35th Charter Meeting of the Colonel Edward Jessup Branch
United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada
Oct. 25th, 2003
Grenville Snowmobile Club
Colonel Edward Jessup Branch Celebrates 35 Years
On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003,the Colonel Edward Jessup Branch of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada held its 35th Charter Meeting at the Snowmobile Club on Charleville Road in Augusta Township, with 47 present.
We were graced by the presence of the Dominion President, Myrna Fox, from Toronto; a former Dominion President and former Gazette Editor, John Chard, who was instrumental in organizing our Branch in 1968, especially with the help of Dr. Sterling Leroy Spicer, who lived near Maynard; a local Charter member, Gerald Hough who spoke of his memories of Dr. Sterling Spicer who was his neighbour in 1969; members from other branches, Vera Babcock, from Bay of Quinte, President Philip Smart from Kingston Branch and Past President, Sandra Shouldice from St. Lawrence Branch. We also had one of our own members, Margaret Coulter, come with her husband, Philip, from Oshawa and also Clair& Esther Seeley came from Renfrew.
The ladies of the Snowmobile Club treated us to a lovely roast beef dinner, including home made pie. We were very pleased with the accommodations of the Snowmobile Club.
Our Branch President, Myrtle Johnston, related some of our recent activities: participated in the Church Service at the Presbyterian Church for Brock Days; our work to fix up the neglected Wiltse Cemetery near Athens, abandoned since 1900. The Athens Township has cleared and gravelled the 8th line so we could drive to the site. A few members of our executive and others have spent many hours clearing the area of weeds, bushes, trees, fence and fence posts so that we can install a new fence in the near future. The plan is to make the cemetery a memorial place for some of the early settlers of that area. It is on land that Benoni Wiltse, a Sergeant in Jessup’s Corps, was granted for his service in the American Revolution. He is buried there. At one time, quite a settlement was here, with a tannery, grist and saw mill. A display of pictures was made by our President, Myrtle Johnston and by our Cemetery Project Manager, Don Galna. We welcome volunteers to assist both financially and physically in this project. For progress on this project, check out the Branch’s web site at uelac.org and click on Branches, go to Col. Edward Jessup Branch....click on web page.
Our Dominion President, Myrna Fox, a Jessup Branch member and descendant of Samuel Street, a Loyalist who settled in Wolford Township, brought greetings from Dominion Council and presented us with a 35th Anniversary Certificate. She spoke on the early days of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada.
In 2014, we will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Association. As part of the celebration, we are committed to helping restore some of the cemeteries in the United Counties, especially those where the original Loyalists are buried.
Edward Blake graciously thanked our guest speaker and presented her with "Our Living History - An Historical Guide to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville" edited by one of our own members, Roy Lewis, of Brockville.
We were pleased that John Chard was able to be with us and tell us a little of the start up of our Branch. Gerald Hough, also spoke about his memories of Dr. Sterling Spicer who was his neighbour in 1969 and of the early days of the branch, for he is a Charter member who is living in the area. We are not aware of many Charter Members who are still living near by. Branch President, Myrtle Johnston and Dominion President, Myrna Fox, teamed up to present a UE certificate to Cheryl Dillon, daughter of Claire Seeley, who joined our branch last fall, as being the descendant of Augustus Seelye who settled in Leeds Co.
Our next event is a combined effort with the Leeds & Grenville Genealogy Society. Gavin Watt, a noted writer and speaker, will be talking about the Jessup Rangers who fought on the Loyalist side in the American Revolution. You are invited to attend on Monday, Nov. 10, 2003 at 7:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Brockville Tabernacle, the old Shrine Hall, at 2811 Concession Road 2, just east of Brockville.
Our U.E. genealogy and historical work continues, remembering our motto," Because they were loyal- we are Canadian."
For pictures, click on, Charter Meeting Oct. 25th, 2003
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