Thomas Benedict’s resting place in Old DeKalb. Learn about Benedict when Bryan Thompson gives an encore presentation on the “accidental commander” as part of the War of 1812 Programs Series Saturday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. Photograph courtesy of the DeKalb Town Historian.

CANTON -- Bryan Thompson will give an encore presentation on Thomas B. Benedict, the “accidental commander” as part of the War of 1812 Programs Series Saturday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. The presentation will be at the St. Lawrence County Historical Association, Silas Wright House, 3 E. Main St. The program is part of the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, which was fought from 1812 to 1815. St. Lawrence County was one of the battlefields of the War of 1812.

In the spring of 1812, General Brown wrote to Lt. Col. Thomas B. Benedict, as commander of the St. Lawrence County Militia, charging him with protection of the northern frontier from Sackets’s Harbor to the Salmon River.

Following the life and career of 29 year old Lt. Col. Thomas B. Benedict, the accidental commander of the St Lawrence County Militia, Bryan Thompson’s talk will illuminate some of the local events and characters of the War of 1812.

Bryan Thompson was the recipient of a 2007 Hackman research fellowship at the NYS archives to study the career of Lt. Col. Benedict. In 2009 he was the recipient of the Bruce W. Dearstyne award from the NYS Board of Regents for excellence in the educational use of local government records. He has authored over 30 articles on the history of the town of DeKalb, where he is municipal historian.