"THE BOVYERS"'

In the War of Independence in America, Stephen Bovyer and his family remained loyal to Britain. At the close of the war, Stephen Bovyer, and his family left Providence, R. I. where they were living

at the time and came to Prince Edward Island. A. B. Warburton in

his book A History of Prince Edward Island recorded the following:

"At the close of the War of Independence a great number of Loyalists left the Republic.and sought new homes in the remaining British provinces. A considerable number left Rhode Island, a small portion of which came to Prince Edward Island. This record goes on to state that in 1783 a petition was presented to Governor Patterson

(P. E. I. 1769 - 1780) by persons styling themselves "American Loyal Emigrants" setting forth that in the year 1783 the peririoners or their ancestors were induced to settle on the Island on the invitation of Govenor Patterson and by the offer of grants of land

by the government or a compensation for losses eus- tained for their loyalty to the Crown. It was asserted that they had been deprived of lands granted and re- quested just and proper relief. In the year 1790, an Act was passed (which received Royal assent 3 years later) which enabled Loyalists to receive grants of

land and also confirmed grants given Loyalists then

in possessions."