Loyalist Day
Loyalist Day in Kingston | Loyalist Day in Ontario
"His Majesty approves the plan you have proposed for settling some of the Loyalists at Cataraqui and places adjacent"
- Royal Proclamation of George III received by Governor Haldimand at Quebec on the 12th June, 1784
According to the late historian Larry Turner, "Previous settlements comprised of colonial officials, soldiers and Indian agents at Niagara and Detroit are regarded as strategic bases rather than permanent communities and Haldimand's decision ... [to settle the Loyalists at Cataraqui] was the spark that transformed the wilderness peninsula north of Lake Ontario and Erie"
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Allegiance: the Ontario Story
Clouds threaten as the Loyalist flag rises to the top of the pole in Confederation Park, 12 June 2009
photos: Nancy Cutway UEEach year we raise the Loyalist flag across from City Hall on June 12th, in commemoration of LOYALIST DAY IN KINGSTON. An official Proclamation of the day by the Mayor raises the profile of the Loyalist Association in the community. The proclamation from 2007 may be seen here.
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Our 2009 ceremony took place on a sunny but breezy day. It began as members of the Fort Henry Guard escorted Mayor Harvey Rosen and party from City Hall to Confederation Park. Behind the Mayor are flag raisers Lacinda Martin and Tessa Conroy, Branch President Lin Good and Vice President Dean Taylor, and member Terry Higgs. |
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Lacinda and Tessa were the winners of prizes presented by Kingston Branch, UELAC at the recent Historica Fair (May 2009). Here they are seen with a drummer and two fife players from the Fort Henry Guard. |
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Mayor Rosen reads the 2009 Proclamation of Loyalist Day in Kingston. |
Lacinda and Tessa are about to raise the flag. |
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Programme Committee Chair Carol Davy presented the two young ladies with certificates of participation in this event. They watch as the Fort Henry Guard members march off. |
We present a Loyalist flag to a different location each year for permanent display, in commemoration of Loyalist Day in Ontario. In 2009 the presentation will take place during the 10:30 a.m. church service on Sunday, June 21st at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Kingston.
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From left: Ana Blake, Piper, Stephanie Harris, John Buck, unknown woman [possibly museum staff member], Lin Good, Barbara Bonner, Christopher Harris, Carol Davy, Peter Davy, Philip Smart - June 19, 2007 |
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In 2006 we presented a UEL flag and pole to St. George’s Cathedral, Unfortunately this flag was stolen in 2007, but Kingston Branch has now replaced it. Left to right: Philip Smart, Barb Bonner, Rev. Alex Hewitt, Carol Davy - in the room named after Loyalist minister Rev. John Stuart. |