The Dennis Shipyard in Toronto-- Part 1: A Loyalist During the American Revolution

From the Toronto History Association.

Was located on the east bank of the Humber River,south of Bloor Street facing the island in Toronto.

An acre and a half at most.  Currently it is semi-wild and used mostly by hikers following the river bank and children playing.

John Denny (1758-1832) was born in Philadelphia and his family were Loyalists during the American Revolution.  Moved to Beaver Harbour, New Brunswick after the war and lived there five years.

became a master shipbuilder and moved to Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake).  Lt. Governor Simcoe felt Newark was too close to the Americans and recommended Dennis move to York (now Toronto).  In 1796, he granted land on the east side of the Humber River to Dennis to set up a shipbuilding business.

--Brock-Perry

John Dennis, Master Shipbuilder-- Part 1: Took British Side in the Revolution

From the Geni. site

John Dennis  Born c. 1758 in Philadelphia.  Died August 25, 1832, Toronto York, Ontario, Canada.

Born to Henry Dennis, a prosperous Quaker in Philadelphia.  During the American Revolution, the Dennis family sided with the British.  When the British evacuated Philadelphia in 1778, the family fled to New York City where both Henry and John found work refitting and re-equipping British ships.

The younger John Dennis wanted to see more action than working on ships and joined the British Army and saw action at St. Lucia in December 1778.  While there, he contracted fever which left him incapable of doing any more hard service and he returned to New York City and shipbuilding.

--Brock-Perry

Henry Eckford-- Part 1: Builder of U.S. Ships

From Wikipedia.

Henry Eckfoird (1775-1832)

Built the USS Superior at Sackets Harbor and converted the USS Trippe into a warship.

Scottish-born naval architect, industrial engineer and entrepreneur.  Worked for the U.S. navy and the Ottoman Empire.  Prominent businessman and political figure in New York City 1810 to the 1830s.

In 1791, he began a five-year apprenticeship in Lower Canada on the St. Lawrence River, then moved to Kingston, Canada.

In 1796, he became a master builder and emigrated to the United States, settling in New York City.

1790-1800, opened a shipbuilding business on the East River in Brooklyn.  He sold it in 1802 and moved back to NYC and opened a new shipyard and became a U.S. citizen.

--Brock-Perry