Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2005 Archive
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"Loyalist Trails" 2005-5 February 5, 2005
Articles
Regina Conference 2005 description on the web
Regina Branch hosts "WESTWARD HO", UELAC Conference 2005 on June 1 - 5 at the Ramada Inn in Regina.
We, at the Regina Branch, are looking forward to welcoming you to Regina, the Queen City of the Prairies. "WESTWARD HO" became the catch phrase of thousands of settlers as they traveled west to begin their new lives in the early 1880’s. The early settlers, many of whom were Loyalist descendants, came from Ontario, the Maritimes and all over the world. Visit the web site for the details, itinerary, registration and booking details and remember that there is a discount of you book before April 1. Join us as we celebrate the Loyalists settling Saskatchewan, with the unveiling of our cairn, and the centennial of provincial status.
Comment on Kenneth Roberts, "Oliver Wiswell"
"Kenneth Roberts’ historical novel "Oliver Wiswell" which was originally published in 1940, among the 10 most popular new books of 1940 - in company with Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. I found it fascinating" -- Jack Freeman
I agree with Jack that this is a very readable novel, and one which -- for its time -- was a break-through for U.S. writers and readers. It gave a view sympathetic to the Loyalists for a change, and not so strongly biased toward the rebels. It was also fortunate in its timing in that it could help to create a more positive attitude toward the then current war movement against tyranny.
Roberts, like the isolated 19th century pioneer before him Lorenzo Sabine, author of the old standard book on Loyalists, submerged himself in original documents, records and publications after having realized that so many of the northern U.S. families were directly related to "Tories". They were not "English" but of the same home-grown stock as the "Patriots", differing merely in political views. Demogogues of today would refer to victimized Loyalists and their losses in weasel words such as "collateral damage". Anyone interested in Roberts' conversion from anti- to pro-Loyalist should
read his autobiography I Wanted To Write in which he describes this experience.
Looking back 65 years later, after voluminous research has been carried out, we can find many faults in Roberts' data, such as misidentifying Stephen DeLancey on Long Island as the officer in a Loyalist regiment, when there were in fact three Stephens. The man on the Island was a paroled Loyalist farmer not an officer with the guerillas. But we can not escape the dire situations, the compelling thoughts and feelings of the Revolutionary period which he recreates with very considerable success.
...John Ruch, UE, Sir Guy Carleton Branch
On the 21st of Feb, some Sir Guy Carleton Branch members will be appearing in costume at a table at Ottawa City Hall, Jean Piagot Hall, on Laurier Ave. from 10:30 to 2 pm. They will be joining other groups through the council of heritage organizations. The latter have speakers and entertainment lined up. We will just have a display set up with costumed members including Sir Guy Carleton.
On Feb. 22nd at 7:30 pm Sylvia Powers will be doing a presentation entitled "Black Loyalists: A Rocky Road to Freedom" at the Centrepointe Branch of the Ottawa Public Library. Admission is free.
...Sylvia Powers UE
Sir Guy Carleton Branch Feb 19 speaker: Maggie Wheeler, author of novels on the Lost Villages along the St. Lawrence, will be doing a presentation on Feb. 19th at Rideau Park United Church Ladies Parlour. Lunch will be provided at 12 pm followed by the presentation. Maggie recreates the emotions and atmosphere around the flooding of the villages due to the opening of the seaway. Many of the homes destroyed were built by Loyalists and their descendants. Maggie has received rave reviews on her talks. Carol Goddard of St. Lawrence highly recommends her. Cost of the luncheon and talk will be $10. Phone 225-6377 or email carletonuel@hotmail.com to book a ticket. Maggie will bring some of her books for sale at $25 each.
...Sylvia Powers UE
This is a question from a cousin in California. "I'm seeing petitions among the Gilbert family that mention 'The Quebec Plan'. What does that refer to?"
...Karen Windover
Sources for People Resident in Refugee Camps like Machiche, Quebec
That was a very interesting newsletter and a pleasure to read. However, I would like to know what book Brandt Zätterberg found the information about Jemima Perry who stayed at Machiche, Quebec for three more years. (after the 1784 migration west to Upper Canada) . Thank Brandt for doing that article. I've wondered for a long time how to figure out who was located in what spot around the Montreal-Sorel area in the winter of 1783/84. I think my Yeomans ancestors stayed there until 1788. Perhaps we could ask Gavin Watt to write another book?
...Jean Norry, London and Western Ontario Branch
My source for this information is the book: Arthur and His Descendants in America, by Homer Elhanan Aylsworth, M.D. 1887.
...Regards, Brandt
I have looked over the President's Manual and have seen my question answered in two ways. What is the RIGHT way to use the letters UE -- are they just capitalized or are there periods after the letters? I notice that it shows both ways in the manual but I want to be sure I am doing the right thing.
...Shona Wards, President, Edmonton Branch
Peter Johnson, when he edited the Gazette, set a standard of using it without periods and I believe that Bob McBride is following the same style. If you look at the heraldry society page "glossary and then post-nominals", none are listed there with periods. If you look at their BC Branch page on members, the fourth one has UE following his name. I am certainly not an expert, but that is a summary of what I have seen and read. Could we hear from those who know?
...Doug
I am looking to find out more information in regards to Immigration of American Loyalists who immigrated to Nova Scotia around 1780. I am a direct descendant of Capt. Samuel Kelly, who was part of Admiral Digby's Fleet in New York Harbor 1780. Our geneology states that Capt. Kelly was Captain of a Troop Transport, and his duties included taking American Loyalists to Nova Scotia in 1780 and for sometime thereafter, until he resigned his commission and married into a prominent Dutch family in New York. My question to you concerns any formal records, or documents that you know might exist that might include Capt. Kelly's name, rank, ship or other. If you are not in possesion of any such documents, would you be able to refer me to some possible sources. Any assistance would me most appreciated.
...Marc W. Kelley, FL, USA {MWK113 AT aol DOT com} 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.