Original plan of the Toronto Purchase (1787-1805), outlined in red ink, 1911. Image: Toronto Public Library
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Resource ID
7585
Access
Open
Credit Line
Toronto Public Library, J. Ross Robertson Collection of Maps
Date of Creation
1911
Keywords
Program Category
Rights
Public Domain
Caption
Original plan of the Toronto Purchase (1787-1805), outlined in red ink, 1911. Image: Toronto Public Library
Description
In 1787, the British Crown purchased land from the Mississaugas of The New Credit (represented by three chiefs) that comprises present day York Region and most of the City of Toronto. The price was £1,700 worth of trade goods such as blankets, kettles and gunpowder that the Mississaugas instead understood to be presents for their loyality during the American Revolution.
This map depicts the 250,808 acres of land (outlined in red) affected by the so-called Toronto Purchase. The British believing they had bought the land began to build a city, pushing the Mississaugas out. The Mississaugas believed they were allowing the British access to their land, while still retaining their traditional rights.
The original Toronto Purchase of 1787 was revisited in 1805 with Treaty 13. A land claim regarding the 1805 treaty was settled with Canada in 2010 for $145 million.