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The South Marysburgh Mirror (“Hostages...” continued from page 2) ‘oday, when civil war has displaced tens of millions of persons, it is worth reflecting on Massachusetts Loyalist refugee Edward Winslow’s words (p. 116) where he observed that the Loyalists were not an assembly of dissolute peoples as commonly make the first efforts to settle new countries, but gentlemen (sic) of education, independent farmers, and reputable merchants, who by fortune of war had been deprived of their property and, one might add, their country of residence. The world faces a similar challenge today, at a time where there are few new lands to settle, and where urban migrants are ill -equipped for rural habitats. As history shows, where they go they will help shape a new tomorrow. The book’s opening chapters recount the war in terms of its significant Colonial battles and through the lives of Loyalists and Patriots. Next the story turns to the beginning of the exodus to the Atlantic territories, including Black Loyalist emigrants who arrived to face a long history of discrimination. By the 1790s a number had left or migrated to Sierra Leone. Chapter 6: “Claiming the Kingdoms of the Atlantic” focuses on the travails of settling in Canada and segues into the role of John Graves Simcoe, “The Self-Made Governor who Worshipped his Creator” in the making of Canada. Here one also finds a bit part for Prince Edward County, with some detail to how Loyalists allocated land and survived/ foraged in those early years. Newman then turns to the War of 1812, the last armed confrontation between the United States and the territories of the as-yet-unborn Canada. By all accounts it was an odd war, hardly recognized by Britain, both sides aided by Native Americans, and ending with neither side admitting defeat. Also, as Newman notes, Native (First Nations) allies were “rewarded” by having most of their best lands stolen. But, it was a war that helped to shape the Canada that was to come, a nation populated by Canadians, and not Americans. The post-1812 war period was one of consolidation in Upper Canada and Newman follows the Jarvis family story in the development of York (Toronto) and beyond. By 1817 the seeds of Canada, as a county, have been planted. The following half century to independence was less a period of gestation and more a period of Canadian adolescence, taming the wilderness and growing into “doing one’s duty, enjoying one’s sense of place, and trumping the unfair advantages of assumed privilege.” The joy of the read in Newman’s book is how, with parsimony and insight, he tells the story of how these lands became Canadian. There are lessons here. The story is timely given the risks at hand. Marshall McLuhan’s “Global Village” is becoming a reality, but consumerism and social media risk transforming what it is to be Canadian, without necessarily giving birth to a better tomorrow. It is again a time to combine Loyalist values of self with Peter’s dictum, “..if it is absurd to feel you can change things, it much more absurd not to try.” As for the lessons learned from the Loyalist saga...read the book. PUBLIC NOTICE SOUTH MARYSBURGH RECREATION BOARD The Council of the County of Prince Edward is seeking one (1) community minded individual to sit on the South Marysburgh Recreation Board for the term of Council or until reappointed. County residents who are at least 18 years of age are invited to complete and submit the prescribed application form posted on the Prince Edward County website www.thecounty.ca or by contacting the Clerk’s Office at the below address. Application Forms will be received by the undersigned no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. At this time the County would like to thank everyone who applies, but only the candidate selected by Council on January 24, 2017 will be notified. TheCounty PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY © ONTARIO Kim White, Clerk 332 Main Street Picton, ON KOK 2TO Tel: 613.476.2148 ex.1021 Fax: 613.476.5727 e-mail: kwhite@pecounty.on.ca www.thecounty.ca This advertisement is available in alternate formats upon request. Read The Mirror on-line and in colour at www.southmarysburghmirror.com ° Walker's Complete Automotive Service 613 476 2837 1955 County Road 17 Milford, ON KOK 2P0