Historic Settlements

Loyalist Township is situated on the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee, Michi Saagiig, and Omámíwinini Peoples, where life, communities, and economies flourished long before the arrival of settlers. The information presented is not meant to erase or disregard the presence, impact, and experiences of Indigenous communities already living in the area. This webpage presents the history and timelines of colonial settlement, but this is just one piece of the historical narrative ongoing at that time.

This project stems from the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, Objective 1.2: Promote Loyalist identity while recognizing contribution of heritage and traditions from each community.

Council directed staff to develop a plan to identify signage and recognize historic settlement areas as per Strategic Objective 1.2.4.

Staff conducted extensive research, including visits to the Lennox & Addington Archives and consultation with local community knowledge holders, to determine the historical context of both the Township and its historic settlement areas.

This webpage is a presentation of the research and findings behind the signs.

Important Dates

1805

The Heir and Devisee Commission was reformed to manage ongoing land claims.

Loyalist Township Historic Settlements Timeline

1775

War erupted between Britain and their American colony. American colonists who supported and fought for the British Crown were called Loyalists.

1783

The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3rd, ending the American Revolution. Following Britain’s defeat, many Loyalists fled to the British colony of Canada where they were promised land for their loyalty to the Crown.

1783

Township No. 2 (Ernestown Township) was surveyed by Deputy Surveyor-General John Collins in November, dividing the land into 7 Concessions of 42 Lots per Concession. Military units were settled within the same Township so they could be mustered quickly, if needed. The soldiers of Jessup’s Loyal Rangers were designated to Township No. 2.

1784

Deputy Survey-General Collins oversaw the drawing of lots while the Rangers were stationed in Machiche, Quebec. Pieces of paper with Concession and Lot Numbers, called ‘Location Tickets,’ were placed in a hat to be drawn by settlers. Their names were recorded on the corresponding lot on a map kept by the Receiver-General in Quebec.

1784

The Concession lots were mostly occupied in the Spring and Fall by 434 Loyalists. Very few surveyed lots were left unsettled. Since most tickets were drawn in Machiche, tickets were likely informally traded so family members could have lots near each other. Additionally, once settlers travelled to the area, they may have sold or traded the ticket, causing inaccurate records on the map kept by the Receiver-General.

1786

Additional land grants of 200 acres were given to each settler who proved ‘loyal and industrious.’

1789

The Upper Canada Land Board was established to sort the confusion caused by inaccurate land occupancy records.

1797

The Heir and Devisee Commission was formed to settle disputes between heirs and devisees of land grants in situations where deeds were yet to be issued for the lots.

According to sources, most lots were drawn and occupied in 1784, yet the Crown deeds range from 1797 – 1844. These delays were caused as the grants were not issued until a certain percentage of the lots were cleared in preparation for agriculture. Settlers were given a deadline to clear the required percentage of land and pay for the Deed; many settlers waited until the end of that period to save the needed money.

Illustrations and excerpts

Samples from the Illustrated Historical Atlas of the Counties of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Ontario, by J.H. Meacham & Co., 1878