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Archival description
Only top-level descriptions Public Archives and Records Office of Prince Edward Island Public Archives and Records Office of Prince Edward Island Loyalists - Prince Edward Island
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United Empire Loyalist collection : [1769-1836]

  • CA PCA Acc4063
  • Collection
  • Microfilmed 1976

Although not a prime destination for the emigrants and disbanded soldiers fleeing America in the aftermath of the revolution, approximately 550 (encouraged by the Island government's offer of land) did settle on Prince Edward Island. 315 land grants were made to the Loyalists, however, most of the land granted was disputed property. By 1790 half of those granted land had left the Island. Despite numerous attempts to settle the Loyalist land claims the issue was not resolved until 1860 by the Land Commission with an acknowledgment of injustice and of the impracticality of the allotting of land to the numerous descendants of the Loyalists. The Island Loyalists represented a cross-section of late-eighteenth century society - most were farmers, fishermen and tradesmen; there were also merchant businessmen and professionals. A few also went on to hold political offices (such as Edmund Fanning, who served as Lieutenant Governor from 1786 to 1805).

This fonds consists of a microfilm copy of primarily government documents which may contain information pertaining to the Loyalists: Lieutenant Governor's Letter Books, Collector of Customs Letter Books, Impost ledgers, shipping records, Commission Books, Supreme Court minutes, Judgment Books, Quit Rent and Land Tax Books and the Smith-Alley papers.

Public Archives and Records Office of Prince Edward Island