LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Betsy Doyle for her heroic and dedicated
service on behalf of the United States at Fort Niagara during the War of
1812

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commemorate signif-
icant historical figures and events which represent great and heroic
accomplishment and turning points in our unique history, and which are
indelibly etched in the saga of our great State and nation; and
WHEREAS, It is also the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those
historic and heroic individuals from New York who serve as lasting
reminders of our rich and unique past; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Betsy Doyle for her heroic and dedicated service on behalf of the United
States at Fort Niagara during the War of 1812; and
WHEREAS, During the War of 1812, the United States invaded Canada and
pivotal battles were fought on both the New York and Canadian sides of
Lake Ontario, including the battle of Queenston in October 1812 and the
battle of Fort Niagara on November 21, 1812; and
WHEREAS, Married to Andrew Doyle who had enlisted in an artillery
regiment at Fort Niagara in 1810, Betsy Doyle supported him and the
entire garrison at Fort Niagara during his service there; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Doyle was taken prisoner by the British during the
battle of Queenston in October 1812; when the battle of Fort Niagara
commenced on November 21, 1812, Betsy Doyle played a key role defending
the fort during a horrific cannonade launched by the British forces; and
WHEREAS, Betsy Doyle heroically labored for many hours during the
battle loading hot shot into American cannons at the fort's French
Castle rooftop battery; and
WHEREAS, The singular bravery of Betsy Doyle during the battle of Fort
Niagara was acknowledged by all; she became a local celebrity and was
compared to Joan of Arc, a heroine in her own time; and
WHEREAS, In addition, later in December 1813, prior to another British
attack on Fort Niagara, Betsy Doyle donned a soldier's uniform and stood
guard throughout a dark and rainy night to motivate American militia
forces; and
WHEREAS, While the British captured Fort Niagara in December 1813,
Betsy Doyle successfully escaped with her children and fled east across
the trails of upstate New York and finally found refuge at the Greenbush
Cantonment in April 1814; this was an arduous journey of over 300 miles
in the dead of winter; and
WHEREAS, After his capture by the British, Betsy Doyle never saw her
husband again; she lived the rest of her life under American Army
protection near present day East Greenbush, New York; she died in 1819;
and
WHEREAS, In 1934, a monument was dedicated in honor and memory of
Betsy Doyle on the third floor of the French Castle at Fort Niagara
where she had loaded cannon in 1812; she was a patriotic, industrious
and worthy woman, and genuine heroine of the War of 1812; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and events of such historic significance are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be honored and recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Betsy Doyle for her heroic and dedicated service on behalf of the
United States at Fort Niagara during the War of 1812.