U.E. Loyalist History

Do you ever wonder who the person was whose headstone is marked with a U.E. or U.E. Loyalist? Or, what was the origin of those letters?  Would you put them on your grave or that of a relative? U.E. LOYALIST on gravestone   The letters U.E. are associated with the words United Empire .  In 1789, Lord Dorchester's Proclamation provided that it was to be a mark of honour given to descendants of United Empire Loyalists (U.E.L.), those persons who had shown loyalty to the British Crown during the American Revolution. However, the earliest common usage was in 1775 by a group of Loyalists in Boston who formed an association known as the Loyalist Associators desiring the unity of the Empire . It was organized under the direction of Governor General Thomas Gage.  The foundational concept was Unity of the Empire.  Brigadier  Timothy Ruggles commanded the Loyal American Associators that was composed of three companies led by  Abijah Willard ,  James Putna...

On August 8, 2026 a day of presentations and events was held at  Fort Beausèjour National Historic Site near Amherst, Nova Scotia.  The activities were organized to mark the 250th anniversary of the Eddy Rebellion and Siege of the Fort in November 1776 when it was called Fort Cumberland. Jonathan Eddy led a rebel force in an unsuccessful siege of the Fort that was garrisoned by Lieut. -  Col. Joseph Goreham and members of the Royal Fencible American Regiment.   As an historian interested in the American Revolution I attended.  During the day there were historical re - enactors in civilian clothing present and members of the  DeLancey's Brigade and 84th Regiment of Foot, two re - enactment groups who portray Loyalist units from during the American Revolution,  who put on musketry and drill demonstrations.  Presentations were also made by historians.  As well the  Festival by the Marsh   presented  T he Complete History of ...

The United Empire Loyalists who settled in parts of Canada included many who were Scots and some who had previously fought for Scottish independence. Tartan Day was first established in Nova Scotia on April 6, 1987 to coincide with the day of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 which is widely regarded as Scotland's declaration of independence.  Among the more noteable Scottish Highlanders was Brigadier General Donald McDonald who fought at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 against the English and later as a Loyalist during the American Revolution.  In 1775 he was in North Carolina and appointed by the Royal Governor to lead the Loyalist troops.  At the  Battle of Moore's Creek  in 1776 he was captured and later exchanged. Another key figure present was Captain Alan MacDonald, husband of Flora MacDonald (saviour of Bonnie Prince Charlie after the Battle of Culloden).  He also fought for the Loyalists, was captured, exchanged, and later served w...