Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2008 Archive

In this issue:
- "Saint John 225" Pre-Conference Trip to King's Landing or Fredericton's UNB
- UELAC Conference 2008: "Researching Loyalist Documents" Seminar
- The Loyalists from France, by Stephen Davidson
- More about "Dutch Uncles"
- Loyalist Ancestors Martin Kelly, Roswell Everts & Richard Dyrk Dingman by the Rideau
- Loyalist Connections to US Political Leaders
- Last Post: Warner, N. Douglas
- Queries
      + Additional Response re Union Flag
      + Book With Reference to John Rolfe
      + Information on William Beaumont MD, From Edgar John Jarvis
      + Ephraim Eyres UEL and Ayers Family History
      + Information on Nathaniel Gager Family
      + Help to Prove Johannes Vanderburg was a Loyalist

"Saint John 225" Pre-Conference Trip to King's Landing or Fredericton's UNB

A highlight of this year's conference will actually occur before the main event - the pre-conference tours. On Thursday morning July 10th you can board a bus at the Saint John Hilton (the host hotel) and take your choice of two interesting destinations.

If genealogy is your passion, disembark on the University of New Brunswick's Fredericton Campus at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. The Conference website contains a brief note describing the extensive holdings of PANB. Much of the Archives material is searchable online so it is possible to perform a lot of pre-visit planning. Also located on the UNB Campus is the Loyalist Collection at the Harriet Irving Library. Here you will find the muster rolls of the Loyalist Regiments and their claims for compensation.

Those who stay on the bus are headed a half hour upriver to the Kings Landing Historical Settlement. This is a world class facility and recreates life along the Saint John River from the Loyalist period through the turn of the 19th century. Our group will experience a guided tour and enjoy a "High Tea" at the Kings Head Inn - a fine and filling Victorian custom.

After leaving Kings Landing we will try to remember to pick up those at the Archives and travel back to the Saint John Hilton - the site of the evening's Welcoming Reception (and the subject of the next installment).

The Dominion Conference of the UELAC "Saint John 225" will be held in the Loyalist City of Saint John, New Brunswick July 10-13, 2008. Click here for details.

...Stephen Bolton UE, Conference Chair

UELAC Conference 2008: "Researching Loyalist Documents" Seminar

I will be giving a Loyalist Research Lecture on Saturday, 12 July 2008 during the morning UEL seminar session at Saint John. It will be mostly on the loyalist documents that can be found between Canadian and U.S. sources. Samples will be shown. Concluding my talk will be the story of my ghostly encounter in 1985-88 with my Loyalist ancestor, Benjamin Bonnell. A shocking reality in genealogy research! Please contact Steve Bolton, Conference Chair sbolton@nbnet.nb.ca or the web site, Saint John 225, for conference details.

I am planning to attend and will have my vendor table there.

...Paul Bunnell UE

The Loyalists from France, by Stephen Davidson

It comes as no surprise to readers of loyalist history to recognize that several minority groups numbered themselves among the King's friends during the American Revolution. Members of the Iroquois Federation fought with the British on the western frontier; enslaved Africans made up ten per cent of the loyalist refugee population. However, very few people are aware that a handful of loyalists were born in France.

The next time you meet someone in Ontario with the name of Dolier, you might pause a moment before assuming that his or her ancestors date back to the days of Cartier or Champlain. Your new acquaintance's forebearers might not have come to the New World in the 17th century to establish farms and trade furs along the St. Lawrence River. Monsieur or Mademoiselle Dolier might, in fact, be entitled to bear the initials UEL.

The story of one loyalist who was born in France begins in 1760 when Pierre Dolier immigrated to America and settled in Bergen County, New Jersey. After eleven years in his new home, the French pioneer bought fifty acres of land, built a house and maintained two cows and as many hogs.

Following the patriots' declaration of independence, Dolier immediately sided with the British. He joined the New Jersey Volunteers and served in this regiment for several months before a weak arm brought about his honourable discharge. Dolier lived out the rest of the war in New York. Rather than sailing for Nova Scotia in 1783, the displaced native of France travelled overland to Sorel, Quebec, and spent his first winter there in the company of other refugees.

Five years later, Pierre Dolier had made his home along the Bay of Quinte. It would be interesting to know how often the French loyalist had to explain to his neighbours that he was neither a runaway from the French forces that were the patriots' allies nor a habitant of New France, but was --like them-- a loyal supporter of King George III.

Dolier was not the only loyalist with such an unexpected ancestry. Francis Pemart was born at sea, but he spent the first six years of his life in France until his parents immigrated to the colony of New York. As an adult, Pemart came to own a 195 acre farm in Courtland Manor that, by 1775, was worth £2000. He had a considerable stock of cattle as well as some horses.

The French pioneer's interests were not just tied to agriculture. Pemart had also purchased a new 115 ton sloop for £700 and had built himself a wharf and a store, no doubt intending to sell the goods that he transported in his ship to his neighbours.

However, the revolution radically changed any plans Pemart had made for his future. At the beginning of the war, the patriot army appointed Pemart a Commissary of Forage, and his farm was converted into a forage yard. This was hardly the typical course of action for a loyalist, since foraging actually meant plundering grain, livestock and other supplies from the local farms to feed the rebel army.

However, two men who had been Pemart's neighbours both gave testimony at a compensation hearing in 1787 saying that the native of France was "considered a loyal man" and had accepted the forage master appointment "at the desire of some loyal persons". Pemart himself claimed that he took the job "with the intention of serving the loyalists". Perhaps Pemart's supervision of foraging activities meant he could spare his loyalist neighbours the devastating seizures of animals and grain that were common in some colonies.

Whatever his intent, by the March of 1777, Pemart finally let his true colours be known. He "surrendered himself as a friend to the government" and joined Lietenant Colonel Bird's forces when they fought the rebel army in Courtland Manor.

It was a costly declaration for Pemart. Because his buildings held patriot supplies, they were burned down by the British. All of Pemart's "moveables" on his farm were seized and plundered by rebels; his sloop was stolen and --according to some accounts-- sunk.

An active loyalist, Pemart served the crown as a pilot for British ships on the North River for the next six years. At the signing of the peace, the French loyalist and his family sailed for Nova Scotia with other refugees and settled in what later became Saint John, New Brunswick.

Given the fact that he served on both sides during the revolution, it was either an act of incredible bravery or of utter foolishness when --shortly after settling in a new land-- Pemart returned to New York to settle his business matters. The patriots took him prisoner, claiming that he owed the new republic £1200 for the foraged supplies that had been held on his farm and destroyed by the advancing British army in 1777.

After five months in jail, Pemart was finally acquitted and allowed to return to New Brunswick. By 1787 he and his family was well established in the loyalist city of Saint John.

The names of Pierre Dolier and Francis Pemart have been left to posterity due to the fact that they both petitioned the British government for compensation. Not all loyalists in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia were able to attend the compensation hearings. There may be many more loyalist descendants among us who could look back to ancestors who, like Pemart and Dolier, were born in France and yet served George III during the War of Independence.

More about "Dutch Uncles"

Stephen Davidson's article “Dutch Uncles” in the February 10 issue caught my eye. I trace to Stephen Middaugh, another uncle of the Bush children and brother of Martin and John. The plight of these four orphaned children also intrigued Janice Potter-MacKinnon, as she makes mention of them on p. 148 of her book, “While the Women Only Wept”. Martin Middaugh would have made the claim for his nieces and nephews on the same day, February 22, 1788, that John, Stephen and he made their own claim for losses. Martin was awarded 51 English pounds to be used for the benefit of the orphans. An earlier claim dated April 15, 1786 had been witnessed by Colonel Butler and Captain Brant which must have helped Martin's appeal.

Their brother, Jacob Middaugh had been executed by the rebels at Kingston Landing, Province of New York. Stephen, Jacob and likely John and Henry Bush were actively involved in the Marbletown Disaffection. They were with a group of fifty who were confronted by members of the Committee of Safety. In the skirmish, five of the group and one committee member were killed. About thirty of the group were captured, taken to Fort Montgomery, court martialed and sentenced to hang. The Convention reconsidered and pardoned all except Jacob Middaugh and Jacob Roosa. They were executed on May 13, 1777. I hope some day to place a rose on the spot where his life was taken from him because of his loyalty to constitutional government and King.

Despite the pardons, some were held in jail for several months, not knowing they had been pardoned. Stephen was one of these. John had to hide in the woods most of the winter of 1777 to avoid capture. Martin, John and Stephen eventually fled to Fort Niagara. Stephen served for a time in Butler's Rangers. They joined KRRNY when it was formed and served in Munro's Company until disbanded. There is no mention of Jacob Middaugh's widow, Elsjen (Beatty) so their son, John could well have been an orphan as were the Bush children and came with his uncles. He eventually made his claim for land in 1799. His uncle, John supported his claim.

John raised a family of five children, all of whom made claim for land. Martin had a family of eleven children, the youngest still not providing for themselves when he died in 1818. His widow, Mary made a request that their oldest son, Martin should do “to the eavers as he has promist,” regarding a land grant. Stephen was married twice and had ten children. I trace to his youngest daughter, Margaret who was married to Peter Thibaudeau by Rev. John Strachan on June 23, 1822 in the original St. James church at York (Toronto).

And survive the Bush infants did as I have made contact with several descendants, one of whom lives in Regina.

...Logan Bjarnason UE, Regina Branch

Loyalist Ancestors Kelly, Everts, Dingman by the Rideau

I am a retired prof. emeritus of chemistry, from a small Univ. of Wisconsin undergrad campus here in Wausau, WI. A year ago this spring, I began, at the request of my son and two grandsons, to try and find some information regarding our line of Kelly's family history. All I had to go on was an oral history, which my Dad had told, of my great great grandfather, Martin Kelly Sr. having joined the British Army as a young boy in northern Ireland, served in the French and Indian War, and later settled in Canada.

By a miracle, a librarian in northern Illinois, found my great grandfather's obituary, and she also found his place of burial and his farm location near Morrison, IL. His obituary gave his birth place as: Edwardsburgh Township in Ontario, Canada, and that's where my search began. I was most fortunate to find a very helpful lady, Ms. Lynne Rooney, who did look-ups for the Smith Fall Public Library, and Ms. Tamara, at the Grenville Historical Society in Prescott, ON. Together, these ladies have supplied me with a great deal of information regarding my Loyalist Heritage, of which I am most proud!!

My g g, Martin Kelly Sr. was with Col. Edward Jessup from the very beginning, when in 1776, he as a Corporal, and with a Sgt. John Buel, recruited a corps of Kings Loyal Americans for the Jessups. His corps was with the Burgoyne campaign, and he later served with the Jessup's Loyal Rangers at the rank of Sgt. Major. It is believed that he worked in supply at the refugee camps, but later. ca. 1800, finally moved to his land grand in Edwardsburgh twp, ON. There he was a lieutenant in the Grenville Militia, 1803, and he also married a very young Rosanna (- ?- ), and they had three children, the oldest, Martin Jr. is my great grandfather, OC 1838, who later immigrated to Illinois in 1855.

Martin Kelly Jr. married Maria Everts, OC 1832, daughter of Roswell Everts Sr. U.E. Roswell and his brother, Oliver Everts U.E. were two of the very first settlers in Augusta Twp. Their father, Sylvanus Everts/Evarts, U.E. is the "Unknown Vermonter" - The Tory brother-in-law of Vermont's first governor, Thomas Chittenden.

Maria Everts' mother was Mary Dingman, daughter of Richard Dyrk Dinkman U.E., who served with John Johnston, and previously with Capt. Brandt. His father, Gerardus/Gerhard Dingman and his mother both died in the Machiche Refugee Camp in Quebec in 1782.

Now, when Martin Kelly Sr. died ca. 1811, his wife, Rosanna, later remarried a Garret Lake, who I believe was also a Loyalist, and the family moved to Wolford Twp. I recently received some information from an Annette Truesdell regarding my g g grandmother, Rosanna Kelly Lake, since I was very interested in knowing her background, especially her maiden name. Ms. Truesdell believes that Rosanna's home, as a young girl, was in Wolford Twp., and that her father was most probably a Loyalist. She suggested that I access early military census returns for Leeds and Grenville counties, especially those of 1802 and 1803, and look for a girl, approximately age 20, named Rosanna. I am such a compete novice at this genealogy search, that I really do not know how to access these census.

Well, I was very happy to learn that I could be a member of the Col. Edward Jessup Branch and I joined last summer and then in July, I applied for a certificate for Martin Kelly Sr. and later in the fall, Ms. Myrtle Johnston said that I could also apply for certificates for Roswell Everts and for Richard Dyrk Dingman, which I did this past November. I know that Ms. Myrtle is so very busy, however, I will be very excited and proud to receive my first certificate and perhaps later, some of the others.

I have driven on highway 416, south of Ottawa, on several occasions in the past, never once realizing that my ancestors had lived in the region. Now, I can just imagine an Everts/Kelly/Lake clan in the mid 1800's, all related children of Loyalist soldiers, living and farming their OC lands, just on the north side of the Rideau, and in the case of my Martin Jr's farm, less than a mile from Merrickville, ON. For me, the history is really coming alive!

...John Kelly Sr.

Loyalist Connections to US Political Leaders

During the last presidential election, few people knew that Senator John Kerry (Democrat) had a Loyalist ancestor who settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia after the Revolution. He is also related to Margaret McGregor, wife of Col. James Rogers who died at Fredericksburgh township in 1790.

My good friend and cousin, Don Diminie, of Cobourg, Ontario, has now drawn my attention to a family connection to Democratic front-runner Barack Obama. He is a descendant of Henry Rolfe, a brother-in-law of 'Pocahantas,' as are Don and I through our Bay of Quinte Loyalist roots.

Before we get too smug about our Loyalist-US Democratic connections in the Quinte region I have to remind all of the Perry-Washburn descendants of the region that we are also distant cousins of George W. Bush.

...Brandt Zatterberg UE, Bay of Quinte Branch

Last Post: Warner, N. Douglas

Passed away peacefully on February 25th, 2008 at Glen Stor Dun Lodge, Cornwall. Dear husband for 66 years of Elleda; beloved father of Norman (Elizabeth), John (Shirley); cherished grandfather of Michael, Sebastian and Miranda; and dear brother of Roger and the late Lucille Thompson. Douglas was born to Gladstone and Nellie (Gove) on September 28th, 1913. He attended North Valley Public School and Finch High School. In 1933, he graduated from Kemptville Agricultural College and in 1938, graduated from the Canadian School of Embalming. In Russell and Kenmore, he operated a general store, feed and seed business and funeral home. Douglas moved to Cornwall in 1946 where he started his successful insurance career. He served three terms as Alderman for the City of Cornwall, was a Rotarian, Mason and Shriner, Deacon of the Cornwall First Baptist Church, and recipient of the Ontario Bicentennial Medal for volunteerism and community service. A memorial service will be held Saturday March 8th, 2008 at First Baptist Church, 310 York Street, Cornwall. Douglas was a former member of The St. Lawrence Branch

- The Ottawa Citizen, 2/29/2008, submitted by Lynne Cook UE, St. Lawrence Branch

Additional Response re Union Flag

Yes James did in fact unite the monarchy under one Union, however each country, Scotland and England remained separate with their own parliaments. It was not until 1707 under Queen Anne did the actual Union of the two nations into Great Britain occur. This is when the parliaments became one. This is also when Anne ruled that the Union Flag would be the official flag to fly not only at sea (as it was previously) but also on land.

...Neal Shaw

Book With Reference to John Rolfe

I am presently reading a book titled "Daughter of Eve"by Noel B. Gerson. It is listed as "A Hall of Fame Historical Novel". I have not completed the book, but am presently at the point where Pocahantas has accepted an engagement proposal from John Rolfe, a widower with a young daughter named Celia. They are living at Jamestown, Virginia. In the story, John is a great tobacco grower, and is sympathetic to Pocahantas who is being held captive at Jamestown. Her first love, John Smith, has returned to England and is working on a project to settle a new area of the new world. The year of the proposal is 1612. The book is a very good read.

...Betty Saunders, Fredericton, NB

Information on William Beaumont MD, From Edgar John Jarvis

Wikipedia says of him: How Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan got its name
Beaumont is named for William Beaumont, M.D., who - in 1822 at an isolated army outpost on Mackinac Island, Michigan - made a breakthrough in the study of human digestion and physiology. After a French Canadian trapper suffered an abdominal wound that healed with a permanent opening, Dr. Beaumont took the opportunity to study digestion, both inside and outside the stomach. He conducted 238 experiments and published several reports that were considered the most important work on human digestion at that time.

I remember the Beaumont name as that is where I have received medical treatment. Because of that, I remember seeing that name of film held by the Archives of Ontario (bmd, can’t remember which). In the above quote, I see no mention of Beaumont’s nationality, but I can only guess he was a British Canadian. I would really like to see the lines of decent of this Dr. Beaumont, if anyone knows.

...Joyce Stevens {joycestevens AT twmi DOT rr DOT com} how do I email her?

Ephraim Eyres UEL and Ayers Family History

Ephraim Ayers was a United Empire Loyalist, having sided with the British in the American Revolutionary War. He enlisted under Col. John Peter June 25, 1777 and took the oath of allegiance to the king. He was among the men “who enlisted early in 1777 in the Lake Champlain and Upper Hudson campaigns". "The pay list of 1777 of Colonel John Peters" includes the names: Philip Sentzer, Ephrem Eyres, Abram Coons, Sergt. Ichabod Henley and Levi Warner.

He was in the Secret Service Corp. under Captain Justis Sherwood's, Queen's Loyal Rangers, on February 24, 1778. He was captured by the “rebels” near Bennington, Vermont and put in prison in Albany, New York, June 24, 1778 to July 2, 1783. He was imprisoned for 5 years when he escaped and returned to Justis Sherwood’s group in Canada. The Old Empire Loyalist records his “coming into Canada in 1782”, which is one year earlier than the date recorded for his incarceration.

Ephraim Eyres lived in Vermont and was a farmer according to the “Loyalist Muster List” before he entered the war. Ephraim appears to have been an educated man as his Petition for a Land Grant was written in his own hand writing in a very nice penmanship. The early Ayers families immigrated to Massachusetts in either 1635 or 1637 aboard the MARY ANNE or the JAMES from Wiltshire, England. John and Hannah Ayers and several children are the ancestral pool of the Ayers families in America. I believe Ephraim Eyres to be the son of Obadiah Ayers and his second wife, Dorothy Holdridge Landon (former wife of Loyalist, Daniel Landon) who lived in Woodbridge New Jersey. (His lineage is not proven and should not be taken as fact.)

Prior to the war Ephraim signed a document in 1773 at Skenesborough, New York, (now Whitehall) he was about 30 years old at that time as written by Janet Schalk a Canadian family descendant and researcher. The 1773 document referenced is probably the "Petition to Erect Skenesborough into a County Town" which was submitted to William Tyron, Governor of the Province of New York in that year. This record appears in "The Documentary History of the State of New York", Volume 14, published in 1851 by E. B. O'Callaghan.

Ephraim Ayers appears in the O'Callaghan's compilation as a resident of Skenesborough, with 2 in his family in 1773, Ephraim and likely, a wife. His age is probably about 30-40 and the family history that he married a widow by the name of Comstock fits the dates. We know he married a widow, possibly his first wife, as his stepchildren, with last name of Comstock, applied for Canadian Land Grants as children of a UEL. I do not know if they received the land grants. It seems likely that he settled at Skenesborough for only a short period of time before moving to some other place. Ephriam (or Affryim) Eyers as well as Daniel Ayers' and William Eyers’ names appear on at least four victual ling lists within the Haldimand Papers, from the 1777-1783 period. On January 2, 1813 at Ferrisburg, Addison County, Vermont, an Ephraim Ayres, his wife and family were warned to leave. It is unknown if this is our Ephraim.

Ephraim Ayers is recorded as arriving in Canada in 1782 according to “The Old Empire Loyalist List” (this may have been his arrival following his escape) and later became a resident of the Johnstown area in Elizabethtown, Front of Leeds Township, Yonge County.

It is believed a wife accompanied him to Upper Canada. His children, Phoebe and Clossen, were born about 1776-86. Their ages are estimated by the marriage dates and their O.C. dates. In 1790, Ephraim Eyres was granted an additional 200 acres to his original grant “for the time he was in prison with no pay and for bringing livestock into Sherwood’s camp for food” on May 18, 1790. He was granted the west half of lot 13, concession 1, Escott Township (now Leeds County) in 1796. This information is from the National Archives of Canada, Upper Canada Land Petitions, in the Johnstown District of Upper Canada. On behalf of her father, Phoebe Eyres petitioned for Ephraim Eyres’ name to be included on the UEL list. Which read, “Petition of “Phebe Mallory of Yonge, daughter of the late Ephraim Eyers who was employed on Secret Service during the American War prays that her father's name may be inserted on the U.E. list was read In Council 8 Feb 1808.” “Petition recommended." Information taken from the National Archives of Canada: Upper Canada Land Petitions Land Book. Ephraim Eyres died in June of 1803 in Brockville, Ontario. We presume he is buried in one of the local cemeteries.

Ephraim Eyres’ Children:

Phebe Eyres was married May 23, 1802 to Israel Mallory, son of Nathaniel Rise Mallory, possibly in Bennington, Vermont. The Mallory family were residents of Bennington, Vermont before the Revolutionary War and prior to the family settling in Mallorytown, Upper Canada. In the 1804 census they had a female infant. "Petition of Phebe Mallory of the township of Yonge, wife of Israel Mallory, (son of Nathaniel Rise Mallory) reads; “Prays for 200 acres of land as daughter of Ephraim Eyers, deceased, a U.E. Loyalist". Phebe Eyres received a land grant February 8, 1808 according to, The National Archives of Canada: Upper Canada Land Petitions Land Book.

Children of Phoebe Eyres and Israel Mallory are three daughters and five sons; Ephraim, Hiram, William, Hiram S., and Israel Mallory. I believe most of this family stayed in Canada.

"Classen (Clossen) Eyres", Ephraim’s son, was recorded as a single man in the Yonge Township census of 1811. A petition dated November 18, 1811 from "Classen Eyers" of the township of Yonge, son of Ephraim Eyers, late of Yonge reads, “Prays for 200 acres of land as son of U.E. Loyalist”. The petition was approved by order-in-council March 17, 1812. Clossen Eyres was granted lot 13, concession 9, Burgess Township (Leeds County) in 1812 as recorded. He married Catherine Mallory, daughter of Nathaniel Rise Mallory about 1812. The record following the fatal car crash in Michigan of Clossen’s son, Charles, records Charles’ father, Clossen Eyres as having been born in New York which may or may not be correct. Clossen Eyres (Ayers) died in Mallorytown in 1840, in testate.

Children of Clossen Ayers and Catherine Mallory are Zeno, Charles, Lydia, Lyman, Mary Ann, Nancy and Ephraim Ayers.

A “petition dated December 13, 1849 from John S. Vosburgh (a land agent) on behalf of Ephraim Ayers, grandson of Ephraim Eyres UEL, of the Township of Yonge for 100 acres of land as the heir of "Clisson Ayers who had served as a private in a Flank Company of the 1st Regiment, Leeds Militia in the year 1812 and who died in testate in the year 1840.

Our ancestor, Zeno Ayers, was a son of Clossen Eyres (Ayers). He married Jane Eliza Eastwood, a widow and daughter of Amos Eastwood and Sarah Worden. Zeno immigrated to Wisconsin, USA in 1864 and found work. His adult children and wife followed him the following year. Some of his children’s families remained in Canada.

I am seeking more information about Ephraim Eyres. What is his birthdate, who was his wife, and who are his parents?

James Walker, the surgeon who married Abigail Jessup is also believed to be an ancestor of ours.

We are very grateful for the help we have received in our genealogy search of Ephraim Eyres and family by Canadian genealogists. They have given of their time most generously!

...Cora and Richard Ayers how do I email them?

Information on Nathaniel Gager Family

My great-grandfather, William McCarroll Gager, son of John and Sarah McCarroll, was born in 1848 in Shomberg, Ontario. His father John Gager, was born in Newmarket in 1816, thought to be the son of Nathaniel, b. 1763 in Dutchess County, NY, and I believe came to NY from the CT branch of the family,

This family was "Old Connecticut" until about the 1750/60s when there seems to have been a surge out of CT toward Dutchess County, NY and from there, at the outbreak of the Rev War, people started making the choice of loyalties and many of our family's young folks left for Ontario.

Many of the family eventually returned to the US as did our William, who appears in Chicago in the mid 1870's.

Are there some Gager's still remaining in Ontario that might be able to shed some light and to fill in some gaps. Does anyone have any information about this family?

...Judy Schreiber, GA, {AJoseph928 AT aol DOT com} how do I email her?

Help to Prove Johannes Vanderburg was a Loyalist

am a member of the Col. John Butler's branch in Niagara. I have some information on a possible ancestor - /Johannes Vanderburg born in Albany NY in 1749 and died aft. 1819 in Thorold Ont. Johannes was a soldier in the Kings Royal Regiment of New York according to his *petition* following:

He was given grants of crown land in 1797 in Thorold Township. . . lots 118 119 - two hundred acres; and lots 141 to 145 - five hundred acres. [Land Abstracts of Thorold Township] He was the first owner of these lands.

A list signed by Captain Ten Boreck, a local commander in the Niagara District entitled: "Return of those who have Emigrated from the American States between August 1786 & Aug'st. 1787" includes the following:

/there are 4 columns - Heads of Families, Males above 16, Males under 16, Females./

/there are 18 names. The 17th is:/ Van Debergh, I [J?] 5 males under 16 and 3 females.

[All above were marked "not mustered before"]

In Johannes Petition* *of 1819 he claims the family came to the area in 1785. This does not conform with the list above, nor does it conform with the birth of their daughter Antje which was listed in Pearson's book as taking place in June 1787. However, they could have come in August with the new born baby.

In 1819 Johannes Vanderburgh submitted the following *petition:*

"To His Excellency Sir Peregrine Maitland, K.C.B. Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Upper Canada

In council

The petition of John Van Derburgh of the Township of Thorold yeoman

[note: spelling of Van Derburgh is similiar to Captain Broeck's list name Van Debergh/Humbly Showeth]

That Your petitioner joined the Royal army at Albany in the year 1777 under the command of Colonel James Hewson who was afterwards taken prisoner by the Rebel Americans and the men were ordered into Colonel Butler Rangers but Your petitioner was prevented from joining the said Corps as his family could not be left safely behind it will appear by the [?] of [?] that your petitioner would further beg to state that he came to this province with his family in the year 1785 were [sic] he has remained ever since. Your petitioner would also beg leave to state that his name is not on the UE List and as Your petitioner is anxious to obtain Land for the remainder of his Sons as two of them died on duty in the Militia during the Late war.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that Your Excellency would be pleased to permit his name to be inserted on the said UE List and grant him the usual quantity given to UE Loyalists.

And Your petitioner as in Duty bound and ever pray

John Vanderburgh by

Garret Vanderburg his Attorney

York June 1st 1819

The petition was answered the next day, June 2nd 1819 in the following manner:

"John Vanderburgh. Praying to be put on U.E. List

not recommended"

. . . Allanburg is located on the Crown Grant of John Vanderburgh . . .

John Vanderburg did have 8 children: there were 5 males under 16 and 3 females.

I am looking for advice and documentation to determine if John qualifies as a Loyalist.

...Roxsane Rysdae {rrysdae AT becon DOT org} how do I email her?