Extracted From
Inscriptions from the
Silas Wright Cemetery
and
St. Mary's Old Cemetery
Canton, N.Y.
Compiled by Edward F. Heim
Town Historian

Canton, N.Y., 1960
Typescript, no copyright statement

[Transcribed by Jane Devlin]

The Silas Wright Cemetery (Old Cemetery) 1960 A letter dated 18 Jul 1952, from Village Attorney, Evertt E. Howard, to the Town Clerk of Canton, New York, states in part: "An examination of the records in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office indicate that the title to the Silas Wright Cemetery was conveyed by Henry Van-Rensselear to the Trustees of the First Presbyterian Society of the Town of Canton on 19 Apr 1843, which conveyance was recorded 29 Sep 1843, in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office in Liber 36 B of Deeds at page 512. Further examination of the records indicates that there has been no conveyance out of the Trustees of the First Presbyterian Society of the Town of Canton, which would indicate that the said Society is the present owner of record." "In talking with older residents of the Village & Town of Canton in regard to this cemetery, I find that the same was abandoned (apparently) well ove seventy-five years ago. That what little care the cemetery had for years was done by various civic organizations, especially the Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts troops in Canton. I find that occasionally this cemetery has been mowed and kept up by private individuals or once in a while by employees of the village." EEH. On pages 18 & 19 of Book #23, of the History of Silas Wright, compiled by former historian, Mrs. Karl Mayhew, Jr., we find the following statements: "Some refer to this cemetery as the Silas Wright Cemetery and others as the Old Cemetery. Ground was deeded to the Presbyterian Church by Henry Van Rensselaer, a large land owner of Ogdensburg. Ten Dollars was the price for this acre of land. Shortly after the Great Man's death, a subscription for his monument was made throughout St. Lawrence County. No individual gift could be more than $2.00 so that all citizens of the County might participate. A considerable portio of the fund was contributed by the children of the public schools who brought their pennies to help toward the fund. A marble shaft was decided upon & quarried in Silas Wright's home state of Vermont. It was transported by water down Lake Champlain, the Richelieu River to the St. Lawrence River and then up river to Ogdensburg. From there it was brought to Canton on especially made sleighs drawn by ox teams. ' This burying ground is unique in that those buried here for the most part are of a single generation. The generation that founded Canton. It is fitting that Governor Wright should lie here surrounded by his friends and contemparies. The cemetery became weed-choked, the tombstones fell & broke. In 1903, Mr. B. Keever wrote a letter to Williston Manley, Editor of the St. Lawrence Plaindealer, which was published in the July 3th edition jarring Canton & the North Country citizens into realizing their neglect of a Great Man by allowing local differences to leave his grave so unkempt. Mr. Manley agreed to do all in his power to rectify this great wrong, agreeing to be in charge of subscriptions, pledging $10.00 or more and offering free printing for letters, etc. The work began in 1904. The labor was let by contract. The entire cemetery was plowed up. The tangle of grass, weeds, brambles & under growth was taken out roots and all. The cemetery was carefully graded and soil pipes laid. A thriving hedge was planted between the cemetery and the freight yards and the cold storage building. The grading was so done as to make the grave of Silas Wright Jr., the highest point in the cemetery. The headstones and monuments were repaired. Donald E. Smith of Ogdensburg, who laid out the plans for the Old Cemetry gave his service of $40.00 and added $10.00 to the subscription list. The exact figures of the subscription list are not available at this time, it is said that over $3,000.00 was subscribed and that the Village of Canton agred to take care of the Old Cemetery for ever after. Sources of Information For This Report: The Town & Village Clerk's records, County Clerk records, Rev. Mr. Wells records at the Presbyterian Church, reports made by Mrs. Mayhew, former historian, Mr. Atwood _anley, Mr. Peters at the S.L.U. Library, Mr. Witherbee, and the work of the present historian who spent many hours during the summer of 1960, reading & recording information from the stones in the cemetery. Some of the names and dates are obliterated due to age & damage to the stones because of years of neglect. Many of the inscriptions we are unable to read and copy. Veterans We find the graves of three veterans as follows: Lot # 201, STONE, Col. George STONE d. 20 Jun 1840, in his 91st year. Lot # 14, GAMBLE, Thomas GAMBLE, Co. C. or G., 11 NY Cav., d. Washington D.C. 18 Nov 1863, ae 35 yrs. Lot # 157, KIP, Frank E. KIP, 11 NY Cav., Scotts 900, killed in Germantown, Tenn., 18 Apr 1865, ae 30 yrs This cemetery is located on the corner of West Street & Miner Street in Canton, New York, and covers one acre of land. At this time the property is maintained by the Village of Canton and is in good condition. There is a nine foot road starting at the corner of West & Miner St., and winding around the Silas Wright lot and leaving the property on West St., near the coal yard. The hedge mentioned previously as being planted in 1904, has grown and in some areas covers a number of graves. During 1961, the Veterans Organizations and local Historical groups plan to place markers at the graves of known Veterans and flags will be placed during Memorial Day services, as has been done for many years. No new burials have taken place here for many years and we doubt that in the future there will be any additions to disturb those resting peacefully. Edward F. Heim, Historian INSCRIPTIONS ABBOTT, Clara, wife of S.M. d. 18 Jul 1856, ae 24 yrs (Lot # 17) ALDRIGE, Ernest E., son of E. & VS., d. 28 May 1868, ae 2 yrs (Lot # 38) ALLEN, Sally, wife of John, d. 17 Apr 1831, ae 25 yrs (Lot # 9) ALLEN, John, son of the above, d. 17 May 1830, ae 4 yrs (Lot # 9) ALLEN, John, d. 7 Mar 1848, ae 50 yrs (Lot # 10) ALLEN, Lucy, wife of Reuben ALLEN, d. 15 Jul 1843, ae 35 yrs (Lot # 228) ALLEN, Mary, wife of Reuben ALLEN, d. 15 Sep 1852, ae 42 yrs (Lot # 229) ALLEN, Wilber H., son of Reuben & Mary ALLEN, d. 4 Jan 1850, ae 4 m. (Lot # 230) AMES, Elizabeth, wife of John F., d. 9 Jul 1842, ae 23 yrs (Lot # 7) BAKER, Royal S., son of Dr. E.A., d. 13 May 1840, ae 21 yrs (Lot # 147) BAKER, Abigail, wife of Dr. E.A., d. 29 May 1848, ae 62 yrs (Lot # 148) BAKER, Elijah, M.D., d. 9 Aug 1855, ae 73 yrs (Lot # 149) BAKER, Harriet R., daughter of Hiram & Sophrona, d. 11 Jul 1842, ae 11 yrs (Lot # 140) BAKER, Esther M., daughter of Hiram & Sophrona, d. 23 Jul 1842, ae 9 yrs (Lot # 141) BARBER, ---, daughter of W. & E., d. -- Mar 1870, ae 14 yrs (Lot # 95) BARBER, William, d. 1 Feb 1864, ae 60 yrs (Lot # 96) BARBER, Our Mother, Lucretia, wife of Reuben, d. 25 Mar 1861, ae 76 yrs (Lot # 99) BARBER, Reuben (unable to read) (Lot # 100) BARLOW, Catherine, d. 18 Jan 1852, ae 75 yrs, 8 mos. (Lot # 129) BARNES, Mehitable, wife of Richard, d. 10 Dec 1846, ae 72 yrs (Lot # 55) BARNES, Joseph, d. 16 Nov 1871, ae 74 yrs (Lot # 57) BARNES, Solomo Hutchinson, his wife, d. 16 Nov 1885, ae 85 yrs (Lot # 57) BARNHART, Catherine, wife of Wm., d. 23 Aug 1868, ae 67 yrs - Erected by her daughter Esther DeLANCY (Lot # 255) BENEDICT, Devereux Matoon, son of Ransom & Eliza, of Middlebury, Vt., d. 2 Jun 1830 (Lot # 112) BENHAM, Moses d. 27 Mar 1863, in his 88th year (Lot # 214) BENHAM, Esther, wife of Moses, d. 2 Apr 1842, ae 64 yrs, 5 mos (Lot # 213) BENNETT, Fanny, wife of James, d. 3 Sep 1847, ae 59 yrs (Lot # 30) BENNETT, James, d. 21 Feb 1848, ae 69 yrs (Lot # 31) BIGELOW, Eleanor, sister of Silas Wright, d. 21 Mar 1876, ae 84 yrs (Lot # 252) BIGELOW, Silas W., d. 8 yrs (Lot # 250) BIGELOW, Silas W., d. 9 Jun 1860, ae 42 yrs (Lot # 251) BINGHAM, Samuel J., b. Canterbury, CT, 1 Nov 1792, d. 24 Nov 1871 (Lot # 131) BINGHAM, Cynthia, wife of S. J. BINGHAN, d. 25 Nov 1866, ae 71 yrs (Lot # 132) BINGHAM, Abigail, wife of Luther BINGHAM, d. 12 Mar 1848, ae 88 yrs (Lot # 133) BIRD, Thomas B., d. 4 Sep 1833, ae 46 yrs (Lot # 124) BIRD, Archie Laus, d. 29 Dec 1832, ae 3 yrs (Lot # 124) BIXBY, Sophia, wife of Hiram BIXBY, d. 25 Dec 1841, ae 43 yrs (Lot # 235) BLODGETT, Sally, d. 23 May 1852, ae 90 yrs (Lot # 16) BOTSFORD, Susan, wife of C. Z. BOTSFORD, d. 28 Jan 1813, ae 34 yrs (Lot # 75) BOTSFORD, Julia Ann, wife of Cyrenas BOTSFORD, d. 19 Apr 1837, ae 24 yrs (Lot # 76) BOYNTON, Nathan S., d. 6 Mar 1839, ae 30 yrs (Lot # 166) BOYNTON, Charles, d. 10 Dec 1856 (Lot # 240) BOYNTON, Hannah, wife of -- BOYNTON, d. --- 18 ---, ae -- yrs (Lot # 241) BRIDG_, Ephaam, d. 24 Apr 1837, ae 21 yrs (Lot # 45) BRIGHAM, Stowell, drowned 11 Apr 1874, ae 64 yrs (Lot # 15) BROWN, Maria H., daughter of Walter BROWN, b. 9 Aug 1816, d. 7 Nov 1836, Erected by her Mother, Mrs. Mary BROWN (Lot # 63) BROWN, Waltr, Sr., d. 20 May 1845, ae 71 yrs (Lot # 64) BROWN, Mary Thayer, wife of Walter BROWN, Jr., d. 20 Oct 1891 (Lot # 76) BROWN, Ransom B., only son of W. & M. BROWN, J., b. 17 Jul 1842, d. 10 Feb 1852 (Lot # 65) BROWN, Walter, Jr., d. 8 Mar 1860, ae 56 yrs (Lot # 66) BROWN, Eliphas, d. 13 Oct 1856, ae 42 yrs (Lot # 62) BROWN, Daniel R., d. 3 Mar 1840, ae 41 yrs (Lot # 222) BULLIS, Clara, daughter of _ & Sally BULLIS, d. 11 Jun 1841 (Lot # 152) BULLIS, George, son of _ & Sally, d. 16 Aug 1839 (Lot # 153) BULLIS, Charles, adopted son of Major L. & Elvira, d. 20 Jan 1852, ae 5 yrs (Lot # 156) BUSH, John, d. 17 Nov 1864, ae 66 yrs, (Lot # 2) CAHOON, Marie, daughter of S. N. & M., d. 22 Oct 1861 (Lot # 81) CAHOON, Martha A., wife of Saml., d. 1 Feb 1842, ae 38 yrs, 9 mos (Lot # 82) CAHOON, Mary Ann, Relict of Daniel, d. 12 May 1852, ae 43 yrs (Lot # 163) CAHOON, Sarah, wife of Daniel, d. 16 Nov 1840, ae 35 yrs (Lot # 164) CAHOON, Daniel, d. 22 Aug 1842, ae 38 yrs, 4 mos, (Lot # 167) CARROL, Oscar, son of J. & R.A., d. 9 May 1852, ae 11 yrs (Lot # 71) CHALKER, Harriet, wife of Alfred, d. 3 Oct 1840, ae 22 yrs (Lot # 226) CHAMBERLAIN, Harmony A., daughter of John & Mary, d. 2 May 1843, ae 5 mos. (Lot # 157) CHAMPLAIN, Harriet W., daughter of Silas & Minerva, d. 17 Mar 1852, ae 5 mo, 21 d (Lot # 90) CHAMPLAIN, Silas M., d. 25 Jul 1847, ae 2 yrs (Lot # 91) CHAMPLAIN, Henry F., son of Silas & Minerva, d. 2 Apr 1833, ae 5 mo, 9 d (Lot # 92) CLAPP, Sybie E., daughter of J.W. & M.M., d. 24 Mar 1861, ae 2 y, 2 m (Lot # 68) CLARK, Henry, son of A.M. & H.B., d. 1 May 1852, ae 1 y, 9 m (Lot # 142) CLARK, Sarah, daughter of A.M. & H.B., d. 11 Jan 1846, ae 4 y (Lot # 143) CLARK, Justus, d. 16 Jul 1846, ae 80 yrs (Lot # 145) CLARK, Eli Jane, d. 24 Sep 1831, ae 4 yrs (Lot # 144) CLARK, Royal A., d. 9 Feb 1840, ae 6 m, 28 d. (Lot # 144) CLARK, Robert, son of Robert & Janet, d. 23 Jul 1842, ae 9 y (Lot # 135) CLARK, daughter of Robert & Janet, no date (Lot # 135) CLARK, Almeda, daughter of Dr. Elijah & Abigail BAKER, wife of Robert, d. 9 Feb 1842, ae 26 yrs (Lot # 146) CLARK, Jehial H., son of Wm. & M.A., d. 10 Jun 1846 (Lot # 158) CLARK, Isabella, daughter of Wm. & M.A., d. 11 Mar 1854, ae 24 yr (Lot # 159) CLARK, Harriet, daughter of Wm. & M.A., d. 24 Mar 1855, ae 20 yr (Lot # 160) COAN, Bright, son of Vincent & Maryann, d. 23 Jun 1845, ae 10 yrs (Lot # 6) CONGER, Sarah K., wife of Eli B. & daughter of J.J. & S. HERRIMAN, d. 6 Mar 1859, ae -- (Lot # 224) CONLEY, Wilbur W., d. 24 Feb 1882, ae 35 yrs (Lot # 124) CONLEY, A. B. ??? (Lot # 124) CONLEY, Nancy, his wife, ??? (Lot # 124) CONLEY, Francis E., d. 6 Sep 1854, ae 2 yrs (Lot # 124) CONLEY, Julia E., d. 25 Aug 1862, ae 5 y, 6 m (Lot # 124) CONLEY, Warren, d. 12 Sep 1862, ae 3 y, 8 m (Lot # 124) COOK, Sylvia Ann, daughter of G. & T., d. 16 Aug 1842, ae 23 y, 14 d (Lot # 116) COOKE, Thankful C., wife of G. COOK, d. 30 Jan 1861 (Lot # 117) COOKE, Christopher, d. 1 May 1862, ae 72 yrs (Lot # 118) DANO, Rosella, wife of P.P., d. 9 Apr 1862 (Lot # 3) DANO, daughter of P., d. 11 May 1862, ae 2 yrs (Lot # 4) ELDRIDGE, Martha, daughter of W.A. & R., d. 4 May 1862, ae 26 yrs (Lot # 125) ELDRIDGE, Rebekah, wife of W.A., d. 17 Jul 1851, ae 59 yrs (Lot # 126) ELDRIDGE, William A., d. 18 Jan 1875, ae 79 yrs (Lot # 127) ELDRIDGE, Louisa, daughter of Wm. A. & R., d. 20 Apr 1842, ae 13 yrs (Lot # 128) ELDRIDGE, James Edwin, son of G.F. & H. (?), d. 23 Mar 1859, ae 22 y, 10 m (Lot # 130) FOLSOM, Eli, d. 8 Aug 1843, ae 43 y (Lot # 58) FOLSON, Franklin, d. 21 Dec 1857, ae 30 y (Lot # 59) FOLSOM, Eli, son of Eli & Amanda, d. 17 May 1842, ae 1 y (Lot # 60) FOLSOM, Carlos, d. 24 Mar 1853, ae 15 y (Lot # 61) FOOTE, Charles, d. 7 Jan 1872, ae 34 y (Lot # 88) FOOTE, William H., d. 14 Sep 1862, ae 22 y, 6 m (Lot # 89) FOOTE, a daughter & a son of Henry & Amelia FOOTE, (no date) (Lot # 182) FOOTE, Flat stone near edge of road, unable to read (Lot # 181) FOOTE, Louise, daughter of ? & Amelia, ae 2, (no date) (Lot # 181) FOOTE, Daniel, d. 10 May 1801, ae 78 y (Lot # 200) FOOTE, Also George (unable to read) (Lot # 200) FOOTE, Julia E., wife of Chauncey, d. 16 Oct 1856, ae 63 y (Lot # 203) FOOTE, Lovis, wife of Stillman, Esq., d. 29 Feb 1811, ae 47 y (Lot # 183) FOOTE, Stillman, Esq., d. 27 Dec 1834, ae 71 y (Lot # 183) FOOTE, Mother, Hannah S., wife of Herman, d. 4 Jul 1901, ae 88 y (Lot # 86) FOOTE, Herman, d. 6 Apr 1886, ae 73 yr (Lot # 87) FROST, Clarrisa, wife of Ebenezer, d. 22 Jun 1831, ae 33 y (Lot # 106) GAGE, Clara E., daughter of Oscar & Elvira, ae 3 y, 5 m, d. (no date given) (Lot # 215) GAGE, D.R.B., son of Oscar & Elvira, d. 7 Apr 1858, ae 14 mo, 2 d (Lot # 216) GAIGE, Emily B., wife of Truman, d. 22 Dec 1842, ae -- (Lot # 231) GAIGE, Truman, d. 29 Sep 1824, ae 39 y (Lot # 233) GAIGE, George L., son of T. & N.P., d. 19 Jan 1833, ae 16 yr (no lot number) GAIGE, Clarinda, daughter of T. N.P., d. 7 Apr 1823, ae 2 y - also two infants (no lot number) GAIGE, Nancy P., wife of Truman, d. 31 Jan 1854, in her 65th year (Lot # 234) GAMBLE, Thomas, d. Washington, D.C., 18 Mar 1863, ae 35 yrs - was a Mason (Lot # 14) GARDNER, Hariet, wife of Reuben, d. 15 Sep 1846, ae 36 y, 8 m. (Lot # 97) GILL, Giles, d. 20 Jun 1870, ae 81 y (Lot # 41) GILL, Ruth Julia, daughter of Giles & Belinda, d. 11 Dec 1837, ae 20 y (Lot # 42) GILL, Belinda, wife of Giles, d. 9 Aug 1837, ae 47 y (Lot # 43) GILL, Amelia, wife of Giles, d. 26 Mar 1847, ae 58 yrs, formerly consort of Ephraim BRIDGE (Lot # 44) GOODALE, Harriett, daughter of J., d. 21 Jul 1815 (Lot # 5) GREEN, Martha L., wife of Russell, daughter of Francis L. & Elizabeth HORTON, d. 16 Jul 1837, ae 22 y (Lot # 227) HAMILTON, Sarah A., d. 19 Jun 1858 (Lot # 85) HAMILTON, Wilbur, d. 24 Jun 1858, ae 1 y (no lot number) HARISON, Mary DeLancey, daughter of M. & Susan, b. 1 Oct 1864, d. 28 Aug 1868 (Lot # 109) HARISON, Susan Morley, daughter of M. & S., b. 25 Jul 1862, d. 12 Aug 1868 (Lot # 110) HASELTINE, Colby, d. 7 Nov 1870, in his 67th yr (Lot # 253) HASELTINE, Miranda, wife of Colby, d. 2 Apr 1861, ae 54 y (Lot # 254) HAWLEY, George, son of E. W. & Harriet, d. 8 Jun 1845, ae 7 yr (Lot # 52) HEATON, Mrs. John, formerly wife of Thomas STEVENS, d. 19 Feb 1870, ae 70 y (Lot # 79) HERRICK, Amanda, wife of William H., d. 29 Apr 1862, ae 47 yrs (Lot # 29) HERRIMAN, Joseph J., d. 12 May 1877, ae 81 y (Lot # 225) HERRIMAN, Sally Lewis, wife of J.J.H. (no date given) (no lot number) HILL, Calvin, d. 25 Feb 1839, ae 55 y (Lot # 47) HILL, Harriet, d. 6 May 1868, ae 80 y (Lot # 48) HILL, Almira, daughter of R.S. & Sarah, d. 13 Apr 1818, ae 2 y (Lot # 8) HILL, Sarah, wife of Russell, d. 25 Jul 1847, ae 28 y (Lot # 49) HILL, Harriet, daughter of R. & S. (no date given) (Lot # 49) HILL, Ann E., wife of Russell, d. 24 Aug 1882, ae 59 yr (Lot # 51) HILL, Russell, d. 15 Feb 1881, ae 66 y (Lot # 50) HOLLAND, Polly, wife of J.J., d. 7 Apr 1831, ae -- (Lot # 77) HOWARD, Mirah, daughter of Wm. H., d. 2 Mar 1831, ae 1 y (Lot # 108) HUNTINGTON, Matilda L., b. in Scotland, 25 Nov 1820, d. 6 Mar 1883 (Lot # 188) HUTCHINSON, Abigail, wife of Jas., d. 19 Sep 1849, ae -- (Lot # 105) ISHAM, Josephine, d. 3 Dec 1852, ae 10 y, 2 m (Lot # 207) JENISON, Miriam, wife of Minet, formerly wife of Gailor SHERMAN, d. 31 Mar 1870, ae 71 y (Lot # 120) JENISON, Sarah, wife of Minot, d. 19 Sep 1842, ae 44 y (Lot # 122) JENISON, Minot, d. 5 Jun 1870, ae 58 y (Lot # 123) JOHNSON, Martha, daughter of W. & Bridget, d. 6 Aug 1851 (no age given) (Lot # 20) JOHNSON, William, d. 25 Apr 1856, ae 70 y (Lot # 22) JONES, Lois, daughter of H. & Sally E., d. 23 Apr 1831, ae 6 y, 5 m (Lot # 204) JONES, Pattey, son of H. & Sally, d. 10 Mar 1829, ae 4 m (Lot # 205) JONES, Frederick L., son of H.H. & H.L., d. 15 Oct 1862, ae 2 y, 2 m (Lot # 249) KERR, Jane, daughter of --- & Mary, d. 10 ? 1851, ae ?? (Lot # 24) KERR, Sarah, daughter of S. & Mary, d. 21 Sep 1851 (no age given) (Lot # 25) KERR, Joseph S., d. ??? (no age given) (Lot # 26) KINGSBURY, Louise, daughter of A., d. 18 Oct 1858, ae 39 y, 6 m (Lot # 242) KINGSBURY, Sarah, wife of A., d. 20 Jul 1856, ae 74 y (Lot # 243) KINGSBURY, Abram, d. 15 Dec 1868, in 89th y (Lot # 244) KIP, Albert Rickman, b. N.Y. City, 12 Sep 1874, d. 17 Dec 1880 (Lot # 187) KIP, Lovina Hor, b. Savoy, Mass., 2 Aug 1802, d. 13 Feb 1879 (no lot number) KIP, Cornelia Ann, b. 17 Jan 1824, d. 20 Mar 1857 (no lot number) KIP, Frank E., Civil War Vet, 11th NY Cavalry, Scotts 900, b. 10 Oct 1835, killed at Germantown, Tenn., 18 Apr 1865 (no lot number) LA GRO(SS?), Susan, daughter of L. & M.L., d. 20 May 1861 (no age given) (Lot # 13) LAWRENCE, Henry, d. 1 Aug 1860, ae 73 y (Lot # 246) LAWRENCE, Elenor, wife of H., d. 7 Aug 1858, ae 70 y (Lot # 247) LEWIS, Anna, wife of Daniel, d. 9 Mar 1855, ae 83 y (Lot # 18) LOW, Lydia A., daughter of A.C. & H., d. ???, ae ??? (Lot # 190) LOW, William, son of Alvin & Harriet, d. 23 Feb 1832, ae 1 y, 2 m (Lot # 191) LOW, Benjamin L., son of Alvin & Harriet, d. 22 Jul 1817, ae 14 y, 3 m (Lot # 192) LOW, A.C., d. 17 Jun 1843, ae 42 y, 8 m (Lot # 193) LOW, Lydia, widow of Samuel of New Hampshire, d. 30 Jul 184_, ae ??? y (Lot # 194) MILLER, Abraham, d. 23 Jun 1842, ae 34 y (Lot # 177) MILLER, Hugh, son of Hugh & P., d. 22 May 1861, ae 9 m (Lot # 178) MILLER, Anne, daughter of Hugh & Margaret, d. 9 May 1848, ae 5 y (Lot # 179) MILLER, Charlotte, daughter of Hugh & M., d. 18 Jan 1851, (no age given) (Lot # 180) MOODY, George B., d. 28 Mar 1865 (no age given) - Also Frederick M., d. in Kansas, 14 Sep 1861 (Lot # 94) MOODY, Simeon D., b. 13 May 1802, d. at Hamilton, Mo., 10 Jul 1873 (Lot # 114) MOODY, Susan, daughter of S. D., d. 15 Sep 1847, ae 43 y (Lot # 113) MOODY, Sarah D., daughter of S. & S., d. 11 Jun 1852 (no age given) (Lot # 115) MOODY, Medad, d. 15 May 1827, ae 52 y (Lot # 171) MOODY, Sally, wife of Medad, d. 16 Nov 1865, ae 82 y (Lot # 172) MOON, Martha, daughter of John & Salvia, d. 11 Apr 1823, ae 3 y, 2 m (Lot # 111) NORWAY, Cornelia R., daughter of Wm. & Elizabeth, d. 29 Feb 1836, ae 9 yr (Lot # 168) NORWAY, William, son of Wm. & Elizabeth, d. 28 Sep 1830, ae 16 y (Lot # 169) NORWAY, James, son of Wm. & Elizabeth, d. 21 Jun 1831 (no age given) (Lot # 170) PACKARD, Baby, infant son of G.G. & H., d. 29 Sep 1867 (Lot # 28) PAIGE, Lucinda Fitch, wife of J., b. 24 No 1793, Guilford, VT., d. 25 Feb 1877 (Lot # 69) PAIGE, Fanny Fitch, wife of L.C., b. 24 Nov 1794, Guilford, VT, d. 22 Jul 1839 (Lot # 70) PAIGE, Isabel, b. ? N.H., 23 Jul 1791, d. 11 May 1869, (Lot # 71) PAIGE, John S., son of L.C. & P., d. 3 Nov 1836 (no age given) (Lot # 72) PARO, Marian, daughter of R. & E., d. 16 Oct 1858, ae 4 y (Lot # 54) PATTEN, Sampson, d. 8 Jun 1839, ae 42 y (Lot # 40) PATTEN, George, son of Sampson & Clara, d. 18 Oct 1842, ae 22 y (Lot # 40) PECK, Lester, infant son of N.C. & L., d. 12 Apr 1867, ae 11 m (Lot # 139) PERRO, Mary, daughter of R. & C., d. 17 Mar 1886, ae 9 y (Lot # 53) PHILLIP, Mary, wife of Jeremiah, d. -- Mar 1876, ae 72 y (Lot # 39) PICKET, Eliza, wife of H., d. 7 Apr 1865, ae 21 y (Lot # 220) POLLARD, Electa, wife of P. & daughter of D. & P., b. 8 Feb 1794, d. 7 Sep 1851 (Lot # 138) POST, William Henry, son of E. E. & Sabina, d. 26 Mar 1843, ae 6 y, 10 m (Lot # 206) POWERS, Sister, Louisa, d. 18 Oct 1868, ae 77 y (Lot # 195) PRATT, Helen, d. 29 Mar 1855, ae 38 yr (Lot # 84) PRATT, Smith, d. 17 Aug 1813, ae 52 y (Lot # 101) PRATT, Martha A., wife of Smith, d. 21 Jun 1853, ae 64 y (Lot # 102) PRATT, Sylva, daughter of S. & M., d. 16 Apr 1850, ae 23 y (Lot # 103) PRATT, Adah, daughter of S. & M., d. 17 May 1852, ae 28 y (Lot # 104) PRENTIS, Roxana, wife of Daniel, d. 8 Jul 1822, ae 19 y (Lot # 165) RICH, Anna Montgomery, 1790-1868, (Lot # 119) REACH, Jerome R., son of R. & L., d. 28 Jun 1856, ae 8 y (Lot # 208) ROOD, Asa, d. 18 Dec 1856, ae 66 y (Lot # 189) RUSSELL, Ruth P. wife of P.B., d. 11 Mar 1852, ae 36 y (Lot # 248) SANDERSON, Agnes, wife of Osien, d. 25 May 1857 (no age given) (Lot # 107) SHARPSTONE, Abby, daughter of L. & M., d. 8 Jul 1862, ae ? (Lot # 256) SHARPSTONE, George Emra, son of L. & M., d. 26 Apr 1850, ae 1 yr (Lot # 257) _____, Little Willie, son of A.B. & Jane, d. 10 Feb 1860, ae 2 y (Lot # 27) SHEPARD, Amelia, daughter of H.L. & M.E., d. 28 Oct 1849, (no age given) (Lot # 83) SHERMAN, Golar, d. 15 Oct 1842, ae 45 y, 7 mo (Lot # 121) SIMMONS, Caroline, wife of George H., d. 31 Jul 1852, ae 58 y (Lot # 209) SIMMONS, George H., d. 16 Mar 1818, in his 89th yr (Lot # 210) SKINNER, Dear Little Willie, oldest son of Wm. H. & Marie, d. 16 May 1853, ae 3 y (Lot # 245) SMITH, Myron, son of A. & Louisa, d. 3 Dec 1845, ae 1 y (Lot # 211) SMITH, Anson, son of A. & Louisa, d. -- Jun 1844, ae 2 y (Lot # 212) SMITH, Charlene, wife of ---, d. 21 Jun 1831, ae -- (Lot # 154) SMITH, Amos M., d. 11 Jul 1840, ae 62 y (Lot # 155) SMITH, Julia A., d. 8 Jun 1860, (no age given) (Lot # 161) SMITH, Celia M., d. 30 Apr 1849, ae 28 y (Lot # 162) STEVENS, T.S., d. 11 Jul 1837, ae 40 y (Lot # 78) STEVENS, Lucia D., b. 30 Apr 1827, d. 22 Apr 1854 (Lot # 80) STICKLES, George H., son of George & C., d. 10 Aug 1851, (no age given) (Lot # 32) STILES, Tarifila, d. 16 Jul 1834, ae 56 y, 6 m (Lot # 56) STONE, Col. George (veteran), d. 20 Jun 1840, in the 91st year (Lot # 201) SYMONDS, Jane N., daughter of J. & L. M., d. 3 Sep 1866, ae 17 y (Lot # 184) SYMONDS, Zenia, daughter of J. & L.M., d. 18 Jul 1853, ae 6 y (Lot # 185) SYMONDS, Caroline M., daughter of J. & L.M., d. 29 Nov 1862, ae 6 y (Lot # 186) TRUMAN, Mary A., daughter of John & Anna, d. 11 Mar 1843, ae 17 y (Lot # 232) TRUMAN, Arthur J., son of J. & C., d. 23 Sep 1862, ae 3 y (Lot # 237) TRUMAN, Clarissa, wife of John, d. 15 Sep 1873, ae 51 y (Lot # 238) TRUMAN, Anna, wife of John, d. 30 Oct 1856, ae 71 yr (Lot # 239) TRUMAN, Our Sweet Babe (no other information) (Lot # 236) TUTTLE, Emma Ida, daughter of Mills & Mary D., d. 7 Apr 1852 ae 2 y (Lot # 35) VAN ALLEN, Alfred S., d. 25 Nov 1869, ae 34 y (Lot # 196) VAN ALLEN, Julia A., daughter of Orrin & Julia, d. 4 Sep 1842, ae 6 m (Lot # 197) VAN ALLEN, Julia Ann, wife of Orrin, d. 2 Apr 1842, ae 27 y (Lot # 198) VAN ALLEN, Orrin S., d. 3 Jun 1876, ae 65 y (Lot # 199) WALKER, Betsy, wife of Harry, d. 6 Mar 1821, ae 23 y (Lot # 37) WALKER, Daniel, d. 11 Sep 1851, ae 80 yr (Lot # 186) WALKER, Prudence, wife of Daniel, d. 22 Oct 1842, ae 69 y (Lot # 137) WELLS, Sarah M., daughter of T. & S., d. 29 Mar 1859, ae 2 yr (Lot # 33) WHEELER, Adelia Ann, only daughter of Rev. E. & S., d. 23 Nov 1853, ae 15 y (Lot # 36) WHEELER, Eugene, son of L. & M., d. 31 Aug 1849, ae 3 y (Lot # 46) WILLIAMS, Ezra C., d. 20 Nov 1845, ae 45 y (Lot # 93) WILSON, Henry S., d. 7 Jul 1853, ae 28 yr (Lot # 23) WINSLOW, ------, daughter of L.E.E. & E., d. 21 Dec 1863, ae 6 y (Lot # 73) WINSLOW, Dear Little George, only son of G.S. & W.J.,d. 25 Apr 1850, ae 3 yr (Lot # 74) WRIGHT, Amanda M., wife of John H., d. 11 Apr 1852, ae 30 yr (Lot # 223) WRIGHT, Silas, b. 24 May 1852, d. 27 Aug 1847, "Silas WRIGHT, farmer, lawyer, statesman, Citizen of Canton, United States Senator, 1833-44; Governor of the State of New York, 1845-46. Tablet placed by Gouverneur Morris Chapter, D.A.R. & the State of New York in 1931. (Lot # 150) WRIGHT, Clarissa A., wife of Silas, b. 9 Jul 1884, d. 15 Aug 1870. Erected by the Citizens of the County of St. Lawrence" (Lot # 151) YOUNG, William L., son of Wm. & Caroline, d. --, age -- (# 221) The following graves are identified by number and as such of the inscription that can be read on each stone is copied herewith. No family names are available however. Little Willie, ???? (Lot # 1) Charlotte, daughter of ???,d. 1831 (Lot # 11) Broken stone,?? no name, d. 1830 (Lot # 12) Little George, ??? (Lot # 19) Eva Jane, ???? (Lot # 34) Eliza Jane, b. ???, d. ??? Parents: ??? (Lot # 98) Elizabeth, daughter of ??? & Delia S., d. ??, ae ??? (Lot # 173) Mary F., d. 29 Sep 1831, daughter of ???, ae ??? (Lot # 174) Sarah, wife of David ???, d. 27 May 1840, ae ??? (Lot # 176) Unable to read, (Lot # 175) Unable to read, (Lot # 202) St. Mary's Old Cemetery Judson Street Road 1960 SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Rev. Fr. George WHITTAKER, former curate at St. Mary's Catholic Church at Canton, New York, has written a two volume history of that parish and its activities. We are grateful to Fr. Whittaker for the loan of the above history and much of the information contained in this report was taken from those books; also the records at St. Mary's Rectory, interviews with Mr. Francis FINNEGAN, the Sexton, and the loan of valuable material in his possession; also considerable time spent at the Cemetery during the summer of 1960 where measurements were made and notes taken from the bronze plaque below the altar. The first Irish Catholics came to the vicinity of Canton in 1849 and the first burial took place that year in the old Cemetery. Fr. BROSNAN was the first pastor and the land for the cemetery was bought for the parish by Fr. McGLYNN of Potsdam, N.Y., year unknown. The cornerstone of the present Church was laid on 4 Jul 1874 and the fist mass was said on 25 Dec 1875. The building was dedicated on 15 Aug 1876. The first pastor, as indicated above, was the Rev. Fr. John J. BROSNAN and the Rev. Fr. James O'DRISCOLL followed him. For many years the Old Cemetery was called "Dan Flynn's Half Acre." The first burial was in 1849 and the last in 1911, although after 1892 most of the burials were at the new cemetery on the Morley Road. While Fr. BONT was pastor, it was decided to clean up the grounds of the Old Cemetery and the parishioners did most of the work. Paul Murphy surveyed and mapped the property with the help of Henry MOUSAW, James FINNEGAN, Raymond McKENNA, Francis FINNEGAN, Mark PHALON, James CUMMINGHAM, Alan FINNEGAN, Wm. ROLAND, Clarence MURPHY, and many others. All grave stones were buried after being recorded, and the land leveled and seeded. A strong wire fence was built around the lot with a gate and roadway to the main road. This work was continued under Fr. HOGAN and later by Fr. MARTIN. A number of blue limestone steps, which had been removed from in front of the St. Mary's Church were taken to the site of the Old Cemetery, and used as a base for an altar in 1947. A large bronze plaque was designed and the names and dates of burial of each parishioner, was inscribed on it. Later it was installed on the front of the altar for all to read, with this inscription: "May they rest in Eternal Peace. In memory of Catholic Pioneers who are buried in this Cemetery, This plaque is erected by their Fellow Catholics" Attached to this report is a two page list of the names and dates of burial of the parishioners and members of their families. Edward F. HEIM, Historian, Canton, NY. A--S (AMES??) Mary Ann, 1911 C. Almon, 1865 Charles, 1865 Laura, 1876 Minerva, 1898 BARNARD Mary, 1888 BRABAW Ralph, 1901 Mary, 1882 BRANNON James, 1873 Michael, 1886 BUCKLEY Daniel, 1891 BURNS Bridget, 1883 BUSHAW Mary, 1866 BUTLER Jane, 1891 CAREY Margaret, 1911 William, 1878 CASSIDY Felix, 1890 CHAMBERS George, 1868 CLARK Patrick, 1858 CLARKIN Catherie, 1864 Simon, 1874 COLLINS Abbie, 1906 Timothy, 1899 COOK Mary, 1872 CORNELL Joseph, 1889 COTTER William, 1880 CUNNINGHAM Edward, 1861 Eileen, 1873 Michael, 1886 DALY John, 1886 Margaret, 1883 DEAN Willie, 1878 DECAR Michael, 1876 DEVELIN Mary, 1872 DOYLE Hugh, 1864 Mary, 1878 Michael, 1877 FINNEGAN Elizabeth, 1887 John, 1870 FLINN Ellen, 1863 Patrick, 1873 Catherine, 1891 FLYNN Charles, 1873 FOX Mrs. Thomas, 1882 Bridget, 1885 GAFFNEY Bridget, 1886 Margaret, 1878 GARDNER Antwine, 1865 GAYNOR Alice, 1859 GRACE Agnes, 1864 Anne, 1882 Edmund, 1902 Ella, 1882 James, 1886 John, 1874 Margaret, 1863 Mary, 1884 HAGGERTY Patrick, 1870 Margaret, 1870 HAND Anne, 1857 William, 1873 HARRIGAN Mary, 1872 HARTFORD Margaret, 1862 HOOLEY William, 1860 HURLEY Mary, 1864 William, 1869 KANE Bridget, 1876 Michael, 1887 KELLEY Alice, 1872 Hannah, 1905 Mary, 1887 Lillie, 1871 KENNEDY Henry, 1863 KILLSLEA Patrick, 1878 LAMONTE Alex, 1870 LEONARD John, 1890 Patrick, 1875 LONG Mary, 1888 MAHONEY Delia, 1886 Alica, 1890 Florence, 1890 Catherine, 1855 John, 1859 Timothy, 1859 MARONLY John, no date given MANGIN M., 1884 MARTIN Francis, 1865 McCORMICK Eddie, 1874 Ellen, 1869 John, 1849 McFADDEN Dennis, 1871 Peter, 1877 McGRAW Patrick, 1863 McKAY Patrick, 1879 McQUAD Catherine, 1887 Michael, 1899 MILLER Margaret, 1888 MOHAN Bridget, 1873 Mary, 1853 Peter, 1873 MOONEY Ellen, 1879 Owen, 1887 MOORE John, 1883 Maggie, 1885 Nellie, 1883 William, 1861 MORAN Bridget, 1891 Maggie, 1891 Mary, 1891 MORRIS Julia, 1900 MURRAY James, 1871 Margaret, 1858 NEWCOMB Mrs. Patrick, 1871 NOLAN Katie, 1878 Nellie, 1878 Wilford, 1867 O'BRIEN Dennis, 1862 Francis, 1870 O'NEILL Anna, 1861 POPE Mrs., 1892 POWERS Catherine, 1873 Catherine Conlin, 1878 RAGAN John, 1895 Ellen, 1900 RAYGAN Michael, 1874 REILLY Mary, 1885 Thomas, 1887 REYNOLDS Edward, 1870 John, 1871 Mary, 1885 Margaret, 1864 Patrick, 1866 RILEY Edward, 1878 RYAN Anne, 1886 Jereliah, 1867 SEYMOUR Edward, 1904 Florence, 1874 James, 1864 Mary, 1869 SHEEHAN Dennis, 1892 John, 1874 SHERIDAN Elinor, 1881 SHIELDS Marcella, 1881 SULLIVAN John, 1879 Thomas, 1879 SWEENEY Miles, 1872 TIERNEY Johanna, 1875 TIMONS Thomas, 1878 TOOMEY Hannah, 1904 Jerry, 1876 VALNIA James, 1881 WALLACE May C., 1887 WARD Catherine, 1872 Daniel, 1877 Jane, 1880 Mary, 1900 Minnie 1889 Willie, 1871 WHITE Catherine, 1874 WOODS Edmund, 1875 Edward, 1899 Hannah, 1870 Jimmie, 1878 Mary, 1878 William, 1887 WRIGHT Maggie, 1872 ADDITIONAL NAMES NOT ON PLACQUE AMES Charles C. M. Minerva CASSEDY James DEAN Michael G., 1879 DENEAW Michael FLINN Charles GAFFNEY M. J. HEFF_NAN (no first name given) HYLAND Edward, 1887 Mary, 1880 KELLY H. Mangon J.M. Willie KITTS Catherine, wife of Bernard MACKEY Patrick McCORMICK Mary McGINN Peter MOORE Betsy SORIVANA Rose WOODS Wm. (baby) Katie Dennis