Where the Loyalists Went: Resettlement in British North America (1783–1784)

Following the American Revolution, approximately 60,000–80,000 Loyalists (15–20% of colonial population) fled the new United States. The British Crown transported and granted land to ~35,000 in British North America, profoundly shaping Canada.

Primary Destinations

Nova Scotia (incl. present-day New Brunswick until 1784)

• Port Roseway (Shelburne): Largest single settlement (~10,000 at peak); free Black Loyalists founded Birchtown nearby.
• Halifax, Annapolis Royal, Digby.
• Interior Townships: Horton, Cornwallis, Windsor, Liverpool, Rawdon (grants along rivers).

New Brunswick (Created 1784 from NS for Loyalists)

• Saint John River Valley: Parrtown (Saint John) – first incorporated city in Canada (1785).
• Fredericton (St. Anne's Point): Chosen as capital (1785).
• St. Andrews, St. Stephen, Woodstock, Miramichi.
• Bay of Fundy Coast: St. Martins, Alma.

Quebec (Lower Canada)

• Eastern Townships (Cantons de l'Est): South of St. Lawrence. Lennoxville, Sherbrooke, Stanstead, Brome, Missisquoi.
• Gaspé Coast: Small settlements.
• Sorel, Yamachiche, Trois-Rivières area: Early refugee camps became towns.

Upper Canada (Ontario) – Later Wave (1790s)

• Niagara Peninsula: Niagara-on-the-Lake (Butler's Rangers).
• Kingston, Bay of Quinte (Adolphustown, Ernestown): Loyalist townships.
• Long Point, London, York (Toronto) area.

What They Brought

• British legal/political traditions (assembly, common law).
• Anglican/Methodist/Baptist churches.
• Slavery (initially permitted; abolished 1793 Upper Canada, 1834 Empire).
• Architectural styles (Georgian, Loyalist vernacular).
• United Empire Loyalist (UEL) hereditary honorific (still used).

This migration created the demographic and institutional foundation of English-speaking Canada.