Halton County, Ontario
Encyclopedia
Halton County is a historic county
in the Canadian
province of Ontario
. It is also one of the oldest counties in Canada.
.
Settlers started to arrive in the area in the early 1780s. The south part was first settled by United Empire Loyalists
, the northern part was settled mainly by immigrants from the British Isles. As of July 24, 1788 the area was part of the Nassau Districthttp://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/textdocs/districts1792big.htm. The Provincial Act of 1792 renamed the Nassau District to Home District
http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/districts.htm.
Along with Wentworth County
, Halton County was created in 1816 as part of the Gore District. It consisted of the townships of Beverly, Blanford, Blenheim, Dumfries, Flamborough, Nelson, Nichol, Trafalgar, Waterloo and Woolwich. Over the years most of the townships were removed to other counties leaving only four: Esquesing
(added in 1821), Nassagaweya
(1821), Nelson, and Trafalgar
.
For a brief period between 1850 and 1854, Wentworth County
and Halton County were joined for government purposes as the United Counties of Wentworth and Halton, although for administrative purposes they remained distinct. In 1973http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/regmunic.htm, Halton County was replaced by Regional Municipality of Haltonhttp://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/counties/halton.htm.
Historic counties of Ontario
The Canadian province of Ontario has several historic counties, which are past census divisions that no longer exist today. Most historic counties either merged with other counties, or became regional municipalities or single-tier municipalities...
in the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. It is also one of the oldest counties in Canada.
History
Halton County is named after Major William Mathew Halton who was appointed in 1805 as Secretary to the Upper Canada provincial Lieutenant-Governor Sir Francis GoreFrancis Gore
Francis Gore, was a British officer and British colonial administrator.Gore was commissioned into the 44th Foot in 1787, but transferred to the 54th Foot in 1794 and the 17th Light Dragoons in 1795. He retired with the rank of major and then became Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada from 1806 to...
.
Settlers started to arrive in the area in the early 1780s. The south part was first settled by United Empire Loyalists
United Empire Loyalists
The name United Empire Loyalists is an honorific given after the fact to those American Loyalists who resettled in British North America and other British Colonies as an act of fealty to King George III after the British defeat in the American Revolutionary War and prior to the Treaty of Paris...
, the northern part was settled mainly by immigrants from the British Isles. As of July 24, 1788 the area was part of the Nassau Districthttp://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/textdocs/districts1792big.htm. The Provincial Act of 1792 renamed the Nassau District to Home District
Home District
The Home District was one of four districts of the Province of Quebec created in 1788 in the western reaches of the Montreal District and partitioned in 1791 to create the new colony of Upper Canada. Known as Nassau District until 1792, it was composed of the areas along western Lake Ontario and...
http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/districts.htm.
Along with Wentworth County
Wentworth County, Ontario
Wentworth County, area , is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario.It was created in 1816 as part of the Gore District in what was then Upper Canada and later Canada West...
, Halton County was created in 1816 as part of the Gore District. It consisted of the townships of Beverly, Blanford, Blenheim, Dumfries, Flamborough, Nelson, Nichol, Trafalgar, Waterloo and Woolwich. Over the years most of the townships were removed to other counties leaving only four: Esquesing
Halton Hills, Ontario
Halton Hills is a town in the Regional Municipality of Halton, west of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located within the Greater Toronto Area....
(added in 1821), Nassagaweya
Nassagaweya Township, Ontario
Nassagaweya Township is a geographic township and former municipality in Halton Region, Ontario, Canada.The township was created in 1819, its name derived from the Mississauga word nazhesahgewayyong, meaning 'river with two outlets.' This refers to the fact that watercourses in the township drain...
(1821), Nelson, and Trafalgar
Trafalgar Township
Trafalgar Township is a former municipality within the historic Halton County in Ontario, CanadaNamed after Cape Trafalgar where Horatio Nelson led the English fleet to victory over the Spanish and French at the Battle of Trafalgar, the township was created in 1806...
.
For a brief period between 1850 and 1854, Wentworth County
Wentworth County, Ontario
Wentworth County, area , is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario.It was created in 1816 as part of the Gore District in what was then Upper Canada and later Canada West...
and Halton County were joined for government purposes as the United Counties of Wentworth and Halton, although for administrative purposes they remained distinct. In 1973http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/regmunic.htm, Halton County was replaced by Regional Municipality of Haltonhttp://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/counties/halton.htm.
Historic townships
- Esquesing Township (area 66700 acres (270 km²)). Opened in 1819, the first town meeting was held in 1821 when the population was 424. The name Esquesing is from a First Nations word meaning "the land of the tall pine(s)" or "that which lies at the end." Community centres were: Georgetown, Acton, Glen Williams, Stewarttown, Norval, Limehouse.
- Nassagaweya Township (area 44797 acres (181 km²)). Opened in 1819, its name was derived from a Mississauga word meaning "a river with two outlets". Community centres were: Campbellville, Darbyville and Eden Mills.
- Nelson Township (area 46236 acres (187 km²)) Opened in 1806 and named in honour of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount NelsonHoratio Nelson, 1st Viscount NelsonHoratio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
. Community centre: Burlington. - Trafalgar Township (area 67055 acres (271 km²)), opened in 1806, the year of the Battle of TrafalgarBattle of TrafalgarThe Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....
. The township was settled in 1807. Community centres were Milton, Oakville, Bronte.