Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2018 Archive

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“Loyalist Trails” 2018-12: March 25, 2018

In this issue:
- More Claimants of February 1788 (Part One), by Stephen Davidson
- Loyalist Gazette: Spring 2018 Issue
- Loyalist Scholarship Launches 'Celebrate Twenty'
- Atlantic Loyalist Connections: Top Seven Ridiculously "Evil" Instances in Saint John County
- Borealia: New Brunswick Lighthouses and Colonial Spaces, 1784-1867
- JAR: Patrick Tonyn: Britain's Most Effective Revolutionary-Era Royal Governor
- Degrees of Loyalty, by Stephen Davidson
- American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference - 2018, June 7-10
- Region and Branch Bits
- From the Twittersphere and Beyond
- Additions to the Loyalist Directory
- Last Post: Joan Elaine Shaw (née Cunningham)
- Queries
+ Nathaniel Pettit's Emigration and Settlement
+ Response re The McNiff Map

Articles

More Claimants of February 1788 (Part One)

Regular readers of Loyalist Trails will recall that the February issues featured a series of articles on the loyalists who ventured through snow and freezing temperatures to present their petitions for compensation to the Royal Commission on the Losses and Services of American Loyalists (RCLSAL) when it convened in Montreal during the February of 1788. But not all of the petitioners' stories could be told in just four weeks. This second series will recount the stories of the loyalists who stood came before the RCLSAL between February 21st and February 26th.

Although the compensation board was known to consider the merits of as many as 17 claimants in a day, it heard the petitions of just eight loyalists on Thursday, February 21, 1788.

John Pickle had worked especially hard to seek compensation from the British government, having filed claims in both England and Halifax. The Bay of Quinte settler set forth his case for the third time as he stood before the RCLSAL commissioner that Thursday. Born in Germany, John Pickle had served the British crown in the Seven Years War as a member of the Royal Americans. When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, he was directed by either fellow loyalists or British army officials to "remain at home to give assistance to scouts, etc." Because Pickle refused to side with the rebels, he was "disarmed and confined". Finally, in 1780, Pickle left Tryon County to join Sir John Johnsons' Second Battalion and served until the end of the war.

Before the day was over, Pickle served as a witness for Henry Metz, a hometown friend and fellow veteran of the Second Battalion. Citing Williams Borough, as his home, Metz was born to an American tavern keeper. When the patriot General Schuyler's army came through Tryon County in 1776, it took all of Metz's liquor and provisions. The loyalist was able to avoid imprisonment and fines until rebels "obliged {him} to turn out in the militia" in 1780. Metz fled north to Canada where he joined the Kings Regiment of New York. Serving until the war's end, Metz settled along the Bay of Quinte with other loyalists.

The stories of Colin Hamilton, Samuel and Joseph Anderson, Eleanor Maybee and John Christy who sought compensation on February 21st have been told in earlier Loyalist Trails articles. However, Stephen Buis' transcript deserves our attention.

Born in New York, Buis lived on the farm upon which his father had worked since 1759 near Albany County's Newtown. When the revolution began, Buis was too young to serve. However, in 1780 --a year after his father's death-- Buis joined the British side, taking a risk of losing the farm he had so recently inherited. After arriving in Canada, Buis learned that rebels had forced his mother off the family farm; somehow she managed to save the cattle. Settling at Cataraqui after the war, Buis would never again see the log house, barn and good orchard that his father had established on their seventy-acre farm in Newtown.

On the following day the RCLSAL heard the claim of a loyalists named James Rose. Others may have appeared before the board that day, but their claims have been lost in the intervening 230 years.

Rose, a Scottish immigrant, had only been working on a leased farm in the Delaware Valley for two years before the outbreak of the revolution. By 1778, he had sought sanctuary in Canada where he joined Johnsons First Battalion, a regiment in which he served until the war's end. He was one of the first to settle in what became Williamsburgh, Upper Canada.

On Monday, February 25, the commissioners of the RCLSAL heard seventeen loyalist petitions for compensation. It must have been a very long day indeed. The stories of Albert Cornell, Pierre Dolier, and Peter Ruttan have appeared in earlier Loyalist Trails, so we will concentrate on the fourteen other refugee claimants.

James Bradshaw was an Irishman who had the distinction of being an early settler of Kingsbury, New York when it was established in 1762. A loyalist from the beginning of the revolution, Bradshaw had been a captain of the town's militia in 1777, the year that General Burgoynes' army passed through Kingsbury. At one time the town's loyalists were able to force their patriot neighbours to put out a bonfire lit to celebrate the Battle of Lexington, but within a few year's time, the rebels gained the ascendency. They had Bradshaw imprisoned in 1779 and upon his release, he fled to Canada.

In October of 1780, Major Christopher Carleton and his men burned down all of the homes except those belonging to loyalists. Unfortunately, the Bradshaw home was put to the torch. Kingsbury's loyal citizens eventually followed in Bradshaw's footsteps, found sanctuary in Canada and had their homes seized by rebels.

By the time of his escape to Canada, Bradshaw was too old to fight. He and his family settled along the Bay of Quinte. His son David had to represent his father at the RCLSAL in 1788 as he was "very old and inform and could not attend".

Another Bay of Quinte settler to appear before the compensation board that day was Conrad Sills, a German who established a home on the Susquehana River. After serving the crown for three years, he went to Canada. Three of his sons enlisted in Johnson's regiment as soon as they were old enough.

One of Sills new neighbours was John Crysdale. This Englishman had settled in New York's Charlotte County before serving in Burgoyne's army. A member of the general's secret service, he remained at home until 1781 when rebels discovered that he had been harbouring British scouts.

Henry Jackson of Albany County also helped members of the crown's secret service, and he, too, eventually joined the British army, having been "obliged to quit his farm and leave his stock behind him". Jackson settled with other loyalists at Oswegatchie.

James Jackson, a witness for Crysdale, submitted his own claim that day. His hometown was Skenesboro (now Whitehall) New York, the first permanent settlement on Lake Champlain. He sided with the British when Burgoyne's army passed through: he assisted the army but did not enlist. Nevertheless, this was enough of an offence that local rebels seized Jackson's effects which included livestock and two young slave girls of mixed heritage, By 1781, after being detained by illness, Jackson fled to Canada and joined Jessup's Corps. He settled in Cataraqui.

A fellow Skenesboro loyalist at the hearings on Monday was John Smith. Due to his age at the time of the revolution, he did not immediately take up arms. When local rebels discovered that he was providing lodging to members of the British army's secret service, he was "driven off from his place". After relocating to Canada, Smith joined Roger's Rangers. The fact that Smith was a veteran of the Seven Years War and had a certificate signed by "a great many of his neighbours" "recommending him to charity" must have helped the old loyalist's petition. Only the year before, his new home along the Bay of Quinte had burned down.

Another veteran of Roger's Rangers and Bay of Quinte settler to appear before the RCLSAL was William Keller. Most of his claim had to do with the loss of livestock, furniture and utensils. The liner notes on his transcript read "seems a good man, but not to be allowed much".

See next week's Loyalist Trails for the stories of more claimants.

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

Loyalist Gazette: Spring 2018 Issue

The Loyalist Gazette is published twice each year by UELAC in a magazine format with historical articles, news, UELAC activities, book reviews, photos and more.

The periodical is distributed to members of a UELAC Branch and those who purchase a subscription.

The publication is also available in digital format, which offers colour throughout and an earlier delivery. Many members have requested the digital copy, and a good portion of those are now receiving the journal only in digital format, although some prefer to also receive the paper copy. All of these digital subscribers were recently reminded of their digital preferences.

The digital version is made public about one year after its release date. You can see past issues up to the Spring 2017 issue here.

If you are a Branch member or Gazette subscriber, and haven't yet but would like to try out the e-zine version of the Spring 2018 Gazette, complete the request form.

The Spring issue is in final steps and will be headed to the printer in the coming weeks. Target date to be delivered to Canada Post is May 1.

...Robert McBride UE, Publications Committee

Loyalist Scholarship Launches 'Celebrate Twenty'

April 1 - July 1, 2018

UELAC welcomes spring with a fundraising challenge celebrating twenty years of Loyalist Scholarship. It all starts April 1, 2018.

In 1998, at the annual meeting in Kingston, Ontario the UELAC Loyalist Scholarship was created. Since its inception the award has expanded beyond our borders to include a broad range of applicants from Canadian and international academic institutions. We are excited by this growing interest in Loyalist history and the opportunity to support it through scholarship.

What Can You Do?

A twenty-dollar ($20) individual donation puts your name on our list of generous donors. Or perhaps you'd like to add a zero and make it $200, or $2000! We are more than happy to receive your gift of any combination of twenty.

This year we are asking for a commitment of $200 per branch for the Scholarship Endowment Fund. With every branch taking part we have the potential to raise over $5000.00. Happily, past fundraisers have consistently exceeded our expectations. On a leap of faith, we are setting our 2018 celebration goal at $10,000.00.

Each donation will receive recognition through Celebrate Twenty updates in Loyalist Trails. A 2018 campaign update announcement will take place at the UELAC Conference in Moose Jaw, SK.

Donation Details

For donations of $20 or more, a tax receipt is issued by UELAC Head Office, or by CanadaHelps if donating online. Should you wish to make a memorial gift we will ensure that recognition is given to those you wish to honour through your donation. Donations must specify Scholarship Endowment Fund. The donation tracker on the UELAC website will activate on April 1. Please check in often for updates on scholarship activity.

Coming Soon! An Important Announcement

On April 1 meet the 2018 Loyalist Scholarship recipient! This year's UE Scholar is a Loyalist descendant whose family still holds the original grant of land received in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. We look forward to sharing more of the fascinating research project and the impressive academic path that brought this individual to our attention.

Here's to another successful year of scholarship. Thank you and Happy Spring!

...Bonnie, UELAC Scholarship Chair

Atlantic Loyalist Connections: Top Seven Ridiculously "Evil" Instances in Saint John County

by Bethany Langmaid 21 March 2018

In loyalist Saint John County, the condemnation of crime and "evil" played a big role in the maintenance of a proper and stable community. As explained in a previous blog post, Saint John County placed high value on having a powerful justice system. During the American Revolution, Britain's loyalists lived in a state of constant insecurity; they were victims of mob attacks, and they were often driven from their homes. Because of this, the residents of Saint John County felt a tremendous need to crack down on crime in order to establish a clear order, and to prevent further chaos.

If you were to explore the Saint John County Court Records, you would not only discover that many crimes were addressed in the Courts of loyalist Saint John County, but also that Court Officials, such as members of the Grand Jury, referred to a number of these crimes as "evil." Given that these Court Records come from the early nineteenth century, it is very likely that the word "evil" had biblical connotations for the people of Saint John.

Degrees of Loyalty, by Stephen Davidson

You raised some interesting questions in your article How "Loyal" Were Our Loyalist Ancestors? How does one measure the degree of patriotism and loyalty? Was having principles aligned with one side enough to make you a member of that group? Did you have to take up arms to prove your devotion? Was switching sides sign of wishy-washiness or an indicator of indecisiveness? Was an ancestor just waiting to see which way the wind was blowing and took that side to survive the war?

Here's how the British defined "loyalty" when it came time to compensate loyal Americans for their losses during the revolution:

those who had rendered services to Great Britain;
those who had borne arms against the Revolution;
uniformed loyalists;
loyalists living in Great Britain;
those who took oaths of allegiance to American states, but afterwards joined the British;
those who took arms with the Americans and later joined the English army and navy.

There was actually a seventh category that was "understood", but not listed here --- a person who was loyal in their convictions/principles and was persecuted/banished because of them. A number of loyalists who later applied for compensation for their wartime losses fit this 7th descriptor and were awarded money.

What most people do not realize is that the people we refer to as loyalists were merely the loyal Americans who became refugees and left the new USA (about 60,000 in total). However, the vast majority of those who were loyal to King George III during the revolution remained in the new republic. Here's how I put it in an earlier Loyalist Trails article:

Loyalist genealogists and historians can sometimes confuse the words "loyalist" and "loyalist refugee". Subtracting those who left as refugees from the total number of loyal colonists gives us between 440,000 and 773,330 loyalists who stayed in the new republic. Or to put it another way, only 8% to 14% of all loyal Americans left. Most of the descendants of loyalists alive today actually live within the United States, not Canada or Great Britain.

A great difficulty in pin-pointing the precise number of loyalists is the fact that the number changed during the Revolution. After 1774, loyalists were continually leaving the rebelling colonies, diminishing their percentage of the total population. Some who had been alive in 1776 had died fighting for the king by 1783. Other loyalists were terrorized and persecuted by rebels during the war. In order to spare their families further harm, they made oaths of allegiance to the new republic, placing them on the rebel side of the ledger.

You wondered if some loyalists were "opportunists". No doubt some were --- as were some patriots. However, after reading thousands of loyalists' stories, it is clear that most were pushed out of the new USA by their angry neighbours. They did not choose to be refugees. If you voted for Hilary Clinton, did you expect to be allowed to live in your home when Trump won? I imagine you did. Many loyalists were shocked to discover that they could not remain in their homes following the patriot victory. (But as you can see from above, the vast majority did, in fact, stay in the USA.)

Loyal Americans thought that even though they had backed the losing side, they could go on living on their farms and in their villages. Some states banished loyalists, promising to execute them if they returned. While the war still raged, local patriot committees threatened violence if loyalists did not sign oaths of allegiance. The loyalists and British did not hold the same threat of violence over patriots. Many loyalists could not return home because their land had been seized and auctioned off by the local patriot committees. This is where many colonists gladly took the patriot side --- there was the opportunity to amass land. Fully developed farms and houses belonging to loyalists were sold to patriots --- and all one had to do to prove he was the latter was to sign an oath of allegiance.

There are also false perceptions about what the loyalists received when they settled in what is now Canada. The first winter in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia came early and lasted long. Many had to try to survive around wood fires in old army tents. Often all that they were given for food was potatoes. Think of modern day refugee camp situations and you'll have an idea of the loyalists first years in British North America. Yes, they were eventually granted land (but it wasn't always great land), but they were poorly compensated for their loyalty. Again, I refer to an earlier Loyalist Trails article:

However, by 1788, the Royal Commission on the Losses and Services of American Loyalists had sent commissioners to North America to consider granting compensation to the loyalists of the Maritimes and Canada. According to Jasanoff, of the 5,656 refugees who appeared before the board, only 2,291 received compensation. (In other words, only four per cent of all loyalist refugees.) 468 claims were made by women; 47 by black men; 300 were made by those who could not write their own names. No Black Loyalists living in British North America received any compensation. Although loyalist refugees sought compensation for a total of £10,358,413 in losses; they only received £3,0033,091 (about one third). Such disheartening treatment and an understandable homesickness prompted hundreds of loyalists to return to their homes in the new United States of America.

Very few loyalist refugees enjoyed an economic improvement over what they had in the Thirteen Colonies. Craftsmen and middle class business men had to become subsistence farmers. Upper class loyalists could not secure government jobs or maintain the lifestyle to which they had become accustomed. All loyalist refugees dealt with crushing homesickness and the trauma of being separated from families that they loved. Unknown numbers returned to the USA because of the difficulty of life in British North America or due to homesickness (since the anger of patriots eventually subsided and loyalists were received back with no recrimination.)

The quick answer to your central question, "Have any studies been done on how many Loyalists were once Patriots?" would be "no". We know that some once backed the rebel side when the dispute was focused on paying taxes without representation --- but then changed horses when disagreement with England turned into revolution against England. Many patriots were also once loyalists (one of my ancestor's brothers signed a petition of support for the king and then fought for the Continental Army), changing due to coercion, a gamble on who would win, or due to cruelty at the hands of the king's forces.

I could go on and on (if I haven't already!) to show that there were degrees of both patriotism and loyalty. It is safest to avoid broad sweeping categories; each loyalist refugee case should be examined individually for the reasons for being loyal were as varied as the people who held them.

...Stephen Davidson UE

2018 UELAC Conference: Discover Your Roots

Fort Plain Museum's American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference is back for 2018! 11 Presentations, a Bus Tour of 1778, a New Genealogy Day, an All New Fundraiser Dinner with George Washington and James Madison, and more.

11 Great Author/Historian Presentations including:

Michael E. Newton - Alexander Hamilton's Revolutionary War Service

Eric H. Schnitzer -- "Hessians" at the Battle of Bennington, 1777

Don N. Hagist -- Redcoats Along the Mohawk: British Soldiers in Western New York, 1777-1783

Jennifer DeBruin -- Traitors, Spies & Heroes: Loyalist Espionage in the American Revolution

Glenn F. Williams -- Sir William Johnson, the Iroquois Confederacy and Lord Dunmore's War

Bus Tour of the 1778 Battle & Raid Sites

Genealogy Day

Visit Mohawk Country historic sites. Sites will have presentations and/or historians on hand to discuss the families that fought on both sides during the American Revolution.

Join George Washington and James Madison, portrayed by Brian Hilton and Kyle Jenks, as they discuss their journeys to upstate New York and other founding moments.

See The Schedule, the Registration form, the Lodging options.

...Brian Mack, Fort Plain Museum, 518-774-5669.

Region and Branch Bits

From the UELAC branches, news and events of interest to others.

Central West Region (CWR) Annual Meeting will be held Saturday April 7, 2018, 9:15 am to 4:00 pm at Local88 Hall, 364 Victoria Street, Ingersoll. Refreshments will be served and a donation of $5.00 is requested. Our guest speaker will be Robin McKee "The Life and Times of Sir John A. Macdonald". See flyer. Please register/organize through your local CWR branch.
Sir Guy Carleton Spring Social and Annual General Meeting, April, 28, 2018, 11:30 am at Best Western Ottawa City Centre, Ottawa with Speaker Jennifer de Bruin about "The Lost Villages of the St. Lawrence River". On the shores of the mighty St. Lawrence River, one of Canada's most historic regions -- settled by United Empire Loyalists in the 1780s and renowned for its beauty -- can now only be brought to life through the memories of its one-time residents. More details...

From the Twittersphere and Beyond

Exploring cemeteries in Hants County, Nova Scotia for Loyalists and stopped at St. Peter's Anglican Church Cemetery in Upper Kennetcook to do this short video https://youtu.be/wNG5IxtEYh4 at the grave stone of United Empire Loyalist Private James Dalrymple of the 84th Regiment. It was a quite a bit colder and more snow in Hants County than at our home in Annapolis County. Fortunately, I had my boots. Hoping it starts to feel like Spring here soon. Brian McConnell UE.
Today in History: Lars D.H. Hedbor @LarsDHHedbor (see his page for associated photos):
- 24 Mar 1765 Parliament passes Quartering Act; when US Constitution framed, 3rd Amendment resulted from this Act.
- 23 Mar 1775 Patrick Henry gives speech with famous phrase, "Give me liberty or give me death!"
- 22 Mar 1765 Parliament passes Stamp Act, initiating violent American protests that eventually lead to Revolution.
- 21 Mar 1778 British forces massacre Continentals at Hancock's Bridge, NJ, bayonetting them in their sleep.
- 20 Mar 1778 Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane and Arthur Lee present themselves to France's King Louis XVI as official representatives of the US. Louis XVI was skeptical of the fledgling republic, but his dislike of the British eventually overcame concerns.
- 20 Mar 1783 British Prime Minister North becomes first PM drummed out of office, over loss of American Revolution.
- 19 Mar 1781 Spanish General Bernardo de Gálvez's armada follows him into Pensacola Bay despite heavy British fire.
- 18 Mar 1766 Parliament accedes to American resolve and repeals Stamp Act, but later goes on to pass Townshend Acts.
Townsends
- This week, A Poor Man's Rice Pudding
- Hospitality to Travellers: Offering a Bed for the Night
I had never heard of 18thc coque de perle earrings before, but I realized I'd seen them in portraits: earrings with oval-shaped pearls that were far too large to be real, but were clearly prized enough to be featured in portraits. Pearls have been in fashion since ancient times, but before the invention of cultured pearls in the early 20thc, true pearls were rare and prohibitively expensive. Read more...
Historical clothing is collected, preserved, and valued for many reasons. A garment can be considered significant because it belonged to a famous person, or because it belonged to a person whom history has forgotten entirely. And then there is this dress in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg. The reason this gown holds a special place in the CW collection, however, is not what it is, but what it isn't: it was never finished. Read more...
The remains of Ontario's first parliament buildings are buried and long forgotten in downtown Toronto. Now citizens are helping to tell its story of the wildly disparate succession of increasingly urbanized uses of a block bounded by Berkeley, Front and Parliament Sts. Indigenous settlements gave way to Upper Canada's first parliament buildings, then a Dickensian mid-19th century jail, a sprawling brick gasworks and finally the mishmash of gas stations, car washes and parking lots that now occupy the block. Read more...
"
Sack back (robe a la Francaise) with brocaded silk pattern of harps, ribbon & florals 1750-80 (Met Museum deaccession)
18th Century dress, 1740-1750 via the Museum Rotterdam
Single shoe of Spitalfields brocaded silk c1760; poss. worn in America; private collection. Shoe was also likely made in London by an unknown cordwainer. Note tiny stitches at the heel. Heel is carved wood (known in 18thc as a French heel) clad in silk
The floral silk embroidery on this 18th-c man's jacket accentuates the pocket. During this period, pockets were an essential part of men's clothing, but if overstuffed could disrupt the fashionable silhouette.
Unlike shoemaker Elizabeth Shaw whose skills earned her living, many elite 18th century women embroidered the shoe uppers, which were joined w/ a shoemaker's leather sole Good ex. are wedding shoes embroidered by Hannah Edwards, 1746
Ten Facts About the American Economy in the 18th Century

Additions to the Loyalist Directory

As time permits, we add information to the Loyalist Directory. The latest additions and updates are as follows:

Glover, Jacob - from Deborah Glover with certificate application
Graves, John George - from Brian Schellenberg

Last Post: Joan Elaine Shaw (née Cunningham)

August 21, 1936 - February 3, 2018.

Born in Kelvin, Ontario, passed away in Scarborough, Ontario. Beloved wife of the late James Henry Wallace "Wally" UE, her husband of 51 years. Mother of John Driver (Theresa), Jennifer Barwell (Mike) and David Shaw (Lisa). Step-son Jim Shaw (Chris). Cherished grandmother of Justin Barwell (Laura), Jim Driver, Sean Driver (Emily), Erik Barwell (Stefanie) and Nathaniel Shaw (Henriette) and great-granddaughter Everleigh Barwell. Predeceased by her parents Charles Ernest and Kathryn Abigail (nee Stoliker). Will be sadly missed by brothers Jack, Jim and Joe (Irene).

A member of the Ebenezer Congregation and United Church Women for over 44 years and long standing member of C.B.Y.C. Joan was a recent member of the Red Hat Lovers as Lady Knotty Joan. The family will receive friends at Ebenezer United Church (5000 Steeles Ave. East, Markham, corner of Brimley and Steeles) on Saturday, February 24, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. until time of the Funeral Service at 11:30 a.m. Interment will take place at Ebenezer Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "The Ebenezer United Church Building Fund."

The family have long been members of the Gov. Simcoe Branch. Early in 2011, the Loyalist certificates as descendants of Aeneas Shaw UEL were issued to husband Wally, children and other family relatives. A ceremony to make the presentations was organized for Simcoe Day at Fort York in Toronto, quite fittingly as Aeneas had served in the Queen's Rangers under John Graves Simcoe, who founded Toronto (then York). At a ripe old age, Aeneas was involved with the militia when the Americans attacked York in 1813, and burned the Parliament Buildings. It was in retaliation for that that the British burned the White House later that same year.

Queries

Nathaniel Pettit's Emigration and Settlement

In 1936, Pearl Willson, who lived in Chatham, ON, was conducting research on Nathaniel Pettit, an appointee to the Nassau Land Board when that body was created in February, 1789. During her research, from documents held by Special Collections at Brock University, it is known she successfully located a copy of a manuscript titled Autobiographical Sketch of Nathaniel Pettit's Emigration and Settlement in Upper Canada, produced in 1882 by Lawrence Lawrason Junior, the grandson of Nathaniel Pettit and later created a fond now held by Library & Archives Canada on Nathaniel Pettit.

We are trying to locate the manuscript or a copy of it where ever it might be. Numerous museums and libraries have been contacted in the Niagara area without success. Any help will be appreciated.

...Bill Young, UE, niagararesearch@ogs.on.ca Niagara Peninsula Branch, OGS

Response re The McNiff Map

In last week's issue, Helen Stoltz-Woods asked about the McNiff Map. I have a copy of the twp of Osnabruck from this magnificent survey map.

The map itself is about 12 ft long and maybe 30" wide and covers the area from the Quebec boarder to the west boundary of the county of Dundas on the norh shore of the St. Lawrence River. I last saw it about 15 years ago and of course was fitted out with cotton gloves to have a look at it with moderate supervision.

There was a lady in Morrisburg, I think, that did have a complete copy and was the inspiration for me to check out the original, which is located at the Archives of Ontario. I will try to locate her and check the status.

I must confess i have not searched the internet and i am doubtful if it is available.

The Official Title is "A Plan (of part of the) New Settlements on the North Bank of the Southwest Branch (of the St.) Laurence River commencing near point au Bodett on Lake St. Francis and extending westerly along the said North bank to the west Boundary of (twp) 5. Laid down from the latest surveys & observations by (Sgd) Patrick McNiff. November the 1st, 1786. (71 x 326 cm)(1" to 40 chains).

Copying only the twp of Osnabruck cost me about $40 for a photographic copy, but it has been an invaluable asset in my searching.

...Richard Poaps, UE

If you go to the website of the Archives of Ontario, and type "McNiff" in the search box of the Archives Descriptive Database (found under "Accessing our Collection"), you will get some results. Maps for Charlottenburgh, Hawkesbury, Matilda, and Cornwall Twps. will show up. These are part of RG 1-470, which are the Ministry of Natural Resources Township survey plans.

What is a surer bet for you, I think, is the McNiff map I saw at the Archives a while ago which was labelled November 1, 1786, and titled "Glengarry Settlement", A-13, Acc. 4821. I have the barcode, which is D754317. I think this should be enough information for you to order a scanned copy of the map, if you wish. Hope this helps.

...Linda Corupe

I am the librarian for the Sir Guy Carleton Branch, UELAC. In our library we have a CD with an index to the McNiff Map. I am willing to look up names for you on the CD. To my knowledge this index is not yet available on the internet.

There is another alternative to your access to the McNiff Maps. Dr. Ed Kipp, one of the co-authors of the index is willing to send you his files with the index for $10. He used to sell CDs with the information, but is willing to send you the files by e-mail. His web-site with the information on ordering is at http://kipp-blake-families.ca/McNiff.htm. You can contact him directly through his web-site.

...Dorothy Meyerhof

Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2018 Archive

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