The area T7N-R12E, now known as Imlay Township, went through several name changes, as the county was reoganized.

Mia Township, organized on 7 Mar 1834, was one of the original 3 townships. It consisted of T6N-R12E and T7N-R12E. After 9 months it was renamed Brisol Township on 12 Dec 1834, and again renamed Almont Township on 7 Apr 1846. Then on 25 Mar 1850, the northern half, T7N-R12E, was split off and named Imlay Township, leaving T6N-R12E with the designation Almont Township. At that time, the population of Imlay was about 70. [HRP, pp. 147-8]

The first settlers in T7N-R12E were William BOLES and his family, who came from Portage County, OH in 1832, and located on section 33. His wife was a sister of James DENEEN, who had settled in Almont in 1828, the first white settlers in Lapeer County. The first child born in T7N-R12E was Melissa BOLES, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. BOLES. The next settler was Samuel DENEEN, who arrived in the fall of 1832. He built a house on section 4, T6N-R12E (later Almont), and a tannery on section 33, T7N-R12E (later Imlay). [HRP, pp. 164-74]

The first purchase of land in T7N-R12E from the government was in 1825. Most of the early land entries were by speculators, who didn't settle on the land.

Earliest Land Entries:

12 Dec 1825, C. C. PARKS and John R. SMITH, Section 32.

17 Feb 1832, William BOLES, Section 33.
12 Sep 1832, Hiram WILCOX and John E. BEARDSLEY, Section 32.
25 Oct 1832, Susannah and Joel THOMPSON, Section 32.

15 Jan 1833, Marshal CRAM, Section 33.
2 Dec 1833, Alexis WINCHELL, Section 33.

2 Jun 1835, Austin DAY, Section 29.
2 Jun 1835, Collatinus DAY, Section 32.
3 Jul 1835, Fabius PALMERLEE, Section 32.
30 Sep 1835, Thomas J. POTTER, Section 32.
10 Oct 1835, John B. and Calvin A. SHAW, Section 17.
15 Oct 1835, Luther SHAW, Section 17.
15 Oct 1835, Luther SHAW, Section 34.
16 Oct 1835, John A. EVERTS, Section 31.
16 Oct 1835, Abenr W. BLACKMAN, Section 33.
16 Oct 1835, Samuel DENEEN, Section 33. (This is where he built the tannery.)
16 Oct, 1835, John A. EVERTS, Section 34.
6 Nov 1835, Amasa ROSS, Section 33. (Still under the name A. ROSS in the 1863 map.)
6 Nov 1835, Amasa ROSS, Section 34.
8 Dec 1835, Henry PORTER, Section 31.

The first township officers were:
John N. DENEEN, Supervisor
Martin T. HOLCOMB, Clerk
Charles ROGERS, Treasurer