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To the Hon. Robert Duncan Wilmot, Lieutenant Governor:
Sir, -- On the 18th of May, instant, the 99th anniversary of the landing of the Loyalists, the New Brunswick Historical Society purpose having a musical and literary entertainment at the Mechanics’ Institute, the prelude to the centennial of 1883. The Province will be represented by His Honor the Lieutenant Governor, patron of the society, in the chair. The Justiciary and Bar, the Senate and the Commons, the pulpit and press, civic and municipal, with representative manufacturers, will take part. The music will be under the direction of the Professor Peiler.
In 1875 the late Egerton Ryerson, D.D., LL.D, wrote: --
I had long been impressed with the injustice done to the character and acts of our Canadian forefathers by American historian, and utter neglect of English historians. I had, in accordance with my own strong convictions, and in compliance with many solicitations, determined to attempt an act of justice and gratitude to that noble generation of men and women. I have not been able to complete my task, but, if my life and strength be spared, and if I can be released from official labors which weigh so heavy upon my time and strength, I shall be able to complete what I have undertaken and long persecuted, namely, contribute something to settle many unsettled and disputed facts of American and Canadian history, and to do at least a modicum of justice to Canadian ancestry whose heroic deeds and unanswering Christian patriotism form a patent of nobility more to be valued by their descendants than the coronets of many modern noblemen.
In 1880 Dr. Ryerson published “The Loyalists of America and Their Times.” In the preface was the following: --
I have entirely sympathized with the colonists in the remonstrances, and even use of arms, in defense of British constitutional rights, from 1763 to 1776; but I have been compelled to view the proceedings of the Revolutionists and their treatment of the Loyalists in a very different light.
LAST OF THE OLD LOYALISTS.
Died. – At his residence, near Vittorin, County of Norfolk, Upper Canada, on the 9th of August, 1854, after a short illness of three days, Colonel Joseph Ryerson, in the 94th year of his age.
At the close of the war in 1783, Mr. Ryerson, with his brother Samuel and many other Loyalists and discharged half-pay officers and soldiers, went to New Brunswick, where he married in 1784, and settled at Maugerville, on the River St. John, near Fredericton, residing there till 1799, when he removed to Upper Canada, having drawn land with his brother from the Government for their service.
Colonel Ryerson was probably the last of the old United Empire. Loyalists in Canada who joined the British army in 1776 – a race of men remarkable for longevity and energy, and a noble enthusiasm for British institutions. Dr. Egerton Ryerson, a son of Colonel Ryerson, died last January at Toronto. His friends have resolved to perpetuate his memory by the endowment of a professor’s chair in Victoria College by raising $35,000.
FIFTHIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LANDING OF THE LOYALISTS.
At St. John, on the 18th of May, 1833, the day was ushered in by firing a cannon. In the evening a dinner was given by the Corporation; among the guests were many old Loyalists. The chair was taken by His Worship the Mayor, John M. Wilmot, with the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Archibald Campbell, on his right, and the father of the city, the venerable John Ward, on his left. The speakers were Judge Bliss, Judge Chipman, Attorney General Peters, Solicitor General Robert Parker, Colonel Turner, Major Greaves, Hon. John Simcoe Saunders, Stephen Humbert, Thomas Harding and Gregory Van Horne.
When the toast of “The day we celebrate” was given, a salute to 50 guns was fired from King Square by the city artillery.
To the toast of “The Chief Justice, their Honors the Judges of the Supreme Court, and the professional gentlemen of the Bar; May they ever maintain and support the principles of Justice and Honor,” the Solicitor General responded:
“Mr. Mayor as a descendant of an American Loyalist and a member of the Legal Profession, I trust I may be excused in making a few remarks, while returning thanks for the honor done to the Bar of the Province.
“Never an occasion have I felt more proud of my connexion with the city than the present, and much did I rejoice when I heard at a distance the determination of the Corporation that the fiftieth anniversary of the first landing of the Loyalists on these shores, was to be celebrated in a manner belonging an event so highly interesting to the survivors of that faithful band.
“Sir, when we remember with what ceremonials and solemnities the citizens of the United States, hailed the jubilee of their independence, we should be deficient in proper feeling had we suffered this day to pass unnoticed here; unless indeed after half a century’s reflection we are ashamed of the conduct of our Fathers, in that memorable period; but sir this is not the case: we still glory in their Loyalty on that occasion, in despite of the scornful jests of radicals and the cold blooded speculations of discontented theorists, we stand forth to avow that we do not hold our allegiance so light a thing, that it may be thrown aside or changed as a cloak, when we are tired of the cut or color of it.
“Sir, we have no cause to regret this sentiment, fifty years have passed and the place where we now assemble, has been changed from a desolate wilderness to a flourishing city.
“We live in a country where under the dominion of the British Crown, laws are regularly and impartially administered to the poor and the rich – where the spirit of the British Constitution, pervading our government and institutions, insured protection to every man’s person and property.
“The celebration of this day will stand as a memorial, that we take the same side as our fathers have taken; that we adopt their opinions, we approve their principles; and sir, it is a pledge if need be, we are ready to imitate their example.”
TOAST OF THE DAY.
“The land our ancestor left and the land we live in; both inhabited from one common parent, and enjoying though under different governments, the blessings of Freedom:
May old animosities be forgotten, and the present good understanding continued.”
His Worship the Mayor provided at his own charge, roast beef and plum pudding for the poor.
OLD LOYALISTS.
When the Loyalists came to St. John River in 1783, with them was Lemuel Wilmot, Captain in the Regiment raised by Col. Beverly Robinson. His son John, was then seven years of age. Captain Wilmot purchased land in the County of Sunbury, and resided there to his death. The son went to Fredericton and engaged in commercial pursuits as a partner with Mr. Robert Duncan, a nephew of Peter Frazer, many years one of the representatives of York.
After the death of Mr. Duncan, Mr. Wilmot in 1814 removed to St. John, and engaged in commerce. He was one of the owners of the river steamers, St. George, John Ward, and Fredericton. Mr. Wilmot was an Alderman for King’s Ward, and three times represented the County of St. John. At his first return in 1820, the poll at the end of the fifteen days stood:
Ward Chipman, Jun (456), Andrew S. Ritchie (430), John M. Wilmot (423), Charles Simonds (309), Zalmon Wheeler (302).
The four first were elected members all new. In 1833, the semi-centennial of the landing of the Loyalists, Mr. Wilmot was appointed by the Government, Mayor of St. John. For fifteen years he was President of the New Brunswick Bible Society, holding the office to his removal to the old homestead, Sunbury, in 1839. There he died in his 72nd year, 1847. Mrs. Wilmot was a daughter of Samuel Wiggins, a merchant of St. John. Mr. Wilmot. Was the father of the Lieut. Governor, who was named Robert Duncan after his old partner at Fredericton.
JOHN WARD, SEN.
For many years Mr. Ward was known as the father of the city; honored at the semi centennial of the landing of the Loyalists with a seat to the left of His Worship the Mayor.
Major ward arrived at Parr Town late in the fall of 1783. The regiment was the last that left New York. The transports were laden with provisions and clothing. The landing was at the Lower Cove. They tented under canvas for the winter, on the old barrack square. Snow was on the ground, the tents were covered with spruce cut out on Partridge Island, and brought up in boats of the transports. The winter was one of the great severity; many died, especially women and children. As Major Ward could get a house, he lived in his army tent, and there, on the 18th of December, 1783, his son John was born.
Major Ward removed to Sussex, Kings Co., where he drew land. He shortly after returned to St. John and commenced business as a merchant, residing at the corner of King and Germain streets. In the General Smyth, the first steamboat on the River St. John, he had an interest; also in the St. George, John Ward and Fredericton; the St. George had a copper boiler. In 1809, 1816 and 1819, Mr. Ward was elected one of the members for the County of St. John. On the 18th of May, 1843, the 60th anniversary of the Landing of the Loyalists, the corporation of the city waited on him at his residence and presented an address. He died in 1846, in the 93rd year of his age. His presence was commanding and dignified.
Major Ward had four sons and two daughters. William was captain of a vessel of his father’s, and died in the West Indies, January, 1814, aged 35 years.
Caleb for a time followed the sea. He afterwards was a merchant. He died August 31st, 1821, in his 42nd year, leaving three sons and two daughters.
John died in 1875, aged 91 years. Charles, the last of the second generation, died in his 92nd year, January 30th, 1882, in consequence of a fall. For many years, Mr. Ward spent the summer at his country house, St. Martins. In the Centennial year, had Mr. Ward lived, he would have been the recipient of many congratulations. At his death he was St. John’s oldest citizen, and senior magistrate. As he walked its streets he often must have realized, although the city of his birth “he was a stranger and a sojourner, as his fathers were.”
“Alone, I walk the peopled city,
Where each seems happy with his own;
Oh! friends, I ask not for your pity –
I walk alone.”
J. W. LAWRENCE.