aeneas Shaw,
having married his daughter Isabella. Aeneas
Shaw had a distinguished past and was a good
friend of John Graves Simcoe, the two men
having become fast friends during the American
Revolution – where they fought on the
British side. Following the revolution,
the triumphant new state stripped Aeneas Shaw
of all of his estates and belongings – which
were considerable at the time. Undaunted,
he packed up his family, left the United States
and ventured to New Brunswick to start over.
His friend, Simcoe, was later sent by Britain
to found the Province of Upper Canada and
organize the Queen’s Rangers. Simcoe
sent word to Aeneas to join him – and
so he did. He was soon made a member
of the Executive Council of the Province.
Aeneas Shaw was the first to visit the site
of Toronto and he reported so favorably upon
it that Simcoe sent him with a hundred men
of the Queen’s Rangers to hew a clearing
and establish a little garrison. There
he built the first home in Toronto – a
log cabin. He also built the first frame
house in Toronto and being of proud Scottish
descent, named it, Oak Hill in honour of the
ancestral estates in Scotland.
When Captain Powell built his home for his
wife and family in Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
in 1809, Isabella’s sister, Sophia,
joined them; their father, Aeneas Shaw, was
a frequent visitor. As destiny would
have it, this would lead to meeting a stunning
young man named Isaac Brock, with whom the
young Sophia would fall completely in love. It
is here that our story turns to romance.
 Isaac Brock was an exceptional child. Although
his mother was widowed when he was just eight
years old, they were financially well off
and remained a very close knit and loving
family. Brock was particularly close
to his brothers Savery, who served with him
in the 49th Regiment, and William who was
a banker. Even from Canada he wrote
to them often.
Brock’s exploits as a member of the
British forces are distinguished. Having
turned around the 49th Regiment of the British
army into one of the best in the service,
Brock was made a Brigadier-General in 1808. In
1809 Brock was ordered to Upper Canada to
assist in organizing the British troops. It
was here that Brock’s fate would be
sealed and his memory cherished as a hero
of Canada.
Wherever Brock went he was loved. Exceeding
6 feet in height, he cut an imposing figure,
but made friends easily. He preferred
a woman of intellect and breadth of vision
to one whose face was fair and mind ordinary. His
private life was irreproachable and the friends
he made among both men and women remained
his loyal supporters.
As tensions grew between Britain and the United
States and conflict seemed inevitable, Brock
traveled from one end of the Province of Upper
Canada to the other. His travels brought
him often to the home of Captain Powell to
speak of war with Aeneas Shaw and of love
with his daughter, Sophia. It is here
our love story turns to tragedy.
It is not clear on what date in time Isaac
Brock and Sophia Shaw first met. But, meet they did – and in love they were. The little
that is known of Sophia proved her to have been of a gentle, devoted nature;
anxious to serve, loyal to her memories and beloved by all those who knew
her. She was exactly the sort of person that would have appealed to
the big hearted soul of Brock. But, while Brock wooed and won the heart
of Sophia – he was unable to offer her a home, for he could not afford
to marry. While he probably shared his secret with Sophia, it was unknown
to others as Brock needed to maintain his status in society and thus, never
spoke of his troubles.
His secret, learned after his death, was unfortunate
and not of his doing but speaks well of his
character. His good brother William,
the banker, had lent him money to purchase
a military commission, which was often done
in those days. William never intended
Isaac to repay him, but as a matter of record – or
maybe of error, the sums were recorded in
his books. Unfortunately, William lost
heavily in ships in the wars with Napoleon
and in 1811 he became bankrupt. Brock
was shown to be a debtor in the sum of three
thousand pounds and the creditors came knocking. It
was a terrible blow to Brock as he had only
his salary of a thousand pounds per year as
Administrator (Governor General) of Upper
Canada, on which to live. However, he
came to the aid of his brother sending him
power of attorney to collect from his salary
until all his debts were paid. And,
all of this happened just at the time he had
met the woman he wanted to marry! The
best they could do was to become secretly
engaged.
On June 18, 1812 the United States declared
war on Britain and committed itself to take
over the lands of Canada – a colony
of Britain, which according to Thomas Jefferson,
could be done by a “mere matter of marching”. How
those words would haunt him!
 Brock seared his legend into the hearts of
Canadians during the War of 1812. First,
with his bold and confident strategy at Detroit
where, against all odds, he convinced General
Hull to surrender, thus recapturing the Upper
Canada lands lost – without firing a
shot! It was this decisive victory that
earned him the respect and admiration of the
Canadian people and the title of Sir Isaac
Brock from Britain – although he would
not live to know it.
During the early hours of October 13, 1812
Brock awoke to the sounds of cannon fire as
the Americans again invaded Upper Canada at
Queenston Heights. Jumping onto his
horse he raced toward the battle, stopping
only at the home of his love to say a brief
good-bye. And Sophia, who kept a brave
face, although her heart must have been pounding
with anguish, met him and provided a cup of
coffee to keep him warm.
It was the last time she saw him alive. While
rallying his men, who were in disarray upon
his arrival on the battle scene and leading
them in a counter attack, he was easily identifiable
in his red coat. A skilled American
marksman stepped forward, shot and thus ended
the life of Sir Isaac Brock. Sophia
stayed true to his memory living with her
sister Isabella, who also became widowed,
in the Powell house where Brock and she had
met. It is this circumstance that gives
this home its name, “Brockamour” – signifying
the “love of Brock”.
Please visit us and enjoy this magnificent
home filled with North American history and
romance! |
nnkeepers
Rick Jorgensen and Colleen Cone invite you to
enjoy the charm and romance of the Brockamour
Country Inn – Bed & Breakfast experience:
deluxe accommodation in one of six bedroom suites – all
with private ensuites, varied and delicious
4 course gourmet-style breakfasts, and warm
hospitality, all set in an acre of historic
gardens. 
Built
by Captain John Powell and frequented by the
famous General and Canadian hero, Sir Isaac
Brock, the charm of this historic 1809 heritage
property is understated. 
Take
a short walk to Old Town ~ explore and enjoy!
Brockamour Manor is the ideal location for a
romantic get-a-way or to escape the everyday;
to experience theatres, restaurants, quaint
shops and wineries, all set in an area of natural
beauty known as Niagara-on-the-Lake.
