UEL & Branch History
UEL History | Branch History | Patron | Honorary Presidents | Honorary Membership | Branch Presidents
This essay by Ann Mackenzie will give an quick overview of the role of the United Empire Loyalists in Canada’s history.
The Dominion Council, small in those days, was called for December 16, 1967 at which Reginald Hawke and Eldon Spencer, originally from the area presented the qualifications with a motion for a branch charter – The Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch. Dominion Council officers granted approval. Thus this branch began on December 16, 1967, with 125 approved regular charter members and accomplished within only five months preparation. A truly remarkable record accomplished by any branch in the past and in the present. The preparation and presentation of a charter came later at a convenient time, which is the custom.
The first important event of the new branch took place on April 14, 1968, with a special visit by Sir John Johnson and Lady Johnson, sixth baronet since Sir William Johnson of Johnstown, New York. They also visited the tomb of Sir John Johnson of Loyalist fame, which was on Mount Johnson (now Mount Gregoire).
On June 8, 1968, another special branch event was held. It was a glorious Saturday at the Cultural Centre, Cowansville, decorated with flags and flowers for the historic presentation of the branch charter. A large crowd of 100 registered members and guests attended from an extensive area of the Townships, Montreal, Ottawa, and Ontario. Mr. Murray Mason, President, received the Charter on behalf of the Branch presented by myself (Mr. John Chard). Then representatives form other branches and local members expressed congratulations with interesting personal comments.
-- John Chard, UE, President UELAC, 1966-68, as part of his address on the 35th anniversary of the Branch, 17 August 2002
Without the inspiration and untiring dedication of E. John Chard, Dominion President of UELAC (1966-1968), Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch would not have materialized in 1967, Canada’s Centennial year. John, a devoted additional branch member, has provided an abundance of material and photos pertaining to the branch. In appreciation of his numerous contributions, we named him patron of Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch UELAC.
1. Sir John Paley Johnson (1967-1976)
When Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch UELAC named its officers after it had received its charter on December 16, 1967, Sir John Paley Johnson (1907-1976) M.B.E., 6th Baronet of New York was named honorary president. He and Lady Johnson attended the first official meeting of the branch held at the Art Centre in Cowansville Quebec on April 24, 1968.
2. Sir Peter Colpoys Johnson (1976-2003)
After Sir John Johnson’s death in 1976 his son, Sir Peter Johnson, 7th Baronet of New York,(1930-2003) was named our second honorary president. Sir Peter was an avid, renowned yachtsman who wrote many books on yachting and held numerous offices in the yachting world. Sir Peter had planned to visit Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch and the Johnson Vault at Mont Saint Gregoire but ill health prevented him from doing so.
3. Sir Colpoys Guy Johnson (2003-)
Sir Colpoys Guy Johnson, 8th Baronet of New York (1965- ), son of Sir Peter Colpoys Johnson, visited Toronto in 2004 while here to attend King’s Royal Regiment of New York ceremonies. He looks forward to attending the rededication ceremony of the Sir John Johnson Vault when the project is completed.
Miss Marion Phelps, a retired teacher and the archivist of Brome County Historical Society, is both a Charter Member and an Honorary Member of Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch UELAC. Over the years she has provided invaluable assistance to our genealogists and members searching for proof to document their Loyalist ancestry.
The Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network established the Marion Phelps Award to recognize outstanding citizens. The first award, presented at the second annual conference of QAHN held at Macdonald College in June 2004, was bestowed on Marion Phelps. Hubert Bauch’s comment was “Marion Phelps Award named for the legendary archivist of the Brome County Museum.” In the June 9, 2001 issue of the Montreal Gazette he also stated “Marion Phelps guilty as charged – of being a treasure for those interested in the history of Anglo Quebec.”
Miss Phelps will celebrate her 100th birthday on 9 February 2008.
Murray Curtis Mason
Nov. 1967 to June 1969
Donald W. MacCallum
June 1969 to June 1971
Herbert R. Derick
June 1971 to June 1973
Donald W. MacCallum
June 1973 to June 1975
Gwendolyn Norris Fuller
June 1975 to June 1977
Murray Curtis Mason
June 1977 to June 1978
Donald W. MacCallum
June 1978 to June 1979
William McIntyre Bradshaw
June 1979 to June 1981
Donald W. MacCallum
June 1981 to June 1983
A. Sidney McCaw
June 1983 to June 1987
J. Kenneth Hamilton
June 1987 to June 1990
C. Arthur Smith
June 1990 to June 1993
Vincent de Lourdes Leonard
June 1993 to June 1995
Clayton Smith
June 1995 to June 1997
Jean Darrah McCaw
June 1997 to June 2000
Richard M. Eldridge
June 2000 to June 2003
Adelaide Hall Lanktree
June 2003 to June 2007
Roderick Riordon
June 2007 —