Who were the Loyalists (all groups) and were they treated fairly by the British?

The term "Loyalists" refers to American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown. Many of them served under the British during the American Revolution (1775-1783). Loyalists settled in what are now the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Ontario. They were often subjected to mob violence or put in prison. Loyalist property was vandalized and often confiscated. During the Revolution, more than 19,000 Loyalists served Britain in specially created provincial militia corps, such as the King's Royal Regiment of New York and Butler's Rangers.