Springville/Cavan Pioneer Cemetery

Springville/Cavan Pioneer Cemetery is located just outside of the city of Peterborough, in a small area called Springville. It sits on the corner of the Trans Canada Hwy and Sharpe Line, and yet it is very easy to miss. Why? Because it's hiding behind this giant tree.

 Also, it sits way back on the property, and like many other pioneer cemeteries, the monuments have been bunched together in one small area.

William McBain, 37th Regiment of Foot, Granted W 1/2 Lot 20 Conc A1-1818. His wife Jane McIndoo. Cavan Pioneers.

William Wilson who died Dec 29, 1840. Aged 20 years, 4 months.

Unfortunately, the name at the top of this monument is long gone, but we know they died Aug 31, 1852, at 25 years old. Also, Christy E. Robertson, died Dec 10, 1855, aged 11 months, 20 days.

Helen Goodfellow, who died Nov 16, 1837, aged 84 years. Also, her sons, William Goodfellow, died Aug 26th, 1848 aged 62 years. And Andrew Goodfellow died Oct 25, 1852, aged 58 years.

William Bell who died June 16, 1855, Aged 51 years. Also, his son William died Jan 9, 1815, aged 2 years.

Jane, wife of John Bothwell died Aug 14, 1861; Aged 44 years.

James, son of J & J Bothwell died April 10, 1860, aged 11 years.
Margaret, wife of Hugh Padan died Aug 18, 1860, aged 79 years. I would love to know how these two are related.

Unknown Monument

James Lillico who died July 181839 AE 19 years & 6 months. Also of Richard Lillico died April 30, 1841, AE 31 years. Also, Robert Lillico, died July 31, 1852, AE 28 years

This picture contains two separate partial monuments. The top is for the wife of Peter McIntosh, died March 3, 1837, aged 32 years. The bottom is for another McIntosh, died October 1836 in his 88th year.

Robert Liang died Aug 23, 1873. Aged 53 years.Also, Robert, died Aug 30, 1864. Aged 22 years, 2 months.

Another, Robert Laing, died May 3, 1871. That's all I can make out, however, I think there are more names here.

Vroomanton Cemetery

Vroomanton Cemetery is a small, pioneer/settler cemetery in the town of Vroomanton, in Brock Township. Vroomanton was once a farming community and was founded by Colonel James Vrooman, but it is currently considered a ghost town (which is awesome!). Colonel James Vrooman was granted free land (which is what became Vroomanton) due to his noble service during the War of 1812. His monument still stands in the cemetery today.

In Memory of the Late James Vrooman, who died Sept 4 1871. Aged 75 years.

All I can make out on this is the name Phebe Vrooman, but a little research tells me that this is one of his daughters, 1832-1858.

Jane wife og John Vrooman, who died March 9, 1838. Aged 38 years, 1 day. Also Adam Vrooman, her son. Died Sept 1842, aged 20years and 5 months. I'm not sure why they have spelled the names Vroman istead of Vrooman.

Again, too worn to read properly, but I can make out Samuel.

George Tree? And Willaim Darby, maybe?

In Memory of Elizabeth Parrish, died Sept 5, 1853.

I think this is June Oliver, aged 1 month.

Thomas Oliver, I'h guessing. Can't make much of the rest out.

The elements have had their way with this one, I wasn't able to make anything out.

Vroomanton Cemetery is located on the corner of Sideroad 17A and Concession Rd 7 in Sunderland/Brock township. If you are in the area, and you'd like to see some neat local history, drop by. The United Church that the cemetery is beside is the original church from the olden days, and you can find a few barns and a house from the active days of Vroomanton too! Remeber: Take only Photo's, leave only footprints!

Joseph Scriven Memorial

I had driven passed the Joseph Scriven Memorial many a time, and not realized that that is what it actually was. Why is it in the shape of a tombstone? I always assumed it was an old grave sitting on the edge of someone's property, no sign or anything marking this as a Memorial. And it's got a sign on the 401 stating that this memorial exists, so I expected it to be much bigger.

Joseph Scriven wrote the famous poem/hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". He was born in Ireland, but wrote the poem while living in Port Hope, and died in Port Hope too. He is buried in Pengelly's Cemetery (which I will cover eventually). This monument is just outside on the main area in the town of Bewdley.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

1. 
   
2. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
3. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
4. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms, He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
5. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.

Kelly Cemetery

Kelly Cemetery is located on Heritage Road, just off County Rd 2. It gets its name from the Kelly (or possibly Kelley) family, who were one of the original settler families in Haldimand Township. Apparently, their property was a stage coach stop between Toronto and Kingston. Also, the first baby boy born in the township was a Kelly. Coincidentally (or not), his name is Haldimand Kelly and he's apparently buried here.

Kelly Cemetery is yet another teeny, tiny, abandoned or pioneer/settler Cemetery. It has been well taken care of, and the majority of the monuments are still in place and in good shape.

I'm not exactly sure what the fenced off area is for, I assume it was a section for only one family, but there are Kellys outside of it too.In fact, there are only two monuments in there, the large one you can see in the photo, and a little one that is laying on the ground.

This is the larger monument, there is an etching on the other side, but it is too worn and weather beaten to read. There appear to be at least 4 Kelly names, the only one I was able to make out looked like it said Farley Kelly, but I could be wrong. Could this be the grave of Haldimand Kelly too?

This is the second monument in the fenced off area, and it gives very little insight into who this person was. A Kelly/Kelly, most likely.

I can't quite understand the name on this one. It looks like The H, Kelley. Died Oct 7, Aged 2. Could this be Haldimand Kelley?

Elizabeth, wife of John Kelley who died June 5, 1855. Aged 71 years.

John Kelley died Jan 1, 1845. Aged 69 years.

Murice Jaynes, who departed this life March 21, 1858. Aged 68 years. Also Martha, wife of the above, who departed this life March 13, 1847, Aged 72 years.

This monument is so damaged that I can only guess at her name...Henrietta? Henrietta Jaynes? Who died J 18, 1870. 9 yrs.

All that's left of someone's monument. It's by the other two Jaynes, so maybe a third?

This is the monument of Esther Chobers/Hawkins and her 5 children (Harriet, William, George, Esther and George J.). Esther died Mar 31, 1869. Her husband George Hawkins is mentioned on the monument, but he isn't listed as deceased. Her children are:

Harriet M-died Sept 6, 1847, aged 2 years.

William H-died Aug 23, 1851, aged 4 years

George A- died Sept 28, 1851, aged 2 years

Esther E- died Mar 13, 1851, aged 3 years

George J- died Aug 31, 1856, aged 1 year

I have to wonder what happened to this poor family? 3 children in one year, 5 within a 9-year span. Absolutely heartbreaking.

Remember, when visiting cemeteries the rule should always be: take only photo's, leave only footprints.

Precious Corners Cemetery

Precious Corners Cemetery is located in a small area of Cobourg called, surprisingly enough, Precious Corners. A little history lesson here, I've always though Precious Corners was a cheesy name. That's not a history about Precious Corners, more history about me, as I've thought it for several years now. However, having finally stopped at the little Precious Corners Cemetery today and noted that there was a family with the last name "Precious", I'll give it a break.

The Cemetery is located on Dale Rd (Hwy 2) and Burnham Rd, heading west on Dale Rd. It is right there, practically at the lights. If you hit the Dale Rd School you've missed it.

This is not an active Cemetery, but rather a pioneer/settler or abandoned one (the best kind!). The property was originally on the farm of Joseph Precious, and the first burial was that of William Precious in 1844. He shares a marker with his father and it is still present in the cemetery. However, as is the way with many old cemeteries, the monuments have been moved from their original positions and are now sitting on a framed bed of gravel. So, we don't know the exact location of their graves, but we are lucky enough to still have their monuments, thanks to the work of the township.

Also, there are only 9 monuments, and I haven't found any information yet about how many people were originally buried there.

Joseph Precious, died Jan 8, 1850, aged 49 years. Also, William, son of J & M Precious, died Feb 2, 1844, aged 2 years and 6 months.

 Mary, wife of Joseph Precious Died June 4, 1869, aged 64 years.

This one is hard to make out due to damage, but it does read Thomas Precious died Aug 19, 1870, aged 82 years. The bottom of the monument does not match the top, which makes me think it originally belonged to someone else.

Maria Precious died May 3, 1865. Aged 32 years. Also, her daughter Mary Ann, died Jan 11, 1857. Aged 5 years. This is the last of the Precious family graves still intact.

John Smith, who died Oct 2, 1867. Aged 84 years. There is something underneath that starts with "DEAR MOTHER" and then it looks like "wife", which makes me believe that this monument was for more than just Mr. Smith, but the rest is lost to history.

Unfortunately, all that remains of this monument holds no clue to whom it may have belonged.

Robert Manley, who died March 28, 1858, Aged 62 years.

Jane Eliza, wife of Elias Holmes, who died July 12, 1855. Aged 35 years, 5 months, 11 days. Elias Holmes was either not buried here, or his monument is gone.

Warren Culver, who died Feb 6, 1861. Aged 29 years.

Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Wm & Margt Culver, who died July 11, 1863. AE 6 years, 11 months and 8 days. William and Margaret Culver do not have monuments here.

The Precious Corners Cemetery is a quick little stop and a gem of the history of the area. If you are Cobourg, stop by and take a peek. Remember: Take only photo's, leave only footprints!