The Historic Sites Committee of London Public Library has been researching the site with the intention of erecting an historic plaque. To that end, groups of historians have been allowed to enter the grounds and look around. The investigators noted broken and chipped markers, as well as stones obscured by vegetation - in particular, a large mulberry tree.
The plantings could be a problem. The roots of the trees and bushes may cause the cairn to heave and break underneath while the shade provided by the mulberry promotes dampness detrimental to masonry and stone. Organic matter accumulates inside the walls, holding moisture in and producing an unkempt appearance which promotes vandalism. The cemetery has been restored in the past, which accounts for the gravestones being moved from their original positions and set into a concrete cairn. This mid-twentieth century trend was an alternative to repairing markers in situ. But the reconfiguration means there's no way of knowing where specific persons are actually buried.
Overall, when one considers the restructuring, wear and tear, broken stones, and greenery at this site, it's a far cry from the way it must have looked in pioneer days. One can only hope another restoration project will take place in the near future.
Update, January 2021: What's needed here is a group similar to Friends of Brick Street Cemetery to take charge of refurbishment. While perhaps not containing as many well-known early settlers as Brick Street, Gore is still the resting place of many pioneers.
Hi there well I live right beside the cemetery and I would love to be able to go in and look at the head stones. Do you know how someone could do such thing?
ReplyDeleteI would contact the City of London and ask if you can be admitted.
DeleteI grew up on this street and climbed the fence many times. The site was vandalled alot back then and we would try to tidy up. Never knew the name of the cemetary so thanks for that. I remember alot of children.
ReplyDeleteOGS London Middlesex branch inventoried the stones some time ago
ReplyDeletetranscribing the readable inscriptions and typing them up. Try the London
Room at Central Library on Dundas for the cemetery's entry in the Society's
Green Books. Some interesting surnames.
It's About time the property was included in the LPL Board's Historic Sites
plaque program..in its 45th year from the date 1969 on one now returned
when structure to which it was attached to ceased to be.
Quota seems to be about 2 plaques a year.
How would I find a record of burial for a David Young, who died 1917. His death record states he is buried in the Gore Cemetery, London, Middlesex, Ontario.
ReplyDeleteHello, I have 6 known ancestors buried at this cemetery and would be very interested in receiving any information or updates that you may have. I have been wanting to enter the grounds for some time but the gates have always been padlocked so finally today I entered the grounds via "over the fence" along with my 68 year old mother. The grounds surrounding the cairn are looked after however the cairn is badly neglected. We would personally be willing to upkeep the cairn if only we had a key to enter.
ReplyDeleteMy great great grandmother Jane Paisley 1774-1852 is buried in this cemetery and her tombstone has been photographed. I suspect that her husband Thomas Paisley 1791-1859 is also buried in Gore Cemetery although his tombstone probably was not found. Is there any way to find the records of the burials in this cemetery?
ReplyDeleteHello Shirley (and others above):
DeleteThe London Room, Central Public Library, has transcriptions of gravestones, courtesy of OGS and LDS members in September 1982. The London Room also has a sketch of the cemetery and plot plan for the original layout before the stones were moved. You might also try contacting the United Church of Canada Archives in Toronto.
You may have already discovered this, but Thomas Paisley is buried in Littlewood Cemetery in Ilderton, with his grandson Leonard and his family.
DeleteNote - my reply above is to Shirley Crampton.
DeleteAs a boy of 11 I spent the school year 1959-1960 on McLarenwood in London when dad was transferred from Toronto on business.Not having experienced a cemetery,I was fascinated and made a study of it.It was in excellent repair,the stones straight,all legible,although the fence surrounding was unkempt as was the lawn.The oldest,modest,marble markers from the 30s and 40s were at the Trafalgar side.Then,a virtual canyon of coloured granite sprouted as the plots filled southward & the century turned.Every shape, size monument,with ever grander ever loftier gilded inscriptions.Quite the hatter's tea party....Incredible gem.A shame you've lost it.If you want to catch the vibe,put some Liszt on and turn off the lights....
ReplyDeleteThey deserve to have their resting place kept up.
ReplyDelete