Commission enquiring into Loyalists' Claims following the American War of Independence

[Segilla]

Where is it possible to find full details of the Act of Parliament or instrument, setting out the terms of reference to be followed by the Commissioners enquiring into Loyalists' losses?

[buildersmate]

I suspect this what you are after.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/d isplaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=12663&CATLN=3 &Highlight=&FullDetails=True

I have never used the National Archives website before, and I know nothing about this subject.
If it is the wrong thing, have nosey around yourself or post again and I'll see if I can help.
Alao I'm not clear whether you can view chunks of this stuff online or whether you have to go to the national Archives in person - these are in Kew, London.
Hope that helps - BM

[Segilla]

Thanks for that, buildersmate.
It has been the supreme joy of a long family history 'life' to have found unchallengeable ancestry in a family of father, mother, six sons mostly army officers and a daughter who had to quit Boston in 1788.
Despite the losses and sadnesses they suffered, there has been no astonisjment and pleasure greater than reading their accounts in AO12 and AO13. And of handling my 4 x Gt grandmother's letter pleading for assistance, she who once moved in high society in that city. Her husband was one of the men who ran the city.
It is the terms the Commission had to work to that I am interested in. Severe punishment was threatened against those who made false statements or exagerrated claims, so I'm inclined to believe the claim she made for �18,000 Sterling.
Around 80,000 Loyalists left America, most for Canada and Nova Scotia, and relatively few to England.
The Mother country welcomed back it wronged children - until they started to ask for money. ... .
It must not be forgotten that the records are full of accounts of people who agonized over which side to support.
Not the jolly romp that Hollywood makes of this momentous subject.