This old Minto pioneer was b. in Co. Antrim, Ire.. in 1824, and came to Canada in 1848. He had spent the years 1846-7 in the U. S., and from there went to Brampton, where he in. Mary A. Marshall in 1852.

In 1859 they came to Minto, and he paid $800 for the right of 200 acres of lots 27 and 28, con. 18, upon which he set. There were no roads at that time, and they followed a "blazed" path from Mt. Forest.

They made a clearing and put up a log house 18 x 26. There was only one house in Clifford, it was of logs and kept as a hotel by Frank Brown. The Cochrans had set. just below them, and Harrison Ogram just across the road; these were the only settlers on the town line.

Matthew Burnett started life in Canada with nothing, and became a prosperous and respected citizen. He became an Orangeman in Ire., and was always a consistent member of the Methodist church.

Issue: William, who m. Agnes Holliday, and was drowned in Man.; Mary A. (d. 16), Mrs. John Vance, Robert, who m. Sarah J. Burton, and who now owns the homestead farm of 160 acres; Sarah J., Mrs. John Turner, of B. C.; and James, in the U.S.