The Exodus

Walter Bates relates that his group of Connecticut Loyalists was approached by Reverend John Sayre with the news that “the King had granted to all Loyalists who did not incline to return to their homes, and would go to Nova Scotia, two hundred acres of land to each family, and two years provisions” as well as transportation to their grants and land for church and school. This was deemed a good offer by Bates’ party and they resolved unanimously to try their luck in a new colony. Embarkation thus commenced on April 11, 1783 and was completed within five days. The Spring Fleet, which consisted of thirty-two vessels, departed from Sandy Hook for Nova Scotia on April 26. The voyage took fourteen days to complete, and although some passengers of other ships suffered from sickness and malaise, Bates reports that his ship, the Union, had a smooth and uneventful voyage.


Walter Bates, first High Sherrif of Kings Co., NB, is buried in the shade of Trinity Church. He carved his initials in one of the stones in the foundation of the old Sunday School. This stone is now part of the fireplace hearth at the Anglican Church Hall in Kingston. Bates wrote a book on " The Mysterious Stranger", about the prisoner Henry More Smith and his famous escapes from the Kigston Goal. In it Bates relates, without sympathy, the horrible treatment the prisoner underwent in that dungeon.

Walter Bates and Henry Moon

KINGSTON

Located 6.14 km NNE of Clifton Royal: Kingston Parish, Kings County: PO 1825-1970 with Samuel Foster as an early postmaster: in 1866 Kingston was a farming settlement with approximately 86 families, including 9 Flewelling families: in 1871 it had a population of 200: in 1898 Kingston had 1 post office, 2 stores, 1 hotel, 1 sawmill, 1 grist mill, 1 church and a population of 260.