Historic Land Records
(From Land Grants to the Great War)

Land records are an excellent tool for understanding how the village has evolved over the years, from initial Crown grants, through severances, the Tor 6 and Tor 11 plans, community booms and busts. Sometimes it can be difficult to identify which plot of land is being described, so I have included some notes to identify the people and places that are mentioned. Land area is measured mostly in A.R.P. (Acres, Roods & Perches), and occasionally in Chains & Links.

A quick lesson in reading this: There are four Roods in an Acre, so 1.2.0 would indicate 1 1/2 acres. 0.3.2 would indicate 3/4 of an acre and 2 Roods. 40 Perches in a Rood.

By the mid-19th century, the village core was divided into more lots than now, reflecting the industrial nature of the community. The numbering for these lots was first determined in the Tor-11 plan. You may also notice that there was a subdivision (the Wyman Subdivision) laid out back behind Preet's, Horseleys and Laffoley's homes. Sales for this subdivision never really caught on and ultimately, only the three homes were ever biult on the land.

There are two mysterious public lanes in the downtown core. The first was located under where the south wall of the firehall is now (7752 Churchville Rd.), and was for public access to the river from the road. The second is still located in the middle of the open area on the north side of 7749 Churchville Road. This one is a real mystery, though it may have been somehow originally connected to the regular stage service that the village received in it's early boom years. Perhaps there were drive sheds back there.  Enjoy!