The Loyalist Society: Sir Leonard Tilley Presides at the Meeting

Year
1889
Month
11
Day
6
Article Title
The Loyalist Society: Sir Leonard Tilley Presides at the Meeting
Author
-----
Page Number
3
Article Type
Language
Article Contents
THE LOYALIST SOCIETY Sir Leonard Tilley Presides at the Meeting. Addressee by Dr. Stockton, J. Douglas Hazen — and James Hannay, and a Paper by J. W. Lawrence. The regular quarterly meeting of the Loyalist society was held in the Historical society's room last evening. Sir Leonard Tilley occupied the chair. The secretary, J. A. Belyea, read the minutes of the last meeting, which were approved. W. P. Dole presented the name of Rev. W. O. Raymond as an applicant for membership. James Hannay gave notice of a resolution extending the time for the reception of statements of the ancestry of members until the next quarterly meeting. W. P. Dole referred to the recent bereavement of Dr. Harding and Simeon Jones, and announced that he would move a resolution of condolence at a later period in the meeting. A. A. Stockton was then introduced as the first speaker of the evening. He ex¬pressed his pleasure as a descendant of the Loyalists at being present, and proceeded to discuss the propriety and utility of such an organization as the Loyalist society. He said that had he formerly taken as deep an interest as now he might have gathered together much valuable history from persons now dead. The object of the society was to learn and make permanent the knowledge of the deeds and achievements of the found¬ers of New Brunswick. It was a noble object. Love of country was a universal passion. Have we, he asked, sufficiently considered what the Loyalists did and dared and suffered for their loyalty. He pictured them leaving homes of affluence and coming here to carve out a home in the wilderness. They have left us a heritage of which we should be proud. They have left us a heritage that should inspire us to do all in our power to advance the interests of the province. We have a province second to none in the Dominion for natural resources and for the progress we have made in the last hundred years. He referred to the celebration some years ago in Ontario of the centennial of the landing of the loyalists there, and contended that, as the loyalists had laid the foundations of this province, their achievements should be chronicled to give inspiration to those who will follow us. Now is the time to secure the data necessary, for generations are passing away, and with them are passing into oblivion many important facts respecting the deeds of our forefathers. The documents that can be gathered together now will make up a most valuable history of the deepest interest to the people of this province. Had there been such an organization fifty years ago there might have been volumes of such history now writ¬ten, and it is important that no further time be lost in getting together all possible data relative to the founders of the province. Mr. Stockton delivered a stirring and eloquent eulogy on the early loyalists, which was received with vigorous applause. His complimentary references to J. W. Lawrence and J. Douglas Hazen, the succeeding speakers, were also received with hearty demonstrations of approval. Mr. Hazen was then introduced by Sir Leonard Tilley, who referred to him in the most kindly fashion, welcoming him to citizenship in St. John and to membership in the Loyalist society. Mr. Hazen expressed the satisfaction he felt in being a member of the Loyalist society and his approval of its objects. It is characteristic of nations, he said, to desire to learn as much as possible concerning the lives and deeds of those who went before them and laid the foundations of the nation. The history of self sacrificing men and women is always interesting and valuable. Of such character were the founders of this city. They were actuated by principle and he believed we all agreed today that the motives which actuated them were lofty and patriotic and deserving the approbation of all right thinking men. The feelings which animated them should be perpetuated by their children. We should endeavor to draw closer the bonds uniting us with the mother Country, and the flag which waved over the city at its birth should continue to float over it and over the mighty empire of which it forms a part. Mr. Hazen’s brief speech was vigorous and eloquent, and he received, a most flattering reception from the members of the society. James Hannay being called upon paid a tribute to the refugees who came here be¬tween 1775 and 1782, who were driven out of New England by stress of war, after suf¬fering much for their loyalty, and who were just as much deserving the name of loyalists as those who came at a later period. He was preparing a paper touching this matter, which would be submitted at a future meeting. The names of Simonds, White, Peabody and others were mentioned by him in this connection. His views as expressed were greeted with hearty approval. Joseph W. Lawrence, who was received with tumultuous applause, expressed thanks for the honor conferred upon him by the society in having elected him an honorary member, though he did not bear the ances¬tral brand of 1783. He read a paper on Jonathan Sewell, New Brunswick's first law student. Born in Boston, educated at Oxford, he entered the law office of Ward Chipman in St. John. In 1788 he was admitted to the bar, and the next year he was admitted to the Quebec bar, afterwards becoming chief justice of Lower Canada. Mr. Lawrence’s paper was in the nature of a biographical sketch, enlivened by bright letters written by young Sewell to his friends. The first was written from Bristol, others from St. John, and some from Quebec. There was a vein of humor running through those letters of a hundred years ago that evoked hearty laughter from Mr. Lawrence’s listeners. Most of the correspondence was between Sewell and Ward Chipman, and a number of letters written by the latter gentleman were also read, and many interesting bits of personal history relating to these and others associated with them were woven in. Jonathan Sewell was the central figure, and round about him Mr. Lawrence grouped in a most entertaining manner other figures that made up a fine and stirring picture. Mr. Lawrence's paper was greeted with great applause, and a hearty vote of thanks, at Sir Leonards suggestion, was tendered to him and to the speakers of the evening. Mr. Dole read the resolutions of condolence to which reference had been made. They rend as follows: Whereas, since the last meeting of this society, we have learned with regret that two of our members have sustained severe affliction by the loss of their wives - women esteemed and honored by our citizens for their domestic virtues and their useful lives; Resolved, that the members of the Loyalist society now give public expression to their sympathy and condolence with Dr. W. S. Harding; one of the members of our council, and with Simeon Jones Esq., one of our vice-presidents, over whose homes death has cast a dark shadow; And further resolved, that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the proceedings at the society and that a copy thereof be forward¬ed by the corresponding secretary to Dr. Harding and to Mr. Jones. Dr. Harding, who was present, was deeply affected by the expression of sympathy, and in a few words expressed his sense of gratefulness in the society. After a few remarks by Sir Leonard the meeting adjourned.