North Cumberland Historical Society

Willow Grove Cemetery

 

The land which is now Palmerston Cemetery was once the site of the Baptist Church and a small Baptist cemetery.  In 1852, the Baptist Church moved to its present site across the Pugwash River.  A group of citizens bought the land the Baptists had previously occupied and an adjacent lot for a non-denominational cemetery for the village of Pugwash.  There is no known record of the first Baptists who were buried there, nor of those subsequently buried until the late 19th century. 

 

Recently, a map was found in the North Cumberland Historical Society of the Willow Grove Cemetery.   Having never heard of Willow Grove Cemetery, we quickly ascertained that it was Cumberland County people named in it.   It showed the cemetery as being next to a lobster factory and across the river from Pugwash with land set aside for a rail line.  It was, in fact, the site of the present Palmerston Cemetery.

 

This map indicated those who had bought each one of the 117 plots.  Some of these people are listed in our Cemetery book which means that they had identifiable stones in the cemetery in 1969 when the lists for that book were first compiled.  The majority aren't which means either they never used their proposed and paid-for grave sites, or they did not have stones which lasted.  Occasionally two names are assigned to the same plot.

 

The plots would have had to have been sold before 1911 which is when the first burials of those listed occurred. Most of these people were born in the late 19th century and would have been interred in their plots in the first half of the 20th.

 

So when did the name change from Willow Grove to Palmerston?  We know that it was still Willow Grove in 1916 as death certificates from that year name it as the place of interment. 

 

What we also know for sure is that there are a lot more people buried on that piece of land than we formerly thought.

 

If you have been puzzled about the burial site of long-lost family members, we have listed on our web page the names of those who bought plots.  The number next to their name is the number of the plot.  Unfortunately, the map is too large and fragile to be scanned.  Number 1 is in the north east corner of the cemetery and it stretches to number 9 on to the south east edge.  The lots are each 18 by 9 feet. The north to south aisles are 3 feet wide, and the east to west are 4 feet in width.  The plan was drawn by Nellie Brown Webb who was the wife of Thomas Merritt Webb – a Baptist minister.  She was born in 1886.

 

We have included some genealogical information when we could find the person in Nova Scotia's vital records website.  Some of the information came from our book Cemeteries of North Cumberland County [CofNCC].  The names with an asterix * beside them are those who are listed in our book.  If there is no information, either we couldn't say for certain who the individual was or could find no provincial information about them.

 

The map lists mainly men.  We can assume that for the most part their wives are buried with them.   That is why we have included the wives' names when known.  Please drop by the Historical Society to see the plan for the exact location of a plot.

 

Ackley, Frank – 18

Ackley, Mrs. Thomas – 18

* Allan, Frank W. – 102 Frank Wells Allen (Feb. 3, 1882 – June 20, 1957) [NS Vital Stats] was born in Port Elgin, New Brunswick.  He married Ethel Charlotte Davis (Apr. 8, 1890 [NCHS Notes]– Dec. 30, 1923) [NS Vital Stats] and Margaret Vera McIvor (1902 – 1971) [NCHS Notes]. He died of bronchial pneumonia and is buried in Pugwash.

Allen, Banford – 106

Allen, Joshua – 88

Allen, Mont – 97  Lemont Moore Allen (May 19, 1883 – Aug. 19, 1958) was born in Bayfield NB son of Ralph Thompson Allen and Mary Jane Elizabeth McNutt.  He married Bernice Stevens on Jan. 14, 1904. * * Ash, C.P. – 65 Charles Pearl Ash (1879 – July 16, 1938) was born in Pugwash, son of John and Henrietta Ash.   He married Frances Beatrice Reid on Feb. 1, 1905.

 

Barton, Mrs. Richard – 34

Beaton, Angus – 24

Benjamin, Abel – 64 Abel Benjamin (1861 -    ) was born in Sweden, son of Benjamin and Helena.  He married Annie Armour on Dec. 14, 1900.

Bennett, Henry – 68

* Bent, E. A. – 47 Edgar A. Bent (May 14, 1851- July 11, 1916) [CofNCC].  He married Emma A.

Betcher, G. Erna – 89

* Black Jr., R. F. – 19  Rufus F. Black Jr. (1847 – Apr. 10, 1894) married Lucy A.  and second to Rhoda. [CofNCC]

Bowser, Mr. Bert -115

* Brown, David M. – * David M. Brown (1858 – Oct. 26, 1922) was born in Wallace Bay, the son of Joseph Brown and Charlotte Barnes.  He married Annie J. McDonald.

Brown, Frank M. – 14 Frank M. Brown (1874 -    ) was born in Pugwash, the son of William H. and Henry R. Brown.  He married Catherine A. McLeod on Sept. 26, 1899.

* Brown, J. A. – 3 James A. Brown (1849 – 1940) He married Carrie. [CofNCC]

* Brown, Stanley R. – 67 Stanley Reid Brown (July 9, 1878 -    ) was born in Pugwash, son of James Brown and Carrie Reid.   He married Elizabeth Bennet Brown. [CofNCC]

* Brown, W. H. – 5  William Henry Brown (Apr. 11, 1842 [CofNCC]– June 28, 1916) was born in Wallace Bay, the son of Joseph Brown and Charlotte Barnes.  He married Mary Rebecca Seaman on Feb. 4, 1873.  He was buried in Willow Grove Cemetery.

 

* Cameron, Mrs. Hugh – 31 Mrs. Hugh Cameron nee Janet Stewart (1861 – 1957).  Hugh had died in 1901.

Campbell, M.  - 16

Campbell, M. J. – 53

* Campbell, Martin – 23  Martin Luther Campbell (1864 – Apr. 5, 1917) was born in Pugwash.  He was married to Isabel K. and living in Rhode Island when he died.

Colbourne, Mrs. Samuel - 41

* Colburn, Earl – 78 (1888 – 1927)

* Cooper, George – 2 George M. Cooper (Aug. 4, 1849 – Jan. 27, 1935) was born in Pugwash, the son of John Cooper.  He married Isabelle Torrance [CofNCC]

Copp, Charles Howard and Frances – 33 Charles Howard Copp (1832 -    ) was born in Baie Verte NB, the son of William and Amelia Copp.  He married Frances Oressa Carter on June 2, 1869.

 

Daigle, Earl – 8

Daniel, Mrs. Bessie – 39 Mrs. Bessie Daniel nee Bessie Bent (1846 – 1934) married Rev. Robert A. Daniel [CofNCC]

Dewar, George – 12 George Dewar (Feb. 1860 – Jan. 25, 1939) was born in Pugwash River, the son of Alex Dewar and Eliza Bent.  He never married.

Dewar, James – 6 James W. Dewar (1848 - Nov. 14, 1916) was born in Pugwash River, the son of Alex and Eliza Dewar.  He married Mary M. Stewart on Mar. 1, 1889.

 

Elliott, E. K. – 49

 

Farwell, Nettie F. – 51

Ferdinand, Andrew – 7 Andrew Ferdinand (1874 – Sept. 5, 1926) was born in Pugwash, the son of John Ferdinand and Mary Davis.  He married Nellie.

Ferdinand, James – 26 James Ferdinand (1826 – Apr. 4, 1923) was born in Pugwash, the son of John Ferdinand and Sophia Teed.  He married Elizabeth Clyburn on Apr. 30, 1883.

* Fingler, George – 86  George Fingler (1909 – March 23, 1961) was born in Manitoba.  He married Alida (1879 – 1961) [CofNCC]  He was a widower, working as a janitor at PDHS, when he died.

* Flinn, R. S. – 35  Robert Smith Flinn (Oct. 3, 1861 – June 25, 1940) was the son of Thomas Flinn and Elizabeth Conners.  He married Mary McIver on Dec. 12, 1901.

Flynn, Henry – 17 Henry A. Flinn (Nov. 26, 1853 – Nov. 20, 1923) was born in Antigonish, the son of Patrick or John Flinn and Eliza Bradshaw.  He married Bertha McLeod on Nov. 15, 1858.

* Forshner, Murray – 113  Murray Gordon Forshner (June 4, 1919 -  Apr. 22, 1959 [CofNCC]) was born in Wallace Bay, son of Gordon Leslie Forshner and Alberta Angevine.  He married Gladys Agnes Sarson of South Pugwash on Sept. 27, 1939.

* Fraser, J.G.W. – 79  James George Walter Fraser (1877 -  1956 [CofNCC]) was born in New Glasgow, son of David and Priscilla Fraser.  He married Annie Amelia Borden on Mar. 18, 1908.

Fraser, W. - 83

* Fullerton, John M. – 103  John Mitchell Fullerton (June 27, 1898 – 1985 [CofNCC]) was born in Pugwash, son of DeMain Fullerton and May Mitchell.  He married Florence G. Gillis of Pugwash on Nov. 6, 1936.

 

Heather, James – 10 James Heather (1850 – Dec. 16, 1912) was born in Wallace.  He married.

Henley, Harry W. – 84

* Hilchey, Herman – 110 Franklin Herman Hilchey (May 30, 1880 - Feb. 8, 1961) was born in Tangier, Halifax County, son of Charles Hilchey and Elizabeth Mason.  He married Eva Jane Allen. 

* Hill, David – 1 David P. Hill (1827 – 1913) married Annabell MacAulay

Hollis, Frank – 93 Frank Lane Hollis (1916 -    ) was born in Pugwash, son of Russell Hollis and Annie Carprou.  He married Winnie Pollard of Northport on Nov. 16, 1937.

Huston, Mrs. Rupert – 73 Mrs. Rupert Huston (1894 -    ) was born in River John, daughter of David and Maud Jones.  She married Rupert Warner Huston, son of Hiram Huston and Clara Warner on May 16, 1911.  Her maiden name was Charlotte E. Jones.  Rupert died in 1916 and was buried in Willow Grove Cemetery, Pugwash.

 

Illegible – maybe McAuley, Peter - 57

Illegible, Mrs. Chas. F. ? – 40

 

Johnstone, J.G. – 56

Jones, William – 6 William Thomas Jones (Aug. 29, 1854 – May 10, 1937) was the son of Thomas Jones and Jane Fisher.  He married.

 

King, Oliver – 70

 

Lockart, William – 44

Loomis, Henry – 18

Lowden, J. Harry- 15 James Harry Lowden (1864 -   ) was born in Upper Pugwash,  the son of David M. and Catherine Lowden.  He married second to Rose Mary Kenney on Jan. 7, 1914.

 

* MacDonald, R. L. – 50 – Roderick L. MacDonald (Oct. 14, 1858 – Oct. 2, 1928) was born in Tatamagouche, the son of Daniel MacDonald and Daniel Lorrigan.  He married Elizabeth A. R. Fraser in June 1888.

MacKay, Mrs. Hugh – 56 Mrs Hugh MacKay (1862 -   ) nee Bessie Cummings was born in Pugwash West, the daughter of James and Helena Cummings.  She married Hugh MacKay (1853 -     ) of Rockley on June 2, 1886.

MacLellan, Eph. – 25 Ephraim McLellan (1856 – Jan. 5, 1915) was born in Five Islands.  He was buried in Willow Grove Cemetery.

MacLeod, Allan J. – 22

Matheson, Daniel A. – 74 – Daniel A. Matheson (October 1, 1850 – Dec. 30, 1926) was born on the Gulf Shore, son of Alexander and Annie Matheson.  He married Sarah MacMillan on Dec. 26, 1893.

McArthur, Dan – 105 Daniel Robert McArthur (1876 – Sept. 28, 1924) was born in Pictou Co., son of Robert McArthur and Elizabeth McDonald.  He was the station master in Pugwash.  He married Alberta.

McDonald, James C. - 60

McDonald, Mrs. John- 21

* McDonald, R. L. – 30 R. L. MacDonald was born in Bay Head according to a note by J. M. McQuarrie.

McFarlane, Sarah – 9 McFarlane, Sarah (1808 –  Nov. 19, 1866) was born in Scotland, the daughter of  L. McLean.  She was married.

McKay, Jno – 51 John D. McKay (1856 – Nov. 28,1923) was the son of Neil McKay and Margaret Moore.  He never married.

McKennan – 9

McLeod, Murdoch – 107 Murdoch McLeod- there are many in Pugwash. The one who was a lighthouse keeper is mentioned in Cemeteries book for Palmerston.

McLeod, William – 52 William H. McLeod (1857 – Jan. 30, 1912) was born in Pugwash Junction, son of Archibald McLeod and Catherine Slade.  He never married.  He died in Waltham, MA but was buried in Pugwash Baptist.  His dc says Pugwash Baptist Cemetery.

McLeod, William – 77 

McLeod, William G. – 76

McMillan, Jno. – 38 John A. MacMillan (Jan. 22, 1854 – Aug. 2, 1944) was born in Wood Island, PEI, the son of Hector MacMillan and Mary Blue.  He married Eva Forshner.

McNab, Robert – 66

McNutt, R. D. – 61 Robert DeWolfe McNutt (Aug. 9, 1867 – Mar. 9, 1952) was the son of Silas McNutt and Jane DeWolfe.  He married

McPhee, Ches - 46

* Mitchell, A.R.D. – 82 Amos R. D. Mitchell (1854 – Oct. 16, 1930) was born in Wallace River, son of Robert J. Mitchell and Ann Truman.  He married Ella E. Ripley on May 1, 1885

Mitchell, D. J. – 94

Mitchell, Mrs. Donald – 116 Eileen Victoria Mitchell (1924 -   ) was born in Pugwash, daughter of James Mitchell and Anny Hovis.  She married Donald Perry Mitchell of Truro.

Mitchell, Truman – 104 George Truman Mitchell (Oct. 16, 1900 -    ) was born in Lake Clainy, son of William Staveley and Sarah Jane Mitchell.  He married Greta May Fields of Port Howe on Jan. 17, 1924.

Mitchell, William – 91

* Munro, Mrs. Robert – 60 Mrs. Robert Munro (1844 – 1917) [CofNCC] nee Jessie MacDonald married Robert Munro.

Not sold – 80

 

* O'Neil, Mrs. Annie – 100 Anne Hildred O'Neil (1894 – 1975) 

 

* Peers, Aaron – 58 Aaron Peers (1839 – Jan. 2, 1915) was born in Wallace, son of Ephraim and Phoebe Peers.  He married Lavinia D. Cotter on May 7, 1867.  His dc states he was buried in Willow Grove Cemetery.

Porter, William – 9

Pushie, Samuel – 16 Samuel Pushie (1832 – Feb. 2, 1918)

Pye, Earnest – 101

 

Read, George – 29

Read, J. B. - 32

Redmond, David – 48

Reid, J. A. – 98 John A. Reid (June 25, 1862 -    ) was born in Pugwash, son of David Reid and Catherine Walton.  He married Emma L. Dean on Oct. 8, 1890.

Reid, William – 92 William Reid – possibly (1854 – Aug. 25, 1931)

* Robertson, Beacher – 75 Henry Ward Beacher Robertson (Aug. 13, 1868 – Feb. 19, 1958) was born on the Gulf Shore, son of Donald and Christina Robertson.  He married Carrie Munroe of Wentworth.

 

* Sarson, Clarence – 114 Clarence Ervin Sarson (April 8, 1916 – 1989 [CofNCC]) was born in Pugwash, son of Joseph Sarson and Clara Dingle.  He married Marion J. Anthony. [CofNCC]

* Sarson, Joseph A. – 43 Joseph Axford Sarson (July 12,1875 – July 10, 1959) was born in Pugwash, the son of William Sarson and Amelia McNeil.  He married Minnie Henderson [CofNCC].

Sarson, Lawrence – 112 Lawrence Henry Sarson (Feb. 23, 1909 – 1976 [CofNCC]) was born in Pugwash, son of Joseph Sarson and Clara Maud Dingle.  He married Kathleen Allen of Port Elgin NB on Jan. 30, 1929.

* Sarson, Ray – 111 Ray Colwell Sarson (Aug. 9, 1905 -    ) was born in South Pugwash, son of Clara Maud Dingle and Joseph Sarson.  He married Isabelle Ross of Glace Bay, NS.

* Scott, George W. – 85 George William Scott (Feb. 11, 1871 – Apr. 6, 1962) was born in New Anaan, the son of Robert and Mary Scott.  He married Minnie DeWolf Brown on Sept. 20, 1906.

Seaman, Chas. H. – 13 Charles Henry Seaman (Aug. 9. 1889 -    ) was born in Pugwash, the son of Elijah Seaman and Clementine Van Buskirk.  He married Mable Loretta Gayton on Dec. 23, 1915.

Seaman, R. - 42

* Smith, Alonzo – 96 Alonzo Smith (1848 – June 8, 1920) was born in Wallace Bay, son of William Smith and Harriet Phillips.  He married Matilda Ann Stevens of Wallace on Nov. 17, 1874.

* Smith, C. R. – 87 Chesley R. Smith (May 2, 1881 – Jan. 18, 1949) was born in Wallace Bay son of Alonzo Smith and Matilda Stevens.  He married Alice B [CofNCC].

Smith, William – 95

Sold to Railroad -  27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90, 99, 108, 117

Stewart, Mr. J. H. – 59  James H. Stewart (1831 – Sept. 24, 1911).  He was married.

* Stewart, Peter – 1 Peter Stewart (1820 – 1882) married Isabel.

Stewart, Silas H. - 42

 

Teed, Charles – 28

Teed, Charles -37

Tuttle, Elijah – 55 Elijah Tuttle (Sept. 17, 1862 – Jan. 31, 1943) was born on the Gulf Shore, son of John Gilmore Tuttle and Mary Gibson.  He married Mary Belle.

 

Unsold – 62

 

Van Buskirk, Chas. – 20

 

Walker, Scott – 9

* White, James – 71 James R. White (1888 – Apr. 1978 [CofNCC]) was a private with the 25th Battalion of CEF.

* Wilkinson, Mrs. Doherty – 11 Mary E. Wilkinson (1829 – 1905) nee Mary E. Ralston married Dougherty Wilkinson (1819 – 1902) [CofNCC].

Williams, Fred L.- 69

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