UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS - CANADA| The Slocum & Corey United Empire Loyalists Their involvement in the American Revolution of 1775-1783 and the early years in New Brunswick _____________________________ Author: Gordon Agren, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada Updated: Dec. 29, 2002 E-Mail: Agren55@aol.com ____________________________ Lineal Family Line of Gordon Agren: (Gordon Agren (10), Lois Allison (9), Phila Arnold (8), Addison Arnold (7), John F. Arnold (6), Almy Slocum (5) Samuel (4), Ebenezer (3),Eliezer(2) Giles (1) __________________________________________________ It is a common belief that the loyal inhabitants of America, those who acted from principle, were the unhesitating supporters of the British government in its unjustifiable and tyrannical invasions of the rights and liberties of its American people. There can be no greater error than to suppose that the Loyalists as a whole were willing to submit quietly to the extractions of the Mother Country, and her invasion of their rights and liberties as British subjects. As Americans, they felt those grievances, and were as indignant at the treatment they were subject to as those of their countrymen who took up arms. But they wished to fight with the powerful weapons which the constitution of England gave to them, freedom of speech, freedom of the pen, freedom of the press. They desired by political agitation to force the home government to a change of policy or to drive it from power and place in power the foes of the oppression of the colonies. Royal folly in England and demagogic fanaticism in America brought about a civil war unlooked for by either party at its commencement. History of New York during the Revolutionary War,' Vol. II, by Thomas Jones, ed. Edward Floyd de Lancey, pub. New York 1879. The build up to the Revolutionary War was due to Great Britain putting pressure on the American colonies in the form of taxes and other economic measures. In 1764, England enacted the Sugar Act that restricted trade and greatly strained the relations between Rhode Island and the British Empire. In 1772, a British revenue schooner Gaspee was burned in the waters off Warwick (long before the famous battles Lexington and Concord and the Boston Tea Party). By 1774, there were nearly 60,000 people in Rhode Island, and on May 4, 1776, Rhode Island became the first colony to renounce allegiance to King George III. Many in the 13 colonies were against these measures and took action to resist. When war did break out in 1775, as many as 250,000 people were opposed to the Revolution, many passively and others by spying and taking up arms to fight on the British side. The only major battle on Rhode Island soil was at Butts Fort in Portsmouth, when the British foiled an attempt to drive them from Aquidneck Island. In December 1776, the British under General Clinton took and held Newport for almost 3 years, effectively trapping the American ships in the port of Providence. After taking Newport, General Lord Hugh Percy was left in command until May of 1777. The British voluntarily evacuated Newport in October 1779, and in July 1780 the French Army under Rochambeau's command landed. It was from Newport, Providence and other Rhode Island encampments that the march to Yorktown began in 1781 The descendants of Anthony & Giles Slocum, who first settled in Rhode Island in the early to mid 1600s, who were mostly Quakers, were some of the first to be involved in the Revolutionary War, and fought on both sides during the 7 years that the war lasted from 1775 until 1783. Of the 12 children of Ebenezer4 (Eliezer3, Giles2, Phlilip1,) and Bathsheba (Hull) Slocum, 7 sons served in the war, Charles, Samuel, Abraham, David, Ebenezer, Eliezer and Edward. They served on both sides, and more than one was known to quit the American cause and join the Loyalists. Little is known of their involvement during the war except Edward and Eliezer. Captain Edward Slocum was a Lieutenant in the Federal Army previous to 1780, and in February of that year was recommended by Congress for a Captaincy and served with that rank until the inal triumph of the Reolutionary war. Eliezer Slocum resided in Massachusetts and entered the Continental Army in 1776, and served under Col. John Moseley in the defence of Newport, RI, and later under Col. Nathan Sparrowhawk at Saratoga Springs, NY in October, 1778. (Sabine) The Revolution forced competition among colonists' allegiances: to England and the King, to colonial homes and families, and even to religious convictions. To support the war was to refute the King; to oppose the war was to deny one's homeland. For the Quakers (members of the Society of Friends), decisions about whether to support or oppose the war were further complicated by the inherent conflict between two deeply held beliefs: their pacifist principles and their desire to protect and support the colony founded by William Penn. Other Quakers renounced neutrality and actively sided with the Patriots and were disowned. Another less known issue for the Quakers at this time was that of slavery The Quakers were radical Christians and believed that all people were equal in the sight of God and every human being was capable of receiving the "light" of God's spirit and wisdom. They also were against violence. Quakers were known for their simple living and work ethic. Therefore, to the Quakers, slavery was morally wrong, yet there were some Slocum's in Rhode Island who were slave owners. By 1780, almost all Quakers were against slavery and had joined in the abolitionist movement Emancipated Negro slaves and servants often retained the surnames of their masters, and the Rhode Island Colonial Records show that there were several Negro soldiers in the Revolutionary War with the name "Slocum" who had belonged to Slocums of that state Possibly one of the first casualties of this family was Charles Slocum. He died on April 5, 1777, in North Kingston, RI, where he lived on a leased farm with his son Ebenezer and family. A Rebel mob came to his door demanding his son Ebenezer, and when Charles opens the door, he was shot dead by George Babcock. The mob then took Ebenezer prisoner. Ebenezer was wanted for being a spy for Lord Hugh Percy, the British commander, and was tried for his life. The charges were true as Ebenezer was employed by the British Army to carry in provisions and Intelligence. Ebenezer was released by giving surety that he would spy no more. Ebenezer then went to Lloyd's Neck, Long Island, NY, which was strongly fortified and garrisoned by the British. There, as a volunteer, where he was listed on the muster roll, dated December 29th, 1779, of Col. Wightman's Regiment of the Loyal New Englanders. He no doubt chose this unit to serve in as his brother George and his 4 brother-in- laws, Francis, Gideon, John, and Daniel Corey, and Charles Slocum, probably a cousin, were serving in this New England Regiment. On October 30th, 1780 Ebenezer was given a warrant by General James Robertson for a claim to act as a Lieutenant in a company of militia commanded by Capt. Thos. Hazard. Another Loyalist unit on Lloyd's Neck was The Loyal American Legion made up of about 330 offices and soldiers of the Continental Army raised and commanded by Benedict Arnold. He later lived for a time in New Brunswick and was given a land grant. Each Loyalist Regiment had a small number of volunteers who helped in various ways, such as gathering provision, providing intelligence and recruitment. The rest of the men and officers were called provincials and usually only served locally, but were sworn in, and were subject to rules and regulations of the regular British army. The Rhode Island Assembly brought forth proceedings against Ebenezer, his mother Sarah, and family and issued a warrant to seize their effects, partly for Ebenezer's actions, and for Sarah having issued forged paper money and certificates to pay rent, some of which had been found in her house at the time of her husbands death. Beriah Brown, sheriff of North Kingston, who was known as a violent rebel, carried out the warrant. Their property was sold at public auction for the use of the states, and Sarah was stood in the pillory for one half hour and her ears were cropped and cheek branded. She was then moved 10 miles from the sea so that she could not signal British ships at sea. On the muster roll of Col.Wightman's Regiment, LNE, dated November 10, 1779. Both George and Charles Slocum were listed as Non Effective, and Daniel Corey having been taken prisoner by the Rebels on August 29, 1778, while Lieutenant Francis, John and Gideon Corey and others were listed as having been taken prisoner on October 4, 1778, on a raid to Seconet, Rhode Island. The raid was covered in the Providence newspaper as follows: The Providence gazette and County Journal, October 10, 1778 Saturday Night last two Boats from Rhode Island, having on board Eleven Tories of WIGHTMAN's motley Regiment; landed at Seconet, where they robbed a house, and took three of the inhabitants Prisoners; but finding it inconvenient to carry off more than two, the third was left on the beach, and ordered to remain there a limited time, while the Boats rowed off, in one which a person stood with a gun presented at him As soon as they had got beyond Musket-Shot, the Gentleman ran To some distant Houses about three miles distant, and gave the Alarm, When ten Volunteer instantly went onboard a small boat, and Pursued the infamous Plunderers. About the Dawn of Day they came up with them, when both Boats Surrendered without making any Opposition. A Tory Captain, an Inhabitant of Newport, well known in this State by the name of William CROSSING, commanded the Party; He formerly attended the Enemy as a Pilot in their Excursions to The Main and it is said fired several Houses at Bristol and Warren with his own Hand, where he was likewise very active in robbing defenceless Women of their Necklaces and Rings. A Lieutenant of a like detestable Character was of the party, also A person who served General Gray as a Pilot in the late burning Expedition to Bedford. The prisoners were conducted here on Monday Evening, under a Strong Guard, and committed to close Keeping. Some of them have confessed that their Errand was for Intelligence. Providence, February 19, 1779 ESCAPED from the main guard in this town, about nine o'clock in The evening of the 18th instant, a certain WILLIAM CROSSING, Who says he is a Captain in WIGHTMANS corps of tory refugees; And JOSEPH CASWELL, of said CROSSINGS company, who were captured at Seconet. CROSSING is about 40 years old, 5 feet 9 inches high, has a light complection, light blue eyes, short hair, is marked with the small- Pox, and is a Man of great activity: was dressed in brown velvet Coat, red waistcoat and dark brown breeches, CASWELL, is about 40 years old, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, full Faced, well set, very dark complectioned, has a remarkable black Bushy beard, wears his hair short and was clothed with a blue coat And a waistcoat, and a dark brown breeshes.- Whoever will apprehend and secure the abovementioned villains, Shall receive Two Hundred Dollars Reward, or One Hundred Dollars for either of them. Published by the order of the HON. Maj. Gen. Sullivan. WILLIAM PECK, Adj. Gen. I.R.I. William Crossing was later able to rejoin his unit at Lloyd's Neck. Due to losses in combat, desertions, sickness and diseases and lack of enlistment, the Loyal New Englanders were disbanded on June 9th, 1781, and the remaining men where then allowed to serve with other New England Regiments of their choice. Sometime later Ebenezer was taken prisoner as stated in a letter written by Gideon Corey to his brother, William Corey, on April 11, 1783: "I suppose you heard that Ebenezer Slocum and I were prisoners at Boston by Benjamin Baker, who informed us your family were well, we sailed from Boston on a cartel on the 1st of April and arrived at Lloyd's Neck the 6th. I heard a few days since that Frank was well; I left brother Slocum and family well last Wednesday at Lloyd's Neck. They expect to sail for Saint John River within the course of the week, as does myself. Frank I hear intends to go but whether with the first fleet I cannot tell, the King Proclamation declaring a cessation of arms by land and sea was read in the town last Tuesday. I would come and see you but have not had the time before the fleet sails. From the above account's there can be little doubt that the Lieut. of like detestable character, and the Frank mentioned by Gideon, is Francis Corey, as he was taken prisoner on that date and did arrive in New Brunswick on a later sailing. All of the Corey brothers and both Ebenezer and George Slocum survived the war. It is estimated that at least twenty thousand Loyalists took up arms for the king during the war, consisting of twenty-nine or thirty regiments, regularly officered and enrolled. These were disbanded at the close of the war, and some of the officers were transferred to the regular army and continued in service for life. Others, less fortunate, went, with a host of military and civil companions, into exile, the Loyalists from the northern colonies chiefly to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and those from the Southern colonies to the Bahamas, Florida, and the British West Indies. Many also went to England, and for years there were petitioners to the government for relief. The officers generally received half pay. The emigration of the Loyalists from New York began in September 1782, when a party of three hundred sailed for Annapolis Royal. These were a few men from New York and Long Island, with many who had gone to the city early in the war for protection within British lines, or later, for conveyance to some other English colony. New York was the chief point of departure, and to arrange for their removal and settlement in Nova Scotia, a Board of seven had been appointed. Of these, all were from New England. But the migration, which most affected Long Island, which was really the exodus of Queens County, was "The Spring Fleet" of 1783. A board was formed of which Beverley Robinson, an ex Loyalist Regimental commander, was President. Four hundred and seventy-one heads of families were divided into sixteen companies, each having a captain and two lieutenants to preserve order, to distribute provisions, and to apportion lands. Each company was given a transport-ship for its conveyance, cannon and ammunition. The fleet was made up of eighteen square-rigged vessels, several sloops and schooners, and protected by two men-of-war There were 209 people onboard the Union including Eleazer Slocum, (Charles brother) his wife Thankful and their daughter Jerusha, Ebenezer (Charles son) and Esther Slocum, 4 of their 6 children, Ebenezer, Daniel, Anna and Elizabeth. (2 other children, Ruth, age 12, and Eliezer were left in Rhode Island and raised by their uncle John Cottrell) and Esther's bother Gideon. Francis Corey and at least 2 other Slocum family members, Robert, son of Simon, and Charles, possibly Charles oldest son, had also sailed, but it is not known which ship they were on. They then sailed from Eaton's Neck, opposite Lloyd's neck in Huntington Bay, through the East River to New York to join the fleet and wait for favourable winds. On April 26th, 1783 they joined the fleet and under convoy with the Union leading, left Sandy Hook for Nova Scotia. 14 days later the Union arrived a Partridge Island, and next day were moored safely by Capt. Daniel Levett, the pilot in the harbour in St. John, all in good health. Most of the Union passengers remained on board, and sent a party of 3 men by boat about 60 miles up the St. John River to pick out a site for settlement, as little preparation had been made for them onshore. Upon the parties return, a sloop was procured on June 4th, and some of the passengers and some from other ships proceeded up the river about 30 mile as far as Bellisle Bay, and there started the settlement now known as Kingston. It is not known if any of the Slocums or Corey's were in this group, as their names are not shown on the original Kingston Grant of 1783. Of the approximately 100,000 Loyalists in the States, about one third had stayed; some went back to England, and about 50,000 left for the British colonies of Quebec and Nova Scotia. Some 30,000 of those would settle along the Saint John River. It should not be forgotten that of the later contingent, about 1500 were Black Loyalist who were not treated well in the new colony, denied land grants and were kept in what amounted to slavery, about 1200 of them would leave for Sierra Leone in Africa and establish the Colony of Freetown. There were 2 more fleet sailings that year, one in arriving in June, and the other in October. These later arrivals were forced to live in tents until they were able to build primitive log and bark huts. Even though provisions of food, tools, blankets, material for clothing and other necessities were distributed for the first 3 years, supplies were scarce and the snow was deep. Those who had arrived in the spring or summer were able to make themselves fairly comfortable while pitiful conditions prevailed among refugees who arrived late in the autumn. Many perished from exposure in the severe winter that followed or suffered deterioration in health, the effects of which remained for the rest of their lives. In Nova Scotia, action was taken to allot parcels of land appropriate for supporting a family, in areas not encroaching on existing deeds of ownership. The Crown sent instructions to provincial governor in July 1783, to a lot land grants according to certain criteria; non-commissioned officers of Provincial (Loyalist) Corps and Associated Loyalists were to receive 200 acres; private soldiers 100 acres; family heads 100 acres; and 50 acres for each family member or single man. Because of the pressures created by the Loyalists, the greatest being the need for land, the province of New Brunswick was partitioned on 22 June 1784, and after spending a miserable winter around the St. John area, the Loyalists began to claim their land. The largest group including the Slocum and Corey families settled along the St. John River as far north as Woodstock, with smaller numbers settling along the Bay of Fundy, the Maramichi, Sackville and Gagetown areas. Some of the grants were for land that had been left vacant after the expulsions of the Acadians when French had abandoned their post on the St. John River in 1755. Both Ebenezer Slocum and Gideon Corey received their grants of 200 acres each in Gage Township in Sunbury County. Later Gideon would also receive land grants in Carlton Township of 1.9 and 10 acres each. Ebenezer's uncle, Eleizer (Eleazer) also received a grant of 184 acres on the St. John River, Queens County on June 10, 1786. Francis Corey apparently also received a land grant as his nephew Daniel Slocum mentioned in an 1795 memorial that he be granted the land of the late Lieut. Francis Corey who left no wife or children, and according to an unknown source had drowned in the falls at St. John in about 1794. In the fall of 1786 Sarah (Allen) Slocum came to New Brunswick, and probably lived with Ebenezer and his family. On March 8, 1787, Ebenezer and Sarah Slocum went to St. John and put in claims to the British government for property lost during the Revolution. Ebenezer acted as trustee for his mother and sisters, and together put in a claim for 338 pounds as they had all lived together. Charles had lost about 200 sheep, 8 oxen, 16 cows, a slave and other various items. In her claim Sarah also named her other children alive; Ebenezer is the oldest in this Province. George is 22 years old in the States. Margt married B. Arnold in N. Kingston. Ellis married in W. Greenwich. Mauss Hazard to Robt. Hazard in Boston Neck. Sarah Slocum in Granville. Eliz Slocum in W. Greenwich. Ann at service in the States. Hanah in service 13 years old. Abraham 12 years old with his Br. She says that she means to bring the younger part of her family to this Province. (Abraham was the only child, other than Ebenezer, known to have come to New Brunswick) In his claim, Ebenezer claimed stock in a farm leased in North Kingston. 6 Cows – 1 pr. Oxen, 7 horses, 60 sheep. The 2 claims were later settled for 182 pounds. Ebenezer died on April 9, 1827, aged 77 years, and Esther died on December 20, 1836, at age 87. Sarah (Allen) Slocum are all buried at Fanjoy's Point on Grand Lake in a Loyalist cemetery close to the land that they settled long before. In recognition to their loyalty and service to the Crown, and to those who had left the United States by 1783, Queen Anne created the designation United Empire (E. U.) to be appended to their names. Further more, that privilege would be extended to all their descendants so long as they remained subjects of the Empire, and modified in modern times to those who remained residents of the Commonwealth. It is still the only hereditary designation in Canada today. There are still many descendants of the original Loyalist Slocum families in Canada today, and we would urge then to contribute to the Website so that this Loyalist family history and lineage may be expanded. My own interest in the Loyalists comes from the fact that my distant grandfather Samuel was a brother of Charles Slocum Sr.. His daughter Almy, married Charles Arnold, and their g-g-g grandson, (my great grandfather) came to the Canadian prairies from Iowa to homestead in 1909. Ebenezer Slocum, son of Charles Slocum and Sarah Allen was born 18 May 1750, in Rhode Island, and died on 2 April 1827 at Central Hampstead, Queens County, N.B. He married Esther Corey, daughter of Thomas Corey and Elizabeth Drake, was born 30 May, 1749, in North Kingstown, RI, and died on 2 April 27, 1827, at Central Hampstead, N.B. Ebenezer Slocum and Esther Corey were married ca 1769, in RI. They had the following children: (1) Elizabeth Ruth Slocum, b. 5 Nov, 1769, in Portsmouth, Newport, RI, and d. on 12 May, 1852, Grand Lake, Queens County, NB. She m. Jacob F. Wiggins U.E. on 15 Nov, 1784, at St. John, NB. (2) Ruth Slocum, b. in Portsmouth, RI, m. Gardner Clarke of North Kingstown, RI, where she d. in 1798. She was raised by her uncle John Cottrell. (3) Eleazer Slocum (Captain) was b. 08 FEB 1771, in Patience Island, Portsmouth, RI. He resided in Exeter, RI from six or seven years old. He was reared by his uncle John Cottrell, He was Captain of the Militia in his township, and was highly respected. He d. 15 Oct, 1846, in Exeter, RI. He m. Sarah Crandall were m. 30 May, 1795, in Exeter, RI. (4) Ebenezer Slocum Jr., was drowned in the St. John River, age 17 years. (5) Nancy Ann Slocum, was b. in North Kingstown, RI, and died on 11 Feb, 1848, in Hampstead, N.B. She m. Marcus Palmer on 25 Oct, 1789, in Waterborough, N.B. ((6) Daniel Slocum, was born in 1775 in North Kingston, RI, and d. on Jan 1, 1797, in Hampstead, NB. He m. Hannah Hershey on 1 Jan, 1795, at Gagetown, NB, Gideon Corey, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Drake) was born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island 21 March, 1757. Gideon died 14 July 1822 in New Canaan, New Brunswick, at 65 years of age. He married Abigail Clark. Abigail was born in North Kingston, Rhode Island 1776. Abigail was the daughter of Elisha Clark and Desire Gardner. Abigail died 29 April 1849 in New Canaan, New Brunswick, at 72 years of age. Gideon Corey and Abigail Clark had the following children: (1) Elisha Clarke Corey was born 1784. (2) Hannah Corey was born about 1786. Hannah died 31 October 1853 in Salisbury Parish, New Brunswick, at 67 years of age. She married twice. She married Edmund Price Jr. in New Canaan, New Brunswick. Edmund was the son of Edmund Price and Jane Webb. Edmund died about 1802. She married Jacob Jones 7 December 1804. Jacob was born about 1783. Jacob died 10 May 1868 at 84 years of age. His body was interred in 2nd Salisbury Baptist Church. (3) Elizabeth Corey was born 1789. Elizabeth died 1875 at 86 years of age. She married Humphrey. (4) Thomas Corey was born 1790. Thomas died 1857 in Bloomfield, Ontario, at 67 years of age. (5) Esther S. Corey was born 1794. Esther died after 1861. (6) Gardner6 Corey was born between 1795 & 1796. (7) Stephen A. Corey was born in New Canaan, New Brunswick 4 April 1797. Stephen died 23 November 1840 in Woodstock, New Brunswick, at 43 years of age. (8) Abigail Corey was born 1797. Abigail died after 1861. She married Rider. (9) William Corey was born 1 April 1801. William died 24 September 1850 at 49 years of age. (10) Charles Corey was born about 1805. (11) Daniel Corey was born 1808. Gordon Agren. Agren55@aol.com St.JOHNS RIVER
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