Early Settlement
The area was first settled about 1829 by an unidentified disbanded military unit. At first settlers had to walk 20 miles (32 km) to Kilworth to reach a grist mill, 30 miles (48 km) to London to a market and miles to Port Stanley for tools and implements.
One early settler was Captain Christopher Beer who previously had spent 14 years in the Royal Navy. In 1830, Beer received 800 acres (324 ha) of land in what is now the Napier area along the Sydenham. He then returned to England to get his family, brought them back and built a two-storey log house near the present site of the village. The first Anglican services in the area were held in his home.
Another well-known early settler was Captain Robert Johnston who arrived with his family in 1832. Their log cabin was built across the road from the present Presbyterian church. Johnston, aged 72, was an old soldier who had served at Waterloo. He was not the average pioneer. He arrived in the wilderness with bagpipes, a piano, 30 complete sets of military arms and a substantial amount of money. Johnston built himself a large brick house 50 by 50 ft (15 by 15 m) with six chimneys. Soon Anglican services were moved to this large home.
Read more about this topic: Napier, Ontario
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