| Notes |
- "The other war-time squatter was James McNames, who was born in New York State in 1792. In 1804 he and his family immigrated to Upper Canada and lived on a reserved lot in Oxford Township. McNames bought Orrison Gillet's improvements on the southern part of lot 37, first concession, in October 1814 for $150, and shortly afterwards Gillet returned to the United States. In the spring of 1815 McNames moved his family onto the lot and over the next year cleared five acres of land in addition to the seven already improved. Then, on January 29, 1816, Sykes Tousley was allowed a large location in Westminster including the old location of Orrison Gillet, now, of course, occupied by McNames. As far as the government was concerned the lot was still located in Gillet's name and since he had returned to the United States, it was considered forfeited and located to Tousley. In March McNames brought the matter to the government's attention and it was later decided that McNames should be recommended for a grant of the north half of the lot, leaving the south half to Tousley. McNames accepted the government's decision and on March 5, 1817 he paid the necessary fees. Two years later, on December 18, 1819, he received his patent for the land, which he eventually sold on January 17, 1840 to Thomas Summers. [Byron: Pioneer Days in Westminster Township - Guy St-Denis]
|
1791 - 
