FAMILIES WHO LIVED
IN THE CEMETERY LODGE
BUILT IN SEPTEMBER 1854
SAMUEL CALVER was born in 1822 in
Suffolk, England and immigrated to this
country in 1838. He married Sarah Rouse, also
from England. Samuel was appointed the first
Cemetery Keeper in 1854. In 1855, he was
replaced by George Bates as Samuel went on
to be in the Nurseryman and Florist business
on Paisley Street in Guelph. On October 1,
1869 he was reappointed as Cemetery
Keeper of Union Cemetery. His obituary
states that under his care the cemetery has
become one of the most beautiful spots to be
found in this neighbourhood. Samuel Calver
died on December 23, 1882 at his residence,
the lodge built in September 1854 for
Cemetery Keepers on the same site as the
present white brick Lodge. His age was 60
years, 2 months.
Block E-8 2 Terms: 1854, 1869-1882
Location: Tall limestone monument below
maple.
GEORGE BATES was appointed Cemetery
Keeper for a brief term.
Unknown
Term 1855-1856 Research in Progress
WILLIAM HASKINS was born May 27th,
1828 at County Wicklow, Ireland and
educated in Dublin as an engineer and
surveyor. He emigrated in 1852, obtaining a
position as an Assistant Engineer on the Great
Western Railway of Canada, on the survey
and construction of which he was engaged for
two years. The next appointment mentioned in
his obituary was in October 1856 and that year
he retired his position at Union Cemetery,
Guelph where he did the laying out of lots and
acted as secretary and superintendent. Mr.
Haskins had been engaged in 1855-1856 at
Union Cemetery to superintend the grounds,
keep and direct the work of the Cemetery
Keeper subject to instruction for the
Chairman. Mr. Haskins was a Member of the
Canadian Society of Engineers and qualified
to practice in the Dominion as a land surveyor.
While in the Guelph area he surveyed lots near
Marden in 1857 for a subdivision as found in
the West End Tweedsmuir. The 1891
Hamilton census shows William Haskins with
wife Catherine Murray and two sons. His
epitaph shows he was a City Engineer of
Hamilton 1856-1896. William Haskins died
at his residence in Hamilton, on July 5,
1896 age 69 years leaving his widow and five
sons 1. William F., 2. Frederick, 3. Raymond,
4. Gerald and 5. Thomas.
Location: Hamilton (Christ Church Cathedral)
Cemetery Hamilton, Wentworth
Term: 1855-1856
WILLIAM SNELLING was born in 1795 in
Suffolk where he married Lucy Tink on July
6, 1816 at Southerton, Suffolk, England. Lucy
was also born in 1795. By 1840 the Snellings
were living in Guelph Township with 2 male,
and 1 female child under 16. Only the head of
the family was named in the 1840 census.
Their Religion was Wesleyan Methodist.
William was appointed Cemetery Keeper of
Union Cemetery for a brief term from March
7, 1856 to April 17, 1857. Listed with them in
the 1861 Census, a male child Samuel born
c1850 may have been a grandson. William
Snelling died in Guelph on July 4, 1873, 87
yrs. Lucy died 28 December 1870, 74 yrs
and was also buried in a Free Grave. It is
believed that Morris Snelling, sometimes
spelled Maurice and born circa 1835 may also
have been his son.
Location: Union Cemetery Free Grave
Term: 1856-1857
GEORGE CANHAM was appointed
Cemetery Keeper, April 10, 1857 and left his
employ around April 15, 1861. The 1851
Census records show he was born in England
in 1816. He married Mary Johnson born Long
Melford, Suffolk England c1821. She was ill 6
months and died of consumption on August
28th, 1879, 53 yrs. Her death was recorded in
Ontario at Lennox and Addington. The
Canham family would have emigrated
between 1851 census in England and 1857 the
year George was appointed Union Cemetery
Keeper. The census lists the parents and the
following 8 children:
1.George (1838);
2.Harry (1840); 3.Joseph (1841); 4.Alfred
(1843); 5.Chester (1844); Note: the following
children marked with an * were listed in the
1861 Guelph Township census while living
with their parents in the First Cemetery House.
*6.Oscar born about (1843-45) in Suffolk
England, enlisted in the U.S. Army Oct 28
1864 and died suddenly of inflammation of the
lungs at Fort Laramie, Dacotah Territory on
16th February, 1868, age 22 yrs.; *7.Sarah
Matilda born (1847) in Laxfield, Suffolk,
England died June 16th, 1919 in Wellington
County and was buried in Mount Forest
Cemetery. She had received her education in
Guelph in private schools and
married
Richard John Dale in 1864, a Jeweller of
Mount Forest, Ontario who immigrated to
Canada in 1862; 8. Martha Mary (1848); *9.
Margaret (1847).
George Canham’s date of death hasn’t been
located.
Location: unknown
Term: 1857–1861
BARNABUS GIBSON Sr. was born in 1816
in the Town of Laxfield, Suffolk, England and
emigrated with his family on Aug 13, 1853 on
the ship Northumberland from London,
England to USA. He was a stock dealer and
farmer in England and was married to Sarah
Gillans born 1816 in Cratfield, Suffolk a
neighbouring town. Their large family,
Mary Anne, William, Penelope, Edward,
Susan, Harriett, Barnabus, Robert Matilda,
Hannah, Emily, and Julia were all born in
Suffolk England prior to emigration, only 5
children were on the Passenger List with their
parents. The others were listed with servants
by the name of Calner. Barnabus was engaged
as Keeper of Union Cemetery Guelph on May
18, 1861 and listed as a widower in the 1861
census. Therefore his wife Sarah had died
following their emigration in 1853.
Researching the first Union Cemetery Burial
Register shows a Sarah Gibson, native of
England who died in Guelph on July 16, 1855
age 40 yrs. and a child James Gibson age 1
month. Their names were both initialled in
the Burial register by William Gibson “W.G.”
probably either during his term or his father
Barnabus Gibson’s term as Keeper. His
initials lead us to believe that Sarah may be
the wife and mother of these Keepers.
Barnabus Gibson died in Guelph on May
17, 1868 52 yrs.
Block B-44 Term: 1861–1868
Location: To right of large Silver Fir Tree &
King monument.
WILLIAM BARNABUS GIBSON was born
March 20, 1844 in Cratfield, Suffolk, England.
He lived in Guelph and in 1866 he married an
Irish girl, Elizabeth Cahill (1849-1935) of
Toronto. They had 9 children Thomas, George
B., Joseph Patrick, John R., Francis H., Sarah
L., Mary Elizabeth, Margaret, and Emma.
Barnabus Jr. (William) may have worked
along with his father at cemetery duties as he
received the appointment of Cemetery Keeper
when his father died in 1868. He gave notice
of resignation a year later due to poor health.
Barnabus Gibson Jr. died 19 Sept 1924, 80
yrs. His Death Certificate shows his trade as
Butcher.
He was buried at St. Joseph's
cemetery Guelph with his wife Elizabeth nee
Cahill, along with their son Thomas
and daughter Sarah L. Gibson wife of W.W.
Simpson. Only Thomas and Sarah are
inscribed on the tombstone. Their son Joseph
Patrick is named on a monument in St.
Joseph's Cemetery with his grandmother Mary
Cahill.
St. Joseph's Cemetery, Guelph On
TERM: 1868-1869
SAMUEL CALVER purchased a family plot
in 1881. A monument was inscribed for his
wife Sarah in 1892 ten years after his death,
but his date of death 23 Dec. 1882, 60 yrs.
wasn’t inscribed. He died during his second
term. He erected monuments for others, and
also the following monument: JAMES /In
memory of twelve children of SAMUEL &
SARAH CALVER who died in infancy.
SECOND Term: 1869-1882
CEMETERY FAMILIES
LIVING IN WHITE
BRICK LODGE
SINCE 1884
PETER GOKEY was born March 1st, 1845 at
Sydenham, Ontario, the son of Francis and
Florence ‘Flora’ (McGillvray) Gokey. Their
nationality is French. Peter received his
education in Erin, Ontario. The Gokey family
were Coopers there when Peter was 15. He
was the 2nd of their 8 children. On June 26,
1872 he married Mary Ann Wilkinson (18451942), an English girl who came to Canada in
1861. Descendants of children Flora & Ida
live in the Guelph area, throughout Canada
and in the U.S.A. 2 sons Francis & Albert died
young. Mr. Calver died on December 23,
1882. His terms were 1854 & 1869-1882.
Peter Gokey replaced him and entered upon
his duties on April 1st, 1883. Peter was the 9th
Cemetery Keeper and the last to be given that
title. He was known at the cemetery since
1864, being in the cooperage business.
(Research shows that in 1883 the “old
dilapidated lodge” occupied by Samuel Calver
the previous Cemetery Keeper was removed
and a “commodious and ornamental lodge
built upon the site” as noted in the cemetery
minutes.) It is most likely that the Gokey
family lived elsewhere in the Guelph area until
the lodge was completed, and Peter commuted
to the cemetery until probably January of
1884. The Gokey's were the first family to
occupy the Cemetery Lodge and Peter was
keeper of the cemetery for 23 years. He was
well known and the entrance to the Cemetery
was facetiously spoken of as “Gokey’s Gates”.
Under his supervision the Cemetery grounds
began to take shape and over the years showed
great improvement. In 1884 Peter found while
going over the books that the number of
burials was approximately 5000. He spared no
pains to make the cemetery look beautiful.
Peter Gokey died in Guelph Township on
May 3, 1918 at the age of 74 years.
Block E-157. Location: Although there is no
longer a monument on his grave at the bottom
of Block E, a Bronze plaque on granite has
been erected by a tree along the roadway
commemorating his service to the cemetery.
After Peter’s death, Mary Ann Gokey moved
to Weyburn, Saskatchewan, died June 9th,
1942 and buried there in Hillcrest Cemetery.
Term: 1883 –1907
GEORGE L.M.C. STEELE was born in
Guelph on December 15, 1862 where he lived
most of his life. He played ball with the local
teams in his younger days and contributed to
baseball and other sports and activities in the
city. He was a cabinetmaker by trade and a
member of Chalmers United Church, the
Masonic Speed Lodge and LOL 1331. On
December 25, 1900 George married Jane
‘Jennie’ Sole (1873-1961) and with their sons,
Edward, William, Thomas and Douglas, were
the second family to live in the Cemetery
Lodge. In 1907 George Steele was appointed
to replace Peter Gokey, a post he held until
1921 when he resigned. He was the first
Superintendent when the Guelph Cemetery
Commission was formed in 1919. That same
year he was the first to be provided with a
uniform for attendance at funerals. George
Steele died unexpectedly in Guelph on
August 3, 1953, and was survived by his wife
Jennie, his 4 sons mentioned above and 6
grandchildren. In a commentary by Doug
Steele on a walk through Cemetery lodge in
the spring of 2000, we learned from him that
George called the Mayor of Guelph during the
Spanish flu epidemic in 1918 for help, and a
bus load of workers arrived the next day to
help with interments. They were doing more
than 50 burials a month during the epidemic.
During the time they lived in the lodge
electricity was installed in the house through
the upstairs floor. The second door in the front
entry hall leading into the present dining room
was the door to the cemetery office. The kids
stood with their back against the tall heat
register in the front hall to get warm. Jennie
Steele used the space under the present dining
room floor for a provision cellar. A crank
phone was on the front hall wall between the
front door and the living room. George used
his carpentry skills to enlarge the sun porch
and build a pantry cupboard.
Block N-309. Location: At the bottom of
Block N along the road behind Fleming red
granite ground markers between a tall
Austrian Pine and a tall cedar.
Term: 1907–1921
JOHN THOMAS CROSBY was born in
1867 at Dearham Centre near London,
Ontario. In 1884 the Crosby family moved to
Guelph Township where he farmed alongside
his father at Marden. His first marriage was
in 1894 to Annie Darby who died 7 years later
in 1911. They had 2 daughters. On 18 March
1914 he married Minnie Colgate (1874-1971).
John worked at one time for the Guelph Radial
Railway and in 1921 was appointed second
Superintendent
of
the
Cemetery
Commission. The Crosby’s were the third
family to live in Cemetery Lodge. In the Oct.
7, 1932Woodlawn cemetery minutes we find
“Superintendent Crosby reported that he had
secured prices for a new uniform and cap and
these were almost identical.
He was
authorized to proceed and secure the necessary
equipment where he considers he is getting the
best value” He served for 21 years and when
he became ill, Ross Armitage became acting
superintendent. John Crosby died Nov. 7,
1942 age of 75. His loss was deeply felt by
the public and the Cemetery Commission. He
was survived by his wife Minnie, 3 daughters,
Edith May, Daisy, & Lillian and 2 brothers
George and Dr. F.M. Crosby.
Block B-143.
Location: Two red granite
flat markers behind the red Crosby
monument in the front row on the South
curve behind the Mausoleum.
Term: 1921–1942.
ROSS FERGUSON ARMITAGE was born
in Fergus on May 7, 1896 to John and Mary
Ann (Hodgson) Armitage who moved to
Guelph when he was 10. He worked at
Raymond's Sewing Machine Co. and at Bond
Hardware and then moved to Buffalo where he
worked assembling horseless carriages for the
Pierce-Arrow plant during 1915 and 1916.
Upon returning to Guelph he joined the army
and served overseas almost 3 years with the
Canadian Signal Corps. He was a mechanic by
trade and had operated R.F. Armitage Ltd.,
Woolwich St.
He began working for the
Cemetery Commission under John Crosby in
1930
and
was
appointed
third
Superintendent of Woodlawn Cemetery
following his death in 1942. Ross and Beatrice
(1900-1980) were the fourth family to live in
Cemetery Lodge. He held the position for 23
years often labouring beyond the call of
ordinary duty. In “People of Interest” column
Dec. 13, 1963 we find that a treasured
possession was a diploma presented in 1958
by the Guelph Horticultural Society to the
Guelph
Cemetery
Commission
for
“Outstanding achievement with floral displays
and landscaping”. It also tells Ross and his
father farmed the land from the corner of
Speedvale and Woolwich (the present TD
Bank) and the South Wellington Co-op. The
farm went right back to Woodlawn Rd. and
included Woodlawn Cemetery. Following his
employment here he saw many changes,
enlarging the garage and workshop, removal
of many shrub beds at the front when
Woolwich St. was widened. The roads were
paved following 1930 until ¾ of the roads
were paved by 1963. The modern office with
fireproof vault and washroom facilities were
added for the public about 1960.
Mr.
Armitage estimated it would be about 35-40
years before it became necessary to develop
the land on the other side of the tracks. And
that land will serve for at least 100 years.
Ross Armitage died in Guelph, August 8,
1982 age 86 years, survived by nieces &
nephews.
Block D4-17-4.
Location: Red monument
at the East end of Block D4 near the road.
Term: 1942–1965
JOHN PENRICE was born in Morriston on
May 29, 1903. He farmed in the Puslinch and
Guelph areas for many years. His first
marriage was to Audrey M. Maddaugh (19081944). John worked under Mr. Armitage for
approximately 10 years as assistant
Superintendent before taking on the position
of fourth Superintendent in 1966. During the
first year of Mr. Penrice’s term the January
minutes show the main entrance will be
extended by removing the small gates and
resetting the large stone posts, the small gates
then to be welded to the main gates which will
in effect give a wider entrance to the
Cemetery. In April arrangements were made
to have the gate posts moved back by
Farnworth Memorials and in June the pillars at
the front entrance were moved back. The gates
have not yet been put back.
Heather
Pellizzari remembers that during her father’s
term, her mother the former Jean Waterbury
(1918-1991) and the family answered the
phone and helped him where needed. She told
us that John knew where everyone was buried
in the cemetery and would take a family out
on the grounds to the graves of their ancestor,
or loved one. The Penrice’s were the fifth
family to live in Cemetery Lodge. After 4
years as Woodlawn Cemetery Superintendent
he resigned in 1970.
John Penrice died on July 12, 1971 and was
buried in Puslinch Township. John was
survived by his wife Jean (Waterbury), 3
daughters, Margaret, Heather and Lana, a son
John, two stepdaughters Eunice, Lois and
stepson William Lovejoy.
Crown Cemetery, Puslinch
Term: 1966–1970
J. W. CLEMENTS HANNA became the
fifth Superintendent at Woodlawn on July 1,
1970. Clem was an assistant under John
Penrice and upon his retirement in 1970 took
over the Superintendent's job. Mr. Hanna was
born in Ireland, January 1916 and came to
Guelph from there in 1969. He received a
complimentary citation from the County
Fermanagh Committee of Agriculture of the
Government of Northern Ireland. Clem &
Charlotte (nee Moore) (1929-2004) Hanna
were the sixth family to live in the lodge.
Clem’s daughter Ivy Woodard remembers her
parents helping families with their genealogy
research on weekends in the office and taking
them out on the grounds to gravesites. In the
minutes of Mr. Hanna’s second year we find
the
residence
needed
repairs
and
improvements which included alterations, new
electrical circuits plastering and decorating
and in November a new garage has been
completed except for the doors and eaves
trough. In late 1973 and early 1974 the water
table had been lowered and with the
investment in the cost of the well and pumping
equipment it was advisable to deepen the well
to produce an adequate supply of water. He
retired in the spring of 1981. Clem Hanna
died April 20, 2003 and was survived by his
wife Charlotte, son Derek and daughter Ivy.
Block W-18-24.
Location: Grey granite
monument along road on right above circle.
Term: 1970 –1981
PAUL A. TAYLOR was appointed the sixth
Superintendent of Woodlawn Cemetery in
June 1981 and today holds the title of General
Manager. He began working for the
cemetery in 1977. Paul, his wife Cindy and
their 2 sons Chadd and Brett continue on with
the tradition that started in 1884 of residing in
the white brick Cemetery Lodge. His family
have all been employed at Woodlawn. They
are the seventh family to live in Cemetery
Lodge.
On his many tours, Paul often
mentions James Scroggie the first burial site in
Union cemetery near the Cemetery Lodge.
During the winter of 2014 Mr. Scroggie’s
monument was damaged during snow
removal. Paul has had his monument restored
and returned to its original position and the
site safeguarded from further damage, along
with enhancing the grave. The monuments of
James Scroggie the first burial and Samuel
Calver the first superintendent have been
restored by Chris Killam and Kate Paterson.
Paul Taylor’s count of burials as of 2014 is
over 35,500 after 160 years compared to Peter
Gokey’s count of 5000 in 1884 after 30 years.
While preserving the past, Paul also makes
plans for the generations to come. Paul’s
interest in cemetery history is unprecedented
and over his years here all of his staff have
shared interesting cemetery findings to be
recorded in Woodlawn Memorial Park
History.
Term: 1981-present
General Manager/Treasurer
CEMETERY LODGE
WEDDINGS
IDA DEVINA GOKEY, was the first known
bride to be married at the Cemetery Lodge on
May 17th, 1906. Ida D. Gokey, daughter of
Peter and Mary Ann Gokey married Alfred
Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith
from a neighbouring farm situated on the west
side of Woodlawn Road between the two
railroad tracks later Imperial Tobacco. The
wedding ceremony was performed by W. J.
Smith of Dublin Street Methodist Church. The
bride was attended by her niece Miss Elva
Dorothea Pringle of Toronto. The guests
comprised only the members of the two
families and after an enjoyable lunch, gave the
bride and groom a hearty send off on their trip
to the Falls. Sadly Ida passed away in 1908, 12
days after the birth of her daughter Grace.
Blk. E-120 Ida Devina Smith, nee Gokey
1879-15 Oct. 1908, 29 yrs.
Blk E-2-2 Alfred Smith 1878-1947
FLORENCE ELIZABETH GOKEY, her
eldest sister married Ranald Pringle in Guelph
Township on Nov. 1, 1899. In all probability
their wedding was at or from the present
Cemetery Lodge. The Pringles moved to
Weyburn, Saskatchewan, where they raised
their daughter Elva (1901-1968). Elva was
born in Toronto and married Phil Judson in
1934 in Weyburn. She died in Vancouver in
1968. Marker – (Pringle – Florence 1879-1961
– Ranald 1874-1962) Hillcrest Cemetery,
Weyburn.
FRANCIS W. GOKEY, was born in Guelph
April 11, 1873, the son of Peter and Mary Ann
Gokey. He as a graduate of the Ontario
Veterinary College Guelph in 1895 as noted in
the Ontario Sessional Papers, 1896 No. 28-34.
In the Guelph Evening Mercury and
Advertiser of July 20,1927
Cenntennial
Edition we learn that he fought in the Boer
War Jan. 1900-Jan 1901 “All were under the
command of Lieut. John McCrea. The
contingent went into camp at Ottawa, and after
a short stay there entrained for Halifax, from
which they sailed for South Africa, where the
Canadians aided the motherland in the conflict
until their return home.” At the time of
discharge from the Boer War he was listed as
a Veterinary Surgeon and obtained
employment with his father at Union
Cemetery. His niece Francise Judson tells in a
letter that he was a Missionary in France and
India but didn’t give the time period. During
his father’s term at Union Cemetery Francis
married Estella Margaret Owens in Toronto on
December 26th, 1904. We have no record of
children. Francis went to live in Clive, Alberta
when he was discharged in WW1. Francis
died November 17th, 1915 at Clive, Alberta
and is buried in Clive Cemetery. MarkerFrancis Gokey 1915. Estella died on August
28, 1943 and is buried in Victoria, B.C.
HEATHER PENRICE, daughter of John &
Jean Penrice married Ivan Pellizzari on June
13, 1970. Heather left from the Cemetery
Lodge for the ceremony and returned home
afterwards so that her Trousseau could be
viewed by the wedding guests. Heather and
Ivan's wedding ceremony took place at War
Memorial Hall at the University of Guelph.
Photos were taken of the bride descending the
stairs from the second floor of the Cemetery
Lodge.
IVY HANNA, daughter of J. W. Clements &
Charlotte Hanna was employed in London
prior to her wedding in 1976. She came back
to her home at the Cemetery Lodge to plan her
wedding. Ivy was married at Calvary Baptist
Church and wedding photos were taken by the
Cemetery fountain installed in the former lily
pond to mark the nation’s centennial year,
1967. It was surrounded by banks of flowers
and made an impressive beautiful spot. At that
time there were pathways around the fountain
and in a cemetery scrap book there is a photo
with a caption showing a girl sitting by the
fountain.
ARCHITECTURE
Architect of Union Cemetery Lodge
JOHN DAY was born in 1849 in Guelph and
was the youngest son of William Day, builder
and brother of William Day Jr. well known
plasterer. He spent a year or so in Cleveland
before returning to Guelph where he designed
public buildings and private residences, and
had a thorough knowledge of his profession as
an architect. He designed the 2 storey white
brick Union Cemetery Lodge in 1883 as well
as the white brick Stable in 1884. In 1883
John Day's spine was injured in a fall
while overseeing the building of the
Commercial Hotel (later the Regent) on
MacDonnell St., but this did not keep him
from the work he loved. Afterwards he
suffered a great deal from pains in his back,
head and neck. His deafness was caused by
scarlet fever. Naming a few of his projects
are the Speed Skating Rink in 1882, Petrie's
Drug Store, additions to Sleeman Brewery and
2 storey stone dwelling, homes on Dublin,
Liverpool, and St. John's Ward School.
John Day died Nov. 4, 1896, 47 yrs.
Blk G-8 Location: Tall grey monument to R.
of a tall Litster monument by Woolwich St.
fence about halfway down Blk G.
Architect John Day designed the Union
Cemetery Lodge "A public work which has long been a
necessity has been undertaken this summer.
We refer to a lodge at the Union Cemetery.
This building, which is now nearing
completion, is of white brick, two storeys
high, with office, living and sleeping
apartments. It will of course be occupied by
the caretaker, Mr. Gokey. Cost about $1,200.
John Day, architect; J. Hicks, bricklayer;
George Bruce, carpenter; J.J.Mahoney,
plasterer; William Humphries, painter; Mrs.
Ker, tinsmith."
Guelph Daily Mercury &
Advertiser - October 24, 1883
Cemetery Keepers New Lodge
The Cemetery Keeper's lodge, built in
September 1854, was to be torn down. In the
minutes of a meeting held on January 15, 1884
we find recorded: "The old dilapidated
building occupied by the Cemetery Keeper has
been removed and a commodious and
ornamental lodge built upon the site, at a cost
of $1,524.00 which with but few extras will
complete the erection. This building was
absolutely required for the convenience and
comfort of the caretaker." Page 13 Frank
Cooke’s History of Woodlawn Cemetery.
FIRST UNION CEMETERY
BURIAL IN 1854
JAMES SCROGGIE secured the dubious
honour of first burial when he was interred on
January 14, 1854. Scroggie was born in
Scotland and immigrated with his family to
Canada in 1836. They settled on lots 5 & 6,
Con. 6, Div. D in Guelph Township. In 1842,
the farm was registered to his son John. The
Scroggie farm is North from Woodlawn on 86
Hwy, second farm on right past Wilbert St.
James Scroggie lost a leg in the Napoleonic
wars, a veteran of Egypt and was present at
the taking of Alexandria by Ralph
Abercrombie and the British. James Scroggie
passed away at the age of 79 on January 13,
1854 and has the first small white monument
on your left in Block F after you enter the
cemetery gates. During Mr. Gokey's time at
Woodlawn he took it upon himself to have the
stone cleaned and the grave trimmed as he felt
it looked forlorn and he wanted to be able to
point it out to visitors as being the resting
place of the first person buried at the
Cemetery.
Blk. F-1 First small white monument on left
in Blk F after you enter the cemetery.
FIRST ST. GEORGE’S CEMETERY
BURIAL IN 1853
ELLEANOR JANE PIPE was the three year
old daughter of John and Emily Pipe.
Elleanor Pipe died on December 2nd, 1853
age 3 years 6 months and on December 3rd
was the first to be interred in Block O in the
St. George’s Cemetery.
The officiating
Minister was Rev. Arthur Palmer of St.
George’s Anglican Church. Her burial was
just prior to the official opening of the Joint
Cemeteries in January 1854 when the first
appointees to the Committee were: Twp - S.
Wright, Thos. Hood; Town Council Mr.
Knowles, Dr. Clark; St. George’s Ch. Rev.
Arthur Palmer.
Blk O-337 Location: 2nd row from the
Woodlawn fence below Thurtell in the
Anglican Section.