Spring 1999
Grand River Branch
The Branch celebrated its 25th anniversary in September with Past Presidents Dr. Vera Vanderlip, Ruth Chapin Gould, Doris Wilson, John Chard, Garry Cooper, Irene MacCrimmon and Doris Lemon in the colour parade in the chapel in the new Luther Village On The Park in Waterloo. Eighty-four attended with Special guests Ed Scott, Dominion President, Bernice Flett and Lois Dickinson and Shirley Dargatz from Chilliwack Branch. Dr. Kenneth McLaughlin, History Professor, University of Waterloo, spoke on Causes of The American Revolution and then commented on Jack Granatstein’s book Who Killed Canadian History?. Eleanor Chapin, Branch Genealogist, read the Charter. Refreshments followed in the banquet room decorated with red, white and blue flowers and two cakes with the Union Flag.
Branch Outreach Program continues throughout the year. Highlights were:
A display at Founding Families Day at Backus Conservation Area; a display at Norfolk Historical Society’s Genealogy Fair in Simcoe; a Loyalist Genealogy Night and Workshop for Norfolk Genealogical Society, hosted by Bill Terry; Joy and Despair of Mary Titus Williams at Women’s Probus Club in Burlington and History 101 at University of Waterloo.
The Youngs — United Empire Loyalists — Historic Monument was unveiled at York on the Grand River in the presence of many Young Descendants by Marnie Clarke, UE, family organizer. President Ed Scott brought Dominion greetings and Bernice Flett, standing in for Grand River President Bill Terry, paid splendid tribute to the Young Family and this handsome monument. The tribute states, in part: “Adam Young, having had all his land and possessions confiscated during the American Revolution, was granted land in what is now Ontario. He and his sons, John, Daniel and Henry, fought in Butler’s Rangers. Following Adam and his family’s imprisonment, they left New York State to begin anew. After his Discharge from Butler’s Rangers, Adam farmed at Niagara and then joined his sons and their families along the Grand River.” [see also pages 36,37 (of this Gazette edition)]
UEs please note: Grand River Branch and Marnie Clarke invite all interested UEs to attend the Branch meeting June 20th at 2:00, in York, when she will tell the story of the Young Family. Grand River Branch will present a Union Flag.
[photo] Marnie Clarke, UE, Young family researcher standing right of monument. Also attending were Bernice Flett, Past UELAC President, left of monument and President Ed Scott, far right.
Women’s History Project in Haldimand-Norfolk We pass on to you a request from Cheryl MacDonald, Heronwood Enterprises, RR2 Nanticoke, N0A 1L0, for a Women’s History Project which covers early settlement in Haldimand-Norfolk and the Victorian Era 1784-1901 in Vol I and 1901-1974 Vol II.
Norfolk Land Records Proposed Destruction: The Branch commended Waterford-Townsend Historical Society and Spruce Row Museum, Waterford, for acting swiftly to save the valuable Norfolk Land Records from destruction, and sent a cheque for $500.00 toward costs of constructing an atmospherically controlled room in the Museum for their storage.
Muster Rolls of Loyalist Regiments and Corps: Grand River Branch granted funds to Norfolk Historical Society for the purchase of these Rolls which are now in Loyalist Library in Eva Brook Donly Museum, Simcoe. (The Eva Brook Donly Museum is located in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. Eva Brook Donly was an artist who prospered locally during the 19th century. When she died in the early 20th century, she donated her entire estate so that it could be transformed into a museum of Norfolk.)
Chiefswood Opening: The Branch has an on-going interest in and financial support of this home of Chief George Johnson and poetess Emily Pauline Johnson and the re-opening celebration, after restorations, was attended by Doris Marcellus, Branch Liaison with Chiefswood, on June 18th (when other members of the Branch were at the flagraising ceremony at Queen’s Park). The Oneida Brass Band played. Carolyn King of the Mississaugas of New Credit congratulated the Six Nations on the restoration and noted that Pauline had a garden of her own nearby which will be restored along with a building which was the kitchen. Only one bedroom is open. Wallpapering, which will match the original as closely as possible, is not finished. Original rugs are down, having been stored for years in the attic. Future plans call for construction of an interpretation centre with washrooms. Canada Futures and Initiative Fund raised $312.00 for the work. Grand River Branch repaired a hole in the roof to preserve the building while funding was being negotiated.
Millennium Project Grant for permanent display on Loyalists In The Long Point Settlement will be applied for in partnership with the Norfolk Historical Society for a mural in Eva Brook Donly Museum, Simcoe, in the heart of Loyalist settlement. Artists’ concept portrays life in the Thirteen Colonies before and during the Revolution; Migration to Upper Canada; Establishing a Society and Life in Norfolk. It is hoped a special “preview” will be held for members following the Convention in Niagara Area in 2000.
Doris Ann Lemon
My Trip to Ontario to Honour my UEL Ancestor, Adam Young
By Patricia Kelderman, UE,
Thompson-Okanagan Branch
I attended the Young Commemoration Plaque unveiling on 12 September 1998. This was a long-awaited ceremony for all my family members as well as myself.
Adam Young was the first in a long line of founding members in our family. Without his courage and strong constitution, the Grand River area of Ontario may have become part of the United States.
There were over 300 descendants attending the ceremony. The pomp and pageantry was a sight to behold and it made us all very proud to be a part of such a historic ceremony.
Speeches were given and introductions made. The sense of pride could be felt when the re-enactment troupe from the Butler’s Rangers marched onto the site and gave a one-gun salute over the Young/Nelles burying grounds where Adam was laid to rest. I’m sure Adam would have been very proud as well.
All the efforts of the Young Plaque Committee were truly a tribute to Adam and the United Empire Loyalists of Ontario.
I would not have missed it for the world. (See the following article on the Youngs.)
Young Family Tree
By Marie F. Walpole, November 1998
On a warm sunny afternoon in early September, a group of people estimated to be about 300 gathered at a clearing near the site of the Young Tract by the banks of the Grand River. Almost all of the people assembled had one thing in common: they were descendants of Adam Young. The occasion was to pay tribute to one of the founding fathers of Ontario.
As the crowd mingled, visiting with long-lost relatives, in the distance could be heard the staccato of the drum. As they came into view, the lone drummer was flanked by a Color Party of Butler’s Rangers in period dress.
The crowd parted to allow the Color Party to march to a place in front of a newly painted fence. There was a presentation of colors among which there were the flags of the Butler’s Rangers, the Union Jack, the Loyalist flag and, brought to the ceremony by a Mohawk Chieftain, was the flag of the First Nations. Mid-ceremony, the Canadian flag was presented by an MPP.
The ceremony started with a duet by Cindy and Laura Young. The Master of Ceremonies was Bernice Flett, UE, Past president of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada. Members of the UELAC from distant points were welcomed including Bob McBride from the Kawartha Branch and Patricia Kelderman from B.C. There were representatives from both the Provincial and federal governments as well as Marie Trainer, Mayor of the Town of Haldimand who identified herself as a Young descendant.
Many of the Young descendants had formed a committee and for many weeks prior to the unveiling had busied themselves preparing the site. The driving force behind this was Marnie Clarke from Almonte, Ontario. As long as I have known her, she was determined that the Young family deserved recognition and set about to achieve that goal.
Marnie Clarke gave a talk on Historical Remembering which gave an excellent insight of this family we owe so much to. There was a prayer of benediction, singing of the National Anthem and a musket volley was fired by one of the Rangers, the flags retired then the Rangers marched away.
The Youngs
United Empire Loyalists
This land beside the Grand River was part of the Young Tract granted to Adam Young and his family for their loyalty to the Crown during the American Revolution. This was in recompense for the loss of valuable land and possessions in the Mohawk Valley, New York State, confiscated during that conflict.
Adam, his wife Catherine and children were imprisoned both for their resistance to the Continental Congress and Adam’s brave actions in assisting 74 Loyalists escape to what is now Canada. Adam and his sons, John, Daniel and Henry fought in the Butler’s Rangers alongside the Mohawks led by Joseph Brant. When Adam was discharged from the Butler’s Rangers, he pioneered on one of the first farms at Niagara, later joining his sons and their families along the Grand River.
John, Adam’s eldest son, was the first white settler to start a new life along the Grand River in 1783. He was a Lieutenant in the Indian department from 1777 to 1784 and was active in encouraging some of the people in New York State to join the Loyalist cause. Married to Catherine Brant, a daughter of a Mohawk chief, he remained a friend of the Mohawk people until his death.
The Loyalty of the Young family to their new country was confirmed during the war of 1812 when Adam’s sons John and Daniel fought to preserve their homeland.
The Youngs are remembered as one of the families who having suffered for their beliefs, helped build the new and growing country of Canada. As one author has stated: “Reviled as a traitor by one nation, Young was a founding father of another.” As She Began: An illustrated introduction to Loyalist Ontario. Bruce Wilson.
The Young Descendants
The United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada – Grand River Branch
Fall 1999
Grand River Branch
In addition to the memorial book which the Branch donates each year to Loyalist Library (as part of the Norfolk Historical Society’s collection in the Eva Brook Donly Museum in Simcoe to honour the memory of loyal members) the Branch is initiating the display of a small flag and memorial card at funeral homes that will advise family and friends that the Branch is placing a memorial book in the name of the deceased member.
To celebrate Loyalist Day, the Branch gathered at the Adam Young Family memorial monument on Regional Road 54, south of Caledonia, and presented the, Old Union or Loyalist flag. A reception followed in the Golden Horseshoe Hall in York with guest speaker Marnie Clark UE, a Young Descendant and refreshments provided by the Young family.
The Branch was concerned about the safe storage of the Norfolk Registry office records and donated $500.00 to Spruce Row Museum in Waterford to create the proper atmosphere for this valuable research aid. Jean Kerr, UE, gave a talk and tour.
Other topics of interest: John Buchanan, UE, gave the history of Christopher German and his descendants; Terry Hicks U.E., Regional Vice-President UELAC spoke on the Royal proclamation of 1763 and its effect on westward settlement; and Rev John Cruickshank UE, outlined Early Presbyterianism in the Long Point Area.
As part of our outreach program, Bill Terry UE, held a Loyalist Ancestor workshop in Simcoe and Doris Lemon UE, gave a costumed presentation of her Loyalist ancestor’s wife Mary Titus Williams in Kitchener, Burlington, Tobermory, Ancaster and Thorold. The Branch had its display at Norfolklore Genealogical Fair in Simcoe as it has for twenty-three years.
“United Empire Loyalists In The Long Point Settlement” is the suggested title for our Millennium Project in partnership with The Norfolk Historical Society. Our two artists, Robert Judd and Garry Walker, presented an exciting concept to portray the Loyalist story by 3D painted landscape on the stairwell and display of artifacts at Eva Brook Donly Museum, Simcoe. We are awaiting word from the Federal Government’s project 2000 Grant Committee that the grant has been awarded.
In the meantime, mark your calendars — United Empire Loyalists Day, Sunday, June 18th, 2000 for the official opening of United Empire Loyalists In The Long Point Settlement.
Loyalist Hasty Notes:
A supply of “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year” cards is now available. 10 cards for $5.00 plus $1.50 shipping.