U.E. Loyalist History

When the United Empire Loyalists settled in Nova Scotia, some like Enoch Towner, by there actions changed laws.  Towner , originally from Connecticut, served as a Sergeant with Delancey's Regiment during the American Revolution.  He came to Digby afterwards and became a Baptist minister who, for approximately 30 years, travelled the area holding meetings and opening churches.  In 1828, he died at Sissiboo,  now Weymouth,  where his headstone is visible in nearby   Riverside Cemetery  .  Headstone at Enoch Towner grave The inscription on the headstone of Enoch Towner reads SACRED to the Memory of the REV ENOCH TOWNER who departed this life June 16th 1828. In the 73rd year of his age. Who was a successful preacher of the Gospel more than thirty years of the Baptist Denomination. They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. In 1800, Towner, performed a ...

There are possibly more ways and places of remembrance to Bishop Charles Inglis,  United Empire Loyalist (U.E.L.),  than any other.  Among them, the government of Canada issued a stamp with him on it in 1988. Canadian stamp with Charles Inglis Who was he? A plaque on the outside of   St. Mary's Anglican Church  in Auburn,  Nova Scotia states: IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF CHARLES INGLIS, D.D. UNITED EMPIRE LOYALIST - FIRST BISHOP OF NOVA SCOTIA BORN IN GLENCOLUMKILLE, IRELAND, MISSIONARY OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL AT DOVER, DELAWARE, FOURTH RECTOR OF TRINITY CHURCH, NEW YORK, CONSECRATED AT LAMBETH PALACE, LONDON, AUGUST 12, 1787 AS BISHOP OF NOVA SCOTIA. FOUNDER OF KING'S COLLEGE SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY AT WINDSOR, NOVA SCOTIA. BISHOP INBLIS WAS THE PRIME MOVER IN THE BUILDING OF MANY CHURCHES, INCLUDING ST. MARY'S CHURCH, AUBURN, THE SEVENTH CHURCH BUILT IN THE DIOCESE, AND THE SECOND CONSECRATED BY HIM. (OCTOBER 10, 1790) RESIDENT AT "CL...

Approximately 20 years ago, while searching for United Empire Loyalist ancestors, I discovered a second cousin who was the Grand Mistress of the Ladies' Orange Benevolent Association of Canada (L.O.B.A.). Early Orange Lodges for women, like those of men, were made up of Irish immigrants, however, they quickly absorbed English, Scottish, and German immigrants, including many of United Empire Loyalist descent.  The L.O.B.A. was formed in 1894, with the first Lodge established in Hamilton, Ontario. Front of Banner of L.O.B.A 542 Pictured above is the Banner which was used by L.O.B.A # 542, one of several Lodges that formerly met in Hamilton,  Ontario. The photo was sent to me along with an inquiry I received about the Lodge. It is believed to be approximately 100 years old. In 2021, after several years of research I authored a book of interest to historians and genealogists entitled    The L.O.B.A. in Canada .   It has lists of ladies Lodges and identifies members....

For over 22 years, Doug Grant, U.E.  has been editing Loyalist Trails, the email newsletter of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada (UELAC). It includes articles and information about United Empire Loyalists, the American Revolution, and Canadian history, as well as the activities of the UELAC.  He recently explained to me that when he began it in 2004, his objective was to bring Loyalist information out from under the bushel .   The number of subscribers has grown from 220 during the first year of operation to over 2100. Subscriptions are free and open to the public. You can receive the newsletter by completing information at the below link. Subscribe to Loyalist Trails The first issue was released on April 28, 2004, while Doug was on a trip visiting each of the Prairie Region branches of the UELAC with President Myrna Fox, U.E. and Western Region VP Margaret Carter, U.E.. This was before the  Assiniboine Branch formed. Publication of Loyalist Trai...

Do you ever wonder who the person was whose headstone is marked with a U.E. or U.E. Loyalist? Or, what was the origin of those letters?  Would you put them on your grave or that of a relative? U.E. LOYALIST on gravestone   The letters U.E. are associated with the words United Empire .  In 1789, Lord Dorchester's Proclamation provided that it was to be a mark of honour given to descendants of United Empire Loyalists (U.E.L.), those persons who had shown loyalty to the British Crown during the American Revolution. However, the earliest common usage was in 1775 by a group of Loyalists in Boston who formed an association known as the Loyalist Associators desiring the unity of the Empire . It was organized under the direction of Governor General Thomas Gage.  The foundational concept was Unity of the Empire.  Brigadier  Timothy Ruggles commanded the Loyal American Associators that was composed of three companies led by  Abijah Willard ,  James Putna...

On Sunday, August 16th, I attended the annual anniversary service at Old St. Edward's Anglican Church in Clementsport ,  Nova Scotia which was constructed by United Empire Loyalists of Dutch ancestry and others in 1795. They settled in the area after arriving from New York at the close of the American Revolution.  Old St. Edward's Church   The sign located in front of the church reads: This Church was built by the United Empire Loyalists when they settled in the area in 1784. It was consecrated by Bishop Inglis, 1st Bishop of Nova Scotia.  Annual memorial services are held the 3rd Sunday of each August.  At the service which I attended the sermon was given by the current Bishop of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, the Right Reverend Sandra Fyfe. The Church was consecrated by Bishop Charle Inglis on September 17, 1797. With Bishop Sandra Fyfe During the service an old Dutch Hymn of Thanksgiving was sung and the flag of the Netherlands hangs on a wall in the ...

On August 8, 2026 a day of presentations and events was held at  Fort Beausèjour National Historic Site near Amherst, Nova Scotia.  The activities were organized to mark the 250th anniversary of the Eddy Rebellion and Siege of the Fort in November 1776 when it was called Fort Cumberland. Jonathan Eddy led a rebel force in an unsuccessful siege of the Fort that was garrisoned by Lieut. -  Col. Joseph Goreham and members of the Royal Fencible American Regiment.   As an historian interested in the American Revolution I attended.  During the day there were historical re - enactors in civilian clothing present and members of the  DeLancey's Brigade and 84th Regiment of Foot, two re - enactment groups who portray Loyalist units from during the American Revolution,  who put on musketry and drill demonstrations.  Presentations were also made by historians.  As well the  Festival by the Marsh   presented  T he Complete History of ...