| 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
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1743 - 1800
