Scottish people aboard the Polly arrived along the Orwell Bay in 1803 and some settled in Orwell. These Scottish immigrants were not farmers by tradition but favoured fishing, hunting, and exporting lumber. Their meals consisted of potatoes, oatmeal, salt cod, and pickled herring. Oats and potatoes later became their main source of revenue.

The American Revolution ended in 1783, and families were forced to leave the United States because of their loyalty to the British crown. Some of these Loyalists found their new home in the OnNell area. Many of them received free title to the land. In all probability, it was these new settlers that improved agriculture from a means of survival to a source of income.

Ireland suffered a great loss with the Potato Famine in 1845-47 crops. The Irish who depended on potatoes for food were forced to immigrate to the new world in search of a better life. Many of these immigrants came to the Orwell area.

Although attempts were made by land owners to settle the area, they were not very successful. The settlement of Lot 57 began trickling in around the year 1785, but these settlers didn't stay for a definite period of time. Times were trying and the conditions of the area at the time of their arrival was unimaginable: deep dense forests, no houses as far as the eye could see, and no other inhabitants of which they were aware. The area was very rough and only the fittest of these settlers would remain or survive. The area of Lot 57 was later blessed with settlers again in 1803, by the Earl of Selkirk and the arrival of the Pol/y. On this ship were, what is now known as, the Selkirk Settlers. They were one group of many which immigrated to our Island, but as Highland Scots, they represented the greatest individual sector of the population.

The Lake Map of1863 shows some settlement which was quite an expansion from that of the previous settlers in 1785. During this time, Angus MacDonald arrived in Scotchfort on a ship from Scotland that was sailed by Captain John McDonald. This ship arrived in 1772. Five of Angus' large family of eight set their sights on the Vernon area. After a long and gruelling venture through the dense woods and rough trails, they arrived at

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