Most of my ancestors who went through the Revolutionary War
in America were Patriots. They would have been called Rebels (or worse) by the
British. They favored Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Revere and company. Those who sided with the British were called Loyalists. And it was not
easy for them after the War was won and the Colonies became the United States
of America. Many packed up and moved north, into British-held Canada. That’s
what my fourth-great-grandfather, Gideon Corey, did.
Gideon Corey was born this day, March 21, in 1757, in East
Greenwich, Kent Co., Rhode Island. He was just 19 when the Colonies officially
declared their Independence.
Gideon was a Loyalist; he favored the British in the
Revolutionary War so he moved to Canada.
Gideon Corey left the USA aboard the British transport ship
Union, arriving in New Brunswick, Canada, on May 18, 1783. He was 26.
Gideon apparently married Abigail Clarke that same year.
Abigail Clarke was the daughter of Elisha Clarke, also of Rhode Island, who was
my fifth-great-grandfather and, though a British Loyalist like his son, is a
tie to an important personage in my heritage.
Abigail’s ancestor Joseph Clarke is my
eighth-great-grandfather. It is his brother, John Clarke (1609-1676), who is a
significant historical figure. He “was a medical doctor, Baptist minister,
co-founder of the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, author of
its influential charter and a leading advocate of religious freedom in the
Americas.”[1] Some day I will share more about this remarkable man, who was my eight-great-granduncle.
Gideon and Abigail Corey ultimately settled in a remote
portion of Canada in Queens County where they raised a large family, including
my third great-grandfather Stephen Corey (born 1797).
1. http://hylbom.com/family/paternal-lines/paternal-cl-to-du/clarke-1344/
