The Settlement Years
Much of SDG 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 SDG
In 1791, the Constitutional Act divided English speaking Upper Canada from French speaking Lower Canada. In 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 from Cornwall.
Our Modern Heritage
Today, each municipality has a unique culture. The region celebrates a number of unique events throughout the year. In South Glengarry you can find Canada's oldest fair that takes place each summer in Williamstown, as well as the enchanting Ruins of St. Raphaels. Scottish heritage comes alive every year in North Glengarry at the annual Glengarry Highland Games. When travelling along the St. Lawrence Seaway, you can enjoy the salvaged history at South Dundas's Upper Canada Village and South Stormont's Lost Villages. In North Dundas (Ontario's Dairy Capital) you can celebrate delicious cheeses and ice creams. On your way there, be sure to travel through North Stormont's quaint villages and participate in Octoberfest.
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 Society
PO Box 1522
Cornwall, ON K6H 5V5
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society
PO Box 773
Cornwall, ON K6H 5T5