The New Settlement News

Transcription

1 The New Settlement News Bicentennial Branch Quarterly Newsletter July - August - September 2013 Branch Charter est Volume 6 - Issue 3 United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada Annual Luncheon Sept. 21, :00 pm Church of the Epiphany Kingsville, ON Guest Speaker: Jean Rae Baxter UE, Novelist Greetings Members and Friends, Well Folks, it s that time of year again, our busy summer is almost coming to a close and fall is fast approaching.2013 has brought new people to our Branch as well. First we started with the UELAC Conference hosted by the Hamilton Branch, held in Burlington. New changes were voted on for the Dominion level, including all branches for revised by-laws. That was an interesting process and a little confusing at times as to who gets to vote per branch, but that has all be explained now. Those from our branch who attended the convention were Bonnie Schepers, Margie Luffman, Susan Hutchins, Louise Ferriss, Judith Girty and myself, Linda Iler. Bonnie Schepers is now our new Dominion President. Congratulations Bonnie! So many different tours and dinners and little down time, but very enjoyable for all. After that we had our Loyalist Day Family gathering at the commissariat, home of the 1812 Provincial Marine Corp, in Amherstburg. We had about 30 members and their Upcoming Events November General Meeting Saturday, November 9 th, Guest Speaker Ruth Nicholson UE Genealogy Workshop at ECHRS January 2014 Register early, limited space. Membership Renewal for 2014 Renewal forms will be available at meetings. Early Membership Renewal Draw Renew by Dec. 31 st and get a chance at a free membership for families join in a quiet atmosphere by the Detroit River under the beautiful shade trees. Peter Rindlisbacher joined us for a pioneer lunch and told us a bit about his new book launch. The Branch now has a copy of this new release of Peter s war of 1812 paintings. I d like to Thank the Provincial Marine Corp for having us at their lovely location, for the preparation of the food, both by caterers and members. A small balance of the cost of the luncheon was also donated to Canadian Tire Jump Start, and a nice 1

2 article was put in the Rivertown Times. Many positive comments and photos were shared from this outing. Next, was the preparations for a display booth held during the Aug 10 & 11 Military Muster weekend held at the arena grounds in Essex Centre. Kathryn Hogan, Dianne Noble, Dianne's granddaughter, Chloe and Earline Bradt were able to assist the UEL booth over the weekend and had some interesting visits from those in attendance. Now we are into September and fast approaching is our annual luncheon on Sept 21. We have changed the menu, we have Jean Rae Baxter as our guest speaker, and a big treat in the line of certificates. Kathryn has been working with Stephen Botsford, and they have had a very busy summer. I believe Stephen is now ready to move forward and take on the position of Genealogist with confidence. Well done to the both of you. A Genealogy Workshop is in the makings for January for those who would like to learn more about some of the required document needed for your certificate applications, along with some new search engine locations. More to follow on this, as plans become finalized. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on September 21 at 12:00 pm at Church of Epiphany for our Luncheon. Please me at Linda.iler.uelac@ gmail.com or call to secure your seat at the table. Loyally, Linda Iler Dominion Conference 2013 Delegates from the Bicentennial Branch Newly Elected President Bonnie Schepers UE and Albert Schepers Margie Luffman UE and David Hill Morrison UE 2

3 Branch News Bicentennial Branch AGM - May 11 th, 2013 Linda welcomed attendees and we opened with the singing of Oh Canada, followed by a moment of silence for the members departed since There were no certificates presented at this meeting. Bonnie introduced our guest speaker Sue Hines, Regional Vice President, who outlined some of the fascinating stories she has uncovered during her 40 years of research into her family tree, including a Mayflower survivor and a trial for witchcraft. She brought a vast array of photographs and documents discovered along the way as well as a firesurviving sabre. We anticipate a book. Linda thanked our speaker and we broke for a time of refreshments. Treasurers Report: Dianne gave her annual report noting a year end deficit of $1, Current balance is $1, She moved the report adopted as printed, seconded by Kathryn and carried. Genealogy Report: Stephen Botsford UE (ancestor Rubin Mott) was introduced as our new genealogist, replacing Kathryn Hogan, after her devoted service to our branch. They will transition for the next 3 months. Membership: With 5 renewals today, our membership is at 93. Linda informed us of a free course for grant application writing sponsored by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Linda will be attending, others are welcome. We are delighted to have Dan Griffin volunteer for Public Relations to increase public awareness of our branch events and activities through the newspaper media, cogeco, etc. Conference Delegates: There are 6 persons attending the Annual Conference, 5 of whom are eligible to vote. They are Linda Iler, Susan Hutchins, Louise Ferriss, Margie Luffman, and Bonnie Schepers. Moved by Dan Griffin to send the above 5 mentioned as our voting delegates, seconded by Christine Rawlins, and carried. Registration expenses of $150 for each delegate will be covered. Loyalist Day: Linda announced that by sheer coincidence, we will be sharing the Commissariat with a former re-en actor, artist Peter Rindlisbacher. He has accepted our invitation to join us for lunch and will talk about his new book of marine art, War of Twenty persons have pre-registered. Payment may be made the day of the event but please pre-register. $20.00 per person, Commissariat, Provincial Marine Headquarters, Dalhousie St. Amherstburg, June 15, 2013, 11:00 am. Bonnie announced the passing, 2 weeks ago of Jack Lewis, husband of one of our founding members, Margaret Lewis. Our branch was thanked for our support of the Dominion Council Youth Project; begun The project honours Canadian History and Heritage, and promotes peace, pride, and co-habitation. At the Conference May 30, a specially made wampum belt will be presented at the Woodland Cultural Centre, 184 Mohawk St., Brampton. With ticket sales at an end, Florine Merritt was kind enough to draw the winning ticket on the historical plate that she had donated. Russell Quick was the winner, though not present. It will be delivered. Annual Report: For the first time, the reports submitted by the executive were printed into a 6 page booklet. Several copies of the Annual Report were printed and distributed about the tables. Linda enquired if this was something that we would like to see done in future. Consensus was favourable to continue next year and re-evaluate. We discussed various possible events to ascertain interest to members. Workshops was a popular suggestion, along with information sharing of similar relatives, group outings, and a winter event after the New Year along the lines of a tea or a social, possibly an open house. Sue is familiar with a power point program: Mrs. Sample that we may access at some stage. General Announcements: 1) ECHRS is holding a Yard Sale May 24 & 25, 8a.m. to 3p.m. 18 Gordon Ave. Essex. 2) 60th Anniversary of the Korean Armistice will be held July 27 in Dieppe Park, Windsor. 3) Fort Malden Military Days will be August 3 & 4, Amherstburg. 4) Southern Ontario Military Muster August 10 &11 at the Essex Arena Grounds 9a.m. to 4p.m. Flyers shared. We have been offered a display space free of charge. Sue and Kathryn volunteered to put our display items together and try to arrange for coverage for the 2 days. 5) Brochures for South Western Ontario Heritage Council, Essex County were available to members. We closed with the singing of God Save the Queen. 3

4 May 2013 AGM - Guest Speaker:Sue Morse Hines UE, Central West Region Vice-President Searching for Family - 40 Years of Research & Interesting Finds September 2013 Luncheon Guest Speaker - Jean Rae Baxter UE Jean Rae Baxter is an accomplished novelist who wrote a trilogy of stories of the loyalists' struggles coming from the different perspectives of the loyalist groups represented. She will be speaking about this topic in her presentation. There will be a Silent Auction held during the September luncheon. Members are encouraged to wear Loyalist Era clothing if possible. Arrival time 11:30 am 11:45 am Luncheon served at 12:00 pm Menu for Luncheon We had the pleasure of listening to our Central West Region Vice-President, Sue Morse Hines UE tell of her journey in researching her Morse and Cartwright families from the time that they arrived in New England in the 17 th century to their arrival in Canada in the early 19 th century. She was surprised at how many times throughout her family's history that there were marriages between the two families. Sue has some very interesting people in her family tree, she tells the story of Elizabeth Goody Morse, wife of William Morse of Newbury, MA. who was a defendant in the witch trials of the late 17 th century, along with the actual testimony of witnesses at her trial, and was found guilty and sentenced to house arrest for life. Shake her tree and out falls Samuel Morse, inventor of the Morse code, a communications system of dots and dashes that is used internationally today. He isn't the only inventor you'll find, she has family ties to Thomas Edison as well. Chicken Cacciatore - boneless chicken dredged in seasoned flour and sauteed, then baked in an Italian seasoned fresh tomato sauce containing sweet onion, bell peppers, zucchini and garlic. Served with parsley potatoes and green beans. Spanish tomato salad, tomato juice, and tossed green salad with church dressing, and home made dinner rolls. Flag cake for dessert, tea, coffee, and lemonade if hot day. Cost - $20 at the door Thank You From the Bicentennial Branch President Linda Iler presented a token of appreciation on behalf of the branch to Kathryn Hogan after five years of service as Branch Genealogist at the May AGM. Sue shared a Power Point presentation of her visit to New England in search of her roots and told of some of the tours she went on such as the Mayflower II and the Plimouth Plantation. Along with this she had several old photo albums and a portrait of Titus Williams, son of Johnathan Williams UE on display. It was a very interesting presentation. 4

5 Silent Auction There will be a silent auction going on during the luncheon and I hope everyone will participate and make it a success. The third item up for auction is the book Loyalists and Layabouts: The Rapid Rise and Faster Fall of Shelburne, Nova Scotia, donated by Kathryn Hogan with a starting bid of $5. The first item up for auction is 1813 a watercolour painting in shades of grey created by member Judith Girty UE with a starting bid of $50. The second item up for auction are 16 porcelain mother and child dolls called Tender Moments by the Royalton Collection. donated by Dan Griffin UE with a starting bid of $25. Margaret Lewis UE and President Bonnie Schepers UE in June

6 Executive Position Volunteers Vice-President Needed This position will require someone who will share responsibilities at branch meetings with the president, introductions, announcements, etc., also attendance at four Branch executive meetings per year and to represent the president when president is unavailable for meetings or events. Membership Volunteers Needed Volunteers are needed for Education Outreach, Social Committee, Fund-raising, Greeting members and Public Relations. A sign-up sheet will be available at the meeting. Social Committee - There will be a sign-up sheet for volunteers for a Social Committee to bring refreshments to our meetings. We only have three meetings a year where refreshments are required, such as baked goods, cheese and fruit trays, this will free up funds that could be better used for branch events. Educational Outreach Persons volunteering for this position will be responsible for educating the next generation about the UE Loyalists. This will entail making presentations as guest speakers at local schools. Meeting Greeter We are in need of a volunteer to greet the membership, welcome guests, hand out name tags. Fund-Raising We need volunteers to be in charge of fund-raising. This person will sell raffle tickets and the like at meetings. Bicentennial Branch Calendar of Meetings and Social Events 2013 March 2nd, 2013, 1:.00 pm General Meeting at Church of the Epiphany in Kingsville, 2014 membership draw. Show and Tell and Dominion Conference slide show. May 11th, 2013, 1:00pm Annual General Meeting, Guest Speaker: Central West Region Vice-President Sue Hines UE, historic plate raffle, at Church of the Epiphany in Kingsville. June 15th, 2013, 11:30 am Bicentennial Branch Loyalists Day Family Picnic at Provincial Marines Commissariat in Amherstburg. Details to be announced. September 21st, 2013, 11:30 am Annual Luncheon, Guest Speaker: Jean Rae Baxter UE, at Church of the Epiphany in Kingsville. November 9th, 2013, 1:00pm General Meeting, Guest Speaker: Ruth Nicholson UE, at Church of the Epiphany in Kingsville. Bicentennial Branch 2014 Project Time is running out! I hope everyone has spent the summer working on a story of some sort, whether it be an interesting find while researching, a family legend that has been passed down about your loyalist ancestor, a family tradition, poetry, anything you wish to contribute. Submissions can be sent to me by at: newsletter@uelbicentennial.org or mailed to: Earline Bradt UE 71 Askew Street, Leamington, ON N8H 1Y1 NEW! Genealogy Workshop There will be a Genealogy Workshop in January of 2014 for members. The genealogy Workshop will be held at ECHRS in Essex and will begin with a presentation from a registered genealogist, working copies and guidance suggestions. Laptops will be helpful as well as internet. For those without computers, materials for note-taking, maybe a tape recorder if you like, will suffice. The cost will be: $10 for pre-registration and $15 for walk-ins if space is available. A bag lunch is suggested. More information will be available in the next newsletter. 6

7 Bicentennial Branch Loyalist Day Social The Bicentennial Branch Loyalist Day social gathering at the Commissary at the Navy Yard in Amherstburg was enhanced by the inclusion of Peter Rindlisbacher, artist, who was promoting his book of his paintings of the ships that took part in the War of Susan Hutchins commented: It turned out to be a wonderful event. We got to setup our lawn chairs on the lawn under the big trees. There was a wedding party having pictures taken by the band stand. There were big freighters floating by and the gardens were lovely. Linda Iler had brought the loyalist flag, her period costume on a manikin and the early settlement wood-carved map and easel in memory of my sister, Mary Hutchins. The commissariat is lovely inside with lots of memorabilia including pictures of Capt. Barclay, and other nautical items. It was wonderful to be able to purchase signed copies of the new 1812 book--25 years of historical artwork by the author. Peter Rindlisbacher at book-signing. If you weren't able to purchase a book at the event it is available here. Susan Hutchins and Ruth Nicholson with sister Mary Hutchins' carved map of the New Settlement Peter Rindlisbacher speaking about his book. 7

8 I'd like to thank all of the members that sent photos of the event to me as I was unable to attend. More photos will be available on the branch website when updated. 8

9 Pioneer Cemetery Clean-Up submitted by Susan Hutchins UE The old Hutchins cemetery is a heritage site that is suppose to be maintained by the Town of Essex. It is remote - half way between Cornwall and Lakecrest Beach in the former Colchester South Township. Last fall when I went to see it; it had weeds waste high, fallen branches and really needed some attention. Linda Iler with her summer student, Jason Parsons, got a work bee lined up and we meet there along with three Essex P.U.C. workers on Thurs. Aug. 1st. Linda was able to get Ken Turner, who initially got the cemetery cleared and the tombstones cleaned up, to attend along with his son. They straighten the remaining few stones which was super! If the stones are tipped too long and with their age they will break on their own. 9

10 Bicentennial Branch Represents at the S.O.M.M. Kathryn Hogan, Dianne Noble, her granddaughter Chloe and I were happy to have been able to represent the Bicentennial Branch of the UELAC at the South Ontario Military Muster in Essex on Aug. 10 th and 11 th. Linda Iler and other members of S.O.M.M. at the Opening Ceremony which we were able to attend. This year is the 60 th Anniversary of the Korean Armistice and the veterans seated on the grandstand received Commemorative medals. Kathryn at our branch table beside the carved map which drew a lot of interest. Each flag represents a Canadian soldier who died in Afghanistan. Our display board was put together by Susan Hutchins and sister Ruth Nicholson. It was a great week-end, the weather co-operated, attendance was good and the branch gained two members as a result. Personally it was a success as well, I met a cousin for the first time in person on Saturday and on Sunday he brought some old family photos of my paternal great-grandparents and some of their family including a photo of my granduncle in his army uniform in 1916 with his sister before he left for France and never returned. 10

11 In Memory Of E. John Chard UE CHARD, John U.E. (BA M. ED) suddenly at the Kingston General Hospital on Friday May 17th, 2013, in his 91st year. Son of the late Clarence and Rita Chard. Predeceased by his brother Richard Chard. Friends were invited to attend a visitation at the STIRLING FUNERAL CHAPEL 87 James St., Stirling ( ) on Thursday May 23rd, 2013 followed by a service in the chapel at 2p.m. Rev. Nancy Beale officiating. Interment Stirling Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Johns Anglican Church or a Charity of your Choice would be appreciated. On line condolences at Local Event - To the Rafters 200 Years After An event 200 years in the making! The John Snider house, a 200 year old private home in Colchester Village will open its doors to the general public for the first time the evening of Saturday, September 14th. The homeowners are extending an invitation as a special fund raising event commemorating 200 years of peace between Canada and the US, with proceeds to the Essex Region Conservation Foundation for the John R. Park Homestead. It was worth the wait, says Kathy Dowling, a direct descendant of John Snider, who owns the home with her husband Jim. With 2-foot thick limestone walls on the lower level and 1-foot square walnut logs forming the log cabinlike upper level, it's the oldest continuous family-owned house in Essex County. From fascinating architectural detail to snippets of original furniture from the family, and even a ghost story or two this house has it all. The fund-raising event also features live music, costumed characters from the past, a savoury tastings menu of perch, venison, lamb and other period-appropriate foods by Georgina Burns Catering, and wines by Colio Estates. Guests can participate in a silent auction with the highlight prize being dinner, bed and breakfast at the John Snider property itself, next spring. The event is called To the Rafters - a play on the fact that workmen, while building the house 200 years ago, could hear the cannon from the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie while they were installing the roof. On September 14th, guests will have the opportunity to climb up to that same attic to see the construction details. Proceeds from the event will replace the cedar shingle roof on the artifact storage barn at the John R. Park Homestead. Roofs and Rafters all around. The timing for this event is perfect, adds Janet Cobban, Curator of the Homestead. September 2013 will mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie, and the anniversary of the building of the original Snider home. The Dowlings have been very generous to offer to open up their home and host this event. Interest has been incredible and tickets are going fast. Admission is by advance tickets only. Cobban advises that interested people should buy their tickets now, as this once in two hundred years event will sell out quickly. Tickets are available online at: For more information, contact the Homestead: , or jrph@erca.org. 11

12 Historic Plate Raffle Winner Branch Reminders Bicentennial Branch Annual Luncheon Sept. 21, 2013 at Church of the Epiphany in Kingsville Guest Speaker Jean Rae Baxter UE Silent Auction RSVP by Sept. 15 Th, 2013 Linda Congratulations to Russell Quick UE who won the Historic Plate Raffle at the May 2013 AGM. Branch Membership Renewal 2014 Renew by Dec. 31 St, 2013 for a chance to win a free year of membership in Draw to be held at the March 2014 meeting Good luck all! Renewal forms will be available at the branch meetings. Individual membership is $55.00 and Family membership is $75.00 per year. This includes the Bicentennial Branch quarterly newsletter The New Settlement News and one year subscription to the UELAC magazine, The Loyalist Gazette. Make your cheque payable to: Contact Us: website: info@uelbicentennial.org genealogist: genealogist@uelbicentennial.org newsletter editor: newsletter@uelbicentennial.org Information Linda anytime Membership Susan call after 6 pm or weekends. Please leave a detailed message and you will be contacted as soon as possible. Bicentennial Branch UELAC Membership c/o Susan Hutchins UE 2639 Cty Rd 20, R.R.#1 Harrow, Ontario N0R 1G0 UELAC Loyalty License Plate Project Send in your request today! Deadline For Submissions All submissions for the Fall issue of the newsletter must be received by Oct. 15 Th, Centennial Branch Project submissions must be received by Nov. 1 St, newsletter@uelbicentennial.org mail: Earline Bradt UE 71 Askew Street Leamington, ON N8H 1Y1 12