Thomas Talbot arrived on the
shores of Elgin County in May of 1803. Through political
and family influence he was granted 5,000 acres to start
his settlement. Considered benevolant by some, dictatorial
by others, Talbot's ultimate success can not be disputed.
His land settlement practices successfuly opened up 27 townships
in South Western Ontario.
He had significant power of his settlers, dictating settlement
terms and revolking deeds if the terms were not met. For
this reason Talbot's "Maps" were in pencil only:
becuase pencil is easy to rub out. |