During the war of the Revolution, John Haviland, of New York State, was a captain in the company commanded by Colonel James Delaney.

At the close of the war, he joined the party which Mr. Grass was preparing to conduct to Upper Canada. They left New York in five small vessels, and sailed around the coast, arriving at Sorel, in Quebec, in October, 1783. There they built themselves shanties, and wintered. In May, 1784, they re-embarked in their boats and reached Cataraqui, Kingston, in July. Captain Haviland settled in Adolphus-town. There he remained till 1803, when he removed to the Long Point Settlement, erecting his log cabin on lot 12 of the 1st concession of Townsend.

Captain Haviland received a large grant of land from the Crown, as is proved by the following Order-in-Council, under date of 27th January, 1809:

“John Haviland, of Townsend, Norfolk County, London District, gentleman, formerly a captain in Delaney’s Regiment, 2,600 acres, to make up 3,000 acres, as captain, in King and Gwillimbury.” This was in the northern part of York County, but Mr. Haviland preferred to live on the 600 acres in Townsend, where he had established his home.

There are also the following grants registered:

“Benjamin, son of John Haviland, yeoman, 200 acres in Townsend, 20th March, 1815.

“John, son of John Haviland, yeoman, 200 acres in Townsend, 20th March, 1815.

“Esther, wife of John Haviland, jun., and daughter of Peter Fairchild, 200 acres, 20th March, 1815.

“Sarah, spinster, daughter of John Haviland, 200 acres in Townsend, 7th August, 1816; also lot 19, 5th concession, Zorra, 8th May, 1821.

“Fanny, daughter of John Haviland, 200 acres in Townsend, 8th October, 1833."

Captain Haviland enlisted for the war of 1812, and was slightly wounded in the Battle of Lundy’s Lane.

One of his grandsons, also a John Haviland, obtained a part of the old captain’s farm, and so improved it that it is now a veritable farmer’s paradise. The buildings are large, and display a quaint old-fashioned magnificence. The homestead is a great square brick house, with a balcony running completely around the second story. Everything is in keeping, and the impression given to the visitor is one of easy circumstances and solid comfort.