CANADIAN HISTORY: A Brief Description of Some of the Early Churches of the Country

[Welland Telegraph, 25 December 1891]

THREE RIVERS, QUE.

Mr. Wood, of the Bank of Commerce, Thorold, has lately obtained from a friend at Ottawa, a very curious book called “Album de l’Histoire des Trois Rivieres” with fac similes of old documents and plans, etc., with interesting descriptions and explanations. Among them is the first page of the parish register and the earliest election of deputies in 1648; also plans of the town in 1685, 1704 and 1721.

ST. CATHARINES, ONT.

In the early record of the settlement of St. Catharines, there is an interesting statement of the organization of St. George’s church, 17^th February, 1796. There is a list of 44 subscribers to the building fund amounting to £121.12_. For many years the Rev. Robert Addison, of Niagara, was the only clergyman of the church of England in the Niagara peninsula. He died in 1829. He was succeeded at Niagara by the Rev. Thomas Creen, and at St. Catharines by the Rev. Isaac Williams, who was followed by the Rev. Richard Clarke. During the war of 1812-14 the little church of S. George was often used as a hospital. It was burn’t down a short time before 1837.

A new church was built and completed in 1840, the site having been donated by the late Hon. W.H. Merritt. This church was consecrated on the 17^th of August 1841, on the same day the Rev. A.F. Atkinson was inducted as rector.

BRANTFORD, ONT.

The Mohawk church, situated about two miles from Brantford was erected in 1784 by the Mohawks very shortly after they had removal from the beautiful valley of the Mohawk river, U.S., and in the spirit of loyalty sought a new home where they could preserve their allegiance to the British Crown. The graveyard adjoining the church is now “a city of the dead” of that great Indian family. The great Brant and his son John are there buried in one grave. It is historic ground of deepest interest. We should like to obtain a statement from the parish record of its early dates and names.

ST. MARK’S CHURCH, NIAGARA

The federation of this church was laid in 1792 in which year the Rev. Robt. Addison was appointed by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, missionary and rector of the parish of Niagara. The first entry in the register was the wedding of Henry Warren and Catharine Algor in 1792.

“May 31, 1793, died Mrs. Catharine Butler, wife of Col. Butler.”

“January 25, 1794 was buried M. Kerr, wife of Robert Kerr, Esq.,”

Mrs. Kerr was a daughter of Sir William Johnson and his wife Mollie Brant, sister of Thayendenegea. Mr. Kerr was a near relative to the Duke of Roxorough. One of his sons was Col. Wm. T. Kerr, of Wellington Squarenow Burlington, Ont. Another entry in St. Mark’s church register is the burial of C. John Butler of the Rangers, May 15, 1796.

The history of Upper Canada of 100 years ago is full of interest.

THE FIRST GRAVEYARD OF UPPER CANADA

Among the places of heartfelt interest to Canadians we deem especially the burial grounds of our first settlers. These were located on the farm lands of new settlements form 1783 to the times when churches began to be built and the God’s acre was duly set apart for burials. Around Niagara are the family grounds of Col Butler, Peter Servos and Alex. Hamilton of 1783.

Around Hamilton city we know of the private grounds, dating 100 years ago, of Geo. Hamilton, W.B. Vanevery, Binkley, Ryckman, Terryberry, Smith, Burkholder, Jonathan David and Lottridge. The farms once belonging to these old names possess a claim upon our attention, which we are anxious to evince in some suitable way. Would not present descendents furnish lists of their buried dead in those places, and so perpetuate the names of early settlers?