140 YEARS: 1873-2013
LYNDHURST CEMETERY
One hundred and forty years is a long time and much happens during that length of time. Today we are celebrating
the fact that 140 years ago this piece of land was set aside to be used as a cemetery. Perhaps it was a field, or
maybe an unused, uncleared piece of property. What we do know is that it was a small piece of the extensive
property owned by Henry Green, the son of a Wexford, Ireland immigrant.
In 1868, Henry Green and John Roddick had purchased all the property from the Charles & Jonas Jones estates
for $10,000. Several small industries had sprung up and Lyndhurst was a bustling, thriving village. A post office
had been opened in 1851.
In 1873 Canada was just getting used to being a country, with Confederation having been accomplished only 6
years earlier. The Northwest Mounted Police were taking care of law and order. And in Lyndhurst, Henry Green
and John Roddick decided to dissolve their former partnership. Henry Green now became the owner of the
property north of Kingston Road area, east and north of the lower mill pond, and all the unsold
parts of Lots 1&2/Concession 10. A sawmill, grist mill, and carding mill, all belonged to him, too. He was a
determined business man and was aggressive in attracting tradesman and artisans who then built houses and
opened shops. Eventually Henry Green became postmaster and ran as an Independent candidate in the 1879
election, losing to the Conservative candidate.
Churches in the 1870s were usually filled on a Sunday, with 80-100 persons attending. The Methodist Episcopal
Church and St. Luke’s Anglican Church were each in need of a burying ground. According to the Land Registry
Office, Brockville, Henry Green deeded property to both the Methodist Episcopal and Anglican Diocese of
Ontario between the years of 1873 and 1876. Eventually a fence and a road would divide the property into two, to
be used as cemeteries. And, very soon, the first burial would be made in the St. Luke’s Cemetery.
Eleanor Pierce Singleton, (1832-1873)) wife of John Singleton,(1826-1902) carriagemaker & farmer, died on June
9th, 1873, at the age of 41.The cause of her death is recorded as inflammation of the lungs, from which she had
suffered for 3 months. Perhaps it was pleurisy, or pneumonia, or even tuberculosis, but her Death Certificate is not
more specific. Married at age 20, Eleanor soon became mother to 4 children: William R., Francis W., John and
Margaret.
At the time of Eleanor’s death William was 18, Francis, 15, John 15 and Margaret 7. Her husband would live for
another 29 years.
Let me go back to the Henry Green family now. The monuments you encounter when you come just near the
entrance are all for members of Henry Green’s family. We have just had them cleaned so it is quite easy to read
the inscriptions on them.
Jackie McRobert, one of our most regular attendees at the annual memorial service is unable to be here today but
she is a part of both the Singleton and Green families. For years we have been delighted to have Jackie, her sisters
Rae and Freda with us. Happily, Freda is here. Rae died a few years ago.
Jackie has sent me the following bit of history to share with you:
“Henry Green’s children all died before the age of 30 of tuberculosis. One of Henry`s sons, Ford, married Edith
Evelyn Berry, knowing that he was terminally ill but he wanted to leave a store to her to operate a millinery shop.
He died 3 months after their marriage. Years later it became Bryce White`s store, now Wing`s Bait & Tackle.”
Jackie has a watch which once belonged to Henry Green`s daughter, Angelina. It is a gold watch, engraved with
the initials A.G.. Angelina died in 1894, age 30. Between 1878 and 1887 Henry would bury 6 children as well as
his first wife. He himself died in 1891, aged 77. I encourage you to look at the GREEN family monuments before
you leave today.
The building where the Green Gecko is located and the house where Peter Harvey lives were once owned by
Henry Green. The Methodist Episcopal Church was the wooden building opposite the present day United Church
and had an average attendance of 80 on a Sunday. The Presbyterian Church was where the United Church is now.
Lyndhurst Cemetery is no longer divided by a fence and a road down the middle. It no longer differentiates
between Church of England (Anglican) and Methodist Episcopal (United). In fact, we have a few `residents` who
belong to neither of these affiliations but do have family connections here. In keeping with the original intention
of the cemetery we are pleased to have clergy from both denominations with us for our annual memorial service.
There is a tremendous source of local history in this place. The inscriptions on the monuments are but a jumping
off point, teasing one to search the census records, the birth, marriage and death records. Let me warn you, it is an
addictive hobby. Once you start, it is difficult to let it go. (Many area cemeteries have come under the care of
Townships. We are very fortunate to have a dedicated group of workers who maintain Lyndhurst Cemetery.)
Each year we like to have a speaker. If you would like to participate in that way, please let us know.
Mary Ellen Moulton