Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2007 Archive

In this issue:
- George Washington's Loyalist Philosopher Friend, by Stephen Davidson
- UEL Prairie Region Conference Oct 26-28, 2007 in Calgary
- "At The End of the Trail" 18 Month Calendars - Great Gifts; Christmas is Coming
- More on George S.B. Jarvis
- More on Loyalist - or at Least Old Days - Cooking
- More on Those Who Fought with Brock: Col. John Thorne Weyland
- London ON St. Paul’s Cathedral ACW presents Vintage Fashion Show
- Who Do You Think You Are? CBC TV Show started Wed. Oct 11
- Queries
      + Responses re Loyalist Clothing
      + Information on George Lawrence Family (correction)

George Washington's Loyalist Philosopher Friend, by Stephen Davidson

Loyalist descendants may forgiven for focusing their energies on trying to learn the stories of their ancestors who left the American republic to settle in modern day Canada, but loyalist history also includes those who never reached our shores. One of these loyalists was a friend of George Washington, an Anglican minister and loyalist philosopher named Jonathan Boucher.

In 1759 Boucher immigrated to Port Royal, Virginia from Cumberland, England when he was just 21 years old. He began life in the colonies tutoring the sons of gentlemen. Within sixteen years, Boucher had a wife from a prominent family, was the Anglican rector in Annapolis, Maryland, operated a school for 30 boys, and owned a plantation with slaves. He was one of the rotating chaplains of the lower house of the Maryland legislature, reading scripture and leading the legislators in prayer. He also helped to draft some provincial laws as an unofficial advisor to members of the legislature.

During his time as a school headmaster, Boucher became the friend of George Washington, the stepfather of one of his students. While he shared the same social class and denomination as Washington, Boucher was diametrically opposed to the philosophy that would shape his friend's place in American history.

By 1764, Boucher found himself arguing against the ever-increasing rebellious philosophies that swept through the Thirteen Colonies. His sermons were not only full of spiritual counsel and direction, they became expositions of a loyalist's philosophy of government.

"With sincerity in my heart, and my Bible in my hand," Boucher later wrote, "I sat down to explore the truth . . . to read and study what had been collected and laid down on the subject of government by writers . . . who got their materials . . . from the only pure sources of information, the law of God, and the law of the land." His loyalty to George III was not one of blindly accepting the status quo, but one born of study.

The Anglican minister's philosophy of government will sound odd to our ears, 21st century citizens who have been exposed to the American view of history and government all of our lives. It is important to realize that if the results of the War of Independence had been different, government in North America, for good or ill, would be based on ideas very similar to those held by Jonathan Boucher.

Boucher believed in the God-given right of kings to rule. "Unless we are good subjects, we cannot be good Christians." To rebel against the king was to disobey God's created plan for government. He openly scoffed at the notion of liberty as preached by the patriots. "The word liberty, as meaning civil liberty, does not, I believe, occur in all the Scriptures." There was, however, a place for nonresistance and passive obedience. "It is your duty," wrote Boucher, "to instruct your members to take all the constitutional means in their power to obtain redress." He felt petition and protest were appropriate tools against an unjust ruler. However, while there could be justifiable rebellions, Boucher did not think that the American Revolution was one of them.

He was especially wary of the notion that government was "the mere creature of the people" and could be altered at any time. It was a sure recipe, in Boucher's mind, for rule by the mob. "Everything our blessed Lord either said or did, pointedly tended to discourage the disturbing a settled government." Government that functioned according to Boucher's interpretation of the Bible was the best hope for the security of its citizens.

On May 4, 1775, Boucher had his last conversation with George Washington. The two men met as their ferries crossed the Potomac River in directions as opposite as their political views. The Battles of Lexington and Concord had been fought just two weeks earlier. Boucher was concerned about the course of colonial events. He warned Washington that civil war was imminent and that the colonies were sure to become independent of Britain. Washington laughed at his friend's anxiety, telling Boucher that if he "ever heard of him joining in any such measures ... [he] had his leave to set him down for everything wicked."

History proved that Washington was no prophet. Within half a year, Boucher was on a ship bound for England.

"For more than six months I preached, when I did preach, with a pair of loaded pistols lying on the cushions; having given notice that if any one attempted, what had long been threatened, to drag me out of the pulpit, I should think myself justified in repelling violence by violence."

During his last days in Maryland, Boucher fended off the attack of a muscular blacksmith while walking through town. One Sunday when armed men filled his church, Boucher's friends had to physically restrain him from stepping into his pulpit. Clearly, the political tides had irrevocably turned. It was time for the Maryland vicar to leave. Jonathan Boucher sailed for England in September of 1775, becoming one of the Revolution's very first loyalist refugees.

Besides serving as a vicar in Epsom, Surrey, Boucher enjoyed scholarly pursuits during his years of exile. He compiled a glossary of "archaic and provincial words" that had among its other definitions, the word "banjo". Boucher's entries were later used in creating Webster's Dictionary.

However, the independence of America was never far from Jonathan Boucher's mind. In 1797 he published 13 sermons that he preached in Virginia between 1763 and 1775. A View of the Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution was Boucher's last volley in his loyalist defence of the monarchy. Interestingly, he dedicated the book to his former neighbour, George Washington, the first president of the American republic. History does not record whether Washington ever read his old friend's sermons. On Friday, April 27, 1804, the Rev. Jonathan Boucher, loyalist philosopher, died at the age of 66 -- an interesting character in the ranks of loyalist history.

...Stephen Davidson

UEL Prairie Region Conference Oct 26-28, 2007 in Calgary

The 2007 Conference for Prairie Region will be held in Calgary on the weekend of Oct 26-28.

Friday: An informal "meet and greet" will be held Friday evening, either at the Inn or at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church Hall, 1611 St Andrew’s Place N.W.

Saturday Morning: A more formal program at St. Andrew’s kicks off Sat morning:

- Pat Adair, Family History

- Dave Embury, Palatines

- Margaret Carter, Historical Costuming

- Peter Johnson President UELAC

- lunch

Saturday Afternoon will feature a tour of Glenbow Museum with galleries and displays which include "Mavericks: An Incorrigible History of Alberta", :David Thompson", Emily Carr", "Quilt of Belonging", "Celebrating Prairie Cultures" and much more. See www.glenbow.org.

Saturday Dinner and Evening: At the Courtland Restaurant (at hotel)

Sunday: church service at St. Andrew's at 10:30 and in the afternoon Tea 2:00 - 4:30 will be served at the home of Lorna and Jim Stewart's.

The main hotel for the conference is the Best Western Village Park Inn, (VPI), 1804 Crowchild Trail N.W., Calgary, AB, T2M 3Y7, Phone 1.888.774.7716 or 403.289.0241

To register and for more information, Wayne Hovdestad UE, President, Calgary Branch {wrhovdestad AT shawlink DOT ca}, or Joyce Luethy {awsn AT awsn DOT com} how do I email them?

"At The End of the Trail" 18 Month Calendars - Great Gifts; Christmas is Coming

Copies of the AT THE END OF THE TRAIL 18 month calendars produced by London Branch for the 2007 Annual Meeting are available. The cost has been reduced to $10.00 plus postage. Bulk orders of 5 or more calendars will be mailed postage free. For more information about the calendar, click here.

To order, contact:

Marvin Recker, U.E. at 1460 Norman Avenue, London, Ontario, N6K 2A7, Tel: 519-471-9546, email {mrecker AT mnsi DOT net} or

Bernice Flett, U.E. at 314 - 790 Wonderland Road South, London, Ontario, N6K 1M5, Tel: 519-641-2406.

More on George S.B. Jarvis

Thank you for your note about my Great Grandfather. George S. B. Jarvis. Although he was in many engagements during the War of 1812, he was not at the Battle of Detroit. It should be remembered that he was a lad of fifteen at Queenston!

He volunteered in June 1812 and after Queenston Heights, he was at York with the Grenadier Company of the 8th Regiment, which endured terrible loss of life. He was at Stony Creek, and Beaver Dam with Fitzgibbon. Acting as Ensign with the 49th the whole of 1913, he went for supplies to Fort Schlosser and Black Rock, taken by Colonel Bishop, who was killed there. Appointed Ensign to the 8th or Kings Regiment, George was at the Battle of Chippawa, Lundy’s Lane, Siege of Fort Erie and the storming of that fort on September 17, 1814. Being a Jarvis he left an autobiography of his life. It is brief but all the salient facts are included. As the nearest soldier to General Isaac Brock at the time of that great man’s death, he is also the oft quoted author of the description of those last moments.

Afterwards he studied law and had a distinguished career as a judge, serving for over fifty years. He lived at Cornwall and married twice. His first wife bore him ten children. He afterwards wed for a second time. His youngest child, of the three of that union, born in 1849, was my grandfather Arthur Jarvis, whom I remember vaguely, although I was a child of five when he died at a great age.

It was Stephen Jarvis, George’s father, who fought all through the Revolutionary War, from whom we are eligible to add U.E. to our name!

...Ann Jarvis Boa, UE

More on Loyalist - or at Least Old Days - Cooking

I have been going through my bookcase and discovered a cook book published by the Mississquoi Historical Society in 2002 - I.S.B.N. 0-919085-48-2, Traditions of Home in Mississquoi County in the Eastern Townships. It includes instructions for How to Cook a Porcupine, and recipes for Beaver Stew and Squirrel Pot Pie. It should still be available from the Mississquoi Historical Society, 2 River Street - P.O. Box 186, Stanbridge East QC J0J 2H0

I do wish that my father had read the recipe before he expected my mother to cook one. It ruined the roast of beef that was cooked at the same time - that was a couple of years ago! I would recognize the smell if it ever came near my nose again.

There are also some good old-fashioned ones that have been in their families for several generations.

...Margaret Carter, UE

More on Those Who Fought with Brock: Col. John Thorne Weyland

Col. John Thorne Weyland ,born in 1789, Exeter,Devonshire,England had a very impressive military record, joining at age 17. He served with the British Army's 8th.Kings Own Regiment as a major at Queenston Heights under General Sir Isaac Brock in the 1812 War,and took part in the battles on Lundy's Lane and Crysler's Farm. He was wounded in action 06 June,1813 at the battle of Stoney Creek. After peace was restored between Canada and the United States, Colonel Weyland was posted to various British outposts of the empire, including garrisons in Wales and Ireland.

John Weyland married Elizabeth Fleming, 09 February, 1812, daughter of Richard Fleming, Ordinance Store Keeper in Quebec City. The marriage record, from Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Quebec (This is in Quebec City), reads:

John Thorne Weyland,Lieutenant in His Majesty's Eighth Regiment, aged about twenty-two years and Elizabeth Fleming of Quebec, Spinster, aged about seventeen years, were joined in Marriage, by Licence from His Excellency Sir George Prevort,at Quebec,this ninth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and twelve

Signed Alex' Spark, Minister

John Thorne Weyland

Elizabeth Fleming

Rich' Fleming

John Lewis de ?? -(looks like Vioren)

According to military papers which we have in our possession, Elizabeth's father Richard Fleming died after 33 years of service brought on by mental exertions and by office duties during the War of 1812-1814 in Canada. After the death of his father-in-law, Col. Weyland inherited tracts of land in Quebec including five thousand acres in Weedon Township which surrounded Clear Lake where he and his wife raised their 9 children.

We have the original paper, "Statement of Services of Captain J.T.Weyland, Royal Canadian Rifle Regt" (if I can read the faded ink it appears to state that he joined Service Companies from Halifax, at Chambly, Montreal, Lower Canada on the 23rd. of January 1806, Left --??- Kingston 11 February, 1809). This paper also lists all the battles which he fought in, when, where etc., lists his children and their dates of birth, etc." -- stating a record of such particulars as may be useful in case of his death".

We also have his original Certificate, with Seal, from London, England, many photos of him along with his family, even a lock of his hair. Another descendant has his sword.

Among other papers, we learn that he had land and property at Iles-Aux-Noix, Chambly, Kingston and on Adelaide Street in Toronto.

Col. John died in 1901, many years after Elizabeth who died 24 Sept.,1869.

Col. John and Elizabeth are the gr. gr. grandparents of Milt Loomis, my husband. Their son Henry Weyland married Louisa Stacey -- my connection!!

Several Stacey family members are buried in the Ascott Corner Pioneer Cemetery which we cleaned up this summer and most Weyland family members are buried in the St. Paul's Anglican Cemetery in Marbleton. We have started to clean these tombstones which are in horrible condition. Last Friday, I cleaned Henry & Louisa's tombstone along with that of her brother Frederick Stacey & family members. While I walked along the many rows I found many Weyland stones, but am unable to read them. We shall soon be working on them, as we are cleaning and repairing all the tombstones.

...Bev Loomis UE, Litttle Forks Branch

London ON St. Paul’s Cathedral ACW presents Vintage Fashion Show

"Footsteps in Time" is A Musical Stroll through 100 Years of Fashion. This Vintage Fashion Spectacular features one of Canada’s most extensive private collections of authentic period clothing. This lively revue retraces the spirit of each era through antique apparel, song and dance.

Saturday, November 3, 2007 - Two shows: 1 pm and 7 pm at Cronyn Hall, St. Paul’s Cathedral, 472 Richmond Street, London, Ontario. Complimentary refreshments. $25 Adults ? $20 Seniors / Students. For tickets, call the Cathedral Office at 519 434-3225 or Margaret at 519 471-5800

Our thanks to MARION KERNIGHAN for producing the show and sharing her vintage clothing collection. A fundraiser to support WELLNESS IN AFRICA.

As one would expect, the clothing is mostly after 1870, but everything is original, including gloves, shoes, etc.

The church itself dates back before 1830, although the original church was at the forks of the Thames where the Art Gallery now sits. The Diocese of Huron, for whom St. Paul's Cathedral is the Cathedral Church has just celebrated its 150th Anniversary. St. Paul's was also the regimental church for the area and was given a heritage designation recently. There are four windows in the church that were completed by L.C. Tiffany and there are some of the most beautiful carvings both in wood and marble from early artisans of the area around London. For a chronology of the events at the Church starting in 1822, click here, and from that page you can go to the Cathedral's homepage and also learn more about its history.

The family members of the son of Dennis Dowling UE were baptised in the old frame church in 1830. I also believe that a number of other local Loyalist families have connections to this church. Dennis is also one of my ancestors (not completely proven as yet). Dennis married the daughter of John Edision and Sarah Ogden.

...Sue Hines UE, President, Grand River Branch

Who Do You Think You Are? CBC TV Show started Wed. Oct 11

This is a genealogy show which covers family tree research from the beginning to advance research and lasts for 13 weeks. Click here for the web site. The family history of a different notable person in Canada is featured each week.

I really enjoyed the trailer for the show which can be found by Selecting the box titled - The Show, then selecting the link to - "View the official trailer".

...Al Dodd UE, President, Edmonton Branch

Responses re Loyalist Clothing

Here are some links that may be of help:

- http://www.tudorlinks.com/treasury/freepatterns/index.html

- http://www.costumes.org/.../pattern_links.htm

- http://www.trackofthewolf.com/.../catList.aspx?catID=10

- http://genealogy.about.com/od/clothing/

- http://www.trackofthewolf.com/.../partList.aspx?catID=10&subID=71&styleID=251

- http://collectibles.search.ebay.com/Rifle-Frock-Coat...

...Richard Shaw

The Nor'westers and Loyalist Museum, located in Williamstown, Glengarry County, Ontario, has a replica uniform of the King's Royal Regiment of New York on display. As this was the location for much of the work in producing the " Quilt of Belonging", someone associated with or known by the museum staff may be able to help you.

The museum address is - 19651 John St., P.O. Box 69, Williamstown, ON, K0C 2J0. Phone 613-347-3547.

I am also a direct descendent of Jeremiah French. His daughter Hannah married Stephen Miller. Their daughter, Amerilla, married Alexander McCorquodale.

...Bruce McCorquodale

The question of the French jacket isn't easy. We have two fellows with near perfect copies of that coat, but they were tailored by folks who knew how to interpret standard coat patterns and adjust for size. There is no pattern for the French jacket.

...Gavin Watt HVP

Information on George Lawrence Family (correction)

(The specific request in last week's query was incorrect.)

For the Lawrence family, my descent is from Loyalist George Lawrence [m. Sarah Beacroft], his son William Lawrence, and in turn his son William Francis Lawrence.

William Lawrence, b. May1781, possibly The Camden [Methodist] Colony, Oneida County, New York, USA, m. 01April1804, St. Marks, Niagara, Lincoln County, Ontario, Canada, Mary Cudney, d. 09Sep1864, possibly Windham Township, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada, buried, Bookton Cemetery, Windham Township, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada.

William Francis Lawrence, b. 18July1819, Trafalgar Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada, m. c.1841, possibly Caledon Township, Peel County, Ontario, Canada, Elizabeth Ann (Langestraat) Longstreet, d. 18Mar1898, Buffalo, New York, or Windham Centre, buried, Bookton Cemetery, Windham Township, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada.

I am looking for any proof that William Francis Lawrence is the son of William Lawrence.

...Howard Lawrence {howardl AT inreach 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.