Alva married Cinderella BILLINGS on 5 Feb 1857 in Sidney Twp, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada. Cinderella was born on 7 Apr 1837 in Sidney Twp, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada; died on 9 Jul 1911 in Sidney Twp, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Walton Henry MEYERS was born on 23 Jul 1862 in Sidney Twp, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada; died on 20 Mar 1940 in Brighton, Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada.

Tobias married Christina Helen YAGER in 1823 in Sidney Twp, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada. Christina was born on 11 Oct 1807 in Claverack, Columbia, New York, USA; died on 12 Oct 1900 in Sidney Twp, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1787
On 6 Sept 1787, George and Tobias Meyers are entitled to 200 acres and have drawn Lot 7 in front, consisting of two hundred acres in full in Seignure of No 8 (became Sidney).
Source: Township Papers, Hastings, AO, MS 658, reel 442, #87, copy Meyers files.

1790
On 17 July 1790, George Meyers granted 200 acres, Lot 29, 5th Concession, Sidney on 7 Jul 1790.
Source: Township Papers, Hastings, AO, MS 658, reel 442, #733, copy Meyers files.

MILITIA
Captain George W. Meyers, Hastings Militia, date of commission is Dec. 10, 1798, dated Feb., 10, 1799.
Source: Early Militia Lists of Hastings County 1799-1826, from the William Bell Papers; compiled by Don Kellaway, 1994, Quinte Branch, OGS, p. 1.

Meyers, George Walden is listed as a Major (date of rank September 5, 1807) in the 1st Hastings Regiment.
Source: Soldiers of the King, Upper Canadian Militia, 1812 - 1815, reference guide, Wm. Gray, 1995, p. 66.

1808 SIDNEY
William Johnston and George W Myers, executors and Rebecca Crysdale, widow, executrix and testament of the late John Crysdale, Sydney, yeoman, deceased, claim lot 21, Con 5, Sydney ..... John Crysdale who was the origianl nominee of the said lands; dated 8 Jan 1808.
Source: Second Heir and Devisee Commision case files, RG 40-5, AO, MS 657, reel 16, folder 40-27

John Crysdale .. claims lot 21, Con 5, Sydney, devisee of John Crysdale, deceased ... 1807
Source: Second Heir and Devisee Commision case files, RG 40-5, AO, MS 657, reel 15, folder 40-65

BRIGHTON TP
In 1814, George Meyers receives a release for Lot 28, Conc 4, Brighton Tp (deed #782) and then in 1820 Geo Meyers and wife Alida sells Lot 29, Conc 4, (deed #1116)
Source: Northumberland, Abstract Index, Brighton Tp, 1800-1959, V1-2, AO, GSU 197810

MURRAY TP
Lot 10, Conc 6, deed #1106, in 1824, Geo and Alida Meyers sell lot 10, Conc 6, Murray Tp to Nancy Meyers and Lot 11, Conc 6, Murray to Eliza Meyers.
Source: Northumberland, Abstract Index, Murray Tp, 1800-1959, V1-2, AO, GSU 197818

1837 REBELLION
A letter from an anonymous writer to William Lyon Mackenzie, dated 8 Feb 1839, describes a "George W Meyers, son of Colonel Meyers of Belleville," who was on the wharf in Belleville and said he "going to look after Mackenzie". An informant reported this and George was arrested. According to the letter his father "an old Loyalist" got one of his brothers to tell the jailer that a different Mackenzie owed George money and if he would check George's account book he would see that he was wrongly accused. He was released.
Source: The Rebellion of 1837 in Upper Canada, Colin Read and Ronald Stagg, Carelton Univ Press, 1985, 436, Thanks to Guylaine Peltrin for alerting me to this reference.

George married Alaida VAN ALSTINE on 5 May 1789 in Ernestown Twp, Lennox & Addington County, Ontario, Canada. Alaida (daughter of Captain Peter VAN ALSTINE and Alida VAN ALEN) was born on 2 Mar 1772 in Kinderhook, Columbia, New York, USA; died in 1872. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Where in Sidney Township did the Captain live?

In 1787 Meyers states in a petition that he drew Lots 8 & 9, on Con 1, Sidney. It appears from Canniff interviews that he settled on lot 7, Con 1, opposite an island that is mentioned in Canniff's interviews as both Myers Island and Smith's Island. Today this lot is the core of the RCAF property in Trenton and the island [Bakers Island] still exists now attached by a causeway to the airbase. See this image from Google Maps. Interestingly, the patent in 1797 for lot 7 was to sons George and Tobias W. Meyers suggesting that John somehow had the land board assign the lot to them.

In 1788 Meyers petitions for lots 1 to 13, Con 3 in Sidney and amazingly he is granted this whole section of land. See this chart of the original grantees in Sidney and you will see the extent of his grants.

As early as 1788 Meyers is casting his eye on the Moira River as a mill site. In that year, in a different petition, Meyers asks for a grant on the east side of the Moira River for a Saw and Grist Mill. Meyers selected the Moira because it was narrow and shallow enough to build a dam and banks to sustain a mill pond.

The Captain bought the north half of lot 5, Con 1, Thurlow from John Taylor around 1790 thinking that his mill and dam would be on this lot. In a petition of Catherine [Meyers] Bleecker, his daughter, dated 23 Feb 1791, Captain John Meyers is said to be "of Thurlow." In a petition dated July 1792 John states that he has built a Grist Mill on his land purchased from John Taylor. When it was surveyed more carefully he discovered that his dam encroached on Lot 4, an Indian Reserve. This was the subject of many petitions and was not resolved till the town plan of 1816 and 2 acres of lot 4 were granted to Meyers. Part of the mill still survives

Died:
Buried in Whites Cemetery in Sidney Twp

John married Mary (Polly) KRUGER in 1765. Mary was born in 1745; died in 1816. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Two Van Alstein (Van Alstine) brothers who emigrated from the Netherlands around 1640 were the original members of the family to settle in North America. More than a century later, in 1747, Peter Van Alstine, memorialized on this tile, was born in Kinderhook, New York, into the fourth generation of this pioneer family. Peter inherited land from his family, and acquired more property when he married Alida Van Alen in September 1769. They built a fine home and began to raise a family in Kinderhook. An important man in his community, he owned property, held the rank of captain in the militia, and was appointed a magistrate.(1)

Soon after rebellion surfaced in the colony, Van Alstine, who supported the Loyalist cause, was forced to flee his home. He joined the army of General Burgoyne, and after the defeat of Burgoyne’s forces at Saratoga in 1777, took refuge in Canada. His New York property was confiscated and his wife and children were left destitute. In 1778, he returned to British controlled New York City where he was awarded the rank of major with the Associated Loyalists. His family was eventually allowed to join him there, and in 1783, in the general exodus, evacuated to a refugee camp at Sorel, Quebec where Alida died in August 1784. Peter led a group of the Associated Loyalists, who were granted land in Fourth Town, present-day Adolphustown, Ontario.

Five children of Peter and Alida had been born between 1770 and 1779: Alexander (baptized 1770), Alida (baptized 1772), Cornelius (baptized 1774) and two younger sons Elbertje and Abram who both died in infancy. In 1784, Peter settled with his three surviving children on their allotted land in Adolphustown.(2)

Peter Van Alstine soon became a leader in his new community as a member of the first Legislative Assembly for Upper Canada from 1793-96 and then Justice of the Peace. In 1796 he received a land grant of 500 acres alongside the Lake on the Mountain, including land at Glenora beneath the cliff. It is here that he spent much of his time and energy building and developing a gristmill. When he died in 1800, his property included the gristmill, a ferry service, numerous parcels of land in Prince Edward County and his original farm in Adolphustown.

Peter’s eldest son, Alexander, married Ursula Allen, the daughter of a fellow Loyalist settler. Alexander and his wife had one son, but Alexander died soon after his father, just a few years after his marriage. Peter’s youngest son, Cornelius, ran Glenora Mill for a time after Peter’s death. Peter’s daughter Alida married George W. Meyers of Belleville.

It is written that Peter Van Alstine is buried in the Loyalist burying ground in the U.E.L. Park, Adolphustown, near the landing site of the Associated Loyalists in 1784.

Source: Court of Probate estate files, RG 22-155, AO, MS638, reel 69

WILL - 10 May 1800
In the name of God Amen, I Peter Vanalstine of Adolphustown Midland District and province of Upper Canada, being in health and calling to mind the uncertainty of time, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, in manner, following, that is to say, First I will and positively Order, that all my just debts and Funeral charges be paid and for the accomplishing thereof, I do hereby impower my executors and Executrix herein after named, to sell so much of my Estate as together with my ready cash will be sufficient to discharge the same, I give and bequeath unto my Son, Alexander Vanalstine my best fowling pece for his birth right, It is my Will, and I order, that my Son Cornelius Vanalstine, have as much of my stock as to make him as to make equal to what my Son Alexander, and my Daughter Alley Myres have already had. I give and demise unto my two Nieces Alley Dorland and Scynthe VanDyck and to the heirs of their Bodys?, Four Hundred acres of Land being Lots number seven and eight, in the Second Concession West Side of the West lake , to be equally divided between them. I give and demise unto my three children, Viz Alexander Vanalstine Alley Myers and Cornelius Vanalstine their heirs and assigns, all my real and personal Estate of what nature? ???? that may be left after paying any just debts, and taking out what ???? before is given, to be eaqually divided amongst them.

It is my Will, and I do constitute my two sons Alexander and Cornelius Vanalstine my Executors , and my Daughter Alley Myres my Executrix of this my last Will and Testament.
In witness thereof I Peter Vanalstine have to this my last Will and Testament, set my hand and seal this tenth day of May 1800.
[signed]
Thos Dorland P V Alstine
Robert McDowall
Abraham Maybe

POWER OF ATTORNEY - 15 Nov 1800 (written after death of Peter Vanalstine)
Know All Men by these presents That whereas Peter Van Alstine of Adolphustown Midland District County of Lennox and province of Upper Canada, by his last Will and Testament bearing Date the Tenth day of May and in the year of Our Lord one thousand Eight hundred. Did give and bequeath to Alexander Van Alstine, Alada Meyres and Cornelius Van Alstin, each of them third of his Estate after paying his just debts Funeral charges and four hundred acres of land to his Two Neices Alley Dorland, Synthia Van Dyck and of his said Will made and Constituted the aforesaid Alexander Van Alstine Cornelius Van Alstine & Alada Meyres Executrs and Executrix. And wereas the same Peter Van Alstine is since dead. Now know ye That We the said Cornelius Van Alstine & Alada Meyres have made ordained constituted and appointed and by these Presents do make ordain constitute and appoint Our loving Brother Alexander Van Alstine of Marysburgh. Midland District County Prince Edward and Province aforesaid our true and lawfull Attorney for us and in our names and for our Use to ask demand sue for recover and receive of William Weeks Esq of the town of york Home District and province of Upper Canada and from all other persons who are indebted to us by the last Will and Testament of Peter Van Alstine aforesaid all such sum and sums of Money. Debts and Duties whatsoeverto have these and take all Lawfull means and ways in our Name or otherwise for Recovery thereof by Attachment? Arrest, Distress or otherwise and to agree and compound for the same and acquittment? or other sufficient Discharges for the same for Us and in our names to make seal and Deliver and to do all other Lawfull Acts and things whatsoever concerning the Promises as fully in every ???? as if we were personally present , and Attorneys one or more under him for the Purpose aforesaid to make and at his Pleasure to work, ratifying and allowing and whatsoever our said Attorney shall in our Names Lawfully do or cause to be done in and about the premises by Nature of these Presents.

in Witness we have present to set our Names and Seals this fifteenth day of November and in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred.

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us -
Allen Clarke
Joseph Carnahan

Signed
Corns Vanalstine
Alada W Meyers

Personally appear before m Thomas Dorland Esq the above signed and sealed and acknowledged within power of Attorney to be their Voluntary act and for the purpose therein mentioned the day and year above written
[signed] Thos Dorland

PROOF of WILL - 24 Nov 1800
Province of Upper Canada, Home District …
Before one David Burns, Official Principal of the Court of Probate ….
Personally … appeared Thomas Dorland … witness to the foregoing Will of peter Vanalstine …. he was present and did see the said peter Vanalstine sign and seal the said Will ….was of sound mind and memory and understanding … in the presence of Thomas Dorland Robert McDowall and Abraham Maybe …. 24th day of November in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred.
Signed D Burns, Off P T Ridout, Register

Captain married Alida VAN ALEN on 24 Sep 1768. Alida (daughter of Cornelius VAN ALEN and Alida PRUYN) was born on 10 Feb 1749; died on 3 Aug 1784 in Sorel, Quebec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]