In colonial times Archibald Thompson a native of Scotland, lived in Tryon County, New York. During the American Revolution, he served in the Indian Department at Fort Niagara. Following the war he settled in Stamford Township, Welland County. The following is the Claim for Revolutionary War Losses of Archibald Thompson and James Park heard by the Commissioners of Claims at Niagara on 23 Aug 1787. (AO 12 Vol. 28 P. 69-71)
To the Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament for enquiring into the Losses and Services of the Amn Loys
The Memorial of Archd Thompson and James Park late of Tryon Co and Provce of New York – but now of Niagara
Sheweth
That your Memorialists at the beginning of the late unhappy disturbances in America was settled in Tryon County in the Province of New York where they were in possession of 12 Acres of Land with Buildings thereon Erected, Live Stock Household Furniture, Grain Farmg Utensils &c the whole valued at that time at £155.10 Cury
That understanding Parliament had taken into considn the distressed state of the Loyt American Subjects and purpose granting them such redress as may appear just & reasonable in proportion to their Lossess –
Your Memorialist therefore Prays &c
Schedule of the Memorialts Losses
12 Acres of Land— £48
Buildings £4— 4
Grain— 24
Household furniture— 36.10
Live Stock— 43
New York Currency— £155.10
Evidence on the Claim of Archd Thompson & James Park late of Tryon County
Archd Thompson – Sworn
He was at Niagara in 1783. Is a native of Scotland.
Came to America in 1773. Joined the Indians in 1778, served during the War.
He & James Park settled together on John Harper’s Land in Tryon County—never had a Lease or Deed, were to have had if the Disturbances had not come on—
They had cleared a little before the Disturbances thinks abt 12 Acres in the whole before they left it, had built a long House—
Had 2 horses 5 horned Cattle Cloathes furniture—Says the[y] joined Capt McDonell first in Augt 1777 – joined the Indians under Brant in 1778 –
James Park – Claimt – sworn
Says he came from Scotland wth Archd Thompson – settled as Partner in Tryons County – Went from Home with him and served in the Indian Department.
They took up 100 Acres, had not paid anything – had not any Deed or Lease, they were to have paid £20 – They Cleared 12 acres before they went away – most of it before the Rebellion broke out –
They had 2 horses and a Colt, 4 Cows and some young Cattle
The Rebels got them all
John Chisholm – Sworn
Knew both Claimts they went off with Witness, & several other Loyalists they served in the Indian Department –
They had Lands from Col: Harpur in Tryon County – thinks they cleared 13 Acres.
He saw 2 horses – 3 or 4 Cows, and altogether a nice Stock –
Capt Brant certifies to their Services and that they acted as Volunteers—
(AO 12 Vol. 109 Page 294 Certificate No. 1948)
Name of claimant Thompson Archd & James Park; Province N York; Claim for Loss of Property £87.9; Sum Originally Allowed £38; Total Sum payable under Act of Parliament £38; Balance After Such Receipt £38; Final Balance £38
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. 55 in Second Report P. 979
Proceedings of Loyalist Commissioners
Montreal 1787
Before Commissioner Pemberton
New Claim August 29.
Claim of Archibald Thompson & James Park, late of Tryon Co.
Repeats the evidences in AO 12 with the following marginal notes of the Commissioner:
“Good men to be allowed a little.”
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In colonial times Edward Turner a native of America, lived in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. During the American Revolution he served in Butler’s Rangers at Fort Niagara then joined the Navy serving on the Great Lakes. Following the war he settled in Niagara Township, Lincoln County. The following is his Claim for Revolutionary War Losses of his deceased father Morris Turner, heard by the Commissioners of Claims at Niagara on 29 Aug 1787. (AO 12 Vol. 40 P. 364-368)
To the Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament for enquiring into the Losses and Services of the American Loyalists
The Memorial of Edward Turner late of Northumberland County in the 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 in Northumberland County in the Province of Pennsylvania where he was in possession of a good Farm with Buildings thereon erected, Household Furniture Farming utensils in the whole valued at £515 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 Losses
Your Memorialist in behalf of himself and Family humbly prays that you will be pleased to take his Case into your serious Considn and that you will be pleased to grant him such Relief as may appear reasonable and your Memorialist shall forever pray &c
State of the Effects lost by Edward Turner late of the Province of Pennsylvania at the time he made his Escape to the British Army in 1778. –
1075 Acres of Land, Household Furniture}
Farming utensils &c } £515 New York Currency
Evidence on the Claim of Edward Turner late of Pennsylvania
Claimant Sworn
Says he was at Niagara in 1783. Is a native of America was settled on Susquhannah, Came from Home in 1778, there were Families of Loyalists came away to join the British. –
His Father came with him, joined the Rangers, died in the Service. –
Witness first joined the Rangers, served 9 Months then was in the Navy Service on the Lakes during the War. –
His Father died without a will, leaving Claimant his eldest Son. Sarah now married to Jarden Avery, his Widow, 2 Daughters, Children, who live with Claimant. –
His Father, Morris Turner had an Estate in Northumberland on the Susquhannah, this was not the disputed Lands.
Produces Locations from the office at Philade1phia.
330 Acres 1769
50 Acres 1765
300 Acres Octr 1775
150 Acres 1776
The Locations are in different names, but all belonged to his Father. –
The Expense of Location was £5 p 100 Acres to the Proprietor besides other Expences
These Lands were taken up for his Father and he paid all the Expence. –
He had also 2 Islands in Susquhanah one hundred acres each. –
One Island his Father bought, the other Island he took up. –
There were Improvements on all the Locations. –
On the 2d Island there were 10 acres Clear and an orchard, – he built there. –
Says he values the Land altogether at 10/ p acre. –
His Father was driven off before he quitted the Country.
Claimant heard it was advertised for Sale. –
Left Furniture, utensils, 6 Hogs & a few Creatures behind – they carried away their CattIe. –
Rebecca Field Sworn
Knew Claimants Father, he and his Son left the Country on account of their Loyalty, they served in the Rangers.
Has been on his Father’s Lands. Knew both the Islands, they belonged to the Father. There were not any of them on the disputed Lands. –
There were considerable Improvements on the Islands and on other Lands of the Fathers.
Nathan Field Sworn
Knew Morris Turner’s Land, he cannot say how much, but speaks particularly to the two Islands, remembers him in possession before the War. There were considerable Improvements on both the Islands. –
August 31st 1787 –
Sarah Avery, mother to Claimant appears
Says she is willing all the payment should be made to her Son the Claimant.
Says she has the Deeds from those persons in whose names the Locations were made.
Decision of the Commissioners
(AO 12 Vol. 66 P. 64)
Post 1st May 1786
Edward Turner late of Susquehana River
Claim
Amount of Property £289.13.9
Determination 7th December 1787
Loyalty. Bore Arms – The Claimant is a Loyalist & Bore Arms in Support of the British Government
Losses.
Real Estate. 1075 Acres on the Susquehanah}
With Improvements} £120
Persl Estate. Various Articles of Persl Property 32
£152
Loss Proved
Resides at Niagara
(AO 12 Vol. 109 P. 296 Certificate No. 1955)
Name of claimant Turner Edward; Province Penns; Claim for Loss of Property £286; Sum Originally Allowed £152; Total Sum payable under Act of Parliament £152; Balance After Such Receipt £152; Final Balance £152
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. 59-60 in Second Report P. 981
Proceedings of Loyalist Commissioners
Montreal 1787
Before Commissioner Pemberton
New Claim August 29.
Claim of Edward Turner, Iate of Pensilva.
Repeats the evidences in AO 12 with the following marginal notes of the Commissioner:
“Claimt. seems a very good man.”
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