ST. LAWRENCE BRANCH
UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS'
ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
|
|
ST. LAWRENCE BRANCH |
|
Who are the UEL? |
|
The Loyalists were people who remained loyal to the Crown during the American revolution. They represented a variety of ethnic groups, religions occupations. Because of their loyalty and their respect for law and order, many Loyalists were imprisoned, died or had their property confiscated. Loyalist Palatine and Scottish soldiers of the First Battalion of the King's Royal Regiment of New York from the Mohawk Valley founded the Three United Counties. Loyalists left the American colonies to settle in the Maritimes, Quebec and what it now Ontario. Many also went to England and the West Indies and Bermuda. Others served in Loyalist Regiments. In 1789, Lord Dorchester proclaimed that "Those Loyalists who had adhered to the Unity of the Empire, and Joined the Royal Standard in America before the Treaty of Separation in the year 1783, and all their Children and their Descendants by either sex, are to be distinguished by the following Capitals, affixed to their names: 'U.E.' Alluding to their great principle 'The Unity of the Empire'". |
