Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2006 Archive

In this issue:
- Conference Update: Dr. Carl Benn on 'Iroquois Warfare, 1754-1814'
- New Brunswick First Families
- 2006 Loyalist Mohawk Valley Trip
- The British Union Jack (aka the Loyalist Flag) Turns 400 on 12 April 2006
- An Addendum to History Detectives - Daniel Dunham
- Revised "Molly Brant" Chamber Opera April 30
- Black Loyalist Heritage Society's office in Birchtown Burned
- Subject: Last Post Gordon Arthur Bloom
- Queries
      + Information on Lemuel Lester Lincoln
      + James Cowell Turner and Rachel Turner (Sylvester) Family
      + Doing UEL Proofs for First Nations Descendants
      + John Dease and Sir John Johnson
      + Response re Cartwright Patent (Kortright's Patent)

Conference Update: Dr. Carl Benn on 'Iroquois Warfare, 1754-1814'

History Seminar Steam: Friday afternoon

Also speaking in the history stream will be Carl Benn, PhD, Chief Curator, City of Toronto Museums and Heritage Services. Dr. Benn's topic will be 'Iroquois Warfare, 1754-1814.' On the northern front of the American Revolution, Loyalist forces commonly found themselves fighting alongside Iroquois warriors. In this lecture, Dr Carl Benn explores the characteristics of Six Nations warfare, focusing on its place within First Nations culture as well as on weapons, tactics, and other aspects of Iroquois combat during the period.

Dr. Benn joins Rosemary Sadlier from the Black History Society, speaking on Black History, and Dr Ron Williamson, Archaeological Services Inc., speaking on "Government Seat to Carwash: The History and Archaeology of Upper Canada's First and Second Parliament Buildings"

New Brunswick First Families

Your site: An objective of the UELAC is to develop a directory of people of the Loyalist era, and to categorize them, especially those who met the qualifications as a United Empire Loyalist and who earned the right, along with his heirs forever to the designation or post-nominal U.E., standing for Unity of the Empire.

Site of Interest: This "First Families" site of the NB Genealogical Society has 7414 Loyalist Families recorded on it. www.nbgs.ca/firstfamilies.html

...Harry MacDonald

2006 Loyalist Mohawk Valley Trip

There are now enough people who have registered for the trip and made their deposits to make a small profit. This profit will go to the Bernice Flett Scholarship and the Loyalist Collection at Brock University. Those who have registered and have not made their deposits will lose their places if others register and make their deposits. Presently there are 41 registered for the trip.

The wrong address iInadvertently got into the Fall Loyalist Gazette for George Anderson. I either made the error or we have too many willing hands in the soup. The incorrect address in the Gazette is 64 Anderson Cres, Nepean, ON K2E 5N7. The correct address should be 64 Saginaw Cres, Nepean, ON K2E 5N7. I apologize to anyone who has been inconvenienced by this miscue.

...George Anderson {andrew1 AT magma DOT ca} how do I email him?

The British Union Jack (aka the Loyalist Flag) Turns 400 on 12 April 2006

Royal Decree on 12 April 1606:

"Whereas English sailors resent the Scottish colours, and Scots scorn the cross of St. George, I, James, King of Great Brittaine, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc, do hereby royally decree that "All our subjects in this our isle and kingdom of Great Brittaine and the members thereof, shall bear in their main top the red cross commonly called St George's Cross and the white cross commonly called St. Andrew's Cross joined together according to a form made by our heralds and sent to our Admiral to be published to our said subjects".

...Bro. Sean Beahen, OSBn

An Addendum to History Detectives - Daniel Dunham

(OLD) A nice, positive program. My heartbeat jumped when they mentioned Daniel Dunham, because one of my UEL ancestors had that name. But too quickly, he was identified as the New York Daniel, not my New Jersey Daniel who settled in New Brunswick.

...Bill Smy

[I found it interesting that the initial parts of the program seemed to have Daniel going to Nova Scotia/New Brunswick, but then suddenly switched to the North Shore of the St. Lawrence in Brockville. It would have added a bit of colour to note that there had been two Daniel Dunham's. -- Doug]

(NEW) My great grandmother was Alice Dunham of St John, NB. She is a descendant of the Daniel Dunham who came to St John at the peace. I have genealogy possibly of interest to Mr. Bill Smy if you would pass my email address on to him and invite him to contact me.

...Harry MacDonald

Revised "Molly Brant" Chamber Opera April 30

Janice Coles and Matthew Zadow will Perform in a revised "Molly Brant" Chamber Opera.

On April 30, two well-known singers Janice Coles, mezzo soprano and Matthew Zadow, lyric baritone, will perform the roles of Molly Brant and Sir William Johnson and in the newly-expanded chamber opera, "Molly Brant".

The work, which premiered in 2003, has been developed by composer Augusta Cecconi-Bates, to include the role of Molly's life partner, Irish-born merchant and American landowner William Johnson. Molly Brant was a Mohawk activist and orator who lived her final years by the Cataraqui River and is buried in St. Paul's churchyard on Queen Street in downtown Kingston. Molly and William managed an internationally successful merchant business along the Mohawk River in New York around 1750, and were canny political strategists, seeking by their own example to find a way to weave together the conflicting interests of the diverse inhabitants of the Great Lakes basin - Iroquois, American colonists and British Loyalists during the tumultuous years before and during the American Revolution. This largely unknown yet momentous part of Canadian history is brought to life by the passionate singing voices of Janice Coles and Matthew Zadow.

Accompanying the singers are pianist Clare Gordon, and violinist, Joan Sutherland. The work is directed by Charles Robertson and is a production of Three Women Opera Company.

The opera is scheduled to be performed several times over the summer : one preformance only on Wolfe Island on April 30 at 2:45 PM in St. Margaret's Hall; four shows for the "Festival on the St. Lawrence" at Kingston's City Hall, June 18, 21, 25, 26; and later in New York State at Sackets Harbor, July 29 and Clayton, August 23. The Gananoque dance troupe: "Dreams In Motion" will introduce each program. Janice Coles is scheduled to perform the role of Molly on April 30 only. Rhona Gale will be cast as Molly on June 18 and 21. Eileen Strempel will assume the role of Molly for the remaining four performances.

April 30, 2:45 pm, St. Margaret's Hall, Wolfe Island
Featuring:
JANICE COLES, mezzo-soprano
MATTHEW ZADOW, baritone
Joan Sutherland, violin Clare Gordon, piano
and 'DREAMS IN MOTION'
Gananoque Dance Troupe directed by Debra Donaldson
Tickets: $10.

Tickets can be reserved by calling me (cell phone number 315-771-2617) or emailing me (address below) or in Kingston: 613-385-1521 (Linda VanHal)

Tickets may alternatively be purchased at Fargo's Store and Mosier's LCBO on the island and at the Cornerstore (250 Ontario in Kingston)

...Augusta Cecconi-Bates {acecconibates_1999 AT yahoo DOT com} how do I email her?

Black Loyalist Heritage Society's office in Birchtown Burned

By RICK CONRAD Staff Reporter Halifax Chronicle Herald 8 April 2006

With two African-Nova Scotian landmarks vandalized in the past two months, Sharon Oliver can't keep quiet about what she considers hate crimes.

"The black community needs to take more responsibility and keep this front and centre," she said in an interview Friday.

"The quieter it's kept, if we acquiesce to these kinds of actions, then it'll continue to happen."

Ms. Oliver was reacting to the torching of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society's office in Birchtown last week, along with many priceless historical artifacts. That came on the heels of the Black Cultural Centre in Dartmouth being blasted by six Molotov cocktails in late February. That caused about $1,500 damage, she said.

She believes different people are likely responsible, but the link the crimes share is the buildings' obvious importance in each community.

"They didn't target the Ross Museum, they didn't target one of the other 18th-century buildings down on the dock (in Shelburne); they targeted the Black Loyalist Heritage Society," said Ms. Oliver, who lives in Wolfville but is a member of the heritage society's board and helped plan the Birchtown site.

"It's very sad. When I was phoned Friday night and (was told) the building was engulfed in flames, I really couldn't say too much. I could see this small little community group with 20 years of work going up in flames, and I was dismayed."

Sgt. Barry MacLellan of Shelburne RCMP said Friday that two members of the detachment are "actively investigating" the Birchtown blaze, which appears to have been deliberately set.

"There was some indication that it might have had some racial overtones," he said. "However, at this point in time, we haven't uncovered any evidence to suggest that."

Richard Gallion, the heritage society's vice-president, said Friday he didn't want to comment on whether the blaze was racially motivated, although he admitted "it's in the back of every-body's mind."

He estimated it could take all of the building's $140,000 insurance to replace it and its contents, including original photos from settlers' descendants "that are totally gone."

"It's a great loss ­ for everybody," Mr. Gallion said, though the society is already planning to rebuild.

Henry Bishop, chief curator of the Black Cultural Centre, said he didn't want to discuss the February incident.

"I don't want to change the whole atmosphere of this," he said Friday after an announcement of a badly needed $200,000 from the province to fix the centre's roof. "We're beyond that now."

Ms. Oliver said she finds the Birchtown blaze especially suspicious since the society has plans to improve on the site, founded in 1783, to make it a more enduring monument to the largest settlement of free blacks outside Africa.

"One questions whether racism is still existing in this day and age. Of course it is. And this is evidence that it is. I know that the white population is very reluctant, particularly the media and the police, to label anything, and yet we're not reluctant to label something with swastikas put on it."

Just a quick note to inform you of our loss. The Offices of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society were torched recently. At the moment I am still unsure what can be salvaged. I had recently backed up the data on my hard-drive and it was stored off-site, however, the library is no more, original photo & paintings were destroyed, irreplaceable posters & publications sustained fire and/or smoke & water damage.

We have temporarily set up an office over the Gift Shop (next door to the former office) and all contact info remains the same except for the physical address. I have attached one on-line copy of the newspaper article.

-- Debra Hill, Registrar

[submitted by Paul Bunnell]

For anyone wishing to send donations, the address follows: Black Loyalist Heritage Society; PO Box 1194; Shelburne, NS; B0T 1W0; (902) 875-1310

Subject: Last Post Gordon Arthur Bloom

Gordon Bloom of Coldstream passed away peacefully on Thurday March 18, 2006 at Hospice House in Vernon. Gordon was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 6,1927. After serving in the U.S. Navy during WW 11, he emigrated to Canada, and on August 18,1952 became a Canadian citizen.

Gordon's life flourished after his mill career. Gordon became an avid hiker, an accomplished cross-country skier, spending many winters on the trails at Sovereign Lake on Silver Star Mountain and a genealogist tracing his roots to the days of the United Empire Loyalists. He couldn't sit still. For many years he pursued with a passion, woodworking of fine craftsmanship and generously devoted countless hours as a volunteer with the Vernon Art gallery and the Vernon museum, building what needed to be built and fixing what ever needed to be fixed.

Gordon is survived by Barbara, his wife of 58 years, his son Glenn and his daughter inlaw Deborah who will truly miss him. He was predeaceased by his son Randy.

A celebration of Gordon's life was held at Vernon Museum, 3009 32nd Ave, in Vernon, on Saturday March 25,2006. A donation to the Vernon Museum in Gordon's name would be appreciated.

...submitted by Pat Kelderman

Information on Lemuel Lester Lincoln

I am researching My Great Grandfather, Lemuel Lester Lincoln, who was born in 1826 in St. Thomas, Elgin County, Upper Canada ( Ontario ) His death certificate in 1899 states that his father was Kenyon Lincoln born 1790-1800 in Connecticut. His names might have been spelled Kinion and Linkon, I can not find any record of him anywhere in USA or Canada.

I am hoping to link Kenyon with Lemuel Lincoln the loyalist who first settled in New Brunswick after the Revolutionary War and who married Isabelle Chase, daughter of loyalist Walter Chase Sr.. They petitioned for land and were granted acreage in Yarmouth Township.

Any suggestions or information will be greatly appreciated

...E. Kenneth Hull {hullk AT bellsouth DOT net} how do I email him?

James Cowell Turner and Rachel Turner (Sylvester) Family

I am a member of the Edmonton Branch UEL Association and am seeking information on my GGG-Grandfather James Cowell Turner and Rachel Turner(Sylvester). They arrived in Bocabec N.B. about 1783/4 from Maine,were granted land by the Penobscot Loyalists reportedly lot 17 in Bocabec.

James Cowell Turner was a UE loyalist, but I have not been able to determine which regiment he served in or his rank. I believe he served under a Captain Harkup (or similar name). Most of his children were born in or around Bocabec between 1785 & 1801 and Baptised at St. Patricks Parish,Charlotte County N.B. A number of the children relocated to Ontario in the 1840"s along with the Hansons and Vardons. My GG-Grandfather was William born in 1801 in Bocabec N.B.

I am just after general information and history of James C.and his wife Rachel (Sylvester) Turner. They were married in Wiscaset Maine on Nov.20 1776, I believe.

Any information on this gentleman and his wife or locations I may search would be gratefully appreciated, along with information about thier family ancestors.I am willing to share information on descendants.

...Verne Turner, {mtacres AT sasktel DOT net} how do I email him?

Doing UEL Proofs for First Nations Descendants

Perhaps you might be able to help me.

Two of my grandchildren are of Native descent. Their family chart shows a connection with Joseph Brant UEL. They descend from Joseph's son Jacob then John H. Brant then Margaret Brant then Alfred Wilfred Crain, then Wilfred Robert Crain..etc.

I have the status cards of the children, their father and his father. How do I go about obtaining the proof for UEL? The native marriage registry etc. doesn't seem to be easy to find. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you again

...Diane Brown, Col Edward Jessup Branch, {diane DOT brown AT sympatico DOT ca} how do I email her?

More on John Dease ... and Sir John Johnson

On September 9, 1826, Charles Christopher Johnson, as attorney for his father, the Honourable Sir John Johnson, Knight Baronet, sold, among other interests, the Fief & Seigniory of Monnoir situate in the County of Bedford, in the District of Montreal, to Jean Roch Rolland, of the City of Montreal, Esquire, Advocat & Attorney, for £ 13,500. Johnson received only £ 162-7-7 from that sale in cash. The entire balance of the purchase money was to be applied to the payment of many of Sir John Johnson's debts. One of those, £ 4,765, was due to the "children and legatees of the late John Dease." That amount of the purchase money was to "remain in the hands of the said purchaser [Rolland] ... until one year after the decease of the said Sir John Johnson [1831], and again afterwards until his Heirs, Executors or Administrators, shall have discharged, vacated or cancelled" that obligation. A formal discharge for the first £ 749-3-4 repaid was not recorded until December 19, 1865. The balance, in a series of five payments of £ 749-3-4, was formally discharged on October 2, 1866, more than 40 years after the debt was incurred.

In Earle Thomas' book at p. 162 the author makes reference to the fact that in 1816 the "six sons of his cousin John Dease ... were all in Upper Canada ... Sir John had bought John Dease's Irish Estate for 3,000 pounds and intended to settle his widowed daughter Nancy and her eight children on it ..."

On April 11, 1801, John Dease's son, John Warren Dease, signed a contract to work for Simon McTavish, et al, and the North West Company, in the Montreal office of Notary Joseph Beek (Notarial Act # 1565). Was this an attempt to follow in his father's footsteps?

...Ray Ostiguy

Cartwright Patent is really Kortright's Patent

The proper name of this patent is Kortright's. If you still have trouble locating it, please let me know and I'll help.

You are correct. Kortright's Patent lay roughly north and south between Harpersfield and Banyar's Patents - Harpersfield being the most easterly. These patents were situated between the Charlotte River and west branch of the Delaware River. New Stamford Patent was immediately below these on the south side of the Delaware. 'Kortright' was frequently misspelled 'Cartwright' in the late 1700's.

...Gavin Watt, Honorary VP, UELAC

Archibald Thomson, my GGGG grandfather, was on the Harperfield Patent. We understand that he was a squatter there James Parks his friend. Archibald married Elizabeth McKay the daughter of Hugh McKay . They were married in Quebec City and her first child was born there. When Elizabeth applied for a land grant in Newark (Niagara on the Lake) she wrote as if her name was well known to Peter Russell and Gov. Simcoe but does not state they were UEL's . There was a Hugh McKay who died 20 years after their marriage who was the Sarjent of Arms in the Legislative Assembly in Quebec City. I am trying to get some proof that he was her father. I wrote an article for the Gazette (Fall 2003) about Archibald Thomson.

It would also be good if a knowledgeable UEL put out a map and book showing the different patents and describing them. It would be a great help to an novice like myself in tracing forefathers.

...Peter Scarlett {pmscarlett AT rogers DOT com} how do I email him?

If you're interested, I have a small book that I published in 2002 entitled "The Flockey 13August1777 - The Defeat of the Tory uprising in the Schoharie Valley." It sells for $14.00 including postage and includes the story of many Harpersfield, Kortright and New Stamford Patent men who took up the King's cause early in the war.

...Gavin Watt {gk DOT watt AT sympatico DOT ca} how do I email him?

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.