Revolutionary War Claims for Losses "T"

ARCHIBALD THOMPSON

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 Loy^s

The Memorial of Arch^d Thompson and James Park late of Tryon C^o and Prov^ce 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 Farm^g Utensils &^c the whole valued at that time at £155.10 Cur^y

That understanding Parliament had taken into considⁿ the distressed state of the Loy^t 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 Memorial^ts 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 Arch^d Thompson & James Park late of Tryon County

Arch^d 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 Disturban^ces thinks ab^t 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 Cap^t McDonell first in Aug^t 1777 – joined the Indians under Brant in 1778 –

James Park – Claim^t – sworn

Says he came from Scotland w^th Arch^d 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 Claim^ts 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 –

Cap^t Brant certifies to their Services and that they acted as Volunteers—

Summary of Claim for Losses and Disbursement

(AO 12 Vol. 109 Page 294 Certificate No. 1948)

Name of claimant Thompson Arch^d & 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.”

__________________________

EDWARD TURNER

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 Oct^r 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 2^d 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 31^st 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 1^st May 1786

Edward Turner late of Susquehana River

Claim

Amount of Property £289.13.9

Determination 7^th 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

Pers^l Estate. Various Articles of Pers^l Property 32

£152

Loss Proved

Resides at Niagara

Summary of Claim for Losses and Disbursement

(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