Lambton County is located in the middle of a vast swamp. For this reason, it was one of the last parts of Canada West to be settled in by Europeans. Many natives of the area inhabited Walpole Island (and still do, to this day). They were joined in a league by the Three Fires Confederacy, consisting of the Ojibwa, Podowadami, Ottawa tribes. These natives lived as hunter/gatherers. They also used a Clan system to distribute responsibilities throughout the community. Some groups were responsible for regulating fishing and hunting, while others dealt with medicine or acted as warriors. The first European settlers to make their homes in Lambton were the French. They became Loyalists, coming from Detroit after the War of 1812. Raymond Baby was a wealthy man, who obtained much of the land along the St. Clair River. His grandson, Francis Baby, was responsible for building the area’s first Catholic Church. Despite their industrious efforts, they had fairly good relations with the Native people of the area. There was a mutual respect between them. The Natives benefitted from the relationship, obtaining iron, steel, silk cloth, ivory combs, and steel plows.