Samuel Hatt (1776-1842)

He was born at London in England and in 1796 came to the Niagara region in Upper Canada to join his brother, Richard, who had built the "Red Mill" near Ancaster. He fought as a Captain in the 5th Lincoln Militia (known as "Hatt's Volunteers") that accompanied General Brock to Detroit in the War of 1812. The brothers made a fortune through land speculation and building flour mills but a disagreement over a particularly large land purchase saw them part ways. In 1816, Samuel removed to Lower Canada (Quebec) and purchased the Seigneury of Chambly-Ouest, moving into Chambly Castle. He built the first Anglican church and co-owned a steamship with his friend and neighbouring Seigneur, Charles de Salaberry. At Ancaster, on October 21st, 1807, Samuel had married Margaret Thompson and they were the parents of ten children.