“Loyalist Trails” 2007-41: October 21, 2007
In this issue:
– Save the United Church Archives Stored at Victoria University in Toronto
– Regina Branch member has a connection to the UELAC Armorial Bearings
– More on Loyalist Period Clothing Sources
– Website on Two Lines of Descent from James Jones, Loyalist
– Queries
+ Information about ancestors of Ewen MacMillan
Articles
Save the United Church Archives Stored at Victoria University in Toronto
The “Save the Archives Coalition” has been formed to stop the closing of the United Church of Canada / Victoria University Archives. This valuable archival collection, which touches on many aspects of the religious, social, intellectual, and political history of Canada, must not be allowed to disappear; the Archives is a fabulous resource.
“Victoria University has decided to stop honouring a 1993 commitment to fund 50 per cent of the Archives budget. The agreement between the Church and the University has been dissolved, and the Archives is due to close to the public on December 21, 2007. The United Church of Canada will withdraw its collection by April 30, 2008. There has been no statement as yet indicating where the United Church records will go or how they will be cared for.”
On behalf of the Save the Archives Coalition, please visit the newly launched website for background and current information about the situation. It explains the mandate and goal of the coalition. It is complete with online petition to sign, as well as an organized letter/email campaign.
Please forward the the website address widely.
…Anne Hepplewhite, President, Archives Association of Ontario
Regina Branch member has a connection to the UELAC Armorial Bearings
While visiting with Jim and Ann Atkins on October 6, Logan Bjarnason realized there was a connection between one of Ann’s ancestral families and the oak leaves in the cypher. Their home is filled with family heirlooms. As they were showing us through the rooms, Jim paused to turn on a light over a framed copy of an oil painting. As he pointed to the one figure, he explained that Ann traced back to the same family. This person, William Carlis hid with Charles II in the oak tree, thus escaping detection by Cromwell’s cavalry patrols who were searching for the king and his supporters following the Battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651.
After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Isaac Fuller was commissioned to do a series of painting of Charles II’s escape following the Battle of Worcester. The oak tree, was used throughout his life and since as a symbol of loyalty to the monarchy.
When the armorial bearings were being designed, Queen Elizabeth gave permission to use the George III cypher. It was surrounded by a wreath of maple and oak leaves, which draw on the symbolism of the loyalist in Canada and the loyalty and fidelity to the crown.
Jim’s loyalist ancestor is Joseph Morden. There is a good article about the experiences of the Morden family during the War of Separation in the Spring 2005 issue of the Loyalist Gazette. It is intriguing that his wife, Ann can claim a connection with the symbolism of our association’s armorial bearings.
…Logan Bjarnason UE, President, Regina Branch
More on Loyalist Period Clothing Sources
I just came upon this link, which I think could be helpful: http://wmboothdraper.com/
Also, I found the links on this page incredibly useful: http://www.ballindalloch-press.com/society/links.html
…Seán Beahen
Website on Two Lines of Descent from James Jones, Loyalist
I have created a website which details two lines of descent from James Jones, loyalist, who settled in the Niagara area in 1780. The site includes considerable information, including photos, documents and source information, on a line of descent through his son Andrew and his grandson James. There is also a line of descent though his son Andrew and his grandson Peter – this line has less detail but includes a lot of names. The site can be found at www.fayewest.ca.
I welcome any comments or corrections.
…Faye West
Queries
Information about ancestors of Ewen MacMillan
Dougald MacMillan married Isabella. Dougald was killed while serving for the KRRNY. He and his widow Isabella are UEL’s. Isabella and daughter Mary MacMillan, with her husband Alexander Campbell UEL, were all settled in Glengarry County by 1792.
Mary and Alexander Campbell had a son, John Hooke Campbell, who married Christy McArthur.
John and Christy Campbell in turn had a daughter Mary MacMillan Campbell who married Ewen MacMillan.
Mary MacMillan Campbell was named after her grandmother, Mary MacMillan. I am trying to find out more about the parents of my Ewen MacMillan. Perhaps he was a cousin of his wife? What I do know about Ewen is that he was born in Scotland. His land petition stated that he was from The Highlands. He served in war from 1812-14 in the Flank Co. 2nd Regiment Glengarry Militia. He married in Cornwall, Ont. March 7,1821 to Mary MacMillan Campbell. Registration shows him as residing in Prescott. They moved to Etobicoke in 1840’s. They are on Peel County Census in 1851& 61. Their eldest child Catharine who was christened in Williamstown, Glengarry County in 1823, married and remained in Peel. Their eldest son, Millan MacMillan eventually settled in Bay City Michigan where he raised his family and is buried there. I have no record or Ewen and his wife after 1861.Their children were Catharine(married Wm.Evans), Millan (married Sophia Travis), Alexander, Elesbeth, Henrietta, Christa, and Mary. According to 1851 census his yr of birth was 1789 and he was a Lumber Merchant, Free Presbyterian. I have extensive info on the Campbell families and Mary MacMillan Campbell’s ancestors and descendants.
…Sunday Dawn, Grand River Branch, who with cousins Verna Traina and Bud Evans are 6th-gr. grandchildren of Dougald and Isabella MacMillan. {sunday AT flarenet DOT com}