List 279: Fenian Raid Volunteer Bounty Claim

Martin Broderick (1831-1915)

 Martin Broderick's obituary read that he was seen walking about before he died with his Fenian medal pinned to his breast:

"For his services in the raid Mr Broderick was given a grant of land and a medal. The latter was, he considered, his most valuable possession, and until three days before his death he was seen on the streets with the trophy pinned to his breast." (Source: The Detroit Free Press; Page 11 Tuesday, October 11, 1915)

The Fenian Raids took place in the 1860s and, after much protest and a national petition organized by Fenian veterans,  in January 1899, Britain finally authorized a Canadian General Service Medal for veterans of the 1866 and 1870 Fenian Raids and the 1870 Red River Rebellion.

The medal finally arrived in 1914, only one year before Martin Broderick died. 

Martin Broderick's approved "Fenian Raid Volunteer Bounty" claim is found on List No. 279 at Library and Archives Canada. Below are the documents related to Martin Broderick.

RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

March 4, 1913 Application For Grant 

The Fenian Raid Volunteer Bounty Act

(March 1913)

Below is Martin Broderick's application for a grant under the Fenian Raid Voluntary Bounty Act 

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

J. Wallace Askin's

Comrade Declaration 

(March 1913)

 

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

Department of Militia and Defense

Rejection of Application

May 7, 1913

On May 7, 1913, the Department of Militia and Defense wrote to Martin Broderick that, "it will be necessary for you to produce better proof of your service, and any facts you can which would prove that you actually served."

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

On May 31, 1913, Frederick Neal wrote from Sandwich, Ontario to the Secretary of the Militia Council (Headquarters, Ottawa) on behalf of Martin Broderick:

Source: The Town of Sandwich (Past and Present) by Frederick Neal

Frederick Neal's Letter (May 1913)

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

Frederick Neal indicates in his letter that he is enclosing written declarations made by:

• Martin Broderick before ex-mayor Eugene Brault
• Sargeant David Clark declared before Capt J. Wallace Askin
• Private John Vigneaux declared before Capt. J. Wallace Askin

Martin Broderick's Declaration (May 1913)

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

From Martin's declaration, I learned:

• Martin signed his name with an "x" meaning that he never learned to write
• Martin first joined the Voluntary Independent Infantry Co. No. 2 about the year 1862 under the command of  the late senator Charles E. Casgrain as Captain
• Martin continues as a member of Voluntary Independent Infantry Co. No. 2 until the winter of 1865
• In the winter of 1865, Sandwich Companies No 1 and 2 held a joint meeting (in the old jail building which No. 1 company had been using as an armory) and that the purpose of the meeting was joining Co. No 1 & 2 into one strong company for active service.
• Martin and others enrolled in No. 1 company and at the meeting Thomas H. Wright was elected Captain
• Martin was engaged in active service under Captain Wright from March to June 1866 at Sandwich Detroit River - Essex Frontier.
• Martin continued as a member of that company until 1872 when it was disbanded.

David Clark's Declaration (May 1913) 

David was Martin's neighbour in Sandwich West and served with Martin on the Sandwich Voluntary Infantry Co. No. 1.

David said that "Martin Broderick performed active service with us from March to June 1866 and continued to perform all drills and other duties until the year 1872; that I received from the government my Bounty of $100 for said service; that I was a Sargeant in said No 1 Company under Captain Thos. H Wright and that the said Martin Broderick was a Private with me in the same company"

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

John Vigneaux's Declaration (May 1913) 

John was engaged in active service with Martin on the Sandwich Voluntary Infantry Co. No. 1 in the months of March, April, May and June of 1866

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

Map illustrating the Fenian Raid, June 2nd 1866. [LAC cartographic material].

Links

• The Fenian Invasion of Canada http://pds.lib.harvard.edu/pds/view/4609233?n=15&imagesize=1200&jp2Res=.25&printThumbnails=no