Fonds - The Corporation of the Town of Alliston fonds

The history of Alliston originates with the arrival of William Fletcher and his brothers to Canada. Born in 1791 in Yorkshire, England, he eventually purchased land at Lot 15, Concession 3 in Tecumseth Township. On this farm the Fletchers prospered. In the fall of 1847, Mr Fletcher and his eldest son, John Fletcher set out in search of a mill stream. Eventually they settled on a site on Lot 1, Concession 1 in Essa upon which Alliston now stands. However, it was not until 1856 following the organization of an Orange Lodge that the Village of Alliston was formally created. The origin of this name is partly in doubt but the most commonly accepted is that Mr. Fletcher named this little village after his birthplace in Yorkshire, England. Alliston first became incorporated as a village in 1874 and the first council sat in January 1875 with Reeve George Fletcher, son of the pioneer, presiding. The councillors were P.D. Kelly, James Aitken, Richard Chappell, John Strachan, John Gilbert as clerk received $50.00 and James Drury the Treasurer, $20.00 per annum. Later, on January 1, 1891, with the proclamation of the Lieutanant Governor in Council, the Village of Alliston became the Town of Alliston. The first town council was made up of John Stewart, Mayor, Dr. James Sutherland, Reeve and Councillors John Moore, George McGirr, John F. Wilson, William Hutchinson, Thomas O'Callaghan, W.I. Clarke, James Jarrett, Henry Longeway and C.C. Lee.