Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2011 Archive

In this issue:
- A Loyalist Newspaper -- copyright © Davidson
- Comment About "One of the Most Rabid Tories"
- John Moore (1730 - 1827): Fourth Generation in America © George McNeillie
- Recognition of Women as Agents of Change
- Seminar: Advanced Genealogical Skills: by Elizabeth Shown Mills
- War of 1812, Part 2: The Battle of Malcolm's Mills, by Doris Lemon
- George Ward, Longwoods and The Wardsville Barn Quilts
- Additions to the Loyalist Directory
- Last Post: Major C. Arthur Smith, UE
- Queries
      + Alexander Clark
      + Elmer Dulmage
      + Joseph and John Hays/Hayes of Wilmot Township, Annapolis, NS
      + the (S)Cranton Family, Possible Loyalists

A Loyalist Newspaper -- copyright © Davidson

A single issue of any newspaper forever freezes a day in time. Thanks to the Nova Scotia Archives, the newspapers of the loyalist era are now available for reading online from anywhere in the world. The bustling city of Shelburne, Nova Scotia had three newspapers in its heyday, publications which reveal the day to day lives of its loyal American settlers. Let's look through the four pages of the May 12, 1785 edition of The Port-Roseway Gazetteer and The Shelburne Advertiser to see a "slice of loyalist life".

The loyalists who bought their Thursday edition of the paper could read a combination of local and international news on the front page. The news gleaned from Boston newspapers dealt with "commercial treaties" between the Great Britain and the United States. Some Americans wanted to restrict trade with the former mother country in the hope of encouraging "national production". This was no doubt good news to the merchants of Shelburne. Nova Scotia was bound to enjoy increased trade with Britain if the former Thirteen Colonies set up trade barriers.

The front page's local story focussed on the fine arts. Mr. Moore would be giving his final performance of a "fashionable raillery" at seven o'clock at Mr. Steel's Long Room. Beginning with an "elogium" on free masonry that promised to reveal the "secrets of that art" to the ladies in the audience, the evening would conclude with The Court of Momus, a "poetical vision". Mr. Moore would play the part of 10 different characters. All of this entertainment was to be had for a dollar a ticket that could be bought at the Coffee House or the newspaper's office.

Turning to the second page, a homesick loyalist could read more news from Massachusetts. In Salem, Americans protested against a proposed newspaper tax being added to the one put on wills, deeds, and bonds.

The correspondence of Shelburne's loyalists was another news source. A letter from Britain notes that the mother country was also considering trade restrictions with its former colonies. "I assure you" says the British correspondent, "no character is so universally held in contempt as the American merchant".

Living on Nova Scotia's rocky Atlantic seaboard did not mean that the loyalists of Shelburne were unaware of the larger world. A letter from Portsmouth, England gave the latest London news while another reported the successor to Sir Charles Douglas in Halifax. Loyalist readers learned about British naval operations in India thanks to a letter written from Madras. A letter from Columbo, Ceylon reported the sighting of Dutch naval vessels off the Cape of Good Hope.

Like any modern newspaper, The Port-Roseway Gazetteer and The Shelburne Advertiser included advertising. The merchants McLean and Bogle let it be known that Windward Island rum, Muscovado Sugar, and fresh limes were available at their King Street store. The brig Dolphin, arrived from Spain with salt suitable for curing fish. The Board of Agents reminded those who were entitled to land to make their applications by the end of May.

John Boyd's Medicinal Store on Water Street offered Shelburne's consumers a cornucopia of health aids. There was "choice of drugs and medicines; together with a quantity of the most approved Patent medicines: James's Powders, Anderson's Pills, Hooper's Female Pills, Maredant's Antiscorbutic Drops, Bateman's Pectoral Drops, etc. Also: breast pipes, complete tobacco machines, elastic truffles, lancets, smelling bottles, alum, honey, tamarinds, cinnamon, mace, cloves, nutmegs, Spanish licorice, essence of lemons, essence of Burgamot, etc." Mr. Boyd promised that "Family prescriptions will be accurately prepared, and Orders executed with Fidelity and Dispatch".

Some of the items reported in The Port-Roseway Gazetteer and The Shelburne Advertiser's came from the interchange between crews when two ships met at sea and shouted the latest news to one another. Sailors on ships docked in Shelburne's harbour also provided news. France seemed to be preparing for war; Spain would be attacking Algiers with allies in Portugal and Italy.

The third page included real estate ads. A public auction on Friday would feature a "water lot with a good frame house, one story and a half high, a stack of Brick Chimneys, complete, a cellar, and a well of excellent water. The lot is completely cleared and fenced, is situated two doors from the water in Mason Lane. The Situation needs no recommendation."

On the back page the local Board of Agents posted a notice that "all persons who have drawn lots on Pell's Road and have not contributed their proportionate assistance to the surveyor in laying them out are hereby informed that their lots will be given to such other loyalists as have received no land in the settlement and who will be willing to give the said assistance".

Although this Shelburne newspaper did not include the fliers found in today's publications, it did have ads to entice loyalist homemakers. James Cox and Company published an inventory bound to tempt even the most miserly.

Cox's store carried three types of tea and brown soap by the box as well as moulded and dipped candles. That modern staple, ketchup, was sold in pint and quart bottles. While no beer was advertised, there were Jamaica spirits, West India rum, cherry brandy, French brandy, London porter, Madeira, sherry, Lisbon and port wines.

One can only wonder how items were displayed in the store. Alongside rice, currants, and glassware, the loyalist customer could also discover sail and bolt rope twines, fishing lines and hooks, anchors, spun-yarn, a variety of nails, writing and wrapping paper, Gloucester cheeses, corned beef, and darning needles. But James Cox and Company was more than just a grocery store with a large inventory of hardware goods. In addition to cotton and thread hose for girls, women, and men, they also sold black silk mitts and gloves, an assortment of ribbons, and "Persians".

Within a few days of its publication, the May 12th edition of The Port-Roseway Gazetteer and The Shelburne Advertiser would have little value beyond kindling for a roaring fire. Today, though, it is an invaluable window on the life and interests of Nova Scotia's loyalist settlers.

To secure permission to reprint this article, email Stephen Davidson.

Comment About "One of the Most Rabid Tories"

I have always chuckled over my great-aunt Hostetter who married Jacob Ball UE, the first cousin of my first president, George Washington. The two Ball's are buried at Homer Cemetery under the Skyway Bridge and adjacent to the Welland Canal. I have a small rock from there in my garden and a Loyalist Rose growing happily there as well. Maybe it grows so well because that land should have belonged to my UE cousins, if it hadn't been for some Patriot ancestor ambushing some british general there. I have always wished Washington had been a blood relative, but I am glad to have him any way, even related by marriage.

But I am also proud of my several direct line Patriot and UE ancestors. Many of us seem to have ancestors from both sides.

Source: Brian Narhi's book about the first Hostetter to Canada. Copies are available at both St. Catharines and the National Archives of Canada.

...Joyce Stevens, Michigan

John Moore (1730 - 1827): Fourth Generation in America © George McNeillie

2. Samuel Moore (1645 - 1717). - (Second Generation in America) -

Samuel Moore, the next in our line of descent, was a grantee of land at Newtown Village in 1662. He afterwards purchased an adjacent tract, which was previously owned by his father. In 1684, he bought from William Hallett, Sr. (another of our ancestors) a farm near the Poor Bowery to which he removed. He held various public offices and served as a magistrate for several years. He married Mary Reed, who was born in 1651 and died May 4, 1738, aged 87 years.

Samuel Moore died July 25, 1717. His children were Samuel, Joseph, Benjamin, Nathaniel, Mary, Margaret, Elizabeth and Sarah, whose descendants are numerous and many of them are traced in Riker's book.

3. Benjamin Moore (1688 - 1750) - (Third Generation in America) -

Benjamin Moore came into possession of the property near Newtown Village, formerly owned by his grandfather, Rev. John Moore. He married Dec. 27, 1710, Anna Sackett daughter of Joseph Sackett, and died March 22, 1750. His widow died Sept. 30, 1757, aged 66 years. Their children were nine, of whom the youngest was our ancestor:-

Samuel, born December 5th, 1711.

Mary, born January 10th, 1714.

Anna, born November 5th, 1715.

Sarah, born May 17th, 1718.

Benjamin, born March 23, 1720.

John, born June 28, 1723 (died young)

Elizabeth, born January 10th, 1725.

Patience, born October 18th, 1727.

John, born July 5, 1730.

4. John Moore (1730 – 1827) – (Fourth Generation in America) –

The youngest son of Benjamin Moore remained on the homestead at Newtown where he married, on May 2, 1752, Hannah Whitehead, daughter of Thomas Whitehead. Like many of the people of Queen's County, Long Island, John Moore, jr. was a Loyalist at the time of the Revolution. At the close of the war he sent his son James to Nova Scotia to look for a place of settlement for the family. However, before long, the temper of the victorious party moderated and, with the exception of the son James, the family were able to remain in the State of New York. The site of the old Moore home at Newtown is three miles to the East of the old Brooklyn Ferry, nearly opposite Blackwell's Island [Editor's note – now called Roosevelt Island].

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

...George McNeillie

Recognition of Women as Agents of Change

At the spring meeting of the UELAC Dominion Council, Elizabeth Richardson, Dominion Historian, announced that she was working on the biographies of the five greatest women in the history of the UELAC. The names just may be found here.

The following weekend, I received a "Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Commonwealth Day, celebrated on March 14, 2011.

OTTAWA - Today, in countries around the world, people are celebrating Commonwealth Day.

This year's theme is 'Women as Agents of Change'. As the father of five grown daughters, I have learned a great deal about the immeasurable contributions women make to our society. Across the Commonwealth, countries are recognizing those women who have helped to build a smart and caring world.

Women are leaders, innovators and givers. They are scientists, teachers and nurturers. They have vision, compassion and the will to improve their communities, which, in turn, brings change on a global scale. Commonwealth countries—all diverse, yet linked by similar goals and values—can be proud of what women have accomplished and must be mindful of what still needs to be done to achieve full equality of opportunity for all.

As we enter Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee year, and in honour of the impending visit to Canada of His Royal Highness Prince William and Miss Kate Middleton, it gives me great pleasure to extend to all Canadians my best wishes for Commonwealth Day.

With this concept of women as "leaders, innovators and givers," it is appropriate that we post the biography provided by Dr. Dorothy Duncan, elected as a UELAC Honorary Vice-President in 2004. Dr. Duncan's concentration on the domestic arts has added greatly to our understanding of the lives faced by our ancestors. Read more here.

...FHH

Seminar: Advanced Genealogical Skills: by Elizabeth Shown Mills

We are near the seating capacity for "Advanced Genealogical Skills: A Seminar with Elizabeth Shown Mills" Saturday April 2nd at North York Central Library in Toronto. Loyalist family researchers might like to join us! The Ontario Chapter, Association of Professional Genealogists (OCAPG) and the North York Central Library are co-sponsoring the seminar with this prestigious leader in a rare Canadian appearance. Described by her peers as "the person with the greatest impact on genealogy in the post-Roots era," she is a memorable and entertaining speaker on research strategies, problem-solving, and source citations. What a bargain for $45.00! (lunch not included.) Details and registration are available online at http://ocapg.org, or you can pay by cheque by contacting Marg Meldrum, marg@genealogyresults.com.

...Brenda Dougall Merriman, Secretary OCAPG

War of 1812, Part 2: The Battle of Malcolm's Mills, by Doris Lemon

Henry Bostwick and brother John* were sons of Reverend Gideon Bostwick who was put out of his church for praying for King George III during the American Revolution. As Loyalists, [Gideon died before his claim was processed] Henry and John came to Upper Canada where Henry practised law with his brother-in-law John TenBroeck** who married Mary (my ggggAunt and Henry*** married Ann 'Nancy' (My gggg Aunt) daughters of Jonathan and Mary Williams of Dover Mills. Henry and Ann 'Nancy' lost their home, barn, carriage and all moveable property to the enemy in Col. Campbell's raid and the burning of Dover on May 15th, 1814.

November 7th, 1814, as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Norfolk Militia, Henry with 400-500 militia and a few Indians defended against McArthur's mighty American army at Malcolm's Mills at Oakland. McArthur's army was described as 800 - 1,500 fierce and experienced mounted riflemen from Kentucky and Ohio. In a violent border thrust they cut a swath across Upper Canada from Detroit to London, burned buildings and wrecked farm implements. It was rumoured that McArthur planned to cross the Grand River at Brant's Ford, proceed to Stoney Creek, meet cohorts from Niagara and burn Burlington. He was turned back by the turbulent waters of the River and by war whoops of fifty Mohawks hidden in the trees. He back-tracked, and burned all the mills in his path to prevent supplies from reaching British forces in Niagara.

"When McArthur's army approached Malcolm's Mill at Oakland, Malcolm did not propose to allow his property to be destroyed without a struggle and, by a manoeuvre, endeavoured to save the mill which was his only source of livelihood. He saw he had one chance - to let the water out of the dam, flooding the small river so that the soldiers could not cross. McArthur, seeing an easy way out of the difficulty, took his men two miles down river to Gate's Mill, which they burned, and then crossed. They then burned Malcolm's Mills.

In the battle, Henry's Norfolk Militia was defeated and dispersed. 1 Captain and 17 Privates were killed, 9 Privates, 3 Captains, 15 Subalterns were wounded and 103 Privates made prisoner. The Americans lost 1 killed and 6 wounded.

From Oakland McArthur moved south to Waterford to burn the mill of Morris Sovereen (or Soverign). The old man felt his only possession - a mill with two run of stone, complete in every respect which cost several hundred pounds - was in imminent peril when he heard the bugle notes of the American advance. His men carried many sacks of flour to safety. He watched the invaders advance on steeds, many which a few hours before were the property of Canadians. McArthur was on a black horse and well mounted. Half a dozen men dismounted, dashed into the mill, fired it and re-crossed the creek.

William Schuyler (Fred Blayney's relative) who lived beside the mill and worked in it, saw the Americans ford the water. He took a few leathern buckets of water to extinguish the flames. McArthur halted and seeing the building did not burn, sent a young officer and six men to fire the building and threaten to hang to the nearest tree any who attempted to save it.

The fire was again extinguished. This was too much for McArthur who dragged Sovereen and his faithful men across the stream. A rope around Schuyler's neck was secured over the branch of a massive oak tree on the hill above Waterford and Schuyler thought his life was at an end. Sovereen rushed up, made a Masonic sign and shouted "Spare our lives and burn all I have". McArthur said "Let them live boys!". (The Sovereen story is told by Fred Blayney UE.)

After the destruction of Malcolm's Mills the Americans pursued on the road to Dover. They took many prisoners and burned 5 valuable mills. They took 9,000 rations and 800 bushels of forage and subsisted on the residents. Horses were taken to replace those that were disabled or lost in the march."

[Ref: Cruickshank, E.A. Ed. Documentary History of the Campaigns on the Niagara Frontier 1812-14. Lundy's Lane Historical Soc. Welland. 1899 Part II p 311.] Epilogue

*John Bostwick, Henry's brother, was in charge of the Militia which fought at the rout at Nanticoke Creek. He was shot in the face, but survived. After the war, **John TenBroeck practised law in London.

***Henry Bostwick was a kind man and a good lawyer. People sought him to tend their affairs. He was devastated over the loss of his men at the Battle of Malcolm's Mills and died in 1816 leaving wife Ann Nancy with four small children: Henry, Elizabeth, Clarissa Ann, Cornelia - and with child, Caroline.

He is remembered by an historic plaque in the Community Park, Oakland:

To the Battle of Malcolm's Mills, 1814

Which marks the site of a clash on November 6, 1814

Between a force of Canadian Militia under

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Bostwick

And an invading American Army led by

Brigadier-General Duncan MacArthur

There is also an historic plaque at Nanticoke Public School, Norfolk County:

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Bostwick

On November 13, 1814

He led the Norfolk Volunteer Militia

To route a band of enemy marauders

Who had terrorized the County.

...Doris Lemon UE Grand River Branch

George Ward, Longwoods and The Wardsville Barn Quilts

On March 6 military re-enactors fired their guns to pay respect to the anniversary of the Battle of The Longwoods, at the Battle Hill Cairn on Longwoods Road near Wardsville. Every year, the Royal Scots march miles to the cairn and join the local community in a memorial service to remember the Battle of Longwoods on March 4, 1814. The battle will be re-enacted on the first weekend in May, at the Longwoods Road Conservation Area. Each year, the Upper Thames Military Re-enactment Society steps back in time as British troops attempt to expel American invaders in the War of 1812. "Hear the crack of the musket and the roar of the cannon. Come and experience life in the early 19th century. See the colourful clothing, smell the food prepared over open fires, and let us entertain your family for the day."

Mary Simpson of the Ontario Barn Quilt Trails has provided an interesting bridge between a growing artistic use of heritage quilts and the upcoming commemoration of the War of 1812. - FHH

In October 2009, Wardsville's quilt committee began designing a quilt to commemorate their community's founders, Mr. and Mrs. George Ward. The initial idea came from Denise Corneil, an artistic community leader, who had caught sight of the rural folk art phenomenon called "barn quilts" sweeping the United States. She was impressed by the news that the Temiskaming International Plowing Match 2009 in northern Ontario had created a barn quilt trail featuring over 90 barn quilts.

Eleanor Blain and Sue Ellis (show in picture), experienced quilt makers, quickly came up with a scheme to create a quilt involving as many women as possible. It did not matter whether they were skilled needle workers. It was a communal project involving as many mothers and daughters as possible.

They wanted a story line for the quilt. Ken Willis, the local historian told them the story of George Ward. In 1810, Mr. Ward was requested by the British Government to establish a stopping point for travellers along a section of Longwoods Road between Thamesville and Delaware, in Upper Canada – the Western District. A retired soldier with a young family, Mr. Ward was asked to supply provisions and fresh horses for the military.

Ward's family carved a settler's homestead out of the forest and called it Ward's Station. Two years later war broke out. On March 6, 1814, the Battle of the Longwoods took place a couple miles east of his homestead. Ward and his wife suffered many trials and tribulations. Accused of treason by the British, George Ward went to his grave in 1837 still trying to clear his name. His remains are buried in the Wardsville cemetery.

With a romantic and somewhat mysterious life line to work with, the quilters poured over heritage quilt block patterns. Thirty blocks were selected to tell the story of Mr. and Mrs. Ward. The feminine side of the story could not be omitted. It was clear Mrs. Ward played a critical role. Barn quilt block designs were carefully selected to represent the family's struggles, the Battle of the Longwoods, and the social history of that time.

Their family story was brought to life through the choice of quilt blocks, colours, and quilt design. When the quilt was unveiled at Wardsville United Church May 14, 2010, the crowd gasped in awe. The following Saturday, the George Ward Commemorative Quilt was taken to Shedden for the 2010 International Plowing Match Quilting Competition where it took second prize in the group category.

And that is just the beginning of the story. Each of the blocks was painted on an 8' X 8' panel and the thirty quilt blocks were installed on heritage barns throughout Wardsville. The entire project is detailed on their weblog.

Additions to the Loyalist Directory

As time permits, we add information to the Loyalist Directory. The latest additions and updates are as follows:
- Hawley, Reuben - by Linne Haddock
- Marsh, William - by Linda Smith with two certificate applications
- Smith, Daniel Sr. (of New Brunswick) - from John Noble
- Urquhart, John - from Carl Stymiest (Volunteer Wendy Cosby) with certificate application

Last Post: Major C. Arthur Smith, UE

Arthur died peacefully in hospital on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, in his 97th year. He was a devoted husband of the late Isabel E. Smith (nee Morgan) and loving father of David (Diane) and Karen (Bob Irvine). He was a cherished grandfather of Stephen and beloved brother of Doris Walker of Winnipeg. (Stephen was the tour guide at the Governor-General’s reception for the Queen.)

Clarence Arthur Smith was Branch President of the Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch UELAC from June 1989 to June 1991. He became a regular member of that branch in 1986. He was 2nd Vice-President from 06-1988 to 06-1989. In his 89th year he became interim secretary for the Sir Guy Carleton Branch having moved here from Montreal. He continued to attend our socials whenever he could. He was an intelligent, generous man and will be sorely missed. A memorial service was held in the Tubman Funeral home on Richmond Road on January 14, 2011. Internment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Magog, Quebec.

...Sylvia Powers, Sir Guy Carleton Branch

Alexander Clark

This query represents a fairly exciting genealogy moment for me! But one that involves more digging. It is the result of some major digging by a fellow from Kenai, Alaska. He had made the trip to Salt Lake City and spent many days hunting through their files. He and I shared a genealogical "dead end." Her name was Harriet Elizabeth Clark b. Sept. 14, 1824 Kings, New Brunswick. d. April 4, 1873 Drumbo, Oxford, Ontario. She married Charles Wesley Fritch b. Nov. 22, 1818 Norton, Kings, New Brunswick d. Dec. 13, 1905 Imlay township, Lapeer, Michigan.

The Fritches are a proven loyalist line, but Harriet has been out there in query-land for many years and no one has ever been able to piece together anything solid about her, other than that she was born in New Brunswick.

In Salt Lake this researcher found a passengers list going from N.B. to Passamaquoddy, Maine in 1836. That list had the ages and names of Harriet, her siblings and her parents.

Alex Clark, 45

Sarah Clark, 43

Walter, 20

James, 17

George, 15

Harriet, 13

Jacob, 6

Caleb, 5

The 4 younger siblings ages and names all tally exactly to the ages and names of Clarks in the Blenheim township, Oxford, Ontario 1851 census.

Further research revealed that Harriet's father - Alex Clark baptized Aug. 14, 1791 Kings, N.B. d. ? was the son of Alexander Clark. Googling that name generally reveals the Alexander Clark that Esther Wright Clark has written a book about. The problem is: this is a different Alexander Clark. The only place we can find him mentioned as of yet is in the New Brunswick First Families list.

I am seeking more information about CLARK: Alexander Clark b. - , died before 1818: came to NB in 1783 as a Loyalist and settled on Grand Lake in Queens County: m. Jane - b. - , died after 1818:

Children:

Mary Clark born c1784, d. after 1851, married (1st) William Brittain Jr. b.c1777, d. before 30 Nov 1807: m. (2nd) 2 Apr 1817 Caleb Davis Sr. born c1759, d.Apr 1833.

Elizabeth Clark born 11 Jun 1787, d. 16 Oct 1852, married c1805 JacobSherwood b. 23 Mar 1779, d. 2 Feb 1838.

Jennett Clark b. - , died before 1818, married Mr. Hilsham.

Walter Clark baptized 14 Aug 1791, died unmarried Sep 1818.

Alexander Clark bp. 14 Aug 1791

Susannah Clark bp. 18 Feb 1794.

Source: MC80/2354 Saint John Branch, NBGS: Arrivals 99: our first families in New Brunswick, page 50.

When I look through the U.E.L directory, there is a proven loyalist Alexander Clark on the list.That could well be the Esther Wright Clark one again, but it is worth querying about. Some of those children listed might hold a key as they married and stayed in New Brunswick.

If anyone has any more information about this loyalist, or can point us at more sources, it would be much appreciated.

...Tim Moore, Nelson, BC

Elmer Dulmage

I am descended from David Dulmage born 1746 in Court Matrix Ireland. My nephew Todd Dulmage in Toronto, received this message from a Carlos Perra research assistant:

Are you related to Elmer Dulmage, who participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin as a representative of the Canadian Press of the Canadian Olympic Committee?

Professors Harold Troper, from the University of Toronto, and Richard Menkis, from the University of British Columbia, are conducting a research on Canada and the 1936 Olympics and would welcome any input in the form of memorabilia, letters, diaries, photographs, etc. If you have any information, please contact research assistant Carlos Parra on this site. Any material would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Through a friend I found out that an Elmer Benson Charles Dulmage was born Mar. 1908, in Guelph. He married Florence Maud McPhatter on Nov. 20, 1926, and had no children. There seems to be no other Elmer Dulmages in his database, which is quite extensive. I have since received confirmation that Elmer is descended from another arm of David Dulmage - Jonathon Dulmage. If this is the correct Elmer - who I think he is - he was about 28 during the 1936 Olympics.

Just wondered if a relative of Elmer Dulmage niece, nephew would still be accessible, for any of this information. Thank you for your input.

...Gail (Dulmage) Frey

Joseph and John Hays/Hayes of Wilmot Township, Annapolis, NS

I am looking for information about Joseph and John Hays/Hayes who were granted property In Wilmot Township in 1784. Both men had served in the 1st.Battalion of the New Jersey Volunteers during the American Revolution, and settled in Annapolis County after the war.

John came to NS with no family, while Joseph came with one woman ( his wife) 2 children over 10 years of age, and one child under 10. The grant records show that both Joseph and John received their 300 acre and 100 acre grants respectively in Wilmot Township in 1784.

My ancestral line is:

- GGGrandfather: Isaac Hays b. 1800 d. ca.1884 married to a Phebe Durland d/o Charles Durland. s/o Daniel Durland ( another loyalist). We have information that Isaac was born in Nova Scotia, but no details about his parents. Joseph and John Hays, the loyalists had property close to where my gg. grandfather Isaac Hays lived at a later time. I have two land documents for Isaac Hays, in 1875 and 1856, and one of those seems to note Isreal Hays as well. The man who did some research for me seems to think that Isaac Hays inherited this lot from John Hays the Loyalist

- GGrandfather: William H. Hays b. Sept.5, 1830 d. Oct.31, 1913 (He named his first son John). Isaac in his later years lived with William.

- Grandfather: Elmer E. Hays b.1863 d.1934.

Any information on these two men would be much appreciated.

...Ida Butler

the (S)Cranton Family, Possible Loyalists

The Question: Here is the heart of this query. Many descendants of Captain Robert Cranton are now alive in many parts of Canada & the U.S.A., and have been puzzled for many years, about the possible origins of Captain Robert Scranton. He is found in Inverness County in 1794, but died when his ship was sunk off the coast of Halifax in 1795.

The hypothesis here, is that Captain Robert Cranton (1761 – 1795) was engaged in shipping arms and supplies to Loyalists in Connecticut. When the war ended in 1783, he attempted to return to the area of his family home in Connecticut, and obfuscated his name to 'Cranton', to avoid the tainting and land seizures suffered by known Loyalist sympathizers, and he is found in Connecticut in the 1790 Census. However, when committees were set up to weed out Tories in 1792, Robert Cranton was discovered, and had to make a hasty exit to Cape Breton Island. He had not been a soldier, but a sea captain who had shipped materials to Loyalists.

In Inverness County on Cape Breton Island, after 1792, Captain Robert retained the Cranton surname, but was always looking over his shoulder for Yankee privateers who would stop and board vessels, seizing cargoes and looking for Tories. We hypothesize, that he was stopped and detected by Yankee privateers in 1795, his ship sunk, and he was killed.

One of his well-documented partners in business was another Captain, named John Phillips (1774 – 1864); and Robert Scranton's daughter Sarah Cranton married Captain John Phillips in 1798. John Phillips is named in the list of Port Roseway Loyalists, and he 'arrived on his own ship, with family...' in 1783, but did not stay long in Port Roseway. Captain John Phillips also obfuscated his Loyalist connections with Connecticut for the same reasons, but he lived out his life normally, and died 17 March 1864 in Margaree, at age 90, where his unique gravestone is still readable.

The Scrantons of Manchester County NS are well documented in Scranton family genealogy, with Captain David Scranton (1751 CT – 1838 Guysborough NS), named as the son of Abraham Scranton (1724-1780). David Scranton had a Patriot brother, Lt. Abraham Scranton Jr., cited in the Scranton genealogy as...

"Lieut. Abraham Scranton, Jun., of Durham, son of Abraham. He was a Lieut, in the Revolution, (and served on an emergency as a Capt. or Major a while,) but retained the title of Lieut. during life, and received a pension. He was a member of the General Assembly of Connecticut, from Durham, several sessions, also long useful and highly esteemed in said town, and died January 28, 1836, aged 81. Farmer, Shoemaker and Tanner."

Source: "A Genealogical Register of The Descendants of John Scranton of Guilford, Conn.,who died in the Year 1671", Compiled by Rev. Erastus Scranton, A.M, of Burlington, Connecticut, published by Hartford : Press of Case, Tiffany and Company, 1855.

The above Scranton genealogy does not record a single Scranton who was a Loyalist, and as is common in such patriotic genealogies, any possible 'Tory Traitor' connections are expunged. Also, it was possible to be a Loyalist, without appearing on military lists. For example, shippers of arms from Nova Scotia to New England, were serving their Loyalist beliefs, but not enlisted in military service.

Amongst the Crantons in NS and NFLD, we find such known Loyalist families from Connecticut, as the descendants of Josiah Hart and Hezekiah Ingraham.

We suspect that some of the Scrantons of Connecticut were of a Loyalist persuasion. In the Loyalist archives, we find a James Scranton who was a drummer in the Southern Campaign in Charleston SC in 1783. Drummers were often boys of about age 15, so this James Scranton might have been born about 1768. There is no mention of him in the Scranton Genealogy.

The History of Guysborough County, in speaking of Captain David Scranton, says of the Margaree branch of the family... (Source: "Guysborough Sketches and Essays", written by A.C. Jost, page 163)

"David Scranton was accompanied by his wife and one child when he came to Nova Scotia, bringing, it is said, some at least of the other settlers with him. He was a sailor, and the captain of his own little seventy ton sloop, the Nancy, in the intervals when farming did not occupy his attention. His acquaintance with Chedabucto Bay dated to a stay made in its waters, during the course of a trading voyage made to Quebec, and so favourable was the impression then received, that, the war being over, he left the States for the purpose of taking up a home in Nova Scotia. With him came some, if not all, the other settlers. For a number of years after his arrival, he continued to follow both his chosen vocations, farming his land, or, when freight offered and the prospects of trading allured, hieing forth in his sloop on freighting or trading voyages. He could trace his descent through Abraham, his father, Samuel, his grandfather and Thomas, his great grandfather to John Scranton, the first white settler in Guilford, Connecticut, who moved to Connecticut from Guilford, England in 1639. David was twice married, the first being Pheobe Curtis of Durham, Conn. His second wife, Lorain Strong, and his infant daughter Sarah, born in 1786, accompanied him to Nova Scotia. He died on the March 5, 1838, and at the time of his death, four of his ten children, thirty-four out of thirty-nine grandchildren and thirty-two out of thirty-five great grandchildren, born before his death, were still living. Not all of these were in Guysborough County, however, for this was one of the families whose members formed the group who went to make new homes for themselves in the Margaree district about the year 1809. The Margaree family altered their names to some extent, eventually, and are now known as Crantons.

Now for the Margaree branch of the Scrantons, who were known as 'Cranton'.

Source Notes...

Individual: Cranton, Robert; Event: Living; Province of record source: Nova Scotia

Comments: Captain sailor.

Source: History of Inverness County, Nova Scotia.; Author: J.L. MacDougall; Publisher: Mika Publishing Company; Publication place: Belleville, ON; Publication year: 1972; Volume/Page(s): 445

Individual: Cranton, Robert; Event: Living; Year: 1794

Province of record source: Nova Scotia

Source: History of Inverness County, Nova Scotia.; Author: J.L. MacDougall; Publisher: Mika Publishing Company; Publication place: Belleville, ON; Publication year: 1972; Volume/Page(s): 443, 450

Individual: Cranton, Robert; Event: Living; Year: 1794

Province of record source: Nova Scotia, Comments: Farmer.

Source: History of Inverness County, Nova Scotia.; Author: J.L. MacDougall; Publisher: Mika Publishing Company; Publication place: Belleville, ON; Publication year: 1972; Volume/Page(s): 449

Name: Timothy Scranton Year 1794, Comments: Farmer. IBID.

Any help or leads appreciated.

...Richard Ripley, UE