Seminary Cemetery
Yarmouth Township, Elgin County, Ontario, Canada
(As of 1998 Yarmouth Twp. is part of Central Elgin Twp.)
Lot 11, Concession 4
6150 Centennial Rd, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3S8, Canada
Gravestone Inscriptions and Burials without Monuments
YA 828 – OGS 2612
Recorded by Anna Hofstee Tony Hofstee
Elgin County Branch OGS
August 1982
Revised and formatted for the Internet 15 October 2005 by BCJ
Online format 13 Nov 2020 by BCJohnsonJr
Latest Revision 23 April 2012 by CarolVanHarn
Copyright by the Genealogical Society, Elgin County Branch 1982 – 2002
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microform reproduction, recording, or otherwise – without prior permission of the publisher.
Seminary Cemetery
Although there has never been a church built on this site, religious services were held in the school house in the early days. This was established as one of the appointments of a circuit, formed by the Methodist church as early as 1830. Services were held once in four weeks.
On the 17th of October 1856 an indenture or Deed of Bargain and Sale and Trust was witnessed by Benjamin C. Doan, John Lanning, and Randolph Johnson.
The purchase price was 10 pounds of lawful money of Canada paid by the trustees of the Seminary Burying Ground: E. Morgan, S. Preffer, G. E. Minor, C. Burgess, and R. Johnson; for 5/8 of an acre of land to Ezekial Dennis, of the Town of Rockford, Illinois, U.S.A.
Many of the pioneers of the area were interred at Seminary. The earliest burials were in the 1820’s. George Lawton, who taught school at Seminary, and was also noted for his activities in the Rebellion of 1838, and is the progenitor of the Lawtons of South Yarmouth, is buried here. Richard Lanning is also buried here. He was the first of the Lannings to arrive in this district. Many of the Parkers who came to South Yarmouth in 1816 are also laid to rest here.
The Women’s Institute of South Yarmouth, as a project in the 1930’s, decided to have this cemetery grounds cleaned up and leveled. The moveable tombstones were cleared off and the land was worked up by Covil Lanning and his team of horses. The stones were reset to a blueprint (in the possession of Charles Lawton) under the supervision of George Pearce, caretaker of the Union Cemetery. Later that year, Mr. Pearce sowed grass seed, but much to his displeasure only the sweet clover grew. As a result, the grounds were burned off, usually once a year. I can remember that pheasants were very numerous for a few years and many nests were ravaged by the burn off.
Claude VanVelzor, who lived in this community, volunteered to clean up the grounds in the 1950’s and worked far beyond the call of duty to make the place a little more respectable.
Charles Lawton, William Lang, and Donald Lanning were a committee appointed a few years before the Seminary School closed in June 1968, to be in charge of monies available from the township in paying for the upkeep of the cemetery. Robert Chilton is now keeping the grass cut. It is interesting to note that in years gone by, the township has widened their roads and the west fence now crosses some of the lots.
Thanks go to Jean I. Griffin and Mr. Donald Lanning for their permission to use the above material.
Source: “The Plains”, by Jean I. Griffin
Use your browser “Find” command in the Edit menu or the shortcut “Control F” to locate your surname in the file below.
Note: All stones are white slabs unless otherwise noted
1. Lodge symbol at top
In / memory of / Harvey S. DOAN / who died / Mar. 31, 1873 / AE 22 yrs 7 m’s / & 6 d’s
2. Bible with willows at either side
In memory of / Daniel McAFEE / who died July 20, 1878 / aged 87 y’s /
3. Lodge symbol at top, stone on ground
In memory of / Benjamin DOAN / who died / Oct. 19, 1882 / aged / 81 y’s 8 m’s / & 10 d’s
4. Stone on ground
Susan / wife of / Benjamin C. DOAN / died / Mar. 25, 1892 /
5. Rosette at tope
In memory of / George LAWTON / who died Feb’y 14th / 1838 / aged 12 years / 3 months & 15 days / son of G. & M. LAWTON /
6. Broken stone on ground
In / memory of / Mary Ann / dau’h of James & [illegible] LAWTON /
7. Stone
An honest man here lies at rest / As e’en God with his image blest / The friend of man, the friend of truth / The friend of age and guide of youth / In memory of / George LAWTON / who died / Sep. 11, 1848 / aged 62 years / He was a good Neighbour /An affectionate Husband / A kind Father / And a faithful Friend / Few is like his, with virtue warmed / Few heads with knowledge conformed / if there’s another world he lives in bliss / if there is none he made the best of this /
8. Willow motif
In / memory of / Mary/ wife of / George LAWTON / died / Feb. 24, 1862 / AE 75 yrs / Weep not for me my children dear / I am not dead but sleeping here / I am where sorrow cannot be / Where the weary are at rest / Come to me / J. W. Smyth /
9. Red granite obelisk; a head like shape sitting atop a ten foot pillar, then square with the inscriptions. Base is grey concrete. On south side are two red granite footstones inscribed Lucius and Catherine.
South – Lucius PREFFER / died / June 16, 1898 / aged 68 y’rs 7 mo’s / & 26 days / Catherine wife of / Lucius PREFFER / died Sept. 25, 1910 / in her 77th year / Phebe A. HAIGHT / 1866 – 1951 / daughter of / Catherine PREFFER /
North – John PREFFER / died Dec. 19, 1875 / aged 81 y’rs 10 mo’s & 25 d’ys / Olive / wife of the above / died Oct. 19, 1878 / aged 80 y’rs & 6 mo’s / John / died May 1, 1846 / aged 9 y’rs & 25 d’ys / Mary / died Feb. 27, 1848 / aged 12 y’rs, 5 mo’s & 24 d’ys / Louisa / died Sept. 10, 1849 / aged 16 y’rs, 8mo’s & 19 d’ys / children of / John & Olive PREFFER
Footstones: Mother, Father, Louisa, Mary, John, [one illegible]
10. Red granite
In / memory of / Jennette / wife of / Orlando C. PREFFER / who died / Jan. 7, 1876 / AE 21 ys 6 ms / & 14 ds / J. P. Hughes, St. Thomas /
11. Stone
Mary H. / daughter of / Wm. A. & Jane / BRAINARD / died / Sept. 1, 1847 / aged 9 mos & 15 ds /
12. Broken stone; top with willow motif; middle is gone; bottom as follows:
…….died / July 5, 1853 / aged 26 yrs / 2 ms & 16 ds /
13. Stone
In memory of / Jacob PREFFER / who died / November 25, 1843 / aged 75 yrs & 4 mos /
14. Stone
In memory of / Elizabeth / wife of / Jacob PREFFER / who died / May 27, 1846 / aged 73 yrs 5 mos / & 22 days /
15. Willow motif
In / memory of / Jane / wife of / Seth PREFFER / died / Aug. 23, 1872 / AE 70 y’s 6 m / & 6 d’s /
16. Stone
Permelia / daughter of / Jacob & Elizabeth PREFFER / died / Oct. 21, 1816 / aged 17 yrs 3 mos / & 27 days /
17. Willow motif
In / memory of / Seth PREFFER / died / Jan. 28, 1859 / AE 63 ys 6 m & 18 d / Smyth & Co., London /
18. Stone
Seth S. PREFFER / died / Oct. 27, 1854 / aged / 2 y’rs 8 mo / 28 days
19. Two willows surrounding a beaker
William LILLY / born Lancashire, Eng. / Nov. 30, 1785 / died Sept. 27, 1832 / AE 46 yrs 9 mos / & 27 ds / Friends nor physicians could not save / His mortal body from the grave / Nor can the grave confine it here / When Christ the Saviour shall appear /
20. Willow motif
In / memory of / Amanda ALLEN / who died / Apr. 3, 1855 / aged 15 ys / ……… / Fingal
21 Stone
Samuel D. McAFEE / died / February 25, 1828 / aged / 5 years /
22. Stone
Elizabeth / wife of / Daniel McAFEE / died May 24, 1831 / aged / 40 years /
23. Stone
Rebecca / wife of / Daniel McAFEE / died / Oct. 21, 1840 / aged / 30 years /
24. Urn in window
Isaac McLELLAN / died / Sep. 18, 1829 / aged 32 years / A faithful friend a companion dear / A tender Father lieth here / Great is the loss that we sustain / But hope in Heaven to meet again /
25. Stone
Our little / Isaac J. / son of John & Louisa / McLELLAN / died / Oct. 11, 1862 / AE 17 m’s & 9 d’s /
26. Stone
John VANSICKLE Sen. / died / May 4th 1829 / in the 44th year / of his age /
[four line verse – the last line has “what joyless hopeless”]
27. Willow motif
In / memory of / Gertrude / wife of John VANSICKLE / who died / July 22, 1864 / in her 83rd year /
28. On ground; hands clasping motif
In memory of / Eliza / wife of / John VANSYCKLE / born / July 23, 1812 / died June 24, 1837 /
29. On ground
In memory of / Mary Ann / beloved wife of / Isaac VANSICKLE / died / June 11, 1871 / AE 56 ys & 18 d’s /
30. Stone
In memory of / Isaac VANSICKLE / died / Dec. 5, 1885 / aged / 76 yrs 5 mos / & 17 days
31. Stone
Christian / son of / Isaac & Mary Ann / VANSICKEL / died Feb. 23, 1838 / aged 1 yr 2 mos / & 6 days /
32. Stone
Gitty / daughter of / Isaac & Mary Ann / VANSICKEL / died Feb. 4, 1838 / aged / 4 yrs 11 mos / & 5 days / also her brother / John / died the same day / aged 3 yrs [illegible] / & 11 days
33. Willows motif
In memory of / Rachael / wife of Ezekial DENNIS / who died / Nov. 28, 1855 / [rest broken off]
34. Broken at top
Samuel MINOR / who died / May 9, 1870 / aged 77 years /
35. Small stone, lying upside down before other stones
In / memory of / Isaac / son of Joseph M. / & Elizabeth / MOORE / who died / March 13, 1820 / aged 8 w’ks /
36. Stone
In memory of / Sarah / wife of / Samuel MINOR / who died / Aug. 25, 1870 / aged 68 years /
37. Stone
In / memory of / William H. / son of Wm. & Charlotte / BALDWIN / died / Dec. 21, 1862 / AE 13 ys 1 m / & 6 ds /
38. Broken top
In memory of / [rest missing]
39. Stone
In memory of / George Z. MINOR / [rest broken off]
40. Willow motif
Mary / wife of / Isaac MINOR / a native of / Pennsylvania US / died Dec. 2, 1844 / aged 76 years /
41. Willow motif
Isaac MINOR / a native of Pennsylvania US / died April 10, 1839 / aged 72 years /
42. Stone
In memory / of / Abraham MINOR / son of / Isaac & Mary MINOR / who was born / January 30th, 1795 / and died / [rest missing]
43. On ground
In / memory of / Hannah MINOR / died Mar. 28, 1884 / aged / 73 years /
44. Willow motif
In / memory of / Rich’d LANNING / died Feb. 17, 1873 / AE 90 y’s 4 m & 5 d / Millions of years my wond’ring eyes / Shall o’er thy beauties rave / And endless ages I’ll adore / The glories of thy love /
(NOTE: Yarmouth Baptist church records give that Richard’s wife Mary (GRIFFIN) LANNING deceased at Yarmouth 17 Jan 1868 – She is given in the 1861 census of Yarmouth with Richard where she is given as age 78 born New Brunswick so should have been born circa 1783) – BJ & CVH March 2010
45. Rose motif
Infant son of / John & Elizabeth LANNING / born & died / June 25, 1843 /
46. Red stone
West – WARBURTON Webb / Hamilton
East – In / loving memory of / Wm. WARBURTON / 1823 – 1902 / his wife / Lucinda PARKER / their son / George Albert / 1853 – 1856 / WARBURTON /
[NOTE: Lucinda PARKER WARBURTON died in London September 2 1913 – CVH]
47. Broken stone
Jacob / [resting against headstone S. M.]
48. Grey obelisk type
West – Erected / by their / children / J. R. Hughes, St. Thomas
South – In / memory of / Sarah / wife of / Isaac MINOR / who died / Nov. 22, 1874 / aged 59 yrs / 10 ms & 17 ds /
East – In / memory of / Isaac MINOR / who died / Sept. 16, 1872 / aged 72 yrs / 10 ms & 4 ds / MINOR / North – In / memory of / Sophia / wife of / Isaac MINOR / who died / May 5, 1838 / aged 28 yrs /
49. Small stone inscribed:
M.
50. Stone
Silas / son of / Sam’l & Sarah / MINOR / died / Mar. 14, 1838 / AE 10 ys 8 ms / & 9 ds /
51. Stone
William / son of / Sam’l & Sarah / MINOR / died Mar. 13, 1838 / AE 6 y’s 9 m & 15 d’s /
52. Stone
Abraham Z. / son of / Sam’l & Sarah / MINOR / died / Mar. 29, 1838 / AE 3 y’s 11 m. / & 10 d’s /
53. Stone
Leonidas / son of / Sam’l & Sarah / MINOR / died / Apr. 15, 1839 / Ae 1 m & 14 ds /
54. Willow behind urn motif
Burton Z. / son of / Samuel & Sarah / MINOR / died / July 13, 1852 / aged 11 yrs 5 m / & 2 d /
55. Angel motif
In / memory of / Mary / wife of / George S. BUCKINGHAM / who died / Sept. 30, 1858 / aged / 21 yrs 5 mos / 8 days /
56. Angel leaning on tablet motif
In / memory of / Nelson MINOR / died / Sep. 22, 1867 / aged / 46 yrs & 22 d’s /
57. Small grey granite obelisk about five and a half feet tall
South – In / memory of / Jordan / MINOR / died / Mar. 3, 1906 / in his 82nd year /
East – In / memory of / Sarah J. / died Apr. 14, 1876 / aged 20 years / Mary / died Sep. 5, 1875 / aged 2 ms 4 ds / daughters of / Jordan & Mary / MINOR /
North – In / memory of / Mary / wife of / Jordan MINOR / died / Nov. 10, 1880 / aged 48 years / native of / Perthshire / Scotland / He restoreth my soul; he leadeth / me in the paths of righteousness / for his name’s sake Ps xxiii 3
58. Stone
In / memory of / Joseph M. MOORE / who died / March 16, 1860 / aged 66 yrs / 11 m & 26 d /
59. Broken stone
…..who died / Oct. 21, 1861 / aged 26 yrs / 7 m & 26 d / A faithful friend a companion dear / A tender mother lieth here / Great is the loss that we sustain / But hope in Heaven to meet again /
60. Stone
In / memory of / Cora Lovenia / dau of / James M. & Mary C. / CAMERON / who died / May 15, 1863 / AE 7 yr & 8 m’s / As the sweet flower that scents the night/ But withers in the rising day / Thus lovely was the infants…………. / Thus swiftly fled its life away /
61. Willow motif
In memory of / Hart DOAN / who died / Dec. 20, 1854 / aged 47 yrs / 10 ms & 20 ds / A faithful friend a companion dear / A tender Father lieth here / Great is the loss that we sustain / But hope in Heaven to meet again /
62. Stone
In / memory of / George Z. / son of Hart & Mary / DOAN / died Dec. 13, 1859 / AE 12 ys 3 ms / & 6 d’s / Weep not for me my parents dear / I am not dead but sleeping here / I was not yours but Gods alone / He loved me best & took me home / J. W. Smyth / London /
63. Willow motif
In / memory of / John M. / son of Hart & Mary / DOAN / died / Dec. 28, 1856 / AE 19 ys & 16 ds. / Dearest brother thou has left us / Here thy loss we deeply feel / But tis God that hath bereft us / He can all our sorrows heal /
63a. Small footstone –
Mother
64. Footstone –
B. Z.
65. Willow motif
In memory of / Jacob MOORE / who died / Dec. 12, 1835 / aged 28 y’rs / 1 mo & 21 ds / Jesus how glorious is thy name / When in thy name we trust / Our faith receives a righteousness / That makes the sinner just /
66. Stone
In / memory of / Catherine / daughter of / Asa & Catherine / FORDICE / died / Aug. 15, 1832 / aged 3 ys / 6 mo’s / & 19 da’s / Sleep on sweet babe / and take thy rest / God called thee home / Among the blest /
67. Stone
In / memory of / Isaac M. / son of Asa & Catherine / FORDICE / died / Aug. 19, 1832 / aged 6 y’s 4 m / &13 d’s / ……..sleep my cherished son / Beneath the cold cold sod / Torn from my heart by /………..deaths stern hand / My loved one is with God /
68. Willow motif
In / memory of / David N. / son of / Asa & Catherine / FORDICE / died / Jan. 17, 1856 / AE 20 yrs 11 mo. / & 12 d’s / He died young .He died forgiving / hoping to be forgiven /
69. Willow motif
Sacred / to the memory of / Morris FORDYCE / who departed this life /June 20th 1859 / in the 36 year / of his age /
70. Stone
In memory of / Thirza / wife of / Edw’d FORDYCE / died / Jan. 12, 1860 / aged 41 yrs / 9 ms & 6 d’s /
71a. Footstone –
Henry
71b. Footstone –
Mother
71c. Footstone –
Father
71d. Footstone –
Mother
71. Five foot high stone, at top open gates motif, surrounding “At Rest”
West – Asa FORDYCE / died Nov. 1st, 1867 / aged 70 years / Catherine / his wife / died Mar. 9th, 1894 / aged 88 years /
Base – FORDYCE
East – Henry B. / son of / Asa & Catherine / FORDYCE / died June 20, 1902 / aged 70 years /
72. Red granite stone
Top – LAWTON
West – Ethel B. ZAVITZ / wife of / John A. LAWTON / 1886 – 1923 /
73. Small grey stone, dove motif in front of sculptured cross motif
West – Emma R. / dau of / Oscar & May A. / SMITH / died Feb. 22, 1890 / aged / 6 yrs . 6 m’s /
South – Sleep on thou loved one / Sleep sleep until thy / mother comes …….to join / thee in thy joys above / in heaven our happy / home /
74a. Footstone –
Father
74b. Footstone –
Jennie
74. Stone in form of scroll
In memory of / Boyd C. / son of Robert & Augusta / ZAVITZ / died Dec. 23, 1888 / aged / 11 ys 11 ms / Sleep on thou loved one, sleep / sleep until thy mother comes / to join thee in thy joys above / in heaven our happy home /
75. Stone
In memory of / Edward ZAVITZ / died / July 8, 1884 / aged 50 yrs 4 mos / & 15 days /
76. Lamb motif at top
Mary M. / daughter of / Duncan & Bessie / ZAVITZ / died / March 17, 1883 / aged 1 year
77. Wreath of roses motif
In / memory of / Sarah E. / wife of / Rob’t ZAVITZ / died / June 28, 1873 / AE 29 y’s & 4 m’s / [verse is buried in concrete]
78. Cloth draped over urn motif
In memory of / Mary BROOKFIELD / wife of / Jacob ZAVITZ / died / Dec. 4, 1871 / AE 67 y’s & 8 m’s /
79. Willow motif
In memory of / Jacob ZAVITZ / who died / June 25, 1869 / aged 69 y’rs / & 6 mo’s /
80. Willow motif
In memory of / George / son of / Jacob & Mary / ZAVITZ / died / Aug. 1830 / AE 1 y’rs & 1 mo’s /
81. Willow motif
In memory of / Jefferson / son of / Jacob & Mary / ZAVITZ / died / Feb. 1845 / AE 3 y’rs & 5 mo’s /
82. Willow motif
In memory of / Emeline / daughter of / Thomas & Mary / ZAVITZ / died / Aug. 9, 1846 / AE 6 yrs 2 mo & 25 /d’s / Sweet lovely babe come take thy rest / God takes to him who he loved best / Sweet lovely babe short was thy stay / Just looked about and cal’d away /
83a. Footstone –
Genoa
83b. Footstone –
Father
83. Grey stone
Joseph PAGE / died Apr. 10, 1883 / aged 75 years / Mary Jane / wife of / Joseph PAGE / died June 8, 1900 / aged 75 years / Genoa PAGE / died Nov. 28, 1933 / aged 72 years/ Genoa J. PAGE / Aug. 3, 1872 / Jan. 1, 1965 / PAGE
84. Lamb motif
In memory of / Janet / daughter of / Joseph & Mary Jane / PAGE / died / Sep. 24, 1855 / AE 2 y’rs 7 mo’s / & 17 d’s /
85. Stone
In memory of / Elizabeth J. WATSON / wife of / Joseph PAGE / who died / February 29, 1836 / in the 22nd year / of her age /
86. Stone
In memory of / Jesse PAGE Jun. / who was drowned / April 3d. 1832 / in his 18 year / on a boat excursion on / Lake Erie /
87. Willow motif
Elizabeth / wife of / Jesse PAGE / born Northumberland Co, Pa. / Jan. 2nd 1776 / died Sept. 25th 1845 / aged 70 /
88. Red granite stone
ZAVITZ / Duncan ZAVITZ / died May 28, 1919 / in his 89th year / his wife / Bessie REYNOLDS / died Nov. 11, 1912 / in her 66th year / Jennie ZAVITZ GILBY / died July 22, 1906 / in her 31st year /
89. Lodge symbol
Jesse PAGE / born July 30, 1771 / died May 3, 1852 /
90. Broken stone, scroll type, base upright, top on ground
In memory of / Harvey Grant / who died / Sept. 23, 1875 / aged 7 years / 7 ms & 24 ds / son of / Jesse W. & Helen / PAGE / Sleep on dear child and …………../ Rest is Jesus’ arms………. /
91. Scroll type, broken at base
Helen / wife of / Jesse PAGE / who died / July 14, 1876 / aged 31 y’s /
92. Dark grey stone – “P” at top
Sidney J. PARKER / Nov. 22, 1841 / Jan. 7, 1913 / Rozilla PARKER / Nov. 28, 1845 / Jan. 8, 1913 / PARKER / Hutchinson, Aylmer /
93. One large stone having the appearance of two smaller stones attached; lamb motif at top of each side
Left – In / memory of / Eva Jane / died / Aug. 22, 1868 / AE 4 y’s 6 m’s / & 13 d’s / Right – In / memory of / Sidney N. / died / Aug. 22, 1868 / AE 1 yr 10 m’s / & 19 d’s / children of Sidney & Rosilla PARKER / A mother’s hope, a father’s joy / Death’s hand hath here laid low / God gave and took our darling Girl & Boy / To his command we bow / J. R. Hughes /
94. Stone
In / memory of / William N. / son of / Sidney & Rosilla / PARKER / died Dec. 22, 1865 / AE 2 yrs & 20 d’s /
95. Stone
In memory of / John PARKER / a native of / Mayo Co. Ireland / who died / February 23, 1822 / aged 83 years / To………… / He …………..Bounty behind / ………….in Him who died / and found hope of bliss beyond the grave /
96. Stone
In memory of / Nancy / wife of / John PARKER / who died / Nov 12, 1840 / aged 97 years / a native of Dublin Ireland / A faithful friend, a companion dear / A tender mother lieth here / Great is the loss that we sustain / But hope in Heaven to meet again /
97. Broken stone lying on ground
In / memory of / George PARKER / who died / June 5, 1838 / ……..57 /
98. Stone
Mary REES / born / July 11, 1778 / died / Aug. 10, 1845 /
99. Stone
In / memory of / Thirza / dau of / Wellington & Mary / PARKER / who died / Nov. 28, 1873 / aged / 19 ys 7 ms 20 ds / This spotless column o’er our sisters / grave. But marks the spot where her / body lies . Her spirit bright unto the God / that gave. Has upward gone where / pleasure never dies /
100. Stone
Mary J. PARKER / wife of / John ADAIR / died / July 7, 1852 / AE 27 yrs. 3 ms / & 4 ds
101. Stone
Nancy A. / daughter of / Nelson & Ruth A. / PARKER / died / Nov. 14, 1849 / aged 6 yrs 7 mos / & 7 days /
102. Stone
In / memory of / Hannah C. MERRIT / wife of / Wellington PARKER / died June 24, 1871 / AE 35 ys /
103. Stone
Thirza FISHER. /wife of / Wellington PARKER / who died / September 14, 1849 / aged 25 years /
104. Stone
Mary [BLOOM] / wife of / Wellington PARKER / died / June 22, 1864 / AE 32 ys 9 ms / & 12 ds/ Afflictions sore long she bore / Physicians were in vain / But God did please to give her ease / And release her of her pain /
105. Clasped hands motif
William H. / son of / Alex & Elizabeth McDOWELL / died / Apr. 11, 1871 / Aged 21 y’s 1 mo / & 23 days / He passed in beauty like the sun / Like flowers disolved away / He passed in beauty like the sun / Lost (last) on the brow of day / We miss his welcome footsteps / His eye of love so bright / And his smile of warm affection / Hath faded from our sight /
[Note: St Thomas Times Journal, 2 June 1923, Page 4, c7 – an article gives Will McDowell’s date of death as April 11 1874 on the farm of John Black while digging a well. John Black and his brother Peter Black, also died in the same farm accident. CVH August 2006]
106. Stone
In / memory of / Ester / wife of / Cyrus THAYER / who died / Feby 11, 1879 / aged / 76 y’rs 5 mo’s / & 16 days
107. Top broken off
….son of / Cyrus & Ester / THAYER / who died / Feby 20, 1873 / aged / 29 y’rs & 6 d’s
108. Ten foot pillar
South – Marian / wife of / W .H. PARKER / died May 20, 1905 / aged 65 years / W. H. PARKER / died Nov. 20,1907 / in his 71st year /
East – Catherine A. / wife of / Wm. H. PARKER / died May 20, 1873 / aged 33 y’rs / 3 mo’s & 20 d’s / Emma A. / PARKER / dau of / Wm. H. & Catherine A. / PARKER / died Aug. 4, 1891 / aged 23 y’s 2 m’s / Dearest Emma how we miss thee / As the days and nights return / But in heaven we hope to meet you / When our days earth are done /
North – Wm. PARKER / died / May 28, 1871 / aged 81 y’rs / Nancy / wife of / Wm. PARKER / died / Jan. 14, 1872 / aged 77 y’rs /
109. Pulpit style, Bible on top -Front top – Thy will be done over open gates motif
In / memory of / At Rest / Nelson PARKER / died Jan. 27, 1901 / aged 80 years / also Ruth A. / his wife / died July 26, 1890 / aged 65 y’s 6 m’s / PARKER
110. Open Bible on tree stump, front with wreath and ferns, at bottom left – F. Dagget / St. Thomas
Family Record – Mary JOHNSON / born / Aug. 30, 1821 / died / Feb. 3, 1892 / Blessed are the dead / which die in the Lord / Alice M. JOHNSON / born / July 21, 1883 / died / Oct. 7, 1901 / At Rest / Horatio JOHNSON / born / Mar. 4, 1818 / died / Apr. 22, 1909 /
110.1 Part of log –
Mary
111. Stone
Sarah / wife of / Squire JOHNSON / died / December 29, 1849 / aged / 52 years /
112. Flat on ground face down, dove at top, broken at base
In memory of / Eva / dau of / John & Eliza / SUMMERS / died Nov. 12, 1883 / AE 3 ms 20 ds / Sleep on sweet babe / and take thy rest / God called thee home / He though it best / Hutchinson & Miller, Aylmer /
113. Stone
Thirza / wife of / Squire JOHNSON / who died / Oct. 28, 1836 / in the 50 year / of her age / Also Lory Louiza / infant daughter of / the same /
114. Stone
Thirza G. / daughter of / Squire & Thirza / JOHNSON / who died / May 10, 1832 / aged 5 y’rs & / 11 mo / Like birds of prey / Hath snatched away / This heavenly dove / Her soul is now secure in Heaven / above /
115. Stone
In memory of / Laura / daughter of / Frederick & Mary / JOHNSON / born Feb. 22, 1841 / died Aug. 8, 1843 / aged 2 y’s 5 mo / & 15 d’s / This lovely bud so young & fair / Called hence by early doom / Just come to show how sweet a flower / In paradise could bloom /
116. Willow motif
In / memory of / Lewis JOHNSON / who died / Nov. 9, 1855 / aged 43 yrs / & 8 m /
117. Willow motif
In / memory of / Eleanor JOHNSON / who died / Oct. 14, 1884 / aged 76 yrs / & 11 mo /
118. Small scroll , “Our Darlings” at top
Isidora S. C. / died / May 1, 1881 / Clarence W. / died July 26, 1883 / children of H. W. & S. C. / SHIPLEY /
119. Open Bible on top of tree stump
Family record – Celestia SHIPLEY / born / June 16, 1856 / died / Nov. 12, 1892 / She has reached the / haven of the blest / and realized / immortal joy /
119a. Piece of log with:
Celestia
120. Broken off at base, finger pointing upward in wreath motif
In memory of / Randolphe / daughter of / Randolph & S. E. JOHNSON / [rest of lettering is gone] [notes indicate she was born 1858 and died 1875]
121. Stone
In / memory of / Sarah E. / wife of / Randolph JOHNSON / born / Dec. 20, 1821 / died / Sep. 23, 1889 / Meet me in Heaven /
122. Lodge symbol at top
Randolph JOHNSON / born Dec. 10, 1809 / died / Dec. 25, 1865 / AE 56 y’s 15 d’s / Previous to 1850 he was for years / a member of the district Council of / London. In 1850 / 2 / 6 & 7 he was elected / Member of the Council of Yarmouth and / except in 1852, was appointed Reeve, and in / 1856-7 warden of the County of Elgin. In / 1858 he retired from public life choosing to / retain only the office of Justice of the Peace / a commission that he had held for years. / Deceased was a native of N. York /
Another piece of stone is leaning against this stone. On it is:
Thou art gone to the grave. I no longer behold thee / Nor tread the rough path of the world by thy side / But the wide arms of mercy were spread to enfold thee / And sinners may hope since the Saviour hath died / Wilkens & Co. / London /
123. Stone
In memory of / Mary / wife of / Randolph JOHNSON , Esq / who died / Mar. 9, 1848 / in the 54th year / of her age /
124. Stone
In / memory of / Sarah E. / daughter of / R. & S. E. JOHNSON / died / April 30, 1855 , aged 5 d’s /
125. Stone
In memory of / Maria / wife of / George WARBURTON / who died / Jan. 18, 1849 / aged 49 years / Shed not for her the bitter tear / Nor give the heart to gain regret / Tis but the casket that is here / The gem that filled it sparkles yet /
126. Willows surrounding pillar
Mary Jane / eldest daughter of / James & Elizabeth / McLEAOD / died 3 Sept 1867 / aged 19 y’rs 2 m’s / & 20 d’ys /
[Note: This name is given also as McLEOD in some Elgin County records]
127. Willow motif
In / memory of / Alexander ROSE / died / Nov. 1842 / AE 40 yrs /
128. Willow motif
In / memory of / Martha / wife of / Nelson NELSON / died / Oct. 8, 1863 / AE 67 yrs / Affliction sore long she bore / Physicians were in vain / But God did please to give her ease / And release her from her pain / J. W. Smyth / London /
129. Broken stone, bottom in ground, top on ground, middle missing
Top – In / memory of / Amanda / bottom – wife of / H. N. GAINES / born / June 6, 1828 / died / Oct. 27, 1889 /
130. Broken, three pieces on ground, anchor at top
In / memory of / Hannah / wife of / Joseph COPELAND / who died / Nov. 20, 1874 / aged / 56 years / Be ye also ready: for in such / hour as ye think not the / son of man cometh /
131a. Broken, top missing
…Apr. 5, 1863 / AE 16 yrs & 5 ms / Dearest Mary thou hast left us / Here thy loss we deeply feel / But tis God that hath bereft us /He can all our sorrows heal /
131b. Leaning against 131a, willow on top
In memory of / G. Washington COPELAND / died / May 30, 1864 / AE 5 ys 7 ms / & 3 ds / Dearest son thou hast left us / Here thy loss we deeply feel / But tis God that hath bereft / He can all our sorrows heal /
132. Willow motif
Ebenezer TURRILL / died Mar. 8, 1845 / aged 70 yrs / & 3 m. / also / his wife / Hannah / died / Feb. 16, 1846 / aged 68 yrs / & 6 m /
133. Large willow
Nancy WISMER / wife of / Isaac RYCKMAN / died / Jan. 24, 1853 / aged / 28 y’rs 9 mo. / & 2 days
134. Small willow
Edisin / twin son of / Joseph & Hannah / TURRILL / died / Aug. 2, 1851 / aged 2 yrs / 3 m & 23 d /
135. Small willow
In memory of / Martha F. / daughter of / Stephen P. & Ann / McCORMICK / died / Jan. 6, 1854 / aged 11 m’s & 24 d / Sleep on sweet babe take thy rest / God calld thee home he thought it bet /
136. Lamb motif
In memory of / Mary Ann / born April 21, 1851 / AE 12 yrs 1 m. & 13 d / also / Nancy / died Feb. 14, 1860 / aged 7 yrs & 1 m / children of / Isaac & Nancy / RYCKMAN /
137. Stone
Nelson / beloved husband of / Martha NELSON / native of Sweden Norway / died / Aug. 13, 1859 / AE 80 y’rs 11 mo’s / & 22 days / Why do we mourn departing friends /Or Shake at death’s alarms/ Tis but the voice that Jesus sends / To call us to his arms /
138. Willow motif
In / memory of / Hial / beloved husband of / Elizabeth BENNETT / who died / Oct. 19, 1854 / aged 33 yrs / & 10 m / Friends nor physicians could not save / This mortal body from the grave / Nor can the grave confine it here / When Christ shall bit it to appear /
139. Dove motif
In / memory of / Eliz’th Attossa / dau of Hial & Elizabeth / BENNETT / died / Mar. 11, 1862 / AE 7 ys 5 mo / & 14 d’s / This lovely bud so young and fair / Called hence by early doom / Just came to show how sweet a flow / In Paradise can bloom / J. W. Smyth / London /
140. Grey concrete with logs at either end
In / memory of / Caroline GUNN / wife of / James E. ARLETT / died / Dec. 3, 1899 / aged / 58 years / ARLETT
141. Large stone, hands clasped motif, with the words Father & Mother above. Stone is broken in half.
Left – In / memory of / Alex’r GUNN / who died / June 26, 1848 / AE 59 yrs / & 7 m’s/
Right – In / memory of / Mehettable / beloved wife of / Alex’r GUNN / who died / July 10, 1872 / AE 78 yrs 4 ms / & 6 d’s /
142. Stone
William H. GUNN / died / Feb. 22, 1847 / AE 26 y 3 mo. / 22 days
143. Stone broken at bottom
In / memory of / Sophia / daughter of / Robert & Charlotte / GUNN / who died / Oct. 4, 1862 / aged 7 y’s 1 m / & 10 d / She died before her infant soul / had ever burnt with wrong desires / Had ever spurned at heavens control / Or ever quenched its sacred fires / Hammill / Fingal
144. Red granite stone about four feet high
In memory of / Charlotte NICKERSON / beloved wife of / Robert GUNN / and Eugene’s and Sophia’s affectionate mother / Born July 10, 1830 / died April 4, 1890 / Loved ones / why mourn that my lips can answer you not / when sorrow and anguish are by me forgot / For though life was full of the things that bless / I have never till now known perfect happiness /
145. Tree stump type with stub at side inscribed “H & T / Aylmer”
In memory of / Robert GUNN / born / at Digby N.S. / Mar. 2, 1822 / died / Sept. 12, 1900 / aged 78 y’s 6 m’s / & 10 d’s / A pioneer of Elgin / of his family he was / fond . To his friends / he was true. His / word was his bond / and loyal was he / always to his queen / and country too.
146. Stone
John P. McCOWELL / died / May 25, 1851 / aged / 14 ys 4 mo & 1 dy /
147. Red granite stone on grey granite base
My children my joy / At rest / In memory of / Jane FOSTER / wife of / Eugene GUNN / who died / November 4th 1901 / aged 39 y’s 5 m’s 19 d’s / Though tis an awful thing to die / Twill be e’en to thee – yet the dread / path once trod, heaven lifts its / Everlasting portals high, and bids / The pure in heart behold their God /
148. Red granite stone on grey concrete base
Eugene GUNN / born Sep. 27, 1852 / died Dec. 21, 1912 / Laversa J., his wife / born Apr. 6, 1880 / died Feb. 1, 1948 / GUNN / Hutchinson, Aylmer /
148a. Small red footstone inscribed – Osmond
[This is Osmond GUNN]
149. Willow
In / memory of / Edward MORGAN / who departed this life / May 19, 1859 / aged 72 y’s 11 ms /
150. Willow motif
Margaret MORGAN / died / July 13, 1838 / aged 21 yrs / also / Charlotta B. MORGAN / died / Oct. 11, 1839 / aged / 2 yrs / & 7 m /
151. Willow motif
Catharine MORGAN / died Aug. 8, 1842 / aged 13 yrs /
152. Stone
William H. / son of Henrey & / Jessie MORGAN / died / May 5, 1854 / aged 2 yrs / 2 m & 28 d /
153. Willows surrounding lantern
To the / memory of / Mary Sophia / wife of / Daniel DAVIS / died / July 17, 1852 / aged 28 years / 4 months, 6 days / It is well with her the lovely one / Though like a broken flower she lies / Her mortal puts immortal on / Her Graces flourish in the skies /
154. Lamb motif at top
Samuel J. L. / AXFORD / died / June 1, 1863 / AE 11ys 7 ms / & 11 d’s / Dearest Samuel thou has left us / Here thy loss we deeply feel / But tis God that hath bereft us / He can all our sorrows heal / J. W. Smyth / London
155. Stone
William E. / son of Wm. R. & / M. SPRUGE / died / Oct. 7, 1853 / AE 2 y’rs 11 mo. / & 23 d’s /
Notes
Benjamin DOAN [#3] married to Susan Jones Oct. 27, 1830
Hart DOAN [#61] married Mary Moore (widow) Dec. 10, 1836
source – Doan family history, by Max Doan
Mary J. PARKER [#100] born April 3, 1825
Rachael DENNIS [#33] born June 18, 1792
George Z. DOAN [#62] born Sept. 7, 1847
Hart DOAN [#61] born Jan. 31, 1807
Harvey S. DOAN [#1] born July 28, 1851
Mary H. DOAN died 1897. There is no stone in the cemetery
Osmond O. GUNN [#148a] born June 29, 1903 died July 4, 1928
Joseph LAWTON died Jan. 21, 1838, age 15. There is no stone
Jacob MINOR. No stone. No further information
Abraham MONOR [#42] died Sept. 30, 1832
Elizabeth PAGE [#87] nee Elizabeth PARKER
Catherine A. {#108] nee Catherine GRASS
H. PARKER[#108] is William Henry PARKER
Mary REES [#98] nee Mary PARKER
source – “The Plains” by Jean I. Griffin
Sophia MINOR [#48] nee Sophia THURSTON married Oct. 25, 1830
Lewis JOHNSON & Ellen BLEY married Dec. 7, 1832 [#116]
George MINOR & Hannah HARVEY, married Jan. 4, 1837
Jesse ZAVITZ & Hannan HANN, married Oct. 14, 1834
Daniel MCAFEE and Rebecca JONES, married Jan. 15, 1833
Cyrus THAYER & Hester MCLELLAN, married Sept. 1, 1831
Henry MORGAN , christened March 27, 1825
Wellington PARKER & Thirza FISHER, married Feb. 7, 1842
Lucinda PARKER, christened Nov. 10, 1830
Joseph PAGE & Mary WATSON, married Jan. 15, 1834
source – Record of witnesses & sponsors at St. Thomas’ Church, by George Thorman & Kay Lemon
Burials without Monuments
GAINES – St Thomas Evening Journal, 14 May 1909, Page 5, c1 – Died – Hiram GAINES, 85 years, May 12 at the House of Industry, grandfather of Mrs Frank HUMPHREY. Funeral May 15 to Seminary Cemetery. No monument found – CVH October 2007 [Note: wife Amanda GAINES buried in plot 129 – CVH]
McDOWELL – St Thomas Daily Times, 4 June 1914, Page 5, c1 – Died – Mrs Emma McDOWELL, 62nd year, June 4, wife of Samuel McDOWELL; mother of Delbert McDOWELL and Mrs KEMKHAMMER. Funeral June 5 to Seminary Cemetery. No monument found – CVH February 2008
McDOWELL – St Thomas Daily Times, 20 October 1909, Page 1, c4 – Died – Mrs Elizabeth Ann McDOWELL, 84th year, Oct 19, widow of Alex McDOWELL who died 3 years ago; daughter of William PARKER; mother of Mrs G. SMITH, Mrs S. SPITLER, Mrs J. B. MOORE and Samuel McDOWELL; sister of Mrs W. W. WARBURTON and Mrs B. FISHER. Funeral October 21 to Seminary Burying Ground. No monument found – CVH March 2011
ROOT – St Thomas Journal, 27 March 1915, Page 8, c1 – Died – Mrs Isabel ROOT, nee ZAVITZ, Apr 26 in Chatham, mother of Herbert ROOT; sister of Duncan, Robert, Merritt and Nelson ZAVITZ and Mrs Oscar SMITH. Burial April 28 in Seminary Cemetery. No monument found – CVH March 2007