• We learn from documents in the Archives of Ontario that Gideon Olmstead/Omstead of 29 years of age, born in the Province of Vermont in North America, and professing the Christian religion, by trade a farmer, appeared before William Kennedy Smith, one of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace in and for the Home District and took the Oath of Allegiance and signed the Declaration on the 24th day of May, 1797.
His was one of the first reported families to settle in Townsend township near Boston, Ontario. He applied for and received a Crown Grant of land on May 20, 1801 for Lot 13, Concession 3, and on 16 October 1804 for Lot 14, Concession 3, in all 400 acres in Townsend township. These properties were sold in 1804 and 1805. A brother, Job, moved to the U.S.A.
Having no proof we assume that Israel and Jonas were sons of Gideon, as they were the only other Olmsteads in the area at the time.2508