Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2011 Archive

In this issue:
- The Loyalist Alumni of Yale: Part One -- by Stephen Davidson
- Horsfield Ancestry: First Generation in America © George McNeillie
- Book Launch: Loyalists and Early Settlers on the Niagara River Parkway
- Kingston Commemoration of The Death of Rev Dr. John Stuart, August 14
- Summer Events Beckon UELAC President
- Recognition of UELAC Volunteers -- 2011
- The Tech Side: Building A Digital Time Capsule – by Wayne Scott, UE
- Additions to the Loyalist Directory
- Queries
      + Descendants of William and Hannah Jarvis

The Loyalist Alumni of Yale: Part One -- by Stephen Davidson

In 1896 Franklin B. Dexter published the second volume of his Annals of the College History, a history of Yale. Because he was compiling biographical sketches of the hundreds of men who graduated from the college between 1746 and 1762, it took the professor eleven years to complete his research. Dexter's work radiates with pride in his alma mater and the accomplishments of its graduates. After all, its alumni were among the architects of the American nation.

However, there was one group of Yale graduates that were a bit of an embarassment to the proud historian. As he compiled the biographies, Dexter discovered that at least thirty of Yale's alumni were loyalists during the War of Independence. As late as the 1890s, the Revolution's loyal Americans were still regarded as traitors and obnoxious Tories in the popular histories of the day. The 30 loyal Yale alumni posed quite a dilemma for Dexter. How could he write the loyalists' biographies to demonstrate the positive impact that Yale held on their lives without damaging the reputation of the college in building the American nation?

Dexter's solution is a brilliant example of 19th century political correctness. Without using the words "traitor" or "Tory", he gently referred to the 30 loyalists' political views using a variety of euphemisms. The loyal Yale alumni "espoused the cause of the British government, "adhered to the Royal cause", "chose to side with the mother country", "declared sympathy with the mother country", opposed "the popular side", had "sympathies with the British", were "on the unpatriotic side", "remained loyal to the King" or were "outspoken in support of the mother country". Contrary to Shakespeare's observation, in the case of the loyalist alumni of Yale, a rose by any other name DID somehow smell sweeter.

Yale's students between 1743 and 1762 were all male, and all of them came from well to do homes. Although most came from the families of New England's professional elite, some were also the sons of prosperous Yankee merchants. The young men who would later "adhere to the crown" all made careers in one of three professions. Three became doctors, eight became lawyers, and nineteen became Anglican clergymen.

Yale's three loyalist doctors were Asa Beebe, Isaac Moseley and Cyrus Punderson. These are their stories.

Asa Beebe, a member of the class of 1759, had deep family roots in East Haddam, Connecticut. Although he also studied theology, he made the medical arts his profession. He practiced medicine in his hometown, but also served as a lay reader in the Anglican churches of Millington and Middle Haddam. When dissent against the king's government grew, Beebe became an outspoken supporter of Great Britain. In September of 1774, the local Sons of Liberty seized the good doctor and applied their own form of medicine to rid the colony of the loyalist contagion -- a good dose of tar and feathers. Beebe's name drops from the public records after his public humiliation, and it was assumed that he "went to the British Provinces."

Isaac Moseley graduated three years after Beebe. He too practiced medicine in his Connecticut birth place. While it is unclear as to whether he published some medical research, he was certainly one of Glastonbury's more influential citizens. Within six years of graduating from Yale, he became the captain of the local militia. Six years after that he was elected as a member of the Committee of Correspondence. Moseley's wife had died the year before, leaving him to raise their only daughter alone. In 1782, the year before the Revolution concluded, Glastonbury chose Dr. Moseley as their representative in Connecticut's general assembly. Amazingly, even at this late date, the doctor was still an ardent loyalist.

Within a year's time, however, the Yale alumnus considered it wise to leave Connecticut for England. When he died on February 7, 1806, his obituary summed up his life in these words: "A philosopher, Samaritan, and an Israelite indeed -- he was benevolent and humane towards the whole Family of mankind, a sincere and valuable friend ; and, to sum up his character in a few words, he was one of the noblest works of God -- an honest man."

Dr. Cyrus Punderson, class of 1757, was also the son of a Yale graduate. The senior Punderson was a Congregationalist minister before he decided to serve the Church of England. Local New Light preachers persecuted the Rev. Punderson, denouncing him as "unconverted and going straight to hell". As it turned out, persecution for strongly held beliefs would be a common experience of the Punderson family for two generations.

Young Cyrus began his classes at Yale with the intent of entering the ministry, but he eventually switched to medical studies. Upon graduating, he served with Dr. Muirson on Long Island. Following his marriage to Muirson's daughter, Cyrus set up his practise in Setauket, a community on the northern shore of Long Island, here the doctor and wife raised three sons and three daughters. George Muirson Punderson, born in 1768, followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps by attending Yale and trained to be a physician.

Dr. Cyrus Punderson remained loyal throughout the Revolution. Patriots arrested him in July of 1780, keeping him under house arrest. A famous patriot spy ring was headquartered in Setauket, and it may have been their espionage that led to the doctor's confinement. At the conclusion of the Revolution, the Pundersons did what most loyal Long Islanders did -- made their peace with their patriot neighbours and remained in their homes. Long Island had so many loyalists that they were not banished or persecuted as was the case in other colonies.

In 1789, Dr. Cyrus Punderson died at 48 years old and was buried next to Catharine in the graveyard of Setauket's Caroline Church. Today their descendants can be found throughout Long Island, unaware of their loyalist heritage and of their patriarch's alma mater.

...Find out more about Yale's loyal alumni in next week's Loyalist Trails.

To secure permission to reprint this article, email Stephen Davidson.

Horsfield Ancestry: First Generation in America © George McNeillie

The Horsfields came to America nearly a century later than our other ancestors. Like the Carmans, Moores, and Halletts they were closely associated with Long Island. The line of descent in America is as follows:-

1. Timothy Horsfield, of Liverpool, England.

2. Israel Horsfield, b. Jan. 4th, 1696, came to America in 1720. Died Oct. 24, 1772.

3. William Horsfield, b. Mar. 25, 1733. Married Mary Hewlett, Apr. 9, 1761.

4. Sarah Horsfield, b. Nov. 5, 1762. Married Richard Carman, Feb. 25, 1779.

The information now to be given is derived chiefly from "Reminiscences of Old Brooklyn," a paper read before the Long Island Historical Society, May 16, 1876, by Col. Thomas De Voe.

(2). Israel and Thomas Horsfield were born in Liverpool, England, and were sons of Timothy Horsfield. The elder brother, Israel, came to America in 1720 and was on December 13th, same year, made freeman of New York. About three years later his brother Timothy arrived and the two engaged in an extensive fresh meat business. Their trade was primarily with the shipping and in a few years it had grown so much that proper accommodation could not be obtained in the City of New York for the butchery. Long Island had furnished the greater part of the live stock. They were offered a favourable lease by the City Corporation in 1734 of part of their lands, lying on the Brooklyn shore near the ferry. Hither they removed, and took up their residence. They built a wharf and large slaughtering place. The next year they leased the two best stands in the Old Slip Market, then located at the lower end of the present Hanover Square in New York City, where daily their slaves brought over the dressed meats in their rowboats directly to the "Old Slip," where it was placed in wheel-barrows and conveyed to their stands.

The Horsfields in New Brunswick today are only a name, but they were originally a prolific race. In the year 1738 Israel Horsfield returned ten in his family in the Township of "Brookland". At that time he had three slaves. Three years later the brothers, with several other butchers, were unfortunate in having some of their slaves put to death for being concerned in the "Great Negro Plot" of 1741.

The brothers, however, were very successful in their business, and purchased a large plot of ground on the hill on the south side of the present Fulton Street in Brooklyn, where they built fine residences after the English style of building. Timothy afterwards became a Moravian, and in 1750 removed from Brooklyn.

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

...George McNeillie

Book Launch: Loyalists and Early Settlers on the Niagara River Parkway

Col. John Butler (Niagara) Branch on Wednesday, July 20, 4-7 p.m.

It's lovely to know at the end of all the work and the celebration of that work, that the outcome lives on - in the form of a book. And that's the way it is for Loyalists and Early Settlers on the Niagara River Parkway, the long anticipated work by Gail Woodruff, UE.

When I approached Debi Pratt, who heads public relations for Inniskillin Winery she agreed that the connection of the Winery to one of the original Crown Grant properties on the Parkway was a natural for a book launch event. Together with Debi and Stacey Mulholland, Inniskillin Events Coordinator, a committee of Shirley Lockhart UE, Paul Preece UE, Eugene Oatley UE and I met to plan a late-day reception and book-signing.

And so on Wednesday afternoon, July 20th more than 100 invited guests gathered at Founders' Hall to enjoy wonderful wines, courtesy of Inniskillin, delicious food sponsored by Cheese Secrets of Niagara-on-the-Lake and to offer their best wishes to Gail Woodruff as she signed books.

We were thrilled to have Bonnie Schepers, Dominion Vice President and her husband Albert travel all the way from Windsor to join us and bring greetings from UELAC. Also speaking were popular local politicians Kim Craitor, MPP and Gary Burroughs, Niagara Regional Chair. Debi Pratt did an outstanding job as MC. She and her staff set up the room, helped us display our signage, flags, maps and photos and made sure everyone was well taken care of with food and drink.

Many of the Col. John Butler members were dressed in period attire and had a lot of attention from visitors to the winery. It's not every day one sees people wearing long stockings, woollen jackets, mobcaps and vests when the thermometer registers over 30 degrees. Lots of photos were taken and will be posted to our website shortly.

We are so pleased that many our members who have patiently awaited the publication of this book were able to attend the launch. For those who could not be there and want to buy a book, the cost is $50 (including tax), shipping is extra. An order form can be downloaded from the website, or call Shirley Lockhart at 905-937-8252 to make arrangements for pickup or shipping.

...Ann Huffman, Secretary, Col. John Butler Branch

Kingston Commemoration of The Death of Rev Dr. John Stuart, August 14

On Aug 14, 2011, 2-4pm The Lower Burial Ground Restoration Society is holding a special commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the death of Rev Dr. John Stuart. The service will be held at the Lower Burial Ground, St. Paul's Church, the corner of Queen & Montreal St in Kingston, ON.

John Stuart, as you know, was a Loyalist, founder of the Anglican church in Upper Canada, founder of St. George's, missionary to the Mohawks and much more. He and most of his family are interred in a beautiful family crypt here, one of the oldest cemeteries west of Montreal (1783). Our society was founded to restore and preserve this burial ground, resting place of most of the early settlers in Kingston, many of them Loyalists.

Descendant and Past-President of the UELAC, Okill Stuart UE will be in attendance.

For more information please contact us at 613-547-8853 or e-mail

...Marianne Thompson

Summer Events Beckon UELAC President

Grietje and I enjoyed the thirteenth annual reunion of Adam Young UE, attended by 60+ people ranging in ages from four months to individuals in their nineties, on 09 July 2011, south of Hamilton, Ontario, at Blackheath (group photo). Dr. David Faux, direct descendant of Johann Adam Young (Jung) UE and his sons, Lieutenant John Young UE & Sergeant Daniel Young UE, is conducting exciting ground-breaking DNA research to establish family links using the Y-DNA haplogroup R-U152 as well as an autosomal study of the Young Family and Native American X-chromosome research. This is a privately-funded research programme conducted by Dr. Faux and he is particularly interested in obtaining samples from fifth-generation direct line male descendants. (Photo of Dr. David Faux, UE, taken by Grietje and Bob McBride UE)

We are looking forward to attending the annual Bay of Quinte Branch picnic at Adolphustown on Wednesday, 03 August 2011, and the annual Sir John Johnson Branch picnic at Fort Chambly, Chambly, Quebec, on Thursday, 18 August 2011.

...Robert C. McBride, President

Recognition of UELAC Volunteers -- 2011

In an earlier issue of Loyalist Trails, our Patron and Governor General, His Excellency David Johnson invited Canadians "to think about how they can make a difference in their communities and get involved. Let us take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the work of all volunteers." In Ontario, once names are submitted for the Ontario Volunteer Service Award, it can be many months before the recognition is formally given.

Two members of London and Western Ontario Branch UELAC, Treasurer Diane Black and genealogist Marlene Elliott , each received 5 year Ontario Volunteer Service Awards on April 7 , 2011 at the Marconi Club in London.

Gloria Oakes (15), Frank Rupert (10) and Frances Showers Walker (10) were honoured at the Liuna Station in Hamilton for their long service to their community on April 12. Earlier in February Pat Blackburn, Chair of the Hamilton Branch Education Committee and Doug Coppins, Chair of the Hamilton Branch Cemetery Plaquing Committee were both honoured at the Hamilton Wentworth Heritage Awards Ceremony.

At the Ontario Volunteer Service Award Ceremony in the Arcadian Court, Simpson's Tower in Toronto on June 13, The Governor Simcoe Branch honoured their first ever Youth Award recipient, Adam Donnelly (5 years). The service and commitment of Daryl Currie (10), Hugh Christie (10), Joyce Crook (20) and Elizabeth Heath (25) was also recognized. As Lloyd Mellor (20) and Jean Mellor (10) live in London, they were recognized in an earlier OVSA ceremony.

The following members of the Colonel Edward Jessup Branch received 2011 Ontario Volunteer Service Awards on June 28th at a ceremony in Kingston: Lorna Johnston (40), Roy Lewis (20), and Donald Clunas, Fraser Carr, Ann Carr and Barbara Law, each for 10 years.

The Bay of Quinte honoured several members of the Branch executive with the OVS Award this spring as well: Jim Gubb (5), Thelma Coulter (5), Susan Brose (20), Russell Sills (25) and Merle Burns (30)

This year, the Royal Tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also was used to honour volunteers in the communities visited. The former president of the Abegweit Branch, Ruth MacDonald, and her husband Norm were both invited to join almost two thousand long time volunteers of Prince Edward Island at historic Dalvay-by-the-Sea to witness his Royal Highness participate in a training exercise organized by the Department of National Defence as well as the dragonboat races. Shona Wards, a former president of the Edmonton Branch and well known for her other volunteer activities was invited to a reception in Calgary attended by the Duke and Duchess.

There are many other members of UELAC have volunteered their time and talents as an extended service or for special or for time-limited projects. Although for now they remain anonymous,they too have made a vital difference in the operations of UELAC, locally, regionally and nationally.

...FHH/PR

The Tech Side: Building A Digital Time Capsule – by Wayne Scott, UE

Every so often the Time Capsule idea resurges in popularity. It is really cool to go outside and dig up a metal box that was buried in the back yard 25 years ago. We are seeing a renewed interest now, particularly among genealogists. There is so much information available to us now, in so many forms, that one often wonders how it can be preserved for the next 50 or 100 years. How would we go about creating a digital strong box where we can store digital trinkets: photos, movies, songs, family artefacts, documents etc? We have learned so much about how to preserve documents and media files from deteriorating. Will they stand the test of time, perhaps 50 years?

Digital storage seems like a good way to go. Film footage becomes brittle and disintegrates. Paper looses what is stored on it, and sometimes becomes too brittle to handle. Photos need to be stored with the correct protective covering. Yes, digital storage is the better way.

There are a number of services that will house your digital library. You can arrange for the company to notify designated people at a certain time/year, etc, that the digital time capsule is ready to be opened. Fees for such a service can cost a one time fee of $500.00 (www.mylegacy.org). We would need to have faith that the company will be in business 50 years from now. I know that I won't be there to retrieve my digital time capsule.

There are a few things to consider when setting up your digital time capsule. What are you going to store? The common items would include documents, photos and videos. What format will you save these items in? Will computers in the future be able to access Word documents (.doc). Will viewers be able to open picture files such as .JPEG, .TIFF or .GIF? Will future media players show your .MPEG4, or .MPEG2 movies? If you had set up a time capsule 15 years ago and used diskettes to store your information, you would be hard pressed to read them today. Even though we cannot guarantee that these file systems will be available in 50 years, we can set our time capsule up with the equipment to read our files.

What we need is a self contained filing system with built in formats for viewing. Some late model cell phones will allow you to view documents, pictures and videos. This could be an ideal system for managing your time capsule. Store all of your documents etc. on memory cards that your cell phone can read and display. You will need the phone charger in your time capsule also. Please also remember to remove the battery and place it in a plastic baggie so that it leakage occurs it will not destroy the memory cards. Tin boxes such as the ones that Altoids comes in are ideas for storing memory cards. If your phone uses the miniature memory cards, make sure to also store one of the card adapters in the box as well. A waterproof container is needed to store the ensemble of media and playback devices. Try to find a spot that is not overly humid, or suffer from extremes in heat or cold to store your time capsule. Also, make sure to tell children where the time capsule is, or you can use a service such as futureme.org to send a message detailing where the time capsule is.

If you don't have a cell phone for the time capsule, used netbook computers can be purchased online. They will do the same, and in many ways better than a cell phone. Make sure that all the chargers, chords and batteries are stored with the netbook, and in their own storage bags. By using the netbook option, flash drives can be used to store memorabilia, documents, photos, etc. You would be amazed as how many media files and documents can be stored on a flash drive.

You notice that CD's and DVD's weren't mentioned as a storage medium. Many experts agree that these storage mediums will not last that long into the future. I guess you will have to decide for yourself.

If I still have your interest, here are some suggestions for storing information. First of all, store photos in more than one format. If you use .JPEG, also store copies in .TIFF format. Documents can be stored as .DOC file extension. In addition, copies can be stored as .TXT format, .PDF file extensions. Of course you can use the file extension for a text editor other than Microsoft Word if that is what you use on a regular basis. If using the netbook method, your word processor will likely be installed on the machine already.

Make sure to label your files with good descriptors such as: Joan&John_Certificates, 50th_Anniversary_Party, etc. You will have hundreds of files and want to make navigating through the assortment of files as easy as possible.

Lastly, have fun with your new project.

You can email Wayne Scott to get in touch with questions or comments.

Additions to the Loyalist Directory

As time permits, we add information to the Loyalist Directory. The latest additions and updates are as follows:

Descendants of William and Hannah Jarvis

Are you a descendant of William and Hannah Jarvis? If you want to know more about Hannah's father, the Rev. Samuel Peters, contact me for further details.

...Stephen Davidson