Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2016 Archive

In this issue:
- Conference 2016
- The Comfortable (Loyalist) Pew (Part 3 of 3), by Stephen Davidson
- Inaugural Heritage House Tour, Jordan, Ontario
- Borealia: Harriet Tubman and Andrew Jackson
- JAR: Joshua Barney's Victory in Delaware Bay
- Comment: Mohawk Valley Conference
- Where in the World?
- Region and Branch Bits
- From the Twittersphere and Beyond
- Queries
      + Proving Maria is Daughter of Martin Clement and Jane Keller
- Last Post
      + Margaret Phoebe Rogers Lewis, UE
      + Flt. Lt. Robert (Bob) Morgan, GM, CD, UE

Conference 2016

The 2016 UELAC Conference in Summerside PEI will be hosted by the Branches of the Atlantic Region: Abegweit, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on July 7-10.

Information about the conference, including the registration form, is now available read here.

The Comfortable (Loyalist) Pew (Part 3 of 3)

© Stephen Davidson, UE

James Craig was a carpenter who lived in Oakham, Massachusetts at the beginning of the revolution. When settlements throughout the colony began to choose rebel delegates as their representatives in 1774, Craig "kept his town free from doing it". It was not long before he was "obliged to fly in the night on account of {the} mob and his life being threatened". Rebels seized his 50-acre estate – including a barn and orchards – valued at £350. After fleeing Boston with other loyalists, Craig worked as a carpenter for the quartermaster general's department. The loyalist, his wife Polly, and their six children eventually settled near Fredericton, New Brunswick. What makes Craig's claim for compensation interesting is the fact that we can see how his £10 church pew compared to the value of other items of his estate. The money spent on Craig's pew could have bought either seven young cattle, one horse, or about 20 sheep.

Craig's wartime service was known to another Massachusetts loyalist named Timothy Ruggles. A veteran of the Seven Years War, Ruggles' support of the hated Stamp Act made "many violent people" his enemies. When he accepted a position on the Mandamus Council, he became "an object of persecution to the rebel party". In 1774, Ruggles was "assaulted by a mob", joined General Gage and never returned home. After evacuating Boston, the old loyalist was declared a "notorious conspirator" and was put into "perpetual banishment". Ruggles went to New York City where he organized 300 men in a loyal militia.

At the end of the war, Ruggles settled in Wilmot, Nova Scotia with his sons and slaves, never to be reunited with his wife or daughters. Given his large family and status in the community, it is not surprising that Ruggles had three pews at the meetinghouse in Hardwick. Although the loyalist left many things behind in Massachusetts, one would no doubt be a source of satisfaction to Ruggles were he to know about it. Hardwick Fair, launched by Ruggles in 1762, continues to this day and is the oldest annual fair in the United States.

Sixteen loyal Americans once valued their pews enough to seek compensation for them. However, within 25 years of the revolution's end, one loyalist congregation in New Brunswick shocked their bishop because they made their pews free to all. Worshipers – whether parishioners or visitors – could sit wherever they wished. Rather than being pleased with such a development, Charles Inglis, the bishop of Nova Scotia, was scandalized.

The congregation in question is noteworthy today for having the oldest surviving Anglican church building in New Brunswick. Trinity Church in Kingston, New Brunswick was built in 1787 by loyalist refugees from Connecticut. These New Englanders began construction on their house of worship after holding services in one another's homes for four years.

Records of the day give no reason for why Kingston's loyalist settlers did not charge pew rent. It may have been that the years of worship in one another's homes made the notion of paying for seating ludicrous. They had freely sat together under their neighbours' rooves, why charge for the privilege in their new sanctuary? Perhaps it had to do with the fact that hard currency was scarce in a pioneer community. Lumber and labour, not money, were what the parishioners had donated to the building of the church. Who had cash for pew rent? Perhaps that Yankee sense of equality made the congregants feel uncomfortable with creating class distinctions. Hadn't they all shared the experiences of a refugee existance? How could they begin to segregate themselves by their ability to pay for a pew?

Whatever the reasoning, this loyalist congregation did not rent their pews for the first 22 years of their church's history. Kingston's Anglican church was a hundred years ahead of its time. Several denominations continued to charge pew rents until the middle of the 20th century. In the mid-19th century, pew rents became a source of controversy in England. Surely, people reasoned, the lower classes were being excluded from the church's positive influence because they could not afford to sit within its walls. Some congregations felt so strongly about the immorality of rented seating that they had the pews removed from their sanctuaries.

Free pews had certainly not done any harm to Trinity Church over two decades. The congregation thrived, despite the 1788 exodus of many of its parishioners who went up the St. John River to settle in Woodstock. In July of 1809, twenty-six years after the founding of Kingston, the bishop for the diocese of Nova Scotia visited Trinity Church and confirmed 257 people. Surely this growth in the congregation must have been a cause for celebration. And yet the bishop was not happy with what he saw.

The letter that Inglis wrote in August of 1809 provides a fascinating insight into the mind of a man shaped by the events of the American Revolution. An Irish immigrant to Pennsylvania, Charles Inglis became a clergyman in 1758 and served congregations in Delaware and New York. His upbringing and loyalist principles gave him a view of the world that would be at odds with the settlers of Kingston. As the historian Judith Fingard has pointed out, Inglis took the view that excessive colonial liberty was at the root of the American Revolution. The Anglican Church, he believed, had not flourished because American society was not organized like that of England. Little wonder, then, that Inglis would not approve of free pews.

To the 21st century reader, Inglis' letter of condemnation is difficult to understand. We take it as a fundamental principle that everyone is created equal, a view that would be seen as anything but "loyal" or "English" in 1809. Here are just a few things that the outraged bishop said were wrong about free pews.

To begin with, Inglis "never knew an instance before this in Europe or America where the pews were thus held in common". It was "such a departure from the usage of the Church of England" that the "greatest disorder must be the consequence". (This flies in the face of the fact that Inglis himself had "received much pleasure from seeing so large a congregation" in Kingston and was impressed by "the decency of their behaviour during divine service." Surely after 22 years, the congregation would have degenerated into the "greatest disorder" by 1809 if free pews were truly as evil as Inglis claimed.)

Inglis was concerned that the "worst characters" might enter the church and sit beside the "most religious and respectable characters in the parish". He could only see this as creating "disorder and confusion". How could anyone demonstrate the "spirit of true devotion and piety"?

According to Inglis, having one's own pew meant that an individual could furnish "his pew with some kind of cloth and covering the floor". Not only could one be sure of a warm and comfortable pew, but a paying parishioner could safely leave his Bible and prayer book from Sunday to Sunday. If the Anglicans of Kingston must have free pews, Inglis instructed them to only have "a pew or two set apart for strangers, and the poor should not be neglected". But since every other church in the diocese of Nova Scotia had rented pews, he "earnestly recommended" the "removal of this strange arrangement".

Once the loyalists of Trinity Church read their bishop's letter, forty of them gathered to consider the concerns that had been raised. When it came time to vote on implementing pew rent, 33 "voted to comply with his wishes" and seven voted against Inglis.

In the end, the comfortable loyalist pew prevailed over the democratic ideals of Kingston's loyal Anglicans.

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

Inaugural Heritage House Tour, Jordan, Ontario

Members of Colonel John Butler (Niagara) Branch UELAC, including Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton UE, enjoyed the inaugural Jordan House Tour on June 4th 2016. The tour was hosted by the Friends of Lincoln History led by CJB member Mary Lou Garr¸ event chair.

The tour included two homes on original United Empire Loyalist land grants -- the Fairchild/Secord House & the Henry/Stouk House; two Pennsylvania Dutch homes, with original fire places; the home that served as the Jordan Station Post Office and a tiny building, home to the first Sterling Bank in Jordan Station.

Jordan Historical Museum offered free admission to participants and a delicious lunch was hosted by members of historic Jordan Station United Church, built in the 1850s.

CJB members Rod and Bev Craig manned a very popular Loyalist display on the patio between the Loyalist Fairchild/Secord House and the tiny Sterling Bank. See pictures of the Loyalist Fairchild/Secord House (Images 15 -- 19 showing Pages 13 -- 17) owned by Barry and Wendy Moyer, our gracious hosts.

More about the United Empire Loyalist Fairchild and Secord families of Jordan and the Jordan United Church can be found in "Lincoln's Jordan Historical Museum of the Twenty Volunteer Association" (Fall 2009 Newsletter Pages 1 & 2).

...Bev Craig, UE, Col John Butler Branch (CJB)

Borealia: Harriet Tubman and Andrew Jackson

A Match Made in the U.S. Treasury Department, by Dann J. Broyld & Matthew Warshauer

Note: This essay, with its cross-border themes, is being jointly posted by Borealia and The Republic, the new blog of the Society of Historians of the Early American Republic (SHEAR). Borealia is grateful for The Republic's support and cooperation!

The net has been abuzz with news of United States Treasury Secretary Jack Lew's announcement that Harriet Tubman will be placed on the front of the $20 bill and Andrew Jackson demoted to the back. The first African American to ever appear on an American bill, Tubman was a slave turned Underground Railroad operative, then an agent for the Union Army during the Civil War. Jackson was the first U.S. President to be born of common people and achieved legendary status as the Hero of New Orleans in the War of 1812. He was also an unrepentant slave holder and the architect of Indian removal. Read more.

JAR: Joshua Barney's Victory in Delaware Bay

By Bob Ruppert June 7, 2016

Joshua Barney was born to sail the seas. Between 1771 and 1782, he served as an apprentice aboard a pilot boat; a second mate on the unarmed brig Sidney; a Master's Mate on the ten-gun sloop Hornet; a first mate on the four-gun schooner Wasp; and a lieutenant aboard the ten-gun sloop Sachem, the fourteen-gun brig Andrea Doria, the twenty-eight-gun frigate Virginia, the sixteen-gun Saratoga, the forty-gun frigate South Carolina, and the six-gun brig Charming Polly. Each commission had its own harrowing experiences and brushes with death.

In 1782 the Delaware River and Bay were filled with loyalist privateers who preyed upon the merchantmen sailing into and out of Philadelphia. Their success in large part was due to the protection offered to them by the presence of several of His Majesty's ships of war. The merchants of Philadelphia petitioned the State of Pennsylvania for protection. Read what happens.

Comment: Mohawk Valley Conference

I had the pleasure of attending the 3-1/2 day conference "Conference on the American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley" sponsored by Ft. Plain Museum last week. Thursday and Friday were well received bus tours east and west of Ft. Plain.

I attended only the lectures, which were very interesting and informative, kind of like getting a smidgen of history in 3/4 of an hour instead of several days reading a book.

Topics were:

• The Battle of Hubbardton: a rear guard action and the only battle to occur on Vermont soil.

• Benedict Arnold: A not well enough appreciated American general who later joined the British.

• George Washington as an entrepreneur.

• Molly Brant; an excellent presentation about a true heroine and Loyalist.

• Finding forage for the cattle on Manhattan island ca 1778 after major British army reductions.

• Lost cannons and the road to Concord, caused the first shot and the start of the war.

• Col. Lewis Cook and the Oneidas. Excellent presentation from an Akwesasne NY native.

• The "Jersey Greys". Stories of Ft. Niagara, Oswego and Carleton.

• Archaeological review of Ft. Niagara, Ft Haldimand and Ft. Plain.

• The scheduling was good, the venue at the Fulton-Montgomery Community College perfect, the speakers excellent, the Friday reception enjoyable and the Saturday dinner at the historic 1765 Goose Van Alstyne Tavern in Canajoharie, delicious.

• There were about 35 Canadians among the 180 present. It was their second year and they plan for a third conference, starting June 8, 2017.

...Richard Poaps, UE, Gov. Simcoe Branch

Where in the World?

Where is Jean Rae Baxter, UE, of Hamilton Branch?

To participate, submit a photo of yourself in UELAC promotional gear at a place of some note and tell us where it is (if you are a member of a branch, please indicate that as well). Send your submission to the editor at loyalist.trails@uelac.org.

Region and Branch Bits

From the UELAC branches, news and events of interest to others.

• Hamilton Branch celebrated Loyalist Day in Ontario on Friday. Hamilton has the wonderful Loyalist Statue; here is a photo of the replica is in the Art gallery of Hamilton. See a photo of some of the people who celebrated, including UELAC President Barb Andrew.
• Happy LOYALIST DAY from Digby, Nova Scotia where we are celebrating our loyalist heritage this weekend too – I dressed up to encourage discussion of loyalist heritage: Brian McConnell in uniform.

From the Twittersphere and Beyond

• British at Bunker Hill -- Ridiculous Parade of Triumph. A description of the Battle of Bunker Hill on 17 June 1775 at which Dr. Joseph Warren died. Written by Joseph Palmer and expressed to the Second Continental Congress, also intended for use in England. Be sure to read the commentary at the bottom.
• Paying respects to Loyalists at cemetery of Old St. Edwards Loyalist Church in Clementsport, Nova Scotia (Brian McConnell)

Proving Maria is Daughter of Martin Clement and Jane Keller

I am trying to prove Loyalist ancestry through Maria Clement. I have in my records:

• Maria CLEMENT b. 18 Oct 1818 Camden East Twp L&A Co. ON d. 7 Jun 1850, Vennacher, ON bur. Moscow Cemetery
married 9 Dec 1834 Caleb Washington BROWN b. 8 Oct 1813 Dutchess Co. New York d. 22 Nov. 1887 Vennacher ON

→ dau. Elizabeth Jane BROWN b. 18 Oct 1838 Moscow ON d. 18 June 1919 Deseronto ON m. 1857 James Wesley GARRISON b. 1836 Petworth ON d. 7 Feb 1882 Denbight ON

I am having problems proving that Maria Clement b. 1818 was the daughter of Martin Clement b. 1783 & Jane Keller b. 1798, both of Loyalist stock.

1. No Quaker birth record for Maria in 1818, but there is for each of her four siblings, including Anne 1817 and Margaret 1821.

2. Moscow cemetery gravestone in Lennox and Addington shows Maria's husband Caleb Washington Brown b. 1813, but no name for wife. OCFA reports "Brown, - (w/o Caleb?)".

3. 1871 Census for L&A shows "Hanah Vanvolkenburgh 75 (b.1796) living with Maria's daughter Elizabeth Jane (Brown) Garrison; Maria's Great Grandmother was a Hannah Vanvalkenburg b. ca.1735, wife of Isaac Larroway UEL b. 1790(?).

4. American Loyalist Claims 1776-1835/Series I shows "Caleb Brown --- Albany County", NY.

5. Maria died in 1850, thus is not listed in the 1851 Census (one year later).

6. "History of Moscow" by Joseph Foster states: "In the year 1784, a party of United Empire Loyalists. . .landed at Adolphustown, on the sixteenth of June (including) Caleb Brown...on the west side of Moscow, near Mud Lake."

7. Caleb Brown is not a proven Loyalist to UELAC.

I will ask a researcher to look at "History of Moscow", and report on what is said about Maria (Clement) Brown.

Any help is appreciated.

...Harry MacKay

Margaret Phoebe Rogers Lewis, UE

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Margaret Phoebe Rogers Lewis on June 13, 2016. Margaret was the last surviving charter member of the Bicentennial Branch, formed on May 31, 1984. Margaret served on the Branch Executive for 27 years, from 1984 until March 2011.

She was president from 1991 to 1998 until Margie Luffman took over. When Margie first arrived on the scene as a Bay of Quinte member who did not wish to relinquish that membership, Margaret contacted Bernice Flett, the then Dominion President, to ask if another Branch's member could serve as Bicentennial Branch president. When Bernice said, "why not!?" the wheels were put in motion for another phase of the Branch's history. Margie became president and Margaret, along with Grace Austin, formed the Genealogy Committee in 1998. Prior to this, most members had not actually proven their UE ancestry. Under Margaret and Grace's capable leadership, dozens of members received their UE certification.

Margaret was delighted to be part of the unveiling of a UEL plaque in Kingsville (Margaret on right, Margie Luffman left) on June 20, 2009. This was part of the Branch's 25th anniversary celebrations and the plaque denoted 'Lot 1, Western Division, The New Settlement, Division Street'.

Margaret's proven Loyalist ancestors were Leonhard Kratz (May 24, 1984), Benjamin Knapp (Feb. 20. 2001), John Wendel Wigle (Oct. 8, 2001), and Martin Tofflemire (July 22, 2002). These 4 ancestors most certainly cement her as a true Essex County Loyalist. On November 18, 2000, Margaret was presented with the Past President's Jewel and was applauded for her remarkable contributions and enthusiasm in promoting excellence in the organization.

Margaret was a great supporter and mentor to many including Bonnie Schepers as she made her way through the Dominion Executive before becoming Dominion President. Margaret was justly proud of Bonnie for her accomplishments. Margaret's historical and genealogical knowledge of Essex County and its founders is unequalled. May she rest in peace with her beloved husband, Jack.

...Margie Luffman, UE, for Bicentennial Branch

Flt. Lt. Robert (Bob) Morgan, GM, CD, UE

October 27, 1930 -- June 11, 2016

On Saturday, June 11, 2016, Flt Lt Robert (Bob) Morgan of St. Albert, peacefully passed away at the age of 85 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Lou; children: Lloyd (Shelley), Barb, Phil, and Patti; six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; brother, Harold (Joan); sisters: Edith (Lawrence) and Shirley; as well as numerous relatives and dear friends. He was predeceased by his son, Douglas.

Flt Lt Morgan joined the RCAF in 1949, earning his wings in 1950. He joined 416 Squadron in Ottawa in 1951, flying Mustangs. In his 36 years in the Air Force, he served in Canada, England, France and Germany. As well as Mustangs, Flt Lt Morgan has flown a variety of aircraft, including Sabres, Harvards, CF 104's, Hercules, and Twin Otters. He was also a controller for Ground Intercept Radar (GCI).

In 1957, Flt Lt Morgan was awarded the George Medal for bravery when he pulled an injured pilot from a burning Sabre which had crashed on the runway in Marville, France in 1955. He was named "Airman of the Year" in 1985.

After leaving the Air Force, Bob became a Duty Manager at the Edmonton Municipal Airport until his second "retirement" in 1994. At that time, he was still flying with the Reserves in the Air Force.

Since then, Flt Lt Morgan had continued to be involved in aviation through his 35 year membership in the Air Force Assoc., membership in 700 Wing, 418 Squadron Assoc., and as President of the Quarter Century Club. As if that isn't enough to keep him occupied, he coached the Special Olympics Bowling League, did taxes for low income and seniors, and sold poppies every year at WEM. He was honoured to receive the following: 700 Wing Member of the Year Award in 2009 and 2011, RCAFA Member of the Year Award in 2012, and a street was named after him in 2015 by the Griesbach RCAF Commemorative Society.

Bob will be remembered for his humour, adventure, storytelling and his generosity. At his request, there will be no service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a Charity of Your Choice. To send condolences please visit: www.connelly-mckinley.com.

...Valerie Thornton, Edmonton Branch