Israel Tripp’s 5th great grandfather emigrated from England to Boston, approximately 1635, indentured as a carpenter.  He became an inhabitant of Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1638 and served in various capacities in the local governments.  His signature is on the 1657 purchase of Conanicut and Dutch Island, Rhode Island.  He continued to be of service to his community until his death in 1678.

Israel Tripp was born  25 Dec 1775 in Duchess County, New York State, USA.

Israel married Susannah DeMille, daughter of Mary and Isaac DeMille UE.   As the daughter of a United Empire Loyalist, Susannah was entitled to 200 acres, a fine grant of land to raise their family on.  They had 12 children:

• John, born 1799
• Polly, born 1800
• Isaac, born 1802
• Anna, born 1805
• Elizabeth, born 1806
• Israel, born 1807
• Hannah, born 1807
• Catherine, born 1810
• Samuel, born 1813
• Richard, born 1816
• Susan, born 1818
• William, born 1821

As a private in Captain John Stinson’s Troop of the Prince Edward Dragoons, Israel earned 12 pounds and 18 shillings for 24 days of service noted on the October to November 1812 muster roll.   That is equal to approximately $20 Canadian dollars in today’s money.   Later, in 1813, they were paid in Army sterling dollars.  To put this in context,  when constructing the grist mill in Napanee in the late 1700s, “an account of articles bought for the use of the works, 08 November: four augers of different size, 13 shillings and 8 pence; 20 lbs, of Nails, 1 pound; Omitting some items, and coming to March 23, 1786, we find ‘For Raising the Saw Mill’, 2 gallons and 3 pints of Rum 17 shillings and 6 pence”.

For his service in the War of 1812-14 he was awarded the north 1/2 of Lot 9 Conc 4 in Nottawasaga Township in Simcoe County.  As this was far from his Prince Edward County home, scrip was a favourable option.

After the war, Israel returned to a more peaceful life.  Some of his children married and settled in Sophiasburgh Township, Prince Edward County and others in the neighbouring Tyendinaga Township in Hastings County.

In his will (#3850), “Israel Tripp of the County of Prince Edward, Township of Sophiasburgh 4 June 1836, wife receives two bedrooms, East end of house and square room adjoining for use during her lifetime”.

Israel Tripp,  my 4th great grandfather, passed away 17 November 1842 and is buried in Foster Cemetery, Sophiasburgh Township, along with several other family members.