Native Settlement Census
Six nations 1785
Mohawks 445
Delaware 183
Delaware Aarons Party 48
Bear’s Foot Party 51
Senecas 47
Senecas from the West 31
Onondagas Council 174
Onondagas West 20
Lower Cayugas 183
Upper Cayugas 198
Lower Tootalies 19
Upper Tutelos 55
Oghguagas 113
Oghguaga Joseph’s Party 49
Tuscaroras 129
St Regis 16
Montours 15
Creeks and Cherokees 53
Nanticokes 11
Total 1,840
In 1784 the Crown purchased from the Mississauga people and granted to “His Majesties faithful allies” the Mohawk and other members of the Six Nations a swath of land 12 miles wide from Lake Erie to the head of the Grand River.
In 1784 the Province of Quebec included all the land north of the new United States within the Great Lakes Basin.
Cataraqui Township was the first survey, as part of the Province of Quebec.
In 1791 The Province of Quebec was divided into Lower Canada and Upper Canada at the Ottawa River. Along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River in Upper Canada was the first home for many of the American exiles. 1784 Census population for this area was
Marysburg 48
Adolphustown 240
Fredericksburg 580
Ernestown 416
Kingston Cataraqui 230
Augusta 228
Edwardsburg 166
Matilda 177
Williamsburg 202
Osnabruck 75
Cornwall 517
Charlottesburg 456
Point Mullie 90
Total 3,425
In Lower Canada (Quebec)
Saint John 375
Lachine 207
Montreal 617
Chambly 66
Sorel 316
Bay of Chaleur 450
Total 2,031
Land Grants to Loyalist were variable but generally as follows
Acres
Army officers 1,000
Captains 750
Other Officers 500
NCO’s 250
Privates 200
Civilian Loyalists 200
Dependents (children, wives) may have also received a right to an additional 200 acres at a future date.
The Niagara area was settled by soldiers (regular and German mercenaries) and militia, rangers (such as Butler’s Rangers, Jessup’s Loyal Rangers, King’s Royal Regiment and many others) and Loyalists primarily from the colonies of New York and Pennsylvania.
In the Maritime colonies things were a little more confusing there were believed to be 14,000 transported to the St John River area however the actual settlers were reported to be 5,041 of these there was an “immediate” exit of settlers as follows
New England 26
New York 61
Other States 19
Unknown States 95
Lower Canada 13
Upper Canada 194
Great Britain 59
PEI 3
Nova Scotia 71
West Indies 9
Unknown 19
Total 569
These numbers are interesting a significant returned to the United States, Upper Canada was the preferred secondary destination, many would have relocated to the north shore of the St Lawrence River, thence to the north shore of Lake Erie. These relocations would have occurred for many years.
Nova Scotia was the destination for 20,000 Loyalists seeking opportunities from a Colony too poor to support them. Much of the land was unsuitable for agriculture and other resources were limited. There was a fierce scramble to seek the few opportunities. There were accusation of corruption, incompetence and favouritism directed at Governor Parr and his tight small circle. Many returned to the United States and moved on the other areas similar to that of New Brunswick Loyalists.
