American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown, known as Loyalists or “Tories,” constituted about one-third of the population in colonial America. The collection of thirteen volumes offers an in-depth exploration of these individuals, documenting over 87,000 people in the United States and Canada. This archive spans a broad geographical scope, including regions like Florida, Great Britain, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, New Brunswick, New Jersey, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Virginia, with a special focus on the Southern and Mid-Atlantic colonies where Loyalist allegiance was particularly strong.
The collection includes a variety of works that provide a comprehensive view of Loyalist experiences:
- Loyalists and Land Settlement in Nova Scotia: Chronicles the resettlement of Loyalists in Nova Scotia, showcasing their efforts to rebuild lives post-war.
- Loyalists in North Carolina During the Revolution: Highlights the Loyalists' challenges and contributions within North Carolina, offering insights into their complex position.
- Loyalists in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War (3 Volumes): Provides detailed accounts of Loyalist military actions and their strategic roles in the Southern Campaign.
- Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution (2 Volumes): Presents personal stories and biographies, giving a human face to the motivations, hardships, and legacies of those loyal to the Crown.
- The Loyalists of Massachusetts, Their Memorials, Petitions, and Claims: Documents the legal and financial efforts of Massachusetts Loyalists to claim compensation, illuminating the aftermath of their allegiance.
- Orderly Book of the Maryland Loyalists Regiment, June 18, 1778, to October 12, 1778: Includes military orders and communications within the Maryland Loyalists Regiment, offering insights into their operations.
- Orderly Book of the Three Battalions of Loyalists Commanded by Brigadier-General Oliver De Lancey, 1776-1778: Provides a glimpse into the daily operations and organization of Loyalist battalions.
- United Empire Loyalists: Enquiry into the Losses and Services in Consequence of Their Loyalty; Evidence in Canadian Claims; Second Report of the Bureau of Archives for the Province of Ontario (2 Volumes): Investigates the financial and personal losses suffered by Loyalists, focusing on Canadian claims and compensation efforts.
This extensive documentation not only sheds light on the complexities of loyalty during a turbulent period in American history but also preserves the legacy of a group whose contributions have been both contested and celebrated. By offering a multifaceted view of the Loyalists' experiences, struggles, and impacts, the collection serves as a vital resource for understanding the nuanced narratives of allegiance and identity during the American Revolution.
Books Included:
- Loyalists and Land Settlement in Nova Scotia
- Loyalists in North Carolina During the Revolution
- Loyalists in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War (3 Volumes)
- Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution (2 Volumes)
- The Loyalists of Massachusetts, Their Memorials, Petitions, and Claims
- Orderly Book of the Maryland Loyalists Regiment, June 18, 1778, to October 12, 1778, Including General Orders Issued by Sir Henry Clinton, Baron Wilhelm von Kuyphausen, Sir William Erskine, Charles, Lord Cornwallis, General William Tryon, and General Oliver De Lancey
- Orderly Book of the Three Battalions of Loyalists Commanded by Brigadier-General Oliver De Lancey, 1776-1778, To Which is Appended a List of New York Loyalists in the City of New York During the War of the Revolution
- United Empire Loyalists: Enquiry into the Losses and Services in Consequence of Their Loyalty; Evidence in Canadian Claims; Second Report of the Bureau of Archives for the Province of Ontario (2 Volumes)