Cemetery signs revived with historical names

A piece of Pelham’s history was recognized on Wednesday, September 20, as a small group gathered at the Hillside Cemetery to celebrate the recently-erected cemetery sign that displays its current and historical name.

The new sign, supplied by Kirkpatrick Stoneworks, reads: Hillside Cemetery, formerly Dawdy burying ground. The Hillside sign is congruent with the Fonthill Cemetery’s new sign that reflects the former ‘Brown’s burying ground’. One of the signs was donated in full by Kirkpatrick Stoneworks.

Members of the Niagara Peninsula Branch Ontario Genealogical Society, most notably Cindy Fishburn and Joe Wilson, played integral roles in bringing the history back to the burial grounds. Upon hearing of the upcoming sign replacements in 2016, Fishburn petitioned Town Council to consider the former names of the two sites in the new signage.

Fishburn, along with descendants of the Dawdy name, Mayor Dave Augustyn, Town staff, Mike Law of Kirkpatrick Stoneworks, and friends gathered at the Hillside Cemetery to recognize the work and dedication put into the restoration of history and to share stories of family and history.

“I want to thank Council and everyone who worked on this project,” said Fishburn. “It wouldn’t have happened without all of you. It means a lot, it really does.”

In an email the following day, Richard Dawdy shared his thanks to Fishburn and the Town.

“Thank you so very much for your efforts and participation in yesterday's event,” he wrote. “I am beyond thrilled, as are countless relatives who I shared with on Facebook.  This means the world to all of us.  A special thank you to Cindy for pushing for this change, and to the township for their recognition.”

Mayor Dave Augustyn also thanked Fishburn for her effort and drive to see the names restored.

“You started it,” he said to Fishburn. “And you kept us going. You kept us focused on it, and I thank you.”

You can find out more about Pelham’s cemeteries by visiting: http://www.pelham.ca/en/how-might-I/Cemeteries.aspx