Departures of note

In 1812 John Rolph travelled to Upper Canada, received a special passport from President James Madison, and went to the Niagara River to wait for a safe crossing. While waiting he attempted to solve a Euclid geometry problem by drawing shapes, which American authorities interpreted as sketches of Fort Niagara and led to his arrest.

John Rolph was taken to a prisoner‑of‑war camp in Greenbush, New York, where he taught mathematics and grammar to other prisoners. After the Battle of Queenston Heights on 13 October 1812, American forces released him in a prisoner swap with the British, and he completed his journey to live on his father’s farm in Port Talbot.