History of the settlement of Upper Canada (Ontario,): with special reference to the Bay QuintéCanniff, William
History
History of the settlement of Upper Canada (Ontario,): with special reference to the Bay Quinté
Canniff, William
Ontario -- History; Quinte, Bay of (Ont.)
Captain Joseph Allen, formerly Captain Allen of New Jersey, held a
commission in the British Army at New York for some time during the war.
He owned extensive mill property, and was regarded as a very wealthy
person. All his possessions were confiscated, and he in 1783, found his
way, among other refugees, first to Sorel, where he stayed a winter, and
finally to Upper Canada. His family consisted of two sons, John and
Jonathan, and three daughters, Rachel, Ursula, and Elizabeth. Captain
Allen was one of the first settlers in Adolphustown, and his descendants
still live in the township, among whom are Parker Allen, Esq., J. D.
Watson, Esq., and David McWherter, Esq. Captain Allen had extensive
grants of land in Adolphustown, and in Marysburgh, and elsewhere; as
well as his children. Jonathan Allen, succeeded his father upon the
homestead, and was for many years an acceptable Justice of the Peace.
His brother, Joseph Allen, moved to Marysburgh, and was a Captain of
militia during the war of 1812. Captain Allen brought with him several
slaves, “who followed his fortunes with peculiar attachment, even after
their liberation.”
We have seen that the rebellion led to the divisions of families. It was
so with the Allison family of Haverstraw, New York. There were seven
brothers; two sided with the rebels. One Benjamin, being a boy, was at
home, while the other four took part with loyalists. One settled in New
Brunswick, probably the Edward Allison Sabine speaks of, who had been
captain in De Lancey’s third battalion, and who received half-pay, and
after whom _Mount Allison_ is called.
Joseph Allison was living at Haverstraw, New York. He was for a time
engaged in the navy yard at New York. At one time he and another entered
the rebel camp, and after remaining a few days availed themselves of a
dark night and carried off five excellent horses belonging to a troop of
cavalry. They were pursued and barely escaped. Allison took these horses
in return for the loss of his house and other property which the rebels
had ruthlessly burned. He was at the battle of White Plains, and had
narrow escapes, his comrade beside him was shot down, and his canteen
belt cut in two by a ball. As he could not carry the canteen, h$1 $2
took time to empty that vessel of the rum which it contained.
His neighbors at Haverstraw were exceedingly vindictive against him.
After several years, he visited there to see his aged mother, when a mob
attempted to tar and feather him, and he had to hide in the woods all
night. Allison came to Canada with Van Alstine, and drew lot 17, in
Adolphustown. A strong, healthy and vigorous man, he contributed no
little to the early settlement. Died upon his farm, aged eighty-eight.
His wife’s name was Mary Richmond, of a well-known Quaker family. His
descendants still occupy the old homestead, a most worthy family.
Benjamin Allison, the youngest, came to Adolphustown in 1795.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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