Thaddeus Davis and Family, Loyalist Records

After the American Revolutionary War, many  Americans who had supported Britain in the fighting found that they were no longer welcome in their own communities, while others simply wanted to continue living in a British colony.  These families generally had to abandon their land and homes, if they owned these, and at least some of their property that was not easily transportable (livestock and so on).  The British govenment's policy was to recompense those who had been loyal to the crown for any losses they might have suffered, either financially or with land.  Records were kept of these petitions and the claims that were granted, making it possible for us to discover if any of our ancestors were United Empire Loyalists.  Here are some records I have found relating to Thaddeus Davis, grandfather of William Davis,  who moved to the Niagara area with his wife and children after the war.   They are both dated 1825, although we know that Thaddeus brought his family to Canada around 1800.   The original documents are in the British Archives. 

The first record, "Fourth Supplementary Return by the Board of Commissioners Appointed by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor under the Statute passed this 19th March 1813 of Claims of the Inhabitants of this Province for losses by them sustained during the late war with the United States of America, containing the award upon such of them as have been decided upon between the 7th January and the 30th June 1825 inclusive"  lists Thaddeus Davis (second from the bottom) as living in Niagara, claiming the amount of 53 pounds 15, and being awarded the amount of 38 pounds.   

The second document is basically a payment list.  Here Thaddeus Davis is listed as being awarded 31 pounds, but it looks like he may have only been paid 35% at this point.  The great thing about this file is that it has his signature!    

Here's a close up of his signature:

I'd still like to see his original petition, since that should contain details of his earlier life.  But those are in the Archives of Ontario, so I'll have to wait until I have time for a visit.