“Loyalist Trails” 2004-11: July 31, 2004
In this issue:
– Loyalist Hudson Bus Trip: Guest speaker at banquet
– “Bloodiest Battle of War of 1812”
– UELAC at Port Maitland Festival
– A history of the Blakeney/Blakely Family
– Dominion Office Hours and Visits
Articles
Loyalist Hudson Bus Trip: Guest speaker at banquet
We are indeed lucky to get Retired Colonel James Johnson as the Loyalist Hudson Trip Banquet speaker.
Retired Colonel James Johnson is a noted military historian who is the Executive Director of the Hudson River Institute and an Affiliate Professor of History at the Marist College and an Emeritus Professor of History at the United States Military Academy, West Point. He is an expert on the history of the Hudson Valley, the fortifications and battles around West Point and very knowledgeable about the American Revolution He is also a noted author and had written several books on the American Revolution. The trip from Ottawa and Cornwall on Oct 1-4 2004 still has a few seats remaining.
“Bloodiest Battle of War of 1812”
On Sunday, July 25, 1814, more than 1,700 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after the battle which historians refer to as “the bloodiest battle of the War of 1812.” On Sunday, July 25, 2004, 190 years to the day of the battle, members of the Colonel John Butler Branch joined local dignitaries, historians, re-enactors and veterans and citizens of Niagara Falls in commemoration of the battle and the fallen British, Canadian and American soldiers. The annual Commemorative service took place at the Drummond Hill Cemetery in Niagara Falls, the site of the actual battle. Branch members Brian Ford and David Ellsworth, in costume, laid a wreath at the memorial on behalf of the Branch. Four life size limestone panels on the Commemorative Wall depicting scenes from the battle were unveiled to the echo of musket fire. A reception was held at the restored Battle Ground Hotel Museum, the former historic Fralick’s Tavern, after the service.
UELAC at Port Maitland Festival
2014 Promotions, Grand River Branch and Colonel John Butler Branch joined together for an impressive display at the Port Maitland Festival of History at the Dunnville Airport on Saturday July 24. 2014 Promotional Items were on display and for sale. Brochures were available and genealogical books had attendees looking for ancestors. Colonel John Butler Branch set up a display showing their progress in documenting the Loyalist Land Grants along the Niagara River. This project was made possible in part by a grant from Project 2014. In attendance at the display were Carol Terry and Beverly Craig in costume, Bill Terry, Jim Sweet, Bob McCarey, Jean Kerr, Rod Craig, Gord Dandy and Noreen Stapley.
A history of the Blakeney/Blakely Family
A history of the Blakeney/Blakely Family: This 260 page book is a story of the family (with spelling variations) in the United Kingdom, Ireland and North America, with the origin of the name, personages, family notables, heraldry, a gazetteer, and a history of Chambers and David Blakeney (Blakely) from Ireland, in the American Revolution, to their arrival in Canada. The book has 14 chapters with 38 illustrations – 8 ½ X 11 soft cover with index of names and places. Included are references to BABCOCK, BOWER, BOND, COLPITTS, DAY, EISAN, FRALICK, FRITZ, GERLDART, HARPELL, HENN, HORSMAN, JACQUES, LEWIS, MARKS, MEHL, MICHLER, MYERS, MOORE, MORRISON, NEWCOMBE, NICHOLS, NODDING, ORR, RITTENHOUSE, RUDOLPH, RUPPERT, SHELLNUT, SITEMAN, STRUM, THORNTON, WEBBER, WEEKS, ZIMMERMAN, ZONG, OTHER EASTERN SHORE NOVA SCOTIA AND NEW BRUNSWICK FAMILIES. Special stories of the Palatine settlers to South Carolina; Southern LOYALISTS AND PATRIOTS; Blakelys of Williamsburg, Blakeneys of Cheraws, John and Rachel Blakely, J ames Blakely, and Ontario Blakelys.
LIMITED PRINTING: CANADA – $ 55.00 + $15 Shipping & Handling; U.S.A. – $ 40.00 + $15 USD S&H
Cheques or money orders to: Blakeney/Blakely Family Assoc., PO Box 2113, Dartmouth NS B2W 3X8 Canada
Dominion Office Hours and Visits
The Dominion Office is currently scheduled to be open during the core hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays (9:30 – 4:00), and again Wednesday from about 10:00 – 1:00. That is a general guideline. During the day Mette Griffin may be away from the office for periods of time for post office, copy-centre, supplies etc. Also from time to time hours may be rescheduled, due to appointments of other things.
If you are planning to drop in to pick up supplies, to meet Mette or for some other reason, it is probably a good idea to make an appointment. Jim Bruce and I, who meet Mette most weeks, pre-plan our visits in most cases.
The library there is not available for research; one of many things we may be able to change over the next year.