| After the departure of the British from the colony of New York following the American Revolution, several hundred Loyalist refugees joined together to form the Port Roseway Associates. Their aim was to establish a settlement in Nova Scotia. The arrival of the Loyalists, with their families, their servants and their slaves, was the founding of Port Roseway, later renamed Shelburne. The free Blacks joined together to found an enclave called Birch. MG 9, B 9 |