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"Matthias Steel came from the British Isles and was married at Niagara-on- the-Lake, Ontario in 1801. By 1806 he was in Norfolk county, Ontario and settled in Woodhouse Township in 1808. During the War of 1812 his store just over the Lynn was made the point of attack, plundered and burned by the American soldiers."
Some of the earliest documented settlers in Rainham Township were Frederick Onstine and Peter and Abraham Walker. Frederick Onstine's wife, Elizabeth Walker, is believed to have been a sister to the Walker brothers. The Walkers and Onstine are mentioned in William Chewett's Diary in July and August of 1793....
On 25 September 1795, Peter Walker was reported to the Lieutenant Governor as settled upon part of Lots 11 & 12 Front Woodhouse (Port Dover) containing 200 acres; allowed by confirmation of said report.....
After the War of 1812 the Onstines lost ten owned and three leased lots to the Forfeited Estates Commission.....
William Steel was adopted by Peter Walker a pioneer at Port Dover, Woodhou se Twp, Norfolk County, Ontario. Peter Walker and his wife, Ann Margaret Walker had no children of their own. In the will of Peter Walker dated 22 April 1818, it states "my adopted son William Steel eldest son of my aforesaid friend Matthias Steel". His brothers Joseph and Henry may have also been adopted by the Walkers
William Steele inherited half of what today would be Port Dover. For some reason he sold this and purchased land in Lots 23 and 24 Walpole Township, Haldimand County. He sold town lots here and named the new village Williamsville, today it is Selkirk.
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Rainham Builders
Abt 1781 - 
, d. 30 Jan 1886, Walpole Township, Haldimand County