Captain Samuel Ryerse, one of the early settlers in Canada, was the descendant of an old Dutch family in New Jersey, and both his father and grandfather held judicial appointments under Kings George II and III.

When the rebellion commenced in 1776, and the British Government was anxious to raise provincial troops, they offered commissions to any young gentlemen who could enlist a certain number of young men; sixty, I think, entitled them to a Captaincy.

My father, Captain Ryerse, being popular in his neighbourhood, found no difficulty in enlisting double the number required, and on presenting himself and men at headquarters, New York, was gazetted captain in the 4th battalion New Jersey Volunteers, in which regiment he served with distinction during the seven years’ war.

After the acknowledgement of American Independence by England, and the British troops were about to be disbanded, the British Government offered them a free transport to New Brunswick, and a grant of land.  When there, little choice was left to those who had sacrificed all for connection with the mother country.

On my father’s arrival in New Brunswick he obtained a lot of land in or near Fredericton, the present seat of government; and there he met my mother, who was a refugee also, and they were married.

After remaining there several years, his friends entreated him to return to New York, holding out great inducements if he would consent to do so. He accepted the offer of his friends and returned, but he soon discovered that the rancorous, bitter feelings which had arisen during the war were not extinct, and that it was too soon for a British subject to seek a home in the United States.

My mother loved her native city, and might not have been induced again to leave it had it not been for domestic affliction. She brought from the healthy climate of New Brunswick four fine children, all of whom she buried in New York in eight weeks.

She gave birth to four more; three of these had died also, and she felt sure if she stayed there she would lose the only remaining one. Therefore she readily consented to my father’s proposal to come to Canada, where his old friend, General Simcoe, was at that time governor.

In the summer of 1794 my father and a friend started for Canada. The journey was then a formidable one, and before commencing it wills were made and farewells given, as if a return was more than doubtful.

On his arrival at Niagara he was warmly greeted by his old friend, General Simcoe, who advised him by all means to settle in Canada, holding out many inducements for him to do so.

He promised my father a grant of 3,000 acres of land as a captain in the army, 1,200 as a settler, and that my mother and each of her sons should have a grant of 1,200 and each of her daughters a grant of 600 acres.

My father was pleased with what he saw of the country, and heard a favourable account of the climate, and decided at once to return as early the ensuing year as possible.  On his return to New York he commenced making arrangements for his move the ensuing spring.

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