Surveyed in 1796, Bastard Township extends from the Big Rideau Lake to the Beverley Lakes. The first settler was Elder Abel Stevens who came to Upper Canada from Vermont in 1793 or 1794. After the War of 1812, Bastard benefited from soldier settlers pensioned off by the British government. They were attracted to the fertile land and good mill sites. The construction of the Rideau Canal allowed Portland to prosper and the other major centers like Delta and Chantry developed on the land routes from the St. Lawrence to the interior. Bastard Township was amalgamated with South Burgess township in 1849 to form Bastard and South Burgess which existed until the formation of the Township of Rideau Lakes in 1998. During the mid 1990s there was a proposal to change the name of the township to something less offensive. One of the proposals was Beverly Hills Township most likely because of the Beverly Lakes located in the area. Many residents rejected the proposal and a campaign was started with the slogan "Proud to be a Bastard". The pins and memorobila displaying this phrase drew some outside attention to the township and the pins reportedly were turning up around the world.
