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REVEAL FINDING OF TOMBSTONE OF 1ST SETTLER
[Evening Tribune, 27 March 1968]
An interesting item from Welland’s early history has come to light as the result of an item in the Tribune’s Centennial Edition printed last year. About three years ago a city employee, Albert Albano, 279 McAlpine St., was doing some excavation work for a water main break at the northeast end of Dennistoun St., just past Welland High and Vocational School when he unearthed an ancient tombstone and brought it to the city yards.
He had been working in the site of Welland’s earliest cemetery. Many years previously those who rested there has been removed to the Anglican Cemetery. He didn’t know at that time that that the tombstone was that of Welland’s first white settler, David Price.
Two years later he read an historical sketch in the Tribune about early settler and he had intended to contact the author, Mrs. E.A. Hurst of Hamilton. He finally mentioned the find last Sunday night to Crowland Township historian, James Morris, of White Pidgeon, who got in touch with descendants of that family.
The stone reads, “In memory of David Price of the Township of Crowland, who departed this life 26th February, 1841, age 91 years.”
Family members have expressed the hope that this head-stone can be placed in some place where it will add to the historical interest of the area.
PRICE HISTORY
About 1768, David Price was kidnapped by Indians of the Seneca tribe, following a massacre in which his parents and some members of his family perished.
He was adopted into the tribe and learned the ways of the Indian and when he had achieved manhood, he made his way back to the white settlements on the Niagara Frontier.
Friendly Indians took him to an excellent spot to homestead on the Chippawa and he settled close by what is known as Welland River in the area of the high school.
His knowledge of Indians and their ways made him invaluable to the government as a reward for his services he was given a crown grant for that area which is now the city of Welland.
It is believed that the original grant is now held by Barry Wade in care of the Wade Estate.
- Photoraph: Albert Albano with Mrs. Harold Gent, Beckett’s Bridge and Emanuel Hurst.
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