Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2005 Archive

In this issue:
- Seeking Descendants of Early Settlers in York from Jarvis School
- Peter Jennings
- Daniel Service/Serviss/Servos
- Reenacting Beyond the Battle Field and Encampment
- Thomas and John Freeman
- Candlelight Tour, The Isaac Winslow House
- Plaques to Oronhyatekha and Her Majesty's Chapel Royal of the Mohawk
- Queries
      + Seeking copy of Patriot
      + Response re film (the correct title is Revolution)
      + Philip Buck & wife Anna Marguerite (Margaret) Saultman or Saltzman
      + Peter Miller, Niagara River Loyalist
      + Response to Badgley Family Query

Seeking Descendants of Early Settlers in York from Jarvis School

A search for descendants of students, staff, and others involved in the establishment and early history of the first publicly funded school in the town of York, and early days of the City of Toronto. Plans are well underway for the up-coming 200th anniversary of the "Act to establish Public Schools in each and every district in the Province (Ontario)," and the appointment of the Rev. George Okill Stuart as "Teacher of the District School in the Town of York." The school that grew to become today's Jarvis Collegiate Institute, opened its doors for the first time on June 1, 1807 in the home of the Rev.George Okill Stuart, Rector of the Church in York, that may be more familiarly known to you today as the Cathedral Church of St. James.

The Archives and Museum Committee of St. James' Cathedral, in cooperation with the Jarvis Collegiate Institute Bicentennial Project Planning Committee is arranging a special "kick-off" exhibit meant to focus on the early years when the School was closely associated with the Church. It is scheduled to open in the museum at St. James' in February of 2006, and will remain on view and open to the public until June – before a year of celebrations commences at Jarvis C.I. itself. We are looking for pictures, anecdotes, letters, diaries, school books, and other artefacts connected with staff, students and their families, and those associated with the opening of a publicly funded school in York and the early days of Toronto (up to the 1870's) that people may be willing to lend for the purpose.

If you are a descendant of a staff person, student, or someone associated with schools in the early days, or if you know of someone who is, you are asked to contact Nancy Mallett, Chair, Archives and Museum Committee, St. James' Cathedral, 65 Church Street, Toronto M5C 2E9, or phone 416-364-7865, Ex. 233, or e-mail archives@stjamescathedral.on.ca

Names of persons we are looking for include among the early students: John Ridout, Mary Ridout, Wm Jarvis, Eliza Ann Jarvis, Maria Jarvis. Wm. Hamilton, Thomas Hamilton, George Detlor, George Boulton, Donald and Angus McDonell, Allan McNab, James Givins, Wm. Cawthra, Thomas Plater, Wm. Pilkington, Wm. Rattray, Janie Thomas, Richard Harrison, Fred Manley, Sam Hughes, Charlotte Thompson, Emily Thompson, Ernest Thompson Seton, James Louden, Henry Scadding, John McGill, Wm. Clark, Wm. McMurray, Alfred Marling, George Dupont Wells, George Sherwood...

Staff and others we are looking for include: John Small, Duncan Cameron, Samuel Smith, D'Arcy Boulton, Wm. Graham, Thomas Ridout, Ebenezer Washburn, Robert Thorpe, Solomon Hill, John George Hodgins, Samuel Armour, Duncan MacAuley, Charles Cosens, Wm Brethour, Alexander MacKay, M. Mancarte, Marcellus Crombie, Thomas Young, Wm. Clark, Rosington Elms, A. Bethune, Thomas Philips, George Anthony Barber, John Strachan, George Okill Stuart, Dr. and Mrs Michael Howe, C.R. Brooke, Arthur Wickson, Alfred Baker, Dr.Archibald MacMurchy, and Vankoughnet, Chancellor of Upper Canada...

Peter Jennings

As most of you know, Peter Jennings died this week. There was some discussion a few years ago about Peter having Loyalist roots, possibly through his Mother's side. Does anyone have any information that could help clarify?

Some family information from Kathie Orr:

Peter Charles Jennings was born in Toronto July 29, 1938, the older of two children of homemaker Elizabeth Osborne and Charles Jennings – sister Sarah, uncle to Tegan Schioler

At the LAC -- Charles Jennings, 1908 – 14 or 15 Jul 1973 broadcaster and public servant executive, was born in 1908 at Toronto, Ont., and graduated from the University of Toronto. He began his radio career as an announcer for station CKGW Toronto. Subsequently he turned to free lance and became known for his coast-to-coast broadcasts for Canadian Pacific Railways. In 1935 he joined the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission as an announcer. In 1936 he was appointed chief announcer for the newly formed Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. His was the voice of many historic broadcasts in radio's early years.

Received in 1978 from Mrs. Charles Jennings, Ottawa, Ontario

John Woodburn Osborne, born in Brantford, Ont., was educated at the Brantford Collegiate Institute, at Trinity College, Port Hope and at the Royal Military college from which he graduated in 1895. He received his commission in the 90th Scottish Rifles in the same year and was stationed at Pankhurst, Isle of Wight, Aldershot and Glasgow. In late 1898 he was appointed Adjutant to Sir John Woodburn, Lieutenant Governor of the Bengal. However, before he could proceed to India, his regiment was ordered to South Africa. Arriving in Capetown in 1899, he was killed while leading his company in an attack on Spion Kop, 24 January 1900. (unit – Cameronians)

Received in 1978 from Mrs. Charles Jennings of Ottawa, Ont.

Cemetery: SPIOENKOP CEMETARY South Africa

Grave Reference: N/A

Location: From Ladysmith, travel towards the N3 turn off, follow signs to Spioenkop National Battlefield Site (National Monument), about 27 kms.

(not sure of the connection but one might assume a relative of Elizabeth Osborne Jennings – Peter’s mother)

maybe a nephew??

JOHN WOODBURN OSBORNE who died on December 22, 1940.

Age: 24

Force: Army

Regiment: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's)

Nephew of Colonel Colin C. Osborne, of Hamilton.

Cemetery: BEAMSVILLE (MOUNT OSBORNE) CEMETERY Ontario, Canada

Grave Reference: Plot L. Block E. Range 6. Grave 3.

His mother Elizabeth died in 1992 and I think his parents are buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.

...Doug

Daniel Service/Serviss/Servos

I have not been able to find any Serviss in the Indian Department during the St. Leger Expedition of 1777. As the battle of Oriskany was one of the pivotal events of the expedition, an absence of Serviss's of any given name on the Indian Department roll, would mean that Daniel did not participate.

However, during this same time frame, a Daniel Service/Servos was listed as an ensign in Captain Lodowick Brakeman's Company of the 5th Regiment of Tryon County Militia. This regiment was not at Oriskany.

It is my contention, that this man is the Daniel Servos who later served as a lieutenant in the Six Nations' Indian Department.

...Gavin Watt

Reenacting Beyond the Battle Field and Encampment

If you haven't already clicked onto this site, I'm sure all of you will appreciate some wonderful images, any of them posed after famous paintings.

...Gavin Watt, King's Royal Yorkers

We have had many nice comments about this one from some fairly impressive people. Check out how vaguely we actually did the poses we were supposed to be copying.

...Nancy Watt

[Visit this page and then click on any of the little pictures to see the full size ones. Then the painting being "copied" is sometimes there - it too can be enlarged.]

Thomas and John Freeman

But even more interesting is that Thomas and John Freeman are listed as Quebec Loyalists and as Claimants and I had missed it before. For the amateur historians among us, John Freeman was the Freeman of Freeman's Farm, and the Battle of Freeman's Farm was the site of the first Battle of Saratoga. There were two battles near Saratoga, NY over 3 weeks from Sept 19 to Oct 7, 1777 and they are considered to be among the most significant battles of the Revolutionary War and a turning point in the war. One result of that British loss was France then gave its support to the Americans officially, and many rebels first began to think seriously that maybe they could win.

John Freeman and his son Thomas, both Loyalists, fought at the battle. They had been forced to leave their home for Quebec earlier in the year. Their crops and farm animals were used as food and their log house was used as British field headquarters and was burned by the British when they retired after the first battle and entrenched themselves awaiting reinforcements.

As another point of interest, Freeman had leased the farm from Philip Schuyler who had inherited large landholdings in the area as a descendent of one of the old New York Dutch patroon families. General Schuyler had been Commander of the Northern Department of the Continental (American) Army and had been succeeded by General Horatio Gates only six weeks before the first battle.

John Freeman died in Feb 1778 at St. Jean, PQ during the small pox epidemic that swept all the armies at the time. His wife and six of his nine children also died in the epidemic. He was survived by his son Thomas (who was only 12 when he joined up) and two daughters, all three of whom eventually settled in Upper Canada after having successfully petitioned for compensation for their father’s losses.

While I am not a descendant of John Freeman, there could be a relationship. My branch of the Freeman family had moved from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia in 1760. I have not been able to determine John Freeman’s origin, although there are indications his family was from Connecticut. If anyone can add any information about his or his family’s origin, I would be pleased to learn it.

...Jack Freeman

Candlelight Tour, The Isaac Winslow House

Sunday, August 21, 7:00 – 9:30 pm, 634 Careswell Street, Marshfield, MA

You are invited to experience the history and grandeur of the Winslow mansion by candlelight during this special bi-annual tour. Register for either the 7:30, 8:00, or 8:30 pm tours upon arrival. Reception with light refreshments and entertainment. winslowhouse.org.

(What is the relationship of this house to the Winslow papers which were recently made available online by the University of New Brunswick.)

Plaques to Oronhyatekha and Her Majesty's Chapel Royal of the Mohawk

This Sunday Aug 21, 2005 1t 1:00 pm, there will be an unveiling of two plaques commemorating the national historic significance of Oronhyatekha and Her Majesty's Chapel Royal of the Mohawk at Christ Church, Her majesty's Chapel Royal of the Mohawk, 52 South Church lane, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario. Reception to follow. The ceremony will be held outdoors. For more information call 1-800-814-7625 X 5928.

...Parks Canada, and Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada

Seeking copy of Patriot

I have been trying to find out how/where to obtain a copy of the movie Patriot. This is NOT "The Patriot", that rather distorted effort of Mel Gibson's. "Patriot" is a movie starring Al Pacino and it is more representative of the true beginnings and happenings of the Revolution and the Loyalists' aspect. I have tried a couple of movie sites on the web and also a couple of Al Pacino sites. It was a different sort of role for him and he acted it brilliantly. It could possibly be that it was a made-for-TV special.

...Peter Davy, Kingston Branch

Response re film (the correct title is Revolution)

You are thinking of Revolution (1985), directed by Hugh Hudson.

From FilmForce: "Before The Patriot there was Revolution, a would-be epic that died such a horrible death at the box office that its star, Al Pacino, didn't appear onscreen again for four years. Pacino plays trapper Tom Dobb who becomes a hero fighting the Redcoats (personified here by Donald Sutherland). Obviously, Pacino is miscast as a Yankee freedom fighter. The cast also includes Nastassja Kinski, Joan Plowright, Steven Berkoff, and singer Annie Lennox. Revolution was dismissed by critics as one of the biggest turkeys of the 1980s, and Hugh Hudson's once-promising directing career never regained its momentum after this Revolution was over. Only historical film buffs like myself, as well as die-hard Pacino fans, would probably suffer through this film now."

...Fred Hayward, Education & Outreach

Philip Buck & wife Anna Marguerite (Margaret) Saultman or Saltzman

Would some kind person happen to have a copy of the: The Loyalists of Quebec, 1774, 1825 by Montreal U.E.L. I am interested in Chapter 7: "Chapter 7 gives Portraits of some Loyalists with family and genealogical information. Indexes 1 thru 5 list various Loyalists, Petitioners, etc. Excellent bibliography, forward by H. Senior. 500 pgs/15pg name index/softcover"

Looking for Philip BUCK & wife Anna Marguerite (Margaret) SAULTMAN /or SALTZMANN, or her family, during the early years. They were in the Sorel area. While there, they had two children, Philip b. 1800 and George Buck b. 1784 both boys baptism records are recorded there.

Response: The Loyalists of Quebec, 1774, 1825 Lookup

On page 433, Appendix 2 there is a list of Quebec Loyalists 1784. These are names selected from the contemporary alphabetical index of muster rolls numbers 1 to 21, compiled by Elizabeth Ruch. The index is in the Ontario Archives, Toronto and a copy is in the National Archives of Canada (RG1 A IV vol. 80)

It appears that the rolls referred to are those which Maj. John Barnes compiled in September and October, 1784 and deposited with the Quartermaster General's office (cf British Museum Add. ms. 21,828 Haldimand Papers N.A.C. Microfilm reel A. 752: comparable to transcript of the same volume B.168). In any case, the index must date from before the division of Quebec Province into Upper and Lower Canada.

The first column of numbers refers to the location on the muster roll. The final column refers to the number of the muster roll.

65 Daniel Buck Sorel 1

64 Samuel Buck Sorel 1

On page 444 regarding Claimants for Losses in the Province of Quebec, it lists

818 Buck, Samuel VT Montreal - 20 July 1787

On page 451

1279 Buck, George (Bush) NY Montreal 20 February 1788

The Buck name was not found in the index to the book.

...Fred H. Hayward UE

Thank you, Fred, for adding that last line "The Buck name was not found in the index to the book". Because of that line I went back to my copy of the book, which I thought I had read from cover-to-cover a few months ago, to see if maybe I had missed the lists in the Appendix having assumed the names I was looking for would not be in the book if they weren't in the Index.

And of course I did find 3 names in the Appendix that I had been looking for but had missed first time around. It turns out that one of those names confirms that one of my Loyalist ancestors was not among the Quebec Loyalists, but I had pretty much come to that conclusion before as he eventually settled on land granted to him in Nova Scotia.

Peter Miller, Niagara River Loyalist

I am one of the researchers for the 'Niagara River Project' project.

At the present time, I am working on Lot #'s 1 through 7 in Niagara Township.

If any of your readers have any information about Peter Miller who received the Crown Grant for Lot #7, just north of the Village of Queenston, I would appreciate any information regarding the family.

If you have room for this query in one of your upcoming issues, I would appreciate the entry as I am coming up with very little information about this family. It may be possible there were two Peter Millers in Niagara Township in the late 1700's or early 1800's, however, that is an unknown at this time.

Other Loyalists being researched for these seven Lots besides Peter Miller are: Daniel Rose, John Chisholm, Samuel Street, Elijah Phelps and the Hon. Robert Hamilton.

...Betty Lou Bellows [send a note to Doug to be put in contact with Betty Lou]

Response to Badgley Family Query

In response to Margaret Kamping question about Badgleys - I find that strange on a UE posting since there were no UE Badgleys. However, 7th Town Historical Society in Ameliasburgh have just recently published a bock "The Badgley Family" which would probably answer her questions. I have a copy of the book and could do a look up for her. Or she might want to look at my web site.

...Arnold V. Weirmeir (homepage here)

Also, I spoke to Charity, the summer student at the Lalor Room at the Dunnville Library, about the Badgleys. She was familiar with the name Badgley, and I am sure she will look up some information. I would suggest Margaret get in touch with Charity at genealogydpl@yahoo.ca Charity will only be working at the Library until the end of this week, after which it will only be open Tuesday and Wednesday from ten until one. I expect Estelle Pringle will then be there most of the time - Estelle is a member of Col. Butler Branch, and I am sure you know her.

...Marion

I am writing to you from the Dunnville History/Genealogy Room. Marion Tait passed your e-mail on to me. The Dunnville Library does not seem to have to exact article in question, but we do have a very similar one that perhaps would be of interest.

It is called: "Industry and Transportation in Haldimand County Ninety Years ago". It appears to have been compiled from notes by the firm of Badgley and Canfield Lumber Merchants. It was reviewed by Leonard Badgley. The article seems to discuss many of the same things as the other article (based on the title of the other article). Our copy seems to have come from the Haldimand County Museum and Archives.

...Charity Blaine

To protect the people who send in queries from unwanted spam email, the online edition of Loyalist Trails no longer uses direct hyperlinks for their email addresses. Simply rewrite "name AT website DOT net" as name@website.net and sent your email to that address. For example, "doug DOT grant AT insurance-canada DOT ca" is doug.grant@insurance-canada.ca. Contact Doug with questions, or to be put in touch with someone whose email address is not listed.