Richview Memorial Cemetery

SW Junction Hwys 401 & 427 Toronto Etobicoke Township York County Metropolitan Toronto more about this cemetery Photos, transcript & index courtesy of Joanne Krywko Photos will appear via Pop-Up Window using Javascript, if the photos don't appear check your browser settings These photographs represent all headstones still in existence at the time this cemetery was photographed In 1970 Willow Grove Burying Ground was moved to Richview Cemetery Photos   Transcript Richview Cemetery’s oldest surviving monument records the death of Ann Garbutt who was interred in 1846, before the official establishment of this burial site. In 1853, William Knaggs sold this land from his farm for a chapel and lot without belonging to any particular church or denomination, to be respectively devoted exclusively to religious purposes in the discretion of certain trustees, “namely Mark Dawson, Robert Coulter and William Tuer. By 1880, the Union Chapel on the site had been joined by two other local congregations. The chapel and its cemetery served Richview, a small rural community bounded by present day Dixon Road, Rathburn Road, Kipling Avenue and Renforth Drive. Richview consisted of farms, a post office, blacksmith, church and school. In 1888, William and Sarah Knaggs donated additional property, south of the cemetery, upon which a new building, depicted above, was constructed. It was named Richview Methodist Church (later Richview United Church). The vast development of Highway 427 led to the relocation of the congregation in 1959, the demolition of the church building and the dramatic surroundings of the cemetery today. In the 1970’s, the McFarlane family cemetery and the Willow Grove Burying Ground were moved from their original sites and relocated here. Richview Cemetery contains the graves of many of Etobicoke’s founding families and their descendants and remains today a rare surviving site within the now vanished rural community. Site designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 2003 The Richview Memorial Cemetery Cairn This cairn has been erected to commemorate the lives and services of those pioneers of this community who continue to live through the accomplishments of their children. Church cornerstone Row 1 Victor Kimber 1928 – 2005 – husband of Ethel Mayhew (Roach) In loving memory of Phyllis Edgerton 1930 – 1975 Beloved wife of Victor Kimber – 1928 – 2005 Rest in Peace Charles A Kimber – 1899 – 1989 – beloved husband of Edith Einbodin – 1900 – 1992 Broken headstone KNAGGS MONUMENT George Knaggs – 1816 – 1896 His wife – Ann O’Neil – 1832 – 1905 Clifford Knaggs – 1866 – 1958 Amanda Knaggs – 1860 – 1922 Row 2 Father in Thy gracious keeping Leave me now Thy servant sleeping James Knaggs – 1858 – 1916 Celia Ann Knaggs – 1861 – 1876 Chrisia Knaggs – 1856 – 1859 Children of C & A Knaggs Three unknown broken headstones Mary Louise Blanshard – daughter of Robert & Martha Blanshard – died April 19/187? Erected by Thomas Thirkle in memory of his father Christopher Thirkle Died April 14 / 1890 – 90 years Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord William Knaggs – died June 22 / 1858 – 71 years A tender husband and father dear A sincere friend lieth here George Knaggs – infant son of George & Ann Knags Died March 24 / 1849 – 7 weeks 1 day Ann Garbutt – wife of Thomas Garbutt – died March 24 / 1846 – 36 years James Thirkle – died January 26 / 1918 – 69 years His wife – Mary Jane – died April 13 / 1911 – 67 years George Thirkle – 1874 – 1960 James Thirkle – 1882 – 1965 His wife – Florence Thirkle – 1886 – 1967 Fred Milner – 1897 – 1979 Margaret – daughter of Horatio & Sarah Pearson – died Dec 19 / 1874 2years 1month 14days Weep not for long for she is blest And in her Saviors arms at rest Edward Walter – son of George & Rebecca Pearson Feb 10 / 1831 - July 19 / 1871 In memory of Alfred E Pearson - died January 6 / 1891 – 20 years Son of George & Jane Pearson How short is life, how sure is death, All our days are done In memory of Mathew – son of Mark & Mary Pearson – died May 21 / 1855 – 22 years Also Joseph – their son – died August 25 / 1850 – 35 years Also infants Elizabeth & Jane Row 3 In memory of Jane Dawson – wife of George Pearson – died Jan 6 / 1872 – 35 years Affections tribute here I raise Tis all that I can do T’ll death shall close my earthly days Our friendship to renew In memory of Matthew John – son of Thomas & Frances Dawson – Died April 7 / 1861 - 2 years 7 months This lovely bud so young and fair Called home by early death And came to show how but a flower In paradise could bloom Unknown monument – all inscription plaques have been removed Thomas Dawson – 1830 – 1909 His wife – Frances J – 1832 – 1878 In memory of Andrew Coulter – died July 18 / 1837 – 64 years A native of Co Down, Ireland A faithful friend, a companion dear A tender parent lieth here Great is the loss we here sustain ? Coulter – died August 12 / 1877 – 78 years Native of Co Down, Ireland Jesus has called Joseph – son of Robert & Ann Baldock – died April 20 / 1864 – 32years 1month 28 days Mary Jane McLaughlin – relict of the late Henry Coulter and widow of the late Thomas McLaughlin – died September 29 / 1881 – 46 years Be yea also ready for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh Jessy Elizabeth – daughter of John & Martha Coulter – Died Sept 23 / 1875 – 3months 26 days This little bud so young and fair Has gone to Heaven to blossom there Elizabeth – daughter of Andrew & Martha Coulter - November 13 / 1852 – 22 years Affliction sore long time I bore Physicians were in vain Till God was pleasant to send me death Row 4 And free me of my pain. Repent in time, make no delay I, in my bloom, was called away At Rest George Middlebrook – died Feb 25 / 1912 – 87 years His wife – Mary Codlin – August 15 / 1831 – December 4 / 1917 John – eldest son of George & Mary Middlebrook Died May 10 / 1911 – 57 years Mary – infant daughter – died May 16 / 1856 To be with Christ which is far better Sacred to the memory pf Rev. Rounding Pattison – who departed this life December 4 / 1882 – 44 years 9 months – a native of Yorkshire, England In memory of James Pattison – died May 28 / 1879 – 63 years Unknown headstone – died September 1/1875 – 39 years In memory of Joseph Davis – died November 14 / 1865 – 84 years A native of Co Cavan, Ireland A tender parent, a companion dear A faithful friend lieth here Great is the loss we sure sustain But hope in Heaven to meet again In memory of William – son of ? & Mary Peacock – died August 8 / 1895 Joseph Peacock – September 30 / 1874 – April 27 / 1914 Mother – In Abiding Memory Catherine Ann Peacock – November 29 / 1866 – January 7 / 1900 Beloved wife of Frances J Canning - At Rest Sacred to the memory of Ellen – wife of Robert Bull – Died September 4 / 1857 – 23 years 4months 28 days All is peace, here so not morn Death is not an endless sleep Love’s chain is not forever worn We shall meet and rest in heaven Also their daughter Jeanette Bull – died September 7 / 1854 – 3 years 6 months Released from the toils of life Both in spirit and slumber deep Mourn not, they’re free from strife Row 5 For their bless’d, why should we weep. Farewell – in memory of Elizabeth Garbutt - died September 21 / 1875 – 84 years This humble token of respect To thy loved memory we erect Tho mouldering here thy body lies We trust to meet once in the skies In memory of L Bolton Unknown headstone John Viara Black – died August 11 / 1852 – 29 years Sarah – wife of William Hennell Black – died April 27 / 1863 Sacred to the memory of Peter Wardlaw – died August 26 / 1854 – 56 years A native of Fifeshire, Scotland In memory of Janet – wife of the late ? Wardlaw – died 1884 Richard Garbutt – died February 1 / 1864 – 30 years A tender parent, a companion dear A faithful friend lieth here Great is the loss we here sustain But hope in Heaven to meet again Ann Garbutt – wife of the above – died November 7 / 1863 – 36 years WARDLAW MONUMENT John William – son of Alex G & Mary J Wardlaw – Died January 21 / 1872 – 13 years 10 months Peter A Wardlaw – died September 30 / 1881 – 25 years 4 days In memory of Alexander G Wardlaw – died January 20 / 1872 – 44 years FOSTER MONUMENT John Foster – died August 30 / 1888 – 81 years Also his wife – Helen Mary –died September 20 / 1888 – 76 years Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord Unknown headstone Brooks – no other information Gone too soon Robert John Moody – died April 7 / 1866 – 3 days Elijah Moody – died April 3 / 1874 – 1 day Row 6 Children of Robert & Naomi Moody Suffer little children to come unto Me and forgive them not for such is the Kingdom of Heaven MOODY MONUMENT John Moody – died January 26 / 1890 – 75 years For I know who I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against what may Marvel not that I said unto thou, Ye must be born again His wife – Sarah Moody – died July 3 / 1908 – 86 years Robert – son of Robert & Jane Baldock – Died January 19 / 1866 – 29 years 1 month 8 days Trust in Jesus, grieving mourner Fear not He is guarding thee By the stream of living water He is treading tenderly Weep not for me my parents dear I am not dead but sleeping here Short was my stay, long is my rest To take me home God thought it best DORSEY MONUMENT Robert Dorsey – died Apriel1 / 1887 – 51 years Hannah Baldock – wife of Robert Dorsey – died February 4 / 1895 – 56 years At Rest Thomas Stobbart – died April 15 / 1862 – 60 years His wife – Mary – died January 1884 – 75 years Jane – wife of John Boldock – died August 10 / 1858 – 49 years In memory of Christian Ross – 19 years In memory of Loititia – wife of William Millard – Pastor – who departed this life September 8 / 1869 Devoted in Christian ministry for many years in this place. She closed her labours for Christ with His words – Be thou faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life Sacred to the memory of Ann – wife of George Bailey Died February 7 / 1853 – 33 years Farewell dear friend, a long farewell For we shall meet mo more T’ill we be united with Christ to dwell On Zion’s happy shore Row 7 Erected to the memory of Thomas – son of George & Ann Bailey Died April 10 / 1876 – 31 years 2 months 5 days WILLOW GROVE PLAQUE The Willow Grove Burying Ground was originally located about 4 miles northeast of here on the south side of Rexdale Boulevard, west of Kipling Avenue in the community of Highfield. The site was acquired by the Rev. William Millard from John Betteridge in the mid 1840’s. In 1866, the property was conveyed to Richard P Dixon, Robert Moody, and Thomas Gardhouse, trustees of Willow Grove Chapel, and dedicated “for a chapel and burying ground for the use of the congregation of Christians now worshipping at the said Chapel) not being regular Baptists) practicing baptism by immersion and the liberty of communion to all who profess faith in Christ, whether immersed or not”. In 1970, 110 bodies were removed and re-interred in the southern end of Richview Cemetery. The former Willow Grove Cemetery property was then sold. In loving memory of John Dixon – died September 2 / 1880 – 70 years His wife – Eliza Pearson – died March 18 / 1901 – 79 years Both of Yorkshire, England Their sons – Edwin – died June 6 / 1890 – 32 years John – died January 18 / 1891 – 50 years In loving remberance of Thomas Gardhouse – Died February 5 / 1889 – 28 years 5 months In memory of Robert Chapman – died August 22 / 1877 – 72 years 8 months A native of Yorkshire, England What he is not, what we are The Day of Judgment will declare In memory of Ann ___? Thomas McL-?-- - died March 12 / 1876 – 30 years In loving memory of our dear mother Eva D Powley – March 5 / 1926 – August 19 / 1978 In loving memory of Kenneth Charles Powley December 12 / 1952 – April 21 / 1992 To those who knew him and loved him, his memory will never grow old In loving memory of George Kenneth Powley June 4 / 1920 – May 10 / 1997 – our beloved father Erected by William Henderson in memory of his mother – Catherine Henderson Died January 27 / 1871 – 87 years A native of Sligo, Ireland Row 8 James Gracey – 1811 – 1873 His wife – Catherine Henderson – 1829 – 1915 The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin GRACEY MONUMENT In memory of John Gracey – Died September 5 / 1885 – 72 years 7 months Safely anchored in the harbour of eternal rest In memory of Ann – wife of John Gracey – died January 29 / 1907 – 73 years Until the day break Margaret Ann – wife of Joseph Gracey – died January 3 / 1907 – 44 years Her good works still follow her Here lies the infant son of John & Ann Gracey In memory of Robert Coulter – died December 16 / 1888 – 68 years A native of Co Down, Ireland Fredrick A Coulter – July 30 / 1874 – January 22 / 1913 Edward A Coulter – June 15 / 1861 – December 23 / 1924 Isabella Coulter – July 8 / 1857 – July 17 / 1939 In loving memory of Ann Jane – wife of Robert Coulter – died August 1903 – 73 years Emily Victoria – wife of Rev. F G Blanshard and daughter of Robert & Jane Coulter Died July 21 / 1893 – 27 years Until the day break and the shadows flee away Alexander Gracey – died March 21 / 1857 – 76 years A native of Co Down, Ireland In memory of John McFarlane – born at Druid Parish of Mouline, Perthshire, Scotland – March 1 / 1778 – April 28 / 1853 In memory of John ?___ In memory of __?__ - infant son of Alex & Jane McFarlane who died February 6 / 1863 8 months Unknown headstone To the memory of Margaret – wife of Alex McFarlane and the daughter of Malcolm McGregor Calcoon who departed this life January 11 / 1840 – born in Glasgow February 19 / 1801 In memory of Margaret – wife of John McFarlane and daughter of Alex Robertson of Croftdone, Parish of Blair Athol, Perthshire, Scotland Born September 29 / 1774 who departed this life November 2 / 1849 Certain hope is a blissful resurrection Row 9 Daughter of Alex & Margaret McFarlane November 28 / 1836 – October 1 / 1852 Beloved by all who knew her William Walter – son of William R & Martha Irwin – Died November 16 / 1855 – 5 weeks 6 days