Pioneers in Upper Canada
United Empire Loyalist Settlements in Canada
The pioneers in Upper Canada came from a variety of places with various backgrounds. They arrived in Upper Canada to establish a new way of life. The settlers that arrived even before the province of Upper Canada was established were the Loyalists. These first pioneers were seeking refuge for being loyal supporters of the King of England, fleeing from their antagonists in America.
Loyalists as Pioneers
During the early 1770's the British subjects who chose to remain loyal to Britain, became known as the Loyalists. When it became evident that the Patriots in the colonies wanted to become independent from Britain, many of the Loyalists began emigrating to Lower Canada or Quebec and Nova Scotia. Later they relocated to what would become known as Upper Canada.
War of IndependenceFrom 1775 to 1781 the American War of Independence or the American Revolution was fought between the British and her loyal subjects and the Patriots or the Americans. Taxes, government and growth were some of the issues that the Patriots declared were needed in order for them to become independent from Britain.
Loyalists that remained in the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolution faced many hardships. Examples of these hardships were persecution, losing their property, losing their possessions, being charged, tarring and feathering, being attacked and more. Fearing for their lives and the lives of their families many chose to relocate to other British territories such as Quebec or Lower Canada and Nova Scotia.
Most of the Loyalists that relocated to Upper Canada spoke English and were white. Some black Loyalists also made their way in hopes of beginning a new life as settlers.
By 1789, all Loyalists had to leave American land. They could return to Britain. They could become settlers in Lower Canada or Nova Scotia. Or the Loyalists could travel to British land in the Caribbean.
With the arrival of thousands of Loyalist settlers in Lower Canada, some initial problems became evident. The language was a barrier because most of the loyalists spoke English, while most residents of Lower Canada spoke French. Their religion was Protestant but the French were Catholic. The familiar British government was not in place either.
The solution for these pioneers offered by Britain was twofold. Most of the Loyalists were sent to the western portion of the province. By 1791 this western area became known as Upper Canada. New laws and government were to be in place for the Loyalists that remained in Lower Canada.
United Empire Loyalists
According to the Canadiana Online article "Canada in the Making": On November 9, 1789, Quebec governor, Lord Dorchester issued an order in council that gave particular recognition to Loyalists by formally differentiating them from other settlers who had immigrated to the colony after 1783. He allowed them to affix the initials "U.E." after their names so that they could be recognized as those who adhered to the "Unity of the Empire."
As a result, these pioneers were referred to as United Empire Loyalists. Not only did these settlers receive land but their children would also obtain land when the reached the age of twenty-one. Two hundred acres of free land was their entitlement. If their daughters happened to get married before they turned twenty-one, then they could receive their land when they were married.
The British Territory in Canada offered the Loyalists an opportunity to begin a new life as pioneers in undeveloped areas. Although it meant difficulties and hardships they were able to display their loyalty to the Crown without fear of punishment or persecution. These first pioneers were hard workers and helped to develop what eventually would become Ontario.
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