John and Mary KAY were one of the early families to settle in Bruce Township, Bruce County, Ontario.
The following excerpt is from Norman Robertson's History of Bruce County published in 1906.
The lands of the Township of Bruce were among the "School Lands" opened for sale August 17, 1854. Prior to this a large number of settlers had squatted on lands in various parts of the township. The first of these squatters is said' to have been Timothy Allan, who located on lot 2, concession 1, and Hugh and William McManamy on the same concession nearer the lake; these settled on their lots in the fall of 1850 or during the following winter. In May, 1851, the fourth settler in Bruce, Michael Green, took up lot "J" on the second concession. After this, for the next three years the stream of land-seekers looking for a desirable location developed in volume until all the best lands in the township were squatted upon.
'I'hese land-seekers many a time realized that travelling in the back woods of Bruce involved hardships: it meant that often they had to sleep in the bush, roughing it as best they could, and that largely they had to depend for food on what they carried with them. At the same time, it should be remembered that the log shanties of the settlers were, with proverbial hospitality, thrown open to travellers, and their meagre fare generously shared.
Ron ABBS a direct descendant currently lives in Paisley, Ontario. See
Pedigree Chart
