Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2006 Archive

In this issue:
- Conference Update: Recently Confirmed Speakers
- Visit "Fort Johnson" on the Mohawk Bus trip Oct 1-4, 2006
- Additions to the Library "Let Loose Our Library" Project
- Loyalist Portraits: Do You Know Where They Are?
- Adolphustown Map
- Queen Anne Silver
- Portrait Gallery of Canada Acquires Important Loyalist Portrait
- Queries
      + Sir Guy Carleton descendant?
      + Response re New Brunswick Banks

Conference Update: Recently Confirmed Speakers

Our web site for "A Capital Experience" gives details about most of our speakers. However three have been confirmed recently and we think you will find them all a great addition to the event.

- Rosemary Sadlier, President of the Ontario Black History Society, will discuss that same topic in one of our Friday afternoon history seminars

- Ron Williamson, Archaeologist, with many positions, sits on the Toronto Heritage Board and Chairs the Heritage Conservation Committee will address Ontario's First Parliament Buildings. He was archaeologist when the First Parliament Building foundations were partially unearthed and co-authored Government On Fire about that. He will be one of our history speakers.

- Kelly Bennett, winner of the Bernice Wood Flett Scolarship for the last two years will graduate with her masters degree from Queen's University on June 2. She will be our guest speaker at our Sunday luncheon at Black Creek Pioneer Village. Her thesis concerns the contribution of Loyalist Women between the end of the American Revolution and the War of 1812.

Be sure to register before April 1 to get the early bird prices for Conference events.

Visit "Fort Johnson" on the Mohawk Bus trip Oct 1-4, 2006

Sir William Johnson came to the Mohawk Valley in 1738 from Ireland to manage his Uncle Peter Warren's estate. He originally lived at Warren bush on the southern bank of the Mohawk River between Fort Hunter and Amsterdam. Sir William later moved to the north bank of the Mohawk River and build a series of three homes. His first north bank home was built just west of Amsterdam. He gave it to his son-in-law, Daniel Claus. It was destroyed by fire.

His second north bank home, Fort Johnson was built about a mile further west in 1749. From here Sir William gradually amassed huge land holdings and became one of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of the Mohawk Valley. He also obtained great influence among the Indians.

Sir William Johnson gave Fort Johnson to Sir John Johnson when Sir William and his third wife, Molly Brant, sister of Loyalist Indian Chief, Joseph Brant, moved to Johnson Hall in Johnstown in 1763. Sir John Johnson was the son of Sir William and Catherine Weisenberg. She was a run away indentured servant. Sir William later bought her freedom for five pounds. Some writers instead say that Sir William Johnson took Catherine from her original owner, Mr. Phillips after Sir William beat him up. She died in 1759 and is buried somewhere on the grounds. Her tombstone is thought to be the footstep to the entrance to Fort Johnson. Later Sir John and his wife Mary Watts moved to Johnson Hall after Sir William died suddenly at an Indian Treaty Conference in 1774.

Today, Fort Johnson is a grey limestone, three storied Georgian style house facing south towards the Mohawk River. Its interior architecture is virtually the same as when Sir William Johnson and his son, Sir John Johnson lived there. Four of the rooms have been furnished to reflect life in the eighteenth century. The Montgomery County Historical Society now maintains and operates this historic Loyalist site.

There are now thirty-three booked for the 2006 Loyalist Mohawk Trip along with five more who are tentative. The trip now definitely appears to be a go.

...By George Anderson UE

Additions to the Library "Let Loose Our Library" Project

Loyalists: Thompson; Babcock; Hawley; Jenckes; Johnston; Meeks; Rose; Scriver/Schryer; Switzer, by Gwen Smith UE (Pasnyk Loyalist Papers)

Loyalists: David Shorey - Althea Gary, Robert Perry - J. G. Washburn. Daniel Walker - Mary Perry, by Dr. H. C. Burleigh (Pasnyk Loyalist Papers)

Loyalist: William Vanderlip, Jacob Langs & Elizabeth Fowler, Sovereign; Robins; Young; Westbrook et al (photocopy from The Descendants of Jacob Langs and Elizabeth Fowler)

Roger Barton, Loyalist (1730-1823) Ens. New York Volunteers, Duchess County, New York, Grand Lake, New Brunswick 1783 (excerpts from Roger Barton's Kinsmen, Margaret Alberta Barton McLean, originally published June 19, 1940)

Click here for more information on the "Let Loose our Library" project.

Loyalist Portraits: Do You Know Where They Are?

The Canadian Museum of Civilization is in the process of updating its exhibit on the founding of Upper Canada/Ontario. Part of this process involves a new display on Loyalist settlers. The museum is looking for portraits of the following two individuals to help enliven their discussion of the Loyalists and their role in the creation of Canada. Any help the United Empire Loyalist Association could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thomas Gummersall Anderson

Born at Sorel, Thomas was the son of Captain Samuel Anderson. Thomas was raised near modern Cornwall. He was apprenticed to a merchant in Kingston, but chose to become a fur trader. He spent much of his life on the upper Great Lakes acting as an Indian Agent, and participated in the recapture of Prairie du Chien during the War of 1812. He died at Port Hope in 1875.

Alida Van Alstine

Alida was the wife of Major Peter Van Alstine, the leader of a group of Associated Loyalists who were evacuated from New York to Quebec at the end of the Revolution. Alida was from a prominent Dutch Family in New York, and endured many privations during the war. Aldia died of smallpox at Sorel in 1784.

I realize it's possible that no portraits exist, but since you never know, it's worth a try.

...Christopher Arajs, Museum of Civilization

Adolphustown Map

Thank you so very much. We were able to come up with a copy of a map which we are able to use after all.

I appreciate your kindness in getting back to me with assistance.

I think this is the closest, this one shows the town as Adolphuston and shows Dorland.

(Click here for the map.)

...Judy Cassidy

Queen Anne Silver

Reception with Refreshments to mark the Queen's Actual Birthday (21st April). Presented by the Canadian Royal Heritage Trust & the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. It will be a unique opportunity to see on display the historic "Queen Anne Silver" given to the Mohawk people by Queen Anne. 3 Church St, Suite 500 (at the Esplanade). For information and tickets: call 416-482-4909, email info@crht.ca, or visit their website, crht.ca.

...Karen Windover UE, President Toronto Branch

Portrait Gallery of Canada Acquires Important Loyalist Portrait

On February 3rd 2006, the Portrait Gallery of Canada (PGC) acquired the portrait of Louisa Billopp, an important moment for Canada's Loyalist heritage and a significant contribution to the collection of Library and Archives Canada, on which the Portrait Gallery is based. The portrait was bought just before it was to be auctioned. "The acquisition allows this unique historical art work to stay in the country for the benefit of every Canadian" said Lilly Koltun, Director of the PGC.

Louisa Billopp, born in Saint John New Brunswick, was the daughter of Colonel Christopher Billopp of Staten Island NY, a prominent member of the British establishment who opposed the separation of the United States from Great Britain. His ancestor, Captain Christopher Billopp, who had close connections to the King, acquired land on Staten Island and built Bentley Manor ca. 1676. It was there in Bentley Manor that the first (and only) peace conference was held between the Americans and British, in August 1776. The Billopp's resettled to Saint John, New Brunswick at the end of the revolution.

Louisa's mother, Jane Seaman, was Billopp's second wife, and bore him five daughters, Louisa being the third. In 1816 she married John Wallace, the son of Michael Wallace, also a United Empire Loyalist and a significant figure in the controlling elite of early 19th century Nova Scotia. Michael Wallace was an influential merchant, politician, judge and colonial administrator. Louisa had at least two children and her second son, John Roberts Wallace (1822-1905) was manager of the Dominion Government Savings Bank in Halifax. It is thought the portrait acquired by the PGC is Louisa's wedding picture. If so, it is possible her husband also had his portrait done, but is it not known whether it has survived or not.

The artist, Robert Field, came to North America after the Revolution where he painted a number of portraits in New England and the Canadian Maritime colonies, before moving to Jamaica where he died in 1819. His portraits are in collections in Nova Scotia, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Upon entering the national portrait collection, Louisa will need some attention. "She's in great shape, but restoration will be needed", says PGC Senior Curator Eva Major-Marothy. "In the 19th century, a vinegar solution was often used to clean paintings. It gave back lustre to the art works, but made them sticky which in turn attracted dust. This is what happened to Louisa. Conservators in our Gatineau Preservation Center will take good care of her and she will soon shine once again."

The Portrait Gallery of Canada, a programme of Library and Archives Canada, will open its doors in December 2007. Until then, its website is accessible here.

Portrait of Louisa Billopp, ca. 1816, by Robert Field (1769-1819), oil on canvas, 43 x 38 cm

...Stéphane Vigneault, Senior Communications Officer , Portrait Gallery of Canada

[If you know the whereabouts of the missing marriage portrait, or any other Billopp portrait, please let me know -- Doug]

Sir Guy Carleton descendant?

I would like to know, if possible, whether or not my wife is related to Sir Guy Carleton. Her father was Captain George

Lawrence Carleton, canadian royal engineers w.w.two. Her grandfather was Rupert Victor Carleton.He worked for the CPR for many years and retired to North Bay Ont. George's brother is Rupert Beatty Carleton and I believe he lives in Boston. The grandfather moved from Dublin Ireland to canada early 1900s.

...Brandon Roland Badger, born in Sherbrooke Quebec, now living in Queensland Australia {rosemary_badger AT bigpond DOT com DOT au} how do I email her?

Response re New Brunswick Banks

This information was obtained from the Internet: I think the Bank of NB amalgamated with the Bank of Nova Scotia. The building became the Post Office on the west side of Prince William Street. The coat of arms was removed as is located in the Main Branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia in Brunswick Square on King Street.

Bank of New Brunswick - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Bank of New Brunswick received its charter in 1820 and was the first bank in the Maritime colonies. As such, it can also lay claim to being the first chartered bank in Canada. This influential New Brunswick financial company amalgamated with the Bank of Nova Scotia, a larger and more stable banking institution, in 1913.

The Bank of New Brunswick was headquartered in Saint John, New Brunswick, then the largest city in the Maritimes exceeding in population both Halifax, Nova Scotia, and for a time during the 19th century, even Toronto, Ontario. The Bank of New Brunswick was the anchor tenant of a group of financial institutions with offices along a stretch of Prince William Street in Saint John, making this area claim to be the "Wall Street of British North America".

Around thirty-thousand dollars in notes are currently in circulation. These notes can be reimbursed by the Bank of Canada.

Robberies (The New Brunswicker once reported:)

Bold Bank Robbery. - On Sunday, June 28 [1857], the Bank of New Brunswick was robbed of a large amount of gold and five-pound notes. The amount is not stated, but we presume from $15,000 to $20,000 in gold and a still larger amount of bank bills. It was one of the boldest and ablest planned robberies we have heard of for many a day. The village of Fredericton has about 5,000 people. The robbers got into the basement of the building, dug through the masonry and got access to the lock, an old-fashioned one, bolted to the door by screws. They cut off the heads of the screw bolts and left the lock hanging in its place, and forced the door. They selected their gold and bills and left the silver on the floor of the bank room, apparently intending to return for it. No one

connected with the bank visited it from Saturday afternoon to Monday morning, so that they had ample time for arrangements. The persons of the robbers are pretty clearly ascertained.

...Frances Morrisey UE

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.