Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2009 Archive

In this issue:
- The Journal of A Loyalist Soldier: Stephen Jarvis -- © Stephen Davidson
- "Thanksgiving: The Enlightened Teachers": A Native Loyalist's View
- FDYP Fundraising Campaign Progresses
- Silas Raymond (1748 - 1824) - Fifth Generation in America: Part XII - © 2009 George McNeillie
- Building Our UELAC History
- Okill Stuart - Forever Young
- Fall Gazette Status - In The Mail
- Citizenship Guide and the War of 1812
- Last Post: Alvin Junior Hedlund, UE
- Queries
      + Is Catherine Hogeboom Carns Daughter of Mary Cain Hogeboom and John J. Hogeboom?

The Journal of A Loyalist Soldier: Stephen Jarvis -- © Stephen Davidson

For some reason, the experience of reading about a famous battle in a history book is never as captivating as it is to hear about the battle first-hand from someone who was there. Such is the case of the Battle of the Brandywine.

Fought on September 11th, 1777, it was the only battle of the entire Revolution in which General George Washington's men fought directly against those of General William Howe. The battle also marked the first time that Stars and Stripes flew over the Continental Army. The British victory allowed Howe's army to occupy Philadelphia; forcing the members of the rebel congress to flee to seek sanctuary elsewhere. In addition to all of this data, we have an eye-witness account of the Battle of Brandywine thanks to the memoirs of a young loyalist named Stephen Jarvis.

Jarvis was a native of Danbury, Connecticut, a town in which rebels stored food and munitions for the Continental Army. He fled his home in March of 1777, bidding goodbye to a family and fiancee he would not see again for six years. After he heard that patriots had murdered his father, Jarvis decided to join the Queen's Rangers, a loyalist regiment. By August, he was in Maryland as a sergeant in General Howe's invasion force. The British general planned to march through Maryland to capture Philadelphia, the largest city in the Thirteen Colonies.

Howe put the German General Wilhlem von Knyphausen in charge of 8,000 men who marched towards Washington's forces at a place called Chadds Ford on Brandywine Creek. Meanwhile, Howe took the balance of his army north and circled back on the Continental Army's position. Sergeant Jarvis tells what happened next.

"The Queen's Rangers led the Division of General Knyphausen. We came in sight of the enemy at sunrise. The first discharge of the enemy killed the horse of Major Grymes, who was leading the column, and wounded two men in the Division directly in my front, and in a few moments, the Regiment became warmly engaged and several of our officers were badly wounded. None but the Rangers and Ferguson's Riflemen, were as yet engaged; the enemy retired, and there was a cessation for a short time, to reconnoiter the enemy, who had taken up their position in a wood which skirted the road that led down to the River."

Jarvis and the other Rangers drove the patriots from the forest out into an open field. Their commander would have had the men hide behind trees as they fired upon the rebels, but the battle had begun in earnest, and the Rangers were needed to charge the enemy.

"At this instant, my pantaloons received a wound," recalled Jarvis." and I don't hesitate to say that I should been very well pleased to have seen a little blood also. The enemy stood until we came near to bayonet points. then gave us a volley and retired across the Brandywine."

"Captain Williams and Captain Murden were killed, and many of the officers were wounded in this conflict. The Brandywine on each side was skirted with wood, in which the Rangers took shelter, whilst our artillery were playing upon a half moon battery on the other side of the River which guarded the only fording place where our Army could cross. In this position we remained waiting for General Howe to commence his attack on the right flank of General Washington's main Army."

"Whilst in this situation Captain Agnew was wounded, of which wound he was ever after a cripple. Several other men were also wounded by the riflemen from the other side. Captain Agnew ... plunged his bayonet into the fellow who had killed Captain Murden the minute before."

The fighting continued on into the afternoon. A rebel battery fired deadly grapeshot at the Rangers "which did much execution". Nevertheless the Rangers waded into Brandywine Creek; the water that reached chest level "was much stained with blood". The king's forces took the battery and used its guns to fire upon the rebels.

While Jarvis commends the loyalist soldiers who fought next to him, he was not always pleased with the actions of his officers."After the Regiment had crossed and was charging with enemy, Lieutenant Close found it more safe to take shelter under the walls of the battery, where he fell asleep until he was discovered by the Provost Marshal, and reported to the Regiment as killed."

"A party was sent out to bring him to camp, who awoke him from his slumbers. He came to the Regiment, but was obliged to leave it. He never did duty again in the Regiment."

From a hill, Jarvis and his fellow soldiers "had a most extensive view of the American Army, and we saw our brave comrades cutting them up in great style. The battle lasted until dark, when the enemy retreated and left us masters of the field. We were then ordered to leave our position and join our Regiment. We did so and took up our night's lodgings on the field of the battle, which was strewed with dead bodies of the enemy."

Jarvis did more than just describe the battle in his journal; he wrote down his own reflections concerning the conflict.

"In this day's hard fought action, the Queen's Rangers' loss in killed and wounded were seventy-five out of two hundred fifty rank and file which composed our strength in the morning. Why the army did not the next day pursue the enemy, and bring them to action, I must leave to wiser heads than mine, to give a reason, but so it was."

The young sergeant survived many more battles up and down the Atlantic seaboard during the Revolution. After marrying his sweetheart in 1783, Jarvis settled in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and finally moved to Upper Canada in 1801. His journal remains one of the most remarkable loyalist documents of the Revolution. To read more of it, click here.

To secure permission to reprint this article, contact the author at {stephendavids AT gmail DOT com} how do I email him?

"Thanksgiving: The Enlightened Teachers": A Native Loyalist's View

"The Enlightened Teachers

We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.

Now our minds are one."

Throughout Canadian history, there have always been those with extraordinary vision, experience and wisdom whose shared knowledge has proven invaluable and touched our lives today. In Native culture, Elders are revered for their wisdom of life experiences that they use for the betterment of all. Teachers have inspired generations to seek knowledge in order to live with truth at times when confusion and conflict often send many into disarray. The enlightened Loyalists took many forms; from shrewd Native diplomats to military strategists to the doctors to the most extraordinary of ordinary lives, the Loyalists brought with them a wealth of enlightenment... from which a remarkable country developed.

...David Kanowakeron Hill Morrison UE

[Editor's Note: See also the full Thanksgiving Address in the Four Directions Youth Project section.]

FDYP Fundraising Campaign Progresses

Since the last publication of Loyalist Trails, there has been renewed interest in our Four Directions Youth Programme fundraising campaign. The on-line campaign thermometer has been updated (over $1,400 or 28%) and names of donors have been listed alphabetically. This week I have been advised that two additional Branches in the Central Region have committed to the campaign. As our most recent donors chose to use the electronic format, we are not yet able to recognize the support that may come by Canada Post.

Our Honorary VP, Zig Misak, has forwarded the following comment from Paula Whitlow of Chiefswood National Historic Site as a result of one of the UELAC branches announcing an additional donation.

She:kon, Zig - this is fabulous news! It is very refreshing that we are garnering support from our allies in the spirit of the project that seeks to re-establish our relationships that have shared such a woven history for more than two centuries. Please express my thanks to the UEL's for their generous donation to this most worthwhile project. sken:nen

Paula Whitlow, Curator, Chiefswood National Historic Site, birthplace & childhood home of Tekahionwake - E. Pauline Johnson

Your Donations, small or large, will make a difference - please contribute today and help Zig Misiak to make that collective difference on our behalf by raising the awareness and importance of our history in today's youth. For further information on how to show your support of the Annual General Meeting initiative, go to UEL Charitable Trust Donations.

...Frederick H. Hayward, President, UELAC

Silas Raymond (1748 - 1824) - Fifth Generation in America: Part XII - © 2009 George McNeillie

[Part 1,  Part II,   Part III,  Part IV,  Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI]

While the lots were being surveyed and the log cabins were building the people lived in tents on the bank of the creek. Here on August 8, 1783, was born Silas Raymond's third daughter, Sarah, the first white child born in Kingston. At this time there were no domestic animals in Kingston and the Loyalists were glad to be able to send across the St. John River to the house of John Jones, an "old inhabitant," for milk and other requisites. Jones was a pre-loyalist, who had come to St. John in 1775 as a shipwright, and now lived at "The Mistake," head of Long Reach. His kindness was all the more acceptable because of an epidemic of measles which broke out among the children. Mr. Jones had a farm of 400 acres on the "Kemble Manor" where he reared a large family of sons and daughters. Among his descendants were Hon. Thomas R. Jones of St. John and his son, Charles D. Jones, my class-mate at the U.N.B. I married on January 23, 1895, one of the descendants of John Jones, David Jones by name, to Caroline Perkins, in St. Mary's Church in St. John, and at the time of the wedding he owned and resided on the old Raymond homestead in Kingston. He promised to do his best to preserve the old house as long as he could.

The Kingston settlers procured a surveyor in the month of July in the person of Captain Frederick Hauser. This gentleman was an officer during the Revolution in the Loyal Foresters. He came to Annapolis Royal with Amos Botsford and other advance agents of the Loyalists sent by Sir Guy Carleton in the month of October, 1782. In the winter following he with Amos Botsford and others made a tour of exploration up the St. John River [see Murdoch's History of Nova Scotia, vol. iii, p. 13]. He was by profession a surveyor, and laid out the grants at Kingston and elsewhere for the Loyalists. That at Kingston is described as Hauser's First Survey. The name is pronounced "Howser".

Rev. John Beardsley describes Kingston, at the time of his first visit, early in 1784, as "comprising about thirty-four small log-houses covered with bark."

During the first three years the settlers were furnished with rations from the Government Provision stores, at the rate of one full army ration for the first year, two-thirds for the second and one third for the third year. Children under ten were allowed to receive only half of the quantity provided for an adult. The government provisions were not invariably delivered in good condition - the pork at times being a little stale, the flour sometimes damaged, but on the whole the supplies provided during the first three years proved a boon, as also did the money granted the Loyalists by way of compensation for their losses in the war.

Excerpt from Book of Family History written by The Ven. William Odber Raymond, LL.D, FRSC. © 2009 George McNeillie - all rights reserved [published here with permission; see footnote]

...George McNeillie {ggm3rd AT sympatico DOT ca} how do I email him?

Building Our UELAC History

When you live so much in the moment, it is indeed a challenge to record the present soon to be the past in the future. With five years left until we commemorate the 100th anniversary of UELAC, there is much to document as we try to build a history of our organization. For the Winnipeg conference in 1997, Elizabeth Richardson, UELAC Historian, and Arnold W. Nethercott, President 1990-92, prepared An Historical Outline of The United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada which in 2008 was adapted for our website. In the drive to further supplement that document, Branches have been asked to submit pictures of their charter(s) with a copy to the UELAC Archivist. This week we have been able to post the two charters of the Winnipeg and the Manitoba Branches. Fifteen more charters to go.

Much of the information for the histories of the branches focuses on the first few meetings. As each Branch submits additional information, a link is added, to take the reader to the new material. This week the first fifty years of the Governor Simcoe Branch as written by Murray Barkley in 1983 has been posted. The document itself offers a very interesting view of the early image of our association during that period. Also included is an up-to-date list of the presidents for the Governor Simcoe Branch.

When I suggested that maybe Murray could be called upon to update the history, I was reminded that times change: Murray has been a member of the St. Lawrence Branch for a long period now. With the use of our search engine, I was able to confirm that he was the same Murray I met at the St. Lawrence Branch meeting at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Morrisburg on October 18. As author of Speaking of Avonmore: History, Heroes, Happenings and Humour in the Life of a (Not Very) Typical Ontario Village, Murray was then sharing his knowledge of the Palatine connection of his ancestors. Indeed, Murray has quite the history of active involvement with UELAC.

As a member, you are encouraged to review your own Branch histories and help update those documents for our collective future. UELAC's history will be strengthened by well-documented Branch histories available to those who are building toward 2014.

...Frederick H. Hayward, President, UELAC

Okill Stuart - Forever Young

Just one week after he was quoted on both television and in the Hamilton Spectator, Okill Stuart, UELAC President 1994-1996, has provided good copy for our readers. Gloria Oakes, Membership Chairman of the Hamilton Branch wrote that while waiting in a doctor's office, she read through the Hamilton/Halton Nov/09 issue of FOREVER YOUNG (Jay Leno's picture is on the cover) and noted an interview with Okill Stuart, dealing with the Remembrance Day memories of veterans. Specifically, Okill's memories of the June Beach landings on D-Day, June 6, 1944 in Normandy, France formed part of the article by Christopher Guly. To date, the article has not been posted to the Internet. The last issue on-line was September, but readers may be interested in reading the July article on Prince Charles.

As FOREVER YOUNG is aimed at the "fifty-plus lifestyle", editor Don Wall is very interested in hearing more about how the members of UELAC are working to increase interest in Canadian history across the country.

...FHH

Fall Gazette Status - In The Mail

When Mette Griffin checked the status of the Fall Gazette with the mailing house on Thursday Nov 19, she was told it would be mailed the next day. Although not confirmed that that actually happened, we hope that some people will receive their copy early this week, while for others it may take a couple of weeks or longer - in order to save costs, the Gazette is not mailed first class, so it does not get top priority from the Post Office.

Citizenship Guide and the War of 1812

I just wanted to say once again how much I look forward to receiving "Loyalist Trails" down here in the Land of the Star Spangled Banner. Particularly interesting was Judy Nutall's defense of the point of view that British North America won the War of 1812. (the British Empire clearly had bigger fish to fry with Napoleon, so we can ignore the Old World troops and the "Bladensburg Races".) We are taught down here that it was a tie - status quo ante bellum. I don't know who won the war - but I do know the native tribes lost. And we both won the peace, for no two nations have ever had better relations and mutual support for so many years.

All the Best, Dan Stone

Just to say that upon reflection and looking at the book, I now know I too would have failed the test they gave Tonda Charles and Craig Oliver on Canada: "Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens" [last week's Loyalist Trails]. I am sorry if I offended anybody!

...Judy Nuttall

Last Post: Alvin Junior Hedlund, UE

Alvin Junior HEDLUND UE, on Thursday November 19th, in his 79th year. Beloved husband of Elizabeth "Betty" Hedlund UE and loving father of Alvin Hedlund (Madeline O'Connell), Susan Hedlund and Randy Hedlund (Windspirit). Dear stepfather of Darren Racher, Wes Racher (Edith) and Stephen Racher (Glo). Also loved by his 12 grandchildren and their families. Dear brother of Pauline Bain, Laura Jaillet, and predeceased by Marcia Jane Barwell, Alberta Hedlund, Herbert & Henry Hedlund.

Al was a long time, faithful member of Colonel John Butler (Niagara) Branch of the UELAC and was very proud of his loyalist ancestor George Reuben Cockle (Coughell/Caughell). Al enjoyed the Loyalist Landing ceremonies in Adolphustown and rarely missed an event. Online condolences may be forwarded through www.pedlarfuneralhome.ca

...Bev Craig UE

Is Catherine Hogeboom Carns Daughter of Mary Cain Hogeboom and John J. Hogeboom?

I have the ancestral paper trail material required for a UE Certificate Application, with the exception of a document linking my third greatgrandmother Catherine Hogeboom to her parents John J. Hogeboom and Mary Cain Hogeboom. Here is the Loyalist connection.

Isaiah Cain, UEL (Albany County Militia - Fourth Regiment) b. 1737 - married Leah Adams in 1762, Windham Co., Conn., USA,- d. Caintown, Leeds County, Ontario, circa 1812. Isaiah and Leah had five children, one of whom was Mary Cain.

This Mary Cain, married John J. Hogeboom, at the Claverack Reformed Church, Columbia Co., NY, USA, in 1789. Mary and John had ten children; one of these children is Catherine Hogeboom, born in NY circa 1803, or in Leeds Co., Ontario circa 1809.

Catherine married Jacob Carns (Cairns), born 1807; died in Kent Co., Ontario, 1882. Catherine died in 1896 near Guilds, Kent Co., Ontario.

If any readers have more to offer, and/or comments on the above, and can help me with the missing documentation, I would be most appreciative.

...Arthur (Patterson) Pegg {arthur DOT pegg AT sympatico DOT ca} how do I email him?