American Revolution, Loyalist Family History, 1790
American Revolution, Loyalist Family History:
The story of Robert (1764? -1790), the son of Alexander and Sarah Grant
"Funeral Oration" on the death of the college student Robert Grant, anonymous, (1790). This "Oration" provides some inside into the lives of loyalist refugees after the Revolutionary War.
After mentioning the death of seven students and two faculty members, the author of this "Oration" provides an interesting biographical data on the diseased student, Robert Grant. His father, Alexander Grant, a man of education and abilities, officer commission in the British army, served in the "last war" between England and France, and was native of Scotland. After peace treaty in 1763, Alexander Grant settled in Friedricksburgh [?], New York. He married Miss Kent, daughter of Rev. Kent. Alexander Grant was recalled to the army during the "late unhappy struggle between Great Britain and her then Colonies." He was killed during the battle at Fort Montgomery (1777). After his death, the officers of the company enlisted his then thirteen years old Robert into the company.
After the war, the regiment was disbanded, and in 1783, Robert with his mother and the family moved to Annapolis, Nova Scotia. On March 9th, 1787, Robert, his mother, and "several acquaintances" sailed from Annapolis over the bay to St. John. The sudden storm destroyed their boat; they survived and came a shore of the inhabited coast. They, "entirely destitute of fire and shelter," struggled to survive in the freezing cold weather. In the morning, they separated into several parties to look for a relief.
Robert Grant, his mother and Mr. Chandler with his daughter, went together through the snow. Being the elderly person, Mr. Chandler, and his daughter, "who was overcome by the feverity of the season," had to stop and make a rest. Some time later, Robert's mother collapsed, freezing to death. While Robert did not want to leave his mother, she insisted to move on. Two pages of the "Oration" are dedicated to this final conversation. Robert continued to walk alone, until he discovered a boat at the shore. He survived but became orphan.
He was admitted to the University in 1789, but during the winter semester his health started to decline... Taking semester free, Robert went to the warmer region, to Georgia, promising to return soon to New Haven. On February 20, he died. Further, over several pages, the author discusses the meaning of life and the death of young people. The author also cites the poem written by Robert's classmates.
In 2008 and 2016, Stephen Davidson, the historian specialized on Loyalist History, published a series of articles on the Grant Family. [Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2008 and 2016]. Some facts in his narrative differ from the story provided in this "Oration" of 1790.
US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ----------$12.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) ---- $27.50
World: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ----- $37.50
Condition Report: No cover, bound by a thread; 4.1/2” x 7.1/2”; 15 pages, laid paper, darkened, some wear and creases, the text block is OK; good condition. See photos.
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American Revolution, Loyalist Family History:
The story of Robert (1764? -1790), the son of Alexander and Sarah Grant
"Funeral Oration" on the death of the college student Robert Grant, anonymous, (1790). This "Oration" provides some inside into the lives of loyalist refugees after the Revolutionary War.
After mentioning the death of seven students and two faculty members, the author of this "Oration" provides an interesting biographical data on the diseased student, Robert Grant. His father, Alexander Grant, a man of education and abilities, officer commission in the British army, served in the "last war" between England and France, and was native of Scotland. After peace treaty in 1763, Alexander Grant settled in Friedricksburgh [?], New York. He married Miss Kent, daughter of Rev. Kent. Alexander Grant was recalled to the army during the "late unhappy struggle between Great Britain and her then Colonies." He was killed during the battle at Fort Montgomery (1777). After his death, the officers of the company enlisted his then thirteen years old Robert into the company.
After the war, the regiment was disbanded, and in 1783, Robert with his mother and the family moved to Annapolis, Nova Scotia. On March 9th, 1787, Robert, his mother, and "several acquaintances" sailed from Annapolis over the bay to St. John. The sudden storm destroyed their boat; they survived and came a shore of the inhabited coast. They, "entirely destitute of fire and shelter," struggled to survive in the freezing cold weather. In the morning, they separated into several parties to look for a relief.
Robert Grant, his mother and Mr. Chandler with his daughter, went together through the snow. Being the elderly person, Mr. Chandler, and his daughter, "who was overcome by the feverity of the season," had to stop and make a rest. Some time later, Robert's mother collapsed, freezing to death. While Robert did not want to leave his mother, she insisted to move on. Two pages of the "Oration" are dedicated to this final conversation. Robert continued to walk alone, until he discovered a boat at the shore. He survived but became orphan.
He was admitted to the University in 1789, but during the winter semester his health started to decline... Taking semester free, Robert went to the warmer region, to Georgia, promising to return soon to New Haven. On February 20, he died. Further, over several pages, the author discusses the meaning of life and the death of young people. The author also cites the poem written by Robert's classmates.
In 2008 and 2016, Stephen Davidson, the historian specialized on Loyalist History, published a series of articles on the Grant Family. [Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2008 and 2016]. Some facts in his narrative differ from the story provided in this "Oration" of 1790.
US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ----------$12.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) ---- $27.50
World: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ----- $37.50
Condition Report: No cover, bound by a thread; 4.1/2” x 7.1/2”; 15 pages, laid paper, darkened, some wear and creases, the text block is OK; good condition. See photos.
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