Van Iderstine, John

From: An Island Refuge- Loyalists and Disbanded Troops on The Island of Saint John, The Abegweit Branch of UELAC, 1983

It is said that the VanIderstine family came from Holland. John VanIderstine, his wife and several brothers emigrated to America, settling at New York, New Jersey and in Pennsylvania. During the War of Independence, the VanIderstines who favoured the English cause moved to Upper Canada and to the Island of Saint John. Loyalist John (c. 1753-1839) chose to settle on the latter and received a grant of three hundred and forty acres on the Vernon River in Lot 50 during the period between 1784 and 1786. His warrant of survey was dated October 10, 1785.
John VanIderstine was a successful farmer. His will, dated November 22, 1834, recorded gardens, orchards, and buildings, cattle, sheep, saws and tools. Among the household furnishings mentioned were feather beds, pillows and blankets the work of his thrifty wife and daughter. No doubt they were responsible for the spinning and weaving and for the care of the geese which provided feathers for the pillows and beds, and roast goose for the table.
In the will John, junior, was named as oldest son, Peter as youngest. The son, drowned previously in Vernon River, is believed to have been Isaac under sixteen in the 1798 census when John VanNiderstine (sic) was head of a household of five living on Lot 50. John’s death occurred at Vernon River in 1839. His will was probated on November 13, 1839.