The 2026 MCA Cemetery Tour: Brrrrr and Beyond

It's that time of year again, when dedicated tombstone tourists lace up their walking shoes and head to Delaware to board the bus. On October 17, I joined the Middlesex Centre Archives Cemetery & Heritage Tour, along with about 30 other bundled-up tourists who braved 10° C weather to visit our local pioneers. 

Our first stop was Birr (yesterday it was brrrr) United Church Cemetery. I've visited this cemetery many times before, mainly to see the oak grave marker of pioneer George McConnell. Here's one of many photos I've taken of it over the years:

At one time, many grave markers were of wood, for the obvious reason that trees were the one resource our ancestors had in abundance. Most of these markers have not survived, of course, but this one has, since the Birr Women's Institute set it in cement in 1924 and the cemetery board had it incorporated into this brick cairn in 1986. George McConnell, by the way, lived up near Elginfield and operated a small tavern. Rev. William Proudfoot, the early pioneer preacher, is said to have stayed overnight at McConnell's and, later, in his diary, praised the supper of "venison and tea for 1 s. 6d." *

I've also photographed this 1988 cairn, which contains the bell from S. S. # 5, Birr School. When the school closed, former pupil John Haskett purchased the bell at an auction. After his death, his sister, Neva Loft, donated the Bell to Birr United Church, to be erected in the cemetery. 
 

As for the former Birr United Church, built in 1879 as a Methodist building, it's across Thirteen Mile Road and renovated into a gorgeous home. A fabulous example of adaptive reuse:

But I never object to going back to places I like, even cemeteries. This time, I photographed a few other graves, including that of John Griffith, a weaver from Birr, Ireland. Griffith, who operated a small shop on the cemetery property, is credited with naming the community after his old home.

These monuments are for Thomas Langford and his wife Martha Parkinson, who departed Mountmellick, Queen's County, Ireland, and arrived in the former London Township with their four sons in 1827. Thomas' sister Maria and her husband Isaac Langford died of cholera on their own voyage to Canada, leaving eight orphaned children. Someone, perhaps Thomas, picked up the children in Hamilton, brought them by ox cart to London Township, and dispersed them to various family members. Among the adoptive parents were Thomas and Martha, although they'd had five more children of their own after settling in London. Then poor Thomas was injured by a falling log at a barn raising and died on October 23, 1838.** Stories like these make me so glad I'm living today. 

I've discussed "white bronze" (actually zinc) monuments before (here and here), but I keep finding more of these markers, probably built by the White Bronze Monument Company of St. Thomas:

A close-up of the figure above. An anchor is a symbol of Christian hope.

Another white bronze monument nearby is dedicated to Catherine Morrow, who died in 1883, aged 28. Her marker also has an anchor, among other symbols and inscriptions:

This gravestone bears the name of the monument manufacturer. C. Miller & Co., Ingersoll, which also operated under the name Dominion Marble Works, produced ornamental stonework and gravestones. The company exhibited at Ontario agricultural fairs, hoping folks would remember their name when it came time to order a grave marker.

To the rear of the cemetery is a pump with the initials "BT." Below it states "Pat'd. 1918." The pump was made by Beaty Bros. Ltd. of Fergus, Ontario, founded in 1874 by George and Matthew Beatty. In 1918, the company secured the Canadian patent for a double-acting pump. Eventually, George's son William Beatty held over 300 such patents. Pumps say "BT" instead of the whole name because the pump parts are so small. The company amalgamated with General Steel Wares in 1969.

Our next stop, Birr Trinity Anglican Cemetery, was just down Thirteen Mile Road to the west. I'd never been to this cemetery, and I was intrigued to discover it was much larger than I thought, stretching a long way back from the road:

This was once the site of Birr Trinity Anglican Church, a Gothic edifice that opened January 18, 1880. It was designed by London architect Thomas Tracy (1848-1925), who also designed the London Mechanics' Institute on Dundas, the Grigg House on Richmond Street,  and the 1878 High School at Dufferin and Waterloo.***

Birr Trinity Anglican, from the tour flyer.

Sadly, attendance in this church declined in the 1970s, and it closed for regular services. For years it remained available as a chapel for the cemetery and for special occasions like weddings and memorial services. At some point, however, it was demolished. Today, only the steps remain, leading to nothing:

The highest point in the cemetery is the mound on which the church stood:

The most remarkable monument here is undoubtedly that of the Hobbs family, constructed by Hayes Brothers of St. Marys. While it's not unusual to see the Independent  Order of Foresters (I.O.F.) insignia, I've never seen it with a stag's head before. Impressive.

Also of interest is this monument to William Clark, complete with sailing ship:

And here's William's wife Margaret, complete with bird (I think). Note, however, Margaret's monument tells us more about William than his wife. Clark was "Late a deputed Officer in H Majesties Revenue Coast Guard, England." Sounds like he served in the English anti-smuggling maritime service. And he was so darn proud of it he bragged about it on his spouse's grave. 

Next, our group arrived at Melville United Church**** Ivan. Here we enjoyed coffee and tea prepared by the church ladies and had a chance to see the sanctuary. Not to mention warm up for a few minutes.

There's no danger of Melville United going the way of Birr Trinity Anglican for some time. It's still a going concern.

With a simple, yet beautiful, interior:

The congregation even built a new side entrance in 2016, in a style and colour that complements the main building:

The most interesting grave in the adjoining Ivan Cemetery is likely that of little Jimmie Johnson, age 7, who perished in the Victoria steamship disaster, May 24, 1881. 

Jimmie's one-year-old sister Margaret was also thought to have drowned, but was revived and died in 1976 at the age of 96, the last known survivor of the disaster.*****

Another sad tale happened to the family below, although the marker doesn't record it. Mrs. Bessie Argo, wife of the Rev. Argo of Melville Church, went to London with three others on December 19, 1906, to buy presents for the Sunday School children. On their return home, as they approached the CPR crossing on Richmond Street, they heard a train whistle. The driver whipped the horses, but Mrs. Argo couldn't wait. She was so frightened she jumped out of the cutter and was killed instantly. The horses became excited and overturned the cutter a short distance away. Rev. Argo was left with five motherless children but was given a plot in the cemetery for free. ******

Last, our tour arrived at Melrose Cemetery at the corner of Egremont Road and Vanneck Drive. This corner was once the heart of the flourishing pioneer village of Melrose. Here a Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1872 and later became part of the United Church. 

Melrose United Church ca. 1930, from the tour flyer.

In 1961, a construction team working for the Department of Highways was widening Hwy. 22 (Egremont Road) near the church. Their work involved digging a ditch along the church's wall, which unfortunately resulted in the displacement of the wall and the discovery of quicksand along its base. 

Now if you're like me, you're surprised to hear we have quicksand in Middlesex County. I suppose I've seen too many Hollywood films and goofy old TV shows in which people were sucked into a bottomless pit. After thinking it over, I suppose quicksand can happen anywhere groundwater saturates the soil, making it unstable. It wouldn't have to be particularly deep.

At any rate, no one was allowed to worship in the church again. It closed and was demolished soon afterwards. The brand new organ was donated to Kilworth United and a stained glass window in memory of Mr. B. L. Cohoe was transferred to Hyde Park United.*******

So our tour saw another cemetery with a gaping hole where the church used to be:

This cemetery's celebrity is Robert Boston (1836-1922). Starting out as a Lobo Township councillor and reeve, Boston later became Middlesex Warden in 1889. He won a by-election in 1893 to become MP  for South Middlesex but didn't stand in the 1895 general election. Instead, he became Governor of the "London Gaol" from 1897 to 1906. "Mr. Lobo" was respected for his distinguished public service. Robert never married, and is buried with his sister Jane, who acted as his "hostess." ********

Below is the grave of Christian Boston, with what I think is a willow and a lighthouse. If that's a lighthouse, I suppose it would symbolize a guiding light through dark times, or perhaps a soul finding its way to a safe harbour in heaven. 

A lot of young children are buried at Melrose, a reminder of the days before vaccines:

Thanks to Krista Taylor, Middlesex Centre archivist, for organizing another interesting tour! Not to mention volunteers Bev Hughes and Glenn Scarborough, who provided interesting commentary at the cemeteries. 

* Jennie Raycraft Lewis, Llyndinshire: London Township, 1967, p. 46. 

** Alice Gibb, ed., London Township II: Families Past and Present. Arva, Ont.: The London Township History Book Committee, 2001, p. 246. 

*** The church has a brief write-up in Nancy Z. Tausky and Lynne D. DiStefano's Victorian Architcture in London and Southwestern Ontario: Symbols of Aspiration. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1986, pp. 220-222. The writers noted the church has "an aura of Gothic mystery."

**** In 1869 the church was named Melville, probably after either Andrew Melville or James Melville, prominent Scottish Presbyterians. The Heritage of Lobo 1820-1990. Ilderton, Ont.: Lobo Township Heritage Group, 1990, p. 102. 

***** Daniel J. Brock, Fragments From The Forks. London: LMHS, 2011, p. 312.

****** The Heritage of Lobo, pp.102-103.

******* Above p. 101.

******** Above  pp. 268, 290.