Aylmer, Ontario, is located roughly 15 km north of Lake Erie. European settlement
began there in 1817; and, by 1836, it was large enough to warrant a post office.1 The settlement, originally called Hodgkinson's Corners, was renamed Aylmer in honour
of Lord Aylmer, governor general of Upper and Lower Canada from 1831-35.2
It was referred to as Aylmer West, in contradistinction to the Aylmer in Lower Canada,
now Québec.2 This naming convention appears in several despatches. For example, this correspondence refers to a meeting held in “Aylmer C. W.”, that is, Canada West.
1. D. Welch and M Payne, Aylmer (Ont),The Canadian Encyclopedia.