A Brief History of St. Anne's Anglican Cemetery  (by Howard G. – October 5, 1999)

The name on the stone with the earliest date of a death is that of 'HUNT' which is located close to the school fence and church.  The inscription reads, "In memory of Asenath Bordwell who died Aug. 12, 1832 Aged 3 yrs & 2 months Also of the infant son who died May 20, 1832".  These children apparently were the children of Burleigh and Fidelia Hunt.

It is understood that this cemetery initially was not used solely for Anglicans.

According to minutes of the Cemetery Board meeting of May 8, 1928, Rev. V.M. Durnford 'reads the deed of the burial grounds made in 1853, then reads the by-law of the township council (Westminster Township) re a grant'.

Records of burials apparently began on Oct 29/05, into a burial Registry book which is now held by the Diocese of Huron. (A new Registry Book was started after 1970.)  The book seems to include persons whose burial was officiated by the Rector of St. Anne's, since it includes names of persons not listed as being buried in the cemetery.  It is assumed that they are buried in some other cemetery.  It is probable that the officiating of burials of some persons interred or buried in St. Anne's Cemetery was performed by ministers of some other faith.  The Rector of St. Anne's often had 2 or 3 other parishes, and it is possible that names of persons buried in St. Anne's Cemetery were registered in one of the other parish books..  These assumptions would satisfy the fact that some names on monuments in the cemetery are not in any St. Anne's Registry Book.

The first Cemetery Board for St. Anne's Cemetery was formed on July 20, 1925. Miss Mabel Wickerson was appointed Secretary-Treasurer, a position she held until 1954 when she was replaced by Mrs. Kate Chapman.  It would appear that the Rev. V.M. Durnford, Rector from 1911 to 1942, was instrumental in promoting the cemetery.  The surnames of most persons involved with the cemetery are still familiar today. It seems right that their names be kept alive as part of the cemetery history; Wesley Meriam, John Meriam, Mabel Wickerson, Lottie Wickerson, Leslie Griffeth, Wm Boler, George Wickerson, Elsie Frank, AlfKains, George McRae, Kate Meriam, T. Ormond, Herbert Wickerson, Wallace Meriam, Fred Kains,Lawyer Wells, Trevor Meriam, T. Sulston, T. Adair, Kate Chapman, Mr. Handley, Bert Foyston, John Foyston, Ted Bainard, Milton & Anne Keam, Charlie Wigle and John Moncreiff.

The writer is not aware of any records of burials or activities in the cemetery between 1832 and 1905, except what can be taken from monuments in the cemetery. It is possible there are some records somewhere.

Recording of action for the cemetery is taken from minutes of meetings of the Cemetery Board between the period 1925 and 1954.  We find them canvassing for money for the upkeep of the cemetery.  It is noted that amounts received varied from 25¢ to $10.  The fee for the "privilege of breaking ground" was $10. 

Mr. Fred Kains was the first superintendent or custodian of the cemetery (until 1933), followed by Mr. Woolard, Mr. Handley (from 1942 to 1955 - paid at a starting wage of 40¢ per hour) and lastly John Foyston) in 1958 at 85¢ per hour.  In 1961 it was agreed to increase the Sexton's salary by $20 per month to look after maintenance of the cemetery.  Although Mr. Handley dug the graves, it is assumed that after his tenure, the digging was hired out, as it is done now.

In the early years, earth was required, supposedly to fill in low spots in the cemetery.  Proper drainage was obtained. Also additional land was purchased probably to "square up" the church property.  Page wire fencing was erected which was later replaced with the stone pillars and wrought iron fence across the front of the church.  It can be assumed that the Board of Education had the chain link fence erected along the west and south sides.  Most of the work in the cemetery was carried out by bees of volunteer labour, hauling in the earth, erecting fence, etc.  The Endowment Fund was started in 1928, and held in trust by the Diocese of Huron offices. After a plan was drawn in 1931, much time was spent ensuring that the names and their grave locations were correct.

From 1955 to 1970, no graves were sold. The last Cemetery Board meeting recorded was on October 19, 1961.  The statement in these last minutes, "No Departmental Approval of rates" leads one to believe that the Government body looking after Cemeteries had been promoting that the cemetery be registered with them.