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surveying operations. When surveying the New England Coast, Holland made Portsmouth, New Hampshire, his headquarters for the field operations. In 1772 he resigned his Commission in the Army on account of his civil employment. In 1773 he announced his intention of making Perth Amboy, New Jersey, his future headquarters and that in 1774 the surveys would extend around Cape Cod to New London.
The boundary between New York and New Jersey occupied his attention about this time, also the line between the Provinces of Massachusetts and New York. He was then of the opinion that it would take six years to complete the coast surveys. In 1775 he wrote Lord Dartmouth that he was ready to run the line between New York and Massachusetts and he was engaged on this work when the Revolutionary War broke out. By a communication laid before the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts in July, 1775, it appears that Holland had loaned to Alexander Shepard, Jr., who was also a surveyor, a plan or survey of Maine which Shepard disliked to return, fearing it might be used in a manner prejudicial to the Whig cause, as Holland was a loyal adherent of the Crown. Congress after consideration by resolution recommended Shepard to retain the plan. '
Holland is reported as refusing with indignation and contempt offers of a military command in the rebel army and was eventually forced to fly to the sea coast where he escaped to a British vessel under General Tryon. He pro- ceeded to England by another vessel in November, leaving his wife, family and property “to the mercy of an unrelenting and enraged multitude,” as he states in a letter to General Tryon, dated August 21, 1784.
There are several traditions in the Holland family of to-day respecting Major Samuel Holland’s escape. By one account he fled on horseback from the point where he was engaged in surveying the boundary between New York and Massachusetts, or in New Hampshire. while by another he was imprisoned by the rebels but broke jail and effected his escape. It is quite probable that as a British official he was interrogated by the local authorities and while in detention he found means of eluding their vigilance. His wife and family were imprisoned but were eventually taken to Boston, where they remained until the city was evacuated by the British in March, 1776. They probably went to Quebec, but may have gone to Isle St. Jean or to England.
In a memorial to the Governor General, the Earl of Kincardine, in 1852, by the heirs of Major Holland, for possession of a piece of land granted to him, known as the lower garden, adjoining the Castle of St. Louis, of Quebec, the following paragraph appears :—
“That the said late Major Samuel Holland, previous to the revolutionary struggle with the United States of America, resided in that country, but, on account of his loyalty, attachment and steadfast adherence to the British government, was compelled to leave that country, after refusing, with indignation and contempt, offers of military command made him by the first leader of the then infant revolution; in consequence of which, and during that memorable epoch, he forfeited and was deprived of large and valuable possessions, in lieu thereof he received as part compensation the above piece or parcel of land, having been conferred upon him by the British government, not only as a well~