As ThinkQuest members, we interviewed Mr. John Powell who traced his family back six generations to the arrival of the Mayflower. He had studied his family history and found out that most of his relatives during the Revolutionary War were Loyalists. He also found out that they didn't want to fight in the Revolutionary War because they were Quakers. As you remember, Quakers would not fight or take sides because of their religious beliefs. His ancestors had all of their wealth taken away by the Patriots who burned down their houses and took their belongings. After their possessions were taken, the Loyalists had to ask the government to give them money to replace what they had lost. The Loyalists had to move to different places because their side had lost the war.

Mr. Powell also told us about Mrs. Patti Willian, whose ancestor was a Loyalist. His name was John Bruce. John Bruce was not a Quaker but a wealthy man who supported King George III. When the war was over, John Bruce's property was taken, and his family decided to relocate to Canada. Many Loyalists from the New England area moved to Canada and built their own cities in the wilderness. We have a copy of the papers that Mr. John Bruce filed for getting back some of his wealth. This is a list of property that Mr. Bruce submitted:

"John Bruce of the Real and personal Estate of John Bruce left Behind him When he joyned his majesties troops was sold an other wise desposed of By the Rebels."

two hundred arces of Land with houses and other improvements one hundred and fifty Bushels of wheat fifty Bushels of ry one horse one horse three milk Cows one Calf one year old

Sheep seven heads and three Lambs Six hogs & nine halfgrown pigs house hould furnithere and Beds one iron Bound Cart Farming tools Total New York Currency"

Mr. John Bruce's Original List

Mr. Bruce's Letter to the government.

As you can see, it's fun to try to trace your family's background. Maybe you have some relatives that also participated in the Revolutionary War. You can find out if they were Loyalists or Patriots.

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