Foreword by Bruce Bowden, Ph. D.

Author William D. (Bill) Finlayson is the senior most archaeologist in Ontario archaeology with well over 50 years of experience in the field. He has always believed in the importance of sharing his archaeological findings with the general public to provide additional information about our local history. Our Lands Speak series, created by Bill, reflects his ardent commitment to do just that.

The Archaeology of Five Queensville Farmsteads is the second book in the series. This crossroads community of Queensville, Ontario, was settled early in the 19th century primarily by Quakers; they were part of the Great Migration of about 20,000 people who fled the United States because of religious persecution. Some of these early settlers were actively involved in the Children of Peace, a break-away sect of Quakers who constructed the Sharon Temple.

Between 2008 and 2017, Bill's company, This Land Archeology Inc. excavated five farmsteads south of the crossroads on both sides of Leslie Street. One of these farmsteads was owned for a time by Ebenezer Doan, one of the master builders of the Sharon Temple, and another by his son, Ira, and grandson, Ezra. The excavations produced tens of thousands of artifacts, cellars, and associated features including privies for each farmstead. These findings provide new insights into life in 19th century Queensville.