Branch News & Events
The Sir John Johnson Centennial branch of the U.E.L.A.C. are mourning the loss of one of their most loyal and dedicated members, Mrs. Jean McCaw, who passed away suddenly at her home in Sutton, Quebec on February 4th, 2008. Jean was born in Sutton in 1921, educated there and then continued her education to graduate as a registed nurse from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Montreal, Quebec. Jean was married to the late Sydney McCaw who predeceased her in 1992. She leaves to mourn her passing 4 children, 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and a sister.
Jean and her husband returned to Sutton after their retirement and joined the Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch in 1982. Jean was a regular documented member, descended from Loyalist Adam Best, and soon after joining took on the duties of the branch genealogist. An office that she diligently carried out until the fall of 2007 when due to diminishing eye sight she reluctantly resigned from the post. A large number of the branch members, as well as those of the beginning of Little Forks branch, owe their documentation to Jean's dedicated research.
To celebrate the Bicentennial of the settlement of United Empire Loyalists in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, the branch undertook to create a book , which was a collection of articles recording the history of these Loyalists. Jean was one of the most active participants in this project, and the book, 'Loyalists of the Eastern Townships " was published in 1984.
On June 8, 2001, Heritage Branch invested Jean as a ' Companion of the Most Honourable Order of Meritorious Heritage' in recognition of her contribution to the United Empire Loyalist Association.
Jean was active in her Community and Sutton's Grace Anglican Church, as well as a dedicated volunteer at the Brome County Historical Society in Knowlton, Quebec. Her guiding hand and advice will be greatly missed by her friends in the Sir John Johnson Centennial branch .
A Memorial Service at Grace Anglican Church will be held later in the Spring.
Phyllis Hamilton
Dates of note for Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch:
- 7 June 2008 - Saturday
- Annual General Meeting
At the Royal Canadian Legion Hall,
200 Montgomery, Philipsburg, Quebec (Map)
Gather at 11:30 AM for roast beef lunch served at noon. Cost $15.00
Meeting to follow:
Speaker, Lorraine Gosselin, U.E. will talk about Christian Wehr
For Reservations:
Phone Adelaide: (450) 293-6342
E-mail: adelaidel at sympatico dot ca - 21 June 2008
- McCaw, Jean Darrah – Memorial Service
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of the life of the late Jean Darrah McCaw
on Saturday, June 21, 2008, 2 p.m. at Grace Anglican Church, Sutton, QC. (Map)
A reception will follow in the Church Hall. - 10-13 July 2008
- Annual UELAC Conference to be held in Saint John New Brunswick (Information)
Dates of note for Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch:
- 9 June 2007
- Annual meeting held at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Philipsburg. Roderick Riordon was elected as President.
- 6 August 2007
- Dedication of Loyalist Flag at Oriskany Battlefield. Presentation of Loyalist Flag by UELAC President Peter W. Johnson.
- 18 August 2007
- 40th Anniversary celebration will be held at the Auberge West Brome beginning at 11:30 a.m. After dinner, Michel Racicot, member of our branch and President of Cowansville Historical Society, will review the highlights of our branch’s history with a most interesting Power Point presentation.
- 28 October 2007
- Fall church service and semi-annual meeting
Service at the St. John Anglican Church, Town of Brome, 10 AM
Followed by lunch and Semi Annual Meeting in Church Hall.
Speaker: Mr. Ray Ostiguy on Sir John Johnson.
Lunch at 12 noon, $15.00 per person.
For reservations contact either:
Jean McCaw - Tel.: (450) 538-2345 or
Adelaide Lanktree - Tel.: (450) 293-6342, e-mail: adelaidel@sympatico.ca
RSVP by October 20th, 2007