Since most Loyalists were born in what became the United States of America, they were already citizens, or at least natives. Not all Loyalists left the US in 1783; mostly those whose property had been confiscated. Also, many Loyalists later returned with no need for any special documentation.
Later, Loyalist descendants, born outside the USA, would have to apply for citizenship. I would imagine that Thomas Alva Edison's father would likely have had to apply even though his father's parents were likely from New Jersey.
Would not the naturalization papers you mention suggest a place-of-origin? As far as I can tell the William Caldwell who d. 1823-4 and had a wife, Rebecca, seems to have likely been born in the colonies. I see a reference to his having to "swear alliance to the USA" but every male capable of bearing arms was required to do so during the Revolution. Some refused.
William appears to have been the William Caldwell in the 1790 census. See:
http://montgomery.nygenweb.net/census/caughna1790.html
With apparently four children, I assume he was in the USA before 1783 and likely never left. The date when he took an oath of allegiance would say much about why he took such an oath. For example, the first law regarding naturalization was the United States Naturalization Law of March 26, 1790. If William took the oath before then, then it was not likely for purposes of citizenship. If after then he was likely not a Loyalist as he would then likely have been a "natural-born citizen" (or at least a citizen before the Revolution) and not required to be naturalized.
Thomas.
Later, Loyalist descendants, born outside the USA, would have to apply for citizenship. I would imagine that Thomas Alva Edison's father would likely have had to apply even though his father's parents were likely from New Jersey.
Would not the naturalization papers you mention suggest a place-of-origin? As far as I can tell the William Caldwell who d. 1823-4 and had a wife, Rebecca, seems to have likely been born in the colonies. I see a reference to his having to "swear alliance to the USA" but every male capable of bearing arms was required to do so during the Revolution. Some refused.
William appears to have been the William Caldwell in the 1790 census. See:
http://montgomery.nygenweb.net/census/caughna1790.html
With apparently four children, I assume he was in the USA before 1783 and likely never left. The date when he took an oath of allegiance would say much about why he took such an oath. For example, the first law regarding naturalization was the United States Naturalization Law of March 26, 1790. If William took the oath before then, then it was not likely for purposes of citizenship. If after then he was likely not a Loyalist as he would then likely have been a "natural-born citizen" (or at least a citizen before the Revolution) and not required to be naturalized.
Thomas.