Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2012 Archive

In this issue:
- Fifteen Loyalists and Benedict Arnold: Part Three -- by Stephen Davidson
- Richard Carman (1757 - 1817) by George McNeillie
- Maple Tree Planted to Honour United Empire Loyalists — 1939
- "Vignettes of Winnipeg: Past and Present": The Golden Boy
- Media, 1812, The Legion and Via Rail
- Reaching Out: Hamilton Branch at Burlington Heritage Fair
- U of Guelph Hosts War of 1812 Bicentennial Symposium, Sat. Feb 25
- The Tech Side: Recovering Keys & Passwords – by Wayne Scott, UE
- Queries
      + Response re John Fetterly
      + Family of Andrew Loyst
      + Family of Constant King
- Last Post
      + Marsha Judith Irene Shouldice
      + Rev. J. William Shaver, B.A.Sc., B.D., Th.M.

Fifteen Loyalists and Benedict Arnold: Part Three -- by Stephen Davidson

Between the years of 1783 and 1788, the Royal Commission on the Losses and Services of American Loyalists heard the testimony of 2,291 loyalists in Montreal, Quebec, Saint John, Shelburne, Halifax and London. The purpose of the RCLSAL was to determine who was worthy of being compensated for property losses sustained during the Revolution. However, mixed in with these testimonies of service and loss are the stories of fifteen loyalists who encountered one of the most controversial figures in the War of Independence, Benedict Arnold. Nine of these stories had to do with Arnold when he was the leader of the rebel army, but six were tales of Arnold, the born-again loyalist.

In September of 1780, Benedict Arnold ceased to be a general in the Continental Army and assumed the rank of brigadier-general in the British Army. The loyalists who encountered him after this date knew Arnold as a friend and ally in the royal cause.

The British gave Arnold command of the American Legion in the fall of 1780. In January of the following year, he was ordered to seek out and destroy Continental Army supplies and storage depots throughout Virginia. William Austin was under Arnold's command during those raids. The loyalist's war service to the crown began in Philadelphia where he operated Rushton's Ferry on Mulberry Street. After Philadelphia was evacuated, Austin followed the army and other loyalists to New York. He became the master mate on the Pelican and was later given the command of an armed ship named the Rambler. It was while he captained this ship that he served under Arnold's command in Virginia. Given that the British lost the war, Austin did not go into the details of his service with Arnold. After the Revolution, Austin left the Thirteen Colonies and lived for a time in the West Indies. In 1786, the Philadelphia ferry-man told the RCLSAL that he had narrowed down his choice of future home to either Halifax or England.

Just because one was a loyal colonist did not necessarily mean that meeting the loyalist Arnold would be a positive experience. Take the case of Neil Jamison. This Scottish immigrant had done very well for himself, amassing lands, houses and slaves during the fifteen years that he lived in Virginia. In 1775, he made a rapid retreat to the United Kingdom, leaving all of his property behind him. When the Revolution was over, Jamison filed a claim for compensation, noting that General Arnold burnt two of his houses worth 330 pounds sterling during the British attacks on rebel strongholds. The transcripts of the RCLSAL do not say if this request was granted.

Another loyalist who sought compensation because of Arnold's military actions was Thomas Dare. He was a customs collector in New London, Connecticut. Because of his commitment to the crown, he "was mobbed and obliged to go out of town for several nights." Dare fled Connecticut in 1776.

Five years later, New London was a supply depot for patriots and a port for rebel privateer vessels. With General Washington marching south, the British needed to create a diversion. Since Benedict Arnold had grown up near New London and knew its harbour, he was commissioned to create a diversion by attacking the Connecticut port. Across the sea in England, Thomas Dare later learned the consequences of Arnold's raid on New London. The loyalist's house was among the 143 buildings that the British forces burned down during their attack!

But having an encounter with Benedict Arnold was not always such a destructive experience for Connecticut loyalists. On March 27, 1786, Arnold signed his name on a certificate stating that Abiathar Camp had "been always considered a loyalist, to his being forced within the British lines on that account, and to his being active in procuring guides and pilots for the expedition against New London". The Connecticut loyalist received compensation thanks to his personal connection to Arnold.

After leading military campaigns in Virginia and Connecticut, Arnold took his family to England in December of 1781. Like other refugee colonists, the former Continental Army general sought compensation for himself as a loyalist from the Royal Commission on the Losses and Services of American Loyalists. During the commission's hearings, two loyalists asked Arnold to appear as a witness on their behalf.

Henry Reeves had been the captain of the Tempest during the British raids on patriot strongholds in Virginia. He met Arnold sometime during March of 1781. Arnold testified that Reeves had supplied General Philips with information on the movement of the rebel army. He also remembered that because British troops had set his fields afire, Reeves had lost his tobacco crop. The board declared Reeves a loyalist and compensated him for his service and losses.

October 21, 1784 is the last time that Benedict Arnold's name appears among those who were witnesses for loyalists at the RCLSAL hearings. Nicholas Lechmere, a native of Boston and a customs worker in Rhode Island, had three witnesses speak on his behalf. Charles Dudley, who worked in Lechmere's office, remembered him as "an excellent subject". Rev. Bisset testified that he was "enthusiastically loyal", having been arrested for not signing an oath of allegiance to the rebel cause.

Benedict Arnold had also known Lechmere in Connecticut, his home colony. The loyalist's Newhaven home was so attractive that Arnold had contemplated buying it for 1,000 pounds sterling. This comment helped solidify Lechmere's claims for financial loss; Arnold's word that he "understood that he was very loyal" helped to secure the board's decision that Lechmere was a "meritorious loyalist and did his duty as an officer of the crown".

When it came to meeting Benedict Arnold, the transcripts of the RCLSAL's hearings prove the old adage: timing is everything. A loyalist's encounter with Arnold could range from being threatened with execution to imprisonment or from the burning of one's home to invaluable testimony before the compensation board. It all depended upon when one met the general.

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

Richard Carman (1757 - 1817) © George McNeillie

Grandfather Carman's youngest brother, Stephen, I remember pretty well. On one occasion I was his bed-fellow at Uncle Dick Carman's in Lower St. Mary's. He awoke early in the morning, and after lying for an hour or two without hearing anybody stirring he gave utterance to a war-whoop and shouted, "Ain't you going to give us any Breakfast?" This brought Uncle Dick to the room door and he read the riot act to the old man on his behaviour. One of Stephen Carman's grand-daughters, Gertrude McDonald, is now the wife of the Hon. William Pugsley, Lieut. Governor of New Brunswick. (1920)

One of our second cousins, Annie M. Clowes, of "Eden Hill," Oromocto, (now Mrs. Charles Gilmore) was a great friend of ours and was God-mother to our daughter Winifred when she was baptized in St. John in 1886.

Through my mother and her sisters, and with the help of Mr. Charles H. Carman, I collected a great many facts concerning the older Carmans which, however, are not of sufficient interest to insert in these pages. I therefore pass on now to speak of the second son of our Loyalist ancestor's (Richard Carman), who was my Grandfather, Samuel Carman. He was the only one of our Loyalist ancestors (for he was an infant Loyalist) whose face I ever saw.

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

Maple Tree Planted to Honour United Empire Loyalists — 1939

If you count the original vermillion graffiti on the rock along the Dean Channel, later engraved in the 1920's, the oldest monument to the struggles of the United Empire Loyalists could be "Alexander Mackenzie, from Canada, by land, 22 July, 1793". However, thanks to the joint submission by Victoria Branch Past President Robert Ferguson and Senior Vice-President Bonnie Schepers, a more recent marker has been documented in the UELAC Monuments and Commemoratives folder.

On 4 February 1927, the descendants of the United Empire Loyalists in Victoria held their first meeting in the Assembly Room of the Parliament Buildings Library with 24 present. 12 years later, when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited Victoria in 1939, a maple tree was planted in Beacon Hill Park to honour the United Empire Loyalists. Details and images of the location and stone can be found here. With fifty-four entries, the UELAC Monuments and Commemoratives folder now covers Canada from sea to sea.

...FHH

"Vignettes of Winnipeg: Past and Present": The Golden Boy

[Manitoba Branch is hosting Conference at the Confluence 2012, the UELAC annual gathering and annual meeting from June 7 to 10 in Winnipeg. These vignettes will provide some of the local history and whet your appetite for more. Now is a good time to plan your trip to the conference, and join us there.]

This iconic statue – The Golden Boy – was designed by Parisian sculptor Georges Gaudet, who also designed many of the sculptures inside the Legislative Building, including the massive bison that flank the grand staircase.

It stands 17.2 feet high, weighs almost 4000 pounds and is clad in gold-leaf. The sculptor dubbed his creation, based on the Greek god Hermes, "Eternal Youth". It is sometimes called the "Spirit of Manitoba".

In 1917 the statue was loaded into The Empress of France. Before it could be transported to Canada, the vessel was requisitioned for military transport and the "Golden Boy" spent the duration of the war as ballast as the Empress criss-crossed the Atlantic.

In 1919 it was unloaded in Halifax and made the trip to Winnipeg in time to be installed for the grand opening of the completed building in 1920.

On December 31st, 1966, a mercury vapour lamp was installed in the torch to mark Canada's centennial.

In 2001, during a routine inspection, it was discovered that the "Golden Boy" was in need of extensive repairs. It was lowered to the ground for the first time since 1920. To mark this unique event, The Golden Boy was displayed in the Manitoba Museum and The Forks for several months so that people could have the opportunity to see the "Golden Boy "up close.

As part of the repair, new gold-leaf was applied, so that today he shines in the sun by day and by flood-lights at night.

Source: Street of Dreams: The Story of Broadway, Marjorie Gillies.

...Mary F. Steinhoff, Secretary, Manitoba Branch, UEL

Media, 1812, The Legion and Via Rail

Previously, articles in the Legion Magazine have been highlighted in Loyalist Trails when they referred to contemporary activities of members of UELAC. The current issue features an excellent overview of the War of 1812 by noted historian and author Donald E. Graves. There is probably one UELAC Branch that will draw attention to the fact that he studied history at the University of Saskatchewan. Since then, he has concentrated on military history and has written many books that deal with battles in Canada overall and the War of 1812 in particular. His article in the Legion Magazine is well illustrated with images of heroes and artifacts. In 1812: The War That Saved Canada, Graves concludes with the following thoughtful statement: "The war was a defining moment in Canadian history, laying the foundation not only for Confederation but for the modern nation we live in today, independent and free, with a constitutional monarchy, the parliamentary system, and a respect for linguistic and ethnic diversity. That surely is reason enough to not only remember, but commemorate the War of 1812."

Another article on the War of 1812 appeared this week, interestingly enough, in Via destinations, the electronic newsletter from Via Rail. The bilingual promotion Ontario Marks the War of 1812 begins and ends with reference to the Monument to General Brock at Queenston. The page also contains an advertisement for the Canadian War Museum which will be opening a special exhibition in June 2012, tentatively titled "Four Wars of 1812". It will examine the war from the perspectives of Canada, the United States, Britain, and the First Nations and contain about 150 artifacts—including the tunic worn by Sir Isaac Brock.

Remember you can access a calendar of events for commemorations of the War of 1812 by clicking on the Event Central button.

...FHH

Reaching Out: Hamilton Branch at Burlington Heritage Fair

The Burlington Heritage Fair kicked off a month of activities on Feb. 4 at Burlington Central Library. The theme of "War of 1812" brought in a record breaking attendance to the day long event. Nineteen local historical groups set up displays in Centennial Hall and had overwhelming attention from the public all day. Five seminars ran through the day with speakers such as Zig Misiak, Fred Blair, Daphne Hall, Jane Irwin and Jim Taggart. Full house at each seminar!

The children's department librarian wore a period costume as she read a period appropriate story. A "Soldiers Obstacle Course" was set up for the children. A record number of children had lots of fun wearing their Shako hats and completing the course.

When all was done you could check out your books from costumed clerks on the circulation desk. Costumes courtesy of UELAC Dominion Office!

The Burlington Heritage Month committee is made up of representatives from five local heritage organizations. I was proud to represent Hamilton Branch UELAC as committee chair for this year.

...Martha Hemphill UE

U of Guelph Hosts War of 1812 Bicentennial Symposium, Sat. Feb 25

Some of Canada's most respected and popular War of 1812 historians will gather at the University of Guelph Feb. 25 for a War of 1812 bicentennial symposium. The event, which is open to the public, will include re-enactors in period costumes, storytelling, public talks and battle re-creations. See registration details.

Uniformed "soldiers" will help direct people to the conference, to be held in Rozanski Hall. The event is sponsored by U of G's Department of History and the Cambridge, Ont.-based 41st Regiment of Foot re-enactment group, as well as "living history" groups in London and Hamilton, the Wellington County Museum, the Guelph Historical Society and Guelph Museums.

At 9 a.m., keynote speaker and historian David Graves will discuss "Whither the War of 1812," a review of historical literature about the war over the past four decades. Lt.-Gen. Jonathon Riley will give the closing keynote address on "1812 Coalition War, World War" at 3 p.m.

Adwoa Badoe, a Guelph author and storyteller, will discuss "Richard Pierpoint: A Black Volunteer in the War of 1812" at 1 p.m. Her talk is part of Black History Month. Concurrent lectures will take place at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Also featured are a period dinner, dancing and games. A complete schedule is available online.

...Stephen Bowley

The Tech Side: Recovering Keys & Passwords – by Wayne Scott, UE

Do you know where the product keys are to your 'Windows' software or Microsoft Office? If you don't know what happened to them, then the hunt is on when trying to upgrade the software. The first clue is to look on your desktop case. Quite often the manufacturer placed a copy of the product key on it. The container that Microsoft Office came in will have the product key glued on. But, what if you really can't find your product keys and you need them right now, or what if you have copied down the Product Keys incorrectly and they won't work?

There is a really great software application that will do the trick for you, and it will run on Windows 7, Vista and XP. Besides being good at the task, it is free. The program is called Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder.

1. Download the program

2. Open Start Menu

3. In the search box to find programs and files Type: keyfinder and press enter.

4. The program will search your hard drive for Windows and MS Office product keys.

A box with 2 panes will open up. On the left pane Windows Information and Microsoft Office versions will be listed. Click on the product you are looking for. From the list of items select the one that begins with "CD Key". Copy this information down very carefully as this is used to open the version of Windows you are using. Don't confuse this key with the Product Key that you do not need. Follow the same process for Microsoft Office.

There are times when you will need to reset a Windows Password. I know of people who continue using the Guest account because they have forgotten their regular account. A Guest will not necessarily have access to all of the programs on the computer. Take the time to create a Password Reset Disk. This disk can be any storage medium that will work on that computer. A cd is the easiest to use. It should be noted that if you are using a flash drive, you will have to go into the Start-up information and select it to allow the flash drive to be part of the storage devices that are read on Start Up.

Click on Start -- Control Panel -- User Accounts (Windows Vista, Windows 7). When you click on User Accounts the option is given to Create a Password Reset Disk. When you need this information, put the disk into your computer when you boot. The option will come up which allows you to reset the password. This is one of the must-do tasks when setting up a new computer.

Product keys and passwords for Microsoft Office programs can be found under the "Help" tab on the product's start page. Again, be careful when writing these down. Also, store this information where it can be easily found.

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

Response re John Fetterly

[This follows an earlier response]

The land petition for John Fetterly has been located. It references his application to be added to the UE List on the basis of his service on behalf of Loyal activities in the Albany area, for which he was imprisoned.

Read a transcription of the original petition.

Now the interesting point is, according to the original rules of Lord Dorchester (Guy Carleton), that in order to be on the list, one had to be in service under the Royal Standard, in the American colonies, prior to 1783. But by 1807, the standards has been expanded in some cases, to include loyal persons who had served in some manner, other than actual military service. And John Fetterly was in jail (gaol) in Albany in 1783, due to Royal service. He could not finally get to Canada until 1795, according to his witness on the petition, after his release from jail.

As you read the responses to John Fetterly's Petition, you will see that the request was first refused by a clerk, as it did not follow the old ruls of 'service under the Royal Banner'. However that ruling was overturned by none other than Francis Gore, the Lieutenant Governor of the time, the highest Royal official in Canada then. The Petition was approved, and the document was placed in the Land Book.

John Fetterly did not make any land application later that I can find, based upon that ruling.

...Richard Ripley

Family of Andrew Loyst

I am searching for information about Andrew Loyst and his descendants. He is the son of John Heinrich (Henry) Loyst. Both have been proven by members of several branches, including Grand River Branch UELAC. The only other information I have is that they resettled in Fredericksburgh.

I am most interested in details about Andrew's daughter, Mary Loyst. From the book "The Loyalist In Ontario" by William D. Reid, Hunterdon House, 1973, page 185, I found a Mary Loyst shown as the daughter of Andrew Loyst of Fredericksburgh. The entry indicates she married ---- Batty of Haldimand Township. My family research indicates that the parents of my 2nd great grandfather, David Calvin Batty, were Mary Loyst and Findley (or perhaps Finly) Batty. There may be a connection with a Wellington F. Batty from the area of Haldimand, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada. I would appreciate any assistance or direction.

...Linne Haddock

Family of Constant King

Constant King Sr. and Jr. are noted in the Loyalist Directory.

Constant Sr UEL — I just talked to my mother (maiden name is King) to get a refresher of the King Family history as she knows. She said she read somewhere in a King history book but can't remember the book by name. She turned 90 in January but has a good memory for details. She still lives in the former Edwardsburg Township. Here is what she told me: "Constant Sr. fought with his son Jr in Jessup's Corp. After the British lost the Battle of Saratoga, Constant Sr and his family loaded up the wagon and headed to Quebec. Constant Sr. and his wife had more than 10 children and she believes the number is 13. Constant Jr was the oldest son. Constant Sr. decided to stay in Quebec and not follow his son to what was to become Upper Canada. So I guess the search would be in Quebec for his family. He may have settled in the new loyalist land grants just north of the US border in Quebec, but we do not know.

Constant Jr UEL — A book was published by Edwardsburg Historian in 1996 — Edwardsburg Family Histories. The King branch begins with Constant King Jr. and goes to the present. My children are listed in this book as descendants of Constant Jr. There is no mention of Constant King Senior in this book. In brief, there is published info on Constant Jr. origin. He was born in Saratoga and was a member of Edward Jessup's Corp. He married in Montreal in an Anglican Church.

Other UEL in my family line include:

Thomas Brown UEL — His daughter Elizabeth married Nelson King who is grandson of Constant Jr. This is documented in Edwardsburg Family Histories book.

Henry Hoople UEL — Source Book — The Hooples of Hoople Creek. Henry was a member of KRRNY. The family lineage in the book includes my mother before she married.

We are seeking additional information a bout the Constant King Sr. family.

...Doug Reynolds, UE

Marsha Judith Irene Shouldice

Peacefully at home, Thursday, February 16th, 2012 at the age of 57. Daughter of the late Phyllis and Oliver Shouldice. Dear sister of Jack, the late Bob, Rick, Sandra, Brian and Duane. Loving aunt to Lisa and John, Lori and Terri.

She will be remembered for her warmth, love of family, and commitment to genealogy, as well as her business acumen and sense of fun. She thrived in banking and real estate, and most recently in empowering foster children. Expressions of sympathy may be directed to a charity of your choice.

Marsha and several members of he family have been members of the St. Lawrence Branch UELAC

Published in the Ottawa Citizen Feb. 18, 2012

...Lynne Cook UE, St. Lawrence Branch

Rev. J. William Shaver, B.A.Sc., B.D., Th.M.

Peacefully at Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga, on July 24, 2011, in his 89th year. Husband to Sherrill (Tuggey) Shaver. Father of Arlene (Michael), Andrea (Benoit), Wesley and Brock, and grandfather of several. William was a United Church minister for 35 years, serving 6 charges in Quebec and Ontario, and member of Erindale United Church, after a career in engineering.

William "Billy" Shaver was part of a United Empire Loyalist family that included elected politicians from across the spectrum. The oldest of three children of John Shaver and Ida Johnson, he grew up in St. Catharines, Ont., where he delivered The Globe and Mail and was active at Welland Avenue United Church. Becoming a Scout leader at 16, he had a lifelong love for the outdoors.

William was the subject of a "Lives Lived" article in the Globe & Mail Wed Feb 15, 2012 by his daughter Andrea Shaver.

...Kathryn Hayward