“Loyalist Trails” 2006-06 February 4, 2006
In this issue:
– Died This Day, January 28, 1776, Edward Cornwallis (Globe & Mail)
– USA Library of Congress Map Collections: 1500-2004
– Error in Land Claims note from last issue:
– Mark of Honour, by Hazel Matthews
– A Second perspective on Sir Frederick Middleton
– The Monarchy and The Constitution
– “Settling Canada” – A New Resource
– First Premier, Explorer Grave Markers Deteriorating
– 1901 Canadian Census – One Step Search
– Queries
+ Elizabeth Everett’s family
+ Response re VAUGHN/HAWLEY
+ Thanks for Information on John Chisholm
Articles
Died This Day, January 28, 1776, Edward Cornwallis (Globe & Mail)
Soldier and colonial administrator. born in London, England, on Feb. 22, 1712.
After retiring from the British army as a lieutenant-colonel he was named governor of Nova Scotia in 1749 and founded a settlement that was later named Halifax. He brought with him 2,500 new colonists, many of whom quit in the face of determined Mi’kmaq raids. London favoured the location of the new settlement as an answer to the French at Louisbourg, but did little to provide protection. In 1752, he was recalled to London, uncertain if the colony would continue. Ten years later, he became the governor of Gibralter. He died in office.
USA Library of Congress Map Collections: 1500-2004
The Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress holds more than 4.5 million items, of which Map Collections represents only a small fraction, those that have been converted to digital form. The focus of Map Collections is Americana and Cartographic Treasures of the Library of Congress. These images were created from maps and atlases and, in general, are restricted to items that are not covered by copyright protection. (memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/gmdhome.html)
The maps collection is divided into seven sections. Two of these look to have special appeal to those of us with an historical interest: Discovery and Exploration, and Military Battles and Campaigns. The latter is subdivided into five groups, including The Rochambeau Map Collection (Revolutionary War Maps of comte de Rochambeau) and American Revolution and Its Era Maps and Charts Collection.
…Joyce Stevens
Error in Land Claims note from last issue
The report listing some land claims in last week’s issue showed:
– John Butler claimed 9,611 pds Sterling ($718,475 in 1991 US dollars);
awarded 5,400 Sterling ($403,376 in 1991 US dollars)
– Philip Buck claimed 154 pds Sterling ($11,512 in 1991 US dollars);
awarded 62 Sterling ($46,348 in 1991 US dollars)
– William Pickard claimed 243 pds Sterling ($18,165 in 1991 US dollars);
awarded 65 Sterling ($4,859 in 1991 US dollars)
There appears to be an arithmetic error in Philip Buck’s claim received. I believe it should read:
– Philip Buck claimed 154 pds Sterling ($11,512 in 1991 US dollars);
awarded 62 Sterling ($4,634 in 1991 US dollars)
…Beth Humphrey
Mark of Honour, by Hazel Matthews
This book mentioned in “Loyalist Trials” latest edition is available from Abebooks on line. It is selling for as little as $10.78 USD plus about $6.02 USD shipping and handling. Ten copies are listed, ranging from this low price to $100.
…David Ricketts UE
A Second perspective on Sir Frederick Middleton
I am the 3rd great granddaughter of Loyalist Adam Hartle while my husband is descended from Metis families on his mother’s side. I read with interest the tribute to Sir Frederick Middleton in the January 29th newsletter. I am afraid that he was not the honorable man that the note suggested, and in fact stole Charles Bremner’s furs during the North West Rebellion of 1885. Charles (Metis) was my husband’s “Grammy’s” great uncle. During the Rebellion the small town of Bresaylor was raided by Poundmaker. Charles Bremner, a number of his fellow villagers, and Father Cochin were taken hostage by the native leader. Charles had his wagon of furs in tow. When Poundmaker agreed to surrender (with the hostages) at Batoche, Middleton stole Charles Bremner’s furs. “Middleton resigned as head of the Militia in 1890 when a select committee of the House of Commons criticized him for misappropriation of furs from a Metis named Charles Bremner during the resistance”, (from http://library.usask.ca/northwest/contents.html ) the University of Saskatchewan Libraries. This information is freely available from many sources. It took many years of government intervention under Prime Ministers McDonald and Laurier before Charles – by then a sick and battered man – was finally compensated – by the Canadian Government – for the theft of his furs. There is an excellent book written about Charles Bremner and his furs. “The Other Side of Rebellion: Charles Bremner and his Furs” by Margaret Stobie
…Linda Nygard UE Secretary, Vancouver Branch
The Monarchy and The Constitution
What is the status of the Monarchy since the patriation of the Constitution in 1982? This question, or variations of it, is one of the most frequently asked regarding the Crown, by those who support and by those who oppose the Canadian Monarchy, and by those who simply wish to know the facts.
This talk, in Toronto at Yonge and Lawrence, will provide a primer on the constitutional status of the Crown. It will look at the provisions in the Constitution Act and other constitutional documents, the Letters Patent of 1947 and the “unwritten” constitution. Questions such as “Who is the Head of State?”, “What powers can the Queen exercise inside and outside of Canada?”, “What is the relationship between the Queen and the Governor-General?”, “What is Canadianisation?”, “What is the relationship between the Crown and Charter of Rights?” will be addressed. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of your own.
If you think you need a grounding in the principles of the Canadian Crown or wish to refresh the knowledge you have, this is the lecture to attend. Tue. 14th Feb. at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., Thu. 16th Feb. at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. & Wed. 22nd Feb. at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
…Garry Toffoli, Executive-Director, Canadian Royal Heritage Trust, {garry DOT toffoli AT rogers DOT com}
“Settling Canada” – A New Resource
At a recent book display for teachers in Halton County, I discovered a new resource for teachers of Loyalist history. “Settling Canada” begins with the First Peoples, but the focus is on European settlers. In five chapters, the author reveals the history of the settlers of New France, the Loyalists, the Red River Settlement, the Irish Migration and concludes with a timeline of multiculturalism in Canada. The Loyalist section briefly covers key points regarding settlement in the Maritimes, Birchtown, Quebec, Butler’s Rangers, and Joseph Brant.
“The text incorporates a rich variety of resources including photos, paintings, maps reproductions of primary source documents and quotations,” but what really sets this book apart from others are the links to Canada: A People’s History which is also available in video, DVD or print format.
The author, Tom Smith, “has taught history and social studies for the past 28 years for the Calgary Catholic School District. He helped develop Alberta’s social studies curriculum (2003).”
Smith, Tom – Settling Canada , Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd., Markham, Ontario, 2005 – ISBN 1-55041-446-1
…Fred H. Hayward UE Chairman, Education/Outlook UELAC
First Premier, Explorer Grave Markers Deteriorating
CORNWALL – Rural South Stormont Township is looking for help in protecting the gravesites of Ontario’s first premier and one of the country’s most celebrated explorers, both of which are in a cemetery within its boundaries.
It’s the second time in recent weeks that area councillors have sounded the alarm about historic sites of major importance which they feel are threatened by the passage of time and the elements.
In both cases, councillors contend that provincial and/or federal authorities should be doing more to maintain and protect the sites.
South Stormont council recently passed a motion citing deterioration of the gravestones at St. Andrew’s cemetery just north of here, along with the crumbling condition of the stone wall which surrounds the burial ground.
The gravestones mark the final resting places of premier John Sandfield Macdonald, and of Simon Fraser, the early explorer who charted the majestic river of the same name in British Columbia.
Meanwhile, just east of here, South Glengarry Township council is lobbying Parks Canada to conduct repairs of one of the country’s oldest military monuments and clean up the site where it stands on a tiny island in the St. Lawrence River.
The conical structure is known as the Glengarry Cairn. It was built of stone by Glengarry Highlander militiamen about 1840 in honour of a military commander of the day. Residents who keep an eye on the cairn from shore say it’s showing serious stress cracks and the site is no longer properly maintained.
South Stormont councillors have endorsed a private member’s bill introduced last year by Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MPP Jim Brownell requiring the Minister of Culture to preserve the gravesites of 18 former premiers buried in community cemeteries in various parts of the province.
Kerry Towndrow, a staffer in Brownell’s office, said a date for second reading of the bill is now being finalized, with every expectation the legislation will eventually be approved
Brownell’s proposed “Gravesites of Former Premiers Act” would require the province to formally recognize – in consultation with the families of past premiers – final resting places with plaques, flags and other appropriate markings, in conformity with to local bylaws and the Cemeteries Act.
Council feels the stature of the VIPs resting in the graveyard at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church qualify it for greater recognition as part of the national registry of historic sites.
Township CAO Betty BeHan said staff is exploring the process for including in the registry the cemetery, the two grave markers, the existing 1860 stone church, and a second stone building dating back more than 200 years, the oldest standing structure in the province originally used as a church.
BeHan said council began considering options after an estimate of $85,000 was acquired for shoring up the St. Andrew’s stone wall.
Towndrow said Brownell is seeking provincial funding for work on the wall independently of the bill. When it comes to Fraser’s grave stone, he said it could benefit as a spinoff of any work done at the cemetery once it’s officially recognized as a premier’s burial location.
Ranald McDonell, president of the Cornwall Township Historical Society, said many markers in St. Andrew’s cemetery are in much worse shape than those of its highest-profile occupants and need to be restored.
“In most cases, there are no family members around anymore to take care of maintenance.”
Brownell’s riding contains a second gravesite of a former premier, at Riverside Heights on the St. Lawrence River. It holds Sir James Pliny Whitney who held the office from 1905 to 1914.
What’s one of Canada’s greatest western explorers doing buried outside Cornwall? After his ground-breaking travels, Fraser retired back to this area, a base for many partners in the fabled North West Co., and a launch point for some of the nation’s earliest trading expeditions.
Macdonald resided in the area when he became Ontario premier following Confederation in 1867, serving for the next five years.
[by Tom Vandusen, submitted by Michael Eamer, St. Lawrence Branch]
1901 Canadian Census – One Step Search
Steve Morse has created another One-Step search engine, this time for the 1901 Canadian Census. It’s free to use and hopefully will help those seeking their Canadian roots.
See http://www.stevemorse.org/ and scroll down the page until you see the Canadian Census section.
For more Canadian Census records click here.
…Fraser Carr
Queries
I am researching my late husbands’ ancestors. His g.g.grandfather was Andrew Miller 1766-1843 married to Elizabeth Everett 1772-1841. No problem with the Millers, it is the Everetts who are elusive. Elizabeth was purported to be the d/o a Loyalist but I can’t find a record of what his name was, where he came from and who he served under. It has been suggested that his name was Jacob. The Church of LDS indicates that she was born in Welland but I wonder if that is an error given the dates. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
…Marguerite Miller Hanratty, UE, Col. John Butler Branch, {mhanratty AT becon DOT org}
Response to Query about VAUGHN/HAWLEY
There are mentions of both VAUGHN and HAWLEY in earliest records of Caldwell’s and Christies’ Manors, just north of the Vermont border, now the Quebec villages of Noyan and Clarenceville. The Hawley family may have been the first refugee family to settle in Noyan, perhaps as early as 1780. Josephus Vaughan settled in Noyan in 1784Both the Vaughan and the Hawley families prospered and, although their descendents have spread widely across the continent, I believe there are still direct line descendents living in Noyan and Clarenceville today.
Both families are discussed in The Loyalist’s of the Eastern Townships of Quebec published by the Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch of UELAC. The branch historian, Jean McCaw, may help you to find other references as well.
There is a WILLIAM VAUGHN on the Alburgh, Vt. Grand List in 1800 (Alburgh was Caldwell’s Upper Manor until 1796) — possibly related also, but I do not have any more information about him.
…Lewis Kreger, Portland, CT
Thanks for Information on John Chisholm
Many thanks to those who responded with information about Loyalist John Chisholm who received Crown Grant Lot #2 in Niagara Township. The response was very encouraging and most helpful. Thank you!
…Betty Lou Bellows