the village grew quickly; by 1803, 30 families were scattered on both banks of the north river and by 1810, lachute counted 83 families, including 211 children of school age. in 1804, a mill was built at the falls and the first general store opened in 1813. one year later, sir john johnson bought a large part of the argenteuil seigneury. he built a sawmill and gave land for the construction of churches, helping to attract new settlers to argenteuil. in 1825, thomas barron became the first judge, then the first mayor of lachute. the lachute post office was established in 1835.