DeLancy Re-enactors’ Association portrays Captain Edward Allison’s company of the 2nd Battalion of Brigadier General DeLancey’s Brigade of the Royal Provincials of the British Army. In 1981 the Loyalist Days Festival in Saint John was seeking a special way to celebrate the upcoming Bicentennials of the Loyalist Landings in 1783, and the granting of the city’s Royal Charter in 1785. Visiting re-enactors, in the city to do research at the New Brunswick Museum, inspired the creation of a local re-enactment unit. The 2nd Battalion of the DeLancey’s Brigade was chosen for reactivation under Loyalist Days’ sponsorship when it was discovered that Saint John’s first Mayor, Gabriel Ludlow, had been the commander of the battalion.
A ceremonial Fife and Drum unit in the beginning, DeLancey’s quickly became a colourful focus of the annual heritage festival and other events in the city. Women were quickly added to the unit, as wives and girlfriends of the musicians got involved. In 1983, infantry was added and enlistment grew. Eventually an artillery unit was created with the addition of a 3-pounder field piece.
Today, DeLancey’s Brigade includes infantrymen, musicians and civilian camp-followers and civilians in the pay of the military. The unit is now an independent group, sponsored and supported by its members who volunteer their time in fundraising activities under the banner of the DeLancey Re-enactors’ Association. The Brigade is also the organizer behind the events in Saint John for May 18. This heritage association’s continued research has evolved past just the military to include life in 18th British America (1750 to 1790) numerous presentations to a range of interested societies and associations and is active all year. DeLancey’s Brigade is a member of the British Brigade Reenactment Society. Several members are also members of other heritage groups.
21-111 Sydney Street, Saint John, NB E2L 2L8
