Loyalists and Activities of the United Empire in the past

The general activities of the group, include bus trips to various spots in the USA and Canada.

– Mission –

To preserve, promote and celebrate the history and traditions of the Loyalist epoch in Canadian History.

Carleton’s Loyalist Index and The Book of Negroes:

A Select Index to Names of Loyalists and their Associates Contained in the British Headquarters Papers; New York City 1774-1783; The Carleton Papers

The Papers:

On the other hand, the British Headquarters Papers comprise about 30,000 manuscript pages and are available on microfilm at the National Archives of Canada. The collection of papers is referred to as the British Headquarters Papers, New York City 1774-1783 or the Carleton Papers.

Furthermore, the records were kept by successive Commanders-in Chief of the British Army in North America during the American Revolution. They document the conduct of the war, the civil administration, and the lives; not only of the British Military. But also the civilians and loyalist soldiers who passed through New York.

The Project:

The King’s Name Project is a project of the Sir Guy Carleton Branch, United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada, Ottawa, Canada. The purpose of the project was to index, selectively, names of loyalists and associated people found in the British Headquarters Papers.

However, the project involved several researchers reading the microfilm. Along with creating an index card, containing pertinent information, for each loyalist name. There are about 50,000 index cards available covering names from A to Z.

Importance of the Index:

Nevertheless, this index is an exceptional guide to information for anyone interested in the Loyalists (white or black), soldiers and civilian refugees; or German soldiers who passed through New York during the American Revolution.

Moreover, it will be especially valuable for genealogists; as well as historians, ethnographers and other specialists who formerly had only a short-entry, general index to help them research. Now specific data will be easy to locate and manipulate.

Which Ancestors?:

Nonetheless, the index can be used to find ancestors who passed through New York City during the Revolution, ancestors who fled or were evacuated, ancestors sent to Canada under specific orders, ancestors who were soldiers of a British Regiment demobilized in Canada, ancestors who were soldiers of a German Regiment, “rebels” who: wrote letters to Headquarters, whose property was confiscated, or who were imprisoned.

Black History:

Be that as it may, this index is invaluable for Black History because it contains many names of individuals, previously scattered throughout the documents: loyalist soldiers; and freed or enslaved civilian refugees. However, the index also includes the so-called “Book of Negroes“; which is a register of refugees of color giving references to 2,831 people many of whom went to Nova Scotia.

There is extensive information about them; such as their names, sex, health, distinguishing marks, status (free or slave); origins, names of their white associates; as well asthe ships used to carry them.

Carleton’s Loyalists Index and The Book of Negroes:

Furthermore, the Sir Guy Carleton Branch has completed the task of taking the basic hand written information from the King’s Name Project index cards and has entered the data into a computer database. However, the database is available in DBF (DBASE III+); XLS (EXCEL), as well as CSV formats; which can be imported into most current database programs and can also be read by spreadsheet programs.

However, the CSV format can be imported into most recent word processors. For general use, the database is available for sale in Adobe PDF format.

The first Royal Union Flag sometimes called the Queen Anne Flag was created by command of James I of England; (formerly James VI of Scotland); and it symbolized the union of those two countries. It is composed of the Cross of St. George; (a red cross on a white background); and the Cross of St. Andrew; (a diagonal white cross on a blue background).

Furthermore, the badge of the Association consists of a wreath made up of Red Maple Leaves and Green Oak Leaves and Acorns. Maple Leaves occupy the upper left and lower right quarters of the circle; Oak makes up the remainder and each quarter is separated by a cross formy; (ex. a cross made up of four triangular shapes equal in size).

The Maple Leaves are of obvious relevance as the Association is ‘of Canada‘. On the other hand, the Oak Leaves and Acorns are a long held symbol of loyalty and fidelity to the Monarchy. In the British traditions, this has been particularly so; since Charles the II was hidden in the Oak Tree after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. As a consequence, he chose an Oak Tree as the symbol for his Coronation Medal following the Restoration. Ever since, the oak had this particular symbolism of fidelity for loyalists.

Meanwhile, the cross formy placed at each point where the Maple and Oak come together in the Badge is inspired by the form of cross; which has long been used by the Association. In the center is the Cypher G III R signifying Georgius Tertius Rex; the sovereign to whom the Loyalists gave their devotion; as well as their service in such a pre-eminent manner. However, this Cypher is similar to the one actually used by George III during his lifetime.

Therefore, members should try to understand the symbolism; and do what they can to honor their Loyalist ancestors.

The Loyalists Rose:

As a matter of fact, it was taken to England from Damascus during the Crusades. However, in 1773, John Cameron of Clunes and Mary Cameron of Glen Nevis brought the rose with them when they emigrated to Sir William Johnson’s estates in the Mohawk Valley of New York.

In 1776, John Cameron joined the King’s Royal Regiment of New York. After the Revolution, the family carried the rose with them on their 230-mile trek over the Appalachians to the Cornwall area. It grows today in the Ottawa Valley; in the gardens of the descendants of John and Mary Cameron.

Two hundred years later in 1976, Ethel MacLeod, a descendant, registered; “The Loyalist Rose” with the International Registration Authority for Roses. She donated it to the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada; to mark the Bi-centennial for the American Revolution. Also, the coming of the Loyalist to Canada.

It is a cupped very double fragrant pale pink rose fading to white, bushy, densely branched blooming well in June.

Loyalists Rose presented to The Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa.

Moreover, the Sir Guy Carleton Branch United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada; held an impromptu Loyalist Rose presentation ceremony at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa. The Maiden’s Blush (Loyalist Rose) plant that the Farm had did not survive the winter. However, Fred Hayward brought a Loyalist Rose from his garden to the Annual General Meeting to donate to the Farm.

On June 8th at 2 p.m., a small gathering of Loyalists appeared to donate the plant to Brian Douglas and Sharon Saunders, representing the Farm.

Nonetheless, Christopher, Rory, and Mairead Hayward McEwen, grandchildren of Fred Hayward, spread some earth around the plant. Maj. Duff Mitchell told the story of the Loyalist Rose. George and Janet Anderson, and Sylvia Powers appeared in period dress.

Also present were Annette Murray, Gary Bagley, Bill Powers, Sarah Hayward, Edward and Elizabeth Kipp. Following the ceremony the children; who are quite familiar with the Farm, showed us a fairy tree. Thanks to the Hayward family and Duff for making it all happen.

 

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