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Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2004 Archive

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"Loyalist Trails" 2004-07: June 12, 2004

Articles

Loyalist Day celebrations: Hamilton Branch

As President Lloyd Oakes would put it, Hamilton Branch is pulling out all the stops for the seventh annual UEL Day ceremonies this year. Not only will the 90th anniversary of UELAC be suitably recognized, but the 75th anniversary of the dedication of the United Empire Loyalist Monument will also be celebrated in fine style. Accompanied by a Colour Party of costumed re-enactors, piper and drummer, newly appointed UELAC Trustee, John Hammill will raise the Union Flag high over Prince's Square to mark the beginning of the annual Service of Honour and Remembrance. Mayor Larry DiIanni will bring greetings from the City of Hamilton. Peter George, President of McMaster University, in addition to bringing greetings from the university, will receive a cheque to establish a ten thousand dollar graduate scholarship in Canadian Studies 1750-1850. He will also introduce the keynote speaker, R.L. "Red" Wilson, donor of the L.R. Wilson Chair in Canadian History, Faculty of Humanities, McMaster University; Officer of the Order of Canada in 1997; Founding co-chairman of the Historica Foundation of Canada.

Once again musical interludes will be provided by the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band Brass Quintet.

Wreaths will be presented by Lori Mifsud UE, Vice President, Hamilton Branch, Laura Lewis UE on behalf of Young Loyalists, and Noreen Stapley UE, Col. Butler Niagara Branch, representing the other Branches of UELAC. In addition, the presidents of the Hamilton Branch of the Monarchist League of Canada, St. George's Benevolent Society of Hamilton and the Women's Canadian Club of Hamilton will also lay wreaths at the base of the monument.

Rev. Dr. John A. Johnston, Chair of Joint Plaquing Sub-Committee, City of Hamilton will lead the dedication of a permanent free standing plaque "dedicated to the Defenders of Upper Canada during the War of 1812, the United Empire Loyalists and the Six Nation Indians whose courage to uphold the Crown, God and Country led to the beginning of a new Nation". Continuing the tradition, the City of Hamilton has again prepared the flower beds in front of the monument with red geraniums, a nod to the work of the late Ruth Redmond of Lundy's Lane.

Following the Retirement of Colours, the guests will attend a reception supported by the City of Hamilton Community Partnership Committee. There will be no birthday cake this time: Hamilton Branch had the UELAC 90th anniversary cake at the January meeting. All in all, everyone will be impressed with a sense of occasion.

Loyalist Day celebrations: Kawartha Branch

Each June 19th, in celebration of Ontario Loyalists' Day, they raise the Loyalist Union Flag at Peterborough City Hall, assisted by Mayor Sylvia Sutherland and school children from Peterborough who form the choir. This year's flag raising ceremonies will be held on Friday, June 18, beginning at 1:00 p.m. As well, Lang Pioneer Village has designated Sunday, June 13, as UEL Day. Members of Kawartha Branch will be conducting a variety of activities in Lang that afternoon.

New Colours for King's Royal Yorkers

Saturday June 5th, 2004 saw the presentation of new Colours to the King's Royal Regiment of New York, or as they are more commonly known, the King's Royal Yorkers, at Old Fort York.

The Honorary Major of the Yorkers, John R. Matheson, the "driving force" in the Parliamentary Committee to design the Maple Leaf flag, arrived to present the Regimental Colour. Sir Colpoys Johnson, 8th Baronet of New York, a direct descendant of Sir John Johnson, 2nd Baronet and founder of the Regiment in 1776, arrived to present the King's Colour to the battalion.

The brigade formed into a hollow square formation and awaited the arrival of the dignitaries. As Sir Colpoys Johnson, 8th Baronet of New York, stepped onto the reviewing stand the fifes and drums of the brigade broke into "God Save the King" and the troops all presented arms. This was followed by the trooping for the last time of the retiring Colours. These were the Colours that had been paraded before Her Majesty the Queen in 1984. These were the Colours that the battalion had carried to England in 1987. These were the Colours that had been carried in great number of re-enactments across Canada and the United States and now for the last time they were being paraded before the battalion.

After the old Colours had left the parade, Sir Colpoys and Lady Johnson inspected the troops.

Following the inspection the new Colours were brought forward and placed upon an alter of drums. The Regimental Chaplin, the Reverend Neil Thomsen, reminded the troops that the consecration of Colours was a momentous event. He said that the Colours symbolized the dedication and sacrifice of the original battalion and the commitment of the present battalion to honour that heritage.

The 8th Baronet stated how grateful he was at the welcome that he and his family had received from the members of the King's Royal Yorkers and the Northern Brigade. He stated how proud he was to be the Honorary Colonel Commandant of the King's Royal Yorkers and how smart the units had looked on parade that day. Sir Colpoys assured the men and women on parade that their efforts at keeping Canada's heritage alive were much appreciated by him and his family.

After three cheers for the 8th Baronet, the new Colours were trooped through the ranks to the accompaniment of the massed fifes and drums. Then the entire Brigade marched past the reviewing party. It was a glorious day for all concerned.

...David G. Moore, UE

Toronto Branch Project

AIM: to identify UE Loyalists and their sons and daughters who settled in the Home District of 1837, with the emphasis on York.

At that time it included:

- York County: Adjala, Albion, Brock, Caledon, Chingaucousy, Etobicoke, Essa, Floss, N. Gwillimbury, E. Gwillimbury, Georgina, Innisfil, Markham, Medonte, Mono, North Orillia, South Orillia, Oro, Pickering, Reach, Scarborough, Scott, Sunnidale, Tecumseh, Thorah, Toronto (old and new survey), Gore of Toronto, Uxbridge, Vaughan, Whitchurch, Whitby, York and the City of Toronto. Remember that Peel and Ontario Counties were aprt of York at this time. There were also unsurveyed townships such as Rama, Tay, Tiny, Mulmer and Tossorontio and some townships that are part of Grey Co.

- Simcoe County.


We would like to gather as much information as possible, including:

- place and date of birth, parents

- military status in the American Revolution, War of 1812, 1837 Rebellion, if applicable

- settlement location, township, lot and concession

- the time period they were in the Home District

- the role they played in the Home District

- a short biography

- spouse ands children

- death and burial

A full profile is our objective, but every mention, no matter how small is valuable. The sources for each piece of information must be fully cited. Copies to include in the files would be appreciated.

For further information contact John Warburton or Martha Hemphill