History of Newcastle District:

Newcastle District was created in 1802, and had been previously part of the Home

District. Newcastle District encompassed the present day counties of Durham,

Northumberland, Peterborough, Victoria, and all land to the north. In 1838, the

District was divided into the Newcastle and Colborne Districts. In 1849, the district

system was abolished, and the Newcastle District became known as Northumberland

and Durham Counties in 1850, and Colborne District became Peterborough County in

1850. F rom the land comprising Peterborough County, Victoria County was created in

1852, and Haliburton County was created in 1874.

It is also important to note that, in 1851, Brighton Township, Northumberland County, was created from portions of land previously belonging to Cramahe and Murray Townships.

(Taken from: Hillman, Thomas A. "A Statutory Chronolgy of Ontario: Counties and Municipalities." Gananoque: Langdale Press, 1988.)

In 1792, the United Counties of Northumberland and Durham were officially created in a

proclamation made by Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe. The proclamation divided Upper Canada in 19 Counties for representation purposes. The United Counties of Northumberland & Durham are bounded by Lake Ontario in the south, Hasting County in the east, Ontario County in the west and Peterborough and Victoria Counties in the north. The town line between Hope and Hamilton Townships divide the two counties.

Durham County consists of the Townships of Cartwright, Manvers, Cavan, Darlington, Clarke and Hope. Northumberland County consists of South Monaghan, Hamilton, Haldimand, Alnwick, Percy, Cramahe, Seymour, Brighton and Murray Townships.

(Taken from: "Illustrated Historical Atlas of Northumberland and Durham Counties, Ontario." Belleville: Mika Silk Screening Limited,1972.)