09 - Chronicles of Canada - A Chronicle of the Great Migration by W. Stewart Wallace

Volume 13 of The Chronicles of Canada Series delves into the often-overlooked stories of the Loyalists‚Americans who chose to stay loyal to the British Crown during and after the American Revolution. While many historical accounts portray these individuals negatively, this volume offers a fresh perspective, exploring their motivations for relocating to Canada and beyond instead of remaining in the fledgling United States. Estimates suggest that around a million Loyalists sought refuge in Canada between 1783 and 1784, as articulated by contemporaries like John Adams. These were not individuals fleeing in fear; rather, they were people who believed that the support of the British Crown would provide them with greater security and opportunity than the uncertain political and social landscape of America. Some were drawn by the allure of free land, but all were courageous individuals who left the familiarity of their homeland to help cultivate the uncharted territories of what we now recognize as Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. Their journey is a testament to resilience and determination, as they settled in a largely untamed land with pride. (Introduction by Roger Melin)