Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2017 Archive

In this issue:
- Unpacking an Execution Notice (Part 2 of 3), by Stephen Davidson
- Another Blacksmith
- Loyalist Gazette: Articles for Spring 2018 Issue
- Atlantic Loyalist Connections: What Does That Say Again!?
- JAR: Ebenezer Smith Platt: An American In Newgate Prison In 1777
- The Junto: Inspiration Roundtable
- Ben Franklin's World: Dunmore's New World: The British Empire and the American Revolution
- The Littlest Camp Followers, c1775
- The War in the West: The American Revolution in the pays d'en haut
- Two Myths Involving Canada that Every American Should Know
- William Augustus Bowles AKA Estajoca
- John Campbell of Strachur
- Studying History Will Make You More Reasonable
- Where in the World?
- From the Twittersphere and Beyond
- Additions to the Loyalist Directory
- Last Post
      + James Edwin Roszell, UE
      + Marguerite Helen (Miller) Hanratty, UE (née Brown)

Unpacking an Execution Notice (Part 2 of 3)

© Stephen Davidson, UE

In April of 1782, Clayton Tilton and Aaron White were locked in a rebel jail in Freehold, New Jersey. Given that Philip White, one of their fellow Loyalists, had been killed by patriots, the two prisoners had little hope of being treated as anything other than traitors. Members of the men's Loyalist militia, the Associated Loyalists, assumed that the prisoners of war would be hanged. Unable to rescue them – and vowing vengence for Phillip White's death – they decided to execute Captain Joshua Huddy, an infamous New Jersey rebel.

Tilton's two brothers, Ezekiel and John, were among the armed escort that put Huddy on a vessel out of New York City , bound for the New Jersey coast. Once they reached the shore near Sandy Hook, their commanding officer, Richard Lippincott, had orders to put Huddy to death. Oblivious to what was going on, the rebel leader thought that he had been released from prison to be swapped in a prisoner exchange.

John Tilton later recounted a conversation in which he asked Joshua Huddy if he resented being bound up in chains. The rebel replied that he didn't mind as he expected to be released after the prisoner exchange was over. Once free, Huddy boasted that he would see to it that John Tilton and the other loyalists were killed.

John then informed Huddy that the sloop was bound for New Jersey where he was to be hanged for the death of Philip White. The fact that White had been killed after loyalists arrested Huddy did nothing to dampen the Loyalists' belief in the justice of their actions.

After the loyalists' sloop anchored off of New Jersey's Sandy Hook, Lippincott and a handful of men, including John Tilton, put Huddy into a boat and headed for shore. Once the party arrived at Gravely Point, Lippincott's men tossed a rope over a tree branch and put its noose around Huddy's neck. Without any trial, the loyalists "made use of Captain Huddy as the first object to present to {the rebels'} view, and further determine{d} to hang man for man while there is a {loyalist} refugee living."

After signing a hastily drawn up will, Huddy was made to stand on top of a barrel. Lippincott shook hands with the rebel captain, and then an unnamed Black Loyalist knocked the barrel out from under Huddy. John Tilton later recounted that the rebel died "with the firmness of a lion". Huddy was hanged at ten in the morning and left dangling from the tree; New Jersey patriots took down his body that afternoon. Pinned to Huddy's shirt, the rebels found a letter which outlined the grievances of the loyalists. It ended with the line "Up Goes Huddy for Philip White".

The Associated Loyalists' fears for the lives of Clayton Tilton and Aaron White proved to be groundless. Within a few days, they were exchanged for two of Huddy's men, Daniel Randolph and Jacob Fleming. But the ripple effects of Huddy's hanging had just begun.

General Washington was deeply upset and protested to the British army. Sir Henry Clinton, the British commander, shared the patriot general's view and forbid the Associated Loyalists from removing any further prisoners. When word of Huddy's execution reached France, American diplomats promptly ended the peace negotiations with British officials that had begun in Paris.

Richard Lippincott was brought before a military court on May 3, 1782. Both John and Ezekiel Tilton were among the witness who gave evidence.

By June 22nd, the judge concluded that although Huddy had been executed without proper authority, Richard Lippincott was nevertheless not guilty of murder and was acquitted. Further, it was recognized that Lippincott had not acted out of "malice or ill will" but from "the conviction that it was his duty to obey the orders of the board of directors of the Associated Loyalists". In the end, the board's commander-in-chief, William Franklin, was recognized as the one responsible for Huddy's execution.

Of course, this did nothing to appease the outraged patriots. Determined to seek retaliation for Huddy's death, Washington decided to execute a randomly selected British prisoner of war. If the Loyalists did not hand over Richard Lippincott, Sir Charles Asgill would be executed. When the Asgill's mother learned of his imminent death, she appealed to the French government to persuade its American allies to be merciful. Congress eventually released Asgill on November 7th, and the Huddy Affair came to an end – at least within official circles. But the domino effect of "an eye for an eye" had been set in motion, and would eventually have fatal consequences for the Tilton family.

In early July of 1782, Ezekiel Tilton had gone fishing in the waters between New Jersey and New York. While out on the bay, patriots in an "armed whaleboat" captured the loyalist and put him in Monmouth's prison.

Ezekiel's wife Elizabeth wrote to Sir Guy Carleton, the new commander in chief of the British army, who was headquartered in New York City. Mrs. Tilton recounted how her husband was "loaded with irons" and "daily threatened with death". At the same time, another petition from the Monmouth County Refugees also pleaded for Carleton to intervene. They feared that "the rebel commander will murder the man without some orders to the contrary from his superiors."

The British commander wrote to New Jersey's rebel governor William Livingston in late July. "I hereby demand Sir, that this man shall be placed in the Condition of a prisoner of war only and treated with that lenity with which prisoners of war ought to be treated." No doubt remembering the growing spirit of retaliation that was evident in the hanging of Joshua Huddy, Carleton warned the governor to be careful not "violate {the} laws or war or excite resentment in the loyalists".

Livingston maintained that Tilton was, indeed, a traitor to the United States of America. In addition, the governor asserted that Tilton had "been guilty of house-robbing, house-burning, horse stealing and plundering."

Carleton's appeal to George Washington fell on deaf ears as well. A September letter to the British commander explained that Washington could not interfere in a civilian matter, but he held out the hope that perhaps Tilton could be part of a prisoner exchange that was being planned for later that month. But the exchange never happened. Ezekiel Tilton had less than a hundred days to live.

The story of the Tilton brothers concludes in next week's Loyalist Trails.

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

Another Blacksmith

Referring to prior articles by Stephen Davidson about Blacksmiths (“Four Loyalist Blacksmiths Who settled in Upper Canada” and three subsequent articles).

My 5th great-grandfather was also a Loyalist Blacksmith who went to New Brunswick (Nova Scotia) and then travelled west to York County in Upper Canada.

His name was William Marsh Sr. His family arrived in New Brunswick (Nova Scotia) with the fall fleet 1783 October on the schooner Sally from New York City. He was awarded Lot 1108 in Parr Town (St. John) and Lot 14 on the Little Kennebecasis River (Hammond River). Land records show he sold his New Brunswick properties in 1797 and 1798. He then moved to Upper Canada most likely to be with his son William Marsh Jr. who arrived in York County sometime in 1797. (As far as we know my Marsh's and Peter Johnston U.E. William Marsh family are not connected in any way).

Upper Canada land records document that William Marsh Sr. was initially granted Lot 1, Concession 7 in Markham Township but he does not appear to have patented it. However various documents/records confirm the family lived on Lot 8 Concession 1 East of Yonge St. York Township (Hogg's Hollow, York Mills). The records are unclear as to exactly when he purchased this lot - perhaps prior to the patent. When William Marsh Sr. wrote his will in 1823 he was living in Markham Township (lot and location not known) and this is where he died on 30 December 1830.

...Terrilee Craig, UE

Loyalist Gazette: Articles for Spring 2018 Issue

I hope that you as members or subscribers have enjoyed the Fall 2017 issue of the Loyalist Gazette, either the digital or hard-copy version.

Although we have always featured articles about Loyalists, Loyalist/American Revolution era, Loyalist communities, up to and including the War of 1812, etc., we would like to increase the number of these articles and at the same time broaden the scope to include items about relevant research, both genealogical and historical.

As early work for the Spring 2018 issue – publication date of May 1st – is underway, the we would appreciate potential content by early January. Please submit in MS Word format, images should be at least 300 dpi resolution jpgs.

No need to be a member; contributions from all are welcome.

If you have ideas, suggestions, please contact me to discuss.

Now that December has arrived, let me also wish you a Merry Christmas season.

...Bob McBride, UE, Editor of the Loyalist Gazette

Atlantic Loyalist Connections: What Does That Say Again!?

by Leah Grandy 29 Nov, 2017

Our first post on palaeography generated a lot of interest and discussion (thank you, readers!), so we decided to create another post with even more background, tips, examples, and help for those trying to interpret historical cursive writing from the British Atlantic World.

Early, British cursive, common by the fourteenth century, is termed Anglicana script, but also known as charter hand or court hand. Secretary hand followed, and was popularized in book production because of its rounder, quicker strokes which facilitated the copying process. Cursive comes from the root Latin word curo, meaning "run", as the pen was kept on the paper, thus increasing speed.

Read more.

JAR: Ebenezer Smith Platt: An American In Newgate Prison In 1777

by Robert Scott Davis 28 November 2017

In the early summer of 1775, South Carolinia patriots outfitted the schooner Liberty (formally the Elizabeth) as what historian Charles C. Jones called as the first privateer of the American Revolution. They gave command of the ship to Oliver Bowen and Joseph Habersham of Georgia for the mission of intercepting a cargo of munitions coming on an expected British gunpowder ship due in Savannah, Georgia.

On July 9, while flying a white flag bordered in red that read "American Liberty," the schooner's crew mistook the Philippa, a merchant ship with several tons of munitions, for their prey. Unaware that royal authority in these colonies had been supplanted by the American rebels, the ship arrived at Savannah, Georgia. The Liberty chased the Philippa out to sea before using the threat of ten cannons and numerous swivel guns to force it to nearby Cockspur Island.

Read more.

The Junto: Inspiration Roundtable

This week at the Junto we are stepping back to talk about what inspired our research projects. From dissertations to first and second book projects, we will bring together a range of scholars to discuss the method, source, book, or lecture that got them started.

• Naturalist in Historian's Clothing by Whitney Barlow Robles. I am a wolf in sheep's clothing. Or rather, a nature writer dressed as a historian. My dissertation reexamines the history of natural history in eighteenth-century America and the British Atlantic world by putting animals and natural specimens at the narrative center. It asks: What might historical documents, written or dried or submerged in alcohol, tell us about the actions of historical creatures?
• How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Respect the Historiography by Rachel Herrmann.  My dissertation on food and war, which became my first book project on war and hunger, originated at a crossroads between panic and personal interests. I wrote a final paper about food nearly every semester for the rest of my undergraduate degree. I wasn't yet an experienced cook or baker, but I'd been raised in a family that cared about cooking and eating together.
• Haunting Sources by Lindsay O'Neill. I do not remember precisely when the princes began to haunt me. Listed at the Duke of Chandos' table on 24 September 1721 were "Two African Princes." Intriguing, I thought.
• The Origins of My Origins Story by Michael D. Hattem. My project's origins can be traced back to an honors thesis I wrote as an undergraduate at City College that focused on the debate in 1750s New York City over the founding of King's College. Put simply, the city's powerful Anglican establishment wanted the new college to be an Anglican seminary that could counter the regional influence of Yale and the newly established College of New Jersey. Young Presbyterian dissenters pushed back, wanting the new college to be open to students of all denominations.

Ben Franklin's World: Dunmore's New World: The British Empire and the American Revolution

In this episode, James Corbett David, author of Dunmore's New World: The Extraordinary Life of a Royal Governor in Revolutionary America, leads us on an exploration of the American Revolution through the eyes of John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, a British imperial official who served the empire in North America before, during, and after the American Revolution.

As we explore the Revolution from an imperial point of view, Jim reveals details about the life of John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore; How imperial officials viewed the loyalties of British North Americans toward the British crown and empire; And, information about Dunmore's Proclamation including what led Dunmore to issue it and whether it had any impact on the British war effort.

Listen to the podcast.

The Littlest Camp Followers, c1775

On display at the Museum of the American Revolution is a lamb toy which was excavated from a British Revolutionary War campsite near New York City.

This tiny earthenware lamb (only a few inches long) represents a group that was very much involved in the war, yet seldom mentioned: the children of soldiers. Along with their mothers and soldier-fathers, these children - often born during a campaign - were a familiar feature of 18thc armies. While the term "camp follower" conjured up titillating images, the reality was that the majority of the women traveling with the army were married to enlisted men; these women were often employed in laundering, food preparation, and tending the sick and wounded. Their children, of course, had little choice in the matter; they simply "followed the drum" because they followed their fathers.

Read more.

The War in the West: The American Revolution in the pays d'en haut

Age of Revolutions, 27 November 2017

Most Americans think of their revolution as a contest between Britain and its colonists. If Native Americans feature at all, it is only as puppets of the King, in the role inscribed for them in the Declaration of Independence: as "merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions." With a few exceptions, even more recent historical narratives of the Revolution emphasize a subsidiary role for Native nations on the periphery of the real action taking place along the eastern seaboard.

Yet for the Anishinaabeg of the Great Lakes, the Revolution was also an opportunity. Anishinaabe is the term many people across the Great Lakes region – from the St. Lawrence River to the headwaters of the Mississippi – use to refer to themselves, meaning the real, or original, peoples. Europeans called them the Ottawa, Chippewa, Potawatomi, Nipissing, Algonquin, and Mississauga. But they all spoke Anishinaabemowin, and they were all, as they put it, "Allies to each other and as one People." One of the most powerful Anishinaabe settlements was Waganakazee, located at the Michilimackinac – a narrow strait that connected Lakes Huron and Michigan (at present day Mackinaw City, Michigan). Here, a large – and growing – group of Ottawa (or Odawa) managed to use their extensive kinship ties, mastery of the canoe, and strategic location to carve out an important role for themselves even in the midst of European imperialism.

Read more.

Two Myths Involving Canada that Every American Should Know

by John U. Bacon Nov. 26, 2017

Too often we're told history is a vast glacier that changes everything, and there's nothing any individual can do about it. It's inevitable. Individuals don't matter. Moments don't matter.

I reject this. History is filled with too many examples of individuals seizing their moment to make a dramtic difference, changing the future for those who follow.

I encountered this phenomenon in spades in my latest book, The Great Halifax Explosion: A World War I Story of Treachery, Tragedy, and Extraordinary Heroism. Several long-standing myths came tumbling down, including two central ones: the United States and Canada have always been allies, and the atomic bomb had no predecesor.

Both are demonstrably false. After the American Revolution sparked the continent's first civil war, the newly minted Americans often branded, tarred and feathered, or simply killed United Empire Loyalists.

Not surprisingly, some 60,000 United Empire Loyalists became refugees, with half of them heading north to what is now New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, often leaving their property behind for the Americans to take without compensation. They didn't forget.

Read more.

William Augustus Bowles AKA Estajoca

William Augustus Bowles (1763–1805), also known as Estajoca, was a Maryland-born English adventurer and organizer of Native American attempts to create their own state outside of the control of the United States, Spain, or Great Britain.

Some sources give his date of birth as 1764.[1] Bowles was born in Frederick County, Maryland, and joined the Maryland Loyalist Battalion at the age of thirteen, travelling with the battalion when it was ordered to form part of the garrison of Pensacola. Upon arrival, and as he was an officer, Bowles resigned his commission, and left the fortifications. He was captured by Indians from the Creek Nation.

Read more.

John Campbell of Strachur

General John Campbell, 17th Chief of MacArthur Campbells of Strachur (1727 – 28 August 1806) was a Scottish soldier and senior nobleman, who commanded the British forces at the Siege of Pensacola, and succeeded Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester as Commander-in-Chief in North America in 1783 following the end of the American War of Independence.

The young Campbell showed his military prowess during the Jacobite Rising of 1745 and served in the British Army throughout the rising of 1745-1746 including the Battle of Culloden, in which he was wounded. He made the campaign in Flanders in 1747 during the War of the Austrian Succession, in which year he became a captain. At the peace of 1748 he went on half pay.

In 1756, he was called into active service and joined the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot (also known as the Black Watch Regiment) and served under James Wolfe.

In December 1775, the regiment departed Cork with several other regiments to fight in the American Revolution.

In October 1778 John Campbell, recently promoted to brigadier general, received a communication from Lord George Germain to proceed to Pensacola in the Province of West Florida and take command of His Majesty's troops there.

On 19 February 1779, Campbell was promoted Major General, and on 22 March 1779, he was given complete authority over all troops in the Province of West Florida.

In 1783, Campbell replaced Sir Guy Carleton as Commander-in-Chief, North America, a post he held until 1787. He returned to Scotland in 1787, where, as Clan Chief of the Campbells of Strachur he established Strachur House.

Read more.

Studying History Will Make You More Reasonable

by Steph Walters 29 November 2017

History and the rest of the humanities have been under attack for decades. I don't think there's ever been a set of parents on the face of the earth who've heard their kid come home and say "I want to major in history" without there being at least a two-hour lecture on why that is a terrible idea. We know, we know. You won't make any money. There are no jobs. Your cousin Billy got a business degree, don't you want to get a business degree too? The neighbor's kid got a degree in the humanities and he lives in his parent's basement and works at the Tasty Freeze.

As of right now, the only real exposure to history for American kids consist of state tests that turn our children into little a, b, c, or d robots. Do they understand the American Civil war? No. But they know the process of elimination, dang it! That has to count for something.

While we certainly want our students to walk away with an understanding of events, studying history is vital to all students outside of state tests and entry level 101 courses. We need to encourage a base knowledge of the humanities on our youngest citizens because it will teach them to become reasonable people. There are reasons why we live in such a polarized era of "I'm right, your wrong" citizenship. It's because history teaches us to be reasonable and we don't really teach it anymore.

By studying history and learning the significance of evidence we teach our kids to question "Fake News," click bait, and make educated decisions about the state of the world and politics based on evidence and not emotion. If a business major walks out of my class not remembering a dang thing about the American Revolution but understands the importance of evidence I have done my job.

If history teaches good citizenship, it should also teach our students that it is ok to change their minds based on evidence and changing evidence. Reaching across the aisle become a lot easier when you are willing to listen to each other and admit things can change.

Maybe instead of making fun of, rolling our eyes, or disregarding the beliefs of our enemies, we become more reasonable people if we take two seconds to just ask "why?"

Read more.

Where in the World?

Where is Joshua and Skyler Harrison of Edmonton 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.

From the Twittersphere and Beyond

• There is a good article in the Canadian Numismatic Journal for September 2017 vol 62, no. 6 - page 262 entitled A Defender Of Free Speech by Dr. Peter Moogk on Loyalists and the American Revolution. Dr. Moogk is Professor Emeritus (History) at UBC, and a member of Vancouver Branch UELAC. ...Ray Blakeney
• Today in History: Lars D.H. Hedbor @LarsDHHedbor (see his page for associated photos):
  • 26 Nov 1783 Final text of Treaty of Paris first published in America.
  • 27 Nov 1777 Congress suggests to states that Loyalists' estates be confiscated; "forfeited the right to protection."
  • 28 Nov 1777 John Adams replaces Silas Dean as commissioner to France.
  • 29 Nov 1775 Congress establishes a Committee of Secret Correspondence to seek assistance from European nations.
  • 30 Nov 1773- The brilliant portraitist John Singleton Copley unsuccessfully attempted to broker a peace between the Tea Consignees and the Body of the People at the Old South Meeting House.
  • 30 Nov 1782 Draft of Treaty of Paris, ending Revolutionary War, finalized.
  • 1 Dec 1775 Gen. Montgomery's forces join Gen. Arnold's outside Quebec, preparing to besiege British there.
  • 2 Dec 1776 Jefferson proposes resolution in Congress for exchange of Ethan Allan, captured by British at Montreal.
• Townsends: Baked Applesauce Pudding? - An Historic German Recipe. Another delicious, German recipe given to us by Kayla and Karen at Old Salem Museums and Gardens, who are presently translating two period German cookbooks.
• The smoothbore blunderbuss was used as a weapon against boarding attackers on ships. Intended for short range use, it was packed with a large powder charge and whatever shot, nails, or shrapnel was available, then shot as one would a standard musket.
• Amazingly how 18th century dyers were able to achieve such vibrancy with natural dyes. Great workshop. (at ROM in Toronto)

Additions to the Loyalist Directory

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

• McMicking, John - from Dennis Wally Reid

James Edwin Roszell, UE

Colonel John Butler (Niagara) Branch UELAC sadly announces the passing of Past President James (Jim) Edwin Roszell UE, in his 73rd year. Jim passed away peacefully in St. Catharines on Sunday, November 19, 2017 after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Valerie (Chivers) Roszell UE. Loving father of Leigh Roszell-Hoag UE, and her husband Paul. Brother-in-law of Michael Chivers (Connie) and uncle of Jennifer Nagy (Kevin). He is also survived by many friends and relatives.

Jim loved fishing, traveling and was proud of his accomplishments with the Canadian Casting Federation and his ancestry with the United Empire Loyalists.

Cremation has taken place with a private family interment at a later date. If desired, memorial contributions to the Canadian Cancer Society or Canadian Diabetes Association would be sincerely appreciated by the family.

Jim was an amazing family historian and researcher, always ready and willing to help others with their research. Jim received UELAC certificates for 15 Loyalist Ancestors: Alexander Collins; George Cosby; John Gould Sr.; Jonathan Greenlaw; Adam Haines; John Lymburner; Margaret Lymburner; Matthew Lymburner Jr.; Matthew Lymburner Sr.; Patrick McGau; Thomas North and Jacob Young. He will be missed.

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

Marguerite Helen (Miller) Hanratty, UE (née Brown)

Colonel John Butler (Niagara) Branch UELAC sadly announces that long time loyal member Marguerite Hanratty of Fort Erie passed away on Friday, November 24, 2017. She will be missed by all her loyal friends. Marguerite was born in Bridgeburg (Fort Erie) September 19, 1920. She was predeceased by her son Benjamin A. Miller UE (2012), husbands Thomas P. Hanratty (2001) and Arthur A. Miller (1965), sisters Dorothy (Henry) Buss (1985) and Mildred Brown (2001). She is survived by her children Marian Miller UE, Fort Erie and Arlene (Albert) Barber of Powassan, three grandchildren: Andy Barber, David Barber and Valerie Costello and a great grandchild Samantha Barber and several nieces and nephews.

Marguerite was retired from the professional research staff of the State University of New York at Buffalo and from the Niagara South Board of Education Staff Relations Department. She served on the executive of Community Living – Welland and was on its teaching staff before founding Community Living – Fort Erie where she was its first Teacher and Principal. Later she was elected to the Board of Directors, CL-FE, holding various offices including that of President. She was honored with a Board Member Emeritus designation for outstanding service. She was again honored in 2007 as Founder, on the 50th anniversary of the founding of CL - FE.

Marguerite also served on the Regional Family Advisory Board for Long Term Care, the former Niagara District Health Council Long Term Care Committee and the Family Council of Gilmore Lodge Home for the Long Term Care, Fort Erie. She was a member of the Council of Women, PALS (Preservation of Agricultural Lands Society), the Ontario Health Coalition, Great Lakes United, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Ontario Genealogical Society, Bertie Historical Society, the Scottish Clan Lamont Society of Canada, Col. John Butler Branch (Niagara) of the United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada for her Loyalist ancestors, Cornelius Bowen and William Bowen and the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution for her Patriot ancestor Job Simmons.

Cremation has taken place. Friends gathered to share memories at the Williams Funeral Home (send a message or donation) on December 1, 2017. Private family interment at McAffee Cemetery. A Linden Tree has been planted in McAffee Cemetery as a living family memorial. If desired memorial donations to the charity of one's choice would be appreciated be her family.

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