The following is the text of a memorial of Thomas Handfield of the Parish of Verchères, written in Québec 17 January `1789.
To His Excellency The Right Honourable Guy Lord Dorchester, Captain General and Governor in Chief of the Colonies of Québec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and their Dependencies, Vice Admiral of the same, General and Commander in Chief of all His Majesty's Forces in the said Colonies and the Island of Newfoundland etc. etc. etc.
The Memorial of Thomas Handfield now of the Parish of Verchères Most Humbly Sheweth. That your Lordships Memorialist was a Volunteer in the 40th Regiment in the year 1752 (of which his Father was at that time Lieutenant-Colonel) and served in that Situation at the Siege of Lewisbourg in 1758. In the month of May following he was appointed an Ensign in the 47th Regiment and came with the Regiment to the Siege of Québec, and on the 28th April following was wounded on the Heights of Abram; At the close of the war in 1763 he was Eldest Ensign but one in the Regiment, but not being in Circumstances to go to Europe with the Regiment; Exchanged upon half Pay to remain in this Country and in the year 1765 was without any application from him put upon full Pay, and when the Notification of it came to this Country, he could not be found and in consequence of which was Superseded. On hearing that he Memorial'd (through Mr. Cramahie) Your Lordship then in England, in answer to which he was told by the late Mr. Cramahie then Lieutenant-Governor of the Province, that he had been reported to the King, absent without leave, Superseded & that nothing could be done for him. In 1776 he joined the British Troops at Three Rivers, when he was employed by your Lordship in the Quarter Master General Department as Captain of Batteaux, in which employ he continued until the close of the War in 1783, since which time he has been living on a small Farm near Verchères with a Wife and Eight Children.
He most humbly Prays your Lordship will grant him a proportion of Lands for himself and Family at or near Carillon as he has never yet received any Gratuity of Land for his Service in the War before last.
And your Lordship Memorialist will for ever Pray ----
Québec 17 January 1789
(Signed) Thos Handfield
I do Certify that the Memorialist was represented to me when Quarter Master General, as a Man who always discharged his duty in his Department, with Diligence and Fidelity and to the Perfect satisfaction of those under whom he acted.
(Signed) Henry Hope
Another document states:
The petition of Thomas Handfield formerly an Ensign in the 47th, Son of the late Colonel Handfield of the XL Regiment, The Committee having considered his situation, as stated in his Petition, with the Certificate of Service signed by the late Brigadier General Hope annexed thereto, humbly recommend him for a grant of a thousand Acres for himself, wife and eight Children, to be laid out in any of the New Townships lately surveyed on the Ottawa or Grande River. [See copy of original reference below.]