The WCA thanks the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their support of this NEW SETTLERS ‘War of 1812’ Bicentennial commemorative project. INUNSETTLED TIMES

uring the American Revolution of 1776, many citizens of the Thirteen Colonies who rebelled against the British remained loyal to King George III. With the war favouring the revolutionaries, Dmany families fled north to Upper Canada and became known as “Loyalists”. Although the promise of freedom and a fresh start served as motivation, life in Upper Canada was extremely challenging. Daily living was consumed with providing the basics of food, clothing, shelter, and little else. Several groups of aboriginals also fled the United States and moved north after forming an alliance with the British. Over 2,000 Native People relocated to the Grand River on lands provided by the Mississauga and Great Britain, in recognition of lands lost to the Americans in their New York State homelands. Mohawk leader Joseph Brant encouraged his people to resettle along the Grand River with a vision of creating a self-sustaining community, modeled after the British-style farmstead.

Brant fought for legal title of the Haldimand Tract until his death in 1807. Scan to view this panel

! John Graves Simcoe (1752 –1806) was the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. At the age of 25, he assumed command of the Queen's Rangers. During the American Revolution, promotions were frequent, and in 1778, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. In 1791, Simcoe was appointed Lieutenant Governor for Upper Canada and engaged in extensive road construction, including the tract between York and London through the Grand River Watershed. In 1796, ill health forced Simcoe to return to England, where he died in 1806. John Graves Simcoe. Source: Archives Ontario.

! Joseph Brant on the banks of the Grand River. He invited many Anglo- American families—particularly former members of Brant's Volunteers and Butler's Rangers from New York—to live on the leased land. Joseph Brant on the banks of the Grand River. Source: Archives Ontario.

" In 1785, in recognition of Six Nations support of the British Crown during the American Revolution, the Crown built St. Paul’s chapel at the Mohawk Village, near present day Brantford. Now known as Her Majesty’s Royal Chapel of the Mohawks, it is the oldest Protestant church in Ontario. Drawing of the Royal Chapel, Brantford

# The original Haldimand Tract stretched from the Grand River’s mouth on the shores of Lake Erie to its headwaters at Dundalk in Grey County; it was was 12 miles (6 miles wide from either banks). Brant obtained power of attorney from the Six Nations’ Chiefs, and bargained away much of this land, hoping to create a perpetual income for his people. The Indian department officials challenged his right do so, claiming that the land could only be sold by the Crown. Brant sold a total of 381,400 Mohawk Village acres of undeveloped land to speculators for £85,332. However, by 1801, purchasers had fallen behind in their payments. Undaunted, Brant sold more land to make up for the missing payments, on the Grand River. believing these new European-American settlers would help his people to acquire useful skills and Source: Painting by Elizabeth Simcoe, Archives Ontario knowledge to deal with the Western world. Map of the Halidmand Tract. Source: Archives Ontario.