The first white settler in Erin Township was Nathaniel Roszel, a native of Pennsylvania of German origin.  He came with his father Charles and family about 1800, to the Niagara Peninsula, settling near Smithville.  He and four brothers server in the 1812-14 War, under Sir Isaac Brock.  Nathaniel, Eldrick and George Roszel recieved grants of 100 acres each, on payment of $26 to defray expenses of deeds, etc.  George and Nathaniel came to Lot 1, Con. 7, arriving in November 1820.  George did not like the country, so sold his half to Nathaniel; and returned home, taking the team of horses as they were of little use in the forest.  Later they were brought back.  The journey north of Georgetown was difficult, as can be judged by the fact that the path they cut, was nince miles in length, as compared to the present journey of less than six miles.  Brother, Eldrick Roszel, came in the spring of 1821, and settled on his grant of land, W1/2 Lot 2, Con. 7. 

Nathaniel served with the 4th Lincoln regiment in the war of 1812.  He was born on July 3rd, 1778, so would have been 34 in 1812.  He was in the thick of the bloodiest fighting in the Battle of Queenstown Heights and Lundy's Lane.  He was the first settler in the Township of Erin, Wellington County, and it was in the fall of 1820 that he settled on the west half of Lot 1, Con. 7.  He and his brother George cut their way through the bush to the site from Georgetown, a trail nine niles in length.  They brought horses with them, but had neither feed nor use for them.  Nathaniel sent them home to Gainsborough with George to be brought up again later.  They were probably the first horses in the township.

He was a Methodist in religion, and his home was headquarters for the ministers in the early days.  He gave land off his farm for a church, cemetery, school, Temperance Hall, and parsonage.  And at this corner of the 7th line of Erin, and the townline between Erin and Esquesing Townships, the hamlet of Ballinafad sprung up.

The Roszell families were hardworking people, and did their utmost to assist other early settlers.  Descendants have spread to all parts of the county.  The land was a grant for their part in the War of 1812-14.


He was aged 84 years 5 months at the time of his death.