Mahlon Burwell
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Mahlon Burwell (February 18, 1783 – January 25, 1846) was a surveyor and political figure in Upper Canada.
He was born in New Jersey in 1783 and came to Upper Canada with his family in 1786. He was largely self-schooled and was employed by the government of the province to survey the Talbot settlement and the Talbot Road in 1809 and settled near Port Talbot some time after that. During the War of 1812, he served in the local militia, was captured by raiders and his property was destroyed. After the war, he continued his survey work in Kent and Essex Counties, and on the Talbot Road. This difficult work took its toll on Burwell's health. He was often paid in land, rather than cash, and acquired large land holdings scattered across the southwestern part of the province. In 1830, he laid out the plan for the village of Port Burwell on Lake Erie; he also set up a company to develop the harbour and export timber from the area.
In 1812, he was elected to the 6th Parliament of Upper Canada representing Oxford & Middlesex. He represented the area until 1824 and then again from 1830 to 1834. In 1813, he was appointed justice of the peace. Burwell benefited from his close ties as friend and employee of Thomas Talbot and received other patronage posts in the region. He was ahead of his time in proposing that local taxation be used to support education. In 1836, he was elected to represent the town of London in the Legislative Assembly. In later life, his influence declined possibly as a result of ill health.
He died at Port Talbot in 1846.
