Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2011 Archive

In this issue:
- The Great and Complicated Business: Suffer the Little Children -- by Stephen Davidson
- Charles Raymond (1788 - 1878) by George McNeillie
- Hamilton Br. Loyalist Cemetery Plaquing: Christ's Church Cathedral
- Loyalist Quarterly by Paul Bunnell: October Issue Now Available
- The Constitution Act 1791: Original Copy
- Charles Pachter on "In Search Of Simcoe" RiverBrink Art Museum Lecture, Niagara-On-The-Lake
- War of 1812 Quilts, Patterns, Fashions
- From Doug
- Queries
      + Response re William Phillips

The Great and Complicated Business: Suffer the Little Children -- by Stephen Davidson

If you still have nightmares when you think back on family vacations with small children, take a moment to put yourselves in the shoes of the loyalists. Small families were virtually unheard of in the 18th century, so for every married male loyalist seeking sanctuary outside of the United States, there would be four, six, or eight children accompanying their parents. Consequently, children made up a large percentage of the passengers in the three fleets that evacuated loyalists from New York City in 1783.

Here are some examples from a few ships' manifests that have survived to the 21st century. The Union, the flag ship for the first fleet that left in April, carried a total of 209 passengers. 52% of them were children. Forty-five percent of the Eagle's human cargo was under the age of 21. Fifty-nine percent of the Argo's passengers were women and children. L'Abondance carried Black Loyalists to Nova Scotia four times. 44% of the passengers on the first voyage were children --as were 33% on the second voyage. Given that these free Africans had been slaves without the opportunity to establish stable family units, one can only assume that the percentage of children on ships carrying white loyalists was even higher.

It is little wonder then, that children were the subject of a number of letters written to Sir Guy Carleton as he supervised the departure of loyalists from New York City in 1783.

On April 4th, Major Thomas Millidge of the First New Jersey Volunteers asked Carleton to recommend his appointment as the Deputy Surveyor of Nova Scotia "on account of his loyalty and sufferings, and has a wife and five children". The combination of a record of loyal service and the need to provide for one's dependents was hard for Carleton to ignore.

A loyalist who helped the imprisoned soldiers of Burgoyne and Cornwallis' armies to escape wrote Carleton to say that he had eight children to feed and care for. Benjamin Parker wrote that he was "distressed for money". In September of 1783, John Allen, his wife and five children were scheduled to leave for Port Roseway (modern day Shelburne, Nova Scotia). However, for the past three months the "loyal refugee" from Bergen, New Jersey had not been receiving the allowance given him since 1779. In begging for a restoration of his regular stipend, Allen told Carleton that he could not "command as much money as would purchase either of them a pair of shoes".

George Miller arrived in New York City from Maryland just eight days before the last of the British forces were to leave. Miller hoped that he, his wife and seven children might "partake of His Majesty's bounty in being transported to any of His Majesty's dominions".

Even in the 18th century, sick children could interrupt the best laid plans for a family trip. In July, a Dutchess County loyalist wrote to Carleton to say that due to persecution from his neighbours, his family had decided to move to Nova Scotia. Shortly after John Crabb and his family boarded their evacuation ship, they were put back on the New York dock "on account of their illness". "Reduced to extreme poverty" and "suffering from the lack of necessary food" in a strange city, Crabb begged for relief for his wife and children.

James McBeth wrote to say that "he and his little son were two of five persons put ashore sick from the Minerva". The ship sailed the next morning, leaving McBeth without any money "and effects". The ship had sailed off with their luggage! The fate of the loyalist and his son is uncertain. An official memo on the back of his letter said that relief "cannot be given". All of the British forces left New York six days later. One can only hope that the McBeths were given passage on a Royal Naval vessel.

A former soldier in the 63rd Regiment, Charles Hunt petitioned Carleton for "some small relief". He was in distress, understandably, as he had "five children sick with smallpox". This disease accounted for more deaths during the American Revolution than those caused by warfare. When loyalists brought smallpox to Halifax after they had fled from Boston in March of 1776, it was understandable that ship captains were quick to put any sick passengers on shore. Though not as lethal, measles was the scourge of the loyalist evacuation fleets. It commonly broke out on the long, two-week journey to Nova Scotia and spread throughout the entire ship.

Unexpected illness was also unsettling for the family of Peter Day, a loyalist from New Jersey. The Days suddenly stopped receiving financial support. The British authorities assumed that the family had boarded their ship for Nova Scotia, but they were all "confined to a sick bed" when their fellow passengers went aboard. The authorities in New York assumed that the family had left the city and stopped the payment of their allowance.

Children were never far from Carleton's mind. In New York City, he reported that there were a "number of orphan children, mostly of soldiers, having remained in the poor house in this city, who would probably be left destitute on the removal of the King's troops from hence." If these children were the offspring of British soldiers, they would have been taken back to their extended families in England, so it is safe to assume that they were the children of loyalist soldiers and their wives.

Carleton arranged to have the 13 boys and single girl sent to Halifax. After travelling with the woman who had cared for them in New York, the loyalist orphans were to be hired out as apprentices under the supervision of Rev. Breynton. Carleton made sure that the children were to be "clothed completely" and to be "victualled as refugees if necessary". It would be interesting to know if any modern Nova Scotians are able to trace their ancestry back to these nameless 14 orphans.

Next week: Loyalist women write Carleton.

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

Charles Raymond (1788 - 1878) © George McNeillie

The Family Record of my Grandfather, Charles Raymond, late of Woodstock, N.B. is as follows:

Charles Raymond — b. May 21, 1788, Kingston — m. March 16, 1817 — d. May 17, 1878

Polly Sylvia Beardsley — b. March 17, 1794, Woodstock — m. March 16, 1817 — d. July 19, 1855

Children:

Mary Ann — b. January 16, 1818, Kingston — d. February 7, 1819

Charles William — b. October 22, 1820 — m. July 10, 1850 — d. June 10, 1901

Mary Ann — b. August 30, 1823, Woodstock — m. July 18, 1849 — d. June 4, 1911

Laura Matilda — b. September 13, 1836, Woodstock — d. March 2, 1837

Grandfather Charles Raymond, was born in Kingston in the old log house, or cabin, built on the arrival of his parents. It stood on the opposite side of the highway to that on which stood the house which was built by Silas Raymond in the year Grandfather was born -- that is in 1788 -- and it was up the hill nearer the church. The new frame house to which Grandfather was taken as an infant, was one of the first of that description built in Kingston and at the time it was demolished (circa 1903) was one of the oldest houses in New Brunswick. Grandfather's youngest brother George, who was born in it, lived in it all his days and I think died there in 1870.

Charles Raymond was educated under the old S.P.G. schoolmasters, Jesse Hoyt, Jedediah Phipps and Walter Dibblee. He wrote a beautiful hand, very like "copperplate", but always had an aversion to flourishes. The Vestry minutes written when he was clerk in 1818, are models of elegant handwriting. They were of course written with a quill pen. His last schoolmaster, Walter Dibblee, who was born in Stamford [Connecticut] in 1764, married Hannah Beardsley, on April 28, 1784, her father no doubt officiating at the wedding. Their eldest son. Fyler Dibblee, married on Feb. 18, 1809, Charles Raymond's sister Sarah, who was the first white child born in Kingston. But this was not the end of the intermarrying for Sarah Munday Dibblee, a younger sister of Walter, married Parson Beardsley's oldest son, and their oldest child, Polly Sylvia Beardsley, married Grandfather Raymond.

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

Hamilton Br. Loyalist Cemetery Plaquing: Christ's Church Cathedral

The plaque unveiling at Christ's Church Cathedral on Sunday October 2nd commemorating Loyalist Richard Beasley UE went very well. The cold wet weather forced the celebration to be held in the sanctuary where we unveiled a substitute plaque - the real one was in the open air in the cemetery.

It was great to have our message presented in such a beautiful location where everyone young and old was able to hear it and not be cold. The Very Rev. Peter Wall presented a service that connected well with the Loyalist story.

David Beasley talked for 10 minutes about his Loyalist ancestor and Colin Morley gave regrets for David's brother Alex Beasley's absence.

Councilperson Jason Farr presented, on behalf of David Christopherson MP for Hamilton Centre who was present but had to leave before this point, plaques to each of the Hamilton Branch UELAC and Christ's Church Cathedral for commemorating this important part of our heritage in recognizing the Loyalist burial site and final resting place of Richard Beasley UE. I will present this plaque to our branch at our October meeting.

There were other members of the Beasley family present who are interested in pursuing their loyalist certificates; hopefully they come to our next meeting.

Christ's Church provided lunch and many of us took the opportunity to photograph both the inside and outside of the church. Many members of Christ's church thanked us for pursuing the plaquing project. As usual, I never had time to partake of lunch, due to all the questions from all the interested people.

A great day.

This unveiling at Christ's Church Cathedral is the 8th plaque that the Hamilton branch has planted and unveiled. The plaquing project began in 2009 after I helped out with Grand River Branch's Cemetery Plaquing Project.

Since it's beginning, this project has been enthusiastically received by members of the Hamilton Branch. After every report at a branch meeting and every unveiling, we are swamped with questions and congratulations from those in attendance.

Besides myself, our Plaquing committee is made up of very dedicated people: Sharon Coppins UE, Ray Cummins UE, Ruth Nicholson UE, Marilyn Hardsand UE, Pat Blackburn UE, Colin Morley UE, Catharine Gonnsen UE

When the committee was formed, and after much research, we decided on a design for our plaque. We determined that the routered 2-coloured polymer material would best stand up to the weather.

We meet regularly to decide and discuss our prospective cemeteries to plaque. It usually takes a lot of time to get approval to plaque a cemetery. Once we have approval, it more time and effort is required to write letters, send and receive emails, make phone calls, negotiate the date and set up all the details of the planting of the plaque and the unveiling ceremony.

The unveiling ceremony is the highlight, where the overall Loyalist story is presented and the descendants tell the story of the Loyalists being honoured. The involvement of the descendants really makes the ceremony extra-special, and financially they often contribute a good portion of the cost.

The project has had good success. Leading up to this most recent event,

- In 2009, we unveiled a plaque at Union Cemetery, Plains Road, Burlington, Ontario, to honour Loyalist William Davis UE and Thomas Ghent UE

- In 2010, we unveiled a plaque at Hamilton Cemetery, York Blvd. Hamilton, Ontario, to honour Loyalist Robert Land UE and approximately 100 other Loyalists buried here;

- Bowman United Church Cemetery, 888 Garner Road East, Ancaster, Ontario, to honour Loyalist Peter Bowman UE and John Smith UE;

- Smith Cemetery, Kennedy Avenue, Hamilton, Ontario, to honour Loyalist Jacob Smith UE;

- Bethesda United Church Cemetery, 584 Garner Road East, Ancaster, Ontario, to honour Loyalist John Shaver UE;

- Rock Chapel United Church, 451 Rock Chapel Road, Waterdown, to honour Edward Ryckman UE;

- Millgrove Cemetery, Millgrove, Ontario, to honour Daniel Cummins UE.

The Hamilton Branch appreciates the continuing support from UELAC Dominion in the form of grants to help fund this project. This project will probably continue on for several years to come. After the planning and the event itself, the best part is the sense of reward, the accomplishment of something that makes a difference, and puts our organization at a higher level.

Our Loyalist History really does matter.

...Doug Coppins UE, Chairperson, Hamilton Branch Loyalist Burial Plaquing Committee

Loyalist Quarterly by Paul Bunnell: October Issue Now Available

The latest issue of the only U.S. journal devoted to Loyalist studies contains, among others, these topics:
- News from UELA Branches
- Obituaries
- Resourceful Loyalists in the New Land
- Editor's Reminder!
- Loyalist Trails Editor Doug Grant, UE, Gets Award
- UELAC Branch Newsletters
- Book Reviews
- Genealogy Fair - Saint John NB
- Corps of Queens Loyal Rangers commanded by Lieut. Colonel John Peters

More information including subscription details at Paul J. Bunnell's website.

...Editor/Author Paul J. Bunnell, UE

The Constitution Act 1791: Original Copy

We recently acquired an original rare copy of The Constitution Act 1791. A very important British government act not only important in Canadian history but also for the United Empire Loyalists.

The Constitution Act 1791 changed the government of the province of Quebec in response to the influx of English-speaking settlers who, having been Loyalists during the American Revolution, came to Canada from the United States following the conclusion of that war. The act divided Quebec into two sections, the western half becoming Upper Canada (now southern Ontario) and the eastern half Lower Canada (now southern Quebec). John Graves Simcoe, formerly the commander of the Queen's Rangers during that American Revolutionary War, was appointed the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada.

The price is only $4,900 + HST (anyone have some extra pocket change?)

The item has been listed on the Lord Durham Rare Books Inc. (St. Catharines) web site with complete description and photos.

...Duncan McLaren

Charles Pachter on "In Search Of Simcoe" RiverBrink Art Museum Lecture, Niagara-On-The-Lake

On Sunday afternoon, October 16th at 2:00 pm, well-known Canadian artist Charles Patcher will present his contemporary take on John Graves Simcoe and his pivotal role in the resettling of Loyalists from the American colonies in Upper Canada following the American War of Independence. Pachter's lecture will set the stage for our next season of exhibitions and programming, "RiverBrink's War of 1812," opening in May 2012.

In his bold series of narrative paintings, Pachter has examined the turbulent years leading up to and following the American Revolution that led to the flight of thousands of displaced Loyalists in the 1780s and 1790s. Their resettlement and the resulting creation of Upper Canada under the stewardship of John Graves Simcoe are themes which Pachter has re-interpreted from his own contemporary perspective.

Well-known Canadian artist Charles Pachter has produced countless paintings, sculptures and prints referencing Canadian history, culture and personalities. His often humorous, iconic images of diverse subjects such as hockey players, the Canadian flag, the moose, and Queen Elizabeth, are infused with a pop art sensibility. Pachter's work can be found in numerous public and private collections in Canada and abroad. Familiar motifs include Pachter's installation at the College St. subway station in Toronto and life-sized sculptures of moose at Toronto City Hall and on the campus of the University of Toronto. The artist has also illustrated books, collaborating with writer Margaret Atwood, for instance, to illustrate The Journals of Susannah Moodie.

Born in Toronto, Pachter studied art history at the University of Toronto, French literature at the Sorbonne in Paris and paintings and graphics at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Order of Canada and an Honorary Doctorate from Brock University.

This is the fifth in a series of monthly lectures presented by RiverBrink from June to October. Admission for this Sunday afternoon lecture is $15.00. RiverBrink members receive an additional 10% discount. Following the lecture, refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, so advance registration is advised. For reservations, please contact RiverBrink Art Museum by phone at 905-262-4510 or by email at info@riverbrink.org.

RiverBrink Art Museum is located at 116 Queenston Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake (on the Niagara Parkway halfway between Niagara Falls and "Old Town" Niagara-on-the-Lake). For more information on RiverBrink Art Museum visit its website at www.riverbrink.org

War of 1812 Quilts, Patterns, Fashions

For many months now I have been following Barbara Brackman's Blog about the American Civil War: Quilts, journals, letters and women's life and experiences. Barbara is a cultural historian, and an expert in quilt history and Fabrics. Her blog - http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/ - is very well illustrated, and contains numerous links to other sources as well.

Now Barbara has announced a blog for 2012 about the quilts, fabrics, and fashions, etc. of the War of 1812 period. I recommend this site to anyone with an interest in this time, and especially so if you have an interest in materials and clothing - but these items tell stories anyone would find interesting. There will be new material posted each month. There are already 5 entries that are outstanding, and links to other information as well, including information about an upcoming quilt show by the Great Lakes Seaway Trail.

See the 1812 era quilt and piecing blog by Barbara Brackman.

...Carolyn Cragun

From Doug

It is quite fascinating to see the items for Loyalist Trails arrive over the course of a week or so. This week's issue, like most, has varied content, but all related to the Loyalist era, directly or indirectly. Of course, as an Association looking to preserve and promote not only the Loyalist story, but that of a somewhat broader time frame in which Loyalists were involved - The Seven Years War to the War of 1812 for example - there will be more focus for the next few years on the Bicentennial of the latter.

For the help of all those who contribute and those who are avid or regular readers, I am thankful. On that note, Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

Response re William Phillips

I read, with interest, the query about Thomas Philips (21 November 1831 - 03 April 1909), who married Isabella V. Dorman (30 October 1835 - 20 January 1910). ("Loyalist Trails" UELAC Newsletter 2011-39 Oct 2, 2011).

I have researched some branches of this family, and may have some of the answers. Note that further research is needed to obtain the fine details which would be needed to certify a Loyalist lineage to UELAC standards. If Jessie would be interested in using my research services on a professional basis, she might contact me.

Thomas's mother is named Sarah Shadford, in Thomas's death notice (Ontario Deaths, died 03 April 1909). She is the daughter of Moses Shatford, who is listed on the Old United Empire Loyalist list. So, Thomas could bring UE status to his lineage via his mother's ancestry. Moses Shatford UE was married to Eunice Barton, and his daughter was baptised as Sarah Mary Shadford at Wolford 28 Mar 1810, baptized 30 Apr 1834. UELAC lineage from maternal lines, rather than surname lines, is fully accepted by UELAC.

Moses Shatford is listed in 'The Old United Empire Loyalist List', Appendix B, page 250. He is noted as a 'Soldier Loyal Rangers', 'had drawn 100, 1791 100 more'.

Thomas's father is given in the same source (Ontario Deaths) as William Philip Philips. Note that this family later took the spelling 'Phillips'.

Margaret Phillips was the sister of William Philip Phillips. She married Joseph Slack, and this marriage is noted on 'Sons and Daughters of American Loyalists' by Reid: from page 293...

SLACK, Joseph of Bastard (Leeds County, Ontario). mar. Margaret Phillips (born 9 July 1761) in 1782, She was daughter of Philip Phillips and Mary (Jenkins) Saunders, widow of Ebenezer Saunders.

Children...

Mary Slack, b. 4 Aug 1784, mar. Benoni Wiltsie of Yonge. OC 30 July 1799.

William Slack, b. 4 August 1784.

(other details. . .)

Therefore, William Philip Phillips was also a son of Philip Phillips and Mary (Jenkins) Saunders.

The same Philip Phillips who married Mary Jenkins, may not have been a Loyalist, as his will is found in Rye, Westchester, New York. In the will, he names only children who have remained in New York, and none who moved to Canada. But his father was surely a Loyalist.

Philip's will. . .

Page 326.--In the name of God, Amen. I, PHILIP PHILIPSE, of New York, being at this present time weak in body. All my just debts to be paid, and I charge them upon my Lot No. 8 in Duchess County, containing 11,057 acres, and my executors may sell the same for that purpose. I leave to my wife Margaret all my movable estate. I leave all my real estate to my wife Margaret and to my sons, Adolph, Frederick, and Nathaniel. If either die, his share is to go to the rest. I make my wife, and my son Adolph, and Mr. Nathaniel Marston, and Hon. Roger Morris, and Beverly Robinson, executors.

Dated January 30, 1768. Witnesses, William Farquhar, Physician, William Livingston, William Wickham.

Codicil, February 11, 1768. My executors may sell any part of my real estate as I am entitled to by the will of Henry Brockholst and Mary Brockholst, and the money to be used to pay debts.

Philip Phillips' dates were b. 28 August 1724 -- d. aft. 09 May 1768.

From the will and codicil, it is apparent that Philip Phillips was in financial difficulties. He may have suffered from property seizures and other penalties from Loyalist associations and sentiments. These Loyalist associations may have been attributed to his father. His father was Frederick Phillips II, a judge and lord of the Upper Mills in Westchester.

This family surname is spelled in various ways in early records, such as 'Flipse' and 'Philipse'. The entire family was Loyalist, and published a 'Declaration of Dependence'.

On November 28, 1776, the same year that fifty-six Americans signed the Declaration of Independence, well over two hundred colonial New Yorkers placed their signatures on a "Declaration of Dependence." These signers were Loyalists, citizens who remained faithful to their sovereign, George III, King of Great Britain. Prominent among the signatures diverse is that of Frederick Philipse II, Lord of the vast Manor of Philipsburg and resident of the elegant mansion known today as Philipse Manor Hall.

Among the Loyalists whom the family harboured was the famous America traitor, Benedict Arnold.

When the war was lost, the entire estate passed out of the family.

"The colonial estate of Frederick Philipse, confirmed by a royal charter (1693), extending from the present North Tarrytown, N.Y., to the present Bronx, with the Hudson River on the west and the Bronx River on the east. Its area was 90,000 acres (36,400 hectares). At Yonkers, Philipse built a mill and a manor hall (c.1682), the permanent family seat. The estate passed into British and then American hands in the Revolution, and its administration as a single unit was never restored. Soon after the Revolution a New York merchant bought the Yonkers manor house, and in 1868 the city of Yonkers purchased it for use as the city hall. The state now owns the surrounding ground and the manor house, where historical collections are displayed."

Source: Philipse Manor Hall, State Historic Site

P.O. Box 496, Yonkers, NY 10702 (914) 965-4027

With his father in financial distress, Philip Phillips (Jr.), came to Canada. He served with the Royal Canadian Volunteers after 1796.

Source: ROYAL CANADIAN VOLUNTEERS.

Formed 19th May, 1796.

Disbanded 25th September, 1802.

First Battalion

Ensigns: Philip Philips (many other names)

ROYAL CANADIAN VOLUNTEERS.

Formed 19th May, 1796.

Disbanded 25th September, 1802. (Philip Philips, Ensign, First Battalion). As an Ensign, one would expect Philip to be well connected, and probably close to the age of 30, so born roughly 1766.

An Assessment of the Township of Yonge to pay the Representative of the County of Leeds for the year 1805

. . .Philip Philips, Daniel Philips (Daniel a son of Philip & brother of William Philip)

Philip, perhaps with little financial means, but with Loyalty to the King, may have come to Leeds with the family of Joseph Slack UE, who had married his sister Margaret. Joseph Slack is first found on land in Bastard Township in Leeds, on 10 November 1794. By 1796, he had joined the Royal Canadian Volunteers.

This is my understanding of the Loyalist roots of this family.

...Richard Ripley UE