Tombstone Tuesday - Rev. Peter Scott and wife Jeanie Wallace

Sometimes my client research takes me to Bruce County cemeteries. In the spring, I visited Port Elgin Cemetery where my attention was caught by this monument because of the details provided.

In loving memory of

Rev. Peter Scott

died Jan. 19, 1908 aged 77 years

Native of Selkirkshire

Scotland & for 28 years

pastor of Hibbert Congregation

Perth County

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth

His wife Jeanie R. Wallace 1842-1931

For possible descendants or relations of this couple , the details on the monument provide some good information to start the search into the lives of Peter and Jeanie.

Here is what I learned about the couple in addition to what is stated on the stone from some quick research on Ancestry.ca.

Rev. Peter Scott - He died in Paisley, Bruce County, Ontario [1]. The informant was John Scott. There is no indication of a relationship to the deceased.

Peter Scott, a resident of Perth County and minister of the Gospel married Jeanie Wallace, a resident of Southampton, Ontario on 24 June 1880 in Southampton. Peter was the son of John and Beatrice Scott. Jeanie was the son of John and Janet Wallace. [2]

Question not answered is how did Peter and Jeanie meet? There is a Wallace family enumerated on the same page as the Scott household in Saugeen Township, Bruce County, Ontario. The Peter Scott is a carpenter in 1861 and in 1871 a student. Had he gone into preparing for the ministry? His age is in line with the Peter who is later living in  Hibbert Township . The Scott household has John Wallace but the  wife is Lydia. There is a daughter whose name looks more like Jessie than Jeanie, but could it be her? There is a good chance these are the correct families as other Peter Scotts found in 1861 and in 1871 aren't as good a match.

In 1881, Peter and Jeanie are living in Hibbert, Perth County. Peter is a Presbyterian minister. By 1891, the census shows the addition of a daughter Janet, aged 7 to the family. The 1901 census has Peter aged 70, Jeanie aged 59 and Janet aged 17. It gives Peter's year of immigration as 1860.If this is correct, he should appear on the 1861 census.

After Peter's death in 1908, Jeanie and daughter Janet, aged 27, are found in the 1911 census living at 23 Albert Street, Paisley. At the time of Peter's death, he was living on Albert Street in Paisley.

Jeanie died 19 February 1931 in Paisley, Ontario. Because the death registration that is available is more recent than Peter's, more information is provided. The informant of her death is Jno. Scott, nephew. [3]

Civil registration sources
[1] Peter Scott Ontario death registration #097326 (21 January 1908); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca ; accessed 13 September 2010), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 134 Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

[2] Peter Scott - Jeanie Wallace Ontario marriage registration #001566 (24 June 1880); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca ; accessed 13 September 2010), citing microfilm MS 932 Reel 32, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

[3] Jeanie Scott Ontario death registration #0019631 (19 February 1931); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca ; accessed 13 September 2010), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 411.

Edgehill Cemetery flooded in January is now being examined by Archaeologists

In January, I wrote about the damage due to flooding at Edgehill Cemetery.

Today, the Owen Sound Sun-Times reports that archaeologists are hard at work going through the bones, mapping where they are found and hoping they can match things as best they can.

The full article is available to read here.

It will be a long process to sift through the bones by metre square plots. According to the article, the Cemeteries Act requires that all the bones have to be recovered. It is up to the next of kin to determine what happens after.

Rain causes damage at neighbouring county cemetery

The Sun Times headline of an article on December 30, 2008 pA2 read "Monuments toppled, vaults exposed at cemetery"

The culprit was the thaw and heavy rains that came down recently in this area. The section involved is the oldest section (southern section) of Edgehill Cemetery in Colpoy's Bay, Albemarle Township, South Bruce Peninsula, Bruce County, Ontario.

The creek above the cemetery overflowed. The graves in this area are from the early 20th century.The Grey Bruce Health Unit sent an inspector to assess the situation.

The full newspaper article from December 31, 2008 "No threat from grave damage" is on the newspaper's site with photos by James Masters shown in a video. Mayor Gwen Gilbert is quoted

that she expects recommendations on repairs once the municipal office reopens next week.

Staff will be making some recommendations as to how to restore the site as quickly as possible while maintianing the dignity of the persons and the families involved.

The cemetery is closed from public visitiation as a safety measure until work can be done. The municipality placed a notice in the December 30 edition of the newspaper "Notice to Relative of Persons buried in Edgehill-Colpoy's Bay Cemetery. "The municiaplity is attempting to contact relatives of those graves involved and maintain the security and dignity of the area."

This is the first time I have heard of flooding and erosion problems in cemeteries in this area. I am pleased that the municipality is trying its best to protect the area and to preserve the sanctity of this cemetery.