By 1823 John and Frances had secured land of their own in the swampy, mosquito infested "backwoods" of March Township where many of the workers of the large river front estates eventually settled. The 1823 Census listed Jno Hedley as "head of household", living on concession 4 of March Township, one of only 49 families living in the township at that time. Belden Illustrated Historical Atlas of  Carleton County

 John and Frances had six surviving children and eventually over 50 grandchildren. This website attempts to trace the lives of these six children, the over 50 grandchildren plus numerous great grandchildren, gg grandchildren, ggg grandchildren and even some gggg grandchildren, scattered throughout Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

The Township of March Registry, May 26, 1828, shows that the south half of lot 18, concession 4, consisting of 100 acres, was ceded by the Crown to John Hedley. Although free land grants had been abolished in 1824, it appears that John Hedley had applied for and settled prior to that date. John quickly became active in the development of his community. The first minutes of "The Inhabitant Householders," held August 20, 1822 at the "Erskine Arms" (probably the home of Captain Weatherley) recorded the forming of the "Courts of Request" at which John Hedley was one of those contributing to the cost of this first judicial office in March Twp. He made a donation of one pound--one of the larger donations.

John Hedley also became a "part officer" in the initial March Township Council and operated March Township’s only inland grist and sawmill, which was powered by the waters of Constance Creek, flowing through the Hedley property. It was probably through their work as millers that the Hedleys managed to advance from indentured servants to owners of one of the finest stone houses in the township. Mills were in high demand, and the only other grist mill in the township was Pinhey’s, which would have been quite inconvenient for farmers in the South March area, requiring a trip across the swampland separating the settlers on the Ottawa River from the settlers in the interior.

John Hedley was appointed by "The Inhabitant Householders " to the office of "Pathmaster," responsible for planning the work of building and maintaining the wilderness roads and ensuring that the work was performed by the inhabitants, who were expected to donate a specified number of days of free labour as a form of taxation. As Pathmaster (Overseer of Highways), John Hedley was assigned, on May 1, 1837, the task of clearing the "River Road" (Kerwin Road) from his own lot 18, proceeding along the Diagonal Road to the River. Later that year he reported that the labour in his division had been completed. On Oct. 13, 1838 John Hedley reported, as "prosecuter," that "several persons were defaulters in not performing their statute labour."  They were fined five shillings to one pound, depending on the number of days of statute obligation. Since several other Pathmasters reported defaulters, the political turmoil of the time may have been a contributing factor.

John Hedley also held the office of "Fence Viewer."  This was an important position in the early days and required diplomacy and firmness. One of the responsibilities of the Fence Viewer was to ensure that fences were five feet high and the rails or logs on the bottom two-and-a-half feet were no more than six inches apart. "Breachy cattle" (those breaking through a "lawful" fence more than once) were not allowed to run at large, and owners faced fines and impoundment. The holders of the municipal offices of Pathmaster and Fence Viewer, as well as those of Clerk, Treasurer, Pound Keeper and Warden, were each appointed for one year and were responsible to the appointed Justices of the Peace (one of whom was Capt. James Weatherley). On Jan. 1, 1832 the Council for the Township of March held their meeting at the house of John Hedley to nominate and appoint "officers" for the coming year.

The Hedleys built at least two log houses on lot 18, concession 4. One of these log houses is still in use, presently as a stable. It consists of a squared log, two-storey structure 21 feet by 25 feet, with indications that a stone fireplace had existed in the middle of the back wall. Windows were small and scarce as glass was expensive. Built around 1825, it was probably the original home of the Hedleys on lot 18. Typically houses were built of squared logs, and barns were built of round logs. It was strategically located near Constance Creek, which would have provided a ready supply of water and also water power for the grist mill and later for the saw mill. Photo: Rear of original log house.  A barn was also built on the property. The older part, still in excellent shape according to its present owner, was built by the Hedleys. The beams, rafters and barn boards were clearly sawn from timber by their on-site sawmill with a reciprocating saw, an early type of saw, rather than a circular saw. Square nails were used throughout. The newer addition to the barn has hand-hewn beams cut with a broadaxe and adz, suggesting that by the time of the construction of the addition, the Hedley sawmill had fallen into disuse.

An exhibition at Pinhey’s Point in the summer of 2003 entitled A Firm Foundation: The Stone Houses of Old March, organized by Margot Reid, includes a photograph accompanied by the following description of the old Hedley stone house in March Township: