Brant in Brant County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Founding of Burford
Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 28, 2026
1. The Founding of Burford Marker
Inscription.
The Founding of Burford. . In 1793 Lieutenant-governor Simcoe granted to Abraham Dayton the entire township of Burford. Dayton was a Native of New Milford, Connecticut, U.S.A. The township was to become the "New Jerusalem" for a religious sect with which he was affiliated. Dayton eventually broke his ties with the sect and settled just west of the present village of Burford. He was responsible for bringing several families into the township, and by the spring of 1797, the new settlement consisted of twenty-one families. Abraham Dayton died March 1, 1797 after a prolonged illness. Abigail Dayton, Abraham's widow, later married Colonel Joel Stone and moved to Gananoque, where she lived until her death in 1843 at the age of 93. The Daytons' only child Abiah, was the wife of Benajah Mallory, and she and her husband followed her parents into this township. Benajah Mallory became a man of considerable influence and by 1805 was elected member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada representing Norfolk, Oxford and Middlesex. In June 1812, war was declared against Upper Canada by the United States. During the course of the war, Mallory accepted a commission in the U.S. forces and was considered a traitor back home. Benajah Mallory became outlawed and his land was forfeited to the crown.
In 1793 Lieutenant-governor Simcoe granted to Abraham Dayton the entire township of Burford. Dayton was a Native of New Milford, Connecticut, U.S.A. The township was to become the "New Jerusalem" for a religious sect with which he was affiliated. Dayton eventually broke his ties with the sect and settled just west of the present village of Burford. He was responsible for bringing several families into the
township, and by the spring of 1797, the new settlement consisted of twenty-one families. Abraham Dayton died March 1, 1797 after a prolonged illness. Abigail Dayton, Abraham's widow, later married Colonel Joel Stone and moved to Gananoque, where she lived until her death in 1843 at the age of 93. The Daytons' only child Abiah, was
the wife of Benajah Mallory, and she and her husband followed her parents into this township. Benajah Mallory became a man of considerable influence and by 1805 was elected member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada representing Norfolk, Oxford and Middlesex.
In June 1812, war was declared against Upper Canada by the United States. During the course of the war, Mallory accepted a
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commission in the U.S. forces and was considered a traitor back home. Benajah Mallory became outlawed and his land was forfeited to the crown.
Erected 1993 by Burford Township Historical Society.
Location. 43° 6.109′ N, 80° 26.179′ W. Marker is in Brant, Ontario, in Brant County. It is on King Street 0.1 kilometers west of Potter Drive, on the left when traveling west. The marker is on the grounds of the Burford Cemetery, approx. 30 metres from the entrance on King Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 171 King Street, Brant ON N0E 1A0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area and in Southwestern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee
Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 6, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
