Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2007 Archive

In this issue:
- Joseph Brant on the 2007 Canadian Silver Dollar
- The Book of Negroes – Fiction and Fact
- More on Blacks Serving in Loyalist Forces
- Loyalists of New Brunswick: Volunteers Needed
- Volunteer to Transcribe "84th Regiment (Royal Highland Emigrants)"
- Land Grant for John Mann in Osnabruck, 400 acres
- Ancestors In Whose Attic???
- A Pound is a Pound - Or is it?
- Little Forks and UELAC Noted in Townships Heritage Webmagazine for Dufferin Heights Monuments
- USA Census Records
- More Recent US Obits
- British Memorial Monument - Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Greensboro, North Carolina
- Loyalist Directory: John Dulmage
- HMS Clinton Helped Evacuate Loyalist Refugees from New York to Nova Scotia in 1783
- Last Post: Charles Lorne Butler, UE
- Died This Day, Queen Victoria, 22 Jan 1901 (Globe & Mail)
- Died This Day, John O'Neill, 8 Jan. 1878 (Globe & Mail)
- Queries
      + Information on Family of Jesse Brown Sr. and Hannah Leed
      + Family Units on the HMS Clinton

Joseph Brant on the 2007 Canadian Silver Dollar

Thanks very much for passing this along; I think this is a fitting tribute which will raise awareness of my Loyalist ancestor across Canada… and possibly beyond.

I share Lynda Powless’s delight and pride in having our ancestor celebrated in such a public gesture and I want to thank both you and Lloyd for representing the UELAC at this honourable event. Joseph Thayendanegea Brant’s memory is often maligned by both his own people and within his traditional homelands in New York State. It’s wonderful to read of positive and proper recognition of a historical figure in Canada’s history.

...David Morrison UE, Grand River Branch

[Click here for the new item posted on our site, thanks to Fred Hayward, who put it together -- ed.]

The Book of Negroes – Fiction and Fact

In December, Lawrence Hill, author of Any Known Blood, called Dominion Office to report the imminent publishing of his latest book, The Book of Negroes. As this novel features the experience of a woman who is a Black Loyalist, it will be of particular interest to UELAC members. The protagonist, Aminata Diallo, is born in Africa, enslaved in South Carolina, liberated as a Black Loyalist in Nova Scotia, and late in life, she returns to Africa in a migration from Halifax to Sierra Leone in 1792. The Book of Negroes derives its name from the British military ledger of the same name, into which 3,000 Black Loyalists had to be registered before they were allowed to sail from Manhattan to Nova Scotia at the end of the American Revolutionary War. Arrangements were made to have a review in the Loyalist Gazette.

This week, I received my copy of The Beaver, February/March 2007, Canada’s leading history magazine. Editor Doug Whiteway called his column "Chance Encounter" as that is how many fortuitous things happen. This brief introduction to the magazine manages to pull together the 200th anniversary of the legislative end of the slave trade in the British Empire in 1807, Black History Month, a chance encounter with Lawrence Hill, the fire that destroyed the Black Loyalist History Society offices in Birchtown last year and Richard Gallion, former OPP officer and now president of the Society and thus complements the feature article "Freedom Bound." Here Lawrence Hill illuminates the wealth of information that has been preserved thanks to the orders of Sir Guy Carleton, British commander-in-chief in the final days of the war. The author provides both background history and entry samples as well as a copy of a page from the original British ledger of about 156 hand written pages. "Freedom Bound" brings to light a little known resource about the arrival of the Black Loyalists.

However, while the article suggests archival sources for The Book of Negroes, it fails to mention one of the easiest ways for UELAC members and interested historians to study the contents. The Sir Guy Carleton Branch, as a result of its Kings Name Project, transcribed the information and made it available in Adobe PDF on a cd. ( click here). As the author, Lawrence Hill wrote, the Book of Negroes “offers far too much information to be absorbed in a single sitting", but this transcribed format may enable further research into this little known part of our history.

For those who would prefer the novel by Lawrence Hill, The Book of Negroes will be published January 30, 2007 by HarperCollins Canada. For further information visit www.lawrencehill.com.

...Fred H. Hayward, Senior VP UELAC

More on Blacks Serving in Loyalist Forces

WASHINGTON and CAESAR: Master and Slave - Two heroes fighting for freedom - but on opposite sides. ISBN 0-385-33777-9, published in both hardcover and paperback by Bantam Dell - a Division of Random House, Inc. New York NY. ($21.00 in Canada)

"Inspired by a little known fact - that American slaves fought alongside the British in the Revolutionary War (American Revolution) - this magnificent novel tells of a Mount Vernon slave who joins the Loyalist black regiment charged with defeating his former master on the battlefield."

It is a well-researched novel by Christian Cameron, a former naval officer, novelist and accomplished military historian. It is a most compelling story.

[submitted by Margaret Carter UE]

Loyalists of New Brunswick: Volunteers Needed

Beginning in the January issue of The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, work communicated by D. R. Jack, Historian of the New Brunswick Loyalists' Society was published. This work is a list of names of Loyalists, with references for each and where known, where the Loyalist was from, where he settled and any additional note.

The list continued over some 18 issues of the publication.

This list has now been transcribed by Ed Kipp UE, Sir Guy Carleton Branch.

Before we can post it, Ed would prefer that it be proof read. By the way it, this is almost 3,300 names, which isn't a whole lot smaller than the current Loyalist Directory.

The sections vary between 140 and 350 names. If you would proof one or more sections, please let me know. As I need to mail a copy of the source document to you, I will need your mailing address. Also let me know if you would like the transcribed copy on paper or in electronic format, and if that should be Excel or a pdf.

A million thanks to Ed; and in advance, thanks for your help.

...Doug Grant {doug DOT grant AT insurance-canada DOT ca} how do I email him?

Volunteer to Transcribe "84th Regiment (Royal Highland Emigrants)"

Last year Calvin Lee Craig UE, New Brunswick Branch, donated a copy of his book "The Young Emigrants and Craigs of the Magaguadavic". In that book are two pages which describe the "84th Regiment, (Royal Highland Emigrants)" or "The Young Emigrants", which Craig has offered as a description for the Military part of our web site.

If you would transcribe this for me, please send your mailing address and I will forward it.

Thank you in advance for your help.

...Doug Grant {doug DOT grant AT insurance-canada DOT ca} how do I email him?

Land Grant for John Mann in Osnabruck, 400 acres

The Loyalist Trails of December 24 mentioned one John Mann as being granted 500 acres of land at Osnabruck. The grant was for 400 acres, and herewith a copy of the grant, registered 11 June 1804.

Province of Upper Canada

Hunter Lt. Governor/George the Third by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, Defender of the faith.

To all to whom these Presents shall come – GREETINGS,

KNOW YE, that we of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion have Given and Granted, and by these presents DO GIVE and GRANT unto John Mann of the Township of Osnabruck in the County of Stormont in the Eastern District, Gentleman, his heirs and assigns for ever; ALL that parcel or tract of land situate in the Township of Osnabruck in the County of Stormont in the Eastern District in our said Province, containing by admeasurement Four hundred acres to be the same more or less being lots number fourteen in the first and second concessions of the Township of Osnabruck together with all the Woods and Waters thereon lying, and being under the reservations, limitations and conditions herein after expressed: which said four hundred acres of land on – butted and bounded, or may be otherwise known as follows; that is to say Commencing in front of each of the said concessions at the South East Angle of each of the said lots respectively; Thence North Twenty-four degrees West, one hundred and five chains twenty seven links, more or less to the allowance for road in rear of said concessions; then South Sixty-six degrees West nineteen chains more or less to the line between Lots Number fourteen and fifteen; Thence South Twenty-four degrees East one hundred and five chains twenty-seven links, more or less to the front in the second concession and to the River St. Lawrence in the first concession; then North Sixty-six degrees East Nineteen chains more or less in the second concession and easterly along the water’s edge to the plan of beginning in each lot.

[submitted by Winston Dobson UE]

Ancestors In Whose Attic???

Many have seen the television show "Ancestors In The Attic," and probably enjoyed its light-hearted approach to genealogy. One episode which has been on more than once shows the host flashing a picture of Rebel General Greene, and he calls the general, "a hero of the American Revolution". Eh???? Isn't this Canada?? Isn't this a Canadian television show? Greene may have been successful as a general. Hitler may have had a general or two with skill in military matters, but I would not refer to them as heroes. To refer to Greene as a hero on Canadian television is to simply swallow the American myth, or to put it another way, we are accepting whatever the American viewpoint is regarding the Revolution. If, for example an American television show in the same vein, referred to Col. John Butler UE as a hero, there would be outrage in the U.S. There are people out there who will read this who had Loyalist ancestors that had to fight Greene's army. Is he your hero? Think about it.

...Peter W. Johnson, President, UELAC

A Pound is a Pound - Or is it?

This extract shows the value of 1 Pound in 1770 colonial currency with 1770 British Sterling and the equivalent 1991 US dollar value. By Purvis, Thomas L. Revolutionary America, 1763-1800: Almanacs of American Life (New York, 1995).

Monetary Values – 1770

Colonial Currency; British Sterling; Equivalent US$ 1991

£1
Mass;   15s 3d;   56.65
NY;   11s 3d;   42.50
PA;   12s 5d;   46.00
MD;   15s 7d;   46.03
VA;   17s 10d;   60.20
SC;   4s 6d;   10.70

...Bill Smy UE

Little Forks and UELAC Noted in Townships Heritage Webmagazine for Dufferin Heights Monuments

Bev Loomis, President of Little Forks Branch, forwarded the announcement of the new issue of the webmagazine of the Townships Heritage. In it are links to various articles. The article Dufferin Heights Monuments Re-Dedicated gives some pictures and notes the contribution of the Little Forks Branch and UELAC to the restoration of the two monuments.

USA Census Records

IPUMS-USA is a project dedicated to collecting and distributing United States census data. Its goals are to "Collect and preserve data and documentation; Harmonize data; [and] Disseminate the data absolutely free!"

The data is presented by state. Published Census Volumes presents a list of the censuses. More recent ones contain summary data only, but it appears that at least the 1790 census, the first one, is there in its entirety. The pdf files for the states vary in size and can take a while to download. When downloaded, use the table of contents on the left of your screen.

[submitted by Bev Loomis UE, President, Little Forks Branch]

More Recent US Obits

I found a website that could be of great assistance to anyone with relatives in US: obits.eons.com. I have found quite a few death notices that I needed. Note that this is for more recent obits, in the last century mostly.

...Chuck Ross UE, Kawartha Branch

British Memorial Monument - Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Greensboro, North Carolina

On March 15, 1781 a hard-fought battle occurred between a British army led by Lord Cornwallis and the American army commanded by General Nathaniel Greene. Today, on the grounds of the Guilford Court House National Military Park, only a single monument recognizes the British involvement in an under-recognized, but decisive battle. A prominent Member of Parliament at the time, when told the Army had won a victory at Guilford, but at a high cost in casualties, exclaimed, "...another such victory will ruin the British Army!" The severe damage inflicted on the British Army at this site, was a primary factor influencing the Parliament and King George to accept their army's isolation and encirclement at Yorktown later in the year, as a final military end to the war.

The British Soldiers who fought and died at Guilford, bravely did their duty, fighting to preserve a British way of life in the colonies, a status quo of law and order, based on old concepts, accepted in Europe, but unacceptable to those who were forging a new country in a new world.

The Guilford Battleground Company proposes to construct a monument to recognize all of the British soldiers who died here at Guilford. The only monument to any British Soldier marks the place where one officer is supposed to have fallen. Many British soldiers still rest there in unmarked graves. The monument will recognize the historic British regiments that fought here. The Guilford Battleground Company believes that such a monument, although acknowledging sacrifice in war, will also commemorate our common bonds of language, culture, history and values, which now make us the strongest of Allies.

Through the efforts of Colonel Jonathan Lloyd, representing the British Army on duty as Counselor and Military Advisor to the United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations, we have received generous donations from the following British Regimental Associations in memory of their service in the battle.

- The King's Own Royal Border Regiment

- The Black Watch

- The Royal Artillery

- The Royal Welch Fusiliers

- The Coldstream Guards

Men of these historic regiments have fought for freedom alongside American Soldiers in both World Wars, Korea and in the Middle East. To date $5,200 has been contributed. We need $20,000.00 in additional funds. We ask you to join us in making a contribution in any amount to honor their service and the long-standing friendship of our two great nations. Checks should be mailed to:

Guilford Battleground Company, P.O. Box 39508, Greensboro, NC 27438 USA

Contributions should be made payable to the Guilford Battleground Company. Please write on the check that it is for the British Memorial Monument. The Guilford Battleground Company is a 501(c) 3 not for profit organization. Your contribution is tax deductible. We will acknowledge in writing, the receipt of each contribution. Any questions about this project may be addressed to jdply1781@hotmail.com

www.gbcpatriots.org

And the North American Loyalists

Regarding the British Monument project at the Guildford Court House site, I certainly approve of the project, but I don't think it goes far enough...

I am sure the "Patriots" are honoured at the site and have been so for decades. That the British Regulars will now be suitably honoured is welcome. What about the other Americans? What about the Loyalists who fought there and believed in their cause ever as much as the "Patriots" did in theirs. I hope they will not be ignored, or we will have another unfortunate example of MelGibsonized history.

Among others, (Tartleton's) British Legion was there. My wife is descended from a soldier in the BL, who happily survived the War, and settled in Canada, living to an advanced age.

A monument that included the British Regulars as well as their American allies would be most welcome. It would also not be to difficult to determine which Loyalist Corps were present.

...Peter Johnson U.E., President, United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada.

Which Loyalist Units?

FYI, There were 3 Loyalists killed in the battle- Privates John Milles/Miller, Jesse Philpot and ----- Turno, all from the British Legion. The British Legion was the only Loyalist unit in the battle

John Milles or Miller originally started as a cavalryman in Emmerick's Chasseurs. He was drafted to the British Legion upon the Chasseurs being dissolved on 31 August 1779.

Jesse Philpot enlisted in the infantry of the British Legion on 16 May 1779. He was posted to their cavalry in 1780. At Guilford Court House he was wounded in the head, arm and shoulder. He died at New Garden Meeting House on 23 March 1781.

We know little of Private Turno other than he enlisted in the cavalry on the day of the Battle of Camden, 16 August 1780, suggesting he may have been a deserter or prisoner of war from the Continental Army.

...Todd W. Braisted, {IVBNNJV AT aol DOT com} how do I email him?, www.royalprovincial.com

Loyalist Directory: John Dulmage

Dennis Jones has provided information for John Dulmage, in addition to that provided by Bill Hurlburt, and this has now been added to the Loyalist Directory.

HMS Clinton Helped Evacuate Loyalist Refugees from New York to Nova Scotia in 1783

Frank Davis of Halifax took a challenge given during the Loyalist Bus Trip to the Mohawk valley last October. He provided a typed copy of the passenger list for two trips of HMS Clinton which arrived in Nova Scotia in October and December 1783. The original records (Document #ADM 36/9966) are in the Public Record Office, Kew.

These names were recently transcribed by Mette Griffin from our Dominion Office, a voluntary effort, not part of her job, and the results are now posted. There are two lists.

The first is a simple list by passenger number, with men, women, children over 10 and children under 10 segregated; the second is an attempt to place these people into family units. Click here to see the lists.

Last Post: Charles Lorne Butler, UE

At Little Current Hospital on Saturday, January 20, 2007 in his 82nd year, Charles Lorne Butler, U.E. Born in Brantford on October 26, 1925; son of the late Charles and Victoria Butler. Son-in-law of the late Samuel and Ellen Belshaw. Predeceased by his wife of 56 years Mildred (nee Belshaw). Loving father of Jon Charles Butler and his wife Kerry of Willisville and Vicki Ellen Butler of Ancaster. Most loved Grandpa to Lorne, Vanessa and Samuel Butler and Samuel Guagliano. Brother to Jean Hooton and her husband Jack, the late Robert Butler and the late Gordon Butler, all of Brantford. Survived by many nieces and nephews. Lorne proudly served for the D.E.M.S. during the Second World War. He was honoured to be a descendant of Colonel John Butler and a United Empire Loyalist. Lorne joined Governor Simcoe Branch of the UELAC in 1972 and later transferred his membership to Col. John Butler Branch. He was the Honourary Colonel of the Butler's Rangers Re-enactors based in Brantford. Lorne donated their stand of colours in 1996 at the Butler Bicentenary commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Col. Butler's death. (see the cover of the Loyalist Gazette Fall 1996).

After 31 years he retired from Thompson Newspapers and has spent the last 25 years enjoying life. He will be missed terribly and loved always. A graveside service was held at Mt. Hope Cemetery Brantford, on Tuesday, January 23rd.

...Rod and Bev Craig, Chuck Ross and Lynne Cook

Died This Day, Queen Victoria, 22 Jan 1901 (Globe & Mail)

British monarch born at Kensington Palace in London on May 24, 1819.

The only daughter of the Duke of Kent, who died when Victoria was eight months old, she ascended to the throne after the death of her Uncle, William IV, who had ten children by a mistress but lacked a legitimate heir. Crowned on June 28, 1938, a month after her 19th birthday, she proved to be an ardent imperialist who took an intense interest in her colonial subjects. In Canada, no other individual her been more honoured in the naming of public buildings, streets, parks and communities, and her name has been assigned to more than 300 geographical features across the country. She died at Osbourne House, Isle of Wight, ending a 64 year reign - the longest in British history.

Died This Day, John O'Neill, 8 Jan. 1878 (Globe & Mail)

Soldier and colonizer born in Ireland on March 9, 1834.

As a youth, he emigrated to the United States and later joined the U.S. Army. During the U.S. Civil War he served as an officer in a variety of regiments and gained battle experience.

In 1866, he was named commander of Fenian forces by the Fenian Brotherhood, a U.S.-based Irish nationalist movement. As a Irishman he deeply resented Britain's occupation of Ireland and saw a military takeover of Canada as a bargaining tool. "I have always believed in striking at England wherever we could reach her, and wherever the English flag floats."

On 3 June, 1866, he occupied Fort Erie, Ont., with Fenian forces, but was beaten back and then arrested in the United States, In 1870, he led a second invasion from St. Albans, VT., and was defeated by 20 Quebec farmers at the Battle of Eccles Hill. He later organized Irish colonies in the American West where the Nebraska town of O'Neill is named after him. He died in Omaha Neb.

Information on Family of Jesse Brown Sr. and Hannah Leed

Jesse Brown Sr. (b. 1731 Stonington CT, d c 1784 at Sorel Quebec) and Hannah Leed (b CT, d 1789 at Augusta Twp. Grenville Co., in now Ontario). I have received my UE certificate through the eldest son.

1. Nathan Brown (1759 - 1834) and Nancy McIlmoyle (1757 - c1822). Her father was a UE Loyalist, John McIlmoyle.

I am seeking information on the siblings of Nathan and their families:

2. Jesse Jr. (c 1752 - ) married Ann ?

3. Isreal (c1754 - 1839) married Marian Brown.

4. Mary (c1757 - )

5. Elisha (c1761 - )

6. Thomas (c1763 - c1805) married Desire Hurlburt

7. Hannah (1765 - ) married George Campbell

8. Rebecca (1767 - c1810) married Israel Tompkins

9. Phoebe (1768 - 1839) married John Chester

10. Dorothy (1771 - 1841) married Heman Landon

any help would be greatly appreciated and I am willing to share information.

...Helen Huckle Elford {helenelford AT nextcom DOT ca} how do I email her?

Family Units on the HMS Clinton

Can you help sort out the families on the HMS Clinton so we can add these names to the Loyalist Directory. Not that we have the other families necessarily correct, the ones where there are obvious problems are these:

- Richard, Robert and John Anderson

- Archibald and Obadiah Cook

- Two George Defendress

- Joseph Edwards

- John and Thomas Grainge

- William and Thomas Jones

- Amos and Joshua Lockwood

- Thomas and John Lumley

- William and Jonathon Massey

- Richard and Angus McDonald

- Two David mellows

- George, John and William Miller

- Peter, Daniel, William, Joshua, Jonathon, and Nicholas Smith

- Alexander and Robert Stuart

- William and John Thompson

- Uriah, Elisha, Bartholomer and Hezakiah Travess

Which of these are men with family, and which women and children belong to those who are? The list is available here. Thank you for your help.

...Doug Grant {doug DOT grant AT insurance-canada DOT ca} how do I email him?

To protect the people who send in queries from unwanted spam email, the online edition of Loyalist Trails no longer uses direct hyperlinks for their email addresses. Simply rewrite "name AT website DOT net" as name@website.net and sent your email to that address. For example, "doug DOT grant AT insurance-canada DOT ca" is doug.grant@insurance-canada.ca. Contact Doug with questions, or to be put in touch with someone whose email address is not listed.