We are starting a blog on the Harvey Heritage website to try and capture conversations taking place at the monthly meetings of the Harvey Regional Heritage and Historical Association. It has been fun sharing information about the area’s history through which interesting facts come to light. Like the fact that there is a burial ground on one of the farms in the Lake George Settlement where some black folks were laid to rest. I didn’t know anything about this and was curious to learn more. Information sharing ensued for the next few meetings and an expedition organized to determine the location of the cemetery. In addition, more information about the settlers was pursued using genealogical research tools.
The results have been fascinating, highlighting a time in the history of North America that was in upheaval, the time of the Revolutionary War in the latter half of the 1700s when the Loyalists had their lands and livelihoods confiscated, a time when they were subject to persecution and decided to flee. It was also a time of hope and anticipation for those who were enslaved, being promised freedom if they joined the British war effort against the revolutionaries. How did all this turn out? The stories of the men, women and children who landed in the Harvey area provide a view of the aftermath that is truly engaging.
The purpose of this blog is to share some of what we learn at our monthly meetings which are open to all. There is no set schedule of when blog items will appear, but new items will be announced on the HRHHA Facebook page. Guest authors are welcome to submit their stories to me at sheryl.anne.bartlett@gmail.com. The next post will continue the story of the black folks of Lake George Settlement.
Sheryl Bartlett
Harvey Regional Heritage and Historical Association
20 June 2016
