The Conflict And John Askin's Family

From The American Revolution:

Askin was in his seventies when the War of 1812 broke out, and retired from the militia. Four of his sons, two sons-in-law, and ten grandchildren, however, served the British army. But with so many cross-border connections, the war pit family members against each other: to the great distress of John and Marie-Archange, one of their sons-in-law fought in the American army.

Source Of Birdseye View Of Detroit/Windsor

"When on August 16, 1812, General Brock crossed his army from Sandwich to Spring Wells ... Askin and his wife, from their vantage point on the opposite shore, viewed the entire spectacle, gully anticipating that their sons would presently be locked in deadly combat with their son-in-law, and that in the event of a British triumph, their daughter and grandchildren within the fort would be exposed to ... Brock's red allies."  Their fears, thankfully, were put to rest when General Hull surrendered.

Fort Gowris In Sandwich

Major [James] Denny with one hundred thirty convalescents and a corps of artillerists under Lieutenant Anderson was to hold possession of that part of Canada and afford all possible protection the well disposed inhabitants.  A strong house belonging to one Gowris had stockaded and called Fort Gowris.  In this and in a long stone building yet in Sandwich* which the American soldiers had used as barracks the convalescents were placed and Denny was ordered to defend the post... .

*This building was erected for a school in 1807 or 1808.  It was in a dilapidated state when I sketched it in the autumn of 1860 It occupies an open space in the village of Sandwich. Several poor families occupied it. The place known as Spring Wells is opposite and indicated in our little sketch by the buildings with tall chimneys from which columns of smoke are rising. These compose the copper smelting works at Spring Wells. 

 From The pictorial field-book of the War of 1812; or, Illustrations, by pen and pencil, of the history, biography, scenery, relics, and traditions of the last war for American independence .

From Ohio History:
1812, Aug. 12. Major James Denny evacuates the fortification at Gowles on the Canadian shore; the last American force left in Canada. A boat with a flag of truce is sent from Detroit to Sandwich, the head- quarters of General Isaac Brock. Hull denies that he sent the flag. At this juncture the colonels of the Ohio Volunteers and General J. Taylor of Kentucky counsel together and suspect the abilities and fidelity of General Hull. A letter is sent to Gov. Return J. Meigs by Lewis Cass asking that reinforcements be sent, which letter is endorsed by the colonels and General Taylor.