The Founding of Cornwall

In Lamoureux Park, at the foot of Augustus Street, Cornwall, just west of the courthouse

Commemoration

In June 1784 disbanded Loyalist soldiers and their families settled at New Johnstown, the site of present-day Cornwall. Initially called Pointe Maligne, the area had been visited by native traders and French missionaries and explorers during the 17th and early 18th centuries. In 1794 Cornwall was designated a judicial and administrative centre for the Eastern District and in 1805 contained a court house, a schoolhouse, two churches and numerous dwellings. The community grew gradually and was incorporated in 1834. The construction of the Cornwall Canal in 1834-42 accelerated its development. With the erection of mills and large factories along the canal’s course Cornwall emerged by the end of the century as a significant industrial centre in Eastern Ontario and as a distinct bicultural community.

Background

Note how many of these communities are settled by soldiers. And not just those who fought the American rebels.

Granting land to soldiers was a way of rewarding their service for Britain. And in Upper Canada, there was a lot of land so it did not impact the imperial treasury over much. Soldiers made good settlers as they were used to working together and tough conditions. Thus they were more likely to succeed.

Also, towns populated by experienced soldiers provided a capable militia in case of any American attack. Which is exactly what happened in 1812.