Revolutionary War Claims "A"
Revolutionary War
Claims for Losses
Surnames "A"
ALWARD/ALLWARD
Daniel Alward was a pioneer settler in Bertie Township, Welland County, arriving there by 1791. Daniel’s grandson Reuben Alward pioneered in the Long Point Settlement. While Daniel Alward did not file a claim for Revolutionary War Losses himself, Benjamin Allward, a brother of his father Henry Alward, did file along with Benjamin’s sons Asher, Joseph and Silas.
BENJAMIN ALLWARD
In colonial times Benjamin Allward lived in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey. During the American Revolution he went to the British lines in New York. After the war he settled in Maugerville then Manowagonish, New Brunswick. The following is his Claim for Revolutionary War Losses heard by the Commissioners of Claims at St. John on 23 Jan 1787. (AO 12 Vol. 16 P. 170-176)
To the Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament for enquiring into the Losses and Services of the American Loyalists
The Memorial of Benjn Allward a Refugee from East New Jersey
Most humbly Sheweth,
That your Memorialist resided in the County of Middlesex in the Province of New Jersey until the late unhappy Dissentions in America, when he was obliged to leave his Property to the mercy of the Rebels and fly to the British Army at New York for Protection, and ever after used his utmost endeavour in support of his Majesty’s Government. – Therefore your Memorialist humbly prays that your Honours will be pleased to take into Consideration your Memorialists unhappy Situation being an old infirm Man unable for hard Labour and be pleased to grant him such a Compensation for his Losses as is just and right according to the Evidence laid before you with the annexed Account – and your Memorialist as in humble Duty bound will ever pray. – (Signed) Benjamin Allward.
City of New York 16th June 1783
We the Subscribers having lived many years in the Neighbourhood of Benjamin Allward a Refugee late from Woodbridge in Middlesex County and Province of New Jersey and being well acquainted with his Landed Property which consisted of 286 Acres do estimate it to be intrinsically worth £6 p Acre…. £1716.
The Buildings thereon valued at – 500
York Currency £2216
All which we are informed and we verily believe has been Confiscated and sold by the Americans for his Attachment to the British Constitution.
Police Office 18th June 1783}
Sworn to before me}
(Signed) Wm Walton Mayor} (Signed) John Ford
of Police} Steven Hunt
Benjamin Allward of Woodbridge Township Middlesex County and Province of East New Jersey his account of Losses sustained by the Rebels vizt –
To three Horses £42
To 1 Colt… 1 year old 6
To 7 Cows 35
To 8 young Cattle 24
To 24 Sheep 14.8
To 1 Ox Cart 10
To 1 Riding Chair 12
To 1 Bed and Beding 8
To Household Furniture 21.12
To Farming utensils 8
£205
St. John 23d January 1787
Evidence on the Claim of Benjamin Allward, late of New Jersey. —
Claimant Sworn
Saith he came from New York in 1783, went up the River to Magerville, staid there a twelve month, had no Opportunity of sending his Claim. —
He lived at Woodbridge from the first he declared himself in favour of British, he had been often obliged to attend the Committees and Imprisoned. —
Went to New York in the Spring after the British Troops had been in the Jerseys. — Continued in New York, is now settled at Mahogany. —
Property No 1. Was possessed of a Farm above 200 acres in Woodbridge, bought it 20 years ago of Timothy Blomfield. — Produces Deed from Timothy Blomfield to Claimant of 250 Acres in Consideration of £350, dated 1750. — He had sold a little of it. – He lived on this Farm – 40 Acres Meadow, more than 60 Acres Plough land. — Values it at £6 p Acre. – Was offered it.
No 2. Another Farm of about 40 or 60 Acres in Woodbridge, bought it a year after the other, valued it as high if not higher than the first. Produces Deed from Samuel Allward to Claimant of 30 Acres more or less in Considn of £200. – 1759. –
Produces Certificate of Sale by Ebenezer Ford one of the Commissioners stating the number at 315 Acres.
Produces Certificate to his Loyalty from Samuel Holland Surveyor General requesting his Brother Officers to protect him and his Property dated at Bridge Town 1776.
His Estate had been plundered on account of his being a Tory. —
Three Horses. —
Two Colts. —
One Colt. —
Seven Cows. —
Eight Young Cattle. —
Furniture. —
Farming Utensils. —
John Ford Sworn,
Remembers Claimant at Woodbridge, he and his Family were among the first to declare in favour of British Government; – They had suffered a great deal on account of it. – Has seen the Claimant taken before the Committees. – Heard of his Imprisonment. – He went within the British Lines in the Spring after Lord Cornwallis had been in the Jerseys. Continued there during the war. –
Knew No 1. – values it at £6 p Acre exclusive of Buildings. —
The dwelling House was very good, a large Barn – there were several other Buildings
Knew No 2. – The Land was equally valuable, there were no Buildings. —
He had a Good Stock, knew some of his Horses particularly. —
Steven Kent Sworn,
Knew Claimant, he was distinguished for his Loyalty. —
Knew No 1 values it at £6 p Acre exclusive of Buildings. —
There was a good House, Barn and various Buildings. –
Knew No 2 – values the Land full as high as the other. —
One Freeman was in possession of No 1 when they heard last.
N. B. – Some of the Witnesses say That Claimant first proposed an Association of Loyalists, and a Paper was drawn up by General Skinner, and a great many Signed it on Claimants application.
The purport of it was to Support His Majesty and the British Government. —
All Claimant’s Sons Signed it. —
Decision of the Commissioners
(AO 12 Vol. 63 P. 80)
Benjamin Allward late of New Jersey
Claim
Amount of Property £1361.16.3
Determination 24th January 1787.
Loyalty. The Claimant is a meritorious & Zealous Loyalist. —
Losses
Real Estate.
200 Acres of Land with Buildings}
&c in Woodbridge} £500
50 Acres of Land in Woodbridge 125
£625
Persl Estate. Various Articles of Persl Property 81
£706
Confiscation & Sale proven
Resides at Manowagonish.
Summary of Claim for Losses and Disbursement
(AO 12 Vol. 109 P. 76 Certificate No. 892)
Name of claimant Allward Benjamin; Province N Jersey; Claim for Loss of Property £1361.16; Sum Originally Allowed £700; Total Sum payable under Act of Parliament £700; Balance After Such Receipt £700; Final Balance £700
The Second Report of The Bureau of Archives for the Province of Ontario, 1904 transcribed from Library of Congress MSS 18,662 Vol. XIV, MSS. 9-11 in Second Report p. 810
Proceedings of Loyalist Commissioners
St. Johns, 1787
Before Commissioner Pemberton P. 810
New Claim St. John, 23 January 1787
Case of Benjamin Allward, late of New Jersey.
Repeats the evidences in AO 12
__________________________
ASHER ALLWARD
In colonial times Asher Allward lived in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey. During the American Revolution he served in the Engineer Department on Staten Island, New York. Following the war he settled in Maugerville then St. John, New Brunswick. The following is his Claim for Revolutionary War Losses of Asher Allward heard by the Commissioners of Claims at St. John on 13 Feb 1787. (AO 12 Vol. 16 P. 270-272)
Account of the Losses sustained by Asher Allward late of New Jersey. —
Cash £11
Zekiel Blomfield Debts for 12
Henry Beckman Debts for 10
John Martin Debts for 10
Ebenezer Martin Debts for 11
To Horses 30
To Cows 12
To Goods 9.6
105.6
St. John 13th February 1787
Evidence on the Claim of Asher Allward late of New Jersey—
Claimant Sworn
Says he came to this Province in July 1783, staid a week, to Majorville, staid there a year, came down once in November, staid only two or three Days. —
The first he heard of the Act was when Captain Vanderburgh was going. —
He lived in Woodbridge with his Father; went to Staten Island in the Summer 1777 within the British Lines. – Worked 10 Months in the Engineer Department. Continued within the Lines till he came to this Province. – Now settled in this Town—
He had some Property on his Father’s Farm, he had four Horses of his own & three Cows. —
They were taken away by the Rebels from his Father’s Farm at Woodbridge, they were mixt with his Father’s and all taken together. —
Benjamin Allward Sworn
Claimant went within the British Lines soon after the Troops had been through Jersey, he continued within the Lines, he worked some time in the Engineer Department. – He had some Creatures on his Father’s Farm – The Father allowed him to have them. —
Decision of the Commissioners
(AO 12 Vol. 63 P. 91)
Asher Allward late of New Jersey
Claim
Amount of Property £105
Determination 20th Febr 1787
Loyalty. The Claimant is a Loyalist
Losses.
Persl Estate. Various Articles of Persl Property £25
Resides at St. John
Summary of Claim for Losses and Disbursement
(AO 12 Vol. 109 P. 76 Certificate No. 901)
Name of claimant Allward Asher; Province N Jersey; Claim for Loss of Property £104.4; Sum Originally Allowed £87; Total Sum payable under Act of Parliament £87; Balance After Such Receipt £87; Final Balance £87
The Second Report of The Bureau of Archives for the Province of Ontario, 1904 transcribed from Library of Congress MSS 18,662 Vol. XV MSS. 34-35 in Second Report p. 810
Proceedings of Loyalist Commissioners
St. Johns, 1787
Before Commissioner Pemberton P. 855
New Claim Shelburne, 13 February 1787
Case of Asher Allward, late of New Jersey.
Repeats the evidences in AO 12
__________________________
JOSEPH ALLWARD
In colonial times Joseph Allward lived in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey. During the American Revolution he joined the British troops in New Jersey. Following the war he settled in New Brunswick. The following is his Claim for Revolutionary War dated on 24 Feb 1786. (AO 13 Vol. 21 P. 3-5)
To the Honorable the Commissioners appointed by an Act of Parliament to enquire into the Losses and Services of all such Persons who have Suffered in their Rights Properties and Professions during the late unhappy dissentions in America &c &c &c
The Memorial of Joseph Allward
Most Respectfully sheweth
That your Memorialist resided in the Town of Woodbridg [sic] Middlesex County East New Jersey untill the late unhappy dissentions in America and for his Loyalty to His Majesty and attachment to the British Constitution was obliged to Fly to the British Troops at New Jersey but not till after your Memorialist was Employed by Government to get what intelligence he could of the Designs and Movement of the Rebel Army which your Memorialist was faithfull in and made report to a Messenger sent to your Memorialist by Government which Services was very dangerous for your Memorialist not only lost all he was Possessed of by the Rebels but narrowly Escaped with his life after lying in Goal Eight months and better
Therefore Your Memorialist Humbly Prays that your Honours will be pleased to take into consideration his present Situation and Grant him such a Compensation for his Losses and Services as may apear to your Honours to be Just and and [sic] Right according to the Evidence laid before you together with the Anexed Account and your Memorialist as in Humble Duty bound will ever Pray.
St. John New Brunswick Joseph Allward
February 24th 1786
Witnesses Silas Alward
John [Tare]
Stephen Kent all living in New Brunswick
Province of New Brunswick
St. John February 28th 1786
Joseph Allward late of Woodbridg [sic] Middlesex County East New New [sic] Jersey but now of New Brunswick Maketh Oath and saith that he Resided at New York and New Brunswick aforesaid from the 15th of July 1783 to the 25th of March 1784 and this deponant further saith that he was utterly incapable of presenting or delivering to the commissioners appointed by Act of Parlement Passed in the 23d Year of the Reign of His present Majesty Intitled An Act appointing Commissioners to enquier into the Losses and Services of all such Persons who have Suffered in their Rights Properties and Professions during the late unhappy dissentions in America in Consequence of their Loyalty to His Majesty and Attachment to the British Government or at their office any Memorial Claim or Request for aid or Relief on account of this deponants Losses and Services during the late unhappy dissentions in America within the time limited by by [sic] said Act for the receiving Such Claims by reason that this deponant during all such time (viz) between the 15 of July 1783 and the 25th of March 1784 lived or Resided at New York and New Brunswick aforesaid
[Signed] Joseph Allward
Sworn before
J. Putnam Just. Sup Court
Joseph Allward New claim 6th Apl 1786
Deferred 7 Apl 1786
Revised & Rejected 20 Nov 1786
An account of Losses and Services Sufferred by the Subscriber in consequence of his Loyalty to Hi Majesty and From Attachment to the British Government—
To Secret Services from the 10th of July 1776 to the 18th of December following being 161 Days at 20 Shillings p Day £161:0: 0
More to Services as an Assistant Comissary 270 Days— 72:15:0
More to the loss of one Cart two oxen 2 Horses in the Service
from the [26]th of December 1776 to the 6th of January 1777 – 8:11:0
More to loosing 70 Bushels of Wheat by the […….]— 15:15:0
More to 49 Bushels of Rie— 7: 7:0
More to 16 Bushels of Indian Corn— 1:12:0
More to 4 Tuns of English Hay— 13:10:0
More to 10 Tuns of [Salt] Hay— 16:17:0
More to 400 – one Quarter of Iron— 4:15:0
More to Carpentors Tools— 5:10:0
More to 1200 of Boards— 33:12:0
More to Expences while in Goal— 21: 5:0
Total 362: 9:0
Received of Mr Sha[mins] and Mr Brindly £15:16:3 towards the above amount
[Signed] Joseph Allward
__________________________
SILAS ALLWARD
In colonial times Silas Allward lived in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey. During the American Revolution he joined the British Army under General Howe on Staten Island, New York. Following the war he settled in St. John, New Brunswick. The following is his Claim for Revolutionary War dated on 14 Mar 1786. (AO 13 Vol. 21 P. 6-8)
To the Honorable Colol Thomas Dundas & J. Pemberton Esqrs Commissioners Appointed by A late Act of Parliament to Enquire into the Losses & Services of all such Persons who have suffered in their rights, Properties and professions during the late unhappy Dissentions in America &c &c &c
The Petition of Silas Allward
Most Humbly Sheweth
That he resided in the Township of Woodbridge Middlesex County & Province of East Jersey untill the unhappy dissentions in America and for his Loyalty to his Majesty and attachment to the British Government. Was obliged to leave his Province and Join’d General Howe the Sixth day of July 1776 on Statton Island for Protection in Consequence of which he suffer’d the Loss of his Property an Account of his Services is hereunto Anexed.
Your Petitioner Humbly prayeth that your Honours would be pleased to Enquire into the Losses and Service for of Said Petitioner and he as in Duty Bound will ever pray.
Witnesses
Asher Allward}
Benn Allward} County of St John
Stephen Kent}
An Account of Losses sustained by the Subscriber in Consequence of his Loyalty to His Majesty & Attachment to the British Government
To three Horses, one Breeding Mare & Colt }
84, New York Currency } £84
To One Cow two young Heifers }
Five Hogs & Eleven Sheep } 21-12
21:12 New york Currency }
To Farming Utensils, Viz. Cart }
Sled Plow &c £20 New York Currency} 20-0
To One Hundred Bushels of Grain 20.0
To 2 Rideing Saddels 9:0
To 1 Close Cupboard & Sundries of
Household Furniture £11 New York Currency 11.0
Sum Total 165.12
Served as a Pilot under the Command of Major Beckwith To New Brunswick & obtained a Captns Warrant & Recruited Men for Brigr General Skinners Corps and many other Services &c. and Suffered Nine months Imprisonment which to his great Damage he for his Support paid the Sum of Sixty five Pounds
Silas Allward Late of Township of Woodbridge Middlesex County & Colony of East New Jersey but now of the Town & county of St John Province of New Brunswick. Maketh Oath, and saith, that he resided at Said Town from the 15th of July 1783 to the 25th of March 1784 and this deponent further saith, that he was utterly incapable of preferring or delivering to parliament & The Commissioners Appointed by Act of parliament passed in the 23 year of the Reign of his Majesty entitled an Act for Appointing Commissioners to Enquire into the losses & Services of all such persons who have suffered in their Rights, properties and professions during the late unhappy dissentions in America, in Consequence of their Loyalty to his Majesty & Attachment to the British Government, or at their Office any Memorial Claim or Request for Aid or relief on Account of this deponents losses during the late unhappy dissentions in America, within the time Allowed by said Act for the receiving of such claims by reason that this Deponent during all such time, Viz. between the 15th of July 1783 and the 25th of March 1784 lived or resided at the Town & County Aforesaid
Province of New Brunswick [Signed] Silas Allward
February 18th 1786
Sworn before J Putnam Just Sup Court
Silas Allward
Petition
New Claim
Dd 14 March 1786
Deferred 22 March 1786
Revised & Rejected
21 Novr 1786
__________________________
FREDERICK ANGER
In colonial times Frederick Anger a native of Germany, lived on the Susquehannah River in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. During the American Revolution he joined Butler’s Rangers at Fort Niagara. Following the war Frederick Anger settled in Bertie Townhip, Welland County. The following is his Claim for Revolutionary War Losses heard by the Commissioners of Claims at Niagara on 23 Aug 1787. (AO 12 Vol. 40 P. 335-338)
To the Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament for enquiring into the Losses and Services of the American Loyalists
The Memorial of Frederick Anger late of Susquhannah River in the County of Northumberland and Province of Pennsylvania but now of Niagara in the Province of Quebec.
Humbly Sheweth
That your Memorialist at the beginning of the late unhappy Disturbances in America, was settled on the North Branch of the Susquhannah River in Northumberland County Province of Pennsylvania where he was in possession of a good Farm with Buildings thereon erected, live Stock, Farming utensils, Household Furniture &c the whole valued at £372.18 – New York Currency. –
That understanding Parliament had taken into Consideration the distressed State of the Loyal American Subjects and purpose granting them such relief as may appear Just and Reasonable in proportion to their Loses. –
Your Memorialist in behalf of himself and Family humbly prays that you will be pleased to grant him such Relief as may appear Reasonable and your Memorialist shall ever pray. –
State of the Effects lost by Frederick Anger late of Northumberland County in the Province of Pennsa at the time he made his Escape to the British Army in the year 1778, from which period till the Close of the War he served the King in Colonel Butler’s Rangers. –
300 Acres of Land, Cattle, Grain, Hogs}
Household Furniture, Farming utensils &c} £372.18
New York Currency. –
August 27th 1787
Evidence on the Claim of Frederick Anger late of Pennsylvania. –
Claimant Sworn,
Says he is a native of Germany, went to America 30 years ago. – Lived on the Susquhannah when the Rebellion broke out, joined Colonel Butler, served Seven years with him as a Private. –
He had two Sons in the same Regiment. –
He had half a Proprietor’s Right on the disputed Lands on the Susquhannah, gave 72 Dollars for it, his half Right was 2000 acres. –
Says he went to Susquhannah in 1772. – Cleared 20 Acres, – Built a good House and Stable. –
Lost 4 Cows, 3 Horses, 3 three year old Heifers, 2 two year old, 3 Calves, 7 Sheep, 14 Hogs large one, Furniture, utensils, 60 Bushels Grain, 80 Bushels various kinds of Corn – all lost by the Indians and Rangers. –
Michael Showers Sworn,
Knew Claimant, he served in Butlers Rangers from the time that the Susquhannah was cut off by Colonel Butler.
He had Lands on the Susquehannah. He had half a Proprietors Right, it was then disputed Land. –
He had a clever House and Barn, about 20 Acres clear, he settled there about 1772. –
He had a pretty large Stock, taken by the Indians and Rangers. –
Decision of the Commissioners
(AO 12 Vol. 66 P. 56)
Frederick Anger late of Susquehanah
Claim
Amount of Property £723.7.6
Determination 7th December 1787
Loyalty. Bore Arms – The Claimant is a Loyalist & Bore Arms in Support of the British Government
Losses.
Real Estate. Improvements on a Farm}
on the Susquehanah} £35
Persl Estate. Various Articles of Persl Property 42
£77
Loss Proved
Resides at Niagara
Summary of Claim for Losses and Disbursement
(AO 12 Vol. 109 P. 74 Certificate No. 915)
Name of claimant Anger Frederick; Province Penns; Claim for Loss of Property £723.7; Sum Originally Allowed £77; Total Sum payable under Act of Parliament £77; Balance After Such Receipt £77; Final Balance £77
The Second Report of The Bureau of Archives for the Province of Ontario, 1904 transcribed from Library of Congress MSS 18,662 Vol. XX MSS. 41 in Second Report P. 973
Proceedings of Loyalist Commissioners
Montreal 1787
Before Commissioner Pemberton P. 973 MSS. 41
New Claim Aug. 23.
Claim of Frederick Anger, late of Pensylva.
Repeats the evidences in AO 12
__________________________
JOEL AUSTIN
In colonial times Joel Austin a native of America, lived on the Delaware River in Ulster County, New York. During the American Revolution he joined Butler’s Rangers at Fort Niagara. Following the war Joel Austin settled in Grantham Township, Lincoln County. The following is his Claim for Revolutionary War heard by the Commissioners of Claims at Niagara on 1 Sep 1787. (AO 12 Vol. 28 P. 99-100)
To the Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament for enquiring into the Losses and Services of the American Loyalists
The Memorial of Joel Austin late of Delaware River in the County of Ulster in the Province of New York but now of Niagara
Sheweth
That yr Memorialt at the beginning of the late unhappy disturbances in America was Settled on Delaware River in Ulster County in the Province of New York where he was in possession of two Improvements of Land with 2 Houses thereon live Stock Farming Utensils Household Furniture wearing apparel &c the whole value at that time at £130.10 New York Currency.
That understanding Parliament had taken into Considn the Distressed State of The Loyl American Subjects & purpose granting them such Relief as may appear just & reasonable your Memt therefore prays &c
Schedule of the Effects of Joel Austin
2 Improvemts of Land with a Crop of Wheat}
and Corn on them—} 75
3 Hogs 8l – 3 Sheep – £1.10 — 9.10
Wearing Apparell— 30
Farming Utensils— 4
Household furniture— 12
New York Currency— £130.10
September 1st
Evidence on the Claim of Joel Austin late of New York
Claimant – sworn
Says he was at Niagara in 1783.
Is a native of America.
Lived at Passachonk at the Head of the Delaware – joined Col: Butler in 1778 – went up with Mr Burch with Cattle.
Had 2 Lots of 100 acres at Passachonk Lease Land –
1. 100 acres for 63 years paying £4.10 p annum had 60 years to come
2. The other was a Lease for ever paying £4.10 p an: had 25 acres clear on the 2 had a house on this first. Values the 2 at £100—
Lost every thing he had. 8 Hogs – 3 Sheep furniture, Cloaths Utensils, Crop on the Ground.
John Burch – Sworn
Knew Claimant he went with Witness when they carried the Cattle to Col. Butler, is a very honest man & very Loyal he served all the War.
He had two Lots of Leasehold Land – 25 or 30 Acres clear—
He lost all his Cloaths of which he had a great Deal worth 30 or 40l and all his property.
Summary of Claim for Losses and Disbursement
(AO 12 Vol. 109 P. 76 Certificate No. 906)
Name of claimant Austin Joel; Province N York; Claim for Loss of Property £81; Sum Originally Allowed £60; Total Sum payable under Act of Parliament £60; Balance After Such Receipt £60; Final Balance £60
The Second Report of The Bureau of Archives for the Province of Ontario, 1904 transcribed from Library of Congress MSS 18,662 Vol. XXI MSS. 9-10 in Second Report Report of The Bureau of Archives for the Province of Ontario P. 995
Proceedings of Loyalist Commissioners
Montreal 1787
Before Commissioner Pemberton
Sept. 1st.
Claim of Joel Austin, late of New York.
Repeats the evidences in AO 12 with the following marginal notes of the Commissioner
“A very fine man.”
“Charges reasonably”
“to be allowed to the full nearly”
“Satisfied.”