Peter Horning

Abt 1760 - Yes, date unknown

• Name	Peter Horning
  Born	Abt 1760
  Gender	Male
  Military	War of 1812
  Residence	Abt 1800	Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-136365
  Died	Yes, date unknown
  Person ID	I136365	Generations
  Last Modified	6 Apr 2024

  
  

• Notes

  The Township of Waterloo was originally deeded to the Six Nations Indians as a reward for their support during the American War of Independence and to compensate for loss of lands during the same war. Colonel Brant sold Block 2, which comprised most of the township, to Richard Beasley, James Wilson and Jean Baptiste Rousseau. Wilson and Rousseau sold their shares to Beasley, leaving Beasley with a heavy mortgage. Early settlers of the Township included Joseph Sherk and Samuel Betzner, who settled in 1799 near Doon. Peter Horning settled earlier in the township, in an area today known as Horning's Tract. Leonard Friesen, The Early Settlement of Waterloo, Waterloo Historical Society Volume 67: 10-19 1979: 14 ________________________ Horning's on the Mountain - Peter Horning and family came from Montgomery Co. Pa. in 1788 and settled in Barton Township on the mountain, now part of Hamilton Ont. In 1800 he purchased 1000 acres from Richard Beasley known as the Horning Tract in Waterloo ______________________ "To His Excellency John Graves Simcoe Esquire Lieutenant Governor, and commander in Chief of the Province of Upper Canada IN COUNCIL The Petition of Peter Horning of the Township of Barton, Farmer--who came into this Province in the Year 1788--with a wife and nine children--had received 400 acres of land--one half of which is so cut up by a rocky mountain as to be totally unfit of culture & the remainder is entirely cleared and under cultivation Respectfully Shews That your petitioner is settled on the lands of the Crown in this Province, being in a condition to cultivate and improve the same. That he has taken the usual oaths, & is ready to subscribe the declaration, that he professes the Christian Religion, and obedience to the laws, and has lived inoffensively in the country which he has left." From Upper Canada Land Petitions "H" Bundle 2, 1795-1797 Ro 1, L3, Vol 223 held by Ontario Archives Cabinet 1 Reel 116. An interesting letter of reference from Peter's friends and neighbours back in Providence Township, Montgomery County, Pa. Peter must have brought this with him when he arrived in Canada in 1788, in anticipation of his needs for reference in applying for a Crown Land Grant. "To all whom it may concern-- At the request of Peter Horning (the bearer hereof) we the subscribers do hereby certify: That we have been long acquainted with him--know him to be a person of good moral character, and in the late unhappy contest between Great Britain & America, he avoided taking an active part, nor could he be prevailed with to take the Oath of Allegiance to America-- _(?) our hand this 4th Day of August, 1788---Providence, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Signed Henry Pawling John Pawling A True copy from the original Israel Jacobs (signed)Thomas Ridout James __(?) Niagara 6 May 1796" PETER HORNING's second petition for a Crown Land Grant was dated 6 May 1796 in Barton Township, Wentworth County. "Prays your Excellency would be pleased to grant him for his family 500 acres of land upon the terms and conditions, expressed in your Excellency's proclamation bearing date the 7th day of February, 1792, or such other quantity of land as your Excellency in your wisdom may think meet. And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray Peter Horning Niagara 6 May 1796" This is to Certify that Peter Horning brought into this Settlement a Wife and Nine Children. Given under my hand. James Muirhead, J. P. Newark, 7th Oct., 1796. By his Majesty's instructions to General Haldimand dated St. James, 15, July 1783 every Loyalist settling in this new country was entitled to 50 acres for each person of which his family shall consist and his own allowance. This order continued in force till after 1790. Peter Horning brought his family into this country in 1788 and proved his title to lands as a loyalist first to Colonel Hunter as Commanding Officer, and afterwards to the Land Board in this Establishment, who confirmed his location by a Certificate. Queenston, Oct. 5th, 1798 Signed - P. Hamilton PETER received his grant of 200 acres Lots 7 and 8 Concession 3 Barton Township, Wentworth County. Original Crown Patent is dated 23 July 1801 and copy is in my file. However Peter found these lots were on the top of the Niagara Escarpment but ran right down the side of the mountain which meant that a large part of this land could not be farmed. So he applied for further lands and received 200 acres Lot 1 Concession 4, Barton Township. This lot was completely on the lower land at the east end of the mountain. In 1994 the lower lot area is all built up with residential houses and the lots on top of the mountain are mainly apartments and a large hospital. Copies of historic and modern maps showing the locations are in my files. PETER HORNING also received 450 acres of "Family Lands" because of his 9 children. An applicant was entitled to 50 acres for each child. However this was meant to cover dependant children only and Peter should not have received extra land for grown sons such as Abraham and Isaac who received land on their own. PETER was obviously a very astute businessman. He acquired so much property that by the time he died he was able to leave 5825 acres to his children. For instance in my file is a copy of a deed where he purchased 1,000 acres in Norfolk County. The deed is dated 24 Feb.1808 registered 7 Oct.1808. Other purchased land was widely scattered in Barton, Ancaster, Binbrook, Saltfleet and Beverly Townships. Even as far away as Windham, Southwold Townships in Norfolk and Waterloo Counties and King Township in York County. These properties can all be identified and located in his will. Purchase of 1000 acres by PETER HORNING In Norfolk County, Ontario Dated 24 February 1808 Source: https://www.horning-genealogy.com/horning-genealogy-generation-02.htm

  
  

• Event Map

  Residence - Abt 1800 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth