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In the spring of 1792, six Moravian missionaries along with approximately 150 Delaware First Nations fled from the United States and formed a settlement along the north bank of the Thames River, naming it Fairfield. The head of the mission was David Zeisberger, a Moravian clergyman originally from Moravia, who spent upwards of 30 years devoting his life to the Christian faith and living pacifly in the wilds amongst the Delaware. These refugees fled to Upper Canada to live freely under British rule and to escape the American Revolutions that were brewing south of the border.The Moravians formed a portion of the Evangelical Revival, spreading the faith throughout the Old and New Worlds during the 18th and into the early 19th centuries. In Upper Canada, it took the form of the Methodist church. The Moravians, despite their conflicts in the United States, became loyal citizens of the Crown.
During the 21 years of living peacefully at the Fairfield Mission, David Zeisberger documented the activities of the mission. The following includes passages from these diaries.
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Map of Fairfield1792
Fairfield on the Thames, Bothwell, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Fairfield Museum National Historic Site
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At the turn of the 20th century, all that remained of the Fairfield Mission was this map which depicts an organized village located on the northwest bank of the Thames River, which is located between the present day communities of Bothwell (to the northeast) and Thamesville ( to the southwest). This Mission was created by the Moravian, namely David Zeisberger, in 1796 as a pacifist community among the wilds of Upper Canada.4
The Conversion2000-2010
Fairfield on the Thames, Bothwell, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Fairfield Museum National Historic Site
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Replica cabin2000-2010
Fairfield on the Thames, Bothwell, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Fairfield Museum National Historic Site
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For 17 years, this Mission remained secluded amongst the wilderness of the Great Lakes Region, in southwestern Ontario. With the onset of War in 1812, southwestern Ontario transformed into a battle grounds with the Americans and British fighting endless battles for this territory.7
The Battle of the Thames, October 5th 18132000-2010
Fairfield on the Thames, Bothwell, Ontario, Canada
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The British allied with many First Nations, including the Delaware who moved into the wilderness along with the Moravian missionaries, who themselves were fleeing religious persecution in Ohio. The landscape of southwestern Ontario transformed itself during these three years as the battles raged on.9
Collaboration2000-2010
Fairfield on the Thames, Bothwell, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Fairfield Museum National Historic Site
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British Encampment2000-2010
Fairfield on the Thames, Bothwell, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Fairfield Museum National Historic Site
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Native Re-enactors at Fairfield Comes Alive2000-2010
Fairfield on the Thames, Bothwell, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Fairfield Museum National Historic Site
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First Nations Tactics2000-2010
Fairfield on the Thames, Bothwell, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Fairfield Museum National Historic Site
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The Fairfield Mission met its demise on October 7, 1813 when the victorious American armies burnt the village to the ground immediately following the Battle of the Thames and the death of Tecumseh. The Battle grounds were only within a few kilometres of the village. As part of their tactics, the Americans decided to destroy all British property, including Fairfield Mission, before retreating back to Detroit.14
The War of 1812-18152000-2010
Fairfield on the Thames, Bothwell, Ontario, Canada
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