Notable Events From the Past
2013
Donation to the New Brunswick Historical Society
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David Laskey, President of
the New Brunswick Branch of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of
Canada is seen here presenting a cheque for $700 to Kathy Wilson,
President of the New Brunswick Historical Society to help with
restoration work currently ongoing at Loyalist House, Saint John, NB
and in memory of John Chard. Mr. Chard was a past Dominion
President of the UELAC and was instrumental in the formation of over
fifteen branches of the UELAC across Canada. He was of member of
the NB Branch and made annual donations to our branch. Mr. Chard
was very interested in Loyalist House, visiting it most recently in
2010 during the Dominion Conference of the UELAC, held in Saint
John. Mr. Chard passed away on May 17, 2013 in his 91st year.
Loyalist House was completed in 1817 by the Merritt family, Loyalists
from New York State who arrived in Saint John in 1783. Six
generations of Merritts lived in the gracious Georgian mansion before
it was acquired by the NB Historical Society in 1959. It has been
lovingly restored with Merritt furnishings to the year 1833. Like
any home, the large building in the centre of Saint John requires
ongoing maintenance, however this year it was found that a crisis was
developing with one of its four massive chimneys. The exterior
stone basement wall began leaning outward and the masons realized that
the chimney above it, for the dining room and nursery fireplaces, was
not stabilized. It was feared that the chimney would collapse and
take the wall of the house with it. Workers have stabilized the
chimney now with some 33 bags of cement and using hemlock beams, and
are currently awaiting the masons’ return. It was necessary to look at
the chimney, which was embedded in the wall of the dining room, to see
any disintegration of the brick work, and thus the walls had to be
removed.
The provincial government will consider a grant of up to 50% of this
very costly work. The wall construction is traditional lath and
plaster, skills not readily available, and the wallpaper and draperies
must be replaced in authentic reproduction form matching the original
restoration and the rest of the house. Loyalist House is in need
of exterior paint work – scraping, priming, and painting, as well as
shutters and stairs restoration, so the need is great. The UELAC
(NB) would like to challenge other groups or individuals who are
interested in the history of our city and the important role that such
a living museum plays in that history, to donate as generously as they
can to this very worthy cause. |
2010
Atlantic Region Conference
'Loyalists as Refugees'
October 15, 16 & 17, 2010
Click
here to
view the announcement
Click here to
view the conference activities
2008
Annual Loyalist Day Banquet 15 May
The New Brunswick Branch of the UELAC held its
annual Loyalist Day Banquet at the Union Club on Germain Street on the
evening of May 15th, 2008. The guest speaker was Mr. David Peters who
spoke on the Black Loyalists. Mr. Peters is a descendant of Thomas
Peters who immigrated to Nova Scotia with the Loyalists as a free Black
and who subsequently immigrated to Africa (Sierra Leone) where he
died." His talk described in detail the experience of growing up black
both in that era and his own.
Many songs were sung; ably led by Ruth Lesbirel and with her brother
Don Flewelling on piano.
A delicious salmon dinner was enjoyed by all.
Photos courtesy of Stephen Lesbirel.
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Left: NB Branch President Stephen Bolton and banquet
guest speaker Mr. David Peters.
Top: The head table at the Loyalist Banquet, L-R Mr
David Peters,
Stephen Bolton, Nadine Bolton, Mrs Peters.
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Loyalist Day May 18th, 2008
Loyalist Day was observed May 18th and the Branch took the
usual role of organizing this 225th anniversary celebration. We met in
the front of City Hall at 3 PM where the Proclamation was read by the
Town Crier Mr. Dennis Knib. Mr Jim McKenzie acted as master of
ceremonies. The Union flag was raised by Saint John's new Mayor Mr.
Ivan Court and Branch President Stephen Bolton. May 18th also marks the
223 anniversary of the incorporation of the Charter of City of Saint
John - Canada's oldest incorporated city.
The crowd was then lead by DeLancey's Brigade to market Slip
for a ceremony at the Loyalist Rock. The group sang "My Own Canadian
Home" led by Ruth Lesbirel. Saint John mayor Ivan Court and Branch
President Stephen Bolton addressed the crown; both emphasizing how rich
and important Saint John's cultural history was.
Absent, and missed, this year was George Teed. This long term
member of the UELAC passed away a few months ago.
Since Loyalist Day fell on Sunday this year, Branch members
attended the morning service at Trinity Anglican Church on Germain
Street.
A highlight every May 18th is the noon 21 gun salute. Saint
John has the honor, unique among Canadian cities, of firing a 21 gun
salute in the absence of Royalty. Branch President Stephen Bolton
inspected the 3rd Field Artillery Unit after the salute.
Photos courtesy of Stephen Lesbirel.
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Frances Morrisey inside Trinity Church
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The 3rd Field Artillery Unit atop Fort Howe
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DeLancey's Brigade leads the Loyalist Day celebration form City Hall to
Loyalist Rock.
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Rev David Edwards leads the Loyalist Day observers in prayer. Mayor
Court is to the left.
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Col. Neil McKelvey addresses the Loyalist Day group beside Loyalist
Rock.
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Mayor Court cutting and distributing Saint John's
birthday cake in the atrium of Market Square.
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2007
13 May Loyalist Church service at Trinity Church in Saint
John.
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Outside
Trinity Church: L-R Stephen Bolton (in DeLancey Brigade uniform),
Nadine Bolton, Frances Morrisey, Jim McKenzie (NB Branch President),
Sylvia & John Watson
18 May - Loyalist Day. Click here
to view the activities page (PDF).
![](graphics/img_1718.jpg)
Inside Trinity Church: L-R Jim McKenzie, Sylvia Watson, Rev. Lloyd
Lake, Roy Carson, George Teed, Nadine Bolton, Eric Teed, Frances
Morrisey,
Stephen Bolton, John Watson
2006