By Cathi Bruno
Tribune Staff Writer
[Welland Tribune, 6 May 1983]
WELLAND-It is a small unkempt cemetery on the north bank of the Welland River near the old railway bridge in Thorold and it just might be a landmark in the history of this part of the Niagara Peninsula.
Why is it so unkempt? No one knows who the owner is. But under the provisions of the Cemetery Act, the municipality has the right to take over the property.
Section 62 of the Act reads: “Where the owner of a cemetery cannot be found or is unknown or is unable to maintain it, the council of the local municipality in which the cemetery is situate shall maintain it and the corporation of the local municipality shall for the purposes of this Act be deemed to be the owner of the cemetery.”
So what’s the big deal about this cemetery?
For starters, it’s a link to the price family, and in particular, the first white settler in Welland, David Price.
A look around the cemetery shows overgrown weeds, a broken fence, sunken tombstones and sodden trenches. There’s no evidence that human hands have touched this parcel of land in many years, yet the Cemetery Act clearly states that the duties of the owner of a cemetery are: to keep and maintain fences about the cemetery sufficient to prevent dogs, cattle, and other animals straying there in; keep the cemetery and the building and the fences thereof in good order and repair…
The Act goes on to say that it is the duty of the local board to see that “every cemetery is properly fenced, kept clear of weeds and otherwise cared for in a proper manner…”
A look through the collection of Dr. W.G. Reive on cemeteries and graves in the Niagara District done between 1920-1930 gives clues as to who was buried in these forgotten plots.
Several members of David price’s family lie here, but Price’s tombstone was unearthed at an excavation site at the northeast end of Denistoun St., just past Welland High back in 1968. His epitaph reads: “In memory of David Price of the Township of Crowland, who departed this life 26th February 1841, aged 91 years.”
An historical account states that David Price, his wife Margaret Gonder, and his family were buried on the original Gonder farm near Welland, later to be known as the Stoner farm. Was this farm located in the vicinity of the high school? Nobody knows.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Consumer Relations, Cemeteries Branch, says there has been a lot of discussion as to who the owner of the abandoned tract is, but no names have turned up as of yet. “But we can’t just let it disappear, we have to find out who the owner is.”
He says that under the Cemetery Act, if no owner can be found, the property becomes the responsibility of the municipality it is located in. However, he says, in the rightful owner can prevent the city from initiating repairs. “This cemetery is on private property and we can’t decide who owns it.”
“All we can do is make sure we are aware of the cemetery and so is the municipality. And make sure nothing happens to it,” he says. “I’m just afraid in cases like this that someone forgets about it and ploughs over while building.”
A Welland Tribune article headlined “Who Owns This Cemetery?” (20 March, 1975) states the provincial consumer relations ministry had ordered the city to “maintain and clean up” the abandoned land parcel. In that same article, Dan Ryan, city parks superintendent at the time said,” We don’t know if we own it or not. But we must take over any abandoned cemetery and we don’t know where the boundaries are.”
He also said the city could not be expected to maintain the cemetery grounds if the boundaries could not be found. It was suggested to have a land survey be conducted, but it was never carried out.
Attorney Jim Swayze who was city solicitor in 1975 agrees with the Cemetery Act. He says that by law the city should have taken over all cemeteries and Ownership of the land can be traced to the Price family as far back as 1814 when it was owned by a Joseph Price, said to be the uncle of David. Land registry records have shown that various lots on the land off the Welland River have belonged to different Price family members but trying to find anything recent leads to a dead end.
Robert Funk, a land surveyor in Welland, says the city owns the property because of the Cemetery Act. He says he bought some of the property in that area some 40 years ago and owned the land for a long time before the Lincoln Street extension was constructed. But Funk says he sold the property quite a while ago.
So, who owns it now?
Maybe we’ll never know…
[Welland Tribune April 23, 1897]
Died at his late residence in the township of Gainsboro, April 18, 1897, Cyrus Robins, of heart failure, which for many years had rendered his life more or less unpleasant, and death a long expected calamity that became a sad reality in the early hours of Easter Sunday a day well befitting the occasion of the death of one whose exemplary life and christian integrity had served to stamp upon the minds of his acquaintances an image which the hand of time cannot efface. To the church of his adoption (Canada Methodist) he was a living epistle, read and known of all men. He had no fear of death, at the very door of which he could exclaim; “Oh death where is thy sting; oh, grave where is thy victory!” “May my last end be like his!” “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them,” The subject of this obituary was born in the township of Wainfleet in 1834. His birthplace was approximate to the scene of his demise. His wife previous to their marriage, was Miss Huldah Putman (daughter of the late Albert Putman of Wainfleet), who with seven sons and daughters survive him, as follows; Orlando, Amos P., and Mrs Wm Goss of Gainsboro; Alvin A. And Mrs. Cyrus E. H. Brown of Pelham and Mrs. N.F. Johnson of Wainfleet. In politics Mr. Robins was a staunch Liberal, but always willing to accord due regard for the opinions of those whose views of the situation placed them in the ranks of his opponents. He served his municipality more than a score of years as councillor and deputy-reeve, with few intermissions, having been elected almost continuously during that time.
His funeral at Salem church on the 20th inst. was largely attended. His friends in the locality where his whole life had been spent were legion, his enemies few. Thus terminates the life of a kind father, a faithful and affectionate husband, until the last trump of God shall sound to call forth the dead from their graves to judgment. We will all be there.
[Welland Tribune April 22, 1897]
A Prominent Resident of St Catharines who has lived 89 years
St Catharines, Ont., April 22 – One of the oldest residents of St. Catharines passed away this morning in the person of Charles W. Hellems. He was about 89 years of age. Mr. Hellems was at one time one of the most successful business men in St. Catharines and his name was a household word for years. He was of German descent and came here in his early life from Pennsylvania, He was identified with the building of the old Welland canal, and it was he who sank the first mineral well in this city. He had an extensive industry and from the success of the enterprise he was enabled to acquire considerable property, An aged widow survives but deceased leaves no children. He was a brother to late Squire John Hellems, a prominent pioneer of Welland town and father of police Magistrate Hellems.
[Welland Tribune November 5, 1897]
Mrs David Magwood died at her home near Lowbanks on Monday, Oct. 25Th, 1897. She leaves a husband, one son and two daughters to mourn her departure. She was doubly afflicted; with consumption and cancer in her mouth. She was a loving companion and mother, and a patient sufferer, realizing that the dawn of the morning would drive away the pain and enable her to bask in the sunlight of a Saviour’s love. She died putting her full trust and confidence in the Lord. She said she was only waiting for God to call her home. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. J. Major at the Zion U. B. Church, and the remains were laid in their last resting place in Dawdy’s cemetery, Pelham Centre. The following Orange brethren acting as pallbearers, by the request of the deceased; J. Bradley, N. Bradley, C. Moor, Geo. Brown, W. Lambert, S. Moriarety.
[Welland Tribune December 19, 1897]
“John Guinter is dead.” This announcement on Monday last, though not unanticipated by his friends, carried sadness to many hearts throughout the Niagara district, Mr. Guinter having a circle of warm friends, equalled in extent by few, if any, in this section. In his death this district loses one of its most progressive and successful farmers, the Liberal party and active and powerful champion and many friends one whose many social qualities had endeared him to them.
John Guinter was born in the township of South Cayuga, county of Haldimand, on the 25th of June, 1837, the son of Peter Guinter and Louisa, his wife,natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to Canada in 1837. One present subject, John Guinter, was brought up a farmer and began life on his own account on the farm on which he lived and died. Richly endowed with habits of industry and perseverance and possessing good business ability, he made a marked success at farming and allied enterprises, accumulating property and other assets valued at $40,000 a few years ago, from a beginning on a capital of $1,000 twenty-five years previous. Owing to falling land values and failing health limiting his opportunities this ample competence has probably not been much increased of late years, but so well were his lands and buildings maintained that his estate came nearer holding its own in value than most others. His lands comprised 300 acres fully stocked with horses, cattle and sheep, with buildings among the finest in the county, rich orchards, all the etceteras of the up-to-date farmer. In 1861 he married Bertha Laws of Pelham township of which union four children were born. Of these the eldest died in infancy, two daughters were taken away in the bloom of young womanhood, and one son-J.Fraser Guinter-survives.
The bereaved widow also survives, but in most precarious state. A few hours after the death of her loved life partner she was the subject of a stroke of paralysis and at this writing was hovering between the living and the dead.
In politics Mr. Guinter was a sterling Liberal. He was a justice of the peace, and has represented his township\ at both the local municipal and county councils, and for many years held positions of trust on public school and agricultural society boards. He was of a most hospitable and social disposition and his many guests ever met with a warm welcome in his large and bountiful supplied mansion home.
For nearly a year past Mr. Guinter was quite apparently a doomed man; a victim to that slow but remorseless destroyer, consumption, which followed an attack of pneumonia. But with that indomitable will and energy for which he was noted, he refused to give up, and it was not until one week before he died that he actually took to his bed.
The funeral took place on Wednesday, services at his late residence at 1p.m. and interment at Hansler’s burying ground. Friends and mourners gathered from near and far to pay the last tribute of respect to the departed friend and tender their truest sympathies to the bereaved survivors.
[Welland Tribune December 19, 1897]
Rebecca Brackbill died in Buffalo last week at an advanced age, and her remains were laid to rest in the Friends’ burying ground, Pelham, on Saturday. Jacob Brackbill, her husband, formed one of the ill-fated company of Canadian gold-seekers who was lost in the memorable disaster of the burning of the Str. “Golden Gate” on the Pacific coast in 1862. County Treasurer G.L. Hobson, who had the gold fever bad at the time, had fully intended going with the Golden Gate party, but his departure was incidently delayed, Mrs. Brackbill was a daughter of late Samuel Taylor, formerly a foremost resident of Pelham, and to whom belongs the credit and distinction of first starting the nursery industry in that township. She will be well and kindly remembered by the older residents of the township of Pelham.
[Welland Tribune December 19, 1897]
Mrs William Brown of Marshville died at the residence if her son-in-law, Mr, George Anderson, near St. Catharines, on Monday, 6th inst., at the age of 55 years and 6 months. Her fatal malady was an affliction of the throat, from which she suffered for several months. Mrs Brown’s maiden name was Elizabeth A. Tims; she was born at Port Robinson in 1842, the daughter of H.W. Tims, who afterward moved to Suspension Bridge and died there during the cholera epidemic at that place. From the time of her marriage to the late William Brown up to last September, when she went to visit her daughter, Mrs. Anderson, she lived in Marshville. She was a consistentand devoted member of the Church of England, active in all good works and charities, endearing herself to the whole community of which she was a member. Her late husband, William Brown, county councillor, died on the 29th of March last.
Two daughters survive to mourn-Mrs A. B. McLean of Marshville and Mrs. George Anderson of Grantham. The funeral took place on Wednesday, from her home, Marshville, at 10.30 a.m., services by Rev. A. Bonny in Christ church, interment at Morgan’s cemetery, a very large attendance certifying their love and respect for their departed friend by attendance at the obsequies and heartfelt condolence with those who mourn.
(Welland Tribune Date Unknown)
WELLAND (Staff)-Old Niagara was the gateway of entrance to the early pioneers, mostly disbanded Butler’s rangers and United Empire Loyalists, and of course the traders and merchants.
An interesting historical note: until 1792 Lincoln County was Township No. 9, District of Nassau, in the province of Quebec. It wasn’t until the British North America Act came into being that we became Upper Canada, then Canada east with the Act of Union and in 1867 we became known as Ontario.
So where does Welland fit in? At one point in history not one white man had set foot in our fair city-that is until David Price.
David was born about 1750 of Welsh parents in the Mohawk Valley. About 1771, while walking through a field near home with his brother, he was taken captive by a ban of Seneca Indians.
His companion was ransomed from the Indians by the British, but David was kept by his captors for two years, after which time, on his promise not to leave them, they gave him a gun and trusted him on many occasions with important missions. The chief of the band was called Little Beard and had adopted Price.
Although he was held captive and treated as such, he was allowed to go among the whites at the British forts. Price accomplished the Senecas on several occasions when they took prisoners to Fort Niagara and sometimes saved them from severe punishment.
After seven years with the Senecas, he finally severed his connection with the tribe at the British post of Oswego, where he remained a clerk and interpreter until the end of the war.
Price then moved to Niagara and stayed for a time at Fort Niagara.
When the War of 1812 broke out he moved to a farm in the present city of Welland, on Chippawa Creek (now the Welland River). Price died in 1841 and left his wife, Margaret; daughters Margaret, Neff, Catharine, Caroline and Juliann; and sons, David, Daniel and another whose name can’t be clearly read in Price’s will.
[Welland Tribune June 4, 1897]
John R. Swayze was a descendant of a U.E, Loyalist family, and was born in what is known as the “Beaverdams Settlement,” June 8th, 1832. His grandfather, Israel Swayze, one of the first pioneers of the place, came from the United States about the close of the Revolutionary war, and settled on four hundred acres of land, granted to him for his attachment to the crown of Great Britain, where he passed the remainder of his life and where he died. At the time of his coming to this country it was an almost unbroken wilderness, small clearings having been made at a few places. The father of deceased, Hiram Swayze, was born in the United States and was three years old when he came to this country.
In 1857 John R. Swayze was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Barrett, who with one son and four daughters, today mourn the loss of a most devoted husband and an affectionate godly father.
Deceased was for several years a member of the Thorold township council. He was a Reformer in politics, and has filled the position of president and director in both the township and county Agricultural societies. He also served several terms on the board of license commissioners for the county of Welland. As a farmer Mr. Swayze might be copied after to advantage. His buildings and farm stock showed a neatness and thrift unexcelled in his township.
During the ministry of Rev. J. H. Starr on the Thorold circuit in 1866, Bro. Swayze was converted to God, and ever after continued a faithful member of the Methodist church. His conversion took place in connection with a four days meeting held in the old Beaverdams church. The first sermon was preached by the late Rev. John Carroll. Mr. Swayze was an earnest, active Christian, and entered with his whole soul into temperance and moral reform week. On the night of his conversion he erected the family altar, and continued it as long as he was able to attend to its duties. He was a member of the quarterly and trustee boards for many years, and his place was never vacant in the house of God till his affliction rendered it impossible to attend. His last illness was paralysis, which, though lingering for years and at times very painful, was yet borne with Christian fortitude. He died in great peace, May 20th, 1897. The funeral took place on the Sunday following interment at Beaverdams cemetery. We expect to meet our brother in the “Homeland,” when the day breaketh and the shadows flee away.
[Welland Tribune May 21, 1897]
Charles Kick, junior died at the home of his mother, Mrs. Mary Kick, Queen’s Park hotel, on Sunday evening at 8.40 of typhoid fever. Charley fonght manfully against the fatal disease for four weeks, and it was the universal hope and prayer of the community that this young life might be spared to his widowed mother and only sister,. Last week prospects of recovery were gratifying, but Providence had not so willed, and the patient sufferer sank to sleep as the shadows of the peaceful Sabbath eve gave way to the glorious moonlight-typical of the brief passage through death’s shadowy portals and entry into the bright beyond. Deceased was an amiable and honorable young man, beloved by a host of friends and companions, and idolized by an affectionate mother and sister, whose anguish words cannot tell. He had filled the position of ticket agent on the N.F.P. & River railway with acceptance to the company and the public, was an industrious employee of the Oneida metal works, and popular with everybody. He was a member of Park Lodge of Workmen, Cascade Court of Foresters, and also carried $2500 insurance on his life-$4500 in all. He was also a member of Alert whose company and of the bicycle club.
The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon from his mothers home, and was one of the largest held in the section for many years. The funeral procession took the following order- Niagara Falls band, Niagara Falls fire department, Court Cascade Foresters, Park Lodge United Workmen, Niagara Falls bicycle club, carriage laden with floral offerings, hearse and pallbearers, mourners and friends in carriages. As the cortage moved slowly along Ferry street to Drummond Hill cemetery, to the solemn strains of funeral march, the sight was deeply impressive and affecting. Rev. Mr. Wilson of the Presbyterian church conducted the religious service, and Chief Ranger J.H. Garner and Chaplain H.E. Walker officiated for the Foresters and Master Workman N. Ferris for Park Lodge, The pallbearers were Harry Dart and Marvin Bigger (Foresters), Austin Morse and Charles Wilcox (Workmen), Frank Blanton and George Campbell (companions). The handsome casket of cream-tinted brocaded satin was uncovered while friends passed by to look upon the departed one, but flowers bid from view all but the face and shoulders. The floral offerings were indescribably beautiful, and among others we noted-floral clock, showing the hands at the sad hour of 8.40, from the Clifton bicycle club; gates ajar, from his mates in the Oneida shops; pillow from the licensed victuallers; maltese cross, from Court Cascade of Foresters; anchor from Park Lodge, United Workmen; wreath from Niagara Falls fire department; anchor from Lilian Boyd: gates ajar, from girl friends; horsehoe, aunt Emma and uncle John; pillow from companions; bouquets, from Mrs. C, Kick, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Robinson, Miss Ross, aunt Susie, Uncle John,, aunt Anna, uncle Fred, cousin Joe, cousin Belle, and many other relatives and friends. The obsequies were a mark of honor and respect t the deceased that will ever be remembered by the family with great satisfaction and comfort.
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