| The following is an extract from the book American Migrations1765-1799 that is a good snapshot of who Simeon Covell was: |
| "Covell, Simeon of Cambridge District, Albany Co. Memorials London 1783, 1784. |
| He actively opposed the rebels from 1774.; He resided in Cambridge District as a farmer and merchant and was a Representative in the Assembly. He was summoned by the rebels to appear in Albany in 1774 when he opposed support for the people of Boston who had destroyed a cargo of tea, and in the following year opposed measures proposed against Britain despite being offered a commission as Col.. In 1777, after he had been thrown into a dungeon in Albany and escaped, he joined Burgoyne's Army with 56 others and served as a Capt.. Rather than be taken prisoner when defeated at Bennington, he went to Canada. In December 1783 he was given permission to return to Albany to reclaim his estate but did not dare to be seen there after his property had been sold and his children banished; instead he went to SI and took passage in the Prosperous Amelia from NY but was wrecked at St. Michael's. The English Consul there provided him with a passage in the Santa Chistafor. Meanwhile his baggage was sent from Quebec by the Fair Canadian bound for NY but that ship is supposed to have been lost at sea after October 1783. Claim for a house, shop and two farms of 127 and 56 acres; potash and pearl ash works; 4 negro slaves and one indentured servant; a leasehold farm of 340 acres in Cambridge. Affidavit NY 1780 by Seth Benson, late of Albany Co., that he was employed as a labourer by the claimant on his estate at Bennington where he kept a large shop and store: he also owned potash and pearl ash works and several farms. Deposition London 24 May 1785 by Mary Swords, widow of Thomas Swords, Lieut. in 55th Regt., that for many years before the war she resided with her husband at Saratoga and, while he was in prison at Albany in 1776-1777 she frequently visited him and saw the claimant in the same prison. Deposition of the same date by James Campbell, late of Argyle, Charlotte Co., farmer, about to depart for Canada, that, although he knew the claimant to have lived at Little White Creek in Cambridge District, he did not know him personally but believes him to have been loyal. Supporting depositions London 1785 by Ebenezer Alien and Archibald Viccar; Montreal 1785 by Roger Stevens, late Ensign in the King's Rangers.(12/21/334, 100/325, 109/104, 90/103; 13/54/168-202, 64/136-156)." There are other bits of information about Simeon that have been located over the years. The Haldeman Papers, [MG 23, H ii, 3 File 1] contain a list of Captain Simeon Covell's Company as they served in Lieut. General Burgoyne's Campaign 1777. This list includes information on the date of enlistment, number of days in service, end of service and 'how disposed of'. There were 39 men on the roll, 18 of whom had been taken prisoner, 6 had been killed or died and 3 had deserted and several others were sick or on leave. Only five men had made it to Canada. Christian Covell was noted as one of the deceased. Lewis Mosher, John Button, and Nemo Lake went to Canada along with Simeon Covell. Because of his Loyalist activities Simeon Covell's property in Cambridge was confiscated and sold. He owned 417 acres, much of it improved, and also owned a store, dealing largely in pearl and potash. He submitted a claim to the British Government for 3,129 pounds sterling for his losses and was awarded 1,200 pounds sterling. [LAR 181]. |
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Simeon's wife, Susannah Mosher, died prior to October 1780 and the children were cared for by the family of brother-in-law Jabish Mosher for a period of time. On 3 October 1780 Justice Younghans of Albany issued the following order: "To the care of Mr. Jabish Mosher: To the three children left by Simeon Covell. Agreeable to a law of this State I do hereby notify you to withdraw yourselves within the lines of the Enemy within the space of twenty days after the Receipt of this. Given under my hand and seal in Cambridge...etc." A note written on a copy of this order states: "it is to be noted that the eldest of these unfortunate children was not seven years old when they became the object of the State Legislature's and congress' malice." Simeon Covell died in Prescott, Ontario, Canada, 12 March 1798 in his 50th year. (Jessup Genealogy, 249). This genealogy lists Susannah as a child of Simeon Covell. Jessup states that Susannah died 13 May 1846 in her 71st year, thus born 1775. But Cambridge town records clearly state that it was a Sarah that was born Sept 1775 and Mosher Genealogy, complied by Ina S. Cassidy, states that Sarah married Edward Jessup. It is assumed that Susannah Covell and Sarah Covell are the same person. Children of Simeon and Susanah Mosher: (all born in Cambridge)
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| The Canadian Born Children of Simeon Covell |
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Simeon's brother David also came to Canada after the Revolutionary War and some his descendants can still found in Augusta Township. Information on David and his family that I have collected can be found in the article below. Comments and sources (supporting or otherwise) are welcome. |
| David Covell - Brother of Simeon |
| Further reference material: |
| Home Page | Covell Family Page |