Burlington History by Helen Langford

Our First Settlers – Part Four

Burlington Gazette - History by Helen Langford Our First Settlers - Part Four Tues., November 8, 1977 To claim Joseph Brant as the founder of Burlington may be romantic, but it is not historically correct. He was only one of the United Empire Loyalists and British who pioneered our area. Following the adoption of the American Declaration of Independence in July of 1776, a steady trickle of harass...
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Our First Settlers – Part Three

Burlington Gazette - History by Helen Langford Our First Settlers - Part Three Tues., November 1, 1977 Last week the scene was only partially set ready for our settlers - the area from our western boundary to the present Joseph Brant Museum. Now we will push off in our canoe along the northern shore of Lake Ontario towards Bronte. The water roads were by far the easiest method of travel. The high...
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Our First Settlers – Part Two

Burlington Gazette - History by Helen Langford Our First Settlers - Part Two Tues., October 25, 1977 Let us try to set the scene of our first settlers. Can you imagine Burlington about 1790 after the American War of Independence? The bird’s-eye view from the top of the Skyway bridge almost makes early descriptions come alive. Robert Land’s cabin and small clearing would be marking present day Ham...
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Our First Settlers – Part One

Burlington Gazette - History by Helen Langford Our First Settlers - Part One Tues., October 18, 1977 Every year, as fall arrives and the school term begins, nostalgia overcomes many of us. Nostalgia for the once familiar smells of Burlington. The lovely spicy tomato aroma covering the whole of the town - even blocking out the usual odours from Niagara Brand Spray Co. and the occasional manure pile...
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