UE Loyalist History

It has been estimated that between 1783 and 1785 about 14,000 to 15,000 United Empire Loyalists settled in the territory that became New Brunswick. They established communities like Saint John, Fredericton, and Saint Andrews.  It quadrupled the region's population and led to the forming of a new colony separate from Nova Scotia.This influx included approximately 3,500 Black Loyalists. From a map in a brochure entitled The Loyalist Route   -  Facts and Places in the Loyalist Settlement of Lower River Passage, prepared by the Province of New Brunswick several years ago, the historic locations listed below appear. By clicking on the name a link will take you to the location on a map that I have prepared with further information.  1. Fort Howe , Saint John  - offered protection and supplies to United Empire Loyalists arriving in area after 1783. 2. Loyalist House , Saint John - museum and National Historic Site.  Former home of Merritt family who were United ...

It is a testament to the impact on Canada of the life of Charles Inglis   (1734 - 1816), UE, the first Anglican Bishop appointed in North America, that he is mentioned in seven books about United Empire Loyalists that I have authored.   Born at  Glencomcille  in the North of Ireland, of Scottish ancestry, he supported the British Crown during the American Revolution while preaching in New York. When he was later made Bishop based in Halifax he oversaw the establishment of Anglican churches across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as well as the founding of  King's - Edgehill School .  He also farmed at  Clairmont  where he experimented in growing apples suited to Nova Scotia, one of which, the Bishop's Pippin , was named after him.    Plaque to Charles Inglis, UE , St. Mary's Church, Auburn, Nova Scotia Here are links to the seven books: 1.  Canada's Ulster-Scots 2.  Loyalist History of Nova Scotia 3.  Loyalist Cemeteries...

The   Loyalist Directory  serves  as a key resource for genealogists and history enthusiasts to research ancestors who remained loyal to the British Crown and settled in Canada after the American Revolutionary War. It is a growing online database maintained by the UELAC. It is built from submissions and historical research.  There are over 7000 entries. I regularly refer to it to assist with my research.  First Page of Loyalist Directory You begin by entering a name you wish  to find. After I proved my ancestor James Humphrey, I submitted his information to  the Loyalist Directory. When his name is entered in the search field it appears. J ames Humphrey in Loyalist Directory   Some of the names in the database include links to copies of the Application for a Certificate of Loyalist Descent. These commonly include birth, death, and marriage dates for them and their families and basic biographical details like places of residence and service in...

Duri ng the American Revolution,the former French Seigneury of  Sorel , in the colony of Quebec, became an important area as a British military post and refugee camp for thousands of United Empire Loyalists.  A town was planned and established for Loyalists and discharged soldiers.   The town was given street names from members of the Royal Family, and later its name changed to William Henry after the son of King George III.  Some of my Humphrey ancestors spent time in the area as I learned from a Return of the Refugee Loyalist Families receiving Provisions at this Post and the Block House on the Yamaska , Sorel, 25 December 1783.  Prince William Henry In 1781,  Baron Friederich Adolf Riedesel zu Eisenbach, a Major General,  was placed in charge of the Sorel district by  Governor Frederick Haldimand , Governor of the British colony of Quebec. The General was born in Lauterbach, Hesse, Germany and served with German regiments during the Seven ...

During the American Revolution, Halifax played a vital role. The location made it important to the British navy and military. Author Thomas H. Raddall called it the Warden of the North .   In the Halifax Regional Municipality, outside a Ferry terminal, is a monument to the United Empire Loyalists who came to the area in 1783.  Monument Outside Dartmouth Ferry Terminal   The monument was placed in 1983 by the Dartmouth Heritage Museum.  It was the bicentennial anniversary of the arrival of United Empire Loyalists who were evacuated from New York in 1783. The  King's College Library   has a fascinating collection of porcelain and pottery which originaly belonging to Loyalists including a dish and plate of Brigadier - General Timothy Ruggles and pitcher of Major Samuel Vetch Bayard. On the waterfront in Halifax is the   Samuel Cunard Statue .  Sir Samuel Cunard was the son of a United Empire Loyalist. His father, Abraham Cunard, ...

On 28 November 1776 HMS Vulture arrived at the head of the Bay of Fundy with British marines aboard to relieve  Fort Cumberland which had been beseiged since earlier in the month. A force of American militia, natives, and some Nova Scotians, led by Jonathan Eddy, tried to capture the Fort as the precursor to the start of a rebellion in the colony and eventual attack on Halifax.  Eddy had settled in Nova Scotia as a New England Planter and was one of a few members of the General Assembly in Halifax sympathetic to the American Revolution. The attack is described in  The Siege of Fort Cumberland, 1776 - An Episode in the American Revolution  authored by Ernest Clarke, UE, a member of the United Empire Loyalists' Association in Nova Scotia.  The book was published by McGill - Queen's University Press in 1995. Book published by Ernest Clarke, UE   In this book Ernest Clarke, UE, "examines the attitudes of the various players in the region - New England Planter...

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...