Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2010 Archive

In this issue:
- Loyalist Portrait Gallery: Part II - Gabriel Ludlow - © Stephen Davidson
- Heritage Matters: A Native Loyalist's View
- Samuel Jarvis (1698 - 1779) - Third Generation in America. Part 1 of 6 - © 2009 George McNeillie
- A Family's Heritage - Loyalist Silver
- 300th Anniversary of Palatines in Ireland - Video Clip
- Technology Topics By Wayne Scott: Backing Up Your Information (Part 2 of 2)
- The Miracle of You
- A Genealogist's Twelve Days of Christmas
- Last Post: Shirley (Shyrle) Alberta (Munro) Sandham, UE
- Queries
      + New Brunswick Golder/Goulder Family
      + More About "Three White Pines" as a Loyalist Marker

Loyalist Portrait Gallery: Part II - Gabriel Ludlow - © Stephen Davidson

John Singleton Copley was the greatest American painter of the colonial era. To have a portrait painted by Copley was as close as a citizen of the 18th century could come to having his or her image portrayed in the brilliant colours and clarity of detail that we take for granted in photographs. In the 21 years before he had to flee to England, Copley produced 350 portraits. This is the story of one such portrait's subject.

When Copley was 33 years old, he and his wife received an invitation to go to New York City to paint. Thirty-seven prominent loyalists and British officials commissioned Copley to paint their portraits. Almost all of the paintings created during the artist's seven month "New York period" disappeared when loyal Americans sought sanctuary in England or the northern British colonies. However, at least one of the series of New York portraits escaped destruction at the hands of vengeful rebels. Today, that painting can be viewed at the Museum of the City of New York.

The loyalist's portrait measures approximately 48 inches by 38 inches and shows a landowner named Gabriel George Ludlow. Before the outbreak of the Revolution, Ludlow enjoyed life on a 144-acre estate in Hampstead, Long Island. As well as being a justice of the peace, Ludlow also commanded the Queen's County militia.

When local loyalists spoke out against the actions of the rebel congress, 1,400 men marched into Queen's County, forcing Ludlow to keep a low profile until the British secured Long Island and New York City as their base of operations. Ludlow then raised between 700 and 800 men to form a battalion in DeLancey's Brigade; he served as a colonel with these men for the balance of the war.

In 1779, the state of New York confiscated the Ludlows' property. Perhaps it was at this time that the family lost the portrait Copley had painted in 1771. Within just four years, all that Ludlow and his fellow loyalists had fought to defend was gone. Britain recognized the independence of the United States of America.

Ludlow and his wife, the former Ann Ver Planck, left New York in a methodical manner. Rather than rushing north to settle in one of the northern British colonies over the summer of 1783, the Ludlows stayed on Long Island to wrap up their affairs.

While Ludlow went to Nova Scotia to determine where it would be best for his family to settle, Mrs. Ludlow and her children sold off their "moveables". The loyalist colonel decided that the western side of Saint John's harbour would be the site of his family's new home, and he sent word for his wife and children to join him.

In Ludlow's absence, Ann had liquidated all of the their assets with the exception of some furniture, linens, clothing and books. The latter were all loaded onto the ship that the Ludlow family boarded in the spring of 1784 to take them to the mouth of the St. John River. Gabriel Ludlow, meanwhile, was in England, seeking compensation for his losses and lending his support to the idea of partitioning Nova Scotia into two colonies.

As the ship that carried Ann Ludlow and her four children sailed into the Bay of Fundy, tragedy struck. The records are not precise as to whether it was a spring storm or the captain's unfamiliarity with the powerful tides that wrecked the ship. Four years later, the testimony that the Ludlows gave at a compensation hearing revealed that "Mrs. Ludlow in her passage to this place from New York with her family was shipwrecked in the Bay of Fundy." All but a handful of the possessions that the family had decided not to sell in New York were lost at sea.

Over two hundred years later, the New Brunswick Museum staged an exhibit of artifacts and documents that had once belonged to the Ludlow family. The only things displayed that the loyalist family would have had before their nearly fatal shipwreck was a mourning ring from 1755 and a 1777 edition of a dictionary.

Gabriel quickly established himself in the ruling elite of the new loyalist colony. In 1785 he became the first mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick -- an office he would hold for ten years. Gabriel's brother, George Ludlow, became the first chief justice of New Brunswick.

After establishing a mercantile business, Gabriel Ludlow had a large home built for his family in west Saint John. The site had once been the garden of the French fort that had guarded the mouth of the St. John River thirty years earlier. In 1794, this loyalist refugee's mansion entertained royalty in its parlour. Ann Ludlow was hostess to His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, King George III's fifth son.

In his role as commander in chief of New Brunswick's military, Ludlow had the colony's militia put on alert in 1808 when another war with the United States seemed inevitable. It was to be his last action to defend those he loved against American patriots. A month after calling out the militia, Ludlow died suddenly at 71 years of age.

When Gabriel Ludlow sat for his Copley portrait in 1771, he was the 35 year-old son of a wealthy New York family, the owner of a large Long Island estate, and had been married for 11 years. Years after arriving in New Brunswick, Ludlow had his portrait painted once again, but this time he was a seasoned veteran of war, the mayor of a loyalist colony's largest city, and a prosperous merchant.

Ludlow's portraits illustrate the two very different lives that comprised the single lifetime of one man. While unusual today, two hundred years ago such a double life was the all-too-common experience of the over-70,000 loyalists who sought sanctuary beyond the Thirteen Colonies.

To secure permission to reprint this article, contact the author at {stephendavids AT gmail DOT com} how do I email him?

Heritage Matters: A Native Loyalist's View

‘Heritage matters.’ As Canadians, it’s a slogan frequently heard yet all too often, it’s reduced to almost a trite cliché.

In First Nations communities, heritage isn’t merely a good idea; it defines us as a distinct People with a unique history and utterly original culture. Heritage is the life blood of our People that not only sustains us as we progress through the ages but invokes the teachings of our ancestors who pass along knowledge as a matter of survival and growth.

Much has been said and written about how Canadians sometimes have the tendency to define themselves as what they AREN’T instead of what they ARE. The Loyalist experience was one of being on the ‘right’ side even though that may have been the ‘losing’ side. Some have called the American Revolution the ‘first Civil War’ of the United States but unlike the defeated Southern states of the ‘second Civil War’, our Loyalist ancestors had the opportunity to make a comparatively clean break from the opposition and set up their own entity. By that token, the Loyalists were undeniable winners of the rebellious uprising that led to the creation of the new republic.

As we Loyalists are keen to understand, that’s cause for an immense source of gratitude and pride… and full reason enough to celebrate and embrace our heritage. It’s a solid declaration or who we are as a People as well as a statement of where our values and priorities lie.

In Native beliefs, a person is considered wealthy by how much they’re able to give away to others rather than how much they’re able to keep for themselves. Generosity of spirit and a firm sense of helping others less fortunate are cornerstones of a life well lived in First Nation communities. A fundamental appreciation of fairness, tolerance and respect are also prized attributes. It defines us as who were are as a People.

Canadians define themselves in much the same manner. In a land where a harsh and challenging environment demanded cooperation in order for survival, it became the zeitgeist and essence for what we’ve become today. It’s our heritage.

The Four Directions Youth Project draws upon the gratitude expressed in the Ohenton Kariwatehkwen - the Thanksgiving Address – and makes parallels with the Canadian self-identity. One aspect of this Program is to cultivate an appreciation for another event in Canadian history, the War of 1812, which will be prominently featured in commemorations and events in its bicentennial in 2012. Again, heritage matters as Loyalist descendants fought in this war with the same spirit of conviction and bravery as their forebearers did some 35 years previously.

Coupled with hand-on experiences, the Four Directions Youth Project will engage students in a fun participatory activity intended to bring relevance to the lesson and discussion of the Traditional Teachings. History – and by extension, heritage – is often a rote exercise in memorisation that may stimulate interested minds but may also discourage the disinterested as well. Students who might otherwise be less than enthused about mainstream Canadian history will be exposed to a culture too often misunderstood and too likely to be misinterpreted.

As is often the case, the various Canadian heritage organisations would do well to support each other as each is capable of contributing its own merits while benefiting from the exposure gained from others. The UELAC’s participation in the Four Directions Youth Project has already been recognised by various groups and individuals, moving towards fulfilling its education and outreach mandates.

The UELAC membership may take great pride in participating in such a positive and creative program.

...David Kanowakeron Hill Morrison UE

Samuel Jarvis (1698 - 1779) - Third Generation in America. Part 1 of 6 - © 2009 George McNeillie

Samuel Jarvis married Naomi Brush of Cold springs, Long Island, and removed from Huntington to Norwalk in Connecticut, where he died on Sept. 27, 1779, at the age of 81 years [Editor’s note – Naomi was the daughter of Samuel Griffin and Elizabeth Platt b. 15 Sep 1665, Huntington, Suffolk, N.Y. d. 1740. Samuel Griffin died when Naomi was very young. Elizabeth remarried Mr. Brush and apparently Naomi took her stepfather's surname]. He was commonly known as “Captain Samuel Jarvis” [Editor’s note: this may have been his rank in the local train band – a colonial militia unit; but it is possible he was a seafaring man]. He had a family of 11 children of whom our ancestor, Samuel Jarvis, Jr., was the oldest. Three other sons claim a passing reference, viz.,

1. John (1725 -1778) who had three sons in the British Service in the War of the Revolution;

2. Stephen (1729 – 1820) of Danbury in Connecticut, whose son colonel Stephen Jarvis (1756 – 1840) came to Fredericton, N.B., and, afterwards settled in 1809 in Toronto, where his descendants are numerous and highly-respected (Canon R. Jarvis being one); and

3. Abraham Jarvis (1739 – 1766), who succeeded Bishop Samuel Seabury as the second Bishop of Connecticut.

Captain Samuel Jarvis had a family of eleven children and his example was followed by two others of his descendants in our line of Jarvis ancestry, who will be mentioned presently.

Excerpt from Book of Family History, written by the Ven. William Odber Raymond, LL.D, FRSC. © 2009 George McNeillie, all rights reserved [published here with permission; see footnote]

...George McNeillie {ggm3rd AT sympatico DOT ca} how do I email him?

A Family's Heritage - Loyalist Silver

The Cataraqui Loyalist Town Crier distributed to the Kingston and District Branch membership and the newsletter editors across Canada this week,carried a descriptive account of the “November Programme of Participaction”. Patricia Clarke was quoted as saying “we must keep our next generation interested in our stories and our “stuff” and not allow them to be let go”. Keeping that advice, members Terry Hicks, Mary Elizabeth Robb, Lynn Bell, Eva Wirth, John Buck, Philip Smart and Mel Good shared pictures and artifacts linked to previous generations. “We must continue to instill in our youth the value of what our ancestors did; to keep their history alive.”

Indeed the provenance of some our cherished pieces from the past is what adds to the value. Following the trail of ownership reveals and personalizes a definitive wealth of history. Four years ago, Robert C. Wilkins, President of the Heritage Branch, contributed an article to Loyalist Trails about the sale of George and Anna Okill's silver tankard of 1742 as reported in the Montreal Gazette. This piece of 18th century silver became part of the Loyalist heritage of Rev. John Stuart and Jane Okill that they brought with them when they fled north to Canada following the American Revolution. In 1969, it was discovered in a London Bank Vault and in 2006 it was put up for sale at Christies, New York. It failed to reach the reserved bid.

This week, Adelaide Lanktree, Past President of the Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch forwarded an article by Randy Boswell of the Canada News Service. As the “Storied Loyalist beer mug could fetch $100,000 at auction” has since been published across Canada in Montreal, Edmonton, Kelowna our membership and supporters may be well aware of the provenance of this silver tankard. Unfortunately, when it is brought up for auction at Christies, New York on January 25, UELAC will not be one of the bidders attempting to bring this piece of Loyalist heritage back to Canada. Hopefully, one of Canada’s major museums will be successful in an act of repatriation.

It should be noted that other pieces of the Stuart heritage silver collection have been secured by the McCord Museum and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Some of that silver had been collected by the grandson of Rev. John Stuart and Jane Okill, namely George Okill Stuart, Mayor of Quebec City 1846-1850 and Judge of the Vice-Admiralty Court. (Adding to the overall Stuart Family history, our Honorary President, Peter Milliken has also documented the story of Kingston’s Summerhill and its link to George’s father, Archdeacon George Okill Stuart.)

Patricia Clarke was quoted as saying “Possessions are tangible, touchable history; we are the custodians of our family history too.” By linking the provenance of our heritage, we become more aware of our collective Loyalist past.

...

300th Anniversary of Palatines in Ireland - Video Clip

In recognition of the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the Palatines in Ireland, Liz Haren sent in this video clip from RTE One. Running at over ten minutes in length, this video features Helen McInerney reporting from Carlow. Of particular interest will be the tour of the Palatine Heritage Centre in Rathkeale and a view of the Embury Heck Memorial Methodist Chapel.

...FHH

Technology Topics By Wayne Scott: Backing Up Your Information (Part 2 of 2)

Another back-up and sync program that has been getting a lot of attention lately is DropBox. Dick Eastman in his genealogy blog is in high praise of this utility. It does have its drawbacks. Most notably, everything takes place in one file, called DropBox, which can be cumbersome. However, the program has many strengths to consider. It does make backing up files and syncing them easy. Did I mention that the program (which must be installed on all the computers you are using for backup), is free.

A number of people are using online services such as Mozy for backing up important data. You can get a free account in which you can store up to 2 GB of data. This file size is good if you are not saving pictures and research information also. For a modest $4.95 U$ per month you can have an unlimited account. $60.00 a year isn’t a lot of money to store important information. You would likely pay this amount for a safety deposit box these days, and you don’t have to make a special trip out during business hours to retrieve information you need.

There are a number of services offering online backup services in addition to Mozy. You can check out idrive ($4.95 per month) and carbonite ($55.00 per year). Before you settle on one of these options, you might want to satisfy yourself that the companies have a good track record. Have they been in business long? Has their pricing schedule changed often? How secure are their servers (and your data)? Do they allow you to encrypt your information? Can you back-up your Outlook email files, and do they allow for automatic back-up scheduling?

There is a recent entry into the Back-up field that deserves some attention. The company is called Cucku, and it bills itself as “Social Backup”. In a nutshell, the program allows you to make arrangements with a friend or family member who is willing to store a copy of your important information. Both computers must have a copy of Cucku, and a Skype account. Cucku will automatically figure out what to back up and will send it, encrypted, to the other computer(s).

The basic version, free, allows for just one backup partner, but with unlimited back-up size. I hope you are not trying to store a 10 GB file with pictures, emails and family trees on a friend’s computer that has only 9 GB of space available. There will have to be some negotiation taking place I am sure. However, if there is space, the program will even automate back-ups. In the event of a crash, your data can easily be restored.

At the time of writing this article, you can get a ‘Pro’ version of Cucku for $30.00 one time fee. This will allow you to set up 3 installs, and be able to sync with up to 5 computers at one time. Of course, the friends you are partnering with can be anywhere in the world, because you are using Skype as the network. For those of you who are wondering if this service will be affected by the fact that Skype is dropping some of its add-ons, this will not affect Cucku because it is the Skype network that is being used, just like your Skype telephone.

I think that for most of us, a back-up system that is set up once and runs automatically, is the best way to go. You should revisit your back-up plan once in awhile to make sure that you have included everything in your back-up that you want. When you create a new file for data, pictures or resources, make note of it so that this file can be added to your back-up strategy. Don’t be one of those who someday lament that you should have had a solid strategy for safeguarding your important information, pictures, resources and files.

If you have questions or comments, please contact the author:

...Wayne Scott {mail4wayne AT cogeco DOT ca} how do I email him?

The Miracle of You

Not only have you been lucky enough to be attached since time immemorial to a favored evolutionary line, but you have also been extremely- make that miraculously- fortunate in your personal ancestry. Consider the fact that for 3.8 billion years, a period of time older than the Earth's mountains and rivers and oceans, everyone of your forbears on both sides has been attractive enough to find a mate, healthy enough to reproduce, and sufficiently blessed by fate and circumstances to live long enough to do so.

Not one of your pertinent ancestors was squashed, devoured, drowned, starved, stranded, stuck fast, untimely wounded, or otherwise deflected from it's life quest of delivering a tiny charge of genetic material to the right partner at the right moment in order to perpetuate the only possible sequence of hereditary combinations that could result - eventually, astoundingly, and all too briefly - in you.

... Bill Bryson [submitted by Doris Lemon]

A Genealogist's Twelve Days of Christmas

On the twelve days of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Twelve census seekers
Eleven Family Bibles
Ten e-mail contacts
Nine headstone rubbings
Eight wills, testaments and admons
Seven searchers searching
Six second cousins
Five coats of arms
Four GED COM files
Three P.R.'s to check
Two CD-ROMs
And a BRANCH in my Family Tree.

[Submitted by Doris Lemon]

Last Post: Shirley (Shyrle) Alberta (Munro) Sandham, UE

Shirley, born 17 July 1924, died in Victoria BC on 5 December 2009. Shyrle was born and educated in Watrous Saskatchewan. After high school she enlisted in the RCAF and trained as a Meteorological Observer. She was released in 1945 and attended the University of Toronto and graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 1947. In 1948 she married her husband Peter Moffatt Sandham and they spent the next 61 wonderful years together. Shyrle had a zest for life and spent many a happy hour gardening, sewing and horseback riding. Her artistic talents had her painting and trying out many different craft hobbies. She was a longtime and active member of the United Empire Loyalists, serving on the executive of the Victoria Branch for many years. Shyrle's Loyalist ancestor was Thomas Munro who settled in Charlottenburgh Township, Glengarry County, Ontario.

...Joan Clement

New Brunswick Golder/Goulder Family

My g-g-g-grandmother was Lanah Golder/Goulder born on Darlings island, Kings county, New Brunswick in August 1802. Lanah married Charles Augustus Charlton. Marriage records Kings county 1812 - 1844:

Augustus Charlton of the Parish of Kingston and County of Kings, Yeoman, and Lenah Golder of the Parish aforesaid, spinster were married by licence with concent of parents this 19th day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty by me Elias Scovil Rector of Kingston in presence of William Scribner and Alexander Colkran.

Lanah had a sister Mary R. Golder born c 1803 who married Thomas Brayman/Braman in November, 1820 at Kingston.

[Death Notice for Thomas E. BRAMAN]

173 d. Kars (Kings Co.) 24th March, Thomas E. BRAMAN, 84th year. He was born at St. John, N.B. on 8th July 1796. Three weeks after his birth his mother died thus leaving him entirely to the care of strangers. Through the kindness of Mrs. WILLIAMS he was taken, nursed and cared for as her own until he was five years old, when his father undertook the charge, and as soon as he was old enough to work, was bound as an apprentice to John CRAWFORD at Belleisle for seven years.

Before his time had expired he bought it out and started for Shediac (West. Co.) where he stayed for a short time. He soon returned and after a few years married Mary R. GOLDER and unto them were born, five sons and four daughters, only four of whom survive him. Some 47 years ago, under the preaching of the late Cyrus Stilson, he was baptized and when the Kars Baptist Church was organized, he became one of its members. He had attained the ripe age 83 years 8 mos. 16 days. His partner still lives, age 78, having been married nearly 59 years... 14 April 1880 VISITOR. ["Vital Statistics From New Brunswick (Canada) Newspapers" Vol. 50]

Lanah also had a brother John Golder and a sister Hannah according to some old family letters I have. According to D.G. Bell's Early Loyalist Saint John:

Loyalist John Golder, carpenter arrived St John from New Jersey on board the Eagle with John Smiths company, he was single at the time (May 1784).

Letter written by Lanah Charlton in Canada to her son Henry Charlton in Australia 1882:

Springfield Kings co. N.B. December 30th 1882

Dear Son Henry,

Being in a very good state of health now, I take the present opportunity - with very great pleasure I assure you of penning a few items of interest around here. I am living with my son in law McLeod Kierstead as you are aware and have been in rather poor state of health for some time past but at present have recovered and am enjoying good health now.

Our family (your brothers) are well. Your Aunt Mary Brayman is well and fully able to discharge the household duties.

William is well and still continues to be at his post in his old grist and saw mill and looks about as usual. They have only one child and that a girl aged 10 years. They call her Minnie Allowise.

James Reed and family are well, his girl is in Washington United States in the statistics department. His son Will is in the post office department in St John N.B. and is a intelligent young man of steady habits. My brother Johns family are in the United states. I cannot tell the occupations they are following and have never heard.

I have not heard from Mary or Hannah one is in New York and the other in Maine.

We have had a fine season here this year good crops in every particular and wages are good consequently farmers are doing well in general. This has been a lovely winter so far one of exceptional mildness. There has not been much snow yet this season here.

I am as you are aware now fully entered upon my eightyth year since August, consequently you see I have far exceeded the normal bounds alloted to man. I begin to feel my age wearing upon me especially these last few years.

Your Aunt Hannah is still living ....(unreadable) ... in this Province. Your friend Eben Sutton is dead.

This county is convulsed this season by elections. Our man having been elected twice and each time unseated.

The potato bugs have caused devastation these past few seasons and consequently the crops have suffered in consequence.

In your letter give me a description of the country in which you live in order that I may know somewhat of the place. How far do you live from a city and how are prices for your farm produce.

Send me a long letter in...... you all are and also that you have received this short note.

They are doing a large business in here in lumbering now and it commands a large price. Spruce lumber is all the go now, pine having fallen in price.

Lizzie married McLeod Kierstead 13 years ago and has been the mother of 5 children. One died seven years ago. The eldest is a girl named Hettie, next living named Naomi. Stanley and the youngest I have named for her dear Brother. I call him Henry Nelson. He is aged two years. a smart intelligent boy. The children are going to school. That is two of them having to walk about 1 1/2 miles.

I am living about 17 miles up the river from your Uncle Thomas Brayman and one mile from your brother Will.

Abner Brayman was to pay me a visit this week and is doing well. Now dear son as I have given you about all the items of interest I know you will have to excuse me for closing this time.

It is near New Year now and I with all my heart wish you the compliments of the season.

Trusting that a kind providence may ever watch over you and yours and that your life may long be spared to enjoy health and earthly comforts. I will close dear son this time.

Trusting to receive a letter. from your loving Mother, Laner Charlton, Springfield, Kings County, New Brunswick

Death Notice of Lanor Goulder: "Daily Sun" March 13, 1885 Page 3:

'Welsford - Death of One of the Pioneer Settlers'

We were called upon today to carry to her last resting place, Welsford's pioneer settler. Lanor Goulder was born on Darling's Island, King's Co in the year 1802. At an early age she removed to Kingston, where she married the late Augustus Charlton 62 years ago. She, her husband and one child came to Welsford as the first family of this flourishing place. The only way they had of getting to this part of the country was by a bridle path from Woodman's Point on the St John River, a distance of 18 miles, and they at that time had to carry all their provisions and whatever they required the distance. At one time when Mrs Charlton and her two little ones were alone in their log cabin on the Nerepis intervale, a terrific rain came and she thought her house would be swept away. In her fear, she repaired to the mountain, where she and her little ones spent the entire night. Mrs Charlton left 10 children, 54 grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren. She was always ready & willing to assist anyone in sickness or distress and was kind and affectionate to all. The last 2 or 3 years of her life she spent with with her son-in-law Charles (should be William) McLeod Keirstead of Springfield, King's Co. She died trusting in the merits of her redeemer. Her husband helped to cut out the Fredericton Road from the mouth of the Nerepis to Darby Gillan's.

I am wondering if this is the father of my Lanah and if anyone has any other information about John Golder or John Smiths company.

I also have this snippet of information about Mrs Mary Rebecca Golder whom I feel could very likely be Lanah's mother and wife of the above John Golder. Vital Statistics From New Brunswick (Canada) Newspapers" Vol. 19:

1125 d. Petersville (Queens Co.), Saturday 5th inst., age 87, Mrs, Mary Rebecca GOLDER.

The deceased landed in St. John with the Loyalists in 1783.

18 January 1861 RI

Lanah and Augustus Charlton live in Petersville in 1861. So it is feasible that her mother lived with them or close by. Mary Rebecca Golder nee ? would have been born c1774 and arrived in St John in 1783 aged about 9 years old, presumably with her family. Does anyone have a Mary Rebecca in their records who would fit this description?

Any help or information on any Golders/Goulders would be greatly appreciated.

...Susan Hill in Australia {builder AT ycs DOT com DOT au} how do I email her?

More About "Three White Pines" as a Loyalist Marker

I have been told a familiar anecdote about plantation of white pines and the immigration of the Loyalists into the province of Quebec. I heard that the inhabitants sensible to the Loyalists cause living close to the US border (Frelighsburg, Saint-Armand, Sutton, Knowlton, Dunham, Bedford, …) planted three white pines in front of their house to tell Loyalists that they were welcome to their home. Some of these pines still survive in this region and became very big, for instance in front of Frelighsburg’s city hall. Does any reference exist on this subject? Thank you!

...Denis Robitaille, Ph.D, Président de la Société d'histoire Forestière du Québec, {denis DOT robitaille AT mrnf DOT gouv DOT qc DOT ca} how do I email him?

[Query submitted by Adelaide Lanktree and Bev Loomis]