United Empire Loyalism
The term United Empire Loyalist was an honorary title given by Lord Dorchester the Governor General of British North America in 1789 to colonists who remained loyal to the crown during and after the American Revolutionary War period and who resettled in British North America. The United Empire Loyalists were made up of a variety of people with different cultures, customs and native languages. These loyalists had a large impact on the demographic makeup of British North America.
Much like the colonies they left behind Loyalists came from all walks of life. There was soldiers, farmers, artisans and merchants. Since many people had immigrated to the colonies these loyalists also came from a variety of countries. There were loyalists of …show more content…
They were also subject to discrimination by other Loyalist settlers, many of whom used to be slaveowners. In July 1784, black Loyalists who had resettled in Shelburne were targeted in what is now known as the Shelburne Riots. This was the first recorded race riot in Canadian history. The riot lasted ten days and showed the free black population that their new found freedom was a far cry from equality. The black population in Shelburne escaped to Birchtown for protection. Birchtown, Nova Scotia was the largest free black Loyalist community in North America for the first few years of its existence and was home to many black veterans. These veterans organized militia companies and were able to protect the inhabitants of the …show more content…
These immigrants came chiefly from New York and Pennsylvania and settled mainly in Stormont, Dundas, Lennox and Addington and Prince Edward counties although many were also found in smaller numbers in other Loyalist settlements in Upper Canada. The Dutch settled chiefly in Stormont, Dundas, Lennox and Haddington as well as in the Niagra and Long Point areas. Some people who had both Dutch and German origins settled together in the townships of Ernesttown, Adolphustown, Frederickberg and Richmond. In addition to the Dutch and German groups there was also a group of Highland Scots who settled in the area of Glengarry County after the war. Through their settlement in Canada, these groups helped to enhance the diversity of the land which was to become
Much like the colonies they left behind Loyalists came from all walks of life. There was soldiers, farmers, artisans and merchants. Since many people had immigrated to the colonies these loyalists also came from a variety of countries. There were loyalists of …show more content…
They were also subject to discrimination by other Loyalist settlers, many of whom used to be slaveowners. In July 1784, black Loyalists who had resettled in Shelburne were targeted in what is now known as the Shelburne Riots. This was the first recorded race riot in Canadian history. The riot lasted ten days and showed the free black population that their new found freedom was a far cry from equality. The black population in Shelburne escaped to Birchtown for protection. Birchtown, Nova Scotia was the largest free black Loyalist community in North America for the first few years of its existence and was home to many black veterans. These veterans organized militia companies and were able to protect the inhabitants of the …show more content…
These immigrants came chiefly from New York and Pennsylvania and settled mainly in Stormont, Dundas, Lennox and Addington and Prince Edward counties although many were also found in smaller numbers in other Loyalist settlements in Upper Canada. The Dutch settled chiefly in Stormont, Dundas, Lennox and Haddington as well as in the Niagra and Long Point areas. Some people who had both Dutch and German origins settled together in the townships of Ernesttown, Adolphustown, Frederickberg and Richmond. In addition to the Dutch and German groups there was also a group of Highland Scots who settled in the area of Glengarry County after the war. Through their settlement in Canada, these groups helped to enhance the diversity of the land which was to become