The Battle of The Nile This is a march that commemorated a major naval battle between the French and English fleets off the coast of Egypt in 1798. (The English won) The tune appears in many other early 19th century sources including the John Buttrey Manuscript. There was also a song of the same name. The Ash family came from New York State to Hamilton Township before the year 1797. They were among the first settlers to take up land in Hamilton Township, to the east of Cobourg. Allen Ash was born in Hamilton Township in 1800, and is reported to be the second white child to be native of the township. He grew up to be a farmer, musician and inventor. He died in 1889.