CONTENTS—Character—Hospitality—At home—Fireside—Visitors—Bees—
Raisings—Easter Eggs—Dancing—Hovington House—Caste—Drinks—
Horse-racing—Boxing—Amusements—La Crosse—Duels—Patriotism—
Annexation—Freedom—Egotism—The Loyalists—Instances—Longevity—
Climate of Canada—A quotation—Long lived—The children—The present
race—A nationality Comparison—“U. E. Loyalist”—Their Privileges—
Order of Council—Dissatisfaction.
CHARACTER, CUSTOMS, AMUSEMENTS, PATRIOTISM, AGE AND DESCENDANTS OF THE
U. E. LOYALISTS.
When we compare the motives which actuated all classes of those who
adhered to the Crown with the rebels in their various grades, we feel to
exult and express sincere thankfulness that the fathers of Upper Canada
were honest, devoted, loyal, truthful, law-abiding, and actuated by the
higher motives which spring from religion. The habits of the loyalists
were simple, and comparatively free from immorality. Their love of order
and adherence to law is noteworthy. No people in the world have been
characterised by so firm and devoted adherence to the established laws
than the U. E. Loyalists. Never deprived of that freedom which ennobles
the man, they always abominated that monstrous offshoot of republican
liberty which teaches a man to take the law in his own hands. In later
years in Canada some strife has been witnessed between parties who have
introduced their national feuds from the old country. But those who
fought in the revolutionary war, and who mainly assisted to drive back
the invading foe in 1812, have always been peace-loving citizens. Lynch
Law, (a term derived from a man of that name living in South Carolina,
who constituted himself the arbiter between any contestants, and to
their satisfaction) has always been held in utter detestation.
The settlers were always hospitable. The circumstances of their life, in
which they so often were cast upon the care and attention of others,
made each experience the deep feeling of gladness to have a visitor,
which belongs to a sense of kindness received. In this they differed
widely from the people of the more Northern States. Strangers were never
turned away, and a clergyman, no matter of what denomination, was
received “right gladly.” The Rev. Mr. Smart says that he was often up
the Bay in his early days of ministerial labor, and he was ever treated
by the inhabitants of all classes, with great hospitality. And after a
few years had worn away, carrying with them the burden of many heart
sorrows, there came an occasional opportunity to exchange friendly
hospitality. Visiting indeed became a regular “institution,” to borrow a
Yankee phrase. Near neighbours would of an evening call in, uninvited,
to spend the evening, and talk over the times, present, past and coming.
Sometimes visits were made to friends a long distance off, going by
canoe or batteau, or perchance on horseback, by a bridle-path, with
saddle-bags containing oats for the horse. But the winter visits were
characterised more especially by genial hospitality. On such occasions
the hostess brought forth things new and old. Choice viands, carefully
stored away, were brought to the light. The first fruits of the soil
were lavishly spread upon the unassuming board. The famine of 1787–8,
and the subsequent lack of the necessaries of life, and the total
absence of luxuries for many a year, had the effect of intensifying the
value that might naturally be placed upon plenty and luxury. To be truly
entertaining to guests, was to set before them a feast of good things.
Hence it came in the later years of the country that the table of the
well-to-do farmer always groaned with substantials and delicacies. On
those occasions the old soldier recounted his deeds of warfare, and
hairbreadth escapes, and his struggles in the wilderness. The blazing
hearth became the centre of attractive conversation, and lit up the
hardy faces of the pioneers, and the milder countenances of their wives
and daughters, while in the back ground might be seen the bright eyes of
the children, listening to the tales that were told. The younger ones
had been ordered off to bed, but they lie wakeful in their bunks, which
were in the same room, to catch the ever flowing talk. The conversation
at these times did not always relate to those matters above stated, it
often took a mysterious turn, and ghosts became the subject of their
evening’s talk. The above is not from imagination, but in substance from
the lips of more than one, who remembers to have occupied the little
bunk and listened upon many an evening to the conversations.
Family visiting was a common mode of exchanging civilities. It was
necessary because of the widely separated houses. The evenings were
times of the most pleasing reunions. Every log house possessed a large
Dutch fireplace, into which was placed a back log of immense size, while
upon the hand irons, or, as at first, large square stones was heaped
light dry wood which sent forth a cheerful blaze. By the light thus made
there would be in the fall and winter carried on various household
duties, each family was to a great extent dependent upon themselves for
almost everything required upon a farm, or about a farm-house. The wife
would be busy carding, or making clothes of home-made linen, or of
cloth. The daughters would be employed in mending or darning. The farmer
would be engaged in making or repairing harness, or boots, or “fixing”
an implement of husbandry, while the son would be fashioning an
axe-helve, or an ox-yoke, or whittling a whip handle. The simple meal,
though of a homely fare, was satisfying, for their taste was not
pampered by unnecessary luxuries when alone. But when company came
everything was changed. The work was put aside, and they set themselves
out to make their visitors enjoy themselves. They would encircle the
wide and glowing fire, and indulge in the most amiable talk. There was
no spirit of envy in their midst, but a quiet content and thankfulness
that the wilderness was beginning to blossom. The triumphs of the past
would be duly recounted, and the future looked forward to with highest
hopes. Plans would be canvassed and laid for the children, while apples,
cider and nuts would receive due attention by all. At these meetings
were often the young folks—marriageable daughters and sons who had been
preparing to go on the other farm, or back hundred acres where a log
house was partially erected; before long the company would be divided
into two distinct groups, the old and the young. Sometimes matters would
be managed that the older ones would meet at one house and the young at
another, by which means a more pleasing state of things was created. But
courting, or sparking as it was termed, was generally done upon Sunday
evening. The day of rest was the only one when the love-sick swain could
get away. And even the most exemplary Christians regarded “going to see
the girls” on a Sunday night as quite allowable. Then, this practice
favored the desire, so prevalent, to keep secret the intention of any
two to get married.
Visits were made without invitations. To wait for an invitation was
quite contrary to the primitive views of the settlers. The visit must be
a voluntary action. Even to give a hint to one to make a visit by
parties not related was considered as beneath proper respect. It was a
species of independence. “I don’t want one to come to my house if he
don’t want to,” the phase went in that way. But there were occasions
when invitations were sent out, and that was when some help was
required; and to persons not familiar with the habits, it will seem
strange that it was considered a compliment to get an invitation, and a
slight to be neglected. These invitations were to be present at bees,
and help to do work. At the first these bees were common, to put up the
log houses, and get a little clearing done, by a certain time. But
afterwards, though less frequent, they were of a more pretentious
nature. Raising Bees were in time, indications of prosperity. A frame
barn or house showed that the farmer was progressing, and in accordance
with the general expectation, treated “the hands” with the best he had.
Then there were, beside the raising bees, the clearing bees, logging
bees, and stone bees, and husking bees, and in later times apple bees;
and there was the women’s bee for quilting. All these meetings were of a
more or less hilarious order. The work was done, and done with a will;
it was a sort of duty—a matter of principle that either the work should
be done, or a proper effort made to that end. For many years spirituous
liquors were dealt out, or set freely before the men, but in time, some,
seeing the evil of drinking, and sometimes fearful of accidents,
determined to discontinue the custom. Whether drinking was indulged in
or not, all were treated to a glorious supper, generally of pot-pie and
cakes, and pies of pumpkin and apple. The women folks of course,
required assistance, and the neighbours would come to help, so that at
night there would be collected a goodly number of both sexes. Husking
bees and apple bees took place at night, but they did not last so long
that no time was allowed for amusement. And then commenced the play and
the dance. At first these unions and plays were exceedingly harmless and
indulged in with the utmost artlessness. The young of both sexes were
well known to each other, and it was more like a family gathering than
aught else. But now fortunately these bees and kissing-plays are no
longer in vogue. They were natural enough in the days of primitive
pioneer life; but with increasing inhabitants and the addition of people
of other countries, they became unnatural.
The breaking up of winter brought to a termination for a time, all the
social festivities. In connection with sugar making was here and there a
jovial meeting to “sugar off.”
Aside from the Sabbath there were but few holidays; and, with many,
Christmas was imperfectly observed. Easter was remembered principally
because of the feast of eggs on Sunday. At first, when hens were scarce,
it was not every family that had eggs on that day, or had enough. So it
came to pass that eggs would be preserved beforehand, not by the natural
provider however. The boys regarded it as their prerogative to hide the
eggs for some time before, and even when it was unnecessary, large
numbers would be safely secreted by the young ones. This was generally
done by the youngest, old enough; and he was to so hide them that no one
could find them. The honor was lost if the eggs were found. The Easter
morning consequently was one of anticipation, to see however many eggs
had been preserved.
An old settler of Ameliasburgh discourses of Bees in this wise: “Bees
were great institutions in those days, every settler was licensed to
make two or three each year, provided he furnished a good “pot pie,” and
plenty of grog, and never made any objections to his guests fighting.
Fighting might take place at any stage, but more generally occurred
after work was done, before and after supper.”
Dancing seems to have been particularly attractive to almost all. Almost
every neighbourhood or concession had its fiddler, the only kind of
instrumental music of the times. The fiddler was generally an old
soldier, who had acquired some knowledge of the art of playing during
his time of service.
A kind correspondent, (Morden), has supplied us pleasing information,
obtained from an old resident of Sophiasburgh. This person came from
Adolphustown, when a girl of fifteen, in the first year of the present
century. We quote:—“She tells many funny stories of balls and private
“sprees” that they used to have over in the Indian woods, at Capt.
Isaac’s (Hill), an Indian chief, who had a large house, which is still
occupied, and which appears to have been the scene of numberless “hops,”
&c. They could have a civil dance at Captain Isaac’s, and it would not
cost much. The Sixth Town youngsters seem to have delighted in
patronizing his house.” This young woman married and became, with her
husband, a pioneer of Ameliasburgh, in 1805. It seems that these new
settlers of the Seventh Town considered themselves somewhat superior to
the inhabitants generally, and would not join in their “frolickings,”
but would occasionally visit Sophiasburgh for the purpose of having a
“spree.” This feeling of caste was a marked feature in the several
townships at an early date.
The Hovington House, situated about sixty rods above the bridge at
Picton, was a place of no little fame. It was built by one Hovington who
came with VanAlstine. It was a long narrow edifice forty or fifty feet
deep, and about twenty feet broad, and not very high. It was divided
into two portions by a log partition, the ends of which projected
without. This public house was especially for the benefit of the
settlers at East Lake, in their journeyings back and forth across the
Carrying Place. To use the language of our informant, “it was a great
place to dance and frolic.” At stated times the bay settlers would come
even from forty miles distance, Fredericksburgh on the east, and the
Carrying Place and Sidney on the west. But now the foundation of the old
building which so often resounded to the sounds of mirth, the fiddle,
and the tripping feet, can scarcely be traced.
As a general thing, the hard pinching circumstances of the new country
brought all to a common level, excepting a few Government officials. But
in certain localities there existed a feeling of superciliousness, not
very deep, but yet it was there. The places, and the inhabitants
thereof, in time, became noted as being “big feeling” or stylish. For
instance, the denizens of Kingston regarded the settlers up the bay as
somewhat behind them; while the people of the Fourth Town spoke
disparagingly of the Fifth Towners. By the settlers of the Sixth and
Seventh Towns, the citizens of Sidney and Thurlow were looked upon as
stylish. But the wheel of fortune turned with many a one.
Amusement, and diversions of different kinds, when properly used, are
not only allowable, but even salutary to man’s physical and mental
state; but if uncontrolled by reason; if irrational from want of
education, they may easily run into excess and immorality. To the
educated man, who is cast away from all that can supply food for his
mind, there is a terrible danger of seeking unholy and even vicious
sources to allay the constant longing after mental food. There is
likewise a danger of such seeking artificial excitement. To such the
evil of intemperance too often comes with overwhelming waves steadily
and certainly flowing. The first settlers of Upper Canada, when their
circumstances are taken into consideration, and the usages of the times,
it must be said, were not particularly addicted to the evil of
intemperance. In after years, this evil did certainly increase; but at
the first, although almost everyone had liquor of some kind in the
house, yet the great majority were guiltless of excess. In those early
days, teetotalism and temperance societies were unknown; but it must be
here mentioned that the first temperance society organized in Canada,
was in Adolphustown. The drinking usages of the day among all classes
led to the erection of distilleries and breweries at an early period.
There was also an extensive traffic in rum, and it is known that many a
one made himself rich by selling to buyers along the bay, and across the
Carrying Place up the lake, even as far as York.
Perhaps the most common out-of-door amusement was horse-racing, after
horses became more general among the settlers. It was looked upon as
dancing was by all, as amusement of the most unobjectionable character,
and it is said of a certain reverend individual, that he was accustomed
to run horses on his way home after preaching. Probably this was true,
as the same person became a reprobate. On the occasion of the annual
training of the Militia, which took place for many a year, the 4th June,
(and this comes within the writer’s recollection) there was, at the
different training places, more or less of horse racing. These races
were made, not by horses trained specially for the purpose, but by such
animals as were in daily use by the farmers, some of which, although
ungainly in looks, and in indifferent condition, could get over the
ground in a remarkably short time.
Kingston and Newark being military stations, were, from the presence of
officers, who were always gentlemen by birth, more dignified in the ways
of amusement. Not but gentlemen existed through the country, but not in
sufficient numbers to regulate the modes of pleasure, and give tone to
society. The officers were very fond of horse-racing, and would
frequently spend field days, especially the King’s Birthday in testing
the mettle of their steeds. At these there would generally be a great
entertainment by the ladies who, says Colonel Clarke, would be
gorgeously clad in “brilliant dresses, with threads of silver forming
the motto, _God save the King_.”
A kind of amusement common at the close of the last century, and the
beginning of the present, in America, and to a certain extent in Canada,
was that of boxing—boxing that too often amounted to brutal fighting.
There were a certain number in every township who availed themselves of
training days to show their athletic qualifications. Gourlay says, 1817,
that “pugilism, which once prevailed, is now declining.” And at the
present day, happily, it is confined to those of a brutish disposition.
It is only the lowest who find amusement in engaging in, or witnessing
pugilistic encounters.
As Upper Canada was, in a limited sense, an offshoot of Lower Canada, so
but a few of the peculiarities of Lower Canada were introduced to the
Upper. One was that of _Charivariing_, which means a great noise with
petty music. It was introduced from France. The custom is now almost
obsolete among us, but time was when it was quite common. It generally
was indulged in at second marriages, or when an unequal match and
marriage took place; when a young girl married an old man for instance,
or if either party were unpopular. The night of the wedding, instead of
being passed in joyous in-door pleasures by the wedded ones, was made
hideous by a crowd of masked persons, who with guns, tin-pans, pails,
horns, horse-fiddles, and everything else that could be made to produce
a discordant noise, disturbed the night until silenced by a treat, or
money. Sometimes those meetings resulted in serious consequences to one
or more of the party, by the bridegroom resorting to loaded fire-arms.
Sometimes the native Indians contributed to the general amusement, upon
days when there was a public gathering. Now and then they engaged alone
in certain sports which would be witnessed by the whites. Playing ball—
bandy-ball, lacrosse, foot-races, and the war-dance, were occasionally
engaged in. The present fashionable game of lacrosse is of Indian
origin, and may well be remembered by every Canadian, and even American.
After the conquest of Canada, when the Great Ottawa chief Pontiac had
effected an alliance of all the western and northern tribes, to destroy
the frontier forts of the British. There were several forts, originally
French, along the upper lakes; two notably, one at Detroit, the other at
Michilmacinac. Smaller forts had been attacked and taken, in most cases
by treachery and Indian cunning. These two forts remained untaken.
Pontiac devised the plan of pretending to wish for peace. With the
ostensible intention of holding a council to make peace, the chiefs were
to enter the forts; while the Indians, engaged in ball-playing along the
ramparts, were to amuse those within the ramparts. The squaws were to be
present, seemingly as spectators, but in reality to hold under their
blankets, rifles, the ends of which had been cut off for concealment. At
a given signal, the ball was to be knocked over the outer defence, and
the Indians were to rush in as if to get it; but seizing their rifles
from the women who had placed themselves conveniently, they were to rush
in to slaughter the unsuspecting inmates. At Michilmacinac this proved
successful, and the whole garrison was massacred, and Detroit barely
escaped the same fate.
DUELING.—At the time when fierce encounters took place between organized
forces in America, which resulted in the independence of the United
States, and the settlement of Upper Canada, the practise of duelling
obtained among the higher classes. Happily, this heinous crime, an
outrage against humanity, is no longer tolerated where British laws and
British principles of justice and freedom have force. But such was not
the case seventy years ago. The early history of Canada witnessed a few
personal engagements of honor. The first duel was between Peter Clark,
Chief Clerk of the Legislative Council, and Captain Sutherland of the
25th regiment. The meeting took place at Kingston, and Mr. Clark fell
fatally wounded. This occurred in the winter of 1795.
On the 22nd July, 1817, a duel was fought between S. P. Jarvis, Esq.,
and Mr. John Ridout. The latter received a wound in the chest and died
in about an hour.
“DUEL.—On Friday the 11th inst., Alexander McMillan, Esquire, and
Alexander Thom, Esquire, met in a field on the Brockville Road, to
decide an affair of honor—the former attended by Mr. Radenhurst, and
the latter by Mr. Cumming. After exchanging shots, the seconds
interfered, and on mutual explanations being made, the matter
terminated amicably. Doctor Thom received a contusion on the leg.”
One of the latest instances in which a duel was fought in Upper Canada,
occurred some forty years ago. The event resulted in the death of one of
the combatants, the other, who was tried for his life, has now for some
years adorned the bench of the Province.
PATRIOTISM.—In no country upon the face of the Globe, and at no period
in the history of any country, has appeared a higher or purer order of
patriotism, than is written upon the pages of the history of British
America. British connection is to mostly every son of the land dearer
even than life itself. At least it has been so in respect to those of
whom we write, the U. E. Loyalists. Co-equal with the love they have to
the British Crown, is the hearty aversion they bear to Republicanism.
Neither the overtures of annexation, nor the direct and indirect
attempts to coerce, has produced a momentary wavering on the part of the
descendants of the ancient stock. Americans in our midst have vainly
tried to inoculate the minds of the people with the principles of
Republican Government; but the Canadian mind was too free, the body
politic too healthy, the system too strong to imbibe any lasting feeling
of desire to change the tried for the untried. The few annexationists
who have, from time to time, existed, were but the fungoid offshoot of a
healthy plant. From the time Franklin and his coadjutors vainly essayed
to draw the French Canadian into their rebellious cause, until the
present there has been a frequently manifested desire, on the part of
the United States, to force us into the union. The contemptible
duplicity of Webster, who concealed from Ashburton the existence of a
second map, whereby he tricked Canada, Yankee like, out of a valuable
portion of territory along the Atlantic coast, with a view of cutting us
off from the ocean. The declaration of war in 1812, and the repeated but
unsuccessful invasions of our Province. The proclamations issued to
Canadians, by the would be conquerors, Hull, Wilkinson, and others.
Their sympathy and aid to turbulent spirits in 1836–7. The attempts at
bullying England when she was at war with Russia. The organization of
the Fenian association, with the publicly avowed purpose of seizing some
portion of our Province. The abrogation of the Reciprocity Treaty, the
object of which was proclaimed by Consul Potter—all along the eighty
years’ history of the United States, is to be seen a disreputable
attempt, by all possible means, to bully a weaker neighbor. All this
does not become a great and honorable nation, a nation so extensive,
whose people are so loud-tongued upon the principles of liberty—Liberty!
The name with the United States is only synonymous with their
government. They cannot discover that a people should be free to choose
their own form of government, always excepting those who rebelled in
1776. Oh yes! we have liberty to choose; but then we must choose in
accordance with Yankee ideas of liberty. Egotistic to the heart’s core,
they cannot understand how we entertain views dissimilar to their own.
How applicable the words of the immortal Burns:—
“O wad some power the giftie gie us,
To see oursels as others see us:
It wad frae monie a blunder free us
An’ foolish notion.”
Without detracting from the well-known loyalty of the other sections of
the Province, it may be safely said that the inhabitants of the Bay
Quinté and St. Lawrence, and Niagara, have proved themselves devotedly
attached to British institutions. The U. E. Loyalists have been as a
barrier of rock, against which the waves of Republicanism have dashed in
vain. It has been the refugee-settlers and their descendants, who
prevented the Province from being engulfed in its dark waters. In 1812,
in ‘37, and at all times, their loyalty has never wavered. It has been
elsewhere stated, that settlers from the States came in at a later date.
Those were found likewise truly loyal. Says McMullen, speaking of the
war of 1812, “But comparatively few Canadians joined the American
standard in the war, and throughout which none were more gallant in
rolling back the tide of unprincipled avarice than the emigrant from New
England and New York, who aside from the U. E. Loyalist, had settled in
the country.” There were a few renegades who forsook the country, not so
much to join the enemy as because they had no soul to fight. In this
connection it will be desirable to refer to one notable case; that of
“Bill Johnson.”
The following will sufficiently shew how intense were the feelings of
loyalty many years ago. The writer’s father was present at a meeting,
which was conducted by a minister lately from the United States, and who
was unaccustomed to pray for the King. The good man thought only of his
allegiance to the King of Kings, and omitted, in the extemporaneous
prayer, to pray for the King of England. Whereupon Mr. T. arose and
requested the preacher either to pray for his Majesty, or leave his
territories. The minister did not again forget so manifest a duty. In
this connection, we cannot forbear inserting another instance of
Canadian loyalty, which exhibited itself not long ago in the loyal city
of Toronto.
“CANADIAN LOYALTY.—A very extraordinary manifestation of feeling
took place on Thursday night last in Toronto, at the closing meeting
of the Sabbath School Convention. A gentleman from New York
delivered a parting address, on behalf of the American visitors who
had attended the Convention; at the conclusion of which he referred
to our Queen as a “model woman,” and said that from the fulness of
his heart he could say, ‘Long live Her Majesty Queen Victoria!’ When
he gave expression to this sentiment there was such an outburst of
enthusiastic loyalty that every one seemed carried completely away.
The immense audience immediately commenced such a cheering, and
clapping of hands, as is seldom seen, and kept it up till there was
an accidental “change of exercise.” Under the powerful excitement of
the moment, a gentleman near the platform commenced singing “God
Save the Queen,” when the entire audience rose to their feet and
joined in singing it through. That was singing with a will! Several
persons were quite overpowered, and even wept freely. It was simply
an unpremeditated expression of the warm devotion of the Canadian
heart to the best Queen that ever sat on the British throne.”
LONGEVITY.—The climate of Canada, even of Ontario, is by some considered
very severe. The months of unpleasant weather which intervene between
summer and winter, and again between winter and summer; and the snowy
months of winter itself are not, it must be admitted, so agreeable as in
other climates. And, occasionally, even the summer itself is
comparatively cold. For instance, in 1817, snow fell at Kingston in the
month of June. But, notwithstanding the occasional severity, and the
general unpleasantness, (although all do not so consider it) the climate
of Canada seems conducive to longevity. Both in Upper and Lower Canada,
among the French and English may be found a great many instances of
wonderfully extended age. There is a school of naturalists, who
entertain the belief that the races of men are strictly indigenous; that
if removed from the land of their birth, they will degenerate, and
unless intermixed with constantly flowing recruits, will ultimately die
out. They assert that the European races transplanted to America are
doomed to degeneration and death so soon as emigration shall cease to
maintain the vitality brought by the original settlers. To this view we
have ventured to give very positive dissent, and have supported this
position in another place with the following language: “In Canada are to
be seen quite remote descendants of the most prominent people of Europe,
the British and French, and, I am prepared to assert, with no marked
signs of physical degeneration, the French of Lower Canada, even under
many adverse circumstances, have fully maintained their ancient bodily
vigor, and can compare favorably with the present inhabitants of old
France, while their number has increased.” Yet their ancestors, many of
them, emigrated two hundred years ago; and, since the colony became a
part of Britain, no replenishment has been received from the old stock.
“Turning to Upper Canada, we find a fact no less important, and quite as
antagonistic to the theory. In consequence of the American Revolutionary
war, some twenty-five or thirty thousand United Empire Loyalists were
forced, or induced, to seek a home in the Canadian wilderness. Many of
these were descendants of those who had first peopled New Holland. A
large number settled along the St. Lawrence and the Bay of Quinté. In
the main, indeed, almost altogether, until very recently, these old
settlers have intermarried. The great-grandchildren of those American
pioneers now live on the old homestead, and are found scattered over the
whole Province. And although I have no positive data upon which to base
my assertion; yet, from careful observation, I have no hesitation in
declaring that in physical development, in slight mortality among the
children, in length of life, in powers of endurance, not to say in
bravery and patriotism, they cannot be excelled by any class of
emigrants.”—(Principles of Surgery).
Since the above was written, we have become more intimately acquainted
with regard to the longevity, both among the French and Anglo-Canadians;
and the opinion then expressed has been greatly strengthened. Respecting
the latter class, personal observation has aided us. In our frequent
visits to different parts, made during the last few years, we have
enjoyed the opportunity of conversing with many persons who had much
over-ran the period allotted to man; and others who had exceeded their
three score years and ten. Some of them have been spectators of the very
scenes of the settlement of the country, and retain a vivid recollection
of the events attending that trying period. Venerable, with hairs
blossoming for the grave, and chastened by the long endured fire of
affliction, they are happy in their old age. They connect the present
with the past, and remind us how great the heritage they have secured to
us from a vast, untrodden wilderness. Notwithstanding the toils, the
privations in early life, ere the tender child had merged into the
adult, when the food was limited, and often inferior in quality, they
yet have had iron constitutions that in the earnest contingency of life
served them well. Of course, the plain and regular habits of the
settlers, with plenty of out-door exercise, assisted to promote long
life, and give them a hardy nature. We have knowledge of a vast number
who attained to a great age. Of those who lived to an old age, “A
Traveler,” writing in 1835 says of Upper Canada, “I often met the
venerable in years.”
The children and grand-children of the early settlers live, in many
cases, to as great an age as their fathers.
DESCENDANTS.—While there were some among the first settlers of
European birth, the majority were of American birth, and possessed
the characteristics of the colonists of that day. But, separated
from the people and the scenes intimate to them in their youth, and
living in the profound shades of the interminable wilderness, they
gradually lost many of their characteristic features and habits, and
acquired others instead.
The Canadian immigrant, be he English, Irish, or Scotch, or even German
or French, will, as time gives lines to his face, and gray hair to his
head, insensibly lose many of the peculiarities of his race, and in the
end sensibly approximate to the character and appearance of the people
among whom he has settled. The children of the emigrant, no matter what
pains the parents may take to preserve in their children what belongs to
their own native country, will grow up quite unlike the parents. So much
is this the case that any one on entering a mixed school, high or low,
or by noticing the children at play, as he passes along the street,
whose parents are both natives and foreigners, would find it quite
impossible to point out one from the other, whether the child was of
Canadian parentage, or whether its parents were of another country. The
fact at which it is desired to get is that emigrants to Canada, no
matter how heterogeneous, are gradually moulded into a whole more or
less homogenous. That this is observable somewhat in the emigrant
himself, but decidedly so in the children. The fact being admitted that
a transformation is slowly but certainly effected, it may be inquired by
what influence it is accomplished. It cannot be due solely, to the
climate, nor to dress, nor diet, nor the original habits of the people,
although each has its influence. Must we not search for a more powerful
cause of peculiarity as a people, in some other channel. A natural one
seemingly presents itself. The growth of a nation, as the growth of a
tree will be modified by its own intrinsic vitality, and at the same
time by external circumstances. Upper Canada was planted by British
heroes of the American Revolution. It arose out of that revolution. The
first settlers were U. E. Loyalists. The majority of the original
settlers were natives of America, and brought up in one or other of the
provinces that rebelled. They were Americans in all respects, as much as
those who took sides with the rebels, yet to-day the descendants of the
U. E. Loyalists are as unlike the descendants of the rebels, as each is
unlike a full blooded Englishman. The pure Yankee and the Canadian of
the first water may trace their ancestors to a common parentage, and
have the same name. As Canadians we are not afraid to institute a
comparison between ourselves and the natives of New England or New York,
or Pennsylvania. Let the comparison refer to any question whatever,
either of the body or mind, of society or of government. The external
influences which have operated have been elsewhere indicated. The
circumstances of the U. E. Loyalists as settlers in a wilderness, were
widely different from those of the States after the Independence was
secured. Incessant toil and privations, without opportunities for
acquiring education, on the one hand; on the other there was all the
advantages of civilization. And so it continued for nearly half a
century. It is to be desired that we had statistics to show the
difference as to longevity, and general health. Suffice it to say that
scientific men are debating the cause of gradual decline among the New
Englanders, while Upper Canada overflows with native population. Another
influence of an external nature, which must not be omitted as operating
upon the loyalists, is that derived from the emigrants from Great
Britain and the officers from the army and navy, and other gentlemen who
became part of the first settlers. That they had a wholesome effect
cannot be doubted, and gave a healthy tone to the provincial mind. From
these internal and external influences the Upper Canadian has been
developed into an individual singular in some respects, but yet
constituting a middle link between the Englishman, and the “Englishman
intensified,” as the American has been called.
The difference in the character between the British American and those
who have lived under Republican Government is a striking commentary upon
the effects of social and political institutions. Canadians may not have
excelled in making wooden nutmegs, and basswood hams; but they have
succeeded in converting a wilderness into a splendid Province. And
although eighty years behind in commencing the race with those who
robbed them of their homes, they have even now caught up in many
respects, and to-day a young State with great breadth and resources
presents itself at the threshold of nations. It has for a population a
stable people. Canada has no long list of cruel charges against her for
aggression. Her escutcheon is clean as the northern snow against which
she rests, from the stains of blood—blood of the Indian, the African,
the Mexican, or of a neighbor.
After all, notwithstanding this bright record of loyalty on the part of
settlers and their descendants, yet the Bay of Quinté inhabitants were
not permitted to receive the heir to the Crown of England, to support
which, their sires suffered so much. They spilled their blood, they
suffered starvation; and yet by the advice of one who held in higher
consideration the Roman Catholic Church, than the grand-children of the
U. E. Loyalists. The Prince of Wales passed up and down the bay without
landing. They waited with burning enthusiasm to receive the Prince, but
he passed and repassed without gratifying their desire. Notwithstanding
this there were some who followed him to Toronto, determined to pay
their respect to the Prince, notwithstanding the Duke of Newcastle.
“THE U. E. LIST.”—It will be remembered that a certain number of
Americans who had remained in the States, were induced to remove to
Canada by a proclamation issued by Simcoe; many of these were always
loyalists in heart, some had become tired of republicanism, and others
were attracted by the offer of lands, free grants of which were offered
upon paying fees of office, some $30. By this means a new element was
added to the Province. At the same time the first settlers were to be
placed in a position to which the newcomers, however loyal, could never
attain.
Distinct from the general class is here meant those whose names were
entered upon a list ordered to be prepared by Government. “To put a mark
of honor,” as it was expressed in the orders of Council, “upon the
families who had adhered to the unity of the empire and joined the royal
standard in America, before the treaty of separation in the year 1783,
to the end that their posterity might be discriminated from the then
future settlers. From the initials of two emphatic words, the unity of
the empire, it was styled the “U. E. List,” and they, whose names were
entered on it, were distinguished as the U. E. Loyalists, a distinction
of some consequence, for, in addition to the promise of such loyalty by
themselves, it was declared that their children, as well as those born
hereafter, as those already born, should, upon arriving at the age of
twenty-one years, and females upon their marriage within that age, be
entitled to grants of 200 acres each, free from all expense.” Upon
arriving at age, the descendant petitioned the Governor, stating the
facts upon oath, and accompanied with the affidavit of one person. The
order was issued, and land in one of the newer townships was duly
allotted and the patent issued free of cost.
The following is the order of Council referring to the grants of land to
the U. E. Loyalists:
“QUEBEC, Monday, 9th Nov. 1789.”
Present, LORD DORCHESTER and thirteen Councillors.
“His Lordship intimated to the Council, that it remained a question
upon the regulations for the disposition of the waste lands of the
Crown, whether the board constituted for that purpose, were
authorized to make locations to the sons of loyalists, on their
arriving to full age, and that it was his wish to put a mark of
honor upon the families who had adhered to the unity of the empire,
and joined the Royal standard in America, before the treaty of
separation in the year 1783.”
“The Council concurring with his Lordship, it is accordingly
ordered, that the several land boards take course for preserving a
registry of the names of all persons falling under the description
aforementioned, to the end that their posterity may be discriminated
from future settlers, in the parish registers, and rolls of the
militia of their respective districts, and other public remembrances
of the Province, as proper objects, by their persevering in the
fidelity and conduct so honorable to their ancestors, for
distinguished benefits and privileges.”
“And it is also ordered that the said land boards may, in every such
case, provide not only for the sons of the loyalists, as they arrive
at full age, but for their daughters also, of that age, or on their
marriage, assigning to each a lot of 200 acres, more or less,
provided, nevertheless, that they respectfully comply with the
general regulations, and that it shall satisfactorily appear that
there has been no default in the due cultivation and improvement of
the lands already assigned to the head of the family of which they
are members.”
In the first days of the Upper Canadian Militia, instructions were given
to the Captains in each battalion that in the roll of members, all of
the U. E. Loyalists enrolled should have the capitals U. E. affixed to
their names.
After the war of 1812, it became necessary for the applicant to present
a certificate from a Clerk of the Peace that he retained his loyalty.
The following is the order of the Executive Council:
YORK, 27th June, 1816.
“Public notice is hereby given by order of His Excellency Governor
in Council, that no petition from sons and daughters of U. E.
Loyalists will be hereafter received without a certificate from the
Magistrate in Quarter Sessions, signed by the chairman and Clerk of
the Peace, that the parent retained his loyalty during the late war,
and was under no suspicion of aiding or assisting the enemy. And if
a son then of age, that he also was loyal during the late war, and
did his duty in defense of the Province. And if a daughter of an U.
E. L. married, that her husband was loyal, and did his duty in
defense of the Province.” (Signed) JOHN SMALL, Clerk of the
Executive Council.
The steps taken by Government to prevent persons not actually upon the
U. E. List from enjoying the peculiar privileges operated sometimes
against the U. E. Loyalists unpleasantly, which led to some agitation,
as the following will show:
In the year 1832, a meeting was held at Bath. Referring to this meeting
the Kingston _Herald_, of April 4, says:
The alleged injustice of the Government with regard to the sons and
daughters of U. E. Loyalists has been a fruitful source of complaint by
the grievance-mongers. At the late Bath meeting Mr. PERRY offered the
following amendment to a resolution, which was negatived by a large
majority,
“Resolved, That a free grant of 200 acres of the waste lands of the
Crown, by His Majesty the King, to the U. E. Loyalists and their sons
and daughters, was intended as a mark of His Majesty’s Royal munificence
towards those who had shown a devotedness to His Majesty’s person and
government during the sanguinary struggle at the late American
Revolution, and that the settlement duty required of late to be
performed by the above description of persons and others equally
entitled to gratuitous grants, and also their not being allowed the
privilege of locating in any, or all townships surveyed and open for
location, appears to this meeting to be unjust, and ought therefore to
be abolished.”