About the 1795 Oaths of Allegiance

Commencing in 1795 those persons who had gathered at Missisquoi Bay were required to take an Oath of Allegiance. This document is a transcription of those lists of names. The largest document is a list of names of persons who took an Oath at Missisquoi Bay in the summer of 1795 and 1796. The oath appears to have been required in order to apply for a land grant. Each person listed stated where they came from and which of the townships the intended to settle in. This document is in several sections. Initially an eight page section contains about 380 names taken between 26th April and 25th July 1795. Another document is a composite of three documents. Two header pages are followed by two pages of names taken between the 26th July and 25th October 1795. Then comes a single page with names collected 26th October 1796 through 25th January 1797. Finally another single page of names from the 26th July and 25th October 1796. A third document covers the dates 26th April 1796 to 25th July 1796. Be very careful with the dates! There is a gap in dates after all sections are assembled that implies that another list or lists may exist that have not yet been located. Further, it is not clear why these two sets of documents were in the papers of different petitioners and whether others may yet be found in other locations. These documents are not in chronological order so be careful when reading dates.

Extracted from Canada Archives No. C-2566, Vol. 194, Petitions Tonnancour - Traverce
FHL US/CAN film #1631062

RETURN of Persons who have taken the Oaths & subscribed the Declaration required by Law; before the Commifs.s at Missiskouie Bay from 26th April to 25th July 1795.