Bicentennial Branch Newsletter

Transcription

1 Bicentennial Branch Newsletter April - May - June 2008 Volume 1 - Issue 2 United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada Branch Annual General Meeting May 3, p.m. Church of the Epiphany Kingsville, ON st Guest speaker Ken Turner, 1 VP of the Ontario Historical Society Branch President's Message Due to a severe winter storm that hit the Essex County area on March 8, 2008 our regular branch meeting was cancelled. Our scheduled guest speaker was Ken Turner. Known to many for his involvement in numerous historical preservation groups, Ken is the founder of the Essex County Historical Cemeteries Preservation Society. He has researched, located and restored a large number of previously unknown historic burial grounds across Ontario including ten in Essex st County. Ken is currently serving as 1 VP of the Ontario Historical Society and will be joining us as guest speaker at our Branch Annual General Meeting on Saturday, May 3, For many years the Bicentennial Branch has had a representative serving on the Board of Trustees of Kingsville Historical Park (KHP). KHP is a wonderful community based museum run entirely by volunteers. Its focus is primarily military history but the story of the UELs is included in their displays. They also have a very active outreach program and the Loyalists have been featured in this. KHP is located at 164 Lansdowne Street behind the Legion in Kingsville. Although KHP owns the building it occupies, it rents the land it sits on from the adjacent Legion. There are ambitious plans for KHP to buy this land from the legion and a fund raising venture is underway in support of this goal. You are encouraged to make donations towards this. On Saturday and Sunday May 17 & 18, 2008 KHP will be having a yard sale on its grounds. Please plan to attend in support of this sale. An aerial photograph of KHP and its adjacent grounds has been taken, enlarged and marked off in squares. Everyone will have the opportunity to buy one of these squares for $ so in essence, you will 'own' a piece of KHP. If you prefer to make a smaller donation consider joining with someone else to buy a square. The photograph should be displayed at the yard sale so you can better visualize this and decide which square is your favourite. For more information please contact KHP at Margie Luffman UE Branch President 1

2 History in the making Harrow seeds in Doomsday Vault taken from the Windsor Star - February 27, 2008 The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, also known as the Doomsday Vault, opened in February on a Norwegian island in the Arctic Circle. Seeds from around the world have been locked in this vault to be preserved and protected in case of disaster. Old or rare varieties of plants that are no longer grown or indigenous plants that have become extinct in the wild may have traits needed to resist disease and respond to environmental issues. For this reason scientists are saving 268,000 seed samples from around the world. Windsor Star, March 25, 2008 Calendar of Events April 19, Central West Regional Meeting London, Ontario May 3, Branch AGM Kingsville, Ontario May 30 - June 1, Wired Genealogy '08, Ontario Genealogical Society, Fanshawe College London, Ontario June 13 - June 14, Ontario Historical Society AGM and Conference, University of Guelph June 19 - Loyalist Day in Ontario July 10-13, UELAC AGM and Dominion Conference Saint John, New Brunswick. More information is available on the New Brunswick Branch UELAC website at Bicentennial Branch President Margie Luffman, curator of the Canadian Clonal Genebank in Harrow, describes the Doomsday Vault as a 'Noah's Ark' of seeds. "If all the crops and everything were wiped out, people would be able to go to this place to get seeds and germplasm (genetic material) to start anew." Canada sent 5,936 seed samples representing 94 species from the national seed bank in Saskatoon, including 109 varieties of soybeans that were grown at the Greenhouse and Processing Crops Research Centre in Harrow.While the Canadian Clonal Genebank in Harrow didn't contribute to the Global Seed Vault it does protect 3,400 unique lines of fruit, from apple trees to strawberry plants, in orchards and specialized greenhouses. The genebank has sent 50 apple cultivars to be cryopreserved at -150C at a U.S. Department of Agriculture facility in Colorado. Newsletter Editor's note: The preservation of history covers not only events and artifacts of the past but a conscious recognition of the value of our natural resources. 2

3 Member Submissions We would enjoy hearing from members who would like to submit articles to the Bicentennial Branch newsletter. Contact Bonnie Schepers at Please limit your submissions to 600 words or less. Photos to accompany the article would also be appreciated depending on space available. If you would like to receive an electronic Newsletter rather than a hard copy please send an to info@uelbicentennial.org and put 'newsletter' in the subject line. Please include your name, address and phone number in the body of the text. The Beat Goes On with British Beat 66 Bicentennial Branch member Michael Hereford UE remains loyal to the British beat. Michael's Loyalist ancestor John Chester served as a Private Soldier in Jessup's Loyal Rangers. Born in the Parish of Albany, New York in 1763, John Chester at the age of twenty-one had served two years in His Majesty's Provincial Regiment called The Loyal Rangers under Major Commandant Edward Jessup Esq Membership Renewal There is still time to renew your 2008 Branch Membership. Single membership dues are $50.00 per year. Family membership dues are $70.00 per year. When paying your dues by cheque please make your cheque payable to Bicentennial Branch UELAC. Payment may be made by Canada Post to our Branch Treasurer: Mrs. Dianne Noble UE R. R. #1 9E Conc. 10 Cottam ON N0R 1B0 We are currently at 82% of our membership totals for the year Please support your branch by taking a moment to renew your membership today. Thank you! Loyalist Trails The UELAC publishes an newsletter every one to two weeks. The newsletter contains a variety of information items from the Branches, the Association and the various Committees. The newsletter is for UELAC Members and friends If you would like to subscribe to Loyalist Trails please contact Doug W. Grant UE, Loyalist Trails Editor UELAC loyalist.trails@uelac.org British Beat 66 with Michael Hereford UE (center) In 1784 John Chester settled in the Township of Augusta on the St. Lawrence River. He received one hundred acres East side in the Second concession (Lot. no. 10) in the seigneurie number seven dated at the Province of Quebec, 24 May John Chester later served as an Ensign in nd the 2 Regiment of Grenville Militia in 1812 as appointed by Isaac Brock. Michael serves a British Invasion of another kind as he performs in the tribute band British Beat 66. To find out more about Michael's band check out Heritage Village in Kingsville, Ontario is hosting a British Invasion Festival on Saturday, June 28, Head out there to see our own Michael Hereford UE in action. 3

4 Milestones Congratulations to Ken Turner and Yvonne Harrison who were married at Trinity Church on Saturday, February 2, She's Famous! Bicentennial Branch genealogist, Kathryn Hogan attended the Family History Expo 2008 in Utah where she was interviewed by the host and producer of the Genealogy Gems Podcast. The interview with Lisa L. Cooke can be viewed at Episode 44 - March 2008 Archives. In Memoriam Deepest sympathy is extended to the families of Josephine Ellen Hurst, 90 a long-time resident of Granville Ferry, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia. Tuesday, February 12, Josephine was a descendant of Loyalist William Scoles and grandmother of Kimberly and Sarah Hurst UE. Lawrence Dale Moore, suddenly at the age of 67, Wednesday, February 13, Brother of Martha Hurst UE, Carol Hodges UE, Marlene Cruse and Joanne Moore. Larry was a descendant of Benjamin Knapp. Elwin Claus who passed away on February 18, 2008 st in his 101 year in Ridgetown, Ontario. Elwin's Loyalist ancestor was Daniel Claus of the Mohawk Valley. Verna Fox, 95 years on Tuesday, February 26, Dear mother of faithful member, Noble Fox and his wife Elaine of Ruthven, and the late Mildred (1993) and her husband John Scott. John Sumner Nelles, 87 years on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at Leamington District Memorial Hospital. Mr. Nelles received his U.E. certificate about three years ago and was a proud member of the United Empire Loyalists Association. "There is sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love." - Washington Irving Washington Irving was an American author of the early 19th century, best known for his short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle". Irving was born in Manhattan the same week city residents learned of the British cease-fire that ended the American Revolution. Consequently, Irving s mother named him after the American hero of the revolution, George Washington. The Loyalist Rose The flourishing Loyalist rose shown in the accompanying photograph is growing in a flower bed on the front lawn of the OPP Station, Division Street, Kingsville, ON. Branch charter members, Margaret Lewis UE and Jean Arner Walton UE, planted this hardy rose bush in The rock on which the name plaque is found came from the farm of John Miner, the grandson of famed conservationist, Jack Miner. This antique rose, identified as Maiden s Blush of the Rosa alba family, is illustrated in many Renaissance paintings, notably Botticelli s Birth of Venus. It was taken to England from Damascus during the Crusades period. In 1773 John and Mary Cameron brought it with them when they emigrated from Scotland to Sir William Johnson's estates in Western New York. 4

5 In 1776 John joined the King s Royal Regiment of New York and the family took a root with them on the 230 mile trek over the Appalachians to the Cornwall area. It was a treasured possession, vital to their survival: from its flowers, stalks, leaves and hips, they could make medicines, tea and many delicacies. Two hundred years later in 1976, Ethel Macleod, a descendant of John and Mary Cameron, registered The Loyalist Rose with the International Registration Authority for Roses and donated it to The United Empire Loyalists of Canada to mark the Bi-Centennial of the American Revolution and the coming of the Loyalists to Canada. It is a cupped, very double fragrant pale pink rose, fading almost to white, bushy, densely branched, blooming well in June. During the 2007 Dominion Conference which was hosted by the Bicentennial Branch, approximately 100 Loyalist roses were distributed to conference participants. As a result of this venture, progeny of the original rose can now be found coast to coast in Canada. Loyalist rosebush at OPP Station in Kingsville, Ontario 5 Book Review by Margie Luffman UE The Book of Negroes - Lawrence Hill T he novel The Book of Negroes tells the life story of Aminata Diallo, a native of West Africa, from her early childhood until late in her life. This time period covers much of the 18th century and concludes early in the 19th century. At the tender age of eleven Aminata is abducted from her village by slavers. She witnesses the brutal murder of both her parents and is then forced to walk in a coffle - a string of slaves - for months on end until she reaches the sea coast. Many died along the way during this terrible march. The sickly survivors are corralled in a pen while they await transport to a slave galley ship. Conditions on board the ship are dreadful beyond human comprehension: filth, overcrowding, disease and hunger. Upon arrival in North America Aminata is sold and transported to an indigo plantation on the sea islands of South Carolina. Her language and midwifery skills serve her well in this new land and she also learns to read. After a few months, Aminata s owner sells her to someone else. Her life improves with the new owner in Charles Town, South Carolina but eventually they head to New York City. It is during this time that the hostilities of the American Revolution and hatred of all things British boil over. Increasingly the violence in the streets makes life intolerable and it is obvious that war is imminent. Aminata takes this opportunity to escape from her owner when he flees the region to avoid the war. She ends up living with a large group of escaped slaves. A proclamation by Lord Dunmore, the governor of Virginia promises freedom for any blacks who agree to fight for the British in the war. This is published in the newspaper and because Aminata is one of the few who can read, she conveys this information to the others. Many take up this offer and serve as soldiers, cooks, blacksmiths, labourers, etc. At the end of the war, those who qualify after serving the British during

6 the conflict have their names registered in the Book of Negroes, a historic British military ledger which allows 3000 Black Loyalists passage on ships sailing from Manhattan to Birchtown, Nova Scotia. Aminata joins them and stays for a few years. Eventually she travels to Sierra Leone in Africa and from there she travels to Britain where she is sponsored by abolitionists. She speaks in public to educate people about the utter cruelty and reality of the slave trade. Aminata is truly a heroic figure: brave, resourceful and embodying all the courage of a true Loyalist. Annual Regional Meeting Saturday April 19, 2008 for branches of the Central West Region UELAC London, Ontario hosted by London and Western Ontario Branch 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Westmount Branch of the London Public Library 3200 Wonderland Rd. S. just south of Southdale. featuring Peter W. Johnson, President UELAC Douglas W. Grant, Past President UELAC Frederick H. Hayward, Senior Vice-President UELAC, Grants Committee Chair Karen Windover UE, Public Relations Chair Special guest speaker Loyalist Scholarship Recipient Timothy J. Compeau Branch Project Presentations Election of RVP and Councillor for Central West Region Project 2014 Promotions Market A $5.00 registration fee will apply. RSVP to info@uelbicentennial.org Branch Executive for President Margie Luffman UE 41 Erie St. Kingsville ON N9Y 1N1 info@uelbicentennial.org Secretary Patricia Haynes UE 36 Creekview Blvd. Kingsville ON N9Y 4E5 pjhaynes@sympatico.ca Treasurer Dianne Noble UE R. R. #1 Conc. 10 Cottam ON N0R 1B0 gdtnoble@gosfieldtel.com Genealogist Kathryn Hogan Grand Marais Rd. W. Windsor ON N9E 4V0 genealogist@uelbicentennial.org Membership Chair Christine Rawlins UE 58 Malden Rd. R. R. #2 Essex ON N8M 2X5 membership@uelbicentennial.org Past President & Corresponding Secretary Margaret Lewis UE R. R. #3 McCain Rd. Kingsville ON N9Y 2E Website/Newsletter Editor Bonnie Schepers UE 4165 Roseland Drive E. Windsor ON N9G 1Y6 bschepers@govital.net Bicentennial Branch UELAC info@uelbicentennial.org UELAC 6

7 Saint John 225 UELAC Dominion Conference July 2008 Conference Schedule Thursday 10 July, 2008 Pre-Conference Events! Take a tour of King's Landing Historical Settlement or spend a day at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick and the Loyalist Collection of the University of New Brunswick Conference Welcoming Reception at the Hilton Friday 11 July, 2008 (morning/afternoon) UELAC Annual General Meeting/ Tour Saint John Lilly Lake Pavilion Dinner (evening event) Saturday 12 July, 2008 Seminars at Trade & Convention Centre (morning) Bus Tour of Saint John Area (afternoon) Grand Banquet (evening) Sunday 13 July, 2008 Sunday Church Service at historic Kingston Church Send registration and payment to: NB Branch/UELAC PO Box 484 Saint John, NB Canada E2L 3Z8

8 SAINT JOHN 225 REGISTRATION FORM UELAC Dominion Conference July 10 July 13, 2008 Saint John, New Brunswick Please print your name as you want it to appear on your name tag Last Name First Name Mailing Address City Province Postal Code Day Phone ( ) Evening Phone( ) Branch Ancestors (use separate sheet if necessary) Dietary Restrictions Before After Total April 30 April Registration Full Conference (includes reception and all Friday, $360 $400 Fees Saturday, & Sunday events) (Does not include the Pre-Conference Tours) Saturday Program (includes lectures, lunch, tours $125 $140 and banquet) Pre-Conference Tours Kings Landing $75 $85 (limited to first 55 applicants) OR Archives/ Library $35 $40 Single Event Welcoming Reception in Kennebecasis Room $40 $45 Fees Lily Lake Dinner (Friday night) $70 $75 Conference Banquet (Saturday Night) $85 $95 Sunday Church Outing (includes bus and lunch) $30 $35 Payment Cheque Visa Master Card (Make Cheque payable in $CAN to NB Branch / UELAC) Total Fees Card # Exp Signature Amount Encl Send Registration and payment to: NB Branch / UELAC PO Box 484 Saint John, NB Canada E2L 3Z8 Hotel Saint John Hilton Tel: (506) Market Square Reservations: HILTONS Saint John, NB Quote UEL Conference code UNIB08 Canada E2L 4Z6