A CIVIL WAR

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What do you say as a Loyalist historian and presenter about United Empire Loyalists to an audience of Americans? I was asked during the past summer to make a presentation this month, in January,  to a Genealogical Society in Washington State.

The American Revolution was, in some ways, a Civil War.  At the start of the conflict, both sides were British subjects.  It divided not just communities, neighbours and friends in the American colonies but families.  In the Battle of Kings Mountain the forces on both sides were almost entirely American born.   Benjamin Franklin is known as a leading Patriot, however, his son William Franklin was an ardent Loyalist.  Benjamin signed the Declaration of Independence.  His son William was the last Royal Governor of New Jersey (1763 - 1776) and was imprisoned by Patriots. 

Another prominent Patriot,  General John Stark had an older brother, William, who was a Loyalist. General Stark is known as the hero of the Battle of Bennington.  William commanded a corps of New Hampshire volunteers and was wounded during the Battle of Long Island. 

It is important that the contribution of United Empire Loyalists to Canadian history is understood as well as what role is played by the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada (UELAC).

Senator Eugene Forsey


Some Americans who had ancestors that were Patriots, or Rebels from the British perspective, also had ones who were United Empire Loyalists.  It is also a truism that the same can be said for Canadians. 

Nonetheless, just as many Americans are proud of the role played by Patriot ancestors in the founding of the United States of America, there are Canadians who take pride in their United Empire Loyalists who were among early settlers in many parts of Canada.

There are three topics that I discuss with questions that are answered in my presentation. 

Presentation Topics

Many sources can be found for the history of the United Empire Loyalists and the UELAC.  I primarily rely on three, although in each of these books can be found mention of many others.

Presentation Sources 

If you have any questions about or arranging a presentation, please contact me at email:  brianm564@gmail.com 


Further Reading:

The United Empire Loyalists & You by Brian McConnell, UE

Loyal She Remains. published by the UELAC, 1984

Loyally Yours - 100 Years of the UELAC, compiled by Frederick H. Hayward, UE, published by Global Genealogy,  2014



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

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