ST. PATRICK'S DAY & UE LOYALISTS
It is very fitting that members of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada should celebrate St. Patrick's Day. In a newspaper article of 18 March 1939 published in the Times Colonist at Victoria, British Columbia, it reported how descendants of the United Empire Loyalists held an enjoyable St. Patrick's Day social.
Among the ethnic groups included in the United Empire Loyalists who settled in what became Canada, the Irish were one of the largest. An example of this is the case of Digby, Nova Scotia where my research described in an article entitled The Irish Among the Loyalists who settled Digby, published in 2021, determined:
...when the Town of Digby was first laid out after the arrival of the Loyalists in 1783 the largest number of lots assigned to persons not born in America did not go to English but to Irish. At the close of the American Revolution the Loyalists who were evacuated as refugees from New York by ship to Digby, Nova Scotia, numbered over 1,300. The Letter book of Reverend Edward Brudenell, Agent for the Loyalists settling at Digby, indicates lots assigned to Loyalists in the settlement and the Township including place of birth, whether American, referring to having been born in the American colonies, English from England, Irish as native of Ireland, German (including Dutch) and Scots being from Scotland.
Among the Loyalists who settled at Digby was Major Robert Timpany, a native of Newtownards, County Down, in present day Northern Ireland. After arriving in the American Colonies he had worked as a teacher, then with the outbreak of the conflict served as an officer with the New Jersey Volunteers. At Rossway in Digby County there is a road named after him called Timpany Lane. On his death he was buried in Digby where his headstone can be viewed in Trinity Anglican Church Cemetery .
St. George, New Brunswick is another community associated with a native of Ireland who was a prominent United Empire Loyalist. It claims as its' founder Captain Peter Clinch, born in County Meath, Ireland. During the American Revolution he served with the Royal American Fencibles. He went to New Brunswick in 1783 and is known as the founding father of St. George. As well he was elected to the first House of Assembly for New Brunswick.
Some other United Empire Loyalists who were native of Ireland & N. Ireland, with burial locations where identified, were:
New Brunswick
Keith, Captain Daniel, born in Dublin, Ireland, served with Queen's Rangers, settled in New Canaan, Queen's County where he died and was buried in the Old Methodist Cemetery.
Sproule, George, born in Co. Athlone, Ireland, lands confiscated for being a Loyalist, became first Surveyor General of New Brunswick in 1784, buried in Fredericton.
Nova Scotia
Crowe. Captain Richard Robert, born in Galway, Ireland, commanded a company of Black Pioneers, settled in Parrsborough Township.
Dalrymple, Private James, born in County Cork, Ireland, served with 84th Regiment, settled in Douglas Township, Hants County, buried with headstone at Saint Peters Anglican Church Cemetery in Upper Kennetcook.
Gilmore, Reverend George, born in County Antrim, N. Ireland, loyalist preacher, fled to Quebec and then Nova Scotia. Buried in Grand Pre Covenanters Cemetery
Inglis, Bishop Charles, born in County Donegal, Ireland, Chu.rch of England rector in New York, appointed first Bishop of British North America, resided in Halifax with summer home near Auburn, King's County. He is buried in the crypt under St. Paul's Anglican Church in Halifax.
Magee, Henry, born in County Armagh, N. Ireland, arrived in Philadelphia, joined British Army, settled in Kentville where died and headstone in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Marshall, Captain Joseph, born in County Londonderry, N. Ireland, served with Carolina King's Rangers, settled in Guysborough where was buried in Christ Church Anglican Cemetery.
Ontario
Caldwell, William, born in Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland, served as Captain in Butler's Rangers, died in Amherstburg.
Curry, Sergeant Ephraim, born in Co. Antrim, N. Ireland, served with Jessup's Corp, settled in Edwardsburgh Township.
Fitzpatrick, Corporal Patrick (Peter), born in County Meath, Ireland, served with King's Royal Regiment of New York, settled in Cornwall Township, buried in Trinity Anglican Cemetery at Cornwall.
Macaulay, Robert, born near Omagh, Co. Tyrone, in N. Ireland, loyalist merchant whose land confiscated, settled at Kingston where buried with headstone in St. Paul's Anglican Churchyard.
Turney, Lieutenant John, born in Strangford, Co. Down, N. Ireland, served with Butler's Rangers, settled in Niagara.
Quebec
Dease, Dr. John, born in County Dublin, Ireland, nephew of Sir William Johnston of New York, buied in Montreal.
Miller, Agnes (Benner) (Lawrence), born in County Meath, Ireland. Mother of Captain George Lawrence of Butler's Rangers. Settled on land near Vermont border at St. Armand. Buried in Krans Cemetery.
Savage, Captain John, born in Ireland, officer with Loyal Rangers, settled in Sheffield (now Bromont) and buried in St. John's Cemetery.
Further Reference:
The Irish Among the Loyalists Who Settled Digby by Brian McConnell, UE, published in 2021
17 UE Loyalists of Ireland & N. Ireland by Brian McConnell, UE, published in 2018
