DeLancey Re-enactors’ Association is a Living History organization that portrays Captain Edward Allison’s Company of the 2nd Battalion of Brigadier General DeLancey’s Brigade of the Royal Provincials of the British Army during the American War of Independence. 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 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 Colonel commanding 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 under the command of two Royal Artillery non-commissioned officers. The unit has been an independent group for many years now, sponsored and supported by its members who volunteer their time in fundraising activities under the banner of the DeLancey Re-enactors’ Association.
Today, DeLancey’s Brigade includes infantrymen, musicians, civilian camp followers, and civilians in the pay of the military that can be included in a fully equipped military encampment. The Brigade is also one of the organizers behind the events in Saint John for May 18, Loyalist Day. This heritage association’s continued research has evolved past just the military to include life in 18th British America (r. 1750 to 1790), making presentations to a wide range of interested societies and associations that can run from about one and a half hours to up to three days. The unit 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, especially in New Brunswick.
21-111 Sydney Street, Saint John, NB E2L 2L8
