The Loyalists
Officially, for purposes of establishing eligibility for land grants and
other compensation from the British Crown, the Loyalists were defined as
persons born or residing in the rebellious British North American colonies
who had made significant contributions to the British cause during the
Revolutionary War (1775-83) and who fled the former colonies when it ended.
Although some were members of the British colonial elite whose positions
depended on the Imperial connection, most Loyalists were farmers and others
of modest means. Indeed, many were socially marginal, including substantial
numbers of free blacks, escaped slaves and Indians, such as the Six Nations
Iroquois, who served in support of British military units. The total number
of Loyalists who escaped from the new American Republic is uncertain, but
probably fewer than 100,000 left at or soon after the end of the war. A
substantial number of "Late Loyalists" joined the exodus later. About half
the total found new lives in the remaining British North American colonies,
mainly in what was then Nova Scotia and Quebec. The rest either returned
to Britain or went elsewhere.
The influx of Loyalists into what is now Canadian territory had a major
impact on the political, economic, social and cultural development of the
remaining British territories in North America. Because of their numbers
relative to the existing population in the still largely unsettled parts
of Nova Scotia and Quebec and their political expectations, they were directly
responsible for the creation of two new colonial entities, New Brunswick
and Upper Canada, hived off from Nova Scotia and Quebec (Lower Canada)
respectively. Because of their familiarity with North American conditions,
especially as they affected commercial agricultural activity, they were
effective settlers. Socially and culturally they left a strong imprint
on emerging Canadian institutions and attitudes.
Print references:
J.B. Brebner, J.B., The Neutral Yankees of Nova Scotia: A Marginal Colony
During the Revolutionary Years (1969)
Brown, W., The Good Americans (1969)
Fryer, M.B., King's Men (1980)
Graymont, B., The Iroquois in the American Revolution
(1972)
Wilson, B.G., As She Began (1981)
Wright, E.C., The Loyalists of New Brunswick (1955).
Upton, L., The United Empire Loyalists: Men and Myths (1967)
Web sites:
http://www.magi.com/%7Ewestdunn/1791UniL.html
http://www.buckingham-press.com/loyalist.html
http://web.canlink.com/kwatson/loyalists.html
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