LOYAL RANGERS

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During the second week of September I visited Ontario and on my return drive to Nova Scotia travelled through New York State and stopped at Lake George which I learned has a connection to my UE Loyalist ancestor James Humphrey.  Before entering the USA from Ontario I went to the Gravesite of Samuel Humphrey , son of James, in a rural cemetery in Brock Township.  Born in 1788 he is my first ancestor born in what became Canada. 


                                                                                       Beside gravestone of Samuel Umphrey, UE
                                                         
James Humphrey is listed in a Muster Roll of Ebenezer Jessup's battalion of Loyal Rangers in July 1781.   On 24 October 1781 a group of Jessup's Detachment of about 300 left the northern landing of   Lake George  by boat.   The force consisted of 205 Rangers, 60 men of the English Light Infantry and 40 Jaegars.  They sailed down the lake.   As I also took a cruise on Lake George I was inspired by my presence in such a beautiful and historic location.  



                                                                                              Lake George, New York

At the southern end of Lake George is the Town of Lake George where you can visit Fort William Henry, a reconstruction of a British fort from the French Indian War, and learn about the strategic importance of the location during the 18th century as well as persons like Sir William Johnson, father of Sir John Johnson, prominent military leader and Loyalist during the American Revolution.




Additonal Reading:



"A Service History and Muster Roll of Major Edward Jessup's Loyal Rangers" by Gavin K. Watt

 
Historian & Author; Member of United Empire Loyalists ' Association of Canada, Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia, Ulster Historical & Genealogical Guild (Life)

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