Walking Tour of Historic Thornhill - Thornhill Community Cemetery

Al SIDE TRAIL, Walk through the cemetery, also known as the Thornhill Community Cemetery (1867). to Sumner Lane. Note the monument to Matthias Sanders, husband of the first owner of Cricklewood (see Side Trail F5) who fell at the Battle of York in 1813. It's about half way along on the south side.

Back to Cemetery image

Thornhill Cemetery
Thornhill cemetery was started in 1867 as a non-denominational burying ground. A founding meeting was held on Oct. 26, and a nine member Board of Directors was elected. Shortly thereafter, a two acre block of land was purchased and divided into 200 plots, each 8 ft. by 12 ft. A burial plot cost $200. A vault or 'dead house' was also built.
The cemetery was enlarged in 1911 by the acquisition of a wedge-shaped piece of land near John St. The iron and stone gateway and steel fence were added in 1943 after Halloween vandals destroyed the earlier white picket fence. In 1959 the central road was paved, water brought in, and the vault removed.
The oldest stone in the cemetery, relocated here, reads 'Matthias Sanders. fell at the battle of York, Nov. 1813, aged 40 years.'
Note the admonition at the base of the Mundey tombstone:
'Passerby, as you now, so once was I.
As I am now, so you will be.
Prepare for death and eternity.'

Erected by the Society for the Preservation of Historic Thornhill, 2000 A.D.

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