Sussman-Laabs

A member of the British 8th Regiment of Foot, called Seabright's Royal Irish Regiment, Patrick immigrated to New York in 1766. Sentenced to be hanged as a spy, but sentence not carried out. Moved across the border to Cornwall, ONT.

Patrick Fitzpatrick left Ireland in the year 1766 by joining the British 8th Regiment of Foot, called Seabright's Royal Irish Regiment. Patrick landed in New York in America, with his family. He deserted the British service in July 1772, just prior to the Revolution.

Patrick later joined a newly formed British Provincial unit called the "Queens' Rangers" in the year 1777. Facing the potential of hanging by George Washington's forces after the capture of Yorktown in October of 1781, on the eve of the surrender Patrick again deserted. He made his way to Canada in search of his son Peter.

On arriving in Canada, Patrick served in Daniel Robertson's company of the 84th Royal Highland Emigrants until the end of the war.

In 1786, he is found in Cornwall, receiving rations for himself and his family. (Source: Early Ontario Settlers: Victualing list for the township No.2 Cornwall, commencing the 25th and ending the 31st of Aug. 1786. Patrick Fitzpatrick, Index #G984, #54, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 boys over 10, 2 girls over 10, 2 boys under 10, 7 rations per day, 49 rations per week.)

Not long after, Patrick sought to evade the hangman's noose once again, knowing his identity as a twice British deserter could be known. His death and place of burial are unknown.

(source: http://www.uelac.org/Loyalist-Info/extras/Fitzpatrick-Patrick/Fitzpatrick-Patrick-military-information.php)