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Author: David Raymont
Where/When Published: The York Pioneer (annual publication of The York Pioneer & Historical Society), 2013
Farmer Eli Playter was in his mid ’30s, a husband and father of 5 children when the “yankee fleet” invaded the tiny settlement of York in the spring of 1813 and again in the summer. Quoting extensively from Playter’s journal, this article provides readers with a sense of what it was like to live in Toronto during the War of 1812. David Raymont paints a picture of Playter’s role as a lieutenant in the 3rd regiment of the York Militia, responsible for distributing pay to the company, as well as his work ploughing and planting, while news about the war swirled around.