12, years. This tablet is erected by his brother officers as a testimony of esteem and regard." From a tablet in the church we learn that others besides Gen. Brock were buried at Fort George. "Donald Campbell, Islay, Argyleshire, Fort Major of Fort George, died 1st Dec., 1822. Interred on west side of Garrison Gate, Fort George." A handsome tablet commemorates another Peninsular War veteran. "Sacred to the memory of Lieut. Col. Wm. Elliot, K. B. of the R. C. Rifle Regt., Colonel commandir.g Niagara frontier, who died at Niagara, Dec. 17th, 1845, aged 55 years. 39 years of his life were devoted to his country, he having served in most of the glorious victories of the Peninsular War. This tablet is erected by the officers of the Royal C. Rifle Regt., as a memorial of affection and of sincere regret for his lamented death. On the outer wall, the sons-in-law of Rev. R. Addison are remembered. "John Andrew Stevenson, born in Dublin, 1790, died at Oakwood, near Niagara, 1832." A letter has been lately found written to his father-in-law, Mr. Addison, after the disastrous battle of Chippawa. "George Connolly, born in Dublin 1784, died at Lake Lodge, near Niagara, 1857, "In memory of Richard Hiscott born in Wiltshire, England, 1790, died at Niagara, Canada, 1874. Deservedly esteemed both as a citizen and a soldier. In early life he served with honour in H. M. 76th Regt., of foot and was in many battles of the Peninsular War and in Canada. He settled in Niagara, where a large family of his decendants and numerous friends lament his death." Two beautiful mural tablets in the transept read thus : "In memory of the Hon. Robert Dickson, of Woodlawn, Niagara, member of the Legislative Council of Canada, who died at Leghorn, Italy, 1846, aged 50, This tablet is erected by her who fondly cherishes the recollection of those endearing qualities which were so long the solace of her lite and who mourns her loss with a hope full of consolation." The mourning widow dying like her husband, far from home, is commorated in fewer words. "In memory of Jane Jones, relict of the Hon. Robt. Dickson, of Woodlawn, Niagara, who died at Montreal, 1854, aged 60 years." In the graveyard is a memorial to the father of Hon. Robert Dickson. "In memory of the Hon. Wm. Dickson, of Woodlawn, Niagara, born in Dumfries, Scotland. 1769, died at Niagara, Jan. 1st, 1846, and ot Charlotte Adiem, wife of Hon. Wm. Dickson, ́born in Londor. England, 1771, died at Niagara, Jan. 1st 1826." This must have been she who lying ill in bed was carried out and lay in the snow watching the destruction of the house with its library worth £600, the day the town was burnt, her husband being a prisoner at Greenbush. Length of service seems to have been the rule here, for besides the unique tact that in the hundred years of the church history there were only three rectors, the parish clerk had a still longer term of office than the above average. On a small stone; "To the memory of John Wray, 50 years parish clerk of St. Mark's, who died at an advanced age Oct. 6th, 1846.” In the church at the north end is a large tablet let in the wall in memory of the first minister, whose circuit extended to Long Point, York, Grimsby, etc. "In memory of the Rev. Robt. Addison, first missionary in this district of the Venerable the Society for the Propogation of the Gospel in Foreign Ports. He commenced his labors in 1792, which by the blessing of Divine Providence he was enabled to continue for 37 years. Besides his stated services as minister of St. Mark's in the town he visited and officiated in different parts of this and adjoining districts until other missionaries arrived. He was born in Westmoreland, England. Remember them which have the rule over you." Near this is a large tablet to the second Rector. "In memory of Rev. Thos. Creen, late Rector of Niagara, born in Rathtriland, Ireland, Nov, 20th, 1799, died at Niagara, Jan. 6th, 1864. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings that publisheth peace, Isaiah 52, 7.” Mr. Creen was educated at Glasgow University, was a ripe scholar and for several years taught the Grammar School. The tablet was erected by old pupils, members of a private class. One of the stained glass windows is in memory of the third Rector Rev. Wm. McMurray, D. D.,D.C.L. Another teacher and preacher is buried here though no stone marks the grave, Rev. Jno. Burns, who was perhaps the first teacher of the Grammar School founded in 1808, was a Presbyterian minister and officiated in St. Andrew's Church and that of Stamford between 1805 and 1817. Indeed a sermon of his is in existence, preached to encourage his people to defend their country in the war of 1812. Another teacher who also took his place in fighting at Queen ston Heights and wrote a history of the war of 1812, printed at Niagara (now very rare,) was a captain in the Royal Scots, David Thomson. An educator in another line as an editor and publisher, Mr. Andrew Heron, lies here, his four wives beside him in an enclosure between the two defaced stones previously mentioned. The Gleaner newspaper published from 1817 to 1833 and many books which he printed are his monument. He was the founder Secretary Treasurer and Librarian of the Niagara Library, numbering 1000 volumes, which existed from 1800 to 1820. He was also the Secretary and Treasurer of St. Andrew's Church for many years. Many quaint and curious lines may be found on the old stones; as to a child who died Mar. 2nd, 1802, aged 4 years, Ann Graham.. "My time is short; the longer my rest God called me heare because he thought it best So weep not; drie up your tears Heare must i lie till Christ Apears." The exigencies of rhyme, rhythm and syntax are boldly met and conquered, metaphors and similes, appropriate or not abound. "The fairest flower that nature shews, Sustains the sharpest doom, His life was like a morning rose That withers in its bloom. Weep not mother for John is at rest His sins forgot and in Heaven blest., "Sacred to the memory of the two infant children of R. U. Turney, chaplain to H. B. Majesty's Forces and Jane his wife." Does this mean that he was chaplain to the Forces and Jane his wife? But verse is not yet exhausted. On the tombstone of two children of Alexander McKee, dying in 1813, the following lines: It is told that the father was a prisoner at Fort Niagara and was allowed to come to the funeral. Losing his property when the town was burnt he taught a classical school assisted by his wife, "He's gone! No more his infant smiles And warm a tender parent's heart; His lips which I kissed are faded and cold His hands which I clasped are covered with mould His form which I clasped is crumbled away And soon by his side his weepers shall lay. On the tombstone of a child, Mary Rogers, dying in 1812. "God plants his flowers at any time William Grier aged 27, died in 1813, the son of John Grier, a noted merchant. Ye mourning friends as you pass by This monument survey Learn ere your solemn hour draws nigh Of "Jane Cassady, the wife of John Whitten," it is told that when a child she carried her younger brother on her back out to Butler's farm for safety the day the town was taken, 27th May, 1813. Who in this degenerate day deserves such praise as that in the line given below? "Here lies as much virture as could live." "Man's life what is it? Tis a flower These are all in the first decade of the century and torm a contrast with the brief lines on two monuments of late years. "The memory of a life nobly rendered is immortal." "Laid here in faith, hope and love all that is mortal of A trace of the rude hand of war is here recorded. "Sacred to the memory of John McFarland, a native of Paisley, Scotland. He was taken prisoner at the capture of Fort George and escaped from Green Bush near the close of the war 1815. He returned to his place, Niagara, and finding his property burnt up and destroyed by the enemy it enervated him so much that he died in a few months after, in the 64th year of his age." On a tombstone near the north corner appears Pope's line, and the epitaph is unique as describing a man who had gained all the wealth he desired. We all know the story of the ancient king vainly searching the world for a happy man. "An honest man's the noblest work of God. In memory of Archibald Cunningham, who was born in Soctland and resided nearly 30 years in Canada. Having during half of that time by Strict Integrity and by persevering Industry in the Paths of Commerce acquired a competency equal to his Wishes he retired to his Farm and there by a life of Frugal Simplicity and disinterested Benevolence he retained the affection of all his friends and procured the respect of all his Neighbours. These sentiments evincing the Esteem of those who accompanied him through Life, Have by them been engraven on this Monument. Erected by a grateful and effectionate Friend, Ob. 21st Aug., 1804." A naval hero, a beloved physician and a Methodist class leader are thus commemorated. "Sacred to the memory of Philip Hopkins Commander of H. M. Cruiser Vandeleur, who departed this life July 11th, 1858, aged 75." "In loving memory of Robt. M. Wilson, M. D. who died at Simcoe, May 31st, 1875. Their eyes shall behold the king in his beauty, they shall behold the land that is very far off." (This was a favorite verse of the deceased.) "Andrew Brady, born at Queenston Heights Aug. 15th, 1789, died 1875." |