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| Records of the Bay of Quinte The lists below of "aliens" living in these 5 townships in 1815 name men denied the right to take the oath of allegiance because they have arrived from the United States after the end of the War of 1812. Loyalty was a concern in the decade following the War of 1812 and these lists are an example of the tension and the actions taken by the Lt. Governor. Thanks to Guylaine Petrin for sending me a copy of the Thurlow list and getting me started on this little story. Use these links to jump up and down this lengthy web page. 1. "The Alien Question" 2. Thurlow Alien list 3. Murray and Ameliasburgh Alien list 4. Hallowell and Sophiasburgh Alien list |
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| 1. "The Alien Question" The leadership of Upper Canada was very concerned about the number of settlers living in the province who were born in America due to suspicion of their fondness for American republicanism. The War of 1812 had shown Upper Canada how important it was to hold strong ties to Britain for protection from the "treacherous enemy". Lt Governor Francis Gore, arriving in Sept 1815, found that Americans were still "pouring across the border" and he ordered the Magistrates in the province not "to administer the Oath of Allegiance to any person not holding Office in the Province, or being the son of a UE Loyalist, without a special authority in such case". Thus American citizens arriving in the province would not be able to secure title to land without the oath and this, it was hoped, would discourage settlement. The issue of "Aliens" continued with much acrimony, well into the late 1820's and was one of the factors in the rise of the Reform Movement. The list below is a clear response to the order from Gore. There are a number of similar alien lists for other townships into 1816. Source: The above is paraphrased from Upper Canada, The Formative Years, 1784-1841, Gerald M. Craig, McClelland and Stewart, 1963. Chapters 5 and 6 give an excellent account of the alien issue. Craig gives this citation for the order C.O. 42/356, p. 123, Gore to Bathurst, 17 Oct 1815; U.C. State Papers, I, 149 Another excellent book that sets the alien question in the context of the aftermath of the War of 1812 is, Plunder, Profit, and Paroles, A Social History of the War of 1812 in Upper Canada, George Sheppard, McGill, Queen's Univ. Press, 1994 |
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2. Thurlow Alien list Midland District Thurlow, 24th Novr 1815 Sir Agreeable to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governors commands I herewith transmit to you for his information the names of all such as to my knowledge, have come to this place from the United States or elsewhere since the conclusion of the late American War. Some of whom I believe intend returning to the United States again shortly. I shall strictly adhere to the command of the Lieutenant Governor also in not administering the oath of Allegiance hereafter – except in cases you mention. I have the honor to be, Sir Your most obedient and Humble Servant [signed] James McNabb To William Halton Esquire Secretary to the Lt Governor York |
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Report of the Number of Aliens, now residing in the County
of Hastings, near the River Moira, Midland District. |
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Thurlow, 24th November 1815 James McNabb J.P. Source: Civil Secretary's Correspondence, Upper Canada Sundries, 1766-1841, RG5 A1, LAC, film also at AO, Vol 25, C-4545, pp. 11039-42 Back to top | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. Murray and Ameliasburgh Alien list Carrying Place 27 Nov 1815 Sir I have the honor of acknowledging the Recpt? of yours, but sickness has prevented my sending a return of the aliens sooner – the included is a list of the aliens, now residing in the Township of Ameliasburgh and Murray, which I now forward for the information of his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor . I shall take the earliest opportunity of forwarding to your office a List of those who may hereafter come into the Province who may come within the limits of my knowledge. I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient Humble Servant James Young JP [addressed to] Wm Halton Esquire Secrety etc etc District of Newcastle, Township of Murray Hiram Murray, labourer from the United States Archibald Wilcocks Do Do Joseph Smith Do Do Midland District, Township of Ameliasburgh Ebenezer Sloan, labourer from the United States James Sweet Do Do William Cumpton Do Do [Signed] J Young JP November 27th 1815 Source: Civil Secretary's Correspondence, Upper Canada Sundries, 1766-1841, RG5 A1, LAC, film also at AO, Vol 25, C-4545, pp. 11094-96 Back to top | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4. Hallowell and Sophiasburgh Alien list Hallowell 1st December 1815 Dear Sir We have duly received your Circular letter of the 14th October last, respecting a return of Aliens and now enclose to you the number at present Residing in the Townships of Hallowell and Sophiasburgh, as you will Observe your said return, and then several Occupations Together with their Designations assign as we have been able to Determine in that case, and agreably to his Excellency commands shall from time to time make known to you any of that Description which may hereafter come to reside within our knowledge. James Cotter John Stinson Stephen Conger Barret Dyer [all] Esquires [signed] Ebenezer Wash[burn – torn off] [Addressed to] On His Majestys Service William Halton Esq Secretary to his Excellency the Governor York |
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Return of Aliens now in the Townships of Hallowell and
Sophiasburgh in the County of Prince Edward of Upper Canada, having Emigrated
there since the Conclusion of the late war with the United States of America
and all from said States |
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For James Cotter John Stinson Stephen Conger Barret Dyer [all] Esquires [signed] Ebenezer Washburn JP Hallowell 1st December 1815 To William Halton Esq Secretary to his Excellency the Lt Governor |
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Source: Civil Secretary's Correspondence, Upper Canada Sundries, 1766-1841, RG5 A1, LAC, film also at AO, Vol 25, C-4545, pp. 11128-31 |
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