Branching out: news from the branches (United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada).

It's been an exciting time with meetings focusing on the Loyalist Landings. A prelude to Convention 96 was Lois Dickinson's talk "Salute to Shelburne", the 1983 Maritime Tour, continued, the following month with slides from Eleanor Smith, Shelburne. Our May Luncheon featured the Spring Fleet and readings from Sarah Frost's Diary by Kyla Thornton in period costume [photo left].

A number of Certificates

Exciting ceremonies were arranged for presentation of a number of certificates as follows: to Jeffrey Curtis, UE, (Sir John Johnson), his eight year old son Ryan Curtis, UE, and his mother Marjorie Dorion Curtis, UE; to Donald Archibald, UE, and his sister Allisen Barkley, UE, (Findlay Murdock, N.S.) the four descendants of John Thornton (NB & Ont.); Robert Armstrong, UE; Rev. Gordon Taylor, UE and his sister Dorothy Miller, UE; and Doug Thornton, UE.

A great certificate year culminated August 24 when Mayor John Les and Councillor Dorothy Kostrezewa hosted a colourful ceremony on the steps of Chilliwack District Hall where certificates were presented to Michael Barkley, UE, (who came from Holland) and Dorothy Barkley, UE, children of Allisen Barkley, UE. Their children Lindsay, Forbes and Stephanie Kasting and Daniella and Dylan Barkley were recognized as young Loyalists. Guests from Holland were welcomed in Dutch by Mayor Les.

The children in costumes matching their grandmother's and others in costume led by Thompson-Okanagan President Dennis Webb, UE, (in his uniform), paraded with flags to a local church for lunch. It was an extremely hot day and the four blocks became a real route march with parents carrying children and adults lagging behind. (a small reminder of Loyalist hardships.)

Certificates were earlier presented to the children of Col. Jack Aird, UE, (Edward Hicks); Jacqueline Diane Foster, UE; and Brian Gregory Aird, UE.

Our Branch has also visited Vancouver, Thompson-Okanagan and Victoria where we arranged the May luncheon program.

Five of our members including; Allisen Barkley, UE, Don Archibald, UE, Annis Archibald, Vera Webb, UE, and Shirley Dargatz, UE, attended the '96 Convention and Tour. They had a marvellous time and are deeply appreciative for the excellent organization.

Col. John Butler (Niagara) Branch

UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS 

(3425 Strang Dr., Niagara Falls, ON L2G 6K2)

[Extracted from The Seniors Review, Niagara Region, Vol. 8, issue 6, page 19.]

Searching for our roots has become a popular hobby, and genealogy experts are in demand. We all wonder at times who our ancestors were, and what they did. When you start digging there's a chance you will find somebody important, or discover something you wish you hadn't, but it's still a fascinating subject And one group of people have taken the trouble to research back six or seven generations to substantiate the claim that their families were United Empire Loyalists.

An estimated 60,000 people left the United States between 1775 and 1787. Some returned to England, some went to the West Indies, but the largest number came north to the Maritimes and Lower and Upper Canada.

The British Government, as a reward and to help them settle in their new country -- much of which was still wilderness -- aided the new colonists with supplies and equipment. Land grants were given to every family, and after settling the land they were given permanent deeds to it. The government also recognized the Loyalists and their stand for freedom. To this day, descendants of the Loyalists are entitled, after proving their descent, to use the designation UE (Unity of the Empire) after their names.

The local branch of the UEL, the Colonel John Butler Niagara Branch, has about 80 members in the Niagara region, and there are approximately 3,000 across Canada. But there are probably two or three million Canadians who qualify and could, if they wished, claim membership.

Pat Hughes began research after her cousin, Daniel Turner, wrote asking her for information on the Craig branch of the family, for which he was compiling a history. In 1987 she discovered that six generations back, in 1783, a James Craig came from Massachusetts and was given a land grant in New Brunswick. "Certainly, it's not easy to get into the UEL," she said. It took her six years to establish her claim, wading through mountains of correspondence, copies of land grants, birth and death certificates, wills and other documents. And now she proudly displays her certificate of membership, which certifies her as a genuine UEL. Her son, James, has also become a member. Children have the right to membership, but not spouses, although they can join as associate members.

Joan Dodds of Niagara Falls, is a descendant of Samuel Mann, who arrived in Cape Breton from New Jersey in 1783. He was a ship's captain who lost his ship to pirates on the journey. Joan, a sixth generation, traces her ancestry mostly through the women in her family.

Marie Jackson, Welland, had a much easier time of it. She is a direct descendant of Philip George Bender, one of Niagara's first settlers, who received a grant of choice land along the Niagara River. The old Bender homestead, long gone, was built on land now occupied by Maple Leaf Village. The Bender name is perpetuated in Niagara Falls where several streets (Bender, John, Hiram, Philip) are named for the sons and grandsons of the original family. Since the family records are carefully preserved, Mrs. Jackson had little trouble establishing her claim. Her daughter, Nancy Andersen, is also a member.

The local Colonel John Butler (Niagara) Branch meets about four times a year with speakers on topics of local interest. The objective of the organization is "To preserve, protect, and promote the Loyalist heritage". Information displays are set up throughout the region at heritage events.

If you think you have claim to UEL membership or are interested in the history of our early settlers, contact Edward Scott at [phone] or Pat Hughes at [phone] for more information.

Fredericton Branch

We have had interesting speakers in 1996. The first meeting was held Tuesday, March 12th, 1996 at the National Exhibition Centre on Queen Street. Mary Allwood was the guest speaker. She is a descendant of prominent Loyalist Edward Winslow, the man responsible for the formation of the Province of New Brunswick in 1784. Mary Allwood spoke on the history of the Winslow Family originally from Plymouth, Mass. The Winslows sailed from England on the Mayflower.

Our next meeting was Tuesday, May 14th, 1996. This was also our Annual Meeting when elections were held. We are pleased that Dr. Blair Orser will serve as President 1996-1997.

John Claus, History Post Graduate student spoke on Officers of Delancy Brigade, a Loyalist Regiment.

On May 18, 1996 the Loyalist Flags were flown from the Legislature and from City Hall to celebrate the Landing of the Loyalists, 1783.

To date in 1996 Membership Certificates have been presented to the following: Willa Albright - Ancestor Roger Barton Gerald V. Allen - Ancestor Michael Dennison Emma Hawks - Ancestor Lott Paterson Ronald Hawks - Ancestor Lott Paterson Charles MacDonald - Ancestor Henry Erb (8th Certificate) Robert Renouf - Ancestor Thomas Shearer

The following delegates attended the Convention in Halifax, NS in June 1996: Dr. Blair Orser and wife Anne, Dr. the Reverend Mark Smith, George Hayward and wife, Fred and Kit Everett, Andrew Gunter and Betty Sewell. Everyone had a most enjoyable time in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saint John, New Brunswick.

Dr. the Reverend Mark Smith was elected Parliamentarian and Dr. Blair Orser was appointed to the Dominion Council.

We look forward to a successful 1996-1997 under the able guidance of our President, Dr. Blair Orser, UE.

Governor Simcoe Branch

The United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada lost its Standard Bearer and the Governor Simcoe Branch lost its President on Wednesday, 21 August 1996 when Henry "Harry" Urquhart Ross died peacefully at his home in his 84th year.

Harry grew up in Sault Ste Marie where his father was a lockmaster. He entered the Royal Military College in Kingston, graduating in 1934, and obtained his Master's degree in engineering from McGill University in 1936.

He joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1943 and served till 1946 reaching the rank of Commander. Harry was an instructor at Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, and worked at Algoma Steel's Algoma Ore Properties in Wawa. In 1947 Harry moved to the University of Toronto as a professor of metallurgical engineering and retired in 1979. Professor Ross was a world authority on iron and steel smelting. While at the U of T, Harry won the Alcan Award in 1978 for his contributions to the advancement of metallurgy in Canada.

Harry had many interests. He was a member of the Toronto Granite Club. He loved his lawn bowling, he was an ardent curler going with a group from the Club to Scotland to represent Canada, enjoyed bridge and had been recently taking lessons to improve his skills. He was the editor of The Simcoe Loyalist, the Governor Simcoe Branch's newsletter, as well as the Branch's President. Among his many interests was being grandfather to his grandchildren Craig, Jeffrey, Alastair, Stephen, Frances, Corey, and Susanne.

Harry was a lover of art and painted with A. Y. Jackson with whom he shared a cottage on Lake Superior near Wawa. He had been introduced to the artist by his wife Jennie, who predeceased him.

He leaves his sister Dorothy of Peterborough, son Ian and his wife Kathy of Kingston, and son Kenneth and his wife Judy of Toronto. A funeral service was held August 24th at Lawrence Park Community Church, Toronto.

The Governor Simcoe Branch and his many friends will miss Harry's guidance, and quiet humour.

Halifax/Dartmouth Branch

Loyalist Home in Digby, N.S.

The family home of UEL members, Capt. David Judson Gray, USNR and Edward S. Gray is located at the corner of Carlton Street and Maiden Lane just off the Cannon Banks in Digby, Nova Scotia. The home is built on property granted by the Crown. The oldest portion of the house appears to have been built around 1835-1840. The dating of the back portion of the house is based on the pinion and truss method of construction used around that time. The main portion of the house was built before 1878. An artist's conception of the town dated 1878 show the house as it currently stands. There were two additional houses between the Fenwick House and the Annapolis Basin, but one was destroyed when part of the bluff it sat on was collapsed into the Basin. The other house was removed to allow installation of oil storage tanks to allow refuelling of RCN submarines during World War II.

The house was previously owned by the current owner's mother, Mrs. Alice C. (Neily) Gray, who is also a member of the UEL. Her mother, Mrs. Jennie B. (Cornwall) Neily was born in the upstairs bedroom in 1880. She emigrated to the United States in 1906. Prior to that, the house was owned by her mother, Mrs. Carolyn (Carrie) Fenwick Cornwall. Mrs. Cornwall is buried in the Anglican Cemetery, Digby. The home is still occupied by a cousin of Mrs. Gray, who keeps it in very good shape.

The Admiral Digby Museum on Water Street has several artifacts from the house on display. The Museum has become a mecca for local genealogists who are researching Loyalist families in the area. The Museum has set aside an area for genealogy and the associated materials.

The Annapolis Basin is considered one of the most historic areas in the Maritimes. Samuel de Champlain wintered there in 1605/1606 and there is a reconstructed Fort (Port Royal) that draws a lot of visitors. Besides the replica French fort, there is also the Fort Anne Historical Park which is in Annapolis proper. The garrison house and magazine are still extant and open to the public. Fort Anne was built by Royal Army engineers after Nova Scotia was ceded to the British by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 following Queen Anne's War.

The Historic Significance of Birchtown

[Extracted from The (Shelburne) Coast Guard newspaper]

NOTE: Following is the complete text of the address by former Annapolis Mayor Daurene Lewis on the "Historic Significance of Birchtown" presented on Saturday July 20 during unveiling ceremonies for two plaques recognizing the national historic significance of the settlement by Black Loyalists at Birchtown in 1783.

The African presence in North America was not expected to be permanent. The life expectancy of a slave was anticipated to be seven years. The projection was that every seven years the labour force would have to be replaced. We were not viewed as human being, but rather instruments in the labour process. Our story started with the most dramatic forced migration in history, which saw 15,000,000 of us brought from Africa in bondage to the Western Hemisphere. We were dumped into a cauldron of unfamiliar cultures, unfamiliar language, unfamiliar religions and an unwelcoming land. Our tribal groupings were destroyed, our families separated, but against all odds we survived. Many of us survived to reach Nova Scotia.

There were three main sources of black settlers in Nova Scotia:

1) "servants for life"

2) black pioneers

3) black Loyalists

"Servants for life" was a euphemism for slaves since slavery was not officially condoned because the removal of slaves from their owners in the U.S., violated the American provisional articles. Many of these "servants" were offered freedom after the death of their master and came to Nova Scotia with the United Empire Loyalists. Others were still being referred to as servants even when they were sold.

The second group of settlers was the black pioneers. They were labourers who followed the army and provided maintenance functions. They were paid for their work, but were not fighting men. The third group of settlers was the black Loyalists. They were recruited by the British as early as 1775 to serve in the army and navy. There were two main reasons for the recruitment: 1) to deplete the American (rebel) workforce, and 2) for the British to gain a workforce for themselves. Both men and women were welcomed by the British to serve in the military. The women cooked, did the laundry and sewing or served as nurses. The men served as teamsters, and they were armed and fought alongside of the British troops.

Sir Guy Carleton, Commander-in-Chief of the British troops in North America, guaranteed their freedom if they joined the military to fight against the Americans in the war of independence.

In nearly every location in Nova Scotia, the black settlers were segregated frequently in unyielding sites. In Annapolis County, 76 free blacks received land grants in 1785; all were for a single acre. This compared to grants of 50 to 200 acres for white settlers.

It was expected that Shelburne would be a model community for the resettlement of blacks in Nova Scotia. The `servants' in Shelburne continued to live with their masters, but most blacks lived in a community of their own called Birchtown. By 1787 there were approximately 200 families in Birchtown and another 70 families in the northern division of the township. In July 1784 the muster roll showed a total of 5,900 whites and 2,700 blacks. Of these, 1,521 blacks were free.

They came with a variety of skills -- carpenters, rope makers, boat builders, sawyers, chimney sweeps, seamstresses and sailors. Therefore, our labour was useful to the white inhabitants in helping Shelburne become the most prosperous community in the province in those early days.

Harmony between the whites in Shelburne and the blacks in Birchtown did not last. In July 1784, to quote Simeon Perkins, "an extraordinary mob" comprised of hundreds of disbanded white soldiers rampaged through the settlement of Birchtown and destroyed many homes.

Relations between the whites of Shelburne and the blacks of Birchtown were never the same.

By 1789 the town fathers of Shelburne passed an ordinance warning blacks against holding dances and frolics in the town of Shelburne. The exodus of free blacks to Sierra Leone in 1792 accentuated and accelerated the decline of the community of Birchtown. The optimism and success of the early days were lost. The glory days passed and the harsh reality of new struggles began. Here we stand more than 200 years later to applaud and celebrate the brief but glorious success of the community of Birchtown.

A tribute to our quest for freedom.

A pillar of our heritage.

A beacon for our future.

Hamilton Branch

Loyalists' Return to Dundurn

On a beautiful summer Friday, July 26, 1996, Gloria Oakes UE, President of Hamilton Branch and Bill Nesbitt, Curator of Dundurn Castle welcomed Association members to the newly restored Cockpit and the landscape restoration of the surrounding gardens. We were pleased that the Association Past President Okill Stuart, UE, was present to officially unveil the restoration work. Many in period costume enjoyed fresh lemonade and baked goods from the kitchen of Dundurn while the music of the Giovane String Quartet enhanced the summer breezes.

Hamilton Branch contributed to the funding of the garden restoration as a visible reminder of the early Loyalist presence in the area. The Landscape Architect responsible for the project is Wendy Schearer. A plaque will be hung in the entryway of the Castle noting the Loyalists' participation.

The Loyalist, Richard Beasley, came into Upper Canada and settled at the Head of the Lake in 1777, on the land now known as Dundurn Park. Originally he built a log house with a fireplace and later more substantial homes as his fur trading with the Indians and his role in the Legislative Assembly and politics developed. In 1833 part of his estate was sold to Sir Richard Cartwright and later to Allan MacNab. The latter incorporated the Beasley homestead into the present day Dundurn Castle. Okill, Peter Hood, UE, (Grand River Branch) and Sir Allan MacNab's second wife, Mary Stuart, UE, share descent from Rev. John Stuart, UE.

It has been a busy summer for Hamilton Branch which has taken part in many area events as well as those celebrating the Sesquicentennial of Hamilton: "Heritage Live", Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum, Ancaster; Joseph Brant Museum's Strawberry Festival; "The Best Kept Secrets of Hamilton" at the Children's Museum; and the Victorian Picnic at Dundurn Castle. All events bringing out many queries of the Loyalists!

Submitted by Martha Hemphill, UE

Heritage Branch

Our first 1996 meeting was held on February 29th, a very unique date and program. A large gathering of members and friends were entertained by Branch member, the well known magician, Nemo Turner and his pet rabbit `Melvin'. They have won many outstanding awards, including a medal presented in 1993, by the Governor General of Canada for their benevolent and charitable work. The evening ended with the annual hidden auction, always a financial success.

The Annual General Meeting took place on April 30th in the Church of St. Columba with historian, Victoria M. Stewart, as guest speaker. Her subject of upholding the honour of 18th century Loyalists in 20th century Canada and particularly the future of the Monarchy in Canada, prompted a very rousing and controversial question and answer period.

Ten of our members attended the National Convention, June 6 - 9th in Halifax, with several enjoying the `Loyalist Loop Bus Tour'. Okill Stuart was front and centre as National President and also past President of Heritage Branch. During his two year term Okill worked very hard indeed and in many different ways, to benefit the Association. Every member from coast to coast across Canada, owes a debt of gratitude to Okill, particularly on the subject of finances. Now as Past President he is in a much better position and quite willing to devote some time toward obtaining much needed financial grants.

Our President, Robert Wilkins and wife Maura, attended the Kente Portage Festival, July 13-14th, at Carrying Place in Ontario. On August 4th we again shared a booth with the Laurentian Branch of The Heraldry Society of Canada at the Montreal Highland Games, held this year on the grounds of Douglas Hospital in Verdun. This always provides the opportunity to display our literature and obtain prospective new members.

We now have 45 participants registered for the Richelieu Valley Bus Tour, scheduled for Saturday, September 28th. This event will celebrate the formation on May 1st, 1895, of The United Empire Loyalist Association of the Province of Quebec, consisting of 35 members. The tour will include visiting Christ Church in Sorel, the old manor house of Sir John Johnson at St. Mathias, the old Fort and St. Stephen's Church in Chambly. Gerry Rogers, program director of Heritage Branch, will provide historic comments.

The last event of the year, our Annual Charter Night Dinner, will be held on October 24th.

Kingston Branch

After a very eventful spring in which our President, Terry Hicks, arranged, through the good offices of the Kingston Mayor and City Council, to proclaim June 12 as Loyalist Day and authorized the Loyalist flag to be flown from the City Hall, we brought our 1995-96 year to a close with a most enjoyable banquet. A good part of its success was due to our programme convener, Barbara Bradfield finding an excellent speaker.

Dr. John Ellis spoke on an area of our Branch interest, the Loyalist Parkway, also known as Highway 33 from Kingston through Picton to Trenton. In the course of his engineering career he promoted the idea of a Parkway from the beginning and as a government employee he got support for the idea from the Ministries of Transportation and Tourism and also from the local municipal councils.

For such a venture, steps were carefully planned. The Province prepared a Master Plan and from it organized an independent committee, the Loyalist Parkway Group of Advisers in 1989, to be responsible for applying it. Dr. Ellis, a charter member, served three terms as chairman and continues as an executive member today. This committee's aim is the preservation of heritage sites and beautification of the right of way.

Originally provincial grants covered administrative costs and a salary for an executive assistant but this has been severely cut. In spite of this the LPGA has encouraged a lot of activity to advance the Parkway. Recognition of interest and fine work seems to have been incentive enough. Our Branch received a citation from this group for restoring the flower beds at the Amherstview Gates. The chief organizers and workers also cited were Terry Hicks, Peggy Cohoe, Lee Wemp, and Chris Graham.

There was a dozen other persons or groups who were honoured for efforts to preserve heritage architectural styles, many of them associated with U.E.L. There were also efforts to interest and inform especially the young people and the school-aged. Sponsorship of interschool tournaments like golf and marathons produces ready listeners by the hundred when the awards are given out at assemblies. It gets the message out about the value of the Parkway. More specifically the LPGA assists tourists with information booths, information-board shelters, an annual issue of guide-maps and similar helps.

Surveys of public opinion about the project have brought in a very positive response and kept planners on track. The dozen municipalities which the Parkway runs through are also very enthusiastic and supportive.

Dr. Ellis left a thought with us which is likely to appeal to Parkway supporters. He would like to see a Parkway Commission taking the lead in the creation of new parks along the Parkway. In the past seven years there has been only one added to the list--the Harvey MacFarland Park at Picton Bay. Now wouldn't it be an excellent arrangement if supporters would honour their family by donating a small parcel of land for a park or parkette bearing their family's name? It would bring the day closer when Loyalist Parkway would mean a way through parks and not merely a way to a park!

It is good to know that despite severe cuts in grants there is an organization like LPGA which can draw so much and such creative help to preserve and enhance our heritage which we thought was seriously threatened.

Little Forks Branch

Last spring I circulated forms for the Canada Day Youth Award Contest to all Branches. To date, I have not received any news as to whether there were any winners in other Branches. Our Branch sponsored Benjamin Hunting under Item #2: "Promotion of Canadian Values--Literacy Awareness and Advancement We are proud to announce that he won in our area. (The other two fields were "Community Participation" and "Environmental Initiatives".) On Canada Day, July 1st, at the celebrations held in the City of Sherbrooke, the Hon. Jean J. Charest, M.P. for Sherbrooke and Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and the Right Honourable Lucienne Robillard, Minister of Canadian Heritage and of Citizenship and Immigration, presented Ben with a certificate and a beautiful book on Canada, which they both autographed, a wonderful keep-sake.

Benjamin, a student attending Bishop's College School had won the Sherbrooke Record "First Prize" for writing by a high school student. His article was published in his school literary magazine, Inscope, which is the only magazine of its kind to win a prize from Canada in a world-wide school contest. His article has also been published in a magazine called "First Fruit", sponsored by the Jewish Public Library Publications in Montreal and he was honoured by this group.

There was also the Canada Day Poster Contest, in which we had no entries, but 8-year-old Emily Brazill of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island won. Congratulations Emily!

Submitted by Bev. Loomis, UE

Regina Branch

Our province-wide branch has had an active spring. On April 13 the Sask. Genealogical Soc. hosted a Family History Fair in Regina. The Regina Branch of the UELAC were invited to create a display to promote our association. Thanks to the contribution of time and UEL collections by our members it was a great success. Over 500 people stopped by our table, browsed through books and admired the UEL stamps, plates, family trees and other related artifacts. Brochures were distributed and many members came and stayed the day to visit and explain membership requirements.

May 4 found our members rallying again to contribute time and unneeded items at `The World's Largest Garage Sale' in Regina. After a long day we had a modest profit.

Our June gathering began with a Chinese lunch at Stoughton, Sask. then on to Froude to visit the restored homestead of Logan and Shirley Bjarnason. On our arrival we had a British flag raising ceremony, ending with a toast to the Queen. Next, a tour of the one room home that Logan rebuilt with period material and furnished with his family's resurrected and restored pioneer farm items. We adjourned to the Bjarnason's home and were served, with the assistance of Logan's sisters, a bountiful lunch of biscuits, currant jam, gooseberry tarts and gingerbread cookies. The Bjarnason home is quite a museum in itself!

Our next meeting will be held in October at Saskatoon.

Lorna Mackenzie, UE, Branch Genealogist, 14 Bothwell Cres., Regina SK S4R 5W5

Sir Guy Carleton Branch

At its annual general meeting on May 23, 1996 at the Royal Canadian Legion, David Webster gave an informative speech on the King's Rangers. He is a past president and a charter member of the Branch. David has also served in most of the Branch executive positions.

David was dressed in the uniform of the first battalion of the King's Rangers. This regiment was raised by Robert Rogers in New York in 1778 and 1779. The warrant to raise the regiment was issued to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rogers on May 1, 1779 by General Sir Henry Clinton, the commander-in-chief at New York City.

David described the various components of this uniform. It had a bicorn hat. The white shirt was of linen. The white woollen stockings were held up by black gaiter straps. The green woollen coat had a red facing and pewter buttons. The waistcoat was white or green, of linen or wool, depending on who did the research. The shoes were black with buckles. Moccasins were also worn. The soldier had a black leather stock around his neck.

Each soldier had a brown bess musket. This could also have been a 16 to 42 inch carbine. Every soldier would have a bayonet and a tomahawk. A double box of black powder cartridges was also carried. A canteen was slung over the back. The haversack was made of grey linen and was used for provisions. A backpack was also carried. It was used for powder and shot, clothing and 60 rounds of ammunition.

David also spoke briefly about other colonial regiments in the Northern Department which included Quebec. Some of these Loyalist regiments were the Butler's Rangers, the King's Royal Regiment of New York and the Royal Highland Emigrants (84th Regiment). After the King's Rangers was raised by Robert Rogers, he had drinking problems, so his brother James took over the regiment. It worked mainly at building fortifications and houses. It was also involved in two raids. One was at Saratoga in 1779. Several members of the Rangers also were involved in spying for the British and other secret service work. Two of them even attempted to burn a rebel ship at New York City.

In 1784 the discharged members of the King's Rangers settled west of Kingston. William Buell founded Elizabethtown (now Brockville), Robert Burritt founded Buritt's Rapids and John Meyers founded Belleville.

Submitted by George Anderson, UE, Editor of Branch newsletter, The Ottawa Loyalist

Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch

Highlights of our Annual Meeting of June 15, 1996, in Philipsburg, Quebec, were a tribute to Okill Stuart, retiring National PResident and a report of the trip by two of our members to the Dominion Convention in Halifax.

Robert Wilkins, a member of our branch as well as President of Heritage Branch, Montreal, expressed the group's pride and appreciation to Okill Stuart for the time and effort he has given to his office as National President over the past two years. His dedication has lead to a more efficiently functioning organization with a higher profile in the media.

Jean McCaw reported on the `Loyalist Loop' tour of the Maritime provinces which preceded the Annual Meeting in Halifax. She and Audrey McCaw greatly enjoyed the beautiful countryside, the well-conducted visits to Loyalist sites and the warm hospitality of the Saint John, Fredericton, Abegweit and Halifax-Dartmouth branches.

The guest speaker, Dr. Derek Booth of Bishop's University and author of the two-volume Railways of Southern Quebec, gave a very informative talk on the important role the railways played in the development of the Eastern Townships.

Also in June, our Branch, under the "convenorship" of Evelyn Lewis, sponsored a field trip by students of Heroes' Memorial School in Cowansville to visit Loyalist sites in Missisquoi County. twenty-five students, four parents and one teacher enjoyed a day's bus tour to the Museum at Stanbridge East, cemeteries with Loyalist graves and a visit to the home of a Loyalist descendant, Mrs. Iris Guthrie, who recounted tales of past lifestyles and showed artifacts and treasures inherited from her Loyalist forebears. During the trip the students were given information, which had been complied by our Generalogist, Jean McCaw, concerning the Loyalist settlement of the Townships. The enthusiasm of the students augurs well for future outings of this kind.

On August 14th, a beautiful summer day graced the Branch's annual picnic, held on the grounds of the Missisquoi Museum at Stanbridge East. Members enjoyed the fellowship and a visit to the Museum which this year featured "A Day in the Sun: Pleasures, Pastimes and Leisure Pursuits in Missisquoi County."

Following the picnic several members drove to Mount Gale in the Bromont area for a visit to the grave site of Loyalist Founding Father, Samuel Gale, whose remote and crumbling monument is of concern to local historians.

Submitted by Audrey McCaw.

St. Lawrence Branch

Returning Home--William Johnson Munro

One hundred and seventy-six years after his death, the bones of a young UE Loyalist were returned home and reinterred in a moving ceremony at Riverside Heights near Upper Canada Village on 28 July 1996. William Johnson Munro (1781-1820), son of Captain the Hon. John Munro UE, of Matilda Township, had left his career in the North West Company to establish himself as merchant and innkeeper at Bas-Caraquet, New Brunswick where he died at age 39 and was buried on his property. The story of how descendant Henry Munro and his wife Velema of Washington State made the long trek to recover his remains and restore them to the family plot in Ontario is printed elsewhere in this issue of The Gazette.

At the ceremony, relatives and clansmen of the deceased were joined by members of the St. Lawrence Branch to mark the reinterment. Carson Elliot of St. Matthews Presbyterian Church presided at the ceremony and was joined by Ian Munro of Kanata (clan Munro), Allison Prosser of Morrisburg (president of St. Lawrence Branch), and Bruce Bateman of Cornwall, piper.

Archives of Upper Canada Village Closed

In preparation for an ambitious theme park expansion program, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission has closed the archives and genealogical reference centre of Upper Canada Village and laid off its long-time personnel. The move represents a substantial change in the direction and interpretation of the village which was established during the flooding of Several of the old Loyalist villages during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1957.

Dr. Henry Lickers--Charter Night Speaker

The annual Charter Night banquet of the St. Lawrence Branch (14 Sept. 1996) at Ingleside was addressed by Dr. Henry Lickers of the Department of Environment, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. Dr Lickers, with his staff of fifteen persons conducts research and policy initiatives dealing with the contamination of the St. Lawrence River in the border area between Cornwall, the St. Regis settlement, and Massena, New York.

Dr Licker's surname is derived from the historic native name of his family as "The Lickers of Salt" because of their domination of the salt trade in the Confederacy. He gave an vivid account of the warm relations of the United Empire Loyalists of the Mohawk Valley to their Indian allies in the Revolutionary War. He called on members of the UEL Association to continue to strengthen their old alliance with their native brothers-in-arms of two hundred years ago. The Loyalist Hymn which opened the evening, he said, was called "The Good Queen's Hymn" by his great-grandmother from Thayendanaga who had such an influence on his own vivid historical memory. He recalled that the old friendship was dramatically demonstrated during the gambling jurisdictional troubles of a few years ago when Cornwall families gave refuge to 10,000 citizens of Akwesasne who had to evacuate the reserve for some days.

Thompson-Okanagan Branch

On Sunday, April 21st we celebrated the first anniversary of the chartering of the Thompson-Okanagan Branch of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada. Some thirty Loyalists from Kelowna, Vernon, Armstrong, Enderby, Salmon Arm, Sorrento, Chase and Kamloops gathered at St. Peter's Hall in Monte Creek for the occasion. Eight visiting Loyalists, most in costumes of the 1780s, from the Vancouver and Chilliwack Branches came to offer anniversary good wishes and share the birthday cake and celebrations.

Mrs Grace Melville, former Salmon Arm resident, now living in Kamloops, received her certificate as a proved descendant of Henry Merkley who served in the King's Royal Regiment of New York during the War of American Independence. Congratulations were extended to those who had received certificates during the year: Donald Munro (ancestor Hugh Munro), Mary Colleen O'Flynn (Benajah Northrup), David Hierlihy (Philip Hierlily). To his surprise, genealogist Christopher Wright received recognition for his contributions to the Association.

Guest speaker at the meeting was Dr. Peter Moogk, UE, of the Faculty of History at UBC. Dr Moogk is a highly regarded scholar of Canadian history. His topic was "Louisbourg, a Capsule in Time".

Why was Louisbourg, a French fortress on Cape Breton Island, captured by General Wolfe in 1758? In 1760, the victorious British razed the fortress and nearly all the dwellings, and for two centuries Louisbourg ceased to exist.

But in this century Louisbourg has been revealed as a time capsule because it is an archaeological source of information on how ordinary people lived in the 1700s. Archaeologists have recovered objects thrown into a pond and down wells or abandoned in the ruins of buildings. These show ordinary things: common china, tools, shoes, bottles, knives, toys etc., and reveal that there was much more trade with New England than previously thought. Louisbourg is important because most cities of North America have been built over so many times that such everyday memorabilia has been destroyed or buried while the site of Louisbourg was simply abandoned. From Louisbourg we can learn about everyday life in the Loyalist settlements some years later.

Officers elected for 1996-97 are: President, Dennis Webb; Secretary, Eileen Foster; Treasurer, Terry Lodge, all of Vernon; Vice-president, Marie Ablett; Archivist, Georgie Brown, both of Kelowna; Genealogist, Chris Wright, and Librarian, Eve Wright, of Salmon Arm.

President Dennis Webb represented the Branch at the National Convention in Halifax.

Members of the Thompson-Okanagan Branch live in the Okanagan, Thompson and Shuswap valleys of southern British Columbia, in an area stretching some 300 kilometres from Kamloops to the United States boundary at Osoyoos. After the charter meeting membership was 25. By July this year it had risen to 45. More certificates will be presented at the September meeting which will be held in Summerland.

At our June meeting Eve Wright, UE, received her second and third certificates under Loyalist ancestors Luke Bowen and Michael Carman Sr. The programme after lunch was "hands-on" study. The full library was open. Members brought their reference books for others to study; some were so engrossed that they stayed until late afternoon.