Time seems to stand still here at Hamilton Cemetery. This is more than just a burial ground. It is a chronicle etched in stone. It is a testament to Hamilton’s rich past.
Hamilton Cemetery began as three separate cemeteries. These were Burlington Heights Cemetery, Christ Church Grounds, and Church of Ascension Grounds. By the 1890s, the churches struggled to maintain their grounds. In 1892, the City of Hamilton took over all three cemeteries. They were unified and renamed Hamilton Cemetery.
Many prominent Hamiltonians rest here. Among them is George Hamilton. The city takes its name from him. Colin Campbell Ferrie, Hamilton’s first mayor, is also buried here. Charles Magill served as mayor for six terms. James Gage’s home is now the Battlefield House Museum. Dr. Calvin McQueston’s residence, Whitehern, is a National Historic Site. Adelaide Hoodless, founder of the Women’s Institute, also lies here.
The land beneath Hamilton Cemetery has a storied past too. During the War of 1812, the British Army used this high ground. They built earthworks to defend against American attacks. Some casualties from the Battle of Stoney Creek may be buried nearby.
Tragedy also marks Hamilton Cemetery. It contains victims of the cholera epidemics of the mid-19th century. The 1832 epidemic saw victims buried in lime pits. The 1854 epidemic claimed over 500 lives. 391 victims are buried in Section J. A stone memorial stands in their honor. 264 victims of the 1918 Spanish Influenza pandemic are also buried here.
Look for the monuments honoring those lost in the Desjardins Canal Disaster of 1857. Fifteen Hamiltonians are remembered here. Alexander William Aitcheson, a fire chief, is also buried here. He died in action. Kathleen Kit Blake Coleman, a pioneering journalist, rests here too.
Hamilton Cemetery also holds the graves of war veterans. 139 Commonwealth service personnel are buried here. 127 from World War I and 12 from World War II.
The Cemetery Gatehouse holds historical records. It contains burial and interment information. Elizabeth Manneke, the cemetery’s record keeper and historian, has her office here.
Notice the many headstones with Masonic symbols. Look also for the carved tree stumps. Several family vaults stand here. These include the Sanford Vault and the Tuckett vault.
Hamilton Cemetery is divided into two main sections. These are the Old Church Grounds and the City Grounds. The Old Church Grounds contain the oldest graves. Robert Land Sr., an early settler, is buried here. Dr. William Case, the region’s first doctor, also rests here.
Hamilton Cemetery is a place of history. It is a place of reflection. It is a place where the stories of Hamilton come alive. Take a moment to wander. Remember those who shaped this city. Their legacies live on in these hallowed grounds.