Dear Council, I'm not happy with your decision...

I have to love my husband's ggggg-grandfather John Dennis, ship builder, land owner, sometimes farmer, family man and Loyalist when it suited him.  Born into a relatively comfortable Quaker family in Pennsylvania, he found his life turned upside-down first by the American Revolution and then, repeatedly, by the various governments of Upper Canada, from whom he regularly sought remuneration for his services, and land for his business and for his family.  By all accounts he could be difficult and argumentative, losing friends as quickly as he made them, but there was no doubt as to his abilities as a shipbuilder, and often the government of the day had to swallow its obvious dislike of him to give him what was needed to keep the Provincial Marine afloat on Lake Ontario.

Even John knew when his comments had overstepped the mark and he would submit an apology buried within a lengthy explanation as to why his demands were wholly reasonable.  In this letter, found in the Upper Canada Sundries by researcher Guylaine Petrin, he helpfully adds his (admittedly self-serving) autobiography: a delight for anyone wanting to know more than just the basic details of when their ancestor was born, married and died.

(If you're looking to find out anything at all about his marriage, this isn't the place: it doesn't even rate a mention!)

National Archives of Canada
Civil Secretary’s Correspondence
Upper Canada Sundries
March-April 1827
RG5, A1, Volume 83, pp. 44912-44918

8^th March 1827
Letter from J. Dennis
relation to land
 York 8^th March 1827
Sir
     I have always thought that conduct ought to mark character, and Yesterday having called at the council office to hear the result of my application for a Shipyard, twas that as I was dissatisfied with the government, the land could not be given, and in recalling the order for two acres, now sir I really thought as a subject, It was the most invulnerable part of my character, and sir I have to Intreat you to hear my story, and judge by placing your self in my situation, what must be my feeling on reading the answer.
     I was born at Kensington Northern liberties of philadelphia of good & Reputable Parents in the year of 1758, my father a Shipwright, and proprietor of Iron works, when the rebellion broke out he was chased from four Counties, by committees of Rebels, and as I must go to jail or take arms in the Rebel cause he took me for Philadelphia, when Gen^l. Howe took the town, We were taken going in and he distroyd some papers he was taking with him for Joseph Galloway Superintendant of Philadelphia at the time, and told me if we were taken to Cary’s [?] camp we should suffer death, we were well a Strongly guarded; but found means to escape and entered town the next Morning, I went into the Qt^r. M^r. Gen^l. department, my father staid with his Friends, on the evacuation we went to new York, where my father who had lived at ease for 25 Years had to take to his calling for support, I went with Gen^l. Grant with the 4^th. 5. 15. 27. 38. 46. 40. 46. 49. & 55^th. Reg^ts & we took S^t. Lucia and the day the French saild for Martinus I was taken sick, and my thigh yet suffers, was given Over by the Phisicians, But recovered, after the attempt to relieve grenada, I was from casualties of war Landed in Dumfries in virginona [sic], Immediately Set of for New York, found by a Philadelphia paper on my travel, (then Bare Headed & bare footed) that my father and all of us pennsylvanians were proscribed, and was to be dealt with as traitors unless we gave ourselves up at a time nearly expired, you will see I was in danger for had I been taken I should have suffered as a spy, I never even gave it a thought, I made for my sisters, and as soon as possible Again entered new York in June 1779, and again entered the service[?], and was much hurt to see my poor old father aged 62 at work at his business, he fell in an Apoplexy fit in ’82 as he walked along, and never told me where his Books or papers were so all was gone, When His Majesty was pleased to give them Independance I would not live among them, about 80 families went or sent agents to Gen^l Carleton for a conveyance to (S^t. Andrews now) he told our agents we were not fit [to] cope with the rebels and he was going to send such men of the 42^d. 71^st and other discharged men there, but he would advise us to go to beaver Harbour 3 or four leagues distant, as he was there in the war preceding the peace of 63 and we should have every priveledge people calld Quakers Enjoyed in pennsylvania, We went I was burned out with say 50 or 60 more and lost all, and as I had nothing to Show the commissioners of claims then sitting in Hallifax I did not go and before I got any proof, they were sailed for England, when burned out I went home hoping Some of my Fathers property had escaped confiscation, I found by a small piece of Paper in my Fathers Hand conting thus, Item, If I got five pounds a foot for my lot in Baltimore I am to make a present to Hooks wife (the man he bought of) of five pounds I immediately set of, found in the postmasters office the Deed registered, sold it received[?] part & Again went with my family to New Brunswick, I lived about 9 Years and then took My family to see their friends in jersey, and went my self to Baltimore and reaceived the Remainder, was on my way to Beav^r Harb^r. again and met Jonathan Walton of Scanactady) now he and I had been on secret Sirvase for Sir W^m Howe, and he told me that a war was Expected, Gen^l. Simcoe wanted Men to build some gun boats, and as I always calld myself A Brittish subject the Democrats had reported me to their society, & I was in their Black Book As they called it, I therefore got five men and came up here, when Governor Simcoe was pleased to make me many promises, I went for my family in 96 thinking this the best Country for Aliving of the two provinces, when I came I went on a farm, but being no farmer I applyed for A yard twas survey’d for me on the Humber, and then refused as a subsequent governor Might choose to build there, After a time I was appointed I believe by recommendation of the Hon^ble John MGill as master Builder I endeavoured to do what I could for the service, when the war came On I was ordered to york, I was here thwarted in my Endeavours by A M^r Plulknett[?], and the Ship was not so foreword as she ought to have been, she was burned, on the retreat from York I was taken sick, came back as far as captⁿ Playters on the enemy leaving york I came In again, Col^l Allen ordered me for niagara with what Carpenters I could collect, I got Eleven & went & reported my self to Calb^l[?] Moses QMGen^l, he kept them and ordered me for Kingston, I staid not one minute even to bury my Son in Law who died in defence of york, and was dying When I set off for niagara, I went to Kingston reported myself to Colonel Drummond, He gave me a note to Captⁿ OConnor commissioner of the yard, who received me worse than I would a Virginia slave, who might come on business, I was told on my going over by Peter Smith, Patrick Smyth & Others I could not stay with the tirant, I found it so, I went & Informed Col^l Drummond I offered to do any thing or go any where on Services, he said that the Marine Department was turned over to the Admiralty and so could say nothing, I came home and livd untill M^r. Crookshank sent me up to notawaysaga, I appeal to him If I made a demur[?] but in a few days without asking what I was to have or Whether any thing, although in the Woods perhaps 60 miles from a house, in the dead of a Hard winter, he paid me to my satisfaction, I offered to the Honb^l John MGill to preside Over Building a floating Battery if twas tho^t necessary, & without any remuneration for it, I think he must remember it, I know this Sir to be no more than my duty and only for the ans^r to my petition, would never have mentioned it, the cause of any Petition being made Was on considering My Fathers losses, Services, & my losses, on his Acc^t, my Sons also, when he Sent[?] £500 by building the new Steam boat, I advised him to ask a water lot for a yard he did & Was refused a lot of Water, which would take £300 to make it of any use, when he told me I was Much hurt I took as prospect[?] of what me and mine had Suffered, and have no doubt to Any one I spoke to and said things which such feelings as I had had to, I detirmened (as I Had concluded to pray those Who had credited my son) to apply myself and Stranger[?] to tell had no doubt of a favourable ans^r, to my Petition, now sir when Col^l. Drummond took my Sea Vessel I objected, he had valued her at £200, the charter party was shown when I objected, He said to tell you the truth M^r Dennis every one is taking the advantage of government, and also double the worth of things, I ans^rd I know it, But sir I don’t want to have my advantage let Colonel Drummond appoint one or Six men, what me or any number says I am satisfied, only they must have Built & fitted a Vessel on ontario, he was struck with what I said mov’d up to Captⁿ Richardson who was well acquainted With the lake, & Building for near 40 Years, Captⁿ Richardson what is M^r Dennis’s Vessel worth, his ans^r was she is Worth £400 he ship’d back to me (but I had heard all) and said M^r Dennis I will allow £300, I said (not thinking she would be taken) Colonel Drummond take her into Service I want no Advantage, the fleet was taken, my son received £250 and I believe £10 Q^rM^r but no wages Captⁿ Sampson Who was taken with my son, and lost a Kings vessel, was paid his demand, they told my son he had A family & had need of it, I have bought over seven acres for a yard for my son, I am told tis liable to be taken (that is what lies chiefly on the water) at any time, in that case tis gone on his setting in to a Shop Keeping (him & his Brother in law) there was an advertisement to let the Kingston Ferry, there was many proposals and Among others my Son and Hugh C. Thompson, gave in their proposals for one hundred and fifty pounds a Year, I think for 3 years, Will^m Baker got it and I had no doubt but twas a higher offer (for two years) when I heard Baker Boasted he gave but £2-10, I immediately told M^r MMan and asked him where I could go to find out the case, he told me to the Secretary’s office M^r Cameron will remember I think his saying it must be a mistaken, but so it proved what poor Joseph & M^r Thompson (at present Member of Parliament) offered Six hundred Dollars P^r Year for, for 3 Years, and which would have helped my Son After losing his vessel (to live) was given 3 Years for ten Dollars P^r year, to a man who Had Been at home all the war, now sir pray hear me further My Father Doctor McLany & the Father of Tho^s Bowlby Esq^r of London district, now living, was taken prisoner By Edw^d McMichael a rebel £ Lieutenant Who afterwards Draited[?] into new York (and I have always heard out again) Had 3000 Acres Given him, my stepson a Son of Doctor MLaneys (who as above was taken prisoner) had 200 Acres Although his father was lost surgeon of a Ship of war, previous to Chief Justace [sic] Powels going from here just After the war, I took the deeds for £1550, purchase money to him land of my fathers he said there could be no doubt of their goodness but twas too late, he said I ought to have taken it in When the commissioners were in Hallifax, I told him the reason as before recited, why I did Not, & said as twas confiscated I hoped I would now when government might remunerate me By other confiscations, I thought of applying but he told me I need not, so it shopped and I am to lose all chance I find for ever.
     Now Sir all I ask is for you to look at our losses, privations, &c. and the lots which my Son & Myself apply’d for, one a lot of water which could take £300 to make it valuable, the other a place which would call for at least £250 to make a yard for business And then Judge if some angry observations would not be likely to Escape you, For on my oath I am and will Dye a true Brittish Subject, But no doubt an often on a retrospection, much hurt in my feeling, and at Such times may have Said what I ought not, But do not believe I am Disaffected, for from a principle of Godly fear I detest rebellion
                         I am Sir most respectfully
                                   John Dennis
 Major Hiller &c.

Copy of a Minute in Council made on the Petition of M^r John Dennis of York praying for an additional grant of land for the purpose of a Ship Yard

In Council 9^th March 1827

Present

His Excellency The Lieutenant Governor

It appearing that “the original application for a Scill for a Ship Yard proceeded from Joseph and not John Dennis and that the recent recommendation for two Acres for that purpose was inadvertently made in favour of the latter upon a Petition which this signed by the said John Dennis was acted upon under the impression that it was Submitted in the behalf of his Son and it appearing by the Petition that the said John Dennis was dissatisfied with the recommendation already made – It is Ordered therefore that the Indulgence proposed be withheld, and the proceeding of the 3^rd January last be rescinded. – ”

                         By Order

                                   Signed

                                             John Small

                                             G.E.C.

Complaints to the local council -- and carefully-worded responses -- not much changes in nearly 200 years!