Although not a prime destination for the emigrants and disbanded soldiers fleeing America in the aftermath of the revolution, approximately 550 (encouraged by the Island government's offer of land) did settle on Prince Edward Island. 315 land grants were made to the Loyalists, however, most of the land granted was disputed property. By 1790 half of those granted land had left the Island. Despite numerous attempts to settle the Loyalist land claims the issue was not resolved until 1860 by the Land Commission with an acknowledgment of injustice and of the impracticality of the allotting of land to the numerous descendants of the Loyalists. The Island Loyalists represented a cross-section of late-eighteenth century society - most were farmers, fishermen and tradesmen; there were also merchant businessmen and professionals. A few also went on to hold political offices (such as Edmund Fanning, who served as Lieutenant Governor from 1786 to 1805).

Source: Memory PEI - Public Archives & Records Office - United Empire Loyalist collection: [1769-1836]