The following publications are in my library and I would be only too happy to
look up references to people and places for those doing research in this area.

“Before the lands in Greenock were open for sale numerous squatters had settled in the township. Especially, was this the case along concession A, and in the "Gore" of the township. Among these early settlers were Lewis Lamb, James Mair, James Ledgerwood, John Mcgraw, David, John, George and William Brockie, John Shennan, John and Dennis Phelan and Edward Boulton. The mill site secured by John Valentine in 1851 puts his name in the forefront of any list of settlers in the northern part of Greenock ”

A wonderful early history of the County and its settlers.

Greenock Township History 1865-1981

“Read the following stories of the farms and the families of Greenock . Hear the voices from the past speaking through mention of such things as log houses, stone walls, dug wells, barn raisings, children's sickness, sorrow and death and realize that it took many years to mould this pleasantly, almost perfect place to live .”

Greenock Township 150 Years
Compiled by the Greenock Township History Book Committee, 2002

An update of the previous 1865-1981 publication and broadened to cover a number of the first settlers. It has become a dedication to all the pioneers who dealt with difficulties, hardships and quite often tragedies.

THE HISTORY of ELDESLIE TOWNSHIP 1851 – 1977
Published by Elderslie Historical Society, Chesley Ontario

The Elderslie Township Historical Society has compiled this book to provide pleasurable reading for this generation and to preserve for posterity a compendium of events and people that have given our town­ship an honoured place in the annals of Bruce County . The history of Elderslie Township is similar to that of almost every other township in Southern Ontario . However, it has had incidents which are exclusively its own and people who have given these incidents historical value. The inhabitants were ordinary people, many of whom were very poor; but through their lives they have made this township rich. They have laid a foundation that has enabled us to separate the good from the bad, the true from the false and they have inspired us with enthusiasm to face the unknown future. The persistence of the pioneers gave them courage to settle in strange surroundings and hew out homes in the wilderness.

"These settlers have all come in last fall, except Stanton, McManemy, Hodgins and LaDuke, and are chopping and clearing fast this winter but the depth of the snow is much against them . . . from the number that have been exploring and examining the land, it (the population) is expected to increase fivefold next summer. The severity of the winter and immense depth of the snow have been the means of preventing some settlers from going on to the land this winter." .................
Enumerator's remarks (Hugh Johnstone) 1851 Census, Bruce Township , Canada West.

ROOTS and BRANCHES of SAUGEEN 1854 - 1984
As Compiled by SAUGEEN HISTORY HUNTERS

"It was not unusual in those days for settlers to come down on rafts from up the river, sometimes bringing their whole outfit on one crib. On one occasion, early in the morning, a commodious raft passed where the village now is. On one end was a cow with her calf. On the other along with considerable baggage was a cooking stove in which was a good fire, and while the enterprising settler was attending to the navigation of the vessel, the good wife was busy at the stove getting breakfast ready. The smoke, which streamed from the elevated pipe, gave the moving raft the appearance of a rustic steamer in motion."

REFLECTIONS OF ARRAN 1852 – 1982
Compiled by the Arran Township Historical Society

“I will now try to tell you about my mother's people. About the year 1860 John Geddes and his wife Mary Gemmel left Scotland and arrived in Southampton and lived there a year or so. They then bought a farm on the Flora Road . 1-1/4 mile south of Burgoyne, now owned by Ed Snyder. They had five sons and three daughters. John the eldest son moved onto a farm near Elsinore , now owned by Gordon McLelland. His first wife was Isobel Simpson, a cousin of the Esplens. She and her sister came out from Scotland ……”