Demarest, David

  • From: Voyage of a Different Kind by Larry Turner:
    • There were a number of Demarest families of French extraction in Bergen County, New Jersey but the family of David G. Demarest was splintered with the Revolution. David left his 150 acre farm to join the British Loyalist cause after a three year stint with the 2nd. New Jersey Volunteers in the spring of 1778. David failed to attract his wife and eldest son to the Loyalist cause after a three year stint with the 2nd. New Jersey Volunteers and later as a guide to the Royal Forces. Indeed the Demarest family “in consideration of their extraordinary exertions in the service of their country” petitioned to have David’s land (now a Fugitive with the Enemy) turned over to themselves. David’s wife remained a rebel and her son Gilyam was impressed along with his father’s wagons in the fall of 1776 when the American Army retreated before the British. Only fourteen years old, Gilyam accompanied the army into Pennsylvania and Maryland. “He was gone a year before he turned homeward with the army and did not recognize the vicinity, but someone in camp knew him and sent him home to his parents almost naked having served so long a time without fee or reward. When imprisoned by the British, Gilyam still refused to join “Upon his father’s persuasion.” The son was finally exchanged and fought again for the rebels. Thus David Demarest was a single man when he joined Captain Ruttan’s Company and settled originally at Adolphustown.
  • United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=15871
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