1. James FitzGibbon was a public servant, prominent freemason of the masonic lodge from 1822 to 1826, member of the Family Compact, and an Irish soldier in the British Army in Europe before and in the Canadas during the War of 1812 who received messages of warning from two Canadian folk heroes: Laura Secord and Billy Green.
James FitzGibbon was "intensely loyal and had a keen mind, but lacked the formal education, wealth, and social background that would have enabled him to penetrate the ranks of office in the army or government".
James FitzGibbon first fought in battle in 1799 at Egmond aan Zee, the Netherlands.
James FitzGibbon later served as a marine in the Battle of Copenhagen, for which he received the Naval General Service Medal.
James FitzGibbon went to the Canadas in 1802, by which time he was a sergeant.
James FitzGibbon apparently played a key role in the suppression of a near-mutiny at Fort George, Upper Canada, but there is no mention of this in his official biography.
The "main body" of James FitzGibbon's enlisted regiment - the 49th Regiment of Foot - were present during the Battle of Fort George, at the Fort itself.
However, it appears that FitzGibbon was not, as there is a notable lack of evidence within FitzGibbon's official biography of any presence or action of James; it is likely that if a figure held in such high historical esteem as FitzGibbon was present at the battle, this information would be readily available.
In January 1813, James FitzGibbon led 45 sleighs holding needed supplies from Kingston to Niagara through the Canadian winter.
James FitzGibbon fought at the Battle of Stoney Creek on 6 June 1813.
However, as argued by American historian John R Elting, the strategy that FitzGibbon was using against the Americans would likely have been successful in achieving a divisive victory for Drummond if Drummond has concentrated the majority of his troops on the left flank itself.
James FitzGibbon married his one and only wife, Mary Haley, in 1814.
In 1818, James FitzGibbon responded to accusations from Robert Fleming Gourlay that he thought Canadians were disloyal and ungrateful subjects.
In 1824 the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada Peregrine Maitland sent James FitzGibbon to negotiate an end to riots in the Bathurst District of York between Irish settlers and previous residents.
From 1822 to 1826, James FitzGibbon held the position of highest-ranking member of the Masonic lodge in Upper Canada as deputy provincial grand master.
In 1826, James FitzGibbon initiated a campaign to help the defendants of the Types Riot pay their settlement to Mackenzie.
James FitzGibbon denied accusations by Francis Collins in the Canadian Freeman that Maitland contributed to the fund but did not deny his involvement or contributions from other government administrators.
James FitzGibbon organised and led the forces that defended Toronto from William Lyon Mackenzie's rebel force.
James FitzGibbon would suffer a mental breakdown before the Battle of Montgomery's Tavern as he had to equip and form about 1200 volunteers the next morning, and had no experience organizing troops for battle.
James FitzGibbon would retire to his office, fall on his knees in prayer, and accomplish his task following restored post-prayer composure.
James FitzGibbon was a founding member of the York Mechanics' Institute in 1831.
In May 1838, the citizens of Toronto held a public meeting and expressed gratitude in James FitzGibbon for "rescuing them from the horrors of a civil war".
James FitzGibbon was retired on pension in 1846 following his "virtual transformation of the Office into a sinecure".
James FitzGibbon moved to England in 1847 after the death of his wife Mary Haley, with whom he had four sons and a daughter.
James FitzGibbon died at Windsor Castle in 1863 and is buried there in the crypt of St George's Chapel.
James FitzGibbon appears in The Bully Boys, a novel by Eric Walters.