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History

The Settlement Years
Much of SD&G was settled by United Empire Loyalists. Members of the First Battalion of the King’s Royal Regiment of New York and their families were allotted land, “at their own request, according to race and religion.” As a result, Catholic Scottish Highlanders settled next to the present Québec border. Moving west, Scottish Presbyterians were next, followed by English Anglicans in and around Cornwall, and finally German (Palatine) Calvinists and Lutherans.

A Part of Upper Canada
From 1784-1788, eastern Ontario was designated as part of the District of Montréal. In 1788, Lord Dorchester created four new districts in the future Province of Upper Canada. The most easterly District was Lunenburg, named after the town in Hanover, Germany and connected to the British Royal family. Lunenburg, or the Eastern District, extended from the eastern limit of Lancaster Township, west to the Gananoque River and north to the Ottawa River.

The United Counties of SD&G
In 1791 the Constitutional Act divided English speaking Upper Canada from French speaking Lower Canada. Iin 1798, the present counties of Grenville, Leeds and Carleton were separated, followed in 1816 by Prescott and Russell. This left the Eastern District with Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. In 1849 the Eastern District was officially replaced by the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, administered form Cornwall.

Our Modern Heritage
Today, each municipality has a unique culture. The region celebrates a number of unique events throughout the year. Canada’s oldest country fair takes place each year in Williamstown. Upper Canada Village, St. Raphael's Ruins, the Glengarry Highland Games and Lost Villages are equally enchanting.

Further Information
Cemetery Information, SD&G
1504 Charles St.
Cornwall, ON K6J 1Z2

Glengarry Historical Society
PO Box 416
Alexandria, ON KOC 1AO

Lost Villages Historical Society
PO Box 306
Ingleside, ON KOC 1MO

Nor'Westers and Loyalist Museum
PO Box 69
Williamstown, ON, KOC 2JO

S.F.O.H.G (French Genealogy),
PO Box 1894
46 Chevrier Avenue
Cornwall, ON K6H 6N6

Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Genealogical Societ
PO Box 1522
Cornwall, ON K6H 5V5

Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society
PO Box 773
Cornwall, ON K6H 5T5

Further Reading
Ian Bowering: Bowering’s Guide to Eastern Ontario
J.Smyth Carter: The Story of Dundas being a history of the County of Dundas, 1784-1904
John G. Harkness: Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, A History, 1784-1945
Royce MacGillivray and Ewan Ross: History of Glengarry
Clive and Frances Marin: Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, 1945-1978