Norwich Township in Oxford County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Norwich Quaker Settlement

Photographed By Tim Boyd, June 28, 2024

1. The Norwich Quaker Settlement Marker

Inscription.
In 1809 Peter Lossing, a member of the Society of Friends from Dutchess County. N.Y.visited Norwich Township, and in June, 1810 with his brother-in-law, Peter De Long, purchased 15,000 acres of land in this area. That fall Lossing brought his family to Upper Canada and early in 1811 settled on this lot. The De Long family and nine others, principally from Dutchess County, joined Lossing the same year and by 1820 an additional group of about fifty had settled within the tract. Many were Quakers and a frame meeting house, planned in 1812. was erected here in 1817. These resourceful pioneers founded one of the most successful Quaker communities in Upper Canada.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Foundation, and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1809.

Location. 43° 0.09′ N, 80° 36.4′ W. Marker is in Norwich Township, Ontario, in Oxford County. Marker is on Quaker Street, 0.3 kilometers west of Highway 59, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 345697 Quaker Street, Norwich Township ON N0J 1P0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The “Old Brick” Meetinghouse

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(approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Quaker Street Public School (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); The First Commercial Cheese Factory in Canada (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Emily Howard Jennings Stowe, M.D. 1831-1903 / Emily Howard Jennings Stowe, Médicin 1831-1903 (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Black Settlement in Norwich Township (approx. 7.8 kilometers away); Otterville African Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery (approx. 7.8 kilometers away); The War of 1812 (approx. 8.4 kilometers away); Harold Adam Innis 1894-1952 (approx. 8.6 kilometers away).

Also see . . . Peaceable Kingdom – Unsound Friends. Keynote Address to the Canadian Friends Historical Association Annual General Meeting of 2010

Lossing and DeLong were eager to establish an agricultural settlement in Upper Canada. It is possible that Lossing, in particular, was influenced by the overwhelming tide of Quaker westward migration occurring at this time in the United States. Various motivations existed for westward movement. Some were no doubt inspired by an awakening to the evils of slavery in the United States, some a preference for British Institutions, and others simply a desire to better their existence on good quality affordable land.

(Submitted on June 29, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Photographed By Tim Boyd, June 28, 2024

2. The Norwich Quaker Settlement Marker

Photographed By Tim Boyd, June 28, 2024

3. The Norwich Quaker Settlement Marker

Peter Lossing’s original salt-box house, ca1811. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Boyd, August 28, 2024

4. Peter Lossing’s original salt-box house, ca1811.

On the grounds of the Norwich Museum and Archives

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 40 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 29, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.