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. 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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.

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

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 28, 2026

2. The Founding of Burford Marker

(Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Perley School Bell (approx. 6.6 kilometers away); The Scotland Library Bell (approx. 9.9 kilometers away); Duncombe's Uprising 1837 (approx. 9.9 kilometers away); Dr. Augusta Stowe Gullen (approx. 10.3 kilometers away); Colonel Thomas Hornor 1767-1834 (approx. 10.7 kilometers away); The Asa Wolverton House (approx. 11 kilometers away); Alexander Graham Bell (approx. 11.1 kilometers away); Syl Apps (1915-1998) (approx. 11.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brant.

Entrance to the Burford Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 28, 2026

3. Entrance to the Burford Cemetery

marker is visible to the left on the white sign

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 19 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.