Land Petitions of the Niagara Settlers "Gage to Gates"


Gage, James

Undated Upper Canada Land Petition of James Gage received at the Executive Council Office on 21 Jul 1797

“Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioner married the Daughter of Wm Davis a UE Loyalist, and for whom he has never drawn any Lands – Wherefor your Petitioner Prays your Honor would be pleased to allow his wife the quantity of lands generally given to those of her description and your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray—James Gage” Received at the Executive Council Office on 21 Jul 1797 and read in Council on 22 Jul 1797. Ordered Petitioner’s wife recommended for 200 acres. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 3, Petition Number 6]


Gahagan, Oliver

Upper Canada Land Petition of Oliver Gahagan dated on 7 Dec 1793

“Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioner has built and Improved on a Town Lot in Newark No 95 which your Petitioner is anxious to have a Certificate for, and Prays them for that purpose and Your Petitioner as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray [Signed] Oliver Gahagan” No date of receipt or order of the Executive Council just the word “Granted” [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle Miscellaneous 1789-1795, Petition Number 1]

Upper Canada Land Petition of Oliver Gahagan dated 10 May 1794

“Humbly Sheweth That your petitioner, intending to become a resident in the Town of Newark, begs he may be permitted to take up and Ocupy Lott No 74 in said Town and your petitioner as in Duty bound will Ever pray [Signed] Oliver Gahagan” No date of receipt or order of the Executive Council. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle Miscellaneous 1789-1795, Petition Number 2]

Notation of Robert Hamilton dated on 10 May 1794 on the reverse of the Upper Canada Land Petition of Oliver Gahagan

“This was brought to me for the purpose of presenting to the Land board on the 10th May. The Board did not Sit but a promise has been made Gahagan that he shall have a preference in the Lott prayed if not already taken up or forfeited.

Mentioned in the undated Upper Canada Land Petition of Angus McDonell (signed Macdonell) received at the Executive Council Office on 30 Aug 1797

“Most humbly sheweth—That your Petitioner as Attorney at law having been employed by several of His Majestys Subjects to file Caveats in the Secretary’s office to prevent the Patents for certain tracts of land from issuing until your Honors’ pleasure thereon should be had in Council, finds himself as well as his clients materially aggrieved by the Conduct of the said Secretary who issued such Deeds without any manner of regard to the Caveats filed by your Petitioner to the following Cases your Petitioner more particularly alludes—Oliver Gahagan, against James Ramsay—Donald McDonald against Thomas Hind—That your Petitioner finds himself further compelled to resort to your Honor for Justice in a case more immediately concerning himself and which he finds cannot be procured without your Honors intersession. Your Petitioner being an U. E. Loyalist has the Pledge of the Royal promise to receive Deeds for Lands granted to him by the Crown gratus notwithstanding which, the Secretary of the province detains your Petitioner’s Deed for a Lot of Ground in the Town of Newark under pretence of his being authorized to collect Fees thereon. Wherefore your Petitioner prays that your Honor will cause Justice to be done to him and as in duty bound he will ever pray &c. [Signed] A Macdonell” Received at the Executive Council Office on 30 Aug 1797. Ordered the two first charges are unfounded: That relative to the Petitioner’s own deed to stand over for consideration. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “M” Bundle 2, Miscellaneous 1788-1798, Petition Number 86]


Gander/Gonder, Michael

Upper Canada Land Petition of Michael Gander dated at York (Toronto) on 26 Aug 1801

“Humbly sheweth – That Your Petitioner came into the Province in the year 1788 with his family and soon after the sitting of the Land Board received a Certificate for 200 acres in Clinton vizt No 5 in the 1st. 2d Concessions: that there is a broken front of about 50 acres, to the said Lots which your petitioner began his improvement upon but having made inquiry at the Surveyor Generals Office, finds that the whole Lots have only been described and not the broken front, tho the name of your Petitioner is on the Land Board plan for the said broken front, as well as the whole Lots, therefore presumes the Clerk of the Land Board forgot to enter it on the Certificate, as all the neighbours have their broken fronts – Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays Your Excellency will be pleased to indulge him with a grant of the broken fronts – and as in Duty bound your Petitioner shall ever pray – [Signed] Michael Gander” Received at the Executive Council Office on 26 Aug 1801 and read in Council on 27 Aug 1801. Ordered the Surveyor General being present and stating that he believes the facts of this petition to be true, the Petitioner is recommended for the broken fronts. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 5, Petition Number 9]

Upper Canada Land Petition of Michael Gonder dated at Niagara on 26 May 1796 [using a pre-printed form with fill-ins]

“The Petition of Michael Gonder, of the Township of Willoughby—Farmer—Respectfully shews—That your Petitioner came into the Province in the year 1788 with two children & has received two Hundred acres of Land—That your petitioner settled on the lands of the Crown in this Province, & has cultivated and improved the same. That he has taken the usual oaths, and is ready to subscribe the declaration, that he professes the Christian Religion, and obedience to the laws, and has lived inoffensively in the country. Prays your Excellency, would be pleased to grant him upon the terms and conditions expressed in your Excellency’s proclamation bearing date the 7th day of February, 1792, or such other quantity of land as to your Excellency in your wisdom may think meet. And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray.” [Unsigned] Added note: “The Petitioner has now Seven Children” Read in the Executive Council on 13 Jul 1796. Ordered recommended for 100 acres family lands if not granted before. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 2, Petition Number 38]

Certificate of Peter Ball J. P. dated at Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake) on 25 May 1796

“I do hereby Certify that Michal Gonder has been in this settlement for Eight years and that he fetched with him two children both Born before the year 178[5] and that he has during his residence in this place (as far as I know) behaved himself as a good Subject [Signed] P Ball, J. P.” [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 2, Petition Number 38a]

Upper Canada Land Petition of Michael Gonder [signed Gander] dated on 12 Oct 1796

“Humbly Sheweth—That your petitioner has been nine years in this Country, has Drawn 200 acres for himself and One Hundred for 2 Children—That he is a man of a large family having 4 sons & 1 Daughter now coming from the States; That having the name of a Tory during the War His House was set on fire [….] himself fined in a thousand pounds, for not carrying arms against his Majesty, That he is an old and a good settler, and could he have some more Land he would be very Gratefull. Therefore, Prays Your Honor will Grant him such a Quantity as in your wisdom you may think fit and as in Duty Bound Your Petitioner will ever Pray—[Signed] Michael Gander” Received at the Executive Council Office on 17 Oct 1796 and read in Council on 9 Jan 1797. Ordered the petitioner appears to have received all the lands he is entitled to. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 2, Petition Number 48]

Certificate of Parshall Terry, J. P. dated on 23 May 1796 attached to the Upper Canada Land Petition of Michael Gonder

“I Do Hereby Certify That the Bearer Michael Gander allowed into this Setlement in the year 1788 with Two Children and Hath Since his Residence here Behaved as an Honest and industress man Given Under my hand this 23rd of May 1796 [Signed] Parshall Terry J P” [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 2, Petition Number 48b]


Gannon, William

Undated Upper Canada Land Petition of William Gannon

“That your memorialist served his Majesty four Years in Colonel Butlers Regiment call’d Rangers, after getting his discharge he became a settler in this Country where he lived three years and improved Lands, which Improvements after being surveyed was found to be within the Limits of another persons Grant, obliged him to sell his property and go to his Friends in the State of Newyork, where he has lived ever since his departer from this Country—Your Memorialist most humbly hopes as it is his particular Wish to become again a settler in this province, that your Excellency through your goodness will permit him so to be, and as he has got some Friends and acquaintance forty Miles above Fort Erie he wishes by your Excellency’s permission to fix upon his Land in that Neighbourhood—Your Memorialist further homes your Excellency will permit him at the same time to fix upon a Farm of Land in the said Neighbourhood for his wifes Father Morgan Deshaw, who also wishes to become a settler under your Excellency’s protection in this province. Your Memorialist as in Duty bound will ever pray” Unsigned and no Executive Council notes other than “Granted” [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 1, Petition Number 7b]


Gardner, Alexander

Upper Canada Land Petition of Alexander Gardner dated at Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake) on 28 Mar 1796

“Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioner has resided in this Province for Eight years, and having a desire of Settling Land therein, prays your Excellency will be most graciously Pleased to grant such Portion as your Excellency Shall think fit—Your Petitioner Humbly flatters himself that his character as a Loyal Subject and an officer in the Militia of this Province will in Some measure entitle him to His Majesty’s most gracious bounty. And your Petitioner as in Duty bound will Ever Pray—[Signed] A Gardner” Received at the Executive Council Office on 7 May 1796 and read in Council on 26 Jul. Referred for consultation with His Excellency. Ordered 600 acres in consideration the petitioner occupies the [said] in lieu of all other chances. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 2, Petition Number 1]

Undated Letter written by Alexander Gardner dated at Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake) on 27 Jun 1796 to Captain McGill at York

“Sir, I shall esteem it a particular Favor if you will be so obliging as to use your interest in forwarding the petition which I have sent for 1200 acres of Land—as a recompense for the loss of my House, which was pulled down at the express Desire of His Excellency. Your Goodness in this particular will lay me under a lasting Obligation & if in my power to retaliate the Favor you may depend on my best Services. I have the honor to be, Sir, Yr obedt humble Servant [Signed] Alexander Gardner” Note on the reverse: “I do not consider that the prayer of his Petition can possibly be granted” [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 2, Petition Number 1b]

Upper Canada Land Petition of Alexander Gardner dated on 20 Dec 1796

“Humbly sheweth That your Petitioner having served His Majesty during the American Rebellion, settled in this Province, where he has resided several years and possessed considerable property- part of which consisted of a dwelling House at the Landing Place of Fort Niagara which he had purchased at a great price. —That His Excellency the Lieut Governor, having some time since, found it expedient to raze and take the said dwelling House for the service of His Majesty, was pleased to signify to your Petitioner, that his application to him in Council, for twelve Hundred acres of Land would be attended to—Your Petitioner therefore applied, but then apprehending there may have been some mistake in his Petition- as a grant of 600 acres only has issued to him—He therefore humbly prays your Honor would be pleased to grant him the 600 acres in addition and your Petitioner as in Duty bound will ever pray—[Signed] A Gardner” Received at the Executive Council Office on 11 Jan 1797 and read in Council on 4 Feb 1797. Ordered that the grant made to the petitioner shall be made up twelve hundred acres in consideration of the facts set forth in the petition. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 2, Petition Number 43]


Garner, George

Upper Canada Land Petition of George Garner of the Township of Stamford dated at Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake) on 4 Feb 1797

“Humbly shews—That your Petitioner has received Two Hundred acres of Land, but having married Christine, the Daughter of Jacob Killman, late of Sir John Johnsons Corps prays your Honor would be pleased to grant him 200 acres in right of his wife—and Your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray—[Signed] George Garner” Received at the Executive Council Office on 4 Feb 1797 and read in Council on 21 Mar. Ordered 200 acres to the wife of the petitioner, the daughter of a Loyalist, if not granted before. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 2, Petition Number 53]

Certificate of Ralfe Clench dated at Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake) on 4 Feb 1797 attached to the Upper Canada Land Petition of George Garner

“The Bearer George Garner is married to the daughter of Jacob Kilman who satisfied the Justices in Sessions that he adhered to the Unity of the Empire & served the Royal Standard in America before the year 1783 [Signed] Ralfe Clench, Clerk of the Sessions &c &c” [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 2, Petition Number 53]

Named in “Report of Persons recommended by Paul Averill, with the Lots subscribed for by them” in Townsend Township, Norfolk County prepared by Acting Surveyor General David W. Smith dated on 5 Apr 1797 [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “A” Bundle 3, Petition Number 62]

Grantee: Garner, George authorized by Paul Averill on 4 Feb 1797; Oath of Allegiance taken in the Council office; Lot asked for: Lot 11 Concession 10; This quiets a warrant for 200 acres to him dated the 27 Jul

Included in a list of persons from whom the Honourable Robert Hamilton, J. P. of Queenston purchased land warrants or rights and the township for which the warrant was issued.

George Garner – Full Fees 200 acres in Townsend Township [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “H” Bundle 4, Petition Number 117r]


Garner, John

Undated Upper Canada Land Petition of John Garner read in the Executive Council on 18 Aug 1795

“Humble Sheweth That your Petitioner has a Wife & Six Children has been in this Country Ever since 1779 has been Taken Prisoner by the American and Lost his property when Taken & was Prisoner upwards of Ten months—That your Petitioner has no Certificate for any Land as yet, begs you will please to Grant him five Hundred acres of Land for Himself and Family—” [Unsigned] Read in the Executive Council on 18 Aug 1795. Ordered recommended for 400 acres being 250 for family lands & 50 acres in addition to the 200 he has received and referred to the Surveyor General—care that the broken fronts of lots assigned to Gardener do not interfere with the mill built by William Dunbar. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 1, Petition Number 46]

Upper Canada Land Petition of John Garner dated on 2 Jul 1795

“Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioners Father (Matthew Garner) served His Majesty in the American War, in the Corps of Rangers Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel John Butler until that Corps was Disbanded; has empowered your Petitioner to Locate 300 Acres of Land as his due as a Soldier—Your Petitioner likewise served His Majesty in the sd Corps of Rangers, and obtained a certificate in 1789 for 550 Acres, three Hundred of which was his right; the remaining 250 Acres was granted his Wife and Children, but he never has Located only 200 Acres on any pretence. Therefore prays your Excellency will please to Grant him the 300 Acres acct of his Father, and 350 Acres on acct of himself & his Family as above stated—And Your Petitioner in Duty bound will ever Pray—[Signed] John Garner” Received at the Executive Council Office on 5 Jul 1795 and read in Council on 11 Jul 1795. Ordered Father’s inadmissible and 550 acres granted agreeable to the certificate of the Land Board. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 1, Petition Number 46]

Certificate of John Warren dated 7 Jul 1789 appended to the Upper Canada Land Petition of John Garner

“John Garner Five & half Lots By order of the Board [Signed] J Warren” [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 1, Petition Number 46a]

Signer to the Upper Canada Land Petition of the Inhabitants of Bertie Township dated at Fort Erie on 20 Oct 1796

“We the Inhabitants of the Township of Bertie in the County of Lincoln, are Destitute of a Mill, without going a great distance; as there is a Mill Seat at Point Abino in the said Township which has been granted by His Excellency the Governor Simcoe (for the benefit of the Township or County) to Timothy Skinner, and the said Skinner is transferred the same Mill Seat to Isaac Lane [sic: Laing], inhabitant for 3, 4 years or more ago, and no prospect of any preparation for a Mill yet being builded. – We will therefore be very much oblige to Your Honour – that if Your Honour thinks proper, to grant the said Mill Seat to Jacob Crane an Inhabitant, who promises to immediately commence with the building, and to have it finished as fit to go in the Course of a Year. In Expectation of having this Our Humble Request granted Sir We are Your Most Obedient & Humble Servants [Some of the signatures within each of the families on this document seem to have been signed by the same hand] Silas Carter, John Collins, Thomas Baxter, Joseph Palmer, Jos. Rich. Palmer, Stephen Gill, John Gill, Jeremiah Tuttle junior, Jeremiah Tuttle Senior, John Chambers, Con O’Neil, Daniel Alward, Ellexander McQuine, Daniel McQuene, Ellexander McQuien, James McQuine, John Beringar, Mathias Hone, Mathias Hone Jun, Daniel Alward Jun, Frederick Buck, John Willson, Stephen Middagh, Jacob Haun, Peter Feere, Edward [Noye], Christufful Ritchards, Frederick Sager, Jacob Crane, Jacb Hous, J George [Shumon], Peter Creager, Mical M Beach, Peter Learn, Azaliah Schooley, John Harret, John Cutler, Jehoiada Schooley, Asa Schooley, Joseph Senn, Michael Huffman, Necol Huffman, Jacob Huffman, Fradric Ankarm Crowell Willson, John Garner, Philip Buck, Adam Burwell, Joseph Marsh” Received at the Executive Council Office on 13 Nov 1796 and read in Council on 9 Jan 1797. Ordered dismissed as inadmissible. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “C” Bundle 3, Petition Number 135a]

Certificate of John Small dated 7 Dec 1796 attached to the Upper Canada Land Petition of the Inhabitants of Bertie Township

“Personally appeared before me John Small Esqr Jacob Crane and John Johnson maketh oath that they on 6th inst called at Timothy Skinners and asked him what he intended to do about building a mill that he had obtained a permission from the Council to build in the Township of Bertie & he the said Timothy answered – that it belonged to one Lane [sic: Laing], and that the said Lane may build when he thought proper, as he the said Skinner had transferred it to the said Lane – and that he the said Timothy Skinner defyed the Governor & Council, that he had get it & put him the said Jacob Crane likewise, at defiance or any one else who might wish to obtain it – That he had now get it, and that it might lay as it was for ages—Sworn before me the 7th day of Decr 1796 [Signed] John Small J. P.” [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “C” Bundle 3, Petition Number 135]

Mentioned in the Upper Canada Land Petition of William Dickson of Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake), merchant dated on 25 Apr 1797

“Humbly Sheweth—That your Memorialist is agent for Two men (who have now Deeds lying in the Secretarys Office) applied to William Jarvis Esquire by power of Attorney, for the same—On referring to the signatures a Difference of orthography appeared in Consequence of which your memorialist was peremptarly referred the Deeds—Your Memorialist Humbly begs leave to State one of the Ca[n]s—William Garner a soldier in the late Butlers Rangers, and a U. E. received from the Honble Peter Russell a Recommendation for Two Hundred acres of land. In this his name is spelt, Gardiner and the Deed is accordingly made out so; However on the U. E. Roll, His name is Garner, as he writes it himself in the Power of Attorney—To obtain this Deed without his application might have been practicable by paying the fees but the Consequence hereafter might have been hurtfull to himself and family as a U. E. Loyalist—Your Memorialist has to remark that in the Country the Ignorance of some, & the many Descendants from the Dutch, and other Nations intermixed, will unavoidably occasion many mistakes in the uniformity of orthography—The F and the V as in the instance of Folluck the Son perhaps anglified prevents him from the Mark of Honor Stamped on the Descendants of the Father Volluck, who adhered to the unity of the Empire – Wherefore your Petitioner in his own Behalf in these Two Instances Prays your Consideration, and as in Duty Bound Your Memorialist will ever Pray—[Signed] William Dickson” Received at the Executive Council Office on 25 Apr 1797 and read in Council the same day. Ordered that the Secretary of the Province do endeavour to satisfy himself as well as the nature of the case will admit of the identity of the persons applying for their deeds tho their names may not be spelt exactly like those which appear in the deeds – and when he cannot so satisfy himself application must be made to the Council for instruction but when the latter mode can be avoided, the Secretary is desired to do so on account of the loss of time and trouble already to be occasioned by such applications to the injury of the King’s service. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “A” Bundle 3, Petition Number 80]

Undated Upper Canada Land Petition of John Garner received at the Executive Council Office on 5 Apr 1797

“Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioner served last american war in Col. Butlers late Corps of Rangers—and at the reduction of 1783 was reduced with said Rangers—That your Petitioner’s Father also served in Col. Butlers Rangers till the conclusion of the war, and at the reduction went to lower Canada where he shortly afterwards died – he leaving to Your Petitioner sole Heir to all his effects, and assigned him the lands he might be entitled to for his Services—That your Petitioner also married the daughter of John Wilson a U. E. Loyalist, who has never drawn any lands—Wherefore your Petitioner humbly submits to your Honor’s Consideration for to allow him his Fathers military lands, likewise such a proportion for his wife as your Honor in your Wisdom may deem proper, and your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray [Signed] John Garner” Received at the Executive Council Office on 5 Apr 1797 and read in Council the same day. Ordered 200 acres to the Petitioners wife the daughter of a U. E. Loyalist if not granted before. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 3, Petition Number 19]

Certificate of Ralfe Clench dated at Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake) on 19 Apr 1797 attached to the Upper Canada Land Petition of John Garner

“Mary Garner wife to John Garner is daughter to John Wilson deceased whose Heirs satisfied the Justices in Sessions that he adhered to the Unity of the Empire & joined the Royal Standard in America before the year 1783. Newark 19th April 97 [Signed] R Clench, Clerk of the Sessions &c” [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 3, Petition Number 19a]


Garner, Samuel

Included in a list of persons from whom the Honourable Robert Hamilton, J. P. of Queenston purchased land warrants or rights and the township for which the warrant was issued.

Samuel Garner – Full Fees 200 acres in Gainsborough Township [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “H” Bundle 4, Petition Number 117j]


Garner, William

Upper Canada Land Petition of William Garner dated on 10 Jul 1795

“Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioner served His Majesty in the Corps of Rangers Commanded by Lieutt Coll Butler in the American War, and has resided in this province ever since the said Corps was disbanded, but has drew no Land. he has a Wife and two children, & prays a Grant of 400 Acres to improve upon and your Petitioner will ever pray. — [Signed] Wm Garner” Received at the Executive Council Office on 11 Jul 1795. Ordered recommended for 300 acres if he has not received any before. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 2, Petition Number 24]

The Upper Canada Land Petition of William Garner of Rainham dated at Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake) on 13 May 1797

“Humbly shews That your Petitioner served five years in Butlers Rangers and was discharged at the Peace, that he has received 200 acres only of his military Lands and that he has a wife and two children—Your petitioner therefore humbly prays your Honor would be pleased to grant him the remaining 100 Acres to complete his military Land and if it may so please Your Honor, an additional 100 – and your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray—[Signed] Wm Garner” Received at the Executive Council Office on 13 May [1797] and read the same day. Ordered 100 acres to complete Petitioner’s military land. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 3, Petition Number 21]


Gates, Mary (Burtch)

Upper Canada Land Petition of Mary Gates of the Township of Burford dated on 15 Jan 1802

“Humbly sheweth—That your Petitioner is the Daughter of Charles Burtch of the Township aforesaid a Loyalist U. E. and is married and having never received any Lands in the Province, respectfully requests your Excellency would be pleased to grant her two hundred Acres. —And your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray—Signed before me [Signed] Thomas Hornor J. P. for the District of London” Mary Gates made her mark. Received at the Executive Council Office on 26 Jan 1802. Notation: “End on the List” Read in Council the same day. Ordered recommended for 200 acres as a daughter of a U E. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 5, Petition Number 48]

Certificate of John Hornor, J. P. appended to the Upper Canada Land Petition of Mary Gates

“I Mary Gates do make oath that I am a married woman and never received any grant or order of Lands from the Crown in this province. Sworn before me the 15th day of January 1802. [Signed] Thomas Hornor J. P. for the District of London” Mary Gates made her mark. [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 5, Petition Number 48]

Certificate of John Hornor, J. P. dated at Burford on 15 Jan 1802 appended to the Upper Canada Land Petition of Mary Gates

“I Thomas Hornor one of His Majesty’s Justice of the peace for the District of London, Do Certify that the petitioner Mary Gates is the person she describes herself to be, and never to my knowledge or belief received any Lands or order for Lands from the Crown in this province [Signed] Thomas Hornor J. P.” [Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “G” Bundle 5, Petition Number 48a]