Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2012 Archive

In this issue:
- The Pine Barrens: More Tory Robbers (part 2 of 4) – by Stephen Davidson
- Fourth Generation in America: Samuel Raymond, Jr. (1697-1763) by George McNeillie
- In the Archives: Fall 2012 (Part 5), by Christopher Minty
- UELAC Dominion Council Meeting
- UELAC Members Honoured with The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
- Presidential Peregrinations: Kawartha Branch
- Presidential Peregrinations: Heritage Branch
- Ontario Graphic Licence Plate Update
- “Honouring our History through Fiction” with author Jean Rae Baxter
- Putting a Face to Our History in Movember
- Book Restoration Resource
- Resource Book on Col. James DeLancey's Westchester Refugees
- Book Recommendation: The Green Tiger – James FitzGibbon
- CD: Musical Warriors: Songs Your Ancestors Heard
- From the Twittersphere and Beyond
- Queries
      + Thomas Graves to Edward Graves in Quebec
      + George Youmans
      + Israel West of Kingsclear

The Pine Barrens: More Tory Robbers (part 2 of 4) – by Stephen Davidson

For New Jersey loyalists who could not escape persecution or imprisonment by crossing over into British lines over land or by sea, the best place to find refuge were the colony's pine barrens.

The pine barrens comprise 22 per cent of modern day New Jersey. It is the largest open space to be found between Richmond, Virginia and Boston, Massachusetts. Throughout recorded history, something about the barrens has inspired fear in anyone who dared to enter its wilderness. Natives referred to it as Popuessing, the place of the dragon. European explorers dubbed it Drake Kill, the dragon river. No less a creature than the infamous New Jersey Devil was supposed to haunt its pine forests. The combination of its million-acre size and fearful reputation made the barrens the proverbial "haystack" in which a loyalist "needle" could safely hide.

Some loyalists who found sanctuary in the barrens adopted the life of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. They robbed from patriots and worked for the British forces. One such man was Jacob Fagan. He was reported to have stashed away thousands of dollars' worth of loot in an elaborate hideout that had been carved into the sandy hills of the barrens. After the last of his loyalist band were captured and executed in 1779, the location of the pine robber's den was completely lost.

In 1970, a history buff made a concerted search of the pine barren hills near Farmingdale. Using documents from the revolutionary era, he made his best guess at where the collapsed network of tunnels and treasure chambers might be located. Finding a depression in the ground was the first encouraging sign. Then the treasure hunter found a buried tree trunk that would have shored up one of Fagan's tunnels. Sure that he had discovered the 200 year-old treasure trove, the man returned home. The next day, exhausted from his digging, he died of a heart attack, taking with him the location of Jacob Fagan's treasure caves. Efforts to find the cave continue to this day.

Fagan's gang of "loyalist plunderers" came from all across New Jersey. Lewis Fenton, had been a blacksmith in Freehold, New Jersey. He was the last surviving member of Fagan's gang and carried the location of the treasure tunnels to his grave. Fenton was not the only loyalist to hail from Freehold. John Throckmorton had a store in the same community and bore arms in a loyalist militia company. Throckmorton joined the British in 1776 and enlisted in the Kings Rangers. It is highly possible that he would have had his horseshoes made in the smithy operated by Lewis Fenton. After 1783, Throckmorton settled in Prince Edward Island.

Another loyalist from Freehold was a farmer named John Leonard. Given that he foraged for the British during the war and worked with the Hessian army stationed in Burlington County (which includes part of the pine barrens), Leonard was no doubt quite familiar with south-eastern New Jersey. His 1786 application for compensation mentions that he "had been obliged to hide himself from the rebels" at the outset of the Revolution. It seems logical to assume that his hiding place was none other than the pine barrens. Leonard eventually settled in New Brunswick's Queens County.

William Gillian is remembered as a "Tory marauder" who led a band of "negroes and refugees". The only reference to Gillian in the annals of the revolution has to do with a raid he led on Shrewsbury, New Jersey on April 30, 1780. His band's objective was to capture as many patriot militia men as they could.

Gillian's men entered the home of a 60 year-old patriot identified as a Mr. Russell. When Russell fired on the loyalists, they shot back, striking the patriot's grandson five times. Gillian grabbed the old man by the collar and was about to stab him in the face with his bayonet. Just at that moment, the fire which was burning in the fireplace suddenly flared up, lighting the dark room. Russell's wounded grandson saw his grandfather's predicament and shot Gillian, saving his grandfather's life.

John Farnham, a member of the raiding party (and native of Middleton, New Jersey), was about to shoot the grandson, but was stopped by Richard Lippincott who knocked the threatening musket up into the air. Although he was one of the raiding party with Gillian and Farnham, Lippincott was related to the Russell family by marriage. Despite political differences with his rebel in-laws, he was not willing to see them harmed.

Beyond a newspaper's brief account which noted that the raiding party made off with two patriot officers, no further details exist pertaining to the exploits (or fate) of William Gillian. Patriots eventually captured and executed John Farnham in 1782.

Lippincott, the merciful loyalist, is remembered in both loyalist and patriot historical records. In American history books, he is vilified as the loyalist who ordered the execution of Joshua Huddy, a man responsible for the deaths of many loyal colonists. Loyalist records indicate that Lippincott survived the revolution and settled in Beaver Harbour, New Brunswick. In his testimony to the loyalist compensation board in 1787, Lippincott called Gillian's band a "company of refugees" rather than "ruffians"-- the name given them in American historians. The patriot's grandson (who had been saved by Lippincott in the 1780 raid) also survived the revolution, despite receiving five musket balls on the night of the loyalist attack.

The names of those known to have hidden within the pine barrens of New Jersey are few and far between. Their stories have, for the most part, been lost to history. However, there is one loyalist who once haunted the barrens whose exploits are re-enacted in New Jersey each year. Next week's Loyalist Trails will tell the story of Captain John Bacon, the pirate of Barnegat.

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

Fourth Generation in America: Samuel Raymond, Jr. (1697-1763) © George McNeillie

He was the eldest child of Samuel Raymond, Sen., of Norwalk, and was born May 7, 1697. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Hoyt of Norwalk about 1719, by whom he had three sons and three daughters. After the death of his first wife, he married, about 1731, Mary Gitto, who was, it is said, an English-woman and evidently a member of the Church of England. She was certainly extremely loyal both to her native country and to the church in which she was reared.

The children of the first marriage were all small when Samuel Raymond married again, and as they grew up were naturally influenced by their step-mother, who was in many ways a remarkable woman.

By his two marriages Samuel Raymond, jr, had ten children, whose names are here given.

1. Eliakim, b. 20 Feb 1720, m. Hannah Street, 27 Nov 1740, by whom he hadseven sons and five daughters.

2. Rebecca, b. 27 April 1722.

3. Samuel, b. 11 Dec. 1724, married Abigail Bates, 21 Feb 1761, by whom he had nine children. He died 29 Jul 1779.

4. Ann, b.? Was of Salem, Mass. and made a will 07 Mar 1779.

5. Elizabeth, b. 09 Jul 1728.

6. Sands, b. 1730. Married Sarah ______ and has six children

By the second wife, Mary Gitto, were born those who follow:-

1. Ruth, b. about 1732. Married at Norwalk Nathaniel Sears, in 1751.

2. Mary, b. about 1744. Married Jesse Hoyt of Norwalk, 01 Oct 1764.

3. Mercy, b. about 1746. Married Israel Hoyt (brother of Jesse) about 1767.

4. Silas, b. 26 Jun 1748. He will be more fully mentioned hereafter.

The father of this family Samuel died in 1763, before there was any prospect of the Revolution in America, but the widow, Mary, lived through the War to come to New Brunswick with the Loyalists, and after living ten years in Kingston, N.B., passed to her rest in 1793 at the age of more than 96 years. She rests beside her youngest child, Silas, under the shade of the old Kingston parish church.

The first and second families of Samuel Raymond were not exactly united in their politics at the time of the Revolution. Eliakim, the oldest of the sons, was a prominent man in Norwalk and left numerous descendants. He in all probability sided with the colonies in the Revolution, though he was not seemingly very active. He was then considerably passed [sic] middle life. Cousin John Raymond, of Hampton, N.B., once told me he much regretted the loss of a letter received by Silas from Eliakim, which was in existence at Kingston a few years before he (Cousin John) removed from Kingston to Hampton. The letter did not indicate the existence of any ill-will between the brothers consequent upon the war. Several of Eliakim's sons, however, took an active part against the mother country in the contest. The widow Mary Raymond was a staunch Loyalist and a member of the Church of England, and she seems to have influenced her children and some of her step-children in regard to their politics and their religion.

Samuel, the second son of the first marriage, was a Loyalist and an Episcopalian. His wife, Abigail Peters, belonged to a family which furnished a notable contingent to the band of Loyal Exiles who abandoned the old colonies in 1783 and came to New Brunswick to live under the old flag. The children of Samuel were five sons and two daughters, who were mostly Loyalists. Several members of this family are buried in Old Trinity Church-yard in the City of New York.

Sands, the youngest son of the first marriage, however was in arms against the British during the war, and was twice taken prisoner. He removed from Norwalk to Westchester County, N.Y., before the war began.

The children of the second family were all of them Loyalists in the war.

Ruth married Nathaniel Sears, of Norwalk, in 1751. Their son Thatcher Sears had a daughter, Nancy, who had the distinction of being the first child born at Parr-town after the Landing of the Loyalists. Edward Sears, present post-master at St. John (1920), and a former mayor of the city, is a great-grandson of Nathaniel and Ruth (Raymond) Sears.

Mary, born about 1746, married Jesse Hoyt of Norwalk on 01 Oct 1764. She went with her husband to Annapolis, N.S. to live at the peace in 1783, and died there in 1828.

Mercy, born about 1746, married Israel Hoyt, brother of Jesse Hoyt, and came with her husband and six children to Kingston, N.B. in May, 1783. Their eldest child was born at Norwalk on Christmas Day, 1768. Israel Hoyt was a useful man in the community, a vestry clerk at Kingston. He died 03 May 1803, in the 61st year of his age. A quaint old tombstone close beside the parish church is erected in his memory.

The aged widow, Mary Raymond, lived near her daughter, Mercy, who had a large family of children, but her own home was with her son Silas.

Silas, the youngest of Samuel Raymond's family, will be more fully mentioned in the pages that follow, but something more may be said concerning the Widow Mary Raymond. She certainly displayed rare spirit and courage during the Revolution. She was a woman of vigorous constitution. Grandfather Charles Raymond told me that he remembered, when a child in Kingston, walking with his old grandmother from their house in the village to Pickett's Lake, a distance of a mile and a half, over a very hilly road. They returned home the same day in the evening. He was then five years of age and she was ninety-six. The good old lady died not very long afterwards, and her ashes rest beside those of her son Silas in the old Kingston Churchyard. Her headstone records –

"Mary, widow of Samuel Raymond of Norwalk, Connecticut, died December, 1793, aged 96 years".

With the information available, it is a little uncertain whether Samuel Raymond, the husband of Mary Gitto, was a member of the Church of England or not. The writer inclines to the opinion that the Raymonds in our line of descent, down to Samuel Raymond, jr, were members of the Congregational Church, but that by the influence of the second wife, Mary Gitto, her children and some of her step-children were baptized in the Church of England. Eliakim was but 11 years old at the time his father died, the other children ranging from eleven years down to infancy. Naturally the influence of the step-mother would be great. After her husband's death, in 1763, his widow lived with her son Silas in the old home in Norwalk. Silas inherited most of his father's property, reserving to his mother her "thirds" as was allowed by the Statutes of Connecticut. The youngest daughter, Mercy, lived near them at Norwalk and came with her husband and family to Kingston in 1783. Israel Hoyt and his descendants were always zealous workers in the old parish church in Kingston.

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

In the Archives: Fall 2012 (Part 5), by Christopher Minty

[See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 , and Part 4 – Ed.]

Although cruelty demonstrated towards Loyalists has already been covered in this series, focusing at some events at the beginning of the American Revolution, it is necessary to revisit this forgotten, nasty subject; this time, towards the latter end of the conflict. By 1783, the American colonies had been subjected to eight years of strife; wives were separated from their husbands, sons and brothers; fathers said goodbye to their farms, stores and taverns; and entire communities were torn apart in the name of "Liberty!" It should be noted, it was not just those away from home who were caught up in the Revolutionary onslaught, many were attacked and victimized right on their doorstep, and this shall be a brief insight into a few instances of this that occurred in 1783 in Westchester County, New York.

In May 1783, Oliver DeLancey, Jr., son of Brigadier-General Oliver, was at home in Westchester. The DeLancey family had suffered greatly for their Loyalism, with his father's home in Bloomingdale being burnt to the ground by Rebels early in the conflict that almost killed its inhabitants. The DeLancey family suffered another brutal attack north of Manhattan, also. DeLancey, Jr. was attacked by a group of "about Fifty" men, all armed with "Swords, Pistols and Clubs". Their commander was Israel Honeywell, who instantly struck DeLancey upon entering his home with his club and gave direct orders to this party to do the same. They called for DeLancey to flee to Halifax, "or to his damned King", because they could no longer tolerate his mere presence anymore. His Loyalism was so adversarial to this group, they seemingly attempted to beat it out of him as if it was some kind of disease.

DeLancey, however, was more persistent than they must have thought, for he "leapt out of the Window in order to make his escape," The gang of assaulters caught up with him easily, presumably because he was badly wounded. They ordered him to "diliver up the money he had in his pockets [t]he[y] would not beat him any more". DeLancey acquiesced but soon received "the most opprobrious Language from the said Honeywell and was again struck by one of the said Gang." His supposed crime: "being under British protection".

Another Loyalist subjected to a similar assault was John Fowler. Fowler was attacked by the same party of men, with the same weapons and they carried out a similar beating. Honeywell and his mob insulted Fowler "with the most abusive language fell upon this deponent with their Clubs and beat him in the most cruel manner; that they knocked him down several times and cut his head in the most barbarous manner, that they did not desist from their horrid conduct until this deponent appeared to be nearly expiring." He, like DeLancey, tried to escape "but was pursed, and knocked down again" to a point where he appeared "nearly dead", when they finally ceased. They charged him as "a damned Tory" and ordered his immediate withdrawal from New York, and at the same time robbed him of all the money he held in his Westchester home. After they left, Fowler, clearly disorientated, hid in nearby bushes until his family returned because he truly believed they "meant to take his life."

Other Loyalists subjected to similar treatment in Westchester included Arthur Orser, John Orser, Bartow Underhill, Robert Hunt and Joseph Orser. They were beaten "in the most cruel manner" and viciously attacked until their skulls were "bare in several places". Were these acts in the name of "Liberty"? Clearly the differences between Revolutionaries was considerable: not all were of the same caste as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston or John Jay; as I have said before, the winners write the history, and in this case the winners have chosen to ignore the murkier, more sinister side of the American Revolution, one that illustrates something comparable to Stalin's Great Purge of 1937–1938. Loyalists were persecuted, imprisoned and ostracized from their own societies and, consequently, many left for fear of social, political and economic repression.

...Christopher F. Minty, Ph.D. Candidate, U of Stirling

UELAC Dominion Council Meeting

Thirty-two members of the UELAC had a most productive and enjoyable Fall 2012 Dominion Council Meeting on Saturday, 27 October 2012, following a traditional Friday evening dinner get-together for those who arrived in advance.

We are very pleased to announce the appointments of two individuals to the Executive of the UELAC: George D. Himann UE, member of the Calgary Branch, has agreed to become our newest Trustee, replacing John Hammill UE of Hamilton Branch. Patricia Groom UE of Toronto Branch has agreed to become the Promotions Chairperson, replacing Noreen Stapley UE and her husband, Gord Dandy, of Col. John Butler (Niagara) Branch. A big thank-you to John, Noreen and Gord, for their dedication to the goals of our Association and a hearty welcome to George and Trish.

...Robert C. McBride UE, President

UELAC Members Honoured with The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

UELAC was officially represented at both the unveiling of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the first presentations at Rideau Hall.

In his message of May 22, 2011,The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada and Patron of UELAC, made the following declaration:

During her reign of six decades as Queen of Canada, Her Majesty has served our country with great dignity and dedication. In homage to Her Majesty's achievement and as a symbol of our appreciation, the new Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal will honour deserving Canadians who have contributed so much to this nation, and who have helped to define our ideal of service. The Queen has dedicated her life to encouraging excellence among Canadians, and this medal is an opportunity to recognize outstanding service to Canada and to see how we are brought together through action.

During the past months, while a number of our fellow members have been recognized with this award at special events across the country, the modesty of the recipients has limited the sharing of news of this honour. As a result of "investigative journalism", a separate document with photographs and related information has been developed. It is fitting that those honoured for helping "to define our ideal of service" be recognized.

...FHH

Presidential Peregrinations: Kawartha Branch

Kawartha Branch's Annual Fall Banquet on 20 October 2012 featured a military theme with guest speaker Lt. Col. Stephen Borland UE, son of member Keith Borland UE and his wife, Deneyse. Stephen gave a presentation about his service in Afghanistan, accompanied by a visual display. Highlighting the beauty of the countryside and the multi-layered cultural beliefs in this part of the world, he showed us, in part, what challenges face our forces working to train local police and military units in Afghanistan. As well, he praised the highly skilled personnel and medical corps for their lifesaving work.

Read more about the branch meeting (PDF with photos).

...Robert McBride UE, President UELAC

Presidential Peregrinations: Heritage Branch

The Annual Charter Banquet of Heritage Branch in Montreal was held recently. A highlight of the year, members from nearby Sir John Johnson Branch joined invited guests to listen to the guest speaker, John Kirwan Martin, who described, in scholarly detail, the life of Laura Secord. The group congratulated Heritage Branch President, Robert Wilkins UE, upon his receiving the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Read more about the charter banquet meeting (PDF with photos).

...Robert McBride UE, President UELAC

Ontario Graphic Licence Plate Update

We have received enough requests for Dominion Council to approve the next phase of the project. We are therefore now preselling the graphic licence plates. A standard set will sell for $110 including shipping, with additional sets available for $100 each. We need to prepay the provincial agency before the plates can be produced, so we need to start collecting funds now. The next provincial application deadline requires us to be ready to go early in the new year – to that end, every paid preorder received by Dec. 13 will qualify for a draw for a free set of plates and the option to own the very first set in the series (number 01UE01).

If you have previously sent in a request, you will have received a message asking for payment. If you've not made a request, now is your time to send in your order. If we can make the next deadline, the plates will be produced and available by the end of July.

An order form you can print and mail back with a cheque is available on the Dominion website: PDF format / MS Word format.

As ever, if there are any questions please contact me at plates@uelac.org or 905-486-9777.

...Ben Thornton, Toronto Branch

“Honouring our History through Fiction” with author Jean Rae Baxter

Award-winning author Jean Rae Baxter will be giving a talk entitled "Honouring our History through Fiction" on Saturday, November 24, at Picton Public Library (208 Main Street West, Picton), beginning at 2pm.

The presentation will feature the Loyalist experience from the three different points of view of the people whose stories are told in Jean Rae Baxter's trilogy: White Loyalists driven from their homes (The Way Lies North), the situation faced by the First Nations (Broken Trail), and the opportunity seized by the Black Loyalists (Freedom Bound).

Putting a Face to Our History in Movember

For some UELAC members, November is called Movember, a time to raise awareness of prostate cancer and male mental health issues. The campaign offers a balance of humour and attention grabbing activities but this year there is a link to our history. On Twitter, Canada's History offered "the perfect guide to help men prepare their facial hair for Movember." Included among the pictures of leaders of the 19th century was Allan Maclean Howard described as "Clerk, 1st Division Court, County York. Ardent advocate for Imperial Federation (creation of a single federal state among all colonies of the British Empire)." For members of the Toronto Branch UELAC, A.M. Howard is better known as a president of their branch in the early years.

On 28 February 1896, a group of like-minded Loyalists' descendants, most of them residents of the Toronto area, met to promote "the preservation of the United Empire Loyalists' historical records and the spirit of loyalist". A committee of nine members, chaired by Mr. Allan Maclean Howard (a future president of Toronto Branch), formed a provincial association, drafted a constitution and bylaws, and prepared a submission to the Ontario Government). The province granted Letters Patent incorporating the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Ontario on 1 December 1897 "with its chief seat Toronto". Thus the system of a Toronto-centered association was born and has remained based in a provincial rather than a national capital. (Toronto Branch Website)

Look for the monocle-wearing leader in the third position of the first row of photos in the Canada's History article. The facial hair display on the page is inspiring for all participants trying to draw attention to this fund-raising campaign.

...FHH

Book Restoration Resource

In case you have an old Bible (or other old book) like me that was falling apart and needed to be stitched and rebound here is a source. My g-great grandfather's ible was published in 1872 and measures 13.5 x 10.5 x 3 inches thick. It weighs about 8lbs.

I found Rita Trolley who specializes in restoring and repairing old books. Most book binders are not interested in working on only one book, but this lady has a thriving business from all over Ontario. Her phone number is (905) 983-5405 in Orono, Ontario. I was pleased with her work – see the restored bible.

...Roger Reid

Resource Book on Col. James DeLancey's Westchester Refugees

Another very fine bit of research on the Westchester Refugees, is Gerald R. Vincent's The Civil Sword, James Delancey's Westchester Refugees, Cobequid Press, 1997. His Appendices include: Refugee Claims; Family Connections in NY; Taxed for Having a Son With the British; the 1786 Dorchester Grant (Remsheg & Cobequid Grantees); and a Reconstructed Muster List. I have found it very helpful in my research. Gerry was living in Duncan, BC, when I was last in contact with him.

[See previous suggestion for those who have not – Ed.]

...Bill Lamb

Book Recommendation: The Green Tiger – James FitzGibbon

In anticipation of UELAC conference organized by Hamilton Branch in June 2013, I recommend reading The Green Tiger – James FitzGibbon: A Hero of the War of 1812, by Enid L. Mallory. McClelland and Stewart. 1976, 142 pages, ISBN-13: 978-0771054785.

Brock's 49th Regiment was called The Green Tigers because of the green collar. FitzGibbon fought in Holland, as did Brock. He came to Canada in 1802 with Brock and had an interesting career. He defended and attacked at the Battle of Stoney Creek. Ms Mallory outlines details of DeCew house as a military depot (of interest in the later Laura Secord story) and the Battle of Stoney Creek with details from Cruickshank's volumes and quotes from the book "A Veteran of the War of 1812" written by Mary Agnes FitzGibbon, niece of James 416 pages ISBN-13: 978-1410212757 available at archive.org.

...Doris Ann Lemon, UE

CD: Musical Warriors: Songs Your Ancestors Heard

Members of the UELAC have been involved in musical projects in the past, with Bonnie Schepers UE being a notable example. I'm pleased to report that I have had the opportunity to particpate in a CD of Period Music recorded by the Drums, Crown Forces 1812. This CD was available for the first time at the 200th anniversary of Queenston Heights in October.

The Drums, Crown Forces 1812 represents a generic British Fifes and Drums Corps that would have been attached to a regiment dressed in red tunics with green collars and cuffs, because the Drums wear the reverse colours - green tunics with red collars and cuffs. This was typical not only of the War of 1812, but also the case during the American Revolution. I serve as a fifer.

The CD contains 22 tracks, several of which include more than one song, because the tunes were often quite short. The selections vary from Duty Beatings (relaying orders that the troops would have recognized), and various popular songs which would have been used to entertain the troops during a march (to keep them in step), and on other occasions. There are copious notes regarding sources and comments about most of the pieces, and generally speaking if the tune is later than 1815, it is too modern to be here! Some of the songs have a long history. Lilliburlero for example was known as early as 1703. The main instruments are the fife and snare drum, but this Corps also has a bass drum, bugle and even a piper.

The CD is available through a sutler, Spencer's Mercantile at (905) 525-6303 or info@spencersmercantile.com.

...Peter W. Johnson UE, Past President, UELAC

From the Twittersphere and Beyond

• A helping hand from the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia – explore their Loyalist holdings 
• Whose War?  The War of 1812: by Jay Moore (debunking the American History machine)
• 1812 hopes pinned on Obama: Port Colborne Proclamation
• Onondaga Arsenal [near Syracuse], potentially the last best local remnant of War of 1812, remains greatly overlooked
• St. Marys, Georgia, Peace Garden Recognizes Georgia's Unique 1812 Connection
• A video summary of the Saturday at Queenston Heights. Peter Johnson is one of the soldiers at the 10 minute mark. He comments "By that point my feet were so blistered from the 12 km march, I could hardly walk." Thanks to the re-enactors for persevering and making it a wonderful day.

Thomas Graves to Edward Graves in Quebec

My great grandfather Thomas Graves was born in 1843 at St. Jean-Sur-Richelieu in the eastern townships of Quebec. He died in 1895 in Ottawa. His father Richard Graves married Margaret Renauld (b. 1817, Ireland) on 28 April 1834. Both were living in St. Martins, Quebec (now part of Montreal) at the time. That is all that I know about these generations of the Graves who are my ancestors. (I also found a reference to a Richard Graves who, in 1806, married a Catherine Miville in Montreal, at the Presbyterian St. Gabriel church. However, I cannot connect this Richard to the former.)

I learned from the main UELAC website that one Edward Graves was a UEL who settled in the eastern townships of Quebec sometime before 1800. I would appreciate it if anyone would assist me to determine whether or not there is a connection between this Edward Graves and my great grandfather Thomas Graves.

...Weldon Thoburn, Toronto

George Youmans

I am a proven relation to Peter Matthews who was hung for his part in the 1827 rebellion. Peter's sister, Phoebe Matthews, married George Youmans. George and Phoebe had four children:

David Youmans m Susannah Darby (I come down from this union)

Joseph m Margaret Barnes

Anna m Harrison Smith

Elizaabeth Jane m Benjamin Connor

George Youmans who was involved in the 1837 rebellion; he likely started out in Pickering and ended up in Acton. I have no information about George, when he was born, or married. It appears that after all the rebellion problems, he died relatively early - certainly before 1851, as Phoebe is a widow in Acton with her 82 year old mother Mary (Ruttan) in that census.

There may be a link to Jeremiah Youmans of Georgetown.

I would certainly welcome any information about the Youmans/Yeomans family that might help me in my search. As I live in the Calgary area, access to informaiton which is not on the internet is a challenge. Thanks in advance for any help.

...Margaret Speerstra

Israel West of Kingsclear

I have been doing the research on the West family of New Jersey and New Brunswick or quite a long time. In the midst of all this I have come across an Israel West of Kingsclear, but none of the current West family members know anything about him. I have one 2nd Battlion register naming Israel West and his marriage record but I can not find any other records for him or any descendants.

Israel West and Elizabeth Howard both of the parish of Kingsclear were married by Licence with Consent of Father this Eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord 1825 by me David MacGibbon Justice Peace. This marriage was Solemonized between us in the presence of Edward West George Howard‚ [Israel X West his mark Elizabeth X Howard her mark] filed & Reg 8th march 1825.

Marriage Records 1812-1837, Archives & Research Library, NB Museum, Saint John, pg 384

Israel West of the Parish of Kingsclear and Joanna Manuel of the Parish of Queensbury were married by Licence with Consent of friends this Seventeenth day of June A D one thousand eight hundred and thirty by me‚ A D Parker Mifs‚ for Prince William‚ this Marriage was Solemmonized between us [ Israel West his X mark‚ Joanna Manuel]‚ in presence of Anthony Manuel, O Mafes McNally‚ Filed & Registered 21st February 1831

Can anyone provide any informaiton, or suggest any records that I could get copies of to check for Israel?

...Pauline Keehn