2013

Donation to the New Brunswick Historical Society

David Laskey, President of the New Brunswick Branch of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada is seen here presenting a cheque for $700 to Kathy Wilson, President of the New Brunswick Historical Society to help with restoration work currently ongoing at Loyalist House, Saint John, NB and in memory of John Chard.  Mr. Chard was a past Dominion President of the UELAC and was instrumental in the formation of over fifteen branches of the UELAC across Canada.  He was of member of the NB Branch and made annual donations to our branch.  Mr. Chard was very interested in Loyalist House, visiting it most recently in 2010 during the Dominion Conference of the UELAC, held in Saint John.  Mr. Chard passed away on May 17, 2013 in his 91st year. Loyalist House was completed in 1817 by the Merritt family, Loyalists from New York State who arrived in Saint John in 1783.  Six generations of Merritts lived in the gracious Georgian mansion before it was acquired by the NB Historical Society in 1959.  It has been lovingly restored with Merritt furnishings to the year 1833.  Like any home, the large building in the centre of Saint John requires ongoing maintenance, however this year it was found that a crisis was developing with one of its four massive chimneys.  The exterior stone basement wall began leaning outward and the masons realized that the chimney above it, for the dining room and nursery fireplaces, was not stabilized.  It was feared that the chimney would collapse and take the wall of the house with it.  Workers have stabilized the chimney now with some 33 bags of cement and using hemlock beams, and are currently awaiting the masons’ return. It was necessary to look at the chimney, which was embedded in the wall of the dining room, to see any disintegration of the brick work, and thus the walls had to be removed. The provincial government will consider a grant of up to 50% of this very costly work.  The wall construction is traditional lath and plaster, skills not readily available, and the wallpaper and draperies must be replaced in authentic reproduction form matching the original restoration and the rest of the house.  Loyalist House is in need of exterior paint work – scraping, priming, and painting, as well as shutters and stairs restoration, so the need is great.  The UELAC (NB) would like to challenge other groups or individuals who are interested in the history of our city and the important role that such a living museum plays in that history, to donate as generously as they can to this very worthy cause.

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2010

Atlantic Region Conference

'Loyalists as Refugees'

October 15, 16 & 17, 2010

Click here to view the announcement
Click here to view the conference activities

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2008

Annual Loyalist Day Banquet 15 May

The New Brunswick Branch of the UELAC held its annual Loyalist Day Banquet at the Union Club on Germain Street on the evening of May 15th, 2008. The guest speaker was Mr. David Peters who spoke on the Black Loyalists. Mr. Peters is a descendant of Thomas Peters who immigrated to Nova Scotia with the Loyalists as a free Black and who subsequently immigrated to Africa (Sierra Leone) where he died." His talk described in detail the experience of growing up black both in that era and his own.

Many songs were sung; ably led by Ruth Lesbirel and with her brother Don Flewelling on piano.

A delicious salmon dinner was enjoyed by all.
Photos courtesy of Stephen Lesbirel.

	Left: NB Branch President Stephen Bolton and banquet guest speaker Mr. David Peters. Top: The head table at the Loyalist Banquet, L-R Mr David Peters, Stephen Bolton, Nadine Bolton, Mrs Peters.

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Loyalist Day May 18th, 2008

Loyalist Day was observed May 18th and the Branch took the usual role of organizing this 225th anniversary celebration. We met in the front of City Hall at 3 PM where the Proclamation was read by the Town Crier Mr. Dennis Knib. Mr Jim McKenzie acted as master of ceremonies. The Union flag was raised by Saint John's new Mayor Mr. Ivan Court and Branch President Stephen Bolton. May 18th also marks the 223 anniversary of the incorporation of the Charter of City of Saint John - Canada's oldest incorporated city.

The crowd was then lead by DeLancey's Brigade to market Slip for a ceremony at the Loyalist Rock. The group sang "My Own Canadian Home" led by Ruth Lesbirel. Saint John mayor Ivan Court and Branch President Stephen Bolton addressed the crown; both emphasizing how rich and important Saint John's cultural history was.

Absent, and missed, this year was George Teed. This long term member of the UELAC passed away a few months ago.

Since Loyalist Day fell on Sunday this year, Branch members attended the morning service at Trinity Anglican Church on Germain Street.

A highlight every May 18th is the noon 21 gun salute. Saint John has the honor, unique among Canadian cities, of firing a 21 gun salute in the absence of Royalty. Branch President Stephen Bolton inspected the 3rd Field Artillery Unit after the salute.

Photos courtesy of Stephen Lesbirel.

Frances Morrisey inside Trinity Church	The 3rd Field Artillery Unit atop Fort Howe
DeLancey's Brigade leads the Loyalist Day celebration form City Hall to Loyalist Rock.	Rev David Edwards leads the Loyalist Day observers in prayer. Mayor Court is to the left.
Col. Neil McKelvey addresses the Loyalist Day group beside Loyalist Rock.	Mayor Court cutting and distributing Saint John's birthday cake in the atrium of Market Square.

N.B. Branch Honours Nine Long Time Members

Fall 2006 General Meeting

Loyalist Celebrations 2006

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