Micheal SHOWERS

                   Michaeal was born 1733 in Provindence, Penn.  Micheal was a Loyalist and he and his father and brothers volunteered in the British Army.  Col. Butler formed a corps called the Rangers and they became part of the Butlers rangers.  In 1777 a party of rangers joined St Leger at Fort Stanwix but failed.  The rangers asked to leave and drive their cattle to Niagra.  Most of the men were fromFort Forty near Susquehanna.  After reaching their homes they were arrested and sent to prisions far from their homes.  Micheal an officer was granted leave to go to Niagra and bring his family to Neward which he was granted 200 acres.  His family had lived peacefully in Wyoming, Penn. until 1780 when they had to flee and leave everything behind.  They made way to Fort Niagra with other womwn and children.  The fort conditions were awful.  they were sent to Lachine for army provisions 25 OCt 1780 to 1781.  The womwn went by open boats to Newark, mostly at nights and no food or supplies.  They considered killing the dogs to feed their starving children.  They recieved some bean bread from the Indians to lengthen their lives.  they were included in the first census at Niagra 25 Aug 1783 and micheal was discharged from the Rangers.  Land patents were given out but Micheal was having a hard time recieving his 1793.  He recieved lots 11-12-13-and 1 new survey.  he built a home and a mill, but died spring 1796 leaving his wife with 11 children.  Many of them were married and Loyalists already.  When the will was settle was a the time the youngest boy turned age and under the house was found a distillery.  The Barton Lodge recorded a thank you to Micheal Showers for 10 gallons of wiskey for the next lodge meeting.  Micheal was of german descent.