William was a member of the Loyal Orange Lodge of York which is now Toronto. He was living in the "Deep Cut" area of the Welland Canal. It was the most difficult part of the canal as it was solid rock. The "Deep Cut" is now part of Thorold. William lived there from 1826-1828. On 18 Nov 1828 he requested a transfer from the York LOL as he was moving onto the land grant in Mulmur Township.