 By Tom Fournier I came across an article written by Canadian historian Ernest Cruikshank (biography) sharing a story about hidden treasure at Fort Niagara and the subsequent search for that hidden horde. The story talked about 1789 when Lieutenant Colonel Peter Hunter (biography) of the 60th Regiment had command at Fort Niagara. An interesting aside, Hunter went on to be Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1799 to 1805. Hunter was visited by a settler from the United States by the name of Jeremiah Moore. Moore and his large family had arrived at Fort Niagara as Loyalists as their support of the King during the American Revolution had made their lives unpleasant.
Moore talked about in 1759 when William Johnson forced the surrender of the French garrison at Fort Niagara. He said that French prisoners were dispersed throughout the colonies (United States) and a French prisoner who was too sickly to travel further was received in Moore’s father’s home. The Moore family did their best for the prisoner but to no avail as he passed away. Shortly before his death, the Frenchman wanted the Moore family to know that he was not ungrateful for their care and kindness. He had nothing to give but a folded piece of paper in a small pocketbook that he hoped might turn out to be a prize for some of the children. On the paper was writing in French which none of the Moore household could read or understand. After the death and burial of the French prisoner, an effort was made to have the writing on the paper translated. It was found to be a memorandum of the burial of the French military chest prior to the surrender of Fort Niagara. Early in the day of the surrender, a work party was assembled (which the recently deceased French prisoner was a member) and it was ordered to the flag staff in the Fort to open the ground. They dug quite a deep pit when the Fort Adjutant, Paymaster and Commandant approached with a large iron chest which was carefully lowered to the bottom of the pit before it was even daylight. As the work party began to refill the pit a British battery opened fire with one of the first shots killing one of the labourers. Not wanting to pause to remove the remains of the dead soldier, the supervising Officer urged the work party to continue filling the pit and making the ground level. Moore told Colonel Hunter that the treasure may still be buried under the ground in the fort. Moore asked for permission to dig for the treasure in the hope that Hunter would allow him a share of the prize. Hunter apparently laughed at Moore’s gullibility but gave him permission to form his own work party to search for the treasure. The next day, Moore arrived with a work party at the flag staff, and they began their labour in the presence of a Serjeant’s party as well as some curious onlookers in the form of some of the Officers which included the Engineer Lieutenant Humphries. Once they dug down to seven feet, they discovered the skeleton of a man. All (except for Moore and the Engineer) were quite surprised and consumed with conjecture when the Serjeant proposed to raise the bones. This was opposed by the Engineer who said he needed to consult with the commandant to receive his orders. The orders came back that Moore and his party were to leave until the next day and a sentinel was to be left at the flag staff to protect the works. It snowed that night and for several days after, so it was some time before Moore was able to return with his work party. When he did, they found the flag staff was moved to another part of the fort and no trace could be found as to where it stood before. Moore was denied any further permission to dig in or explore under the ground of the fort. That winter was a difficult one for the settlement around Fort Niagara. Famine was averted by Colonel Hunter sharing provisions meant for the soldiers of the garrison. Hunter also secured additional provisions on the promises of guarantees from the Crown. The Moore family were beneficiaries of these issues. Somehow the guarantees were honoured without ever having to call upon the government for their settlement! I will let you guess where the funds may have come from!
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