Visit to Cararaqui United Church 200th Anniversary Service
27 June, 1993
Jean and I arrived early, and roamed about the cemetery searching out various Loyalists names, such as Powley, Grass, Babcock, Graham, McGuin, and so on. Jean noticed an original map of the cemetery, hanging in the church, and on it was a Babcock plot. We found the plot on the south side of the cemetery, in the rough ground, and with much searching found the short stumps of two tombstones. Perhaps I will go back someday and clear off the grave. It was a beautiful day, even though storm clouds threatened for a while before the service.
We met John Chard, a genealogist and U.E.L. member. When he heard of my work on the family, he suggested joining the UE.L and will send me an application. He also promised to send me a list of all those buried in the Loyalist Cemetery.
After the service, I introduced myself to Chris Graham, President Kingston Branch, U.E.L., 1 Fairfield Blvd., Amherstview, K7N 1L1. He said he will be pleased to receive my application for membership.
We also met Fred McConnell, and upon hearing my family connection, announced that he too was descended from Jacob Powley. He then directed us to the Powley house in Kepler.
The service was most enjoyable, with the altar, and the three big chairs, set up on a carpet under a canopy along the south side of the church in the sunshine. The special guest speaker was “Captain Michael Grass”, alias Russ Waller, genealogist and raconteur. He dressed in period costume, spoke with a German accent, and related how he, Captain Michael Grass, of the King’s Royal regiment has been offered a commission in the Revolutionary forces but had turned it down. He was a Palatine German and had been given refuge by the King of England, so in return, felt he owed allegiance to the King. He was asked by Sir Guy Carlton, Governor of New York, to lead an expedition of Loyalists, by boat to Quebec City, and thence to Frontenac, present day Kingston. He did so, after difficult negotiations with the Governor of Quebec, who really wanted them to settle in Nova Scotia. They were allowed to proceed to Frontenac with a grant of one axe, one hoe, and a handful of turnip seeds per family. They were placed in bateaux, which the men pulled by long ropes, as they walked along the shore. They eventually reached their destination, and established a settlement at Frontenac. Jacob Powley and family were members of that expedition. Many became prosperous and even wealthy for the times.
After a delightful lunch, served by the ladies of the church, we drove north on Sydenham Road, about ten miles and turned left on the Kepler Road. About 200 yards on our left we found an old 1832 church, and another 200 yards we found a beautiful old limestone house. I approached the house, introduced myself to the owner, Bert Wingess, and was cordially greeted. He invited us in, showed us the house from top to bottom, introduced us to his wife, Catherine Milks, and finally hauled out Jacob Powley’s tombstone. Jean took a picture of Bert and me with the stone. Catherine then directed us to the Babcock house, on Babcock Road. To get there we continued along the Kepler Road another 800 yards and turned right onto Babcock Road. About 800 yards along this road, on our left was the old limestone house built by Benjamin Babcock, U.E.L., who emigrated to Kingston in 1792. It is occupied by a family named Luciani.
Unfortunately nobody was home, but we took a number of pictures anyway.
The Milks address: [removed, see book].
We then drove to Athens, to see the beautiful murals which have been painted on the walls of various town buildings. Then on to see Fred, Phrensri, and Dua. We had a barbeque, and fresh spring rolls which Phensri had made. Delicious.