1. Reuben Williams was born in 1760 in Westchester Co., New York. He died on 4 Jul 1802 in Gagetown, Queens Co., New Brunswick, Canada. The cause of death was drowned. He was buried on 7 Jul 1802 in Gagetown, Queens Co., New Brunswick, Canada.
He was the son of Harmen Williams (baptized Mar. 29, 1729 Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow) and Maritie Van Tassel (baptized July 27, 1729 Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow). When the Revolutionary War broke out, Reuben fought with the Loyalists, joining Major Berrymore's Regiment of Voluntary Cavalry, under Col. Delancy. Because of this, he lost his manor, farm, horses, livestock, and money. His left arm was shot off above the wrist by a cannonball. In 1783 he joined one of the first group of Westchester Co. Loyalists to be resettled in Parrtown (later renamed Saint John), New Brunswick, Canada. It is unclear whether William was born in Dec.1782 in Westchester Co., New York, or 1784 in New Brunswick. The first winter in Saint John was extremely difficult. Poor planning, by the leaders of this Loyalist group, resulted in few shelters having been built. Inadequate provisions were provided for these reluctant settlers during a very harsh winter. Many went hungry. This Loyalist group relied on the kindest of their neighbors who shared their cabins, until they were very overcrowded. Others had to make do with tents. Many of these Loyalists did not survive this winter. Reuben and his family nearly starved to death. Reuben later settled in Gagetown with his family. He died there in July 1802 when he drowned in the St. John River. Only his wife is mentioned in his will. He is buried in Gagetown with his wife Mary.
"United Empire Loyalists Enquiry Into The Losses And Services In Consequence Of Their Loyalty Evidence in the Canadian Claims Second Report Of The Bureau Of Archives For The Province Of Ontario" by Alexander Frazer Part I 1904, pg. 289
St. John 22 February, 1787.
"A New Claim. 191.
Evidence on the Claim of Ruben Williams, late of W.Chester County, N.Y. Province
Claimant sworn:
Says he came to this Province in Aug., 1783, and went up to Mangerville where he lived for a year & sent a Claim to England by Capt. Vandeburgh.
He is a native of N. York. In 1775 he lived in Phillips Manor.
He joined the British Army at King's Bridge in 1776. Before that time he had been required to join the rebels, but never would. Says he never took any part with them.
After he came in he joined the the refugees under Major Barrymore & Coll. Delacey & served all the war with them.
He lost his left arm by a shot in action, but when he recovered he continued to act on Horseback. He now lives in Queen's County, 40 miles up the river.
One third of the improvements on 200 acres in Phillips' Manor, in right of his wife. He married the daughter of Wm. Vantassell, who died without a will & left three daughters.
Claimant had Possession of part of the Farm before the war, he worked it on shares. Since he left the Farm one of the daughters married one Cypher who has purchased the soil & is in possession of the Farm.
Values his wife share at £200 N.Y. Cury. Says they were offered £600 for it before the war.
2 horses lost when acting with the refugees.
2 Mares at his farm and 2 Cows. A mare & Colt. Do. A young horse lost in service.
Household furniture taken by a Committee man. A suit of Clothes --- a --- & Cash £20 . 4 Swine lost in Country. Grain in Stock, £25.12.
Witness, Isaac Van Tassell, sworn:
Knew Claimt many year before the war. He is witnesse's nephew.
He was always a warm friend of the British Government. He served with the Refugees & Witness was in action with him when he lost his arm.
His wife was entitled to the third of the improvements in 200 acres of Land of Phillip's Manor. These improvements were valuable. His wife's sister is now living on the Farm.
Claimt lived on part of the farm before the war. He farmed it on shares. He had one third of the produce.
Claimt had 2 Cows, 3 Mares & and a colt. He had some furniture taken. He had some grain & a few Hogs.
A Party of of rebels under a Lt. took his property. He lost some Horses in Morisinia on service."PANB New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics:
Daniel F Johnson : Volume 1 Number 405 Date : July 14, 1802 County : York Place : Fredericton Newspaper : The New Brunswick Royal Gazette drowned Monday, 4th, Reuben WILLIAMS, Waterborough, Queens CoPANB New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics:
Daniel F Johnson : Volume 1 Number 408 Date : July 21, 1802 County : York Place : Fredericton Newspaper : The New Brunswick Royal Gazette Est. Reuben WILLIAMS; Admin. Mary WILLIAMS, Waterborough 19th July.
Reuben married Mary (Maria) Van Tassel daughter of William Van Tassel and Susannah Williams in 1781 in Westchester Co., New York. Mary was born in Westchester Co., New York. She was christened on 16 Jun 1753 in Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow, Sleepy Hollow, Westchester Co., New York. She died on 19 Dec 1847 in Musquash Island, Queens Co., New Brunswick, Canada. She was buried in Musquash Island, Queens Co., New Brunswick, Canada.
The witnesses/sponsors at her baptism were: Cornelus Willums and his wife. She died, age 95.
PANB New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics:
Daniel F Johnson : Volume 12 Number 81 Date : January 1, 1848 County : Saint John Place : Saint John Newspaper : New Brunswick Courier d. Wednesday, 19th ult., Hampstead (Queens Co.) Mary WILLIAMS widow of Reuben WILLIAMS, Loyalist of 1783, age 96.
Reuben and Mary had the following children:
+ 2 M i William W. Williams was born in Dec 1783. He died on 10/18 Nov 1860. 3 M ii Reuben Williams. 4 F iii Tammy Williams. + 5 F iv Ann Williams was born in 1785. She died on 6 May 1846. + 6 F v Frances Williams was born in 1787. She died on 18 Dec 1854. + 7 M vi John Williams was born in 1788. He died on 6 Apr 1880. + 8 M vii Gilbert Williams was christened on 27 Aug 1797. He died on 26 Apr 1861. 9 M viii Mansfield Manford Williams was christened on 27 Aug 1797 in Gagetown, Queens Co., New Brunswick, Canada. 10 F ix Marie Charlotte Williams was christened on 27 Aug 1797 in Gagetown, Queens Co., New Brunswick, Canada.