Reuben Lively Sr. was from the 96 District in South Carolina and served as a private in Col. John Cotton's, Stevenson Creek Militia on the side of the British in the American Revolution.

From the John Duncanson book on interlibrary loan, 0-921341-34-2: "Rawdon and Douglas: Two Loyalist Townships in Nova Scotia".

Rawdon Township (now in Hants Co, Nova Scotia) was formed in 1784 by the government of Nova Scotia "for the Loyalist refugees from the 96th District, South Carolina and St. Augustine, Florida."

96th District is in the extreme northwest corner of South Carolina and had been Indian Territory up to at least 1766, some of which was only settled after that date by settlers moving south and by new arrivals from North Ireland, Yorkshire, England, etc.

After the American Revolution began in 1775, action in South Carolina was limited to skirmishes until the fall of 1779 when the British launched a major campaign taking Charleston and establishing military posts from Camden to the 96th District. However, on 1781, May 22, the Americas under General Nathaniel Greene and Henry "Light Horse Harrly" Lee (father of Robert E. Lee) attacked the 96th District post. The post held out but finally on June 21, 1781, Lord Rawdon, Commander of British forces in South Carolina ordered the evacuation of the 96th District post and loyalist refugees moved to Orangeburg, and later to Charleston. Charleston itself was evacuated to Halifax, Nova Scotia in October 1782 and included the 96th District loyalists, which also included Reuben Lively.

On August 3, 1784, a grant of 24,500 acres was made in Rawdon township, Nova Scotia to 57 settlers, "most of whom were loyalist refugees from the old 96th District. This grant is sometimes referred to as "The Bond Grant" after Captain James Bond, one of the settlers from the 96th District, and a recognized leader among the Rawdon settlers. Reuben Lively of the 96th received 500 acres in this grant.

Reuben Lively, loyalist claim #104 dated July 1786 stated that he was a native of America, settled in the 96th District of South Carolina in 1775. He avoided service with the Americans by being under age; served with them for 6 months but only against the Indians. His father was friendly to Great Britian but was killed by the rebels in 1781. Reuben joined the British at the 96th District post after the taking of Charleston by the British in the autumn of 1779 and served in the militia until the fall of the 96th District. He had 250 acres in the 96th District from his wife. They were married in 1780, her family was named Cameron. He also had 200 acres from his wife valued at 10 shillings per acre. Had 15 horses, 30 cattle, 6 negroes, all lost to the Americans.

The Thomas Thornton claim said that two of his infant brothers were in the care of Reuben Lively. Thomas received a 250 acre grant.

He was buried at the Saint Pauls Anglican Church, Upper Rawdon, Nova Scotia.

See: http://www.livelyroots.com/oldtom/d2.htm#i2954