UE Loyalist History

Are you interested in: 1) the history of Canada; 2) genealogy of United Empire Loyalists; or 3) activities of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada?  If you answered YES to one or more of these subjects you will enjoy reading The Loyalist Gazette . Fall 2025 Loyalist Gazette   The only magazine published in Canada about the role United Empire Loyalists and their descendants played during the American Revolution and afterwards is The Loyalist Gazette . I was honoured in June 2025 to become Chair of the Committee which now creates it, taking over from Bill Russell, UE, who became President of the UELAC.  Other current members of the Committee are Diane Faris, UE, Stephen Davidson, UE, and Amanda Fasken, UE.  The Loyalist Gazette was first published from 1931 to 1933 and then ceased publication until 1967 when it was revived by E. John Chard , UE, during his time as President of the UELAC. He was the Editor until 1987 when he was succeeded by David K. Dor...

Beginning in 1775 and lasting until 1782, actions regularly occurred between American privateers and British ships as well as privateers from Nova Scotia off the coast of Nova Scotia as well as attacks on settlements.  The Second Continental Congress authorized privateers to operated against British shipping in a resolution dated 23 March 1776.  A few days later it made provision for issuing "letters of marque", formal licenses to privateers.  Nova Scotia issued 77 letters of marque during the American Revolution.  American colonies authorize privateering in March 1776 The New England coast was a primary area of activity for American Privateers who operated out of ports such as Boston, Newport, Providence, Rhode Island, New London, Connecticut, Salem and Beverly, Massachusetts.  They targeted the Canadian Maritimes as well as Atlantic Shipping Lanes, the West Indies and even European waters.    Privateering Actions: June 1775 -  Battle of Machias ...

Key events of the American Revolution in 1775 included the opening battles  Lexington   and  Concord  in April, the Second Continental Congress convening in May at  Philadephia  and appointing George Washington as Commander - in - Chief of the Continental Army in June, as well as the Battle of  Bunker Hill in June.  Additionally, colonial forces captured  Fort Ticonderoga  in May, and an American invasion of  Quebec  failed in the winter.  Fort Ticonderoga   The Second Continental Congress met at  Independence Hall in Philadelphia in May 1775 and prepared the Olive Tree Petition which was sent to King George III in July 1775. It expressed loyalty to the Crown while requesting repeal of laws deemed by the Congress to be oppressive. King George III refused to read it and declared the colonies to be in a state of revolt on 23 August 1775 with the Proclamation of Rebellion .  In response to the growing unre...

The causes of the American Revolution have been much discussed by many historians.  Generally, they amount to Great Britain's post Seven Years War economic and political policies.  Below are some of the important events: 1.  On 10 February 1763 the  Treaty of Paris  was signed by Great Britain, France, and Spain to end the Seven Years War (known as the French and Indian War in America). To pay for the cost of the War the British government would impose taxes on the American colonists.  2. On 2 October 1763 King George III issued a Royal Proclamation which established a boundary in the Appalachian Mountains at the Eastern Continental Divide and prohibited settlement beyond it.  This upset American colonists who wanted westward expansion.  3. Greater enforcement in 1763 of the Navigation Acts (1651, 1660) that aimed to promote the self - sufficiency of the British Empire by restricting colonial trade to England and decreasing dependence on foreign...

 " Ut incepit fidelis sic permanet " is the official motto of the province of Ontario in Latin.   The literal translation is " Loyal she began, loyal she remains " or "Loyal in the beginning, loyal remaining".   The motto refers to the United Empire Loyalists who settled in what was then the colony of Quebec (later Upper Canada, now Ontario) after the American Revolution, who choose to remain loyal to the British Crown. The motto was added to the Ontario Coat of Arms in 1909.   Remembrance Day, 11 November My UE Loyalist ancestors settled in  what became Ontario in 1784 when the official flag was the Queen Anne Union Flag  or Loyalist Flag pictured above.  During November and on the 11th day of the month, Remembrance Day,  Canadians reflect on the  service  by  members of the  armed  forces  in the past and at present.  As an  Associate  member of  the Royal  Canadian  Legion, I  als...

Some United Empire Loyalists who were young enough when they settled in Canada, and lived to see it, participated in the War of 1812.  The War of 1812 began on 18 June 1812 when the United States of America declared war on Great Britain.  My 5th great grandfather, James Humphrey, was one of them. He served as a Private with Jessup’s Rangers during the American Revolution and in 1812 was a Sergeant in the Grenville Militia. During the War of 1812 in Upper Canada there were various County Regiments of Militia as well as an Incorporated Militia.  The Incorporated Militia served full time. These units along with British regulars, Indigenous warriors, and Runchey's Corps of Coloured Men, were crucial for the defense of Upper Canada against American attacks. Monument to James Humphrey, gravestones of sons Samuel and James, plaque for War of 1812 veteran  Records show that my United Empire Loyalist ancestor James Humphrey and his sons Samuel and James served with the Grenvi...