Daniel Teed UE - The Loyalist Boy

Relationship to me:

     1. Daniel Teed & Jerusha Peers
          2. Hannah Teed & Thomas Swallow
                3. Matilda Swallow & Charles Bragg
                      4. John Thomas Bragg & Julia West Gamble
                            5. Russell Mackie Bragg & Dorothy Harrigan
                                  6. Me


 Daniel Teed - The Loyalist Boy

Teed Family Crest

Daniel was born on the 13th of June 1767 in  Deleware County, New York, British North America and was in his early teens when the American Revolution began.  His parents were Daniel Teed Sr., a Blacksmith and Elizabeth (last name unknown)  In 1780 while war raged about them and life was more than difficult, the loss of his father dealt Daniel an even harsher blow.  We do not know the circumstances of Daniel Sr.'s death - was it as a casualty of the conflict or something else?  Whatever the cause, Daniel became the head of the household - his two older brothers serving with DeLancey's Cowboys in the British Army.  In March 1777, the family relocated  to Westchester County, New York, which was behind the British lines, for protection.  They set up a home at Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County near the current town of Peekskill.

Daniel Teed's signature from the
marriage registration of his daughter
Hannah.

 Because of his youth and being taken away from home, Daniel did not learn to read or write until later in life.. Documents later seen in his name to the Loyalist Claim commission, are written by a notary with Daniel putting his mark to sign. It has been stated that Daniel, the son, acted as a drummer boy for the British in DeLancey's Brigade. There is no real evidence of this, although it seems likely, due to his youth. Daniel, in his letter to the Claims Commision, states he joined the British forces in August 1781 (editors note: one year after his father died) and acted as a private in the infantry under the command of Col. James Delancey, until evacuation of New York in June 1783.

Cortlandt Manor, Westchester
New York

Cortlandt Manor, much like the neighbouring Phillipse Manor was situated in Westchester County, New York on the banks of the Croton River.  The farmers purchased small parcels of land on which to build their buildings and then leased the farmland they required.

Like many families in the area, the Teeds were not all Loyalists and there was much conflict between uncles, brothers and cousins.  It appears, from various documents, that the Rebel Teeds actually spelled their surname Tidd and shortly after arriving in Nova Scotia the Loyalists began using the spelling Teed.

Muster Roll for DeLancey's Cowboys
1777

In 1783, the Teeds were the first settlers of British origin to come to Malagash, Nova Scotia and area. They were from the north of Ireland, emigrating to America early in the eighteenth century. They settled at Delaware, New York and later moved to Rhode Island.

First Teed Homestead at Malagash,
Nova Scotia

Daniel Teed  and the Teed family left New York for Nova Scotia in June 1783, landing at Fort Cumberland and eventually reached Remsheg (Wallace)  on about 10 July 1783. Daniel took up his land grant at Malagash at the age of 16. He was officially given his land at Malgash on 20 March 1786 at age 19. In 1790 Daniel sold 50 acres of his 100 acre grant to David Teed, (it is not sure if this David the brother or David the uncle) Daniel likely remained at Malagash until 1809, when he repeitioned the government for new land. He stated that his land was too poor to farm, and requested new land to provide for his large family of nine children. This was probably when he moved to Wentworth. Daniel made no further land petitions, but he is recorded as having made land transactions, mostly to provide for his sons.

Once he was settled in Nova Scotia, Daniel reconnected with his old neighbours in Westchester County, the Peers and in February 1790 married their daughter Jerusha.  Jerusha Peers was the daughter of Alexander Peers and Mary Bolding and was born in 1772 in Brooklyn, New York.  The couple had 11 children; Mary, Henry, Hannah, Daniel Fred, Elizabeth, Alexander, Jerusha, Isaac, David, John and Sarah.  We have no information on when either Daniel or Jerusha died or where they are buried.

Daniel's  brothers were: David; Isaac; Daniel; John; James; and Charles. Charles was taken prisoner by the Rebels. The  brothers settled in Wentworth and Malagash, Nova Scotia, and several years later they located Charles and brought him to Nova Scotia.

  Daniel, in his claim for property, stated that property was his father's who died in 1870 within the British lines, leaving a wife, now of Cumberland (editor note: Cumberland, Nova Scotia), three sons and two daughters.

Daniel paid poll tax of 5 pounds in Ramsheg in 1791 and  2 pounds 6shillings in 1792

Many Teed descendents still reside in both Malagash and Wentworth - where they multiplied and flourished.