Jefferys, C.W. (1921) - Loyalists Drawing Lots for the Land [Watercolour on paper] ©Government of Ontario Art Collection, Archives of Ontario
In 1784, the distribution of land in townships along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario was determined by taking a draw, and the size of lot that each settler received was determined by military rank. Loyalists were Americans who had fled north to Canada following the American Revolution who wanted to resettle in territory held by the British.