Our UEL History
The Loyalists were minorities, recent European immigrants and religious groups not accepted very well by the Patriots.
These were farmers, laborers, trades people and their families. Free blacks and slaves also came with the Loyalist families. Many Six Nations Iroquois from New York State were also part of the Loyalist community.
These were brave communities of Methodists, Wesleyans and Quakers. As the Loyalists faced increased mob violence, as they lost their civil rights, as they were easily thrown into prison or as their homes and goods confiscated, their hope was the foundation of their beliefs.
Psalm 27:1 provides this comfort and direction:
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Amen
In October,1783 the British Forces are caught fighting on a peninsula of land in Virginia. With the land army led by General Washington and the French Fleet in the bay shelling them, the British surrender.
The war was over, and yet the anger and resentment towards the Loyalists intensified. About 100,000 Loyalists left the colonies during and after the war. About 10,000 went back to England. About 30,000 went to the East coast and settled in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI.
The Loyalists were minorities, recent European immigrants and religious groups not accepted very well by the Patriots.
These were farmers, laborers, trades people and their families. Free blacks and slaves also came with the Loyalist families. Many Six Nations Iroquois from New York State were also part of the Loyalist community.
These were brave communities of Methodists, Wesleyans and Quakers. As the Loyalists faced increased mob violence, as they lost their civil rights, as they were easily thrown into prison or as their homes and goods confiscated, their hope was the foundation of their beliefs.
Psalm 27:1 provides this comfort and direction:
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Amen
In October,1783 the British Forces are caught fighting on a peninsula of land in Virginia. With the land army led by General Washington and the French Fleet in the bay shelling them, the British surrender.
The war was over, and yet the anger and resentment towards the Loyalists intensified. About 100,000 Loyalists left the colonies during and after the war. About 10,000 went back to England. About 30,000 went to the East coast and settled in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI.
In 1784, 60,000 Loyalists from New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut decided to leave and head to the British Colony in Montreal. Travelling up the Hudson River they arrived at Fort Albany. Continuing North, passing Lake Champlain, they finally arrived in Montreal.
Arriving in Montreal in late summer of 1784, they had a decision to make. Where do we go from here?
Some stayed and settled north of Montreal. Hearing that land further east had been surveyed and was free for farmers, some moved to the Prescott to Kingston area. About 7,500 of those Loyalists settled along the St Lawrence to the Bay of Quinte region.
Arriving in Montreal in late summer of 1784, they had a decision to make. Where do we go from here?
Some stayed and settled north of Montreal. Hearing that land further east had been surveyed and was free for farmers, some moved to the Prescott to Kingston area. About 7,500 of those Loyalists settled along the St Lawrence to the Bay of Quinte region.
In 1784, 60,000 Loyalists from New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut decided to leave and head to the British Colony in Montreal. Travelling up the Hudson River they arrived at Fort Albany. Continuing North, passing Lake Champlain, they finally arrived in Montreal.
Arriving in Montreal in late summer of 1784, they had a decision to make. Where do we go from here?
Some stayed and settled north of Montreal. Hearing that land further east had been surveyed and was free for farmers, some moved to the Prescott to Kingston area. About 7,500 of those Loyalists settled along the St Lawrence to the Bay of Quinte region.
Arriving in Montreal in late summer of 1784, they had a decision to make. Where do we go from here?
Some stayed and settled north of Montreal. Hearing that land further east had been surveyed and was free for farmers, some moved to the Prescott to Kingston area. About 7,500 of those Loyalists settled along the St Lawrence to the Bay of Quinte region.
Lower Canada consisted of Fort York and the Niagara area. Montreal and Quebec City dominated the upper St Lawrence. In between was virtually empty land. We find in these Loyalists "A Strong Faith of Hope in a New Beginning".
Many professed a Methodist or a Wesleyan or a Quaker Christianity. Here was hope firmly rooted in their hearts and their communities.
Many Loyalists became part of provincial militia corps that fought alongside the British. There is a Historic Plaque outside of St Paul's Anglican Church describing Rogers Rangers and their settlement in this area.
Obtaining land grants was the easy part, clearing the land and growing crops was far more difficult. Consider the woodlots in our area, imagine the entire countryside as a densely wooded forest. Only a community working together could clear the land, raise log cabins and plant and harvest the crops.
The first few winters were tough on these Loyalists. Many were not used to the longer and colder winters north of the Great Lakes. Farm animals brought with them stayed inside the drafty log cabins for protection and the warmth their bodies provided. Food was scarce as the first few years crops were lean.
In 1789, Lord Dorchester, the Governor in Chief of the British North America, proclaimed that the Loyalists and their children be granted the title of "United Empire Loyalists" in recognition of their loyalty to the Crown and their hard work in clearing the land and creating lasting settlements.
In 1791, due to the settled communities, a separate region was created, and was called "Upper Canada". Loyalists were instrumental in establishing educational, religious, social and government institutions on this land.
In all the years that followed, our area became firmly established and wealthy. Log homes were replaced by brick and mortar homes. Farms grew larger and the faith communities were also enriched by their contributions.
Conway became a port where cattle and grain were loaded for the trip to US and Canadian markets on Lake Ontario.
In 1833 John A Macdonald setup his law practice in Picton. The communities from Niagara Falls to Quebec City were to become the center of a dream of Mac Donald, a united country. In 1867 that dream became a reality.
For more information on The United Empire Loyalists, please visit http://www.uelac.org.
Many professed a Methodist or a Wesleyan or a Quaker Christianity. Here was hope firmly rooted in their hearts and their communities.
Many Loyalists became part of provincial militia corps that fought alongside the British. There is a Historic Plaque outside of St Paul's Anglican Church describing Rogers Rangers and their settlement in this area.
Obtaining land grants was the easy part, clearing the land and growing crops was far more difficult. Consider the woodlots in our area, imagine the entire countryside as a densely wooded forest. Only a community working together could clear the land, raise log cabins and plant and harvest the crops.
The first few winters were tough on these Loyalists. Many were not used to the longer and colder winters north of the Great Lakes. Farm animals brought with them stayed inside the drafty log cabins for protection and the warmth their bodies provided. Food was scarce as the first few years crops were lean.
In 1789, Lord Dorchester, the Governor in Chief of the British North America, proclaimed that the Loyalists and their children be granted the title of "United Empire Loyalists" in recognition of their loyalty to the Crown and their hard work in clearing the land and creating lasting settlements.
In 1791, due to the settled communities, a separate region was created, and was called "Upper Canada". Loyalists were instrumental in establishing educational, religious, social and government institutions on this land.
In all the years that followed, our area became firmly established and wealthy. Log homes were replaced by brick and mortar homes. Farms grew larger and the faith communities were also enriched by their contributions.
Conway became a port where cattle and grain were loaded for the trip to US and Canadian markets on Lake Ontario.
In 1833 John A Macdonald setup his law practice in Picton. The communities from Niagara Falls to Quebec City were to become the center of a dream of Mac Donald, a united country. In 1867 that dream became a reality.
For more information on The United Empire Loyalists, please visit http://www.uelac.org.
Lower Canada consisted of Fort York and the Niagara area. Montreal and Quebec City dominated the upper St Lawrence. In between was virtually empty land. We find in these Loyalists "A Strong Faith of Hope in a New Beginning".
Many professed a Methodist or a Wesleyan or a Quaker Christianity. Here was hope firmly rooted in their hearts and their communities.
Many Loyalists became part of provincial militia corps that fought alongside the British. There is a Historic Plaque outside of St Paul's Anglican Church describing Rogers Rangers and their settlement in this area.
Obtaining land grants was the easy part, clearing the land and growing crops was far more difficult. Consider the woodlots in our area, imagine the entire countryside as a densely wooded forest. Only a community working together could clear the land, raise log cabins and plant and harvest the crops.
The first few winters were tough on these Loyalists. Many were not used to the longer and colder winters north of the Great Lakes. Farm animals brought with them stayed inside the drafty log cabins for protection and the warmth their bodies provided. Food was scarce as the first few years crops were lean.
In 1789, Lord Dorchester, the Governor in Chief of the British North America, proclaimed that the Loyalists and their children be granted the title of "United Empire Loyalists" in recognition of their loyalty to the Crown and their hard work in clearing the land and creating lasting settlements.
In 1791, due to the settled communities, a separate region was created, and was called "Upper Canada". Loyalists were instrumental in establishing educational, religious, social and government institutions on this land.
In all the years that followed, our area became firmly established and wealthy. Log homes were replaced by brick and mortar homes. Farms grew larger and the faith communities were also enriched by their contributions.
Conway became a port where cattle and grain were loaded for the trip to US and Canadian markets on Lake Ontario.
In 1833 John A Macdonald setup his law practice in Picton. The communities from Niagara Falls to Quebec City were to become the center of a dream of Mac Donald, a united country. In 1867 that dream became a reality.
For more information on The United Empire Loyalists, please visit http://www.uelac.org.
Many professed a Methodist or a Wesleyan or a Quaker Christianity. Here was hope firmly rooted in their hearts and their communities.
Many Loyalists became part of provincial militia corps that fought alongside the British. There is a Historic Plaque outside of St Paul's Anglican Church describing Rogers Rangers and their settlement in this area.
Obtaining land grants was the easy part, clearing the land and growing crops was far more difficult. Consider the woodlots in our area, imagine the entire countryside as a densely wooded forest. Only a community working together could clear the land, raise log cabins and plant and harvest the crops.
The first few winters were tough on these Loyalists. Many were not used to the longer and colder winters north of the Great Lakes. Farm animals brought with them stayed inside the drafty log cabins for protection and the warmth their bodies provided. Food was scarce as the first few years crops were lean.
In 1789, Lord Dorchester, the Governor in Chief of the British North America, proclaimed that the Loyalists and their children be granted the title of "United Empire Loyalists" in recognition of their loyalty to the Crown and their hard work in clearing the land and creating lasting settlements.
In 1791, due to the settled communities, a separate region was created, and was called "Upper Canada". Loyalists were instrumental in establishing educational, religious, social and government institutions on this land.
In all the years that followed, our area became firmly established and wealthy. Log homes were replaced by brick and mortar homes. Farms grew larger and the faith communities were also enriched by their contributions.
Conway became a port where cattle and grain were loaded for the trip to US and Canadian markets on Lake Ontario.
In 1833 John A Macdonald setup his law practice in Picton. The communities from Niagara Falls to Quebec City were to become the center of a dream of Mac Donald, a united country. In 1867 that dream became a reality.
For more information on The United Empire Loyalists, please visit http://www.uelac.org.