1777

• August: Robert Gibson (Jake's father) and Robert Ecker (Henry's father) fight together at the Battle of Oriskany

1783

• End of the American Revolution.  Loyalist refugees (United Empire Loyalists) including Robert Gibson settle in the Niagara peninsula.

1791

• The Constitution Act creates Upper Canada; John Graves Simcoe appointed as Lieutenant-Governor

1792

• November: First parliament of Upper Canada is convened by Governor Simcoe in Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake).

1796

• Upper Canada parliament moves to York (now Toronto).
• Jay's Treaty: British abandon Fort Niagara and begin to build Fort George on the other side of the river.

1800

• Joe Willcocks arrives in York from Ireland and fits into the Upper Canada establishment.

1802

• Brigadier General Isaac Brock arrives in Canada with the 49th Regiment of Foot.

1806

• Joe Willcocks becomes involved in opposition politics
• Joe Willcocks' friend, William Weekes killed in a duel by William Dickson

1807

• Joe Willcocks begins publishing a newspaper, the Upper Canada Guardian.
• Joe Willcocks elected to the Upper Canada Assembly.
• Naval battle between the Leopard and the Chesapeake nearly brings Britain and the United States to war.

1809

• James Madison becomes President of the United States. War Hawks in Congress call for the invasion of Canada.
• In the Upper Canada assembly, Joe Willcocks leads the parliamentary oppostition to Governor Gore.

1811

• With the departure to England of Governor Gore, General Brock is appointed as Administrator of Upper Canada.

Brothers at War

1811

• February: Jake Gibson and Eli McCabe meet at a snowball fight beneath the walls of Fort George; General Isaac Brock helps rescue Jake from the frozen Niagara River.
• March: Jake and Eli visit General Brock. They swear an oath of allegiance to each other as blood brothers.
• June: death of Jane Gibson (Jake's mother) and Charlotte (his sister).
• September: Jake goes to work for Mr. Willcocks at the Upper Canada Guardian.
• December: McCabe tannery burns to the ground -- arson suspected.

1812

• February: Mr. Willcocks takes Ginger to York.
• May: General Brock dissolves the Upper Canada assembly and calls an election.
• May: General Brock asks Joe Willcocks and Robert Gibson to negotiate with the Iroquois on his behalf.
• June: Joe Willcocks is re-elected.
• June: the McCabe family returns to the United States
• June: the United States declares war on Great Britain.

A Hanging Offence

August 1812

• Jacob goes with Father and Mr. Willcocks to the Mohawk Village.
• Jacob makes friends with Ronhnhí:io (pronounced Loon-heel-yo), He has a Good Spirit.

October 1812

• October 12 -- Jacob and Father stop at Queenston en route to a visit to the Lovelace family in St. Davids.
• Jacob meets Abby and Georgina Lovelace.

• October 13 -- Battle of Queenston Heights
• October 16 -- General Brock's Funeral

• Eli is arrested.
• Eli is charged with treason.

November 1812

• Jacob, Eli and Mina make plans for Eli's escape.

December 1812

• Robert Gibson marries Emma Lovelace.

Blood Oath

May 1813

• May 27 -- American army led by Colonel Winfield Scott lands near Newark and captures Fort George.
• Eli is billeted in the Gibson family
• May 31 -- Joe Willcocks returns to Newark and asks Jacob to hide him.

June 1813

• June 1 -- American army, under the command of generals Chandler and Winder, set out in pursuit of the retreating British. Eli and Joe Willcocks accompany them.
• June 6 -- Battle of Stoney Creek.

• June 9 -- American army returns to Fort George
• June 23 -- Jacob meets Laura Secord

• June 24 -- Battle of Beaver Dams
• June 27 -- Eli and Jacob meet with William and Henry on the field of honour.