Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives
Depending on sources, some give the date of formation of Middlesex County as 1798 when the London District was created. The Archives of Ontario sites Middlesex County as being formed in 1800. (https://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/maps/ontario-county-table.aspx). For the purposes of this history, the Archives of Ontario date is used. Middlesex County included the townships London, Westminster, Dorchester, Yarmouth, Southwold, Dunwich, Aldborough and Delaware. Middlesex County evolved to include: the addition of the townships of Moza, Ekfrid, Caradoc and Lobo in 1821. Adelaide Township came from the Huron Tract in 1835, and Williams Township (divided into East and West Williams 1859) was withdrawn from Huron County and annexed to Middlesex in 1845. In 1837, Bayham and Malahide Townships were transferred to Middlesex from Norfolk County. Metcalfe Township was formed from the north part of Ekfrid and the south part of Adelaide in 1845. West Nissouri was divided from Oxford County in 1851 to become part of Middlesex County. At the same time, North Dorchester was divided from Elgin County. Biddulph and McGillvray Townships from the Huron Tract became part of Middlesex County in 1862. Three Indigenous communities reside also within the boundaries of Middlesex County, including the Onieda Settlement, the Chippewa of the Thames and Muncey-Delaware Nation.
Middlesex County continued to change. London, once a part of Middlesex County, became a city in 1855 and left the County. The City of London’s population grew. As the population grew, London annexed its neighbours’ territories many times over the years: 1885 London East; 1890 Wortley Village; 1897 London West; 1912 Pottersburg, Knollwood, Ealing, and Cheslea Green; 1961 Byron, Broughdale and Masonville; and 1993 Westminster Township and north to the Sixth Concession in London Township. Thus, the size of Middlesex County diminished over the years.
Yet another change came to Middlesex County as the Provincial Government mandated a smaller municipal government.
•In 1998, London, Lobo and Delaware Townships combined to form the Municipality of Middlesex Centre.
•1999, the Biddulph Township and Village of Lucan combined to form the Municipality of Lucan-Biddulph.
•2001, the Township of Caradoc and the Town of Strathroy combined to form the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc.
•2001, the Townships of Ekfrid and Mosa, and the villages of Glencoe and Wardsville, combined to form the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex.
•2001, the Townships of Adelaide and Metcalfe combined to form the Municipality of Adelaide-Metcalfe.
•2001, the Townships of North Dorchester and West Nissouri combined to form the Municipality of Thames Centre.
•The Village of Newbury retained its own separate governance.
•The three Indigenous communities of Oneida Settlement, Chippewa of the Thames and Muncey-Delaware Nation continue to be part of Middlesex County.
These are the current Municipalities of Middlesex County.
Without a doubt, the history of Middlesex County is complex and rich with stories of sacrifice, survival and success. For generations, people have chosen the county as a place to raise families, operate their business and call home. The sense of pride to choose this area is evident with its continued growth. The heritage and legacy that has been left by those first settlers to the most recent resident is powerful and should be celebrated.
Middlesex County continues to be one of the largest and oldest counties in the province. Unfortunately, heritage preservation is not a priority as in other regions across the province. A centralized heritage facility is greatly needed to further preserve the story of Middlesex and its people for the future. Currently, this job falls on the backs of volunteers across the county, operating small, shoe-string funded historical groups and facilities to do the best they can. As these same volunteers who have given countless hours continue to age, the questions arise about the future of the historical items that have so far been kept: Where will it go? Will it survive? Who will care for it? Will anyone care?
There are no known plans from the County of Middlesex to celebrate the 225th birthday of Middlesex County. Perhaps all communities could celebrate that milestone as they celebrate Canada and other community events throughout 2025.
Happy 225th Birthday
Middlesex County!
