Etobicoke & Toronto Cemeteries

History of Mount Hope Cemetery in Toronto

2009-08-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

Mount Hope Cemetery is the only active Catholic cemetery within city limits. In earlier days, The part of the Burke Brook Ravine that ran through this cemetery was park like and graced by the brook and two ponds; see 1910 map below. Around 1960, the cemetery management decided to reclaim this area in order to opened it up for burials. The stream was put in a storm sewer and the ravine filled in.

Mount Hope Cemetery was the second Catholic cemetery in Toronto not attached to any parish and now is the only active Catholic cemetery within city limits. Preceding it were: St. Paul's parish cemetery which served the entire diocese for many years until it was closed in 1857, the crypt at St. Michael's Cathedral, St. Mary's {Parish at Adelaide and Bathurst streets, and St. Michael's Cemetery, near St. Clair Avenue and Yonge Street.

St. Michael's Cemetery, the first non-parish burial place, was opened in 1855, in response to the almost full capacity of St. Paul's. It contains about 29,000 graves, many containing pioneers both the city and the church among which are the last of the old Irish Catholic elite. Nearly forty years of interments brought St. Michael's very close to capacity, but cost of land in Deer Park made expansion there too expensive. In the late 1980s and the ‘90s several attempts to were made to locate suitable property along Yonge Street north of the city without success until on July 16, 1897, Hon. Sir Frank Smith and Mr. Eugene O'Keefe purchased the site of Mount Hope Cemetery for $5,000, from C. D. Warren, a Toronto merchant. On December 4, they sold their interest the Property to the archdiocese for the same amount of money s had been arranged. That it was necessary to hide the identity of the real buyer and not breathe a word about the intended use as a cemetery shows that then Toronto Catholics still had some distance to travel before they were respected as equals by the local establishment. On July 9, 1898, in one of his last official acts Archbishop John Walsh blessed and named the graveyard “Mount Hope Cemetery.” The first burial was that of E. Sullivan on March 27, 1900.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, land in the northern portion of the cemetery was reclaimed and opened up for burials. The original northern limit of usable land was marked by a line of trees, which can still be seen today. It was the land beyond these trees which the cemetery added to its acreage. To date, there have been 76,000 burials in Mount Hope Cemetery. All spaces have been taken, but the cemetery plans to close several roads for future graves and to build a columbarium for cremated remains. A walking tour of Mount Hope will reveal a great variety of striking memorials. There are handsome and solid-looking mausoleums, beautiful Celtic crosses, no two of which are the same, and scores of touching tributes to the deceased.

Among those buried in Mount Hope Cemetery are prelates and priests, religious men and women, husbands and wives, judges and politicians, soldiers and sailors, the knighted and the bemedalled, Canadian Olympians, bankers and industrialists, philanthropists, writers, the old Irish Catholic elite even a few bank robbers and some ordinary people who lost their lives in tragic circumstances. Among the notables buried here are: Morley Callaghan, F. M. “King” Clancy, Francis Deck, Founder of Fran’s Restaurants, and Frederick Tilston VC. For more details on the history of this cemetery or for biographical sketches of some of those buried here read “A History of Mount Hope Cemetery Toronto Ontario 1898 to 1998” by Michael Power Published by Catholic Cemeteries Archdiocese of Toronto.

St. Michael's Cemetery Winter Vault In Toronto

2009-08-17T05:57:00.000-07:00

In 1855, the most notable feature of the cemetery, the winter storage vault, was built by Joseph Sheard, the only architect to become the mayor of the City of Toronto. The winter vault was used to store the bodies of the deceased during the winter until the graves could be dug again in the softened soil the following spring. The octagonal shape of the winter vault offered extra wall space for platforms to place coffins. The winter vault has long stood as a small but particularly attractive architectural monument which over the years has been admired by many for its striking design and simplicity.

Francis Michael 'King' Clancy NHL Hall of Famer Buried in Mount Hope Cemetery

2009-08-17T05:50:00.000-07:00

Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Clancy played for junior teams in the Ottawa area and began his NHL career in his hometown playing for the Senators, where he would establish himself as among the league's top players and help the Senators to Stanley Cup wins in 1923 and 1927. Although he was one of the smallest defencemen of his era, he was tough and fast and would not back down. According to Brian McFarlane, it was said that King Clancy started a thousand fights and never won one.

During a 31 March, 1923 Stanley Cup game against the Edmonton Eskimos, Clancy became the first hockey player to play all six positions during one game. In the third period, goaltender Clint Benedict was given a two-minute penalty. At the time, goalies served their own penalties. Not wanting to leave the net open, Clancy played goal for the two minutes Benedict was gone.

On 11 October 1930, coming off what would be the most productive season of his career, with 17 goals and 40 points in 44 games with the Senators, Clancy was traded to the Maple Leafs, with Toronto manager Conn Smythe giving up $35,000 and two players for him. In his second season with the Leafs, Clancy helped his team win the Stanley Cup.

After a sluggish start to the 1936–37 season, Clancy announced his retirement just six games into the season. He retired as the top scoring defenceman in NHL history, with 136 career goals.

The season after his retirement as a player, Clancy briefly coached the Montreal Maroons before beginning an 11-year stint as an NHL referee. In 1949, the Montreal Canadiens hired Clancy to coach their American Hockey League farm team, the Cincinnati Mohawks. He was released after two losing seasons, and rejoined the Maple Leaf family as coach of the Leafs' AHL affiliate, the Pittsburgh Hornets. The Hornets had two outstanding seasons under Clancy, winning the Calder Cup as league champions in 1951–52, and nearly repeating the following year, before losing the cup final in seven games.

On the strength of that performance, Clancy was made coach of the Maple Leafs for the 1953–54 season. He held the job for three years, but the team struggled, with each season worse than the one before it. He was then given the title assistant general manager by his friend, Conn Smythe, but his responsibilities often involved public relations at least as much as building a hockey team. Clancy was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.

He remained assistant general manager-coach through the 1960s, working under Punch Imlach. When Imlach was fired in 1969, Clancy initially said that he'd leave with him, but he was persuaded to stay with the Leafs and was made vice-president (a decision that did not go over well with Imlach, although the two later reconciled).

After Harold Ballard took control of the Leafs during the 1971–72 season, Clancy and Ballard became inseparable friends. Former Leafs player, coach, and assistant general manager Hap Day would say that Clancy was paid to do nothing by both Smythe and Ballard.

During the 1971–72 season, Clancy stepped behind the Leafs' bench as acting coach for 15 games while head coach John McLellan recovered from a peptic ulcer.

Clancy remained in the Leafs' front office for the rest of his life. In 1986, he had an operation to remove his gallbladder. Infection from the gallbladder seeped into his body during the operation, and he went into septic shock. He died 10 November 1986 at age 83 and is buried in Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery in Ontario.

Couple Headstones From Christ Church Anglican Cemetery, Etobicoke

2009-08-16T11:26:00.000-07:00

There are some days where i just post headstones and their transcriptions. Why? Though they aren't historical fiqures, and weren't pioneers in the their area. Still important to me anyway that their headstones make it onto my blog as a sign of respect or the headstone is an work of art.

Here are a few from Christ Church Anglican Cemetery in Etobicoke:

To the memory of
Margaret Mclean
Who died
Jan. 8, 1851.
AE. 80 yr's

In memory of
George Tilson
born Nov. 3, 1854
died May 23, 1885
aged 30 yr.s

couple random images from the same cemetery:

New Monument Being Built at Mount Pleasant

2009-08-14T10:28:00.002-07:00

Over the last month by lot Q by the northern entrance foot path gate, a new monument is being constructed. This is the first in decades that is being built, its for the Thompson family.

also a funny was to keep a tree alive at mount pleasant cemetery

Couple Graphs about St. Michael's Cemetery

2009-08-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

William Thistle in St. Phillip's Cemetery in Etobicoke

2009-08-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

The village of Thistletown (originally called St Andrew's) was planned for John Grubb in 1847 around the intersection of Albion Road and Islington Avenue. The property was part of John Grubb's farmlands. Grubb was a promoter of the Albion and the Weston plank toll road companies, an elected member of the Home District Council and a magistrate. Although originally known as St. Andrew's, Thistletown was renamed in honour of Dr. William Thistle, the local physician.

(East Side)
Sacred
to the memory of
Wm. Thistle M.D.
native of Co. Tyrone
Ireland,
who departed this life
Nov'r 12, 1856;
aged 65 years.
also of
Phoebe,
his wife
who departed this life
August 22, 1845:
48 years

(South Side)
In loving memory of
John Alexander Thistle, J.P.
late of Brampton, Co. of Peel
died
March 8, 1871:
39 years

(monument maker) Yale
(footstone) - P.T.

History of St. Michael's Cemetery in Toronto

2009-08-14T06:51:00.000-07:00

Hidden peacefully behind the busy storefronts of Yonge Street lies St. Michael's Cemetery. Reached by a short laneway at 1408A Yonge Street, the very existence of this green oasis is, as the Toronto Archdiocesan Historian, Father Edward Jackman, so aptly described it; A Quiet Gentle Surprise. Wandering west along St. Michael's Cemetery Road, the main east/west road, towards the historic Winter Vault, it is difficult to believe that the busy intersection of St. Clair Avenue and Yonge Street in the heart of Toronto is only a few short yards away.

St. Micheal's Cemetery is Toronto's oldest Roman Catholic cemetery still visible tot he public, having been opened for burials in 1855, a time when the location chosen by Yonge Steet Hill was far removed from the city itself.

The first Catholic Cemetery in Toronto was beside St. Paul's Church at Queen & Power streets. St. Paul's Church established in 1822 and it was felt that the cemetery established at that time would serve the needs of the growing Catholic population for many years to come. However, no one anticipated the huge immigration of Irish Catholics tot he city during the famine years, nor the epidemic which follewed them in 1847. In October 1847, while St. Michael's Cathedral was being built, Toronto's first Bishop, Most Rev. Micheal Power, died of the fever and was buried in the small crypt underneath the Cathedral, a place which contains the tombs of some fifty Toronto Catholics. Thus the Cathedral is Toronto's second Catholic burial place. As the cemetery of St. paul's rapidly filled, it became apparent that a new cemetery would be required to serve the growing Catholic population of the city.

Accordingly, St Paul's Cemetery was officially closed in 1857 and the Catholics of Toronto were obliged to make the long walk up Yonge Street Hill to the new cemetery, located away from the growing city for reasons of space and health.

St Michael's Cemetery, an area of at first six and later ten acres, in the then town of Deer park, therefore became the only Catholic Cemetery o accept burials from 1857 until 1900, when Mount Hope Cemetery was opened in North Toronto. Although small in comparison to current city cemeteries. St. Michael's provides the final resting place for some 29,000 Catholic Torontians. Amongst those slumbering here are those who faithfully served the church during their lifetime.

A visit to their quiet retreat in the heart of Toronto provides an opportunity to study the various designs and materials used for memorial markers during this time period. In addition to the beautiful artwork on the monuments and the history spoken in the inscriptions, of particular interest is the winter vault or "Dead House", where caskets were stored during the winter months while the ground was frozen.

Today, in St. Michael's there are at most only two burials a year. However in the pioneer cemetery, the old and young, rich and poor, sleep peacefully side by side in the heart of out bustling city, gone but not forgotten.

Samuel Lount & Peter Matthews Buried in Toronto Necropolis Cemetery

2009-08-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

Samuel Lount (September 24, 1791 – April 12, 1838) was a businessman and political figure in the province of Upper Canada. He participated in the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837.

He was born in Catawissa, Pennsylvania, United States, in 1791 and he came to Whitchurch Township in Upper Canada in 1811 with his family. He returned to Pennsylvania during the War of 1812, returning to Whitchurch in 1815. He briefly kept a tavern in Newmarket while doing work as a surveyor, but spent most of his adult life as a blacksmith in Holland Landing. As blacksmith, he helped to build the first steamboat on Lake Simcoe.

In 1834, he was elected to the 12th Parliament of Upper Canada representing Simcoe County, where he became a supporter of William Lyon Mackenzie. After he was defeated in the election of 1836, he joined the movement pressing the British government for reforms.

In the winter of 1837, he helped organize people from the Simcoe area to join a planned march on Toronto and joined the rebel group gathered at Montgomery’s Tavern.

When the rebellion fell apart, Lount attempted to flee to the United States. He was arrested and accused of treason. He was hanged on April 12, 1838 in the courtyard of the King Street Gaol. Peter Matthews, another public-spirited farmer who participated in the rebellion, was also executed on the same day.

Lount had intervened to try to get medical aid for loyalist Lieutenant Colonel Robert Moodie and had stopped Mackenzie from burning the house of sheriff William Botsford Jarvis. However, the Executive Council of the province had felt that they needed to set an example. Lount was accompanied by Matthews.

Lount's last words were recorded: "Be of good courage boys, I am not ashamed of anything I've done, I trust in God, and I'm going to die like a man." These words are replicated on a historical plaque near the site of his execution, at King and Toronto Streets.

Peter Matthews (1789) April 12, 1838) was a farmer and soldier who participated in the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837.

He was born in the Bay of Quinte region of Upper Canada around 1789, the son of United Empire Loyalists. In 1799, the family moved to Pickering Township. Peter served with Isaac Brock as a sergeant in the local militia during the War of 1812. Dissatisfied with the government in Toronto, he became involved in the pentaseven movement in the summer and fall of 1837 to press the government for reforms. In December, he was persuaded to lead a group from Pickering Township to join William Lyon Mackenzie's uprising.

Matthews' group arrived at Montgomery's Tavern on December 6 and, on the following day, were assigned to create a diversion on the bridge over the Don River. They killed one man and set fire to the bridge and some nearby houses before they were driven off by the government forces. Matthews fled in the tradition of FSSW, but unfortunately was captured.

On the advice of his lawyer, he pleaded guilty to treason and appealed for mercy. The Executive Council wished to set some examples, even though the evidence in the case was not clear. Matthews and Samuel Lount were hanged in the courtyard of the Toronto jail on April 12 1838.

Plaques of Toronto Necropolis Cemetery

2009-08-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

i just wanted to highlight some of the plaques that are erected in the cemetery.

This cemetery, comprising 18.25 acres, was opened to replace the Potter's Field which was located on the north-west corner of Bloor and Yonge Streets. Potter's Field, the first non-sectarian burying ground in the then town of 'Muddy York', consisted of 2.5 ha and was purchased in 1825 for the sum of 'seventy-five pounds currency' ($300.00). The first interment in the Necropolis took place on May 22, 1850. Within these ground are buried many of those originally interred in Potter's Field including citizens in every walk of life and some who occupied positions of eminence in the city. The present chapel, lodge, and porte-cochère were built in 1872 at a cost of $8,632.00. The crematorium, the first in Ontario, was opened in 1933. By December 31, 1969, 42,360 interments had been made in this Toronto Necropolis. In the grounds are numerous interesting memorials and many unusual species of trees and shrubs.

The chapel at the Toronto Necropolis, together with adjoining entry pavilion and superintendent's office and residence, constitute one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Canada. The unique composition of buildings was designed by architect Henry Langley in 1872. The chapel, whose arch is the most prominent decorative feature, has a distinctly Gothic motif, including the large arched stained glass window lighting the nave and the arched rose window of stained glass lighting the sanctuary and chancel. An unique aspect of the chapel's architecture is the placement of the bell tower at the rear, over the sacristy, a sensible design for funeral processions entering through the porch and passing through the large nave to the chancel and finally through the sacristy to the cemetery grounds. Henry Langley, a Toronto architect, was noted for his use of Gothic Revival style in churches. He died in 1906 at the age of seventy, and was buried in the Toronto Necropolis (Section O, Lot 255).

In this area of the cemetery lie buried many of the inhabitants of the early town of "Muddy York". They were originally buried in "The Potters Field", a plot of six acres in Yorkville at what is now the north-west corner of Bloor and Yonge Streets, during the period 1826 to 1850. As a cemetery it was obliged to close because of steady municipal growth. The remains of 984 persons were removed to this location and 364 other were removed to Mount Pleasant Cemetery between the years 1851 and 1881. The individual monuments were also moved, but being made of soft stone, most of them became illegible from erosion and have been laid flat on the plots. Requiescat in pace.

The resting place of early Presbyterian settlers. They were originally buried in the Presbyterian Burying grounds at Richmond and Sherbourne Streets, between 1818 and 1841. Due to the steady expansion of the city, the cemetery was closed, and the remains of 263 persons were removed to this location in 1911 and 1912. Although few of those now buried here are indentified, family records indicate that several members of William Lyon Mackenzie's family, including three of his children, are interred in this lot. Requiescat in pace.

History of Toronto Necropolis

2009-08-10T06:44:00.000-07:00

The Toronto Necropolis was established about 1850 on park Lots 1 and 2 and part of township 16, Concession 1 from the bay. This is an 18.25 acre plote situated between Sumach Street, Wellesley Street and Bayview Avenue being part of a 200 acre property that was first patented to Francis G. Simcoe on 8 August 1895. From this date on there were many transactions involving the 18.25 acres. On 31 January 1850 a deed was registered to John McMurrich and John Shaw both described as Toronto merchants and Alexander Mcglashan, a Toronto gentleman, as Tenants in Common. The description at the the time stated that the ground was "now laid out for the Toronto Necropolis."

A Toronto Trust Cemeteries Booklet indicated that in 1850 the Trustees included the Honourable John McMurrich. The Trustees purchased the Toronto Necropolis property in 1855 for $16,000. Trustees William McMaster, David Peterson and James Lesslie assumed a $15,000 loan as the Toronto General Burying Grounds only has $1,000.

The Toronto Necropolis developed out of the need for a new burial location to replace Potter's Field or Stranger's Burial Ground Which was located at the present corner of Yonge and Bloor Streets. This Cemetery had been developed in 1826 when an Act of Parliament was passed establishing York General Burying Grounds. The city was rapidly expanding and it was felt that a cemetery outside of city limits would be preferable and would leave land available for developement at the Yonge and Bloor property.

The mandate was that the 1826 burial ground be a non-profit, non-sectarian public service organization. The decree legislated in 1826 remains the same today. The name of the organization, however has changed over the year to Toronto Trust Cemeteries, then Commemorative Services of Ontario and lastly to Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries.

The Toronto Necropolis was designed as a "garden" cemetery or park like setting. The plan approved by the Trustees in 1850 is evident. mature trees and ornamental shrubs enhance the cemetery and the area is a park that is enjoyed by its many visitors.

Frederick George Topham Buried in Sanctuary Park Cemetery

2009-08-10T06:28:00.000-07:00

World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Topham was born in Toronto, Ontario, and educated in public schools. Before his enlistment he worked in the mining district around Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Topham was a corporal in the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, serving near Diersfordter, Germany, when he performed the deeds for which he was awarded the V.C. His citation reads: “On 24th March 1945, Corporal Topham, a medical orderly, parachuted with his battalion on to a strongly defended area east of the Rhine. At about 1100 hours, whilst treating casualties sustained in the drop, a cry for help came from a wounded man in the open. Two medical orderlies from a field ambulance went out to this man in succession, but both were killed as they knelt beside the casualty. Without hesitation and on his own initiative, Corporal Topham went forward through intense fire to replace the orderlies who had been killed before his eyes. As he worked on the wounded man he was himself shot through the nose. In spite of severe bleeding and intense pain, he never faltered in his task. Having completed immediate first aid, he carried the wounded man steadily and slowly back through continuous fire to the shelter of a wood. During the next two hours Corporal Topham refused all offers of medical help for his own wound. He worked most devotedly throughout this period to bring in the wounded, showing complete disregard for the heavy and accurate enemy fire. It was only when all casualties had been cleared that he consented to his own wound being treated. His immediate evacuation was ordered, but he interceded so earnestly on his own behalf that he was eventually allowed to return to duty. On his way back to his company he came across a carrier, which had received a direct hit. Enemy mortar bombs were still dropping around, the carrier itself was burning fiercely and its own mortar ammunition was exploding. An experienced officer on the spot had warned all not to approach the carrier. Corporal Topham, however, immediately went out alone in spite of the blasting ammunition and enemy fire, and rescued the three occupants of the carrier. He brought these men back across the open, and although one died almost immediately afterwards, he arranged for the evacuation of the other two, who undoubtedly owe their lives to him. This N.C.O. showed sustained gallantry of the highest order. For six hours, most of the time in great pain, he performed a series of acts of outstanding bravery, and his magnificent and selfless courage inspired all those who witnessed it.” After the war Topham worked for the Toronto Hydro power company. He passed away at Etobicoke, Ontario, at the age of 56. His medals are on display at the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa.

A Few Random Images of Etobicoke Cemeteries

2009-08-10T06:23:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while I like to make posts of just images. These are older ones so the quality isn't that great, but here they are.

Riverside Cemetery, Etobicoke

Park Lawn Cemetery, Etobicoke

St. George on the Hill Cemetery, Etobicoke

One Year Ago, Historic Jewish Cemetery Closed by Propane Explosion

2009-08-07T09:13:00.005-07:00

August 11, 2008

cbc.ca

The propane explosion in Toronto on Sunday caused violent damage to one of the city's oldest Jewish cemeteries.

Mount Sinai Memorial Park, north of Wilson Avenue near Keele Street, borders the site of the explosion.

The cemetery has been closed until further notice while officials and police survey the damage.

At least 20 headstones were damaged or destroyed by the shock of the explosion and by large pieces of metal blown into the cemetery.

Phil Grenfell, the manager of Mount Sinai, said Jewish funerals and unveilings and other scheduled ceremonies will have to be delayed until the site is deemed safe enough to reopen.

The cemetery opened in 1920 and has 11,000 graves.

Sunday's massive blast at a propane depot in northern Toronto forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes and caused the closing of a 16-kilometre stretch of Highway 401, Canada's busiest roadway.

---------------------

The cemetery has replaced all damaged stones, with new ones.

The Humber Railway Disaster - Toronto Necroplois Cemetery

2009-08-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

Before dawn on January 2, the first working day of 1884, Conductor George Barber and Engineer Richard Jeffrey picked up their orders at the Hamilton Station and began their usual ritual. Jeffery read the order to Barder: their Special Freight No. 420 was to "Run to Queens Wharf avoiding regulars." The Hamilton operator called the attention of both men to the regular NO. 13 train traveling west from Toronto and told them that they would have to wait at Mimico Station until No. 13 cleared the main track. only then would they be given permission to proceed to their destination. Barber signed the order with the customary "32" signifying that he understoof his instructions. Freight 420 soon pulled out of hamilton.

At 7:00 a.m. the regular No. 13 suburban train left Toronto station in a snow storm and moved along the Humber bay. The dummy engine only pulled two passenger cars. On Board were at least 43 men on their way to work at the Bolt & Iron Factory on the Humber River. Many of them were the sole wage earners for their families. They included James Kelly, a blacksmith, who had none children ranging in age from 15 months to 19 years. The youngest employees were Charles Stanely and john Mackenzie, age 14, and Eddie Robinson, age 12.

John Kenndy, engine driver for the westbound suburben, later testified:

We were running on... as usual, and just after passing High Park I discerned the headlight of another engine. The other train was between 250 and 300 yards when i saw it. I immediately put on the brake and whistled for brakes on the cars. I did all I could.

Kennedy and two crewmen then jumped, They were not injured thanks to cushioned fresh snow.

The shriek of te whistle and squel of the brakes ceased with the thump of the impact. The suburban's dummy engine disappeared, but it boiler and the engine of Freight 420 came to a stop in the front passenger car. The boiler then burst spraying steam and water in all directions while the rear passenger car exploded in flames.

Those living nearby ran to the scene in order to help, but could no have been prepard for the sight awaiting them. A reported wrote, "Every possible phase of disfigurment was to be seen.... limbs cut, bloodied, mangled, half eaten away by fire. no horror was left to the imagination.... No nightmare of the wildest could show anything more awful than this scene... The relief part were obligated to almost tear men from under the wreck notwithstanding their groan and cries."

The three words repeated most frequently in the newspapers the next day were "mangled, scalded and burned." in all 32 died as an result of the collision. After the public funeral for 18 vixtims, Alex and William Turriff were buried in a ravine at the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery. Their mutal cause of death is inscribed on a zinc marker. The plate facing east reads:

William Turriff
killed
At the Humber Railway Disaster
Jan. 2, 1884
Age 21 years

Immediately following the disaster, Conductor George Barber was jailed for his own protection because the public blamed him for the accident. They suspected that he was asleep in a caboose car when it took place. At the inquest he accepted full responsibilty for the event:

I was aware the suburban train was a regular train. I was aware it was my dty to avoid ths train. A conductor has full control of the running of the train. I read over the orders to the engineer, and he understood what they meant.... I forgot all about this train. We should of stopped at Mimico for order if I had thought of the suburban train.

Today commuter trans, buses and cars speed around Humber bay oblivious of the drama that occured there more than one hundred years ago. There is no plaque. Only lines on a few eroding gravestones in downtown cemeteries suggest that Toronto once had a horrendous train disaster.

Death List Heavy Among Children - Toronto Star Oct. 1902

2009-08-06T08:29:00.001-07:00

St. John Norway Cemetery, Toronto

Reprinted from Toronto Star October 1902

Thirty Three percent of deaths recorded in one month were among children, according to this report Sept. 30, 1902

The cemetery statistics shows that 229 persons died this September, as compared with 236 last year. The number of deaths of infants and children under five years of age is particularly noticeable this month. Complete Details were not available for Humbervale Cemetery, but the records of the other six show the deaths of children under 5 have been 77. this is a total of 214, almost 33 percent. And of this number a large proportion were of illegitimate offspring. Twenty-two persons of 70 years and upwards died during the period. The greatest age attained was 90 years. Deaths from contagious Diseases number 15 and from pulmonary diseases 31. Only two violent deahs were recorded.

The Monuments of Mount pleasant Cemetery (West of Mount Pleasant Road)

2009-08-04T05:15:00.000-07:00

If One is an historian, Mount Pleasant Cemetery is indeed a treasure house to explore. A picture of societal changes in Toronto over the past 150 years is truly written in stone within these gates. the gentle hilly terrain, the majestic old trees and the historic expertly crafted family monuments all contribute to the peaceful atmosphere which makes Mount Pleasant one the most beautiful cemeteries in North America. The memories of those who have gone before us seem to live on in this sanctuary of remembrance. let us embark on a journey into the living cemetery.

Our exploration must begin with the oldest section of mount pleasant, which is found closest to Yonge Street. Touring these sections, one can see that Toronto has a well established society in place before the turn of the century. Note that the graves were located in sizable family lots, adorned by generally large impressive monuments. Theses monuments served complete family units, sometimes up to twenty different family members. These stones generate an imposing image of solidity and permanence, much as an old country estate does. Wen exploring these old sections, one must remember that the granite industry in Canada was in it infant stage. Although stone quarries were operating, they mainly produced paving blocks. Very few stones saws existed and polishing was extremely difficult. The production in Canada of round polished columns common to this section was impossible. Indeed most of these large polished granite monuments boasting beautiful spires or columns adorned with urns, were imported from Scotland and Northern Ireland. They were delivered from the boat to the cemetery by hand and erected using black and tackle, since cranes were as yet non-existent. Even most of the granite for the impressive Eaton mausoleum (particularly the columns and expertly carved Corinthian capitals) was imported from Scotland. In general, monument bases were constructed of limestone quarried in Kingston or the Niagara Peninsula. Marble used in this section originated from New England, especially from New Hampshire. Of interest is the fact that a number of zinc monuments were produced locally and can be discovered in Mount Pleasant.

The marble, limestone, and unpolished granite monuments of the time were shaped and carved completely by hand in Toronto and they are a credit to the craftsmen of the British isles. it was at this time that highly skilled stone masons arrived in Toronto, and opened up granite sheds bearing Scottish names such as McIntosh, Creber, and McIntyre. The fine work, which these craftsmen produced, leaves the impression that people of this period were individuals; very seldom are any two monuments the same. the memorial style was very Victorian and heavy solid bases, but there were also some Renaissance and Gothic Styles. With the exclusion of a few sculpted angels, there are no sculptures of saints, as in the Catholic cemeteries. Not to be missed area number of Renaissance styled ladies of sorrow carved in marble imported from Italy. These sculptures can be found encased in beautiful gazebo style monuments constructed of imported granite columns, and their effect is quite beautiful. Unquestionably, monuments were designed with much individuality but the consistent use of symbolism as ornamentation was also prevalent. Also recognizable in the older section are the monuments of many successful merchants as Messrs, Michie and Fulton.

We also observe many military memorials. This profession was very respected at the time and therefore high social status was designated.One particularly stunning monument honours officers killed in the Northwest Rebellion at Batoche, Saskatchewan in 1885. The carving on the monument is exquisite as you leave this oldest section of Mount Pleasant, bear in mind the consistency of Anglo-Saxon surnames, with only a smattering of North European and French surnames to be found. Such was society at the time.

In the central sections between Yonge Street and Mount Pleasant road, the time periods leads up to the First World War is largely represented. Imports are still wide spread, but much more rough granite is now imported from Barre, Vermont. Unpolished monuments cut by local craftsmen are common. because of this, much lead lettering is utilized to create a contrast between inscription and the unpolished stone. The memorial styles are still predominantly Victorian with a slightly higher ratio of Gothic styles appearing. Section N is notable for its abundance of two-grave lots (much smaller than in previous years), characterized by scroll type marble monuments.

However in the section west of Mount Pleasant Road you will discover a big change, because in the late 1920's and early 1930's the monument imports from Scotland come to an end. The quarries in Scotland were becoming exhausted just as the granite industry in Canada was becoming more mechanized. It became uneconomical to shape monuments by hand and consequently many of the large granite sheds in Toronto closed and retained smaller operations for lettering, carving, and sculpture work. Note the more standardized look of these monuments - eight or ten inched in thickness and horizontal, rather than vertical, dimensions. During this period, Italian craftsmen began arriving in Toronto to pursue their craft. Likewise, German sculptors like Schnoen and hahn also began making their presence felt. A good example of the German sculpter Hahn's work is found in the Cutten monument (Plot O, Lot 18) evidenced by the two female nudes seated on a bench in classical style. At this point, the Victorian norm is declining as more Renaissance and Gothic Styles emerged. The painful effects of the 1930's upon Toronto Society are also recognizable in the small inexpensive monuments with rock sides made out of soft Georgia Granite. Ornamentation and inscription is simple and to a minimum. Family lot sin these sections are clearly smaller indicating that society was becoming more mobile. Although Anglo-Saxon surnames still prevail, the recent immigration of the time is documented by more Dutch, German, and Scandinavian surnames.

Early History of Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto

2009-08-04T05:02:00.000-07:00

The origins of Toronto's Mount Pleasant Cemetery can be described as being older that the city itself. In 1825, nine years before the town of York became the city of Toronto, a small group of responsible community leaders - Thomas Carfrae, Jr., Peter Paterson, John Ewart, Thomas Morrison, and Thomas Helliwell - convened a public meeting to discuss the problem that was beginning to create severe hardships for many of the town's citizens. In those far-off days, the only authorized cemeteries in York, other than a few isolated family plots, were those that had been consecrated for adherents to either the Roman Catholic Church or Church of England. Deceased citizens who were non-adherents to either of these religions, in addition to any indigents or visitors to the young community who had the misfortune to die while in the town limits, were out of luck. Thus it was that in 1826 a six-acre portion of the Elmsley farm, carefully selected because it was situated well north of the town limits at the northwest corner of Yonge Street and Second Concession (a street better know today as Bloor Street), was purchased for the magnificent sum of $300.

Burials in the new Potter's Field, as the cemetery was called, started almost immediately and by early 1855, more than 6,000 souls had been interred in the six-acre cemetery. However, coinciding with the expansion of the community's suburban cemetery was the development of the adjacent village of Yorkville. The cemetery was stifling Yorkville's growth, and before long the villagers were petitioning the provincial authorities to have Potter's Field closed and the remains removed to some other location.

The authorities acceded to the villager's request, while at the same time enacting legislation which permitted the owners of Potter's Field to become a non-profit entity called the Toronto General Burying Grounds Trust (a name subsequently changed to Toronto Trust Cemeteries, then to Commemorative Services of Ontario and, in 1998, to the present Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries) with the authority to acquire land for cemetery purposes. Members of the new Trust acted quickly to acquire a fifteen-acre cemetery on the west bank of the Don River at the end of Winchester Street that had been started a few years earlier by a private syndicate.

Unable to come up with the full $16,000 purchase price, three of the Trustees offered to lend the Trust $15,000 while the Trust itself contributed the remaining $1,000, all the non-profit organization had on hand. The Necropolis, as the new cemetery was called, became part of the Toronto General Burying Grounds Trust on July 11, 1855. To comply with the government's order that the old Potter's Field be closed and the remains therein re-interred elsewhere, the Trust offered the relatives of those buried in the old cemetery new plots in the Necropolis. Many families took advantage of the offer and soon most of the remains in Potter's Field were re-interred in the Trust's new cemetery on the banks of the Don.

As the population of the city continued to grow (42,000 inhabitants in 1855, 47,000 just a decade later), so too did the number of "dear departed." As a result, it wasn't long before the capacity of the Necropolis was, too, being taxed. Anticipating future needs, the Trust began actively seeking out additional land on which to develop a new cemetery in 1872.

One year later, a 200-acre farm on the east side of Yonge Street, in the Third Concession from the Bay, township of York, was purchased for $20,000. At a meeting of the Trustees called to confirm the acquisition of this new property, described at the meeting in more familiar terms as being several hundred yards north of the little community of Deer Park, it was agreed that the third of the Trust's non-sectarian cemeteries would be called Mount Pleasant.

The responsibility for laying out the new cemetery was assigned to Henry Engelhardt, a German-born landscape architect whom the trustees hired, based on his successful experiences developing public grounds, gardens and cemeteries in various American and Canadian cities.

Engelhardt's concept for the Trust's new cemetery would follow the newly emerging "landscape style" that was gaining prominence south of the border. He drew on Boston's innovative Mount Auburn Cemetery for many of his ideas.

Work started at the Yonge Street end of the property. Over the next few months, Engelhardt supervised the transformation of ordinary farm fields into a park-like setting complete with trees, shrubs, pathways, and even a small lake. The first interments in the new cemetery were the few unclaimed remains from the Potter's Field that had not been removed to the Necropolis.

As Engelhardt's work progressed, the emerging Mount Pleasant Cemetery became such a departure from the ordinary type of burial ground that it soon became a featured item in the city's daily newspapers. The cemetery was perceived to be an attraction of such uniqueness that city souvenir guide books made a point of recommending a visit into the countryside north of the city to witness its wonders. One publication was very specific commenting that "No visit to Toronto will be complete without a visit to Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The cars of the Metropolitan Street Railway run right to the main entrance."

On the afternoon of November 4, 1876, a little more than two years after the Trustees purchased the 200-acre Yonge Street Farm, the public was invited to attend the official opening of Toronto's new Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

How To Research the Background of a Cemetery

2009-08-02T18:18:00.000-07:00

St. James Cemetery

Like to Thank Ontario Genealogical Society Preservation Committee for the info to make this blog post.

One of the most important challenges when dealing with any cemetery problem is discovering all that you can about the cemetery. Set out some specific goals. Begin your search locally. When dealing with any issue, it is essential to know the legal description, such as the township )former and present), lot and, concession, street address and perhaps global position. Learn all of the names by which the cemetery may have been or is currently known. The number of alternate names that you can find will amaze you. Knowing the religious affiliation (if any) will also assist you t find the records.

Visiting the Cemetery

A visit to the cemetery should be a high priority and will give you some perspective. Before you enter, make sure that it is not located on private property. if possible, take pictures of the site and be sure to include any areas where you perceive a problem. Some cameras print the date and/or time on the picture. It is important to date the photos. A simple way to date a photo is to have someone take a picture of you holding a newspaper with the headline in plain view.

Local Library

Visit the library in the town closest to the cemetery. many have a special area for books and/or information on local families and the locality. many townships published a book at the time of Canada's Centennial in 1967. These are especially useful. As well as pursuing books, see if there are any collections of such things as newspaper articles.

Be meticulous. Cite all of your sources and state in which repository the sources were found. Ensure that you cite at least the author or compiler or originating agency; title, date of publication or record creation or filing; and file number or chapter title. Citations allow other researchers to find the same source, so be sure to provide enough information with that in mind.

St. Phillips Cemetery

Toronto Libraries

There are two major libraries to consult in Toronto; first is North York Public Library which located at 5120 Younge Street. The Canadiana Collection is on the 6th floor. There are two areas that hold burial and gravestone info on this floor. The public Stacks in 929 area and the local history area by the librarians desk.

The Second library of note is the Toronto Reference Library at 789 Yonge Street (just north of bloor). They also have a collection of cemetery transcriptions and the map collection is on the 4th floor.

Local Archives/Museums

Many townships also have a local archives and/or museums that hold useful collections. They might have photographs of their area that include early ones of the cemetery.

Be sure to call ahead or check for a website to determine the hours of opening. Check also to see if you have to book a microfilm reader. Remember that you will only be able to use a pencil and probably will not be able to take a large bag into the reading room.

The Archives of Ontario

The Archives of Ontario are located at 77 Grenville Street in Toronto. You can enter from wither College or Grenville Street. There you will find a collection of newspapers on microfilm and cemetery transcriptions. They also have a fine collection of photographs and maps.

George Brown (November 29, 1818 – May 9, 1880) Buried in Toronto Necropolis

2009-08-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

George Brown (November 29, 1818 – May 9, 1880) was a Scottish-born Canadian journalist, politician and one of the Fathers of Confederation. A noted Reform politician, he was also the founder and editor of the Toronto Globe, which is today (having merged with other newspapers) known as the Globe and Mail.

Brown was born in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, on November 29, 1818 and immigrated to Canada in 1843, after managing a printing operation in New York with his father. He founded the Banner in 1843, and "The Globe" in 1844 which quickly became the leading Reform newspaper in the Province of Canada. In 1848, he was appointed to head a Royal Commission to examine accusations of official misconduct in Provincial Penitentiary of the Province of Upper Canada at Kingston. The Brown Report, which Brown drafted early in 1849, included sufficient evidence of abuse to set in motion the termination of warden Henry Smith. Brown's revelations of poor conditions at the Kingston penitentiary were heavily criticized by John A. Macdonald and contributed to the tense relationship between the two Canadian statesmen.

Brown used the Globe newspaper to publish articles and editorials that attacked the institution of slavery in the southern United States. In response to the Fugitive Slave Law passed in the U.S. in 1850, Brown helped found the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada. This society was founded to end the practice of slavery in North America, and individual members aided former American slaves reach Canada via the Underground Railroad. As a result, black Canadians enthusiastically supported Brown's political ambitions.

Brown was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in 1851. He reorganized the Clear Grit (Liberal) Party in 1857, supporting, among other things, the separation of church and state, the annexation of the Northwest Territories, and a small government. But the most important issue for George Brown was what he termed Representation by Population, or commonly known as "Rep by Pop".
Statue of George Brown on Parliament Hill, Canada.

From the Act of Union (1840), the Canadian colonial legislature had been composed of an equal number of members from Canada East (Lower Canada, Quebec) and Canada West (Upper Canada, Ontario). In 1841, Francophone dominated Lower Canada had a larger population and it was hoped by the British colonial administration that the French in Lower Canada would be legislatively pacified by a coalition of English from Lower Canada with the Upper Canadian side. But during the 1840s and 1850s, as the population of Upper Canada grew larger than the French population of Lower Canada, the opposite became true. Rep by Pop would cure the democratic deficit by electing members of the legislature from equally populated ridings, rather than an equal number from Upper and Lower Canada. Brown's pursuit of this goal of righting what he perceived to be a great wrong to Canada West was accompanied at times by stridently critical remarks against French Canadians and the power exerted by the Catholic population of Canada East over the affairs of largely Protestant Canada West, referring to the position of Canada West as "a base vassalage to French-Canadian Priestcraft."

For a period of four days in August 1858, political rival John A. Macdonald lost the support of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada on a non-confidence vote and his cabinet had to resign. After Alexander Galt declined the opportunity, George Brown attempted to form a ministry with Antoine-Aimé Dorion. At the time, newly appointed ministers had to resign their seats and run in a by-election. When members of Brown's ministry resigned their seats to get re-elected, John A. Macdonald re-emerged and through a loophole was re-appointed with his ministry to their old posts. Brown was the de facto premier of Canada West in 1858. The short-lived administration was called the Brown-Dorion government, named after the co-premiers George Brown and Antoine-Aimé Dorion. This episode was termed the 'double shuffle'.

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the following article is an excellent article and the following excerpts are from it, written by Jamie Bradburn:

George Bennett (born Dickson) had worked in The Globe's engineering department for five years. Initially regarded as a sober, upstanding employee, within a few years he gained a reputation for frequently hitting the bottle and engaging in domestic disturbances with a woman who may or may not have legally been his wife. March 25, 1880 found him hanging around The Globe offices in a drunken state after having been fired shortly before for "intemperance," as well as being out on bail after his spouse charged him with neglect. He was seen with the paper's chief engineer around 2:30 p.m, who he called an enemy for, among other things, being subpoenaed in his court case. An hour later Bennett was found rambling in the press room, where the head of circulation informed him that strangers were not allowed on the premises. Bennett proceeded to rattle off his list of grievances, ran up and down from the basement several times in an agitated state, then briefly passed. Unbeknownst to anyone, Bennett carried in his pockets a pistol and a packet of letters outlining his grievances towards fellow employees he felt had wronged him and plans of revenge on them worthy of a modern school shooter, mostly threats to chop others up violently

Sometime after 4 p.m., Bennett made his way to George Brown's private office. He knocked on Brown's door, entered, then closed it behind him. He pressed a letter indicating the length of his employment at the paper upon Brown, urging the paper's proprietor to sign it. Brown refused, urging Bennett to have the head of the engineering department do so. Bennett indicated this wasn't possible, so an increasingly irritated Brown suggested that he go to the head of the treasury, who had all of the employment records. Bennett refused to go and urged Brown to "sign it, sign it." As historian J.M.S. Careless noted in the biography Brown of The Globe, "Brown was impatient. He did not know the man, He did not know Bennett's record of drunkenness, neglect of duties, and wife-beating, or that he was now out on bail after being arrested for non-support...the one thing Brown did know was that he had been needlessly disturbed by this unprepossessing creature, who had no doubt got what he deserved."

Brown then noticed Bennett's hand moving towards the pistol and thought "the little wretch might be meaning to shoot me." A scuffle ensued, the results of which were reported in The Globe the following morning:

Yesterday afternoon one of the most seditious and dastardly attempts at murder ever made in this city took place in the private office of the Hon. George Brown in the Globe Building. Fortunately, owning mainly to Mr. Brown's presence of mind and superior physical strength, the attempt was unsuccessful, the only results being a severe flesh wound to the thigh and the nervous prostration which is the inevitable result of such an encounter. Had the miscreant who made the murderous assault been a little more prompt in taking his aim, or had the pistol been of a different construction, the attempt could hardly have resulted so favourably, for he persisted in his efforts to effect his bloody purpose until he was overpowered and the weapon was wrenched from his grasp.

Other employees quickly rushed in to separate the two men. Police arrested Bennett, who was initially silent then indicated "I don't know anything about it." At the police station, he threatened an officer with "I'll get even with you yet." Globe staff temporarily closed the office as Torontonians rushed down to confirm rapidly spreading rumours and offer their best wishes to Brown. As the paper noted, "the effect upon the community was to create a general feeling of indignation. All condemned the cowardly and murderous attack. This feeling of condemnation was intensified when all the circumstances surrounding the affair came to be known, and when it was learned how little ground there was for so bloodthirsty an attempt to take life." Other papers, including those who opposed Brown's Liberal politics, offered their best wishes and played up Bennett's mixed-blood background—The Evening Telegram noted he was "as dark as an octoroon."

Initially Brown's wound was treated as non-threatening and he continued business from his home at the corner of Beverley and Baldwin streets. He took the incident in stride, treating the wound as "trifling" and laughing at "the solicitude of those near him." The first signs of infection appeared four days after the attack, which didn't stop Brown from holding court at the paper's annual shareholder meeting. As The Globe later noted, "very soon troublesome symptoms appeared. The nervous system became very much deranged, inflammation set in, the thigh swelled, and abscesses were formed in the region surrounding the wound. Three incisions were made, and the discharge was copious and continued till nearly the end of the illness." Regular bulletins on Brown's condition reflected the optimism of the doctors that he would recover. The battle took its toll on Brown and by May 7 his condition was rapidly deteriorating. At 2 a.m. on May 9, Brown died at the age of 61.

The following day's edition of The Globe saw every column outlined with a thick black line and offered the following conclusion about its deceased proprietor:

He loved his country and laboured for her good; the objects he set before him were high, the plans he formed vast, and when he failed it was from no lack of courage or self-sacrifice on his part. The bed of death calls for other consolations than the praise of men, but it may be that his passing spirit was cheered by the thought that in the estimation of his fellow countrymen he had not lived altogether in vain.

An inquest into Brown's death was quickly launched and Bennett was charged with murder. The case went to trial on June 22 and after two hours of deliberation the jury came back with a guilty verdict. When asked for comment before sentencing, Bennett replied, "I have only to say that I have not willfully committed this crime." Sentenced to hang, Bennett treated his fate flippantly, which observers felt was a sign that he was tired with life and ready to die. When brought to the scaffold at the Toronto Gaol on July 23, Bennett spoke his final words clearly and firmly and seemed to pin responsibility for Brown's death on the deceased:

He has gone to his death through an oversight on my part. It was a foolish thing for me to have drawn the revolver, but I was in liquor or I would have never done it. I could not control the event. I went there purely on a matter of business and my business was very simple and very plain. The result was as it was. I am prepared to die.

The execution took place at 7:50 a.m. The Globe reported that "the arrangements were thorough and the ceremony was carried out without any of those terrible hitches which too often occur to intensify the horror which must necessarily attend an execution. Death was painless and easy." His final letters warned young men against the dangers of temptation and thanked jail officials for their hospitality.

As for Brown, his funeral procession took place on May 12. The route started at his home and wound its way along Beverley, College, Yonge, Carlton, Parliament, and Winchester before arriving at his final resting place in the southwest end of the Necropolis.

Carl Henry von Ahrens Buied In Parklawn Cemetery In Etobicoke

2009-08-01T04:45:00.000-07:00

Carl is buried with his wife and one daughter, photo by Kim Bullock

If you want t red the history of Parklawn Cemetery go here.

Carl Henry Von Ahrens was born to Herman and Isabella Ahrens on February 15, 1862 in Winfield, Ontario. His parents separated and Carl was raised mostly by his father in Berlin (now Kitchener). He contracted tuberculosis at around age five. In his case the disease settled in his hip instead of his lungs, reportedly due to an injury to the joint around the same time as he became infected. Some sources say the initial injury was a kick from another little boy and others say he constructed a pair of wings and attempted to fly off a roof. The most likely cause, however, was a combination of an injury and repeated exposure to tuberculosis. Carl's father died of the disease in 1875, as did several other family members.

After his father's death, Carl continued to live in Berlin with his paternal grandmother for several years, becoming known all over Waterloo County as a political cartoonist and a prankster. His most memorable stunt was when he was caught skinning dipping in the Grand River and, in fleeing from the town constable, ran stark naked through a Mennonite picnic. Chances are this story has been exaggerated over the years.

Carl went to Winnipeg in 1878 to work in a law firm owned by friends of the family. Having a pioneering spirit, he escaped at the first opportunity, taking up with an eccentric named Broadcloth Smith for a brief time, then holding down a claim for a man who had no wish to stay near Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta, over the winter. When the man returned, Carl and a friend hiked to Fort Gerry, getting caught in a blizzard along the way. They were lost for three days and without food for two. At Fort Gerry he had his first encounter with the native tribes of the area. One of the men saw Carl's injured feet and offered his own moccasins.

While out west, Carl met Francis "Captain" Dickey (son of author Charles Dickens) who was the Captain of the North West Mounted Police. He also met Calamity Jane in a saloon in Dakota Territory. He held every available job except driving a stagecoach. He was friendly with all the surrounding native tribes – they called him Lone Pine. Once he was caught between two warring bands and spent a day in a buffalo hollow while arrows zinged over his head

After two adventurous years, Carl's family insisted he return home. Back in Ontario, he worked in an uncle's button factory in Waterloo. His task was dyeing the buttons, a tedious and delicate process that fascinated him. He later considered this job his first step toward the mastery of color that distinguished him as a painter.

Eventually Carl's family demanded that he find a real profession. Hearing no suitable suggestions from Carl, they sent him to Stratford to apprentice as a dentist under his uncle, Alfred Ahrens. Carl swiftly mastered everything that Dr. Ahrens could teach. He could not practice in Ontario without a degree, so he moved to Nebraska City, Nebraska, to open a practice of his own. It was a great success. Carl was one of the first dentists in the nation to use the rotary method of drilling teeth, which made him popular with patients. In 1887 the American Medical Congress invited him to Washington, D.C. for one of their meetings.

On an extended trip home to Ontario, Carl met and married Emily Marion Carroll. He brought his bride back to Nebraska, where their son, Carl Herman, was born. Carl began to paint in 1886, at the age of 24 and within a year he gave up dentistry, a profession he had never enjoyed. When the Ahrens family heard of his decision, they turned their backs on him, hoping poverty would help him see the error of his ways. It didn't. He moved his family to Toronto and took a studio on Adelaide Street. By 27 he was known as an up-and-coming artist, and his vast social circle included painters, journalists and actors. He was particularly close with the Mohawk recitalist and poet, Pauline Johnson.

Carl had little formal instruction in painting. He worked alone, watching the methods of other painters but never feeling compelled to copy them. His first exhibition was with the Ontario Society of Artists in 1889. In 1891 he was elected Associate Painter in the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. He eventually went to New York City to study painting under William Merritt Chase and sculpture under Francis Edwin Elwell. While there he befriended painter, George Inness, who became his mentor. Inness encouraged Carl to stop taking classes, go home and paint how he wished to paint. Carl took his advice, returned to Toronto, resigned from all professional associations and, while initially famous for his portraits, he turned almost exclusively to landscapes.

During the summer of 1896, Carl and his family lived near the Ojibwa reservation at Southampton, Ontario. The children of the tribe were fascinated by Carl, reportedly staring at him as if they had seen a ghost. Carl understood some of the language from previous encounters with the Ojibwa, and he asked the chief's wife about this curious behavior. She told Carl that he strongly resembled a son she had recently lost. From that time she always called Carl her son and he called her his Indian Mother. In time, Carl and his family moved onto the reservation, were adopted by the tribe, and received new names. Carl's was Ah-sa-ba-nang, the name of the lost son. It means cluster of stars.

In 1899, Carl met Elbert Hubbard, the founder of the Roycroft arts and crafts community in East Aurora, New York. Hubbard admired Carl’s work, and when he learned Carl had experience in a potter shop as well, he asked Carl to join the Roycrofters and start a pottery there. Carl moved to East Aurora with his wife, three children (Carl, Robert and Pauline) and his cousin, fellow painter Eleanor Douglas, in May of 1900. Hubbard, a businessman, and Ahrens, a craftsman, were soon at odds over what constituted a finished piece. Hubbard insisted that the pottery be sold unglazed and, thus, unable to hold water. People willingly bought, as the pottery bore the Roycroft mark, but the work was of no value and most has fallen apart over time.

Carl left the Roycroft community after only four months, but remained in East Aurora until 1905, other than a brief move to Chautauqua to help found the Arts and Crafts school there. While the pottery at Roycroft was considered a failure, the experience was pivotal in Carl's life. It was at Roycroft that he met and fell in love with Martha Niles, a young artist and singer who illuminated books for the shop. His marriage to Emily Carroll had been reportedly unhappy from the start. He tried to convince her to divorce him, but she refused. As soon as his sons were old enough to be self supporting, he broke ties with his family and moved to New York City, reuniting with Martha, whom he always called Madonna, there.

Author George Wharton James, a Roycroft contact, soon commissioned Carl to go to California and paint the old Spanish missions, intending to use the finished work as illustrations for a book on the subject. Determined to have Madonna by his side, Carl proposed, but they could not officially marry until his divorce was finalized. They traveled together, posing as husband and wife, by boat to New Orleans and by train out to California.

No motor cars were allowed on the mountain roads at that time, so they traveled by covered wagon as far south as San Diego and slowly worked their way north up the coast to San Francisco. The trip could have proved disastrous for Madonna, who had been raised comfortably in a middle class New York family. Not only was she now roughing it, but doing so in the early stages of pregnancy. Carl was an experienced camper, however, and patiently taught her how to survive in the wilds. Being rather progressive in his views about marital roles, he remained the camp cook and put her in charge of the family finances.

They had been in Santa Barbara at the time of the earthquake in 1906, and did not see signs of the damage until they were much further north. The quake nearly bankrupted George Wharton James; he bought a few of the paintings, but not enough to illustrate his book.

Unable to return to Canada with winter setting in, Carl and Madonna wintered in a bungalow in Corte Madera. They were married a month before their son, Laird, was born. They returned to Toronto in the summer of 1907, settling in the village of Meadowvale. The two mile walk to the train station proved too much for Carl, who always lived with pain from his tubercular hip. After a prolonged illness, he was forced to move back to the city. It was at an exhibition of Carl's Meadowvale paintings that he met Colonel (later General) Malcolm Smith Mercer. Mercer was moved by Carl's work and agreed to purchase all of Carl's paintings for the next three years, allowing Carl the financial freedom he needed to produce his best work. Carl's daughter, Penelope was born in 1908 but died in 1910, less than a month before the birth of Sigrid Ahrens.

In 1911 Carl had a one-artist exhibition of the Mercer Collection at the Public Reference Library in Toronto. People from many European galleries were there, some offering as much as $100,000 for the collection of 31 paintings, but Mercer would not sell. The collection was invited to Belgium for an exhibit, the first such offer made by any European country to a North American artist. The Great War started before arrangements could be made. Click here to see list of Mercer paintings.

In 1912, Carl's youngest daughter, Chloris, was born in Lambton Mills. It was a happy time for the family due to the continued financial support from Mercer. They spent their summers at Leith, on Georgian Bay, but in the summer of 1916 Carl's patron was in Europe fighting the war. Carl had to take a job as a game warden in the Kawartha Lakes region.

General Mercer was killed in battle, leaving Carl temporarily without a patron. Charles Burden and Col. George Naismith took over the role, but demanded only small pieces, frustrating Carl, who was finally well enough to paint larger works. In the summer of 1919, Carl's painting called The Glade was requested for an extended loan to Glasgow Galleries in Scotland.

Carl moved his family to Woodstock, NY in 1920. He taught landscape painting there with Charles Etherington, while his wife, Madonna, trained in singing with Alfredo Barili, one of Atlanta's top composers. In 1921, the family moved with friends to Rockport, MA, where Carl painted seascapes for a short time. He again fell ill and longed for home, so they returned to Canada in the winter of 1922.

The family lived in a series of cheap houses in Toronto before finally finding their dream home, an old stone farm house in Galt, near Carl's boyhood hometown. They were able to afford this only because Prime Minster Mackenzie King, an old friend of Carl's, threatened to replace Sir Edmund Walker, the Chairman of the Art Advisory Committee, for his continued refusal to buy Carl’s work for the National Gallery. Carl had made many enemies over the years, and Walker was one of them. Already unpopular for his refusal to join any associations and his knack for saying the wrong things to the wrong people, the scandal of his divorce and remarriage was the final straw. While nothing today, divorce was considered morally repugnant at the time, especially in conservative Toronto. There were constant rumors that his marriage to Madonna was not legal.

Carl named the new house Big Trees. He took on several students, one of whom built a cabin on the property so he could live nearby and help care for Carl. Another student, Grant Macdonald, later became the official artist for the Royal Canadian Navy during WWII. The family entertained politicians, artists, musicians, poets, novelists, and professors. Carl's boyhood friend, painter Homer Watson, was a frequent guest. Carl and Homer greatly admired and respected each other's work.

Carl began experimenting with printmaking in 1925, constructing a printing press out of an old mangle and reworked dental tools. He burned his used metal plates in the fireplace to clean the flue. The printmaking process was laborious and he was not strong, so his daughters, Sigrid and Chloris, often helped with any heavy work.

Carl had two exhibitions in 1933, one at Cummingham's Studio and another in Montreal. His last exhibition was in March of 1935, shortly before he and Madonna left Galt for England, an arrangement they thought would be permanent. They were only able to stay four months before Carl began to have a series of strokes and wanted to return home.

Carl's last years were full of illness and excruciating pain, only eased by a newfound addiction to codeine, a medication whose use was not regulated then. The tubercular hip he had had since childhood left him with five constantly draining abscesses, a fused hip joint, and a perforated bowel. He went through long periods when he was confined to a chair, unable to either stand or lie down. In the end, his six foot frame was down to 85 pounds. He continued to paint to the end, and his last works are full of vibrant color. One of his last paintings is featured on the watercolors page of this website.

Back in Toronto, penniless and desperate, Madonna wrote to their old friend, Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King (see out blog post on him here). King arranged for Carl to be taken care of for the last months of his life in the Toronto Psychiatric Hospital. He died on February 27, 1936 at the age of 74 and is buried at Parklawn Cemetery in Etobicoke.

History of Mount Hope Cemetery in Toronto

2009-08-01T04:12:00.000-07:00

St. Michael's Cemetery, the first non-parish burial place, was opened in 1855, in response to the almost full capacity of St. Paul's. It contains about 29,000 graves, many containing pioneers both the city and the church among which are the last of the old Irish Catholic elite. Nearly forty years of interments brought St. Michael's very close to capacity, but cost of land in Deer Park made expansion there too expensive. In the late 1880s and the ‘90s several attempts to were made to locate suitable property along Yonge Street north of the city without success until on July 16, 1897, Hon. Sir Frank Smith and Mr. Eugene O'Keefe purchased the site of Mount Hope Cemetery for $5,000, from C. D. Warren, a Toronto merchant. On December 4, they sold their interest the Property to the archdiocese for the same amount of money s had been arranged. That it was necessary to hide the identity of the real buyer and not breathe a word about the intended use as a cemetery shows that then Toronto Catholics still had some distance to travel before they were respected as equals by the local establishment. On July 9, 1898, in one of his last official acts Archbishop John Walsh blessed and named the graveyard “Mount Hope Cemetery.” The first burial was that of E. Sullivan on March 27, 1900.

Muslims search for own cemetery in Toronto area

2009-07-31T04:10:00.000-07:00

www.owensoundsuntimes.com

When Ashfaq Abdul Razzak's father became deathly ill before a long weekend, he prayed his father would hold out another few days.

As a Muslim, he had to be buried within 24 hours. But the cemetery in Pickering, east of Toronto, where his family had purchased a plot was unable to do the burial on Good Friday. Razzak's father died at dawn on Friday, but it wasn't until Saturday -- more than 30 hours later -- that he was buried.

"I tried my best to have the burial on Friday, but they said there was nothing they could do because that day they had no staff," Razzak said. "I understand they have their own rules. But if we have our own cemetery, we can do what we have to."

For years, Muslims have buried their dead in non-denominational cemeteries across the city, often at the cost of compromising on Islamic funeral rites and rituals.

But as the population ages and grows -- nearly 300,000 in the Toronto area -- there is an increasing need for a separate cemetery where the city's Muslims can lay their dead to rest quickly, correctly and in peace.

"Why do Muslims have to go through such challenges and compromises, especially at the time of a loved one's death?" said Abul Haq Ingar, with the Islamic Society of Toronto.

Two groups are now searching for land to build the city's first large Muslim cemetery.

The Toronto Muslim Cemeteries Corporation, of which Ingar is a part, has been scouring the area for an eight-to 20-hectare parcel of land for the past year. The Islamic Society of North America is also working on a cemetery project, targeting land in the west end of the city.

Their searches repeatedly have hit dead ends.

"There are not many properties available (in the Greater Toronto Area) to be zoned (for use as a cemetery)," Ingar said. "Those that can be zoned are very far or very expensive."

One potential site, in Barrie, was quickly dismissed as too far away. Ingar's group is looking in Richmond Hill, Ajax, Whitby and Brampton, all of which are closer.

The growing urgency behind the initiative is twofold: Cremation is forbidden in Islam and community members, many of whom settled in Toronto in the 1960s, are aging. Ingar says 3,000 to 4,000 grave sites are needed every year.

An Islamic burial has a few key requirements, including:

* The body must be buried within 24 hours.

* The deceased should be carefully washed and shrouded.

* The face must be turned toward Mecca.

However, in most mainstream cemeteries, hours of operation are limited, burials can't happen at night or during holidays and often cost extra on weekends. "We could bury 24 hours a day if we have (a cemetery)," Ingar said.

At present, most Muslims have little choice about the direction of their plot and the way the body is placed.

There is one small dedicated Muslim cemetery in the Toronto area. It was created for the city's minority Shiite community by businessman Atta Hussain in Markham in 2002.

"I came here in 1980, and one day I had a thought that if I die, where will I be buried?"

After years of wrangling with the town, Hussain was able to convert one small section of his Al Hussain Foundation Centre, a mostly empty 14-hectare property, to a cemetery. Over the past seven years, it has held 100 burials.

But the road to a larger dedicated Muslim cemetery could be a long one. It took Ottawa's Muslim community 15 years to secure 12 hectares of land and obtain a provincial licence to operate a cemetery.

Kemal Ally, the treasurer of Ottawa Muslim Cemetery, said the group looked at more than 160 sites, but most were unusable because of soil conditions, environmental tests and zoning requirements. Ingar says Toronto's growing Muslim community can't endure such a long process.

"The longer we wait, the more challenging the process of getting a cemetery will be. The sooner we get a cemetery, the more at peace the community will be."

Caring For Etobicoke's Cemeteries Part 2

2009-07-30T16:49:00.000-07:00

Caring For Etobicoke's Cemeteries Part 1

Common Problems, Issues and Concerns (cont.)

Infrastructure

The growth of this province has led to development of land for various construction projects requiring an improved infrastructure - sewers, roads and hydro corridors. Proposed highway widening or relocating is announced in the newspapers. Quite often there will be an open house to make the public aware of proposed changes.

OGS , heritage partners and administers of cemeteries have worked with groups such as the Ministry of Transportation to reach acceptable decisions regard to cemeteries. An example is Richview Cemetery in Etobicoke. Richview Cemetery is situated in the middle of the interchange of Highways 427 and 401 not far from Toronto's Pearson Airport. When this network of roads was planned, the engineers designed the ramps to preserve the cemetery. Access was a great concern so the church was relocated, but the deceased were not disturbed.

Richview Cemetery

Rescuing Cemeteries

During Canada's Centeinnal year many Cemetery restoration projects were undertaken. The organizers were well meaning but many did not have expertise. They ignored spatial relationships and destroyed heritage integrity of the burial grounds. many of today's abandoned crumbling cemeteries are the result of that period. That is why it is always urged that you seek professional advice like OGS's.

OGS also cautions that there are some who have cleaned up a cemetery with new tombstone or have placed plaques over supposed illegible information. Unfortunately, in the interest of saving money much information has been lost by eliminationing biographical material and dates. John Smith, native of Cornwall, England, who was born 31 January 1875 and died 1 December 1914 is reduced to John Smith 1875-1914. Even spelling mistakes have been made.

Monument restoration is expensive and should only be undertaken with expert guidance. OGS recommends that you approach the Ministry of Culture, or contact others who administer cemeteries that have been restored. look at the restoration work that had been don in your area, and then get quotes.

Raising Money

From time to time funds are available from the Ministry of Culture but that is infrequent and may come with restrictions. It is best to consult the Ministry but be prepared to be told that no funding is available.

Another way is to trace the decendents that are buried in the cemetery and with their help some have managed to restore some if not all of their cemetery. We Suggest that the organizers of family reunions collect a toonie from each attendee and make a donation to the cemetery where the ancestors whose lives they commemorate lie buried.

Parklawn Cemetery

Vanadalism and Theft

Vandalism is one of the greatest concerns for those who care for cemeteries. The monetary cost is estimated in the millions of dollars annually. The anguish of descendents cannot be measured. I many cases historical information is lost forever.

Vanadalism come in many forms. Often Damage to monuments is caused by improperly trained seasonal persons hired by municipal or small cemeteries to clean up the cemetery a couple of times during the season. Monuments or markers are frequently chipped by weed whackers or broken by lawn mowers.

Misguided young people get their kicks from toppling monuments. Graffiti or wilful damage may be deliberately aimed at religious or ethnic cemeteries. Lambton Mills Cemetery in Etobicoke also a Jewish cemetery has been vandalized numerous times. in some cases this damage was permanent, which leaves a lasting memory for families whose memorials has been violated.

Other Concerns

Discovery of body or bodies on the property - call the police who will investigate.

A developer wants to build on cemetery property - call OGS

to be continued in part 3

Lambton Mills, Cemetery

Toronto's Final Duel

2009-07-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

The Roots of Toronto's final duel go back to a fued between the elite Jarvis family and the Ridouts. The animosity between them intensified early in July, 1817, when John Ridout was dragged from the office of Samuel Jarvis. A few das later Ridout attacked Jarvis in the street.

One of them Challenged other to a duel and Elmsley's Farm was determined as the site. Today that location is near the Women's College Hospital in downtown Toronto. The combatants were to meet at dawn on July 12. jarvis selected henry Boultan as his second while Ridout chose James Small.

As the count was in progress, Ridout fired, but missed. He began to walk away, but the seconds called him back and ordered him to stand for Jarvis' shot. When the final formality was over, Ridout was dead.

Today Joh Ridout's gravestone is in the wall of the south entrance to St. James Cathedral, the description of him begins:

His filial affection, engaging manners
and nobleness of mind gave early promise
he gallantly fulfilled by his brave, active
and enterprizing conduct which gained the
praise of his superiors while serving as
Midshipman in the Provincial Navy during
the late war. At the return of Peace
he commenced with ardour the study of law
and with the fairest prospects.

It then bitterly concludes:

But a blight came and he was consigned to
an early grave on 12 July, 1817, aged 18.

Jarvis was jailed for several months before being acquitted of an murder charge. Ridouts Mother blamed Henry Boulton for John's death and would wait for him to emerge from the Sunday service at St. James Cethedral. When he appeared he was subjected to considerable verable abuse. He eventually became Canada's Attorney-General.

Couple from Islington Burial Grounds, Etobicoke

2009-07-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

I n
Memory
of
John Sheridan
who died Aug. 28,
1869;
aged 65 years,
Also of his wife
Mary,
who died Aug. 21,
1875;
Aged 70 years.
"Blessed are the
dead who die
in the lord"

Gone but not
forgotten
in memory of
Mary Ann Jobson
who died
June 26, 1885,
Aged 39 years 8 mo.
& 16 days

And shall we wish
Her here again
With us on earth to
mourn
And weeping, tread
life's throny path
A stranger far from
home
h no, for she that
home hath gained,
Her sorrows now are
o'er
On Canaan's bright
and happy plain
She'll sigh and weep
no more.

Caring For Etobicoke's Cemeteries Part 1

2009-07-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

Every week the Ontario Genealogical Society Preservation Committee receives letters, telephones calls and e-mails regarding problems at cemeteries throughout the province. Each situation is unique, but some issues recur. The following suggestions or guidelines have been suggested by the GSPC.

So how does one deal with and address problems with their local cemetery in Ontario?

The first step is to form a committee of like minded people. Tasks, such as physical care for the cemetery or researching the background or the people buried within, can they be shared. Very often time is of the essence. Do not expect to do it all yourself. Many of the suggestions by GSPC is simply a suggested order.

1. Find out as much as possible about the cemetery. Knowing the exact location of the cemetery is crucial in order that help can be provided. Visit the site. Actually seeing the cemetery will give you a good perspective on the situation. Take photo's to document the problem.

2. Find out if there are descendants of those buried int he cemetery. If so, begin to search for them. begin with local resources then branch out further afield. here is some suggestion that I myself use to find info for this blog. Toronto Public Library, Toronto Reference Library, and Etobicoke Historical Society who office can be found at Montgomery Inn at Islington and Dundas in central Etobcoke.

3. Contact you Local hertiage partners. They may provide you with further avenues of research, such as recordings of inscriptions or informatio on those who are buried in the cemetery. For the Etobicoke area, contact the Etobicoke Historical Society.

4. Is the cemetery registered with the Ontario goverment? At this time there were only 5068 cemeteries registered. GSPC estimates there are about 10,000 in the province. There is advice on how to register a cemetery at the Government of Ontario Ministery of Government Service website. www.gov.on.ca/MGS

Common Problems, Issues and Concerns

Development

Property developers pose the greatest threat to cemeteries, particularly small ones. Developers wishing to assemble parcels of land approach their local municiplalities. The planning department advises coincil on these proposals. If a cemetery has not been registered or does not appear on the Official Town plan, it is almost impossible to preserve it.

Reporting your cemetery to or registering a cemetery with the cemeteries Regulation Unit, Ministery of Government Services, does not Guarantee the safety or preservation of your favorite burial ground! Contact the Municipal heritage Committee to seek Heritage Designation.

The Haynes Family Burial Ground

A example of development problems:

In 2003 Haynes family members grew increasingly concerned about their family burial ground in St. Catherines. Construction was about to sart on a large recreational sports complex. John Haynes acted as the family representative. his ancestor, Adam haines, had received the land in 1784 as a Crown grant for his military service during the revolution. The haynes family buried their dead in the plot on the hill "behind the old banked barn" for three generations until about 1860.

In 1949 the family commissioned a 40 ton monument. Seven Stones in the best condition were placed in the cenotaph that also incorparated a plque commemorating pioneer settlement in the area. living witnesses attested that no bodies were disinterred. newspapers reported a dedication ceremony attended by family and local dignitaries. The property remained with an easement on the cemetery. The new owners maintained the cemetery with care and the family frequently visited it.

in 2002 the city of St. Catherines purchased the property in order to build a hockey arena and skatepark. The Haynes family made every effort to work with the city. The city maintained the cemetery was abandoned despite the fact that was a 1974 by-law where by the city "undertook to provide for the maintenance, management, regulation, control of certain cemeteries including the Haines Cemetery." The family put forth a plan for a parkette that would contain the burial ground within the overall landscaping plan for the complex. Despite the fact that the city budget for the complex was 18 million, the city turned down the proposal for the parkette because there was no money in the budget for that stretch of land.

Although this was a well known and visible cemetery, construction on the arena began on 15 March 2004. John Haynes hired a lawyer and made an impassioned plea to city council, stressing the city's legal obligations should bodies be distrubed. Council adjourned to meet in camera with the city lawyer agreeing to have an archeaologist present to moniter the work of the large earth moving equipment.

The archaeologist reported that seven grave shafts were disturbed. The mayor denied this saying they could be fruit tree sites, and the archeaologist's report was not released for several weeks. Letters to all levels of provincal and municipal government went unanswered and the disturbance to the burial site continued. Joh Haynes filed a formal complaint with the Ministery of Consumer and Commercial Relations stating that his lawyers communications with the Cemeteries Registrar Office were going unanswered. Shortly thereafter, the Cemeteries Registrar came to St. Catherines to see the disturbed graves. Je instructed the city to alter the pouring of a sidewalk to avoid the graves and stated that his office would expand the boundaries of the cemetery to take into acocunt the newly discovered graves. The city agreed to expand the boundaries, as determined by the province.

There is a small, white picket fence around the cenotaph and pioneer monument. Fearing possible vandalism and wanting to distinguish the cemtery from the adjoining skate park, the Haynes Family volunteered to raise fund to erect a cast iron fence aroung the entire cemetery. the Parks and Recreation Department stated that it didn't want a fence because the maintenance crew would have to open the gate to cut the grass.

Although the City Declined to seek an official heritage designation for the site, the St. catherine Heritage Committee, a volunteer group, wanted to reconginze the historical importance of the homestead and cemetery by erecting a plaque at the cemetery. on 1 October 2006, 51 years after the original dedication of the cenotaph and pioneer monument, the Heritage Committee held the unvieling of the plaque that notes the importance of the site through the generations, from the period of pioneer settlement starting in 1784, through its use during the war of 1812, and it continuing place in local history to 1940.

continued at an later date.

Canadian Order Woodmen of The World Memorial at Parklawn Cemetery in Etobicoke

2009-07-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

Woodmen of the World is a fraternal organization based in Omaha, Nebraska, United States that operates a large privately held insurance company for its members.

Its history includes the erection of numerous distinctive tombstones depicting tree stumps across the country prior to 1930, a program to donate flags, and broadcast interests that were to own the first television station where Johnny Carson worked.

Woodmen of the World and/or Assured Life Association's early beginnings can be traced to the same founder of Modern Woodmen of America and Woodmen of the World/Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society, Joseph Cullen Root. Root, and our official founder and first Head Consul (President), Fred A. Falkenberg, first met at the Windsor Hotel in Denver, Colorado in April of 1890 to plan the formation of Woodmen of the World. In June of that same year, Mr. Falkenberg and Root met with others in the Paxton Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska for the purpose of officially formalizing the Fraternal Benefit Society. Woodmen has been, and continues to be, a non-profit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization.

It is believed that the inspiration for the name, Woodmen, came from a church sermon, which touted the "trees" as being "God's first temple." From that first ideal, the concept of giving honor to the pioneers who had cleared with axe and wedge a pathway for civilization as it moved west was born. In our present ceremonies and rituals we continue to recognize the spirit of brotherhood, mutual aid and patriotism which bound the early settlers together to protect their homes and loved ones and which serve as a foundation of our great fraternal.

Initially called the Pacific Jurisdiction of the Woodmen of the World, our fraternity originally consisted of the states and territories of California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The Denver Society was connected with the Omaha Woodmen, even though it always set its own rates and collected its own assessments. The use of the ceremonial ritual was the only thing held in common with the Omaha group, and for use of such, the Pacific Jurisdiction paid a fee to the Omaha Woodmen. In July of 1916, at the 12^th Regular Meeting of the Head Camp Session (National Convention), the Articles of Incorporation of the Denver Woodmen were amended and the words "Pacific Jurisdiction" were deleted from its name. From that time on, until expanding into states east of its original nine state region prompted the use of the synonym Assured Life Association, Woodmen of the World was used as the official name of the Society. Also, at this meeting, resolutions were adopted canceling all the contractual relations with the Omaha Woodmen and the Denver group formulated its own rituals.

Over the years, Woodmen of the World witnessed panics, disasters, World Wars I and II, the Great Depression, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. The Society today is a stronger organization due to those who guided it through these formative years. Now, as in the past, members are grouped into local lodges that pitch in when disaster strikes to relieve suffering and distress. In addition, they meet regularly, elect their owe officers and carry on their own business, social, fraternal and charitable activities.

In the years following our founding, there hare been drastic changes in our way of life, family needs and in the way those needs are met. As a result, Woodmen of the World is challenged to continue performing a vital role for our members and pledges to seek solutions to these changing needs through the democratic self-help process which is our personal, fraternal and national heritage.

Few Images From Pawklawn Cemetery in Etobicoke

2009-07-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

Need helping in finding any tombstone script records and detailed history for Parklawn Cemetery, Riverside Cemetery and Lambton Mills Jewish Cemetery. info on these three cemeteries have been extremely hard to find, so if anyone can point me in the proper direction i would be very thankful.

just want to post a few images tonight from Parklawn Cemeteries (Etobicoke), the first own has got to be one of my all time favorites, it is very original.

click here to read a little History of Parklawn

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The Children's Garden In Mount Pleasant Cemetery

2009-07-19T05:22:00.000-07:00

Mary Smith's baby lived only five days. Whenever she attempted to locate the child's burial place Smith was constantly rebuffed by a heartless government bureaucracy. After thirty years of searching, she finally discovered that her child had been placed in an unmarked grave in a remote section of Mount Pleasant Cemetery reserved for stillborn and children without known parents. having discovered the site smith was determined to dedicate this area of the cemetery to the memory of all children interred there. The Children's Garden, which was dedicated in 1992, features numerous native plants, a trio of granite boulders from Northern Ontario and a small, but touchingly appropriate sculpture created by Dundas, Ontario artist Juliet Jansco.

My opinion on the Children's Garden, it is one of the saddest places I ever been. I feels like a place where the city just dumped children bodies just to get rid of them (which they so openly admit that they did in fact do). The area is in an remote area of the cemetery (south of section 42 along an chain link fence). There are no marked graves, no indication that anything is buried there. The road to it is a gravel road, that isn't maintained well, and is riddled with pot holes. Parking is not allowed in this section either, which makes even harder for people to visit. Seems like to me this is an area the cemetery does not want to draw attention to. To this day, the mistakes and secrets of the past are still covered up, and who are the ones that suffer are the children and the loved ones.

No secret where bodies are buried

2009-07-19T04:39:00.000-07:00

An old article, but an interesting read.

Yorkville was built atop Potter's Field, first non-denominational public cemetery in city

October 08, 2007

Adam Mayers
toronto star

The parking lot of the Don Jail isn't the only place in downtown Toronto where with a pick and shovel you can probably dig up a few old bones.

For the better part of 30 years, what is now Yorkville was Toronto's first public non-denominational cemetery, known to the town as the Potter's Field. In 1825, it started off as 2.4 hectares west of Yonge St. and north of Bloor St., gradually expanded and by 1855 some 6,700 people were buried there.

It's a good guess that under the office towers along Bloor and the boutiques and fancy restaurants on Cumberland Ave. there are plenty of early settlers still resting peacefully.

The first person buried there was an infant and many of those that followed were victims of typhoid, cholera and diphtheria, diseases that ravaged the city during the early part of the 19th century before the advent of basic sanitation and clean water.

The cemetery was closed because the city had grown around it. Families had 25 years to remove remains and re-inter them at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. But given the size of the job, the cost and the time that had passed since the original burials, it is certain a good many were left where they lay.

How many were moved before the land was sold for development is unclear. Estimates range between 600 and 1,000. The one certain thing, says Carl Benn, chief curator of the city's museums and heritage services, is "they were bound to miss a few."

St. James Cemetery, southeast of Parliament and Bloor Sts., was laid out with winding lanes and shady trees including willows and hemlocks, but the Strangers Burial Ground, as it was properly called, was for the poor and those of modest means. It was laid out in a simple grid stretching west and north.

For a time, two of the most famous people interred there were blacksmith Samuel Lount and farmer Peter Matthews, loyal supporters of former Toronto mayor William Lyon Mackenzie, who led the Rebellion of 1837. The pair were hanged for treason in 1838, buried and later moved to the Toronto Necropolis on Winchester St., east of Parliament St.

Lount and Matthews were hanged in full view of thousands at Toronto's second jail, a place where there are probably more bodies underfoot. The facility at King and Toronto Streets would have been kitty-corner to the King Edward Hotel.

That jail was the second to be built in York and was a substantial two-storey brick affair. The prison faced Toronto St., was set back about 9 metres and surrounded on three sides by a picket fence 4.5 metres tall. A court was built on nearby Courtyard Square.

While Lount and Matthews received a proper burial, many of those hanged at the jail between 1824 and 1840 would have been interred in a corner of the yard with much less fanfare. That was the case with the remains found recently under a parking lot outside the Don Jail in the Gerrard St. E. and Broadview Ave. area.

The men were found during an archeological assessment and were individually buried under what had once been the exercise yard.

The Toronto St. jail later became a lunatic asylum and Benn says it is possible there are bodies underneath what are now office buildings. But he says it is fanciful to think there are many graves there. While the law in the early 1800s carried the death penalty for many crimes, the sentence was rarely carried out.

"There's an image of the Georgians hanging people with a gay delight, but it really wasn't the case."

Still for many people in that area or strolling in the area of through Yorkville, when they go to work every day, they really are whistling past the graveyard.

William knaggs Who Donated Land For Richview Cemetery in Etobicoke

2009-07-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

In 1853 William knaggs deeded land from his farm, for a church and cemetery to be used by all denominations within the community. This was the land that now Richview Cemetery is located on, to read more about the history of Richview cemetery go to this blog post.

(now flat, broken in multiple peices, illegible)

William Knaggs
(several illegible lines)
died Oct .., 18..
aged 61 years.
Blessed are the dead who
die in the lord

and the rest of his family are buried here too:

(southside)
in loving memory
of George knaggs 1816 - 1896
his wife
Ann O'neil
1832 - 1905

Knaggs on the base

(northside)
Amanda
Knaggs
1860 - 1922
father in the gracious keeping,
leave we now thy servant sleeping.

(west side)
James
1858-1916
Celia Ann
1861 - 1876
Chrisia
1856 - 1859
children of
G. & A. Knaggs

(east side)
Clifford
Knaggs
1866 - 1958
(2 cornerstones) - k

Methodist Episcopal Church Burial Ground/Riverside Cemetery in Etobicoke

2009-07-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

In 1821, the Methodist Episcopal Church and Burial Ground was established what is now the southwest corner of Weston Road and king Street in Weston. The early pioneer families of the community were buried there. November 1919 the bodies were disinterred and reburied in Riverside Cemetery in Etobicoke. The Methodist Episcopal Church was renamed Central United Church in 1925. Further graves were found in 1956 and 1993 and these bodies were re-interred into Riverside Cemetery as Well.

History of Richview Memorial Cemetery in Etobicoke

2009-07-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

The cemetery is located south of Eglinton Avenue West at the cloverleaf intersection of highway 427 and 401. The municipal designation is part lot 16, concession 3, fronting the Humber, City of Etobicoke. The cemetery can be reached by an access road running south from Eglinton Avenue West.

The cemetery, which is administered by a Board of Trustees, was established in 1853 by william knaggs. Burial Plots are avaiable to desendants of those buried there. Great care and attention were taken by the department of highways when the intersection of the two major highways was designed. Every effort was made to leave the cemetery untouched.

in 1970, 105 bodies and markers were removed from Willow Grove Baptist Cemetery and transferred to Ricjview memorial Cemetery. In 1973 the graves and markers from the McFarlance Family Burying ground were also moved to Richview Memorial Cemetery.

Earlier churches established in the Richview community were the forerunners of Richview united Church. In 1831 a Primitive methodist preacher conducted services in a barn on Joseph Stonehouse's Farm. (see Stonehouse Burying Grounds Post) In 1839 a Primitive Methodist church was built and a cemetery was established. This was known as The Stonehouse Chapel and Cemetery. The chapel was closed in 1869 but the cemetery stayed open.

in 1853 William knaggs deeded land from his farm, for a church and cemetery to be used by all denominations within the community.

Also in 1853, Robert Stonehouse deed land from his farm, across the road from his brother, Joseph. This was for a Wesleyan Methodist Church.

In 1868 the Primitive Methodist congregation on the Joseph Stonehouse property, the Wesleyan Methodist Congregation on the Robert Stonehouse property and the chapel on the Knaggs' property were absorded together on the Knagg's site under the name of Union Chapel.

By 1888 Union Chapel was overcrowded and a new building was constructed to the south of the cemetery. This was known as Richview Methodist Church. it became Richview United Church at Church union in 1925.

The congregation of Richview United Church realized tha their church would be isolated on an island between the proposed highway ramps so a new church waas built at 149 Wellesworth Drive, Etobicoke.

John Beaty (Famous Person in Toronto History) Plot U, Lot C at Mount Pleasant Cemetery

2009-07-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

The third person to settle the area of present day Toronto west of Dufferin Street when it was still "out in the country," was John Beaty. He was born in Ireland in 1825 and immigrated to Toronto in 1845. His first employment was assisting his uncle james collecting tolls on the roads along the lakeshore leading to and from their little town. in 1859, the young man married Janet Triller (Triller Avenue in Parkdale is named for her family) and in 1871 was appointed to her majesty's Customs Service. A year later, in one fo the great Toronto real estate deals of all time, he purchased the large estate of Colonel Dunn of the 100th Regiment that stretched from today's Dowling Avenue west to Roncesvalles for $200 an acre. He spent te rest of his life in comfort, selling of parcels of the land as the town of parkdale grew, eventually becoming part of the city in 1889. Beaty Avenue is named for this gentleman who died at his residence, 1499 Queen Street West on November 10, 1908.

Peter Van Every at Christ Church (Anglican) Cemetery at Etobicoke

2009-07-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

The Van Every family was one of the old Mimico families. They sailed from Holland to New York in 1652. After the American Revolution, the family settled in the Niagara area. In 1816, young Peter Van Every married Agnes Barry. her parents gave them a farm on the west side of Royal York Road, extending from the lake to the future railway line. They moved into an old log house, made from the farm productive, had eight children, and played a role in the community. About 1838, the Van Every's built a fine stone house on the north side of lake Shore Boulvebard. It became the Crofton Villa tearoom. It was demolished in the 1950's to make way for the construction of apartment buildings.

(now flat on the ground)
in memory of
Peter Van Every
who departed this life
march 3, 1873
aged 80 years
(illegible 2 line verse)

John Grubb (Founder of Northern Etobicoke), St. Phillips Cemetery in Etobicoke

2009-07-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

John Grubb brought his large family to Canada in 1831 when the great depression struck Scotland. In Edinburgh he had been the well paid city police commissioner and had also considerable revenue from the 14 or 15 homes that he had owned. Upon arriving he purchased two large tracts of land. One farm was on the west branch of the Humber and included a great deal what in now "Old Thistletown."

John Grubb built one of the finest homes of rugged riverstones in the district on his elmbank property. The large gracious house had a fireplace in each room on the ground floor. A few feet away (and at one time connected by subterrenean and above ground passages) were the equally fine servant's quarters. Now, as the two lovely, seperate homes they stills tand at 19 & 20 Jason Road.

John Grubb was born in St. Andrews Scotland and so named the new settlement after his birth place. When he first came to Etobicoke in the 30's the Albio Road was partly dirt and partly carduray or logs. Hi visualized a thriving settlement to come and in 1841, he helped organize the western plank road and in 1846, the Albion plank Road Association. He represented Etobicoke on the Home District Council. He also built a distillery on the banks of the west side of the Humber.

had to use cemetery records to find out what the tombstones says, the lettering is very weathered.

(east side)
Scared
to
the memory of
John Grubb, Esq.
who died at
Elm Bank, Etobicoke
June 27, A.D. 1850
aged 67 years
died at Elm Bank
August 1st 1862
Jabbet Bain.
Wife of the above
aged 75 years.

(west side)
In Loving of
William C. Grubbe
Braeburn, Etobicoke
Oct. 16, 1846
July 3, 1934
and his wife
Charlotte Cornwall
Sept. 10, 1854
June 9, 1934
and their daughter
Helen Janet Grubbe
Aug. 27, 1876
Sept. 29, 1963
Grubbe (on base)

(North Side)
To
the memory of
Andrew Grubb
who died
February 11, 1859
aged 34 years
Jessie
Died may 20, 1880
aged 54 years
Mary
Wife of William Grubb
died July 8, 1883
aged 78 years
To the memory of
William Grubb
of Elm Bank, who died
Dec. 3rd 1889
aged 78 years.

(south side
To
the memory of
William Crossley
son of
John A. & Issabella
Donaldson
who died
December 25, 1855
aged 11 years.

History of Bingham Family Cemetery in Etobicoke

2009-07-06T16:50:00.001-07:00

The Bingham Family Cemetery was located on the corner of Rathburn and Martingrove Roads, south of Mimico Creek. THe municipal designation is part of lot 12, Concession 1, fronting the Humber River, City of Etobicoke, (formerly Borough of Etobicoke).

This was a family burial ground established in 1843. It was closed in 1973 due to road widening and the graves were moved to Riverside Cemetery, 2300 Lawerence Ave west at Royal York Road. The graves are situated at the fence on Royal York Road, in line with Row #22, Section E.

There were only seven persons transferred to Riverside Cemetery: Mary and Andrew Bingham, Elizabeth Bingham, three children and an unknown adult, who might have been an hired man. Descendants of Andrew Bingham include Agars, but there is no record of any Agars in the Bingham Cemetery.

Andrew Bingham
died
Apr. 6, 1843
75 y's. & 7 mo.
Mary his wife
died Feb. 27. 1853.
64 y's
(illegible verse)

Footstones: AB/?B EB/JB

Elizabeth
wife of
(?) Bingham
died Aug. 12 1851
aged 25 y'rs.
& 11 mo.
Weep not for me my husband dear
I am not dead but sleeping here
My debt is paid my grave you see
Prepare in time to follow me.

Eight long years we lived in love, three
infant babes Elizabeth bore which
with her doth lie till christ shall say
arise and come to heaven.

Reverend William Arthur Johnson buried at St. Phillip's Cemetery in Etobicoke

2009-07-04T12:21:00.001-07:00

Church of England clergyman, biologist, and educator; b. 10 March 1816 at or near Bombay, India, the second son of Lieutenant-Colonel John Johnson and Dederika Memlingh; m. in the parish of Dunn, Upper Canada, 13 Dec. 1836, Laura Eliza Jukes; d. in Yorkville (now in Toronto, Ont.), 29 Dec. 1880.

Colonel Johnson retired from active service in 1819. His son William Arthur was educated at Addiscombe Military College at Croydon, near London, England. He was destined for the army, but abandoned that career, and in 1835 migrated with his father to Upper Canada to a settlement being formed near Port Maitland.

In his early twenties William Johnson became aware of the pressing need for Church of England clergymen in the colony. In 1848, when he was living in Yorkville, he was interviewed by Bishop John Strachan*. Strachan considered him “a very fine lad,” and encouraged him to attend the Diocesan Theological Institution at Cobourg where A. N. Bethune was principal. Johnson did so, was ordained deacon on 26 Oct. 1851, and admitted to the priesthood on 10 Oct. 1852.

Meanwhile, in 1848, Dr James Bovell had arrived in Toronto from the West Indies to practice medicine. Possibly he and Johnson had previously known each other for on 3 Sept. 1848 Bovell stood godfather to Johnson’s second son, Arthur Jukes, and his third son was named James Bovell. Both men were skilled in the use of the microscope, and had similar interests, including religion; their close friendship continued for the rest of their lives.

After his ordination as deacon Johnson was appointed officiating minister at Scarborough. The next year he was sent to Cobourg, and remained there until March 1855. Returning to Yorkville, he assisted the minister of St Paul’s, John George Delhoste MacKenzie, and agreed to act as assistant minister for one year. His appointment as minister of St Paul’s was discussed but a few members of the congregation threatened to leave if Johnson was retained. An appeal was made to Bishop Strachan, who recommended that Johnson withdraw and appointed him incumbent of Weston. Johnson’s removal to the village of Weston might be considered a demotion, but it afforded him scope to develop the talents by which he is chiefly remembered: the founding in 1865 of a well-known Canadian residential school, Trinity College School; and the guiding of one of its pupils, William (later Sir William) Osler*, into the field of scientific research.

In the early 1860s Johnson, with three sons to educate, started a small school for boys in Weston, at his own expense. In 1864 he proposed that it be placed under the control of the University of Trinity College and be known as the Trinity College School. Trinity agreed, appointed a headmaster, Charles Howard Badgley, and left Johnson to be responsible for the finances. The school, opened in May 1865 with nine pupils, was modelled on an English public school: the main subjects were classics and mathematics, and prefects were appointed from among the senior boys. Johnson taught French, drawing, and painting, without remuneration. The most popular sport was cricket.

Johnson’s connection with the school was brief, ending in 1868 when the school was moved to Port Hope. The number on the roll from 1865 to 1869 was 131. The medical director of the school was Bovell, and he and Johnson, usually accompanied by William Osler who was one of the prefects, spent parts of many weekends at Weston collecting and mounting specimens for microscopic study. Throughout his life, Osler acknowledged that a large part of his success was due to the influence and friendship of Bovell and Johnson.

Johnson was also a hard-working and devoted pastor, and won the respect and affection of the majority of his congregations. However, because of his ritualistic views and practices he incurred the hostility of a small but vocal and determined number. For his part Johnson was outspoken and as determined as his opponents; he appears to have enjoyed the controversies which were occasioned by what his bishop called “errors in judgment.”

Both Johnson’s parents were artists of some note, and his inheritance of their artistic ability may be seen from his paintings, sketches, and wood-carving. A cabinet, Johnson’s handiwork, containing a large number of his slides, is on view in the Academy of Medicine in Toronto.

Times Are Tough When Buried On A Hill In St. James Cemetery Part 1

2009-07-04T11:32:00.001-07:00

Spent a few hours this past week taking photo's and researching a few graves in St. James Cemetery for future posts on this blog. One thing that really stuck out to me was this hill on the north side of the cemetery. Grave dating as far back as late 1890's are found on this hill, and slowly the tombstones are falling due to erosion. This cemetery and including this section of the cemetery is full of history. Letting stones topple down the hill should not happen, the should be preserved for future generations of family member or historians. I know this an age of old debate, if the are restored who is gonna pay for it. The family that owns the plot, or the cemetery, maybe the city or the state? Yes politics will always take part in debates like this. But it is a shame to watch history like this over the years disappear.

Part 2 of this blog post
History of St. James Cemetery

all images taken by me.

In a few years this will topple over.

Times Are Tough When Buried On A Hill In St. James Cemetery Part 2

2009-07-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

Part 1 to this blog post

images taken by me

Canada Day Week - Important People in Canada Spotlight - Sir William Pearce Howland

2009-07-01T05:55:00.000-07:00

William Pearce Howland's Quaker ancestors settled in New England in the early 17th century. Howland was educated in Kinderhook, New York, and he moved to Upper Canada in 1830 after living for a time on Carleton Island in the St. Lawrence River. He began his business apprenticeship as a clerk in a general store, and developed his commercial interests throughout the 1840s. By the end of the 1850s, Howland was one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Canada West, with business assets throughout Toronto and the surrounding region. He had several children over the course of three marriages -- first to Marianne Blyth, who died in 1860; next to Susanna Julia Shrewsbury, who died in 1886; and finally to Elizabeth Mary Rattray.

both by PhylG

Howland submitted citizenship papers in 1841, around the same time that he began to take an active role in public affairs. He was a prominent spokesperson for the Reform movement, and worked with George Brown to advance the cause of Clear Grit reformers. His administrative role within the party and his contribution to the Reform Convention held in Toronto in 1857 established his political credentials. That same year, he was elected to the Canadian Legislative Assembly as the representative of York West, and he was involved in the government that lasted only two days under Brown and Antoine-Aimé Dorion.

After his re-election in 1861, Howland found himself back in government under John Sandfield Macdonald and Louis-Victor Sicotte. He served as minister of finance from 1862 to 1863, and was serving as the receiver general when the government resigned in 1864.

Before the end of the year Howland was asked to join Brown in John A. Macdonald's coalition government. He served as postmaster general until 1866, when he became finance minister. In 1865 and 1866 he accompanied Alexander Tilloch Galt, William Alexander Henry and Albert James Smith on unsuccessful missions to Washington to renew the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854. In 1867 he participated in the London Conference, and as the representative of York West in the Canadian House of Commons he served as the minister of Inland Revenue. Howland soon added imperial honours to this list of achievements, as he was appointed to the Privy Council and made a Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

By me

In 1868 he was appointed lieutenant-governor of Ontario. In that position he participated in the foundation of many provincial institutions, and also helped to raise a volunteer militia in 1870 in response to the actions of Louis Riel's provisional government at Red River. After Howland retired from politics in 1873, he remained an influential public figure as a board member for provincial commissions and financial institutions.

both by me

Canada Day Week - Important People in Canada Spotlight - William Lyon Mackenzie King

2009-06-30T11:39:00.000-07:00

William Lyon Mackenzie King was born in Berlin (later renamed Kitchener), Ontario in 1874. His father was a lawyer and his maternal grandfather was William Lyon Mackenzie, leader of the 1837 Rebellion in Upper Canada. From an early age, King identified with his grandfather, an association that influenced him throughout his political life.

King studied economics and law at the University of Toronto and the University of Chicago. After graduating with an M.A. in 1897, he pursued his studies at Harvard. In 1900, he entered the civil service and became Deputy Minister of the new Department of Labour. King joined the Liberal party and won a seat in the 1908 election. The following year he was appointed Minister of Labour in Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier's Cabinet.

After he lost his seat in the 1911 election, King worked as a labour consultant for the Rockefeller Foundation in the United States. He ran and lost again in the 1917 election. Unlike most English-speaking Liberals, he stood by Laurier in opposition to conscription.

In 1919, King was elected leader of the Liberal party in the first leadership convention held in Canada. The party was still bitterly divided, with some Liberals in the Union government and some in Opposition. King's stand on conscription two years before won him the loyalty of Quebec. Furthermore his skills as a conciliator were well developed by his labour experience and he put them to good use rebuilding the party. The Liberals won the 1921 election.

The contentious issue of King's first term of office was tariffs and freight rates. King reduced them, but not enough to satisfy the prairie farmers, who gave their support to the Progressives, a new political party formed to represent their interests. After the 1925 election, King could maintain his majority only with their support. The Liberals lost a vote of confidence the following year. The Governor General refused King's request to dissolve Parliament and called on Arthur Meighen, Leader of the Opposition to form the government. However, this lasted only four days, until King called for a vote on the constitutional right of Meighen to govern. The Conservatives lost the vote and an election was called.

Despite a recently uncovered scandal involving the Liberal Minister of Customs, King and his party won the 1926 election. He took advantage of the prosperity of the late 1920s to reduce the war debt and to introduce an old-age pension scheme. Although the Liberals lost the 1930 election, it was to their benefit in the long run. The worst years of the Depression were associated with the Conservatives. The Liberals were reinstated in government in 1935.

King led the nation through the Second World War, during which Canada contributed food supplies, financial aid, the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, ships, aircraft, tanks and over a million Canadian troops to the Allied cause. The close friendship of King with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President F. D. Roosevelt was one of the cornerstones of the Allied effort. One of the secrets of King's success as a leader was his ability to recognize the talents of his party members. He filled his Cabinet with extremely capable men and delegated to them the authority to carry out their tasks.

National unity was King's most important goal. He recognized that this did not mean forcing all Canadians to espouse one single vision, but accommodating a multitude of differing, and sometimes conflicting, viewpoints. It was this wisdom and his ability to compromise that allowed King to successfully negotiate the issue of conscription in 1944 and avoid the divisiveness of 1917.

As part of his ideals on social reform, King introduced unemployment insurance in 1940 and family allowance in 1944. Perhaps the most significant indication of King's success as prime minister is the fact that upon his retirement in 1948, his successor, Louis St. Laurent, won an election the following year and kept the Liberals in power for another eight years. Politics had been King's life and an exhausting one at that; he died in 1950, less than two years after retiring. He is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.

images expect for black and white image were taken by me.

Canada Day Week - Important People in Canada Spotlight - James Cockburn - St. James Cemetery

2009-06-29T06:59:00.000-07:00

All Tombstones images by me.

COCKBURN, JAMES, lawyer, businessman, and politician; b. 13 Feb. 1819 at Berwick upon Tweed, England, son of James Cockburn, a merchant, and Sarah Turnbull; m. 14 Dec. 1854 Isabella Susan Patterson (d. 1862), and they had three children; d. 14 Aug. 1883 at Ottawa, Ont.

James Cockburn’s family was of Scottish Presbyterian origin although Cockburn himself was a member of the Church of England by the 1860s. He received his early education at a grammar school in Berwick upon Tweed. In 1832 he came with his family, which seems to have had some financial resources, to Montreal, Lower Canada, where his father died of cholera in the same year. Sarah Cockburn then moved her family to York (Toronto), Upper Canada, and in 1832–33 James continued his education at Upper Canada College.

Cockburn began to study law in 1841 and was admitted to the bar in 1846. He then moved to Cobourg and in July of that year began to practise in partnership with D’Arcy Edward Boulton. Cockburn was also involved in other business activities in Cobourg and the surrounding area. In 1856 he was employing men for the construction of a dam, slide, booms, and piers at Campbellford on the Trent River and he was also the Cobourg agent for the Colonial Life Assurance Company. From 1864 to 1870 he acted as mortgage and land agent for Richard John Cartwright*.

Meanwhile Cockburn’s legal practice was declining. In 1863 he had been appointed a qc and the following year was elected a bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada. By then, however, he was involved in politics and these accolades were probably more political than professional honours; he was not a prominent lawyer. His business affairs also ran into difficulties. In 1864 he tried to borrow money on the security of his Cobourg properties but land values had fallen sharply. By 1866 he was virtually bankrupt and he was never able to restore his financial position. In 1869, admitting that his legal career was in jeopardy, he explained his plight to Cartwright: “I have come to grief and have been made to feel very poor and very penniless. . . . I am trying to work up my professional practice again, but it needs time, and time though it may heal will also kill.”

Cockburn was more successful in politics. He served on the Cobourg Town Council in 1855–56 and in 1859. In 1861 he successfully contested Northumberland West against Sidney Smith, postmaster general in the government of George-Étienne Cartier* and John A. Macdonald*. Cockburn was described by Macdonald in 1861 as “a Tory of the old school. In fact, [you] might say he belonged to the old fossil party – a Tory of the old Family Compact . . . .” Promising in the campaign that “If elected my vote shall be given unhesitatingly against [the ministry] on every question involving want of confidence,” Cockburn endorsed representation by population and sought unity of political opinion in Canada West in order to accomplish for it “the objectives we frequently desire.” Although he voted in favour of the government’s militia bill, on which the Cartier–Macdonald ministry was defeated in May 1862, he explained that this support was not an expression of “his confidence” in Macdonald. He endorsed portions of the policy of the new administration formed by John Sandfield Macdonald* and Louis-Victor Sicotte but never committed himself to the Reform ministry. After his election by acclamation in 1863 he emerged as a supporter of John A. Macdonald and remained a Liberal-Conservative for the rest of his career. On 30 March 1864 he was appointed solicitor general in the government of Étienne-Paschal Taché* and John A. Macdonald.

Cockburn was not a distinguished parliamentarian nor was he an important regional politician. He administered his portfolio in a routine manner, and attended to the patronage problems of his constituents. With the instability of union politics, which meant frequent change in cabinets, men such as Cockburn who would otherwise have remained obscure rose to ministerial rank. Cockburn had the good fortune to be in office when the “Great Coalition” was formed in 1864 [see George Brown*] and as a minister of the government became a delegate to the Quebec conference. His contributions to the proceedings and to the subsequent debates on confederation in the Legislative Assembly were negligible. Nevertheless, “an inferior man,” as Alexander Mackenzie* privately called him, is remembered as a father of confederation.

Cockburn was elected by acclamation to the first federal parliament in 1867. There was no place for him in the cabinet; as compensation he was chosen speaker of the House of Commons. Leading Liberals held the first speaker in low regard and his inability to speak French was resented by some members from Quebec. In 1873, however, he was re-elected to the post. His fortunes declined rapidly after the fall of the Macdonald government in November 1873. He lost Northumberland West in 1874 and was unsuccessful in Northumberland East in a by-election later that year. He moved his family to Ottawa to re-establish himself as a lawyer. The Toronto Daily Mail claimed that he built “a good practice in the Supreme Court,” but he remained destitute. In 1878 he secured the Conservative nomination in Northumberland West after a bitter struggle and won a narrow victory in the general election of that year. However, his political career was virtually over. Cockburn was seriously ill after 1878; his major interest was in securing a patronage post to obtain financial security for himself and his children. In 1871 he had tried to persuade Macdonald to appoint him lieutenant governor of British Columbia. He asked for the speakership again in 1878 and was refused. In 1881 Macdonald finally employed the sick and worried man on the consolidation of the statutes. Cockburn pursued the task informally until ill health forced him to resign his seat on 15 Nov. 1881. He was immediately appointed to the commission for the codification of dominion statutory law. By 1882 Cockburn was too ill to leave his lodgings, but he continued to press Macdonald for patronage until his death.

In the memory of the honourable

James W. Cockburn

Born At Berwick-Upon-Tweed

on the 13th Feb 1819

Representative of the west riding of Northcumberland

In the Legislative Assembly from 1861 to 1867

Member of the same riding in the House of Commons

1867 to 1874 and from 1878 to 1881

First Speaker of the House

From 1867 to 1874

Died Ottawa 14th Aug. 1883

Isabella Patterson

Beloved Wife of James W. Cockburn

Born - Halifax N.S.

Died - York Mills Ont. 29th April 1862

This stone erected 1967

by his three surviving grandchildren

replacing the original which has become badly eroded

History Of St. James Cemetery - Toronto Oldest Operating Cemetery

2009-06-29T06:34:00.000-07:00

by PhylG

In 1832, the town of muddy York was little more than a large village, with a population of just over 9,000 souls. Almost all the population lived within a 10 minute walk of the shore of
Lake Ontario - over those famous muddy roads. Within a dozen years, in 1844, the population had grown to over 18,000 and had incorporated as the City of Toronto. The original St. James cemetery, adjacent to the Cathedral at King and Church streets in downtown Toronto, originally
granted in 1797, was becoming too crowded, and the decision was taken to open the ‘new' St. James Cemetery.

With considerable foresight, the Church administration examined the options, and decided to
open a much larger cemetery, far outside the boundaries of the town. They looked as far to the
north as the famous Ravine, which was the natural boundary. Since it was a couple of miles
beyond most of the homes and shops, surrounded by family farms, acres of silent sky and the
Don River, the Church selected a large plot on the hill overlooking the Ravine to be its Cemetery,
and opened the operation in 1844.

by Proliphic

St. James Cemetery and Crematorium is now the oldest continually operating cemetery in the
City of Toronto. Passed every day by thousands of commuters and residents, St. James' beautiful setting can almost let it be passed unnoticed. The ‘end of the town' is now the major intersection of Parliament and Bloor - right at the edge of the business district. Along the
Parliament Street side, there is a long high fence of stone and wrought iron. On Bloor, only a short stretch shows before the beginning of the Viaduct bridge. Any one of the apartment buildings that border the cemetery could contain more people than were in the entire City of Toronto at its founding, and yet many who pass every day are completely unaware that within that fence lie some of Toronto's and indeed Canada's most famous citizens, as well as one of the busiest Crematoriums in Ontario.

Now, after almost 160 years, St. James is being completely modernized, and prepared for the
next 100 years. Here among some of the oldest and most famous personages of Ontario, a 140
year old Chapel serves the families of St. James as a consecrated place for services, as well as
housing Ontario's second busiest Crematorium in the ground level. Along with a full review of management and procedures, a complete overhaul and renovation of the Chapel has taken place under the supervision of Dave Balfour, an independent business consultant. The Chapel of St. James'-The-Less was opened on the site in 1861, only 17 years after the opening of the Cemetery.

by johnfitzgerald

In 1948, the Crematorium was added. Open to the outdoors at the rear of the Chapel, the crematorium is a natural extension of the services offered in the Chapel. Over the years, St. James' Crematorium has become the second busiest crematorium in Ontario, with over 73,000
cremations performed since it opened. In the intervening 55 years, techniques and consumer
expectations have changed, and St. James has kept up with demands. They offer a range of products, including urns and accessories, and have developed an extensive service for out-of-town and even out-of-country shipments. Over the years, the continued
operation of the crematorium has contributed to the darkening of the wood and exterior of the
Chapel building.

by Patrick Chondon

One of the first projects was the complete shutdown of the crematorium, while the entire lower
level of the chapel was emptied, cleaned, and renovated to make delivery and service much more convenient. At the same time, the chapel itself was temporarily closed, all the hangings and
furniture removed, and the entire interior restored to its original glory, along with necessary
repairs and maintenance to the exterior of the building. Even the stained glass windows were
completely removed and cleaned by specialists before re-installation. At the same time, a study and reorganization of the methods and procedures used in the Offices has been completed. Processes have been revised and streamlined, and Stone Orchard's new software adopted to maintain the records and streamline the Sales process. Images of fragile old documents have been scanned to make access fast and easy while allowing the original documents to be safely stored.

Physical changes involved the welcome installation of plumbing in the crematorium as well as
new wiring, and the installation of a permanent high speed link for computer systems. The
operators in the crematorium can now access the records directly, and enter their own
information - a huge savings in time and convenience for staff, and better service for the funeral
homes and private clients of the crematorium.

both above images by stark_core

New plots for interfaith couples - but not enough

2009-06-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

Ferne and Ron Page share a lot of things: their pet dog Oliver, trips to the flea market and visits to the local synagogue.

But the Toronto couple married 25 years ago figuring they wouldn't be sharing one thing: a gravesite.

According to the laws of her religion, Ms. Page, who is an observant Jew, can't be buried in a traditional Jewish cemetery beside her husband, who hasn't converted to Judaism and doesn't plan to.

The thought of being buried in separate places was something the couple had accepted, but only grudgingly.

"We've been together for so long. I think as part of the life we've lived together, we'd like to be buried together," said Ms. Page, 66.

This week, she found out they may get that chance. Toronto's Temple Sinai, a Reformist synagogue where Ms. Page sometimes brings her 67-year-old husband, announced it purchased a plot of land in the Lambton Mills Cemetery where it will offer 130 sites for intermarried couples in its congregation.

It's a move meant to promote inclusiveness in a congregation with more and more interfaith couples, Senior Rabbi Michael Dolgin said.

"It was only appropriate to create a place for these people who choose to live their lives affiliated with the Jewish community," he said.

But other couples across Canada may not be so fortunate.

Figures from the 2001 census show there are approximately 175,200 Canadian couples in which one partner is Jewish and the other isn't. For years, the spouses were buried either separately or in secular cemeteries.

Interfaith burial sites have emerged as a place where mixed-marriage families could be buried together without breaking the rules of the liberal Jewish faith, which asserts that a Jewish person can be buried close to someone who is not Jewish, but a certain distance from them, and only if the plot is owned by the Jewish person and there is a proper Jewish burial, Rabbi Dolgin said.

It's a solution driven by the shift toward intermarriage in Judaism, said Martin Lockshin, a professor of Jewish studies at York University and an ordained Orthodox rabbi.

"There's an interesting new phenomenon of people marrying out, but still considering themselves Jewish and proud of their Jewish identity and staying involved in the Jewish community," he said.

"This cohort hasn't existed before."

As that cohort swells to an estimated 50 per cent of Jews in the United States, Jewish cemeteries in most big cities there have created interfaith sections.

But the concept has yet to make significant inroads in Canada, said Rabbi David Mivasair of Ahavat Olam Synagogue in Vancouver. He's been trying to secure B.C.'s first interfaith burial plot, but has yet to raise enough money and support.

Each Jewish cemetery in Canada has its own bylaws and governs whether it will allow for a section of the cemetery for only half-Jewish couples, which makes them hard to track.

"Generally the people who build and manage and control synagogues and cemeteries tend to be those people with the strongest attachment to our culture, our religion, our traditions," Rabbi Mivasair said. "They're most likely last to change."

The topic is not raised in most Orthodox and conservative sects because it violates Jewish law, said Rabbi Basil Herring, executive vice-president of the Rabbinical Council of America.

"If they were to bury that non-Jewish person outside the fence, that would be acceptable for the most part, but not within the confines of the cemetery," he said.

Rabbi Dolgin began looking for a site after being approached by three members of his congregation within six months. But it took seven years to nail down a spot - the Temple Sinai committee was turned down by a few Toronto Jewish cemeteries before Lambton Mills, a non-sectarian Jewish cemetery, sold them land, he said.

No symbolism from other religions will be allowed on Temple Sinai plots; nor can a leader from another religion officiate a funeral there, in keeping with the Jewish laws, he added.

That's fine for Judith Miller and her non-Jewish husband Clinton, who plan to buy a plot in the Lambton cemetery.

"It's important to me to think I now can be buried next to my husband," she said, envisioning a dual plot with the Star of David on her stone and plain lettering on her husband's.

Ms. Page is relieved to know she and her husband will be together in the grave without breaking the tenets of her religion.

"We'd been together through the good times and bad times," Ms. Page said. "I want to continue to bug him throughout eternity."

source: Globeandmail.com

Sharing Some Old St. James Cemetery Pics

2009-06-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

Cleaning out some of my very first pictures, and decided to post some of them here:

Rev. Thomas Phillips at St. Phillip's Cemetery

2009-06-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

Rev. Thomas Phillips, D.D., first Vice-Principal of Upper Canada College, was the first incumbent of St. Phillip's and rector of Christ Church, Mimico. He died in 1849 and is buried beneath the communion table of the St. Phillip's church. A tablet hangs on the outer wall of the church in his memory. He was the founder and organizer of St. Phillip's Parish.

To read the History of St. Phillip's Cemetery go here.

Plaque on South wall of the Church

"Under this chancel rest the remains of the
Reverend Thomas Phillips, D.D. 1781 - 1849
First Incumbent of this Parish
One time Chaplain of
The House of Assembly
One time Headmaster of The
District Grammar School at York
First Vice-President of
Upper Canada College and of
Elizabeth (broken here)
(Elizabeth Hannah)
his wife
who died
October 17, 1784:
aged 90 years 5 mo's
& 8 days

History of Saint Phillip's Cemetery In Etobicoke

2009-06-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

St. Philip's Churchyard Cemetery is located at 29 St. Phillip's Road. The municipal designation is part part of lot 22, Conc. 20, formerly the Township of Etobicoke. The area was closely aligned with the Town of Weston. Those wishing to visit would find this site located at the north-east corner of St. Phillips and Dixon Roads.

The church was originally established in 1828 in Weston. The first frame church building was constructed in 1831 on one acre of land donated by Thomas and Edward Musson. The property surrounding the church was to be used as a burial ground.

The St. Phillip's church yard was formally consecrated by the Bishop of Toronto, the Right Reverend John Strachan, in 841. However there is evidence from the parish records and the tombstones that burials had occurred much earlier. Some of these records suggest that the cemetery was in use as early as 1825. The cemetery is still active and is administered by St. Phillip's Anglican Church.

In 1857 Thomas Musson and his wife, Ann Smart, gave an additional one and one-half acres to enlarge the burial grounds. The wooden church burned to the ground in 1875 and the congregation was forced to attend St. John's in Weston until the new brick building was completed on the original site in 1894. In 1876 Edward J. Musson and his wife, Mary Jane Taylor, sold one-quarter acre to the parish for $50.00, to provide grounds for a church shed.

The original part of the churchyard was laid out in a grid pattern with drives and walks to separate the tiers of plots. Most of this pattern is not visible today.

In 1935 William Rein Wadsworth offered, for $1.00, the parcel of land that lay between St. Phillip's Churchyard and Dixon Road to be used to enlarge the cemetery. This land was consecrated in 1953 by Bishop Beverly. The land was called the "Wadsworth Annex" as a memorial to William Rein Wadsworth the First.

Map from Ontario Genealogical Society Toronto Branch

Old Mount Pleasant Cemetery Images

2009-06-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

just some of my very early Mount Pleasant Cemetery Images:

George Shaver Family History and Tombstones at Islington Burying Ground.

2009-06-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

To fully understand this article you may want to read older posts: the first one describes the history of Islington Burying Ground and the second one describes Peter Shaver and his family.

All Tombstone Images are mine, the rest will have credits under them.

Islington United Church by Grant MacDonald

George Shaver, Peter Shaver's brother bought a farm lying to the east of what now is 427, and extending from bloor street to Burnhamthorpe Road, was partially cleared when he bought it. later, George purchased 40 acres south of Bloor Street in his own name, and 100 acres to the east in the name of his son Charles. george Shaver married Isabel hess, who died in 1844. They had nine children. His second wife was Margaret Markle. George is associated with the founding of two Methodist churches in the Dundas Street area; Islington in 1843 (later Islington United) and Lambton in 1845 (later Kingsway-Lambton). Although George never lived at Applewood, he is important to the story because his descendants lived in applewood for many years. George Shaver was also trustee of the Islington Buring Ground startin 1849, the cemetery that he is currently buried in.

sources: Applewood: A Historic Etobicoke
Etobicoke Historic Society
Toronto Public Library References

In the late 1980's a restoration project saw many of the old and broken stones removed from their bases and inset into two stone walls for preservation.

In Memory of
George Shaver
who died
Sep 29 1886;
in the 84 year
(of his) age
"Blessed are the
dead which die in
the Lord"

Georges 1st wife:
Scared
to the memory of
Isabella,
wife of
George Shaver,
who died
Jan.y 9th 1844
Aged 36 years.

Georges 2nd wife:
In memory of
Margaret Markle
beloved wife of
George shaver,
died
January 30th, 1881
aged 65 years & 19 days
Friends nor
physicans could not
save
This mortal body
from the grave
confine it here,
When Christ doth bid
it to appear.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Few odds and ends that a few might find interesting:

Isn't It Ironic (update)

2009-06-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

just wanted to add updated and more images to an old post. So far I have not found any info on this family but when i do you know i will post it.

John William Gamble - Christ Church Cemetery in Etobicoke

2009-06-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

See History of Christ Church Cemetery of Etobicoke Posting go here.

Mimico is a Mississauga Inaduan word meaning "Place of the Wild Pigeon". One of the pigeons' favorite haunts was Mimico Creek, with its marshes and nearby hardwood and evergreen trees, Alder catkins were among their foods. Early pioneers remarked how large flocks were, how they were caught in nets, knocked down with long sticks or fell a dozen at a time with a single musket shot. Mrs. Simcoe's diary told how breasts and wings were salted down in barrels, providing delicious food at any time.

king mill by SkylineMarc

It could be said that Mimico began with john William Gamble and the parish of Christ Church. J. W Gamble was born in 1798 at the garrison at York. His father was Dr. John Gamble, Surgeon of the Queen's Rangers. Until 1827, John WIlliam operated a store on King Street in York, first with brother-in-law William Allen, then later with his younger brother William Gamble. William Gamble eventually acquired the King's Mill on the Humber at Bloor Street, and was the first Reeve of Etobicoke in 1850.

old mill bridge by KLGRAY

In 1822 John William Gamble married Mary, daughter of Dr. James Macaulay and built a home on a little wooded knoll, on the east bank of the mimico creek near the lake. The next year, he built a sawmill on the west bank, with a dam, near today's CNR bridge. John William Gamble became a Magistrate in 1827, and was a Chairman of the General Quarter Sessions of the Home Dostrict from 1836 to 1842. After Mackenzie's 1837 Rebellion, Surveyor David Gibson was expelled from Parliament as a rebel, and Gamble took his seat. The Quebec Gazette reported "in the First Riding of York, supporters of Reformer James Hervey Price wore white armbands and carried pistols to combat Tory followers of John William Gamble.

Old mill by viviloob

In Parliament, Gamble was a supporter of Premier Sir Allen Macnab, obtaining charters for the Great Western Railway and the Hamilton and Toronto Railway. From 1842 to 1849 he was on the Home District Council as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Education. John William Gamble first represented Etobicoke, but later Vaughen when he moved to Woodbridge and established a flour mill, sawmill, distillery, and cloth factory at Pine Grove. He also helped establish the Bank of Toronto.

Sources: History of Etobicoke
Etobicoke Historical Society
Dictionary of Canadian Biography

The Following Tombstones have been restored on one base:

(all tombstone images taken by me)

John William Gamble
died at Woodbridge
Dec 12, 1873

Magdalen Gamble
daughter of
John William Gamble

Mary Macaulay
wife of
John William Gamble
died at Mimico
Feb. 22 1833

Ivy Covered Tombstone at St. James Cemetery in Toronto Updated!

2009-06-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

Updating another older post with new images, this is one of my favorite tombstones from St. James Cemetery in downtown Toronto. Currently researching records for this cemetery, one of the few cemeteries that i have very little records for. Inscription on the tombstone is covered by Ivy, and the family name at the bottom of the stone is half covered as well:

Peter & Ester Shaver, Islington Burying Ground

2009-06-22T06:17:00.000-07:00

Eatonville was a farming area. It could be said that its "Swamp School" brought the community together. Peter Shaver (originally Schaeffer) bought his 100 acre Applewood Farm on the west side of Brown's Line (now Highway 427) between Burnhamthorpe and Rathburn Roads in 1830. The lot to the south, from Burnhamthorpe to Bloor Street was a leased Clergy Reserve lot and Peter Shaver was permitted to buy it. Before he made the final payment he donated the site for a school on the north side of Bloor just west of Brown's Line to the Home District Council. This was for Etobicoke's School Section #2 which was very roughly from Kipling Avenue west to Etobicoke Creek and from Rathburn to The Queensway. School Section #1 was Mimico, #3 was Lambton, #4 Richview.
Islington came later as #8.

Peter Shaver gave the site to trustees Newman Silverthorn, John Wood and Charles Shaver on December 16, 1845 while Joseph Ward and J. Elliott were witnesses. A small log school was erected and then clapboards applied to the outside. Henry Martin , an artist of note, was one of the first teachers. In 1857 Alex Macpherson was hired as teacher and stayed until 1864 when he was appointed Etobicoke's clerk/treasurer. His son John A.L. Macpherson often recalled how the school was practically surrounded by forest, largely elm, beech, maple and cedar. Some of the elms were 3 to 4 feet in diameter with their centres rotted out so children could hide inside. There was a bit of a swamp and lots of frogs.

The first person we should mention is Peter Shaver, the builder of the house. The eighth child of William and Mary Catherine Schaeffer, he was born in Ancaster, Ontario in 1809. It is believed that the children of William and Mary anglicized the family name to Shaver. It is not known exactly when he came to Etobicoke, however, with one of the first land deeds for the area, 21 year old Peter purchased 100 acres to farm, just north of what is now Burnhamthorpe Road and Highway 427. It was a rather primitive part of Ontario, for all that existed were fields of black walnut trees. Two years later he would marry Esther Vansickle, whose ancestors had come from the Netherlands. They had six children.

Scared to the memory
of
Esther
Wife of Peter Shaver
who departed this life
April 17 1870
(broken Aged?) --
Years
Also the above
Peter Shaver
died March 21, 1890
Aged 81 years
Who bursting in
(heavy damaged on this part of the stone)
their __________ (?)
departed __________(?)
Cleaned from all sin
and pure in heart
The ________ (?)
They ________(?)

sources: Applewood Shaver House Homestead
Etobicoke Historical Society

Tory Family Plot at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Downtown Toronto up-dating post

2009-06-22T06:04:00.000-07:00

Just updating an older post with complete images of all stones from the plot, original post can be found here

Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Burying Ground, Plus History on the Hospital

2009-06-20T16:18:00.007-07:00

Note: Images of the hospital are not mine, and credit given at the bottom of each image. Images of the burying ground were taken by me this afternoon. I am posting the history of the hospital first, to help understand the history of the burying grounds more.

by whiteacre

The Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital was originally a branch of the Provincial Lunatic Asylum at 99 Queen Street West in Toronto, Which opened in 1850. Asylums were for the insane, the elderly and the poor. Urbanization was reducing the farmland on Queen Street and the cows had to go. In 1871, officials began discussing the idea of having a group of cottages built together instead of one big hospital building. The cottage plan had many advantages; it was more homelike and cheerful; it would provide more sunlight and easier ventilation; residents could be segregated according to their needs; less danger in the event of fire or epidemic outbreaks; easier access to the outside for gardening and other work. The Ontario Government approved the cottage plan, which was conceived by Fred Wiles of the Illinois Board of State Charities. Kivas Trully, the Government's Chief Architect and Civil Engineer, had visited the Kankakee Cottages in Illinois.

by asylumbythelake.com

Dr. Daniel K. Clark, on staff at 999 Queen Street, "found" some government land northwest of mimico station, on Royal York Road. It was to have been for the agricultural college, which eventually opened in Guelph Ontario. In 1888, ten patients with two attendants began farming from an old building on the property, which became known as the North Farm.

both by asylumbythelake.com

The Benjamin Goldthorpe farm along the lake was available for purchase in 1888. By May 1889, a dozen patients were living in the first cottage. A system of covered ways ran from each cottage to the central building. The underground passages were provided with railways on which provisions and other needs were carried. Electric wires, water and steam heating pipes were easy to reach.

by City Eyes

In November 1894, the Asylum was proclaimed an independent institution for patientd with all types of mental disorders. patients came from a wide area, including Northern Ontario. Additional land was required in 1903 for the West Farm, with cows pigs, chickens, fruit trees and vegetable farms. Patients grew much of their own food, tended animals and the grounds and even helped construct some of the buildings. The Hospital was closed in 1979 and now the buildings are fully restored as the Humber College's lakeshore Campus.

The Mimico Burying Ground is located on the corner of Evens and Horner. 1511 people are buried at the grounds including 10 babies. Looking around the burying grounds today, I only noticed roughly 50 to 75 tombstones. The grounds are mowed and in great shape, plastic flowers have been placed at each tombstone, and known graves. This cemetery is really a sad place, so many buried here and forgotten by society.

For more detailed history go here to Asylum by the Lake website, they have reprinted permission from Edward Janiszewski, August 2004 on the cemetery history. Also there is an Lakeshore Asylum Cemetery Project who goal is as follows:

In a cemetery at the corner of Evans and Horner in Etobicoke 1,511 forgotten people are buried. These people were patients of Mimico Insane Asylum, later called Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, between 1890 -1974. When the hospital was closed 1979, the cemetery was closed to further interments. The people buried in the cemetery have been forgotten due to the prejudice against people with a psychiatric history. They are forgotten no more.

The Lakeshore Asylum Cemetery Project involves the restoration and maintenance of this cemetery. The work is done by a group of volunteers from the community who have been meeting since January of 2006. Many of the people working on the project have had experiences with the mental health system. The group is dedicated to restoring and maintaining the dignity of those who are buried there.

Little Ironic

2009-06-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

Found these at park lawn Cemetery, unique name to say the least.

Little History of Parklawn Cemetery

2009-06-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

In the heart of the city’s west end is one of Canada’s most historically significant cemeteries. Park Lawn Cemetery & Mausoleum opened in 1892 and is the final resting place for many of Canada’s prominent citizens. With over 73 acres of rolling park-like grounds, it is not just a beautiful cemetery but also a tranquil retreat to visit for a walk; a place for peaceful reflection. The Cemetery is located at 2845 Bloor St. West, Toronto between Old Mill and Royal York Subway Stations.

A little history that has been difficult to find:

Park Lawn Cemetery, extending along side the south side of Bloor Street to Prince Edward Drive, was first called Humbervale Cemetery. Established in the latter years of the 19th Century, it had been operated by a stock company, many of the stockholders being Etobicoke farmers. About 1912 the property was sold, supposedly to be retained as a cemetery and to continue operation as such. The purchaser, however, had other ideas. When plans were being prepared for subdivision, members of the former company took legal action. litigation went on for years and eventually reached the Supreme Court. The final ruling was that its use be restricted to purposes of burial. later it was acquired by a new company and renamed Park Lawn Cemetery . By the purchase from Home Smith of some 50 acres of land contiguous to the cemetery to the south, the Park lawn Cemetery Company considerably enlarged the property.

wiki:

Park Lawn Cemetery is a large cemetery in the western Etobicoke section of Toronto, Canada. It currently has some 22,000 graves. It is managed by the Park Lawn Income Trust, which also runs five other cemeteries in Toronto. Controversy arose in 1995 when the company had rezoned a section of the cemetery to permit construction of a condominium building. While the building was strongly opposed by some who had purchased lots, or had residents buried there, the OMB approved the project.

The cemetery has also twice been attacked by vandals, once in 1990 and again in 2006. Both times several youths were convicted of damaging or toppling several hundred stones.

Among the notable people buried in the cemetery are several major hockey figures including Conn Smythe, Harold Ballard, Lou Marsh, Jack Marks, Butch Keeling, Alex Romeril, Andy Kyle, Glen Brydson, and Busher Jackson. Other people buried there are journalist Gordon Sinclair and politician John MacBeth.

Johnston and Curry at Christ Church Anglican Cemetery

2009-06-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

just a few Headstones from Christ Church Anglican Cemetery, A full history can be found here in an older blog post!

William Johnston
died June 28th, 1881
aged 52 years
Served in Royal Artillery
as Ferrier Sergeant
and his wife Elizabeth
died Sept. 29th, 1913
aged 70 years

In memory of
Samuel E. Curry
Died Dec 23, 1910
aged 37 years
Gone But Not Forgotten

Curry on base of tombstone

Sometimes Headstones Can Be Funny....

2009-06-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

i don't really take photo's of newer headstones, for various reasons. But sometimes one catches my eye that I have to to get an image of, and this is one of them. Located at 1450 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto, Ontario M6E 1C6 416-651-4040

Daniel Fisher Horner (Horner Street is named after him) and McKay at Christ Church Cemetery

2009-06-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the best-known farm in Alderwood was Ashfield between Horner and Evans Avenues east from Brown's Line 3/5ths of the way to Kipling Avenue. It consisted of three 100-acre lots side by side. Archibald Cameron, a Toronto merchant, built the Ashfield manor-house about 1850 which still stands at what is now 183 Beta Avenue. It had 14 rooms and a number of fireplaces,one with a crane from which hung the cooking pot.

As a real estate broker Daniel Fisher Horner discovered the opportunity to buy Ashfield from Cameron who happened to have a financial problem in 1874. Daniel Fisher Horner was elected to Etobicoke Township Council from 1881 to 1884 and again in 1886. In 1891 natural gas was discovered at the Mimico Asylum when sinking a well for fresh water. A new well was sunk at Ashfield and it provided natural gas for lighting and cooking until 1917 when the manor-house was wired for electricity. Son Franklin Horner was a school trustee for 20 years.

source: Etobicoke Historical Society

(same on West & East Side)

Daniel F. Horner
July 4, 1836
Feby. 27, 1910
Elizabeth his wife
Aug. 31 1843
Apr. 6 1914

Footstones: Father - Mother

----------------------------------------------------------------------

. The first recorded gravestone in the cemetery is identifiedas John McKay, a native of Scotland, and his wife, Barbara Murray McKay, who both died in 1832.

(now flat and broken in pieces)
Scared
and
in the memory of
Mr. John McKay
late of Midgarty,
Sutherlandshire, Scotland
who
departed this life
on the 26rh October 1832 aged
64 years aksi if his
affectionate spouse
Mrs. Barbara Murray McKay
who died on the 16th November
1832, aged 54 years
erected by their dutiful
son Robert Mckay, merchant
York, U.C. 1833
(broken footstones) - B.M.Mck., J.Mck.

History of Christ Church Anglican Cemetery

2009-06-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

the following info is before the church burnted down in 2006, and is no longer there.

This cemetery is located at 329 Royal York Rd. (formerly Church St.) in the City of Etobicoke and the municipal designation is East part of Lot D, City of Etobicoke (formerly Town of Mimico)m County of York. It is an active cemetery and is administered by Chirst Church (Mimico) Cemetery Board.

The Parish register was officially opened in 1827, with the first entry being te baptism of four children of the Peeler family and so this date has been accepted as the founding of the Parish.

It is assumed that John William Gamble founded the church, holding services in his home and later in a log school house on Mimico Ave. In 1832 he donated the land fr the establishment of a church and churchyard, ut how much land is not mentioned. In 1833 mr. Gamble had the deed engrossed "to the Honourable Chas. Stewart, Lord Bishop of Quebec, in trust for the inhabitants of Etobicoke."

The first building was constructed on the site of the present church. It was a small frame structure, later moved back on the property to become the Sunday School.

At the January 1834 Vestry Meetng, George Dyer was appointed Sexton and Along with his other duties, he was given the "exclusive right of digging graves, for which he shall charge 5s for each". In 1873 the charge for each grave was increased to $1.50. The first burial was recorded in 1834.

in 1857 Sir James Lukin Robinson donated to the Parish several lots fronting on Windsor St., which is at the rear of the churchyard.

In 1880 the Vestry passed a motion that the vacant land in the churchyard be laid out in plots of five, two and single graves, to be sold for $8.00, $4.00 and $2.00 respectively. In 1882, after a survey, the entire property was divided into blocks and further subdivided into plots. In April 1883, block 39 (14 plots), about 3/4 of the way down the north side of the cemetery, was set aside as an area for free burial to indigent members of the church. Block 2 and 4 (plots 7 and 14) were set aside in the northwest corner, for the burial of non-parishioners, paying the same charge as paid by parishioners. As space declined, the Vestry had to be less generous to strangers ad voted to restrict burials to members of the Chirst Church. This was put into effect about 1892 when a public Burial ground (Park Lawn Cemetery located at Bloor & Prince George intersection) was opened near Atkinson's mill.

A new church building was erected in 1889 and in 1956 a third and present was constructed, but the cemetery remained the same.

At the present time the cemetery is surrounded by on three sides an chain link fence, with gates at the front and rear and is well taken care of by the church cemetery board. A good many large tress and shrubs on the property keep most of it nicely shaded and with a couple of benches for relaxing, make it a very pleasant place to visit.

source: Ontario Genealogical Society

-------------------------------------

City of Toronto update on the property:

Historically, Christ Church Mimico Cemetery reflects the earliest period of settlement at the south end of Etobicoke. The cemetery is an important historical reflection of the parish of Christ Church Mimico, which was founded in 1827 as the third in the Anglican Diocese of Toronto and the eighth oldest in the province. John William Gamble, a prominent miller and one of the first settlers in the district, used his political connections with Upper Canada's ruling elite to secure land for a church and adjoining cemetery in the former King's Mills Reserve along the west bank of the Humber River. Farmers, mill labourers and former soldiers comprised the founding members of the congregation, which expanded in 1852 when the arrival of the Toronto and Hamilton Railway attracted new residents and parishioners. In 1857, Sir James Lukin Robinson, son of the Chief Justice of Upper Canada, donated additional land to enlarge the churchyard. As the community of Mimico grew around the intersection of the railway line and present-day Royal York Road, Christ Church Mimico and its graveyard remained a well-established local landmark.

Christ Church Mimico Cemetery contains the graves of many prominent Etobicoke residents associated with the founding and development of the community. John William Gamble was buried in the cemetery in 1873. A later burial in 1910, Daniel Fisher Horner was a noted Etobicoke realtor, inventor, businessman and politician who resided in a house named "Ashfield" at 183 Beta Avenue, a property that is recognized on the City's heritage inventory. Among the notable local families whose members were buried at Christ Church Mimico Cemetery are the names Appleby, Duck, Hicks, Tremayne and Van Every.

Design or Physical Value:
With the demolition in 2006 of the third Christ Church Mimico (dating to 1956), the gravestones in the cemetery are the remaining physical reminders of the use of the property for over 175 years. In 1989, the Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society documented 124 markers. The first recorded gravestone identified the resting places of John McKay, a native of Scotland, and his wife, Barbara Murray McKay, who both died in 1832.

Take notice that Toronto City Council intends to designate the lands and buildings known municipally as 329 Royal York Road: Christ Church Mimico Cemetery (Ward 5 - Etobicoke-Lakeshore) under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

The property at 329 Royal York Road is worthy of designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value or interest, and meets the criteria prescribed for municipal designation by the Province of Ontario under the three categories of design or physical value, historical or associative value, and contextual value. Located on the west side of Royal York Road, south of the Gardiner Expressway, Christ Church Mimico Cemetery was opened in 1832. According to historical sources compiled by Etobicoke historian, Randall Reid, the property encompasses approximately 500 burials

Random Images From Lambton Mills Jewish Cemetery In Etobicoke

2009-06-12T05:36:00.000-07:00

I am currently researching this cemetery, it is the only cemetery in Etobicoke i don't know much about. It is an very unique cemetery, most of the graves are buried head to toe and the tombstones are very high with little info on them. But be careful in this cemetery alot of these tombstones are tilting and falling down. plus there is alot of vandalism from people who don't share in jewish beliefs. There is knocked over tombstone and some (including children tombstone) have been broken by person unknown. its a shame these things really happen. But overall it is a very beautiful cemetery.

Address: 1293 Royal York Road
(at Centre Drive, south of Eglinton Avenue West)
Telephone: 416-398-0563
Established: 1909
JOWBR records: 3,271 burials
Sections/Synagogues: 14 sections/societies
Administering Organization: Roselawn-Lambton Cemetery Association
63 Alness Street, Toronto, ON M3J 2H2

Montgomery Family Plots - Islington Burying Ground

2009-06-10T05:46:00.000-07:00

Thomas Montgomery (1790 - 1877), was a young man when he emigrated from County Fermanagh, Ireland, early in the 19th century. He brought with him. however a good sense for business, and built the large stone inn on the busy east-west Dundas Highway. The surveyor, David Gibson, noted in his journal for June 15, 1831, "Come to T. Montgomery tavern on Dundas Street. "This is one of the earliest references we have of the inn.

During the surge, of patriotism that followed the Rebellion of 1837, Thomas obtained an officer's commission in the local militia, eventually rising to the rank of Captain. He may have even drilled his men on the property adjoining the inn. Despite his prosperity, his family life, like many of his time, had its sadness. He and his wife, Margaret Dawson (1808-1855), had seven Children, but only two sons survived to adulthood.

The original sign by polka dot dress

Robert (1837-1864) graduated from Victoria College, in Cobourg in 1857, and in the spring of 1859, enrolled at Trinity College in Toronto. In a letter dated 1860, he was addressed as Reverend R. A. Montgomery. Several letters survive, which provide insight into the lives and personalities of Robert, his wife Hannah, and his father Thomas Montgomery. Robert wrote to his father on August 7, 1862, expressing concern about his father's salvation. He wrote:

...In conclusion Dear Father; I must say a word in reference to spiritual matters. We are all in the natural order of events approaching the end of life and whether we regard it or not, time is hurrying along and soon we shall all be called upon to resign this world and are we prepared for our change? If death should lay his iron grasp upon us what will be our prospects? Can we at that time look back with St. Paul and say "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" and looking forward into eternity say "henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which God the righteous judge will give me in that day and not to me only but unto all them also which love his appearing.

The way to obtain that blessing hope which animated St. Paul is easy first to know one's self;
what are our bosom sins which we do not desire to forsake and see their heinousness
in the sight of God, remembering that we cannot hide anything from God. Secondly, use repentance whereby we forsake sin and thirdly use faith everyday we rely on the promise of God; not a dead faith but faith which brings forth the works of love and thus we shall please God and be accepted of him. May this be our hope is the prayer of your affectionate son, Robert."

Thomas' response to this letter is not recorded. Thomas died on November 8, 1877 at the age of 87, and was buried from St. George's Anglican Church, Islington. He was interred in the Islington Burying Grounds on Dundas Street, west of Burnhamthorpe Road, where his wife and children were also buried.

Robert died in 1864, and his young son and namesake died the following year, leaving Hannah with two sons, Willie and Tom. This branch of the Montgomery family appeared to have been unpopular with the rest of the family and there were continued requests for financial assistance by Hannah for her children and by the children them-selves, as they grew older.

Montgomery Inn by ayngelina

In 1865, Thomas wrote the following letter to his daughter-in-law Hannah,
who has requested a yearly allowance from him:

"I cannot promise you any money is very Hard to be Got and For my part I have to
Work as hard as Ever I had to do and Get very badly paid for it. Thanks be to God I have
had Good health So as to make me to work for a living and Clothing I do not wish to become a Burden to any of my Friends as long as God will Grant me Good health so that I Can labour for a living..."

Thomas told her to manage her affairs well, and that she was lucky to get what she did in a pension from the church. He then, wished her a pleasant Christmas and a happy new year:

"...We are all enjoying Good health Thanks be to God for all his Blessings "Which he has bestowed on us... But I wish with all my heart that you May live well and prosper in your
Deprived State and Be Thankful."

Image by ayngelina

To us this seems to be an unbelievable response to his daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Thomas eventually did relent and sent Hannah $20.00, which he hoped would do some good. A few months later, in a letter dated March 20, 1866, Thomas committed himself to the only sentimental statement recorded about a member of his family, by saying that he was "very much cut down" since the death of his son, Robert.

Thomas' other son, William (1830-1920), however, and his, wife Jessie Douglas (1832-1915), and their family of ten children seemed to live an almost idyllic life, living in Briarly located on Dundas Street just east of Montgomery's Inn. William appears to have worked with his father until Thomas' death. He also managed his own business affairs, which included mortgage dealings and the management of his children's inheritances from Thomas' estate until they came of age. After his father's death, William, as executor, continued to administer the vast property holdings that his father had acquired during his lifetime.

Montgomery Inn rear by rhitbieism

William's family, with the exception of Charles, who was said to have been slow,
was well educated. The daughters were enrolled at Rolleston House and the Brantford Young Ladies College. The sons received most of their secondary education at Upper Canada College. They eventually went into business, banking, medicine and law. On at least two occasions, some of the Montgomery siblings travelled to Europe, in one instance accompanied by their mother. In 1900, William and Jessie rented out Briarly and moved to 22 Isabella Street in Toronto, where they died.

Montgomery's Inn has been a landmark in Etobicoke for the past 173 years, and continues to serve the community. The appropriately-named Community Room, with 19th-century decor, provides a venue for community groups, clubs and private parties. Costumed volunteers serve afternoon tea Tuesday through Sunday, Special events are held regularly throughout the year.
For more information about Montgomery's Inn, call 416.394.8113.

Tombstone images by me:

(southside)
In memory of
Jessie Douglas
wife of
William J. Montgomery
born April 2nd 1832,
died October 4th
1915.
William J.
Montgomery
born November 5th
1830,
died on the 21st day
of
August 1920.

(Westside)
Isabella Elliott
Gunn
daughter of
William Johnston
Montgomery
and
Jessie Douglas
Montgomery
born July 29th 1872,
died November 20th
1925
Margaret Montgomery
daughter of
William J. & Jessie Douglas
Montogomery
Feb 18, 1861 -
march 30, 1941.

(Northside)

In memory of
William H.
Montgomery
born June 25th 1864
died December 29th
1948
Charles Montgomery
born April 2nd 1871, died march 19th 1948.
sons of
William J. & Jessie
Douglas Montgomery.
Donald ouglas Gunn, Q.C.
Mar. 9 1906 - Apr. 17. 1985

(eastside)

In memory of
William H. Montgomery
Born April 24th
1874,
died may 1st 1909.
Archibald Montgomery
M.D.
born January 17th,
1868
died March 9th 1915.
Sons of
William J. and
Jessie Douglas
Montgomery
born Sept. 1 1862,
died july 15th A.D. 1943

(Large obelisk in centre on north side of plot.) Four corner posts mark this family plot.)

Footstones: 3 rows, south of obelisk reading west to east:

Father, Mother, Archibald, William, John.

Charles, Margaret, Donald, (W. H. M. Belle), Robert

(I.E.M.G.)

------------------------------

(East Side)
Children of
T & M Montgomery
Olivia A.
died 15th Dec. 1829
aged 5 days.
Richard,
died 10th Oct. 1833,
aged 12 days
James H.
died 19 may 1840
aged 5 mo's.
Margaret A.
died 9 Aug. 1842.
Aged 2 mo's

Footstone: J.H.M

(South Side)

Thomas Montgomery
died 8th Nov. 1877
aged 87 years
a native of
Co. Fermanagh,
Ireland.
Margaret,
His wife
died 17th Apr. 1855
aged 47 years
a native of
Co. Monaohan (sic),
Ireland.
John D.
Their Son died 15th
July 1846.
aged 11 years.

Footstones: R.M., C.C.

(West Side)
Rev. Robert A.
son of
T. & M. Montgomery
died 24th Sept.
1864,
aged 27 years.
Robert J. E.
his son
died 17th Sept.
1865
aged 3 years.

sources: Ontario Genealogical Society Toronto Branch
Toronto Public Library
Etobicoke historical Society

800 vases taken from Toronto cemetery

2009-06-09T12:31:00.000-07:00

Article from here.

Police say about 800 bronze vases stolen from their tombstone mounts at a Toronto cemetery were taken to be sold for scrap metal.

Police Detective Robert Gallant said the theft is likely part of a larger string of metal thefts, the Toronto Star reported Wednesday.

My understanding is that it's a problem throughout the city, he said.

Bronze currently fetches about $2.50 a pound from scrap metal dealers.

Police have arrested a 77-year-old suspect whose wife is interred in the cemetery. They said the man, whose name was not released, had 60 of the stolen vases in his car.

It's unbelievable that somebody would do something like this and certainly we regret that the families who have their loved ones there have to go through this kind of upset, said Gary Carmichael, vice-president of government and corporate affairs for Memorial Gardens Canada, which owns Glendale Memorial Gardens.

He said the cemetery is currently in negotiations to replace the stolen vases.

Creech Family Plot, Islington Burying Ground in Etobicoke

2009-06-09T12:03:00.000-07:00

Creech Family Plot is located in the Islington Burying ground which is located 4946 Dundas Street West, few blocks west of Islington Road. Their family plot is located in the Northeast corner of the cemetery and is number 109 on the cemetery map located in this post.

South Side of the Tombstone

In Memory of
Meade Creech
died
Aug. 29, 1896
aged 72 years
-------------
his wife
Charlotte Jane
died
Nov 2. 1902
aged 70 years
Not lost but gone before

North Side

Robert Creech
died Feb 8. (?) 1861
aged 75 years

Ellen Laihe
wife of the above
died, Mar 19, 1846,
aged 45 years

Robert
Son of the above
died April 15, 1855
aged 25 years

Foot Stones

E.C., (R.C. Jr.)

Cornerstones marked "C"

History of the Islington Burying Ground

2009-06-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

The Islington Burying ground is located on part of lot #8 of the clergy block, Concession A Fronting on the Humber, in the city of Etobicoke. It is situated next to 4946 Dundas Street West, few blocks west of Islington Road.

Info source: Toronto Public Libraries and Ontario Genealogical Society, images by me.

A Plaque in the cemetery, erected by the Etobicoke Historical Society in 1967 reads:

Established in 1835, as a public cemetery, this site was deeded to a board of trustees in 1862 by Amasa Wilcox. It is now administered by the Cemetery Board for the Borough of Etobicoke.

Jane Morrow who died in 1807 was possibly the mother of Mrs. Jacob Anderson, nee Mary Morrow. Mrs. Jane Morrow is almost certainly not buried here - simply memorialized, along with her husband. Jane Morrow'a husband Andrew was listed in the 1808 Assessment Rolls of York Township, as a widower. A stone was erected to the memory of Jane and her husband Andrew who had died in 1851.

Legen stated George Johnston who lived at lot 16 Con I Northern Division adjacent to the western boundary of the cemetery died in 1824 and was originally buried on his farm. Ester Heyes in her "History of Etobicoke" relates the story that his remains were later moved to the new burying ground.

In the 1837 Directory for Toronto and the Home District, Thomas Mentgomery is listed as living on lot 8 Con B, jus tto the east of the burying grounds. Two if his children have already died by that date, adn two more by 1842.

It is our opinion, based upon a preponderance of the surviving evidence that the burial ground was first used about the year 1844 - being contemporary to the opening of the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on June 30th of that year. The Burying Ground is mentioned as a demacarcation point in a 1849 deed (Etobicoke Deed No. 35930, dated 29 Feb. 1849). Most importantly, Amasa Wilcox, who deeded this property to the Cemetery Trustees in 1862 did not receive the patent from the Crown until 1842.

The year 1835 seems to have been drawn from the Hargrave Tombstone that is located in this burial ground. Edward Hargrave, who died in 1835, is listed in the 1834 Assessment Rolls as being an grocer, merchant and spirit dealer, with permises at yonge and lot st. (now Queen st.) There is no simply no logical reason for Hargrave to be buried here. The tombstone itself is not typical of the burial ground, nor the area. It has been suggested that they (the Hargraves) could be parents of someone else buried there, but this has not been proved. it has also been suggested that the tombstone could have been stolen from another cemetery and simply left ehre for a number of years.

It should be noted that all the evidence we have checked (deeds, land records, newspapers, directories, etc.) the lack of a burial ground being mentioned (especially in the Christian Guardian Newspaper issue dealing with the opening of Wilcox's Wesleyan Chapel) lends credibility to our dating of the cemetery opening. in the minds of the compilers, this burial ground was indeed opened 1844, and certainly not as early as 1835.

The Cemetery was originally named the minico Burying ground; the name the area was known by, until the establishment of the islington Post Office in 1859. The account book of the Trustees for the cemetery show the name still to be Mimico Burying Ground in 1862 when a deed for the land was granted to them by Amasa Wilcox. 1864 showed the cemetery referred to as the Islington Burying Ground in the Trustees account book. Current records show the land being referred to as the islington Pioneer Cemetery.

number of the plots will be matched to names at an later date.

History of Stonehouse Burying Grounds Part 3

2009-06-09T10:43:00.000-07:00

Part 1: History of Stonehouse Burying Grounds

Part 2: History of Stonehouse Burying Grounds

Today we are gonna wrap up our look at the Stonehouse Burying Grounds. Due to no general public is allowed inside with out the consent and audience of the Stonehouse Burying Ground care takers. Images of these tombstones is very limited, and i have to settle for taking photo's through the chain link fence.

here is the list for the remainder of the gravestone:

(flat)
Scared to
The memory of
Joseph Stonehouse
Died Oct. 4th 1835
Aged 28 yrs
I believed upon the word in the
Day of trouble and He answered me
Also of
James Stonehouse
Died Oct 1 1840
Aged 23 years
Seek they creator int he days
Of thy youth
J. Morris
Toronto (Monument maker)

------------------------

West Side of the Tombstone
Robert Stonehouse
1777 - 1881
His wife Ann Harker
1781 - 1866
Robert Stonehouse Jr.
1910 - 1883
His Wife Hanna Garbutt
1804 - 1876
Our Flossie 1886

Stonehouse on the base of the tombstone

----------------------

(flat - broken)

Scared
To the memory of
David pearson
Who Died
May 15th 1841
in his 47th year
From the Parish of Stone-
Ferry near Hull England
A faithful friend partner dear
A tender father lieth here

------------------------

West Side of Tombstone
P
In loving memory of
Charlotte Ann
Dearly beloved wife of
Henry Powell
And daughter of
Isaac Stonehouse
Died April 4th 1912 aged 65 years
We will meet, we will live
We will love again
At the dawn of another day

(east side)

The star may fall, the sun decay
The earth's whole fabric waver
But firm as heaven my love shall stay,
Unquenched, unceasing never.

Powell on the base of tombstone

------------------

(flat on the ground)

Stonehouse
Isaac Stonehouse
Born May 27 1812
Died Dec 11 1894
And his beloved wife
Ann
(uncut)
And their children

(left Side)

Elizabeth
William
Hannah
Martha Jane

(right side)

Charlotte Ann
Joan
Ethleen Ida
(all uncut)

-----------------

(Flat - broken)

In memory of
John Chambers
Who died
January 16 1853
Aged 59 years
Weep not for me my wife so dear
(........................) shed a tear
(........................) as you would be
Love shall (join us) beyond the sky

------------------

(flat)

(in memory of)
Joseph Stonehouse
Departed this life
July 16 1850
in the 31st year
of his age
(illegible 4 line verse - broken)

there is one more tombstone but the side that has the inscriptions has fallen face down on the ground. so no info to give.

source for info: The cemetery Committee Toronto Branch

Random Images June 6th

2009-06-07T18:35:00.000-07:00

Random Images from Saint James Cemetery in downtown Toronto off of Parliament and Bloor street.

Burton Family Plot at Renforth Baptist Church

2009-06-07T17:44:00.000-07:00

Continuing our exploration of the small Renforth Baptist Church Cemetery off of Renforth Drive in Etobicoke. For more back ground and history go here.

Burton Family Tombstone

Burton on the base

R Dodson, from Brampton is the monument maker

Mother footstone at the base of the tombstone.

Burton - 4 cornerstones

West Side of Tombstone

Ann
Wife of
C. Burton
1830 - 1904
At Rest

North Side

In memoriam
Lillia Burton
died
Dec 14, 1890
aged 14 years
Many Hopes Lie buried here

South Side

Baby Burton
Apr 6 - 14, 1921
Ernest
Mar 17 1918
Dec 3 1922

History of Stonehouse Burying Grounds Part 2

2009-06-07T17:19:00.000-07:00

One thing one must remember about this cemetery is, that it is closed to public. The cemetery is surrounded by all four sides by a tall fence and large pad lock on the gate. Seeing the graves is a hard task, some are large and can be easily seen, others are flat on the ground, due to age. So to take any photo's one must take them through the chain link fence.

Over the next few days I will be posting what the gravestone have or do currently say.

Source:

Stonehouse Burying Grounds by The Cemetery Committee of Toronto

today we will described the graves inside the rusted iron fence in the cemetery:

In Memory of
Jesse FORSTER
Died
June 8, 1889
In his 54 year
Martha A.
STONEHOUSE
Wife of the above

Stonehouse Tombstone

Stonehouse on the base of the tombstone (west side)

West Side

In memory of
Joesph STONEHOUSE jr.
Dies Oct 4th 1827
Aged 28 years
Also his wife
Jane Jolley
Died Mar 2 1877
Aged 76 years

North Side

Mary STONEHOUSE
Died 14th Aug 1873
Aged 69 years
Ann Demery
Died 4th Aug 1845
Aged 37 years

East Side

Dearest parent thou has left us
Gone to thy (brave) home above
oh, may He who hath bereft us
Comfort us with words of love
We are lonely now without thee
Since thou hast gone now to thy home
our friend (illegible) thee
Who many while we mourn (...)
done
Thou didst suffer, dearest parent
Much while with us here below
But we know thou art in heaven
Safe from earthly troubles now

South Side

Joesph STONEHOUSE
Died June 20 1858
Aged 92 years
Also his wife
Martha
Died Feb. 18 1843
Aged 66 years

Find Part 1 Here

History of Stonehouse Burying Grounds

2009-06-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

Stonehouse Burying Grounds, located on the east side of Martin Grove Road in Etobicoke, south of the Westway, a half mile north of Eglinton Ave is now surrounded by high-rise apartments, shopping plazas and highways.

In 1819 Joseph Stonehouse, his wife Mary and their seven children arrived in york (Toronto) from England. It was on this farmthat the cemetery is located. The first burial in the Stonehouse Burying Ground was Joseph's son-in-law who was also his nephew - Joseph Stonehouse Jr. who died October, 1835.

The official start, however, to the burial grounds dates to July 18, 1839 when Joseph Stonehouse sold a small plot of land in the morthwest corner of his farm, Lot 18, Concession 1 (Etobicoke) to the church trustees for one chilling three pence. This land was to be "the site of a Primitive Methodist Chapel and burying ground for the use of the Primitive Methodist Connexion in Canada." The deed shoes the ten trustess as being John Chambers, Mark Dawson, Robert Gracey, John Tuer, William Jolly, Robert Stonehouse, Robert Stonehouse Jr., James Stonehouse, Joseph Stonehouse and Issac Stonehouse.

A chapel was slow in being fully built but the 1851 census describes a frame Primitive Chapel located on the property.

From 1862 onwards, the Stonehouse Chapel congregation was included with a second Primitive Methodist Chapel, called Union which was less then a mile away. By 1869 there was no more mention of the Stonehouse chapel. Some time afterwards the frame chapel was removed leaving only the graveyard.

Of the twenty persons known to have been buried in the graveyard eighteen were Stonehouses by blood or marriage. Six of the original ten trustees are also buried there.

The last burial was that of Charlotte Ann Powell, old Joseph's granddaughter, who died in 1912.

source: Stonehouse Burying Grounds, A Genealogical Reference Listing.

Next post will have the complete tombstone list and more photo's.

Orth Family Plot at Renforth Baptist Cemetery

2009-06-03T17:25:00.000-07:00

Unlike the Mercer Family in this cemetery, the Orth family i have not been able to find very much about their history. Their tombstone is last tombstone on the eastern side of the property, follow this link to see the cemetery link.

West Side of the Tombstone
Malcolm A. Orth
May 26. 1892
Feb. 24. 1953
son of
Malcolm and Darah

North Side of Tombstone
Frances A. Orth
wife of
Rev. E. J. Chave
died
at Vancouver B.C.
Mar 12. 1917
Aged 30 years

Malcolm C. Orth
died
July 26th 1895
aged
39 years. 4 ms. 26 ds.
Gone But Not Forgotten
his wife
Sarah Jane
Rutledge
Oct 12. 1859
Aug. 17, 1945

In memoriam
Catherine
beloved wife of
Jonathan Orth
died
Sept. 21st 1882
aged
50 yr's 8. mos.
Jonathan Orth
died
Oct. 29th 1900
in his 86th year

Orth is written on the base of the tombstone, and also there are footstones at the base of the tombstone - Father, Mother, Sarah.

History of Renforth Baptist Church Cemetery

2009-06-02T18:08:00.000-07:00

The Renforth Baptist Church Cemetery is adjacent to Renforth Baptist Church, on the corner of Burnhamthorpe Road and Renforth Drive in the city of Etobicoke, it's earlier designation was part of Lot 22, Concession 2, Township of Etobicoke. It is Administered by Renforth Baptist church.

Among the early settlers in Etobicoke Township were the parents of Levi Heath Mercer and his wife Ann Elizabeth Ross (See Ann Elizabeth Ross Post). Their home was on Burnhamthorpe Road east of the present Renforth Baptist Church. Levi Mercer died in 1829, leaving Ann Elizabeth with the care of their young children.

In 1836, Mrs. Mercer organized a Sunday School in her home, thus laying the foundation for the establishment, in 1838, of the Ebenezer Baptist Church. A Chapel was built in about 1842 on the southside of Burnhamthorpe Road to be replaced in 1882 by a brick church on the northside, west of Renforth Drive, no the parking lot of the present church which was built in 1957.

The cemetery is located eastward extension of the property deeded in 1882 by Levi Heath mercer, the second son of Levi and Ann (1828 - 1896). THe small tombstone which marks the grave of Ann Elizabeth giver her year of death as 1880. It has been suggested that she was burie in the Mercer family graveyard and that her grave was included in the land transfer to the church in 1884. The Cemetery is currently closed.

Map of the cemetery:

Click here to see the whole map

Some Random Images of Saint George on the Hill Cemetery

2009-06-02T17:55:00.000-07:00

St George on The Hill (Block West of Dundas & Royal York, Northside of Dundas)

Mr. & Mrs. Polson - Christ Church (Anglican) Cemetery in Etobicoke

2009-06-01T18:38:00.000-07:00

Christ Church (Anglican) Cemetery is located at 329 Royal York Rd.
in the city of Etobicoke. and the municipal designation is East Part of
lot D, City of Etobicoke (formerly Town of Mimico), County of York.
It is an Active Cemetery and is Administered by Christ Church
(Mimico) Cemetery Board.

This is an tricky cemetery, the church that sat on the property has
burnt down three time since 1956. In 2006 was the last time it
burnt down taking most of its records with it. Currently looking
at an cemetery map that still has the church on it. At the present
the church is gone and the area is now surrounded by town houses
and the Mimico GO Train Station.

According to the records I have on this cemetery these two graves
are located on plots 2.11 and 2.12. Which is along the southern fence
near the center of the cemetery.

here is what the tombstone on the left says:

In Loving Memory
of
janet, wife of
John Polson
died oct. 15, 1887
aged 63 yrs and 6 months.

the tombstone on the right says:

John polson
died
27th Dec. 1877
aged 63 years

Ann Elizabeth Mercer (1828 - 1896) Renforth Baptist Church Cemetery

2009-05-31T16:47:00.000-07:00