Primary Material
These primary sources provide a sample of materials relating to religion found in The Loyalist Collection. These materials cover a broad range of religious denominations, many different subtopics, and a wide geographic area. Click on the title links for further information pertaining to a specific collection, particularly the Finding Aid sections within for any indexes, etc. that may be available to assist research.
Material has been categorized alphabetically by call number within each denomination.
The denominations are listed as follows:
Anglican
Baptist
Catholic
Evangelist
Methodist
Presbyterian
Quaker
Great Britain. Church Records. Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts Annual Reports and Sermons: 1701-1844
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LCR .G7C4S6A5
Keywords: church and state relations, conversion (of Native populations), education, missionaries
Entirely typescript, the collection is composed of the published volumes of sermons and reports presented in London, England by the SPG between 1701 and 1844. They detail the results of the missionary endeavours of the Anglican Church. The geographic region is quite broad, encompassing many of the overseas British colonies (including America, Canada, and the West Indies).
Nova Scotia. Church Records. The Nova Scotia Records of the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel: 1722-1860
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LCR .N6C4N6S6
Keywords: Black persons, church orders and conduct, education, loyalists, missionaries, natives, politics, daily life
These records contain letters and annual and quarterly reports from the missionaries in the field to the USPG Home Office in London; and also contain communications among the religious officials within the District. They detail the results of the missionary endeavours of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Nova Scotia (which until 1793 included Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Bermuda). The Church played a significant role in people's lives, thus making the collection a treasure trove for the study of local history, particularly social history, and church-church relations.
Nova Scotia. Church of England. Papers: 1779-1852
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LCR .N6C5L3
Keywords: church lands, church orders and conduct, education, finances, government records, local history
This collection contains records and correspondence relating to the Church of England in Nova Scotia, the bulk being sent from various members of the Church to government officials. Land, schools, finances, and local parish information are the most prevalent topics in these records.
Jacob Bailey (1731-1808). Papers: 1748-1808
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LFR .B3J3P3
Keywords: clergyman, dissenters, literary works (writer), religious persecution, theology and morality
Jacob Bailey was an Anglican Clergyman in both Maine and Nova Scotia. Writing between 1748-1808, Bailey chronicles his life as a minister, army chaplain, loyalist, and missionary for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel; his writings reveal much about the man and about society.
Charles and John Inglis. Journals and Letter Books: 1761-1849
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LFR. I5C4J6
Keywords: clergyman, loyalist, church orders and conduct, church and state relations, dissenters (New Lights), land-glebes, Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, sermons, education, literary works
This collection is composed of the journals, letter books, and sermons of Bishops Charles Inglis, and his son John Inglis, both personal and professional in nature. The geographic range of the Diocese of Nova Scotia covered, until 1793, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I., Quebec, Newfoundland, and Bermuda. The collection relates Charles Inglis' experiences as a loyalist in New York and England, and thereafter, his strong efforts to develop the church as a whole in the years following the American Revolution in Nova Scotia.
John Strachan. Papers: 1794-1940 (Predominant 1794-1867)
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LFR .S7J6P4
Keywords: administration, Board of Education, church and state, education, Kings College, missionary activity, natives, scholarships, Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, teachers, Trinity College, Upper Canada
John Strachan (1778-1867) was a tutor, missionary, and ultimately the Anglican Bishop of Toronto. Starting in the late 1820s he focused his efforts on creating a religious University, eventually opening King's College (later the University of Toronto) in 1843. His papers primarily focus on his work in establishing religious education in Upper Canada.
Stuart Family. Papers: 1778-1833
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LFR .S8F3P3
Keywords: minister, loyalist, disease, education, family matters, missionaries, natives (Mohawk), Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.
John Stuart was an Anglican minister and missionary for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in both New York and Upper Canada (Ontario). This collection primarily consists of correspondence between Stuart and various religious officials and family members between 1778 and 1833.
John Wiswall. Journal and Correspondence: 1636-1812
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LFR .W5J6J6
Keywords: loyalist, minister, Society for the Propagation of the Gospel
John Wiswall was a minister and Navy chaplain. This collection chronicles his time working in Massachusetts (Maine), England, the West Indies, and Nova Scotia. It includes information on his persecution as a Loyalist, his religious work, and the hardships he faced on his travels.
Great Britain. Colonial Office. Original Correspondence: Canada (CO 42): 1750-1823
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LPR .G7C3C6C3
Keywords: Catholic church, church and state relations, Jesuits, Society for the Propagation of the Gospel
This collection contains despatches from governors and senior officials responsible for administering the colonial government in Upper Canada and Quebec to the Colonial Office in Great Britain. Some despatches contained information on religion such as the appointment of clergy and bishops (both Catholic and Anglican), the reaction of the Catholic Church to British rule, the establishment of the Church of England, the Jesuits, ecclesiastical affairs, and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel
British Pamphlets Relating to the American Revolution: 1764-1784
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LSC .G7P3A4R4
Keywords: church vs. state, Catholics, Church of England, dissenters, Episcopal Church, morality, religion and rebellion, Society for the Propagation of the Gospel
This collection contains materials printed in Britain from 1764-1784 concerning the uprising in the American colonies. Materials relating to religion include addresses, church matters, religious discourse, laws regarding religion, missionary work, political aspects of religious life, and sermons.
Nova Scotia Archives. Fort Anne Papers: 1606-1963
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LSC .N6F6P3C6
Keywords: Anglican, Catholic, glebe lands, Methodist
This collection contains a wide variety of documents created between 1606 and 1963 dealing with life in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. Papers relating to religion include the writing of Rev. Jacob Bailey (Anglican), church glebe lands, history of the Catholic Church in Annapolis, and a large number of Methodist church records.
David Library of the American Revolution. Sol Feinstone Collection of the American Revolution: 1604-1893
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LSC .U5D3S6C6
Keywords: admonishments, Anglicans, Catholics, clergy and chaplains, church and state relations, Congregationalists, Episcopal Church, fasting, morality, Orphan asylums, Presbyterians, religious tolerance, salvation, sermons, slavery, Quakers
The Sol Feinstone Collection contains manuscripts and documents of many prominent figures and political or religious groups during the revolutionary and national periods (c.1745-1852).
BAPTIST
Acadia Univeristy Library. Maritime Baptist Historical Collection: 1778-1852
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LCR .N6A3L5M3
Keywords: baptisms, church conduct, church records, land, membership, hymns
The Maritime Baptist Historical Collection contains a variety of materials relating to the Baptist denomination in the Maritime Provinces (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) such as yearbooks of the United Baptist convention, correspondence, handbooks, hymnbooks, association records, district records, individual church records and histories, missions, Sunday schools, associated organizations, etc.
CATHOLIC
Great Britain. Colonial Office. Original Correspondence: Canada (CO 42): 1750-1823
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LPR .G7P3A4R4
Keywords: Catholic church, church and state relations, Jesuits, Society for the Propagation of the Gospel
This collection contains despatches from governors and senior officials responsible for administering the colonial government in Upper Canada and Quebec to the Colonial Office in Great Britain. Some despatches contained information on religion such as the appointment of clergy and bishops (both Catholic and Anglican), the reaction of the Catholic Church to British rule, the establishment of the Church of England, the Jesuits, ecclesiastical affairs, and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.
British Pamphlets Relating to the American Revolution: 1764-1784
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LSC .G7P3A4R4
Keywords: church vs. state, Catholics, Church of England, dissenters, Episcopal Church, morality, religion and rebellion, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel
This collection contains materials printed in Britain from 1764-1784 concerning the uprising in the American colonies. Materials relating to religion include addresses, church matters, religious discourse, laws regarding religion, missionary work, political aspects of religious life, and sermons.
Nova Scotia Archives. Fort Anne Papers: 1606-1963
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LSC .N6F6P3C6
Keywords: Anglican, Catholic, glebe lands, Methodist
This collection contains a wide variety of documents created between 1606 and 1963 dealing with life in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. Papers relating to religion include the writing of Rev. Jacob Bailey (Anglican), church glebe lands, history of the Catholic Church in Annapolis, and a large number of Methodist church records.
EVANGELIST
Henry Alline. Life and Journal. Hymns and Spiritual Songs: 1896, 1802
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LFR .A4H4L5
Keywords: minister, religious movements, theology, writer
Henry Alline travelled as an Evangelist preacher through the Minas Basin and Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, as well as along the St. John River in New Brunswick. This collection includes the published works (1802; 1806) of Henry Alline which contain documents such as poems, hymns, and theological essays.
METHODIST
United Church of Canada. Maritime Conference Archives. Methodist Church Records and Registers (predominantly 1784-1831)
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LCR .N4U5M3M4R4
Keywords: church, religious societies, state of religion, William Black (Reverend)
This collection contains Methodist church records from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island Records include district minutes, baptism records, burial records, marriage registers, account books, presbytery minutes, and records of The Prince Town Female Society for Propagating the Gospel and Other Religious Purposes, 1825-1827.
Methodist Circuit (Shelburne-Barrington, Nova Scotia). Records: 1796-1842
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LCR .N6M4S5R4
Keywords: church finances, John Black, John Pope, William Mann
The Shelburne-Barrington circuit was part of the Nova Scotia district of the Methodist church. These records contain a steward’s book, an account book, list of officers, and various other documents pertaining to the operation of the church.
Duncan McColl. Papers: 1794-1839
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LFR .M4D8P3
Keywords: minister, church conduct and orders, church finances, sermons, local history, health, missionaries, spirituality
Duncan McColl was a Methodist minister in St. Andrews and St. Stephen, New Brunswick. This collection primarily consists of his correspondence, sermons, memoranda, and other miscellaneous materials relating to his work as a minister between 1785 and 1830.
Nova Scotia Archives. Fort Anne Papers: 1606-1963
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LSC .N6F6P3C6
Keywords: Anglican, Catholic, glebe lands, Methodist
This collection contains a wide variety of documents created between 1606 and 1963 dealing with life in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. Papers relating to religion include the writing of Rev. Jacob Bailey (Anglican), church glebe lands, history of the Catholic Church in Annapolis, and a large number of Methodist church records.
PRESBYTERIAN
Niagara Historical Society. Collection: 1727-1964
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LSC .O5N5C6
Keywords: church conduct, church finances
This collection contains a wide variety of documents relating to the history of the Niagara region in Ontario. There are many records relating to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1827-1861, such as accounts, invoices, subscription lists, meeting minutes, registers (baptisms and burials), and pew rentals.
David Library of the American Revolution. Sol Feinstone Collection of the American Revolution: 1604-1893
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LSC .U5D3S6C6
Keywords: admonishments, Anglicans, Catholics, chaplains, church and state relations, clergy, Congregationalists, Episcopal Church, fasting, morality, Orphan asylums, Presbyterians, religious tolerance, salvation, sermons, slavery, Quakers
The Sol Feinstone Collection contains manuscripts and documents of many prominent figures and political or religious groups during the revolutionary and national periods (c.1745-1852).
QUAKER
New Brunswick Museum Archives. Additional Loyalist Documents II:1782-1826
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LSC .N4M8A7L6 II
Keywords: finances, land
This collection contains a wide variety of documents compiled by the New Brunswick Museum Archives. Included is a record book of the Pennfield Quakers (1782-1826) which contains documents relating to the establishment of the Quaker Community in Pennfield, New Brunswick, after the American Revolution. Documents include petitions, land grants, proceedings of the Company of Friends, several surveys, property lists, state of the poor, and religious poetry.
David Library of the American Revolution. Sol Feinstone Collection of the American Revolution: 1604-1893
Call Number: HIL-MICL FC LSC .U5D3S6C6
Keywords: admonishments, Anglicans, Catholics, chaplains, church and state relations, clergy, Congregationalists, Episcopal Church, fasting, morality, Orphan asylums, Presbyterians, religious tolerance, salvation, sermons, slavery, Quakers
The Sol Feinstone Collection contains manuscripts and documents of many prominent figures and political or religious groups during the revolutionary and national periods (c.1745-1852).