During the fall of 1796 the governing Executive Council of Upper Canada was in recess and rather than defer settler requests for land to the following year, the Administrator of the Province, Peter Russell gave them permissions to settle on a vacant lot after reference to the Deputy Surveyor General David W. Smith. Prior to the next sitting of the Executive Council, Smith prepared a list of the permissions on January 24, 1797 for Council approval. Many of these were in the newly opening Townsend Township, Norfolk County.
Return of Persons who have been permitted by His Honor The Administrator to occupy
Lands during the recess of the Council.
1796
July 26 Ensign Elijah Vincent 2,000 acres
August 6 James Flemming 200 acres
Joseph Haslip 200 acres
August 10 John Donner 200 acres removing a Reserve ?? at York to another Lot, 120 acres near Mr. St. John’s old house at the Humber
August 22 Alex Marble Lot No. 182 Town of Newark
August 23 John Leslie 200 acres
August 25 Michl Shaw, Batl. Range A Location
August 27 Daniel Malcom A Location
Sept. ? John Halloway A Location
Sept. ? Wm McCartney A Location
Sept.21 Nichlas Outhouse Farm Lot
Sept.21 Othneil Smith Farm Lot
Sept.21 John Smith Farm Lot
Sept.21 Joseph Smith Farm Lot
Sept.21 Abraham Voght Farm Lot
Sept.21 John Misner Farm Lot
Sept.21 Jacob Misner Farm Lot
Sept.21 Nathel White Farm Lot
Sept.21 Jacob Buganer Farm Lot
Sept.21 John Steinhoff Farm Lot
Sept.21 James Blayney Farm Lot
October 14th Timothy Colver Farm Lot
October 14th Gasbett Colver Farm Lot
October 14th Jaby Colver Junr. Farm Lot
October 14th Michael Shaw, John’s wife 200 acres
October 14th The Daughter of Jaby Colver
October 14th Richard Dowdle 400 acres
October 14th Thomas Dowdle 200 acres
October 14th Phineas Dowdle [Howell] 200 acres
October 14th William Dowdle [Drake] 200 acres
October 15th William Cornwell 200 acres
October 18th John Nighton 600 acres
October 19th Christopher Pierce 200 acres
October 20 John Sige 200 acres
October 20 Benjamin Rogers 200 acres
October 20 Cornelius Hartoub 200 acres
October 20 Elam Seales 200 acres
October 20 Soloman Jenkins 200 acres
October 20 Bethuel Barnes 200 acres
October 20 John Lee Miller 200 acres
October 20 Charles Seales 200 acres
October 22 Henry Witner 200 acres
October 22 Col. Wm. Spurgin 1,200 acres including No. 11 in front Township of Charlottesville
November 2 Michael Beach A Location
By warrant 24
October 1796
Revd Edmund Burke A Town Lot in York and Niagara
November 4 Elias Deys A Location
November 7 Mr. Thomas Mercer 200 acres
November 7 Samuel Mercer 200 acres
November 7 A?? Van Potter 300 acres
November 11 Benj. Davis 100 acres in addition
November 12 Owen McGrath 2,000 acres
November 17 John McBride A Location
November 19 Mr. Thomas Scholfield No. 23 Town Lot, York
December 1 Ephraim Payton A Town Lot at York
December 14 Mr. C. Robinson a 200 acre Lot near York
December 24 Benj. Woodhull 200 acres on the ???
Surveyor General’s Office
24 January 1797
D. W. Smith
List of persons who have families to occupy land by his Honor.
Read in Council
24th January 1797
And confirmed
P.R.
R N.73 No. 2