Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2007 Archive

In this issue:
- Conference Update: History buffs salute the Royal Canadian Navy
- Col. Tye Addendum: Another Forgotten Loyalist Hero: Titus Cornelius (Colonel Tye)
- Descendants of United Empire Loyalists Granted Land at Remsheg (Wallace), Nova Scotia
- Email Address Canada 1984 UEL Stamp Poster and Information Brochure For Sale
- Fort Chambly Memorial Service on 2 June 2007
- British Slave Trade and Parliament
- OHS Conference in Honour of the Bicentennial of the Abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade
- Last Post
      + SCHILZ, Barbara June U.E. (nee Newhouse)
      + MAHEUX, Paul
- Queries
      + Response re How many Loyalists Accompanied Captain Brant into the Grand River Valley?
      + Response re Ladies' Loyalist Straw Hats & Knitted Shawls
      + Loyalist Coins
      + Was Lt. William J. Mackenzie a U.E. Loyalist?
      + Sources for William Walker's Stories of Beamsville Area

Conference Update: History buffs salute the Royal Canadian Navy

The "End of the Trail" conference in Windsor, hosted by Bicentennial Branch, was a great one. A good program, good arrangements and organization, wonderful group of people, time to meet and discuss, and a place rich in history all contributed to a good time by all. Thanks to Kim Hurst and the Bicentennial Branch team who put it all together. A related item in the Saturday Windsor Star.

Don't be alarmed by the four ships that were blasting cannons along Windsor's riverfront Saturday afternoon. It was friendly fire. The weekend's nautical drive-by, a cannon salute to the history of the Royal Canadian Navy, was part of the annual School of the Sailor. Volunteers are holding exercises, workshops and re-enactments this weekend to educate the public about the navy's roots in Canada, in anticipation of its centennial in 2009-2010.

It's important to keep the history of the Navy and the armed services in people's minds," said Lt.-Cmdr. Dana Baars with HMCS Hunter. "That's what we're here for."

The events also coincide with the annual Conference of the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada. On Sunday at 1:30 p.m., there will be a re-enactment of a Loyalist landing in the Navy Yard Park in Amherstburg. A colonial family will come ashore from a boat on the Detroit River and establish a campsite for their first night in Canada.

Earlier today four replica ships fitted with cannons, similar to what would have sailed in this area during the War of 1812, left the Windsor Yacht Club on their way to Amherstburg under the power sails and oars. Volunteers with the Provincial Marine, the largest historical marine re-enactment group in Canada, provided the manpower to make them move. The ships are each equipped with three sails, but Baars said the trip would take between two and three hours with the calm wind.

When the 27-foot boats passed by Dieppe Gardens at the riverfront, right in front of the Royal Canadian Navy memorial, they took turns giving a cannon salute and the sailors removed their caps as a sign of respect. Baars, as a representative of the modern navy, returned the honour from shore with a sword salute.

...Trevor Wilhelm, Windsor Star, Saturday, June 02, 2007......sent by Bonnie Schepers

[editor's note. Although the heavens opened on Sunday not long after noon, the afternoon ceremonies did occur, but after a delay. Several from the conference attended.]

Col. Tye Addendum: Another Forgotten Loyalist Hero: Titus Cornelius (Colonel Tye)

Nice article on Colonel Tye. I grew up in Monmouth County, NJ and am very familiar with Colonel Tye and the Battle of Toms River where I live. They just had the re-enactment at the block house. I attended school at Sandy Hook which was Colonel Tye's home base at the light house. I was in a NJROTC unit as a Lt. and we had to write a paper on a military subject. I picked the American Revolution in Monmouth County.

New York City was a center of operations for the British Army. The Light house at Sandy Hook had to be taken and controlled. (By the way the light house is still there today.) The light and equipment were given to Col. Charles Taylor of the Monmouth Militia prior to the British arrival. His family lived in Middletown and were loyalist. When the British arrived he turned the light and equipment over to the British and denounced his rank in the Monmouth Militia. For this he was harassed by the Militia constantly. He sent a letter to Staten Island requesting help. General Cortlandt Skinner had a unit of Green's stationed at Sandy Hook to protect the light house.

On Feb. 13, 1777, 107 British soldiers under Major Andrew Gordon of the 26th regiment landed at Horseshoe Cove at Sandy Hook. They were to stop some 200 militia men in the Navesink Hills near Middletown from causing mischief and vandalism in the area, particularly to Col. Charles Taylor's home (near present day EARLE Navel Station in Leonardo, NJ). In the early morning the 26th regiment attacked and routed some 200 militia men of the 1st regiment, 1st. battalion of Monmouth Militia. 25 were killed on the spot and 70 were captured or wounded and were sent to the Sugar House prison in NY. The 26th only listed one dead.

Gen. Skinner's Green's were organized under an order issued by the Board of Associated Loyalists in Staten Island and consisted of six battalions of New Jersey Royal Volunteers. By late September 1776 the unit was raised and put under command of General Cortlandt Skinner, former District Attorney of New Jersey. Gen. Skinner's Green's officer's wore Green uniforms. The unit was different then other Loyalist units. They were well trained and well disciplined, but most of all his men were perhaps the best organized unit of all provisional corps in the provinces. It was decided by the board of Associated Loyalists that a garrison was to be stationed at Sandy Hook for the protection of the light house. The small fort built around the light house also became a haven for Tories and refugees. Attacks into Monmouth County were organized by Gen. Skinner and launched from Sandy Hook. Picarooning expeditions for supplies and prisoners were common and many farms and towns were plundered and pillaged. Local Loyalists often provided intelligence. (Gen. Washington also received reports from the local militia in the Navesink Hills about British ship movements into NY City and how many troops they may have carried.)

By the end of 1777, it was common to hear of expeditions by Skinner's Green's throughout the county. The Capt. John Burrowes, Jr. affair in early June 1778 is perhaps one of the best remembered by local residents, where Gen Skinner received a tip from Col. William Taylor that Capt. John Burrowes would be home on leave in Middletown Point (Matawan), NJ. Taylor was a Loyalist and relative to Capt. Burrowes. Burrows was perhaps most hated by the British because he supplied corn to the Continental army but also allowed the Whale Boat navy to hide in his mill pond and the local militia to train on his property. Capt. Burrows was also an officer under Gen. David Forman "Black David"of the Continental Army. An expedition was organized to capture the Capt. on June 3, 1778. A group of 70 Green's set out from Staten Island in hope of capturing Burrowes. Shortly after midnight they landed at Conasconk point near Keansburg/Union Beach where they then proceeded to Holmdel on their way to Middletown Point (Matawan). On their march their numbers grew as local loyalists joined, from 70 to around 200. Local farmers saw the march in the early morning and had an idea were the troops were heading. Several of them quickly ran through the woods to Middletown Point were the alarm was raised.

As the Green's entered the town they were caught between the towns people and the Freneau militia company of Major Thomas Hunn. The Green's began to split up into small units and spread throughout town. Capt. Burrowes was warned by just seconds and escaped out the back widow of his house as the Green's arrived. Other units began to burn the town including the Episcopal church under Rev. Charles McKnight (a staunch Patriot), mills, stores and boats. A skirmish that broke out with the militia killed two militiamen and wounded another. Major Hunn would later be court-martialled for conduct unbecoming an officer.

Capt. Burrowes escaped down an embankment, swam the Matawan creek and made his way into the woods. When the Green's realized he had escaped they sent mounted patrols to capture locally known patriots for prisoners including Capt. Burrowes father and several militia officers. After the raid the Green's split into two groups, one to Staten Island with the prisoners and the other to Sandy Hook. In retaliation for the raid Colonel Thomas Henderson of the Monmouth Militia sent a party to Middletown Village to capture Col. William Taylor. When Gen. Sir Henry Clinton was informed of Taylor's capture an agreement was made for a prisoner exchange.

Just a few weeks later the Battle of Monmouth took place on June 28th and the British army retreated through Monmouth County cutting through Middletown Village to Sandy Hook where they were then transported to the safety of NY City. They camped in the Navesink Hills on the 29th, ironically in the same area as the skirmish the previous year. The British field hospital where several soldiers are believed to be buried was located not far from the militia camp in Leonardo where the 25 militiamen died.

...Trevor Kirkpatrick, NJ

Descendants of United Empire Loyalists Granted Land at Remsheg (Wallace), Nova Scotia

Do you have an ancestor who was granted land in the area around what is now Wallace, Nova Scotia? If you are not sure, click here to check out the names of the grantees on a transcription of the original grant document.

Three five times great granddaughters of several United Empire Loyalist grantees have joined forces with the Wallace and Area Museum in planning a reunion of descendants of these familes. It will be held June 28, 29, and 30, 2008, in and around the Villages of Wallace, Pugwash, Tatamagouche, and Malagash which were home to the Loyalists settlers.

There is a year to go before the reunion and already over one hundred people have expressed interest in attending the reunion. If you are descended from one of the Remsheg Loyalists and would like to come to the reunion, please contact us at remsheg225@yahoo.ca, giving the family and first name of your Loyalist forbear, the names of family members who would like to come to the reunion, and where you live, i.e., province, state, or country if outside the USA and Canada.

Click here for more details about the Remsheg Loyalists and the reunion.

...Ellen (Brown) Muise, UE

Email Address Canada 1984 UEL Stamp Poster and Information Brochure For Sale

The address for David Jones, if you wished to contact him about the 1984 UEL stamp and poster sets he has for sale has changed to {commadore AT sympatico DOT ca} how do I email him?

Fort Chambly Memorial Service on 2 June 2007

Last Saturday, 2 June 2007, Americans and Canadians joined in the annual memorial service for General John Thomas and the American troops. In the Spring and Summer of 1776 Americans fell from the effects of smallpox during the retreat from Canada.

Each year the group of American and Canadian historians, legionnaires and government officials increases. This year the Sir John Johnson Centennial Chapter, UEL, joined the services. Adelaide participated as the first speaker and has requested a write-up be sent to you.

Fort Chambly, Parcs Canada, Quebec, was the scene of the Memorial Service on June 2nd honoring General John Thomas and 200 American soldiers of the American Revolution who died of smallpox and are buried there. Regretfully our mentor, Past Regent, Saranac Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution and Clinton County Historian Addie L Shields, could not be with us due to health reasons.

Master of Ceremonies Warren Manor, Post 20, American Legion, introduced Canadian and American dignitaries who welcomed us, including Yves Lessard, Canadian Parliament member, and Denis Lavoie, Mayor of Chambly, and Daniel Beaudin, Superintendent of Fort Chambly. General Thomas and his 200 Dutchess County militia were buried at Fort Chambly 231 years ago to the day, as General Thomas died on June 2, 1776. Wreaths were placed by Pam Meyers, Saranac Chapter, DAR, Montreal DAR, James T. Hays for SAR, and American Legion Post 20 and Auxiliary, POW/MIA, Clinton County Historical Association and Historians, and Military Retirees. Trumpeter Bill Long blew the Last Call. Courtland and Ronald Wood sang American and Canadian anthems, "Amazing Grace," and "God Bless America." Stanley A. Ransom sang "General John Thomas." Major (R) G. William Glidden led the group in the Lord's Prayer. Ronald Wood recited Joseph Warren's 1774 poem "Free America." Dr. Euclid H. Jones, Chaplain, Valcour Battle Chapter, gave the benediction.

David Glenn, historian and genealogist for the Valcour Battle Chapter, gave an account of the life of General Thomas and set the scene for us for the historic events leading up to the smallpox deaths. Fort Chambly occupies a strategic location at the head of the Richlieu River, the corridor leading from Lake Ontario to Lake Champlain. Many troops, ships, generals and sailors passed Fort Chambly, a key point in historic America. We were hosted afterward to a delicious lunch by the Royal Canadian Legionnaires and Auxiliary at their headquarters.

From the June 2007 issue of The Valcour Battle Patriot, Newsletter of the Valcour Battle Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, submitted by Bill Glidden

...

British Slave Trade and Parliament

I thought that you may be interested in the following website: Parliament and the British Slave Trade 1600-1807.

...Bev Loomis UE

OHS Conference in Honour of the Bicentennial of the Abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade

The Ontario Historical Society, in partnership with the Ontario Black History Society, The City of St. Catharines, and the Central Ontario Network for Black History is very proud to present Forging Freedom: A Conference in Honour of the Bicentennial of the Abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade on June 22nd and June 23rd, 2007 at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Highlights include a series of cutting-edge papers offered by noted scholars such as Rosemary Sadlier, President of the Ontario Black History Society, Dr. Afua Cooper, Dr. Bryan Walls, Dr. Fred Armstrong, and Dr. Karolyn Smardz Frost. Special performances and presentations include Leslie McCurdy's award-winning one-woman show, "The Spirit of Harriet Tubman;" keynote speaker Kate Clifford Larson, author of "Bound For the Promised Land," the widely acclaimed biography of Harriet Tubman; and "Road to Freedom," an historical drama by Bryan and Shannon Prince of the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum accompanied by accomplished vocalist Denise Pelley and pianist Stephen Holowitz.

It is very easy to register, and there is still room available! You can do so with the attached form - either by email, fax, mail or telephone.

You can also register online, here, by clicking the "Sign Up" link.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

More information is available at the Ontario Historical Society web site.

...Andrea Izzo {izzo AT ontariohistoricalsociety DOT ca} how do I email her?

SCHILZ, Barbara June U.E. (nee Newhouse)

Beloved "Boss" of Pete (Donald Peter), husband of 51 years. Daughter of Eleanor and Clarence Newhouse, both deceased. Survived by her children, Dawn (Gary), Tracy, Kelly (Andre), and David (Patty). Sister of Sharon (John), Nancy (the late Tony), and sister-in-law, Lois. Lovingly remembered by an extensive family. Predeceased by her son, Joe, grandson Donnie and brother Clare. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Fallsview Brethren in Christ Building Fund or to Tender Wishes. Online guest register at www.morganfuneral.com 10669716 Niagara Falls Review

[submitted by Lynne Cook]

MAHEUX, Paul

Retired - Civilian Chef with D.N.D. 31 years Member of United Empire Loyalist Association. Saturday, May 26, 2007, at age 72. Beloved husband of Eileen of 49 years. Loving father of Gary (Elaine Smallwood), Marc (Lucie), and Denis (Nicole). Cherished Pompy of Daniel, Kathleen, David, and Douglas. Caring brother of Murielle (Richard Sauriol), Jean Garrison, and Lawrence (Claire Guilmette). Predeceased by brothers Morris (Lorna Reynolds) and Allen (Therese Paquette). In memoriam donations to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation appreciated. Published in the Ottawa Citizen on 5/28/2007

Paul Maheux joined the St. Lawrence Branch in 2003 with son Marc and cousin Dorothy Moss Misiferi. He attended the meetings and quite often would stop in at the Loyalist Resource Centre. He will be missed. Paul, Marc and Dorothy proved to their Loyalist, Sgt. Samuel Moss.

[submitted by Lynne Cook]

Response re How many Loyalists Accompanied Captain Brant into the Grand River Valley?

If anyone has a copy of the OGS quarterly Families for November 1983 (vol. 22, no. 4) I published the gist of a mis-filed document in the Upper Canada land petitions series. It is not a list of all original settlers who came with Brant, but it is titled "List of White Settlers in the Vicinity of Mountpleasant together with the quantity of Lands Sold and granted them by the late Captain Brant Deceased at 12p per acre as follows" dated 10 January 1809. On the outside of the document is written "Captain Brandts not known how this paper came into the Council Office" 10 December 1820.

It appears that the lands "sold and granted" in the 1809 document probably dated back to Brant's 1800 survey of the southern portion of the Grand River Tract. Mount Pleasant was already a community by then. There are about forty names on the documents, too many to reproduce here, but they include eight individuals "for being Volunteer in the Indian Department" (Westbrook, Whiting, Beaucraft,Cromb, File, Johnson). Some names such as Nellis, Seacord, Middaugh are recognizable Loyalists. Other names like Ellis and Sturges apparently came to the province in the 1790s. The list shows the number of acres granted, how much was paid, and most entries are annotated regarding why or how payment was made.

This document, as I said, was mis-filed in Upper Canada land petitions, G Leases, no. 88, in the file of William Gambel who had nothing whatsoever to do with the Grand River Tract.

...Brenda Dougall Merriman, CG

[editors note - please let me know if you have a copy of the publication and could forward a copy of the article. ]

Response re Ladies' Loyalist Straw Hats & Knitted Shawls

The book "Women's Dress During the American Revolution: An Interpretive Guide", Rebecca L. Fifield, Editor, ISBN 0-9708965-8-1 is available from the Brigade of the American Revolution, see their publications order form. Rich Jenkins, Adjutant, National Secretary has confirmed that the details on the form are applicable to all, so long as you follow the detailed instructions on the order form.

Loyalist Coins

My husband mildly collects coins, mainly silver dollars. I would like to add to his collection. Is there a coin commemorating the Loyalists? Is it for sale? I spotted the Brant coin but I would like something more generic with a Loyalist theme if there is such a thing.

...Beth {GlassbyBeth AT aol DOT com} how do I email her?

Was Lt. William J. Mackenzie a U.E. Loyalist?

Lt. William J. Mackenzie, No. 209 Squadron, RAF, holds the distinction of being the only Allied casualty during the famous dogfight of 21 April 1918, in which Baron von Richthofen, the "Red Baron," was shot down and killed. (As an aside, it is almost certain that Richthofen was actually killed by ground fire from Australian troops that day.) Mackenzie was hit in the back by a single round, probably fired from a Fokker Dr.1 triplane piloted by Vizefeldwebel Scholz. Mackenzie left the action and was able to land safely at No. 209's base. He suffered from considerable pain and loss of blood, but recovered. He eventually attained the rank of captain within No. 209. In the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa there is a piece of red fabric that is believed to have been salvaged from Richthofen's plane by Mackenzie. The fabric is autographed by the 11 pilots in No. 209 Squadron who participated in the action that day.

Although born in Memphis, Tennessee, Mackenzie was raised in Port Robinson, Ontario. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1925 with a degree in civil engineering. He never married, and died in New York City in September 1959.

Although I know little more about him, I have a sneaking suspicion that Mackenzie could have been of U.E. descent. You see, before he went away to war he was engaged to my mother's mother, Amy Cecil Howse U.E., born 1894 in Basswood, Humberstone, Ontario. I have a silver bracelet Mackenzie gave to Amy, bearing the flags of the Allied nations of World War One. Both Amy's parents were U.E. (Charles Haney Howse 1872 and Christine Elizabeth White 1873), and it seemed that everybody Amy ever associated with was a U.E. Loyalist.

For reasons that are unclear, the engagement between William Mackenzie and Amy Howse was broken off. Amy instead married (in 1920) my mother's father, Leon Arthur Douglas U.E. born 1895, both of whose parents were also U.E. (Frank Alexander Douglas 1870 and Ida May Cook 1872).

Any further information on William J. Mackenzie would be appreciated.

...Michael D. Trout U.E., Col. John Butler Branch, Selkirk, New York {michaeldtrout AT earthlink DOT net} how do I email him?

Sources for William Walker's Stories of Beamsville Area

In his book "Lincoln: the story of an Ontario town (Beamsville: 1972)" historian and publisher William F. Rannie mentions that loyalist William Walker "in later years was fond of recounting stories of the hardships endured in the clearing of the farm, the burning out of stumps before their final removal with ox-power. He told of the weary miles tramping through the forest following blazed Indian trails, to Newark. Everything had to be packed upon the strong backs of the settlers or carried on horses. There were no wagons, no roads for wheeled traffic, only foot trails that meandered around trees, fallen logs and across creeks and gulleys."

Rannie gives no source for the excerpts from William Walker's stories and I am trying to identify a publication or manuscript where they would be found. William Walker died in 1819 and someone must have recorded his memories. William and his wife Sarah and 10 children made their way from Orange County, North Carolina via New Jersey to Upper Canada around 1792. They settled on the shore of Lake Ontario at the mouth of Thirty Mile Creek in Beamsville. From here the family operated a lumber and shipping business. In 1848 his son Thomas built a Victorian house around the original home whose fireplace can still be seen. Until recently the house was operated as Walker Hall Tea Room & Antiques, but now the property is a winery.

I have talked to Grimsby historian Dorothy Turcotte and others, but no one recalls seeing an account of William Walker's memories. Can you point me at possible sources?

...Mary F. Williamson, UE, {mfw AT yorku DOT ca} how do I email her?

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.